Cafe Joie - Waffles Waffles Waffles!

A block away from Metrotown is a quaint little Korean run cafe called Cafe Joie which, just by word of mouth, is spreading throughout Vancouver like wild fire. 

Every few weeks I see pictures of their amazing looking waffles, bear shaped macarons, and tasty looking latte art. It was hard not to check out this place to see what all the fuss is about.

Their display houses a beautiful collection of pastel coloured macarons.

When Meta Knight and I went, it was crowded and filled with students, Korean people, and girlfriends chatting over macarons.

I had to get a Bear Macaron ($2) just because it was too adorable to resist! It tasted alright and the shell was done well. However, the mango artificial flavours were just too fake for me.

We also shared their Strawberry Waffle (~$10) which comes with a fluffy waffle, cut up strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, whipped cream, strawberry ice-cream, and macaron.

We thoroughly enjoyed it and gobbled it up in seconds! The waffle could have been crisper on the outside, especially since it got soggy quite quickly with the ice-cream and whipped cream on top. But all in all, it was a good waffle for an afternoon snack.

If you are catching a movie at the Metropolis Silvercity Cinplex and need a quick snack, walk a block down and have some waffles! It's much better than any food court food you can get. :)

Service Rating: 3.5/5
Food Rating: 3.5/5
Price: $-$$

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Happy Eating!


                    my happy waffle dance

Read More

La Casita - Mole, Hortchata, Fajitas

Ever since my trip to Mexico, I can no longer look at Vancouver Mexican food the same. Sure, there are a ton of 'authentic' Mexican restaurants around, but it always feels short compared to my delicious experience down south.

La Casita was recommended to me as one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants around. That was a really big claim for my friend to make so I decided to give it a try (again)! Click here for my first experience at La Casita.

On the left is Horchata ($3.25) which is a traditional drink made from rice and topped with cinnamon. Since I ordered a spicy entree, this drink was like heaven to soothe by burning tastebuds. Two of my friends ordered the Philly Temple ($3.50) which was AMAZINGG! It's just pineapple juice and soda, topped with strawberry puree, but boy was it tast-ay.

We ordered the Texas Nachos ($9.50) assuming it came with ground beef, but it was actually a beef and bean salsa, topped with cheese and veggies. They were served on fresh corn tortilla chips though we found them a bit thick and tasted more like pita.

Lil Sis went with the Small Fajitas ($15) and it was more than enough for her. In fact she even packed some home. It came with flour tortillas, sirloin strips, rice, beans, peppers, onions, cheese, sour cream, and guac.

She enjoyed playing with her food and honestly I was kind of jealous that she got to build her own taco! I will totally get this next time.

The Beef Burrito ($17) was filled with cheese, sour cream, salsa, and was served with coleslaw, rice and refried beans. It looked so indulgent... god that cheese is making me drool right now.

As for me, I opted for the Chicken Mole Enchilada ($13/small) which is essentially baked corn tacos topped with mole, and served with the same three sides.

There was a very distinctive chocolate taste to the mole which I found rather interesting in a savoury dish.

The Steak Tampiquena ($18) was good although my friend found it a bit on the dry side.

All in all, I wouldn't say La Casita has the most authentic Mexican food in Vancouver, though it's a pretty darn close one if I say so myself.

Service Rating: 3/5
Food Rating: 3/5
Price: $$

Overall Rating: 3/5

Happy Eating!


OH yeah...pour that sauce.

 

Read More

Lucky's Doughnuts - Great Place to Chat Over Latte and Donuts

In my opinion, Lucky's Doughnuts (at either location) offer the most delicious variety of donuts in the Lower Mainland. From Maple Bacon Fritters to Creme Brulee donuts, they have some cray cray options to choose from!

I came with Meta Knight one day because I was cravingggg those creme brulee donuts I had last time (post here). Their flavours are always changing so I didn't have high hopes. Luckily for me, they did have it! Just a pumpkin flavoured one.

That display case gets me every time. From wanting one donut to four, that's always the case when I wait in line right in front of it!

It seems to me that this place is always packed and line ups are the norm. They don't have many tables inside but they do have a nice heated patio.

I got a regular latte and it was really good. Love their 'Tiffany' turquoise blue cups. Hehe :)

Thomas got the Matcha Bismark and it didn't look super matcha-y on the outside. Little did we know, it was packed full of matcha on the inside. Yum..

Yeah this is the money shot right here- look at all that matcha goodness. Needless to say, we both were VERY happy with this choice.

They didn't have their regular Creme Brulee Donut so I settled for the Pumpkin Brulee Donut which is essentially the same thing except it has pumpkin flavouring. I personally like the regular one more because the pumpkin tasted a bit artificial.

Lucky's is the only place I know that torches donuts with sugar like a creme brulee. It's ridiculous, it'll give you a sugar high, and it'll leave you wanting more next time. Can't recommend the original creme brulee donut enough.

Service Rating: 3/5
Food Rating: 4/5
Price: $

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Happy Eating!


Oh yeah... glaze that donut...

Read More

Yah Yah Ya Ramen - Exciting New Ramen Place in Richmond

Six months ago, a new ramen shop opened up in Richmond but I didn't hear about it till recently when my brother went. He said they serve authentic ramen and even though the name of the restaurant was a little odd, he suggested I try it at least once.

Meta Knight and I found a perfectly cold night to enjoy some delicious ramen. Yah Yah Ya Ramen is located next to Richmond Sushi and sadly replaced a restaurant I loved called Liu's Taiwanese Restaurant.

The interior of this little ramen shop is super cute. It's not noisy like some other ramen shops in downtown where the waiters and waitresses yell a Japanese phrase to every person that enters and leaves. I for one actually like the quaint atmosphere because this is a restaurant I can comfortably bring my family to.

They specialize in le-kei soup which is their version of the pork broth. In their broth they use pork bone, chicken bone, konbu,vegetables, and they let that simmer for at least 12 hours before serving.

Their menu is really simple. There are only really four 'flavours' to choose from: Miso, Spicy Miso, Shio, and Shoyu. However, you get to further customize your choices by choosing Taste (heavy, normal, light), Noodle (soft, normal, hard), Oil (less, normal, heavy).

We went with the Shoyu and Shio ($9.50) with Heavy Taste, Less Oil, and Normal Noodles. The noodles were perfectly al dente for us and I'm glad I didn't go with the hard noodles even though I usually like firmer noodles.

While I LOVED my Shoyu with "Heavy Taste and Less Oil", Meta Knight didn't like the Shio with the same customizations. Since Shio means 'salt flavour', it was too salty for him. I say, if you get Shoyu, go with heavy taste but if you get Shio, get normal or light taste.

The Chashu (pork) was melt-in-your-mouth and I was so glad they didn't skimp on the meat.

Yah Yah Ya actually reminds me of Kintaro because of all the customizations and I absolutely loved their deep, dark, robust broth. I will be returning for sure!

Service Rating: 4/5
Food Rating: 4/5
Price: $

Overall Rating: 4/5

Happy Eating!

Read More

Top 10 Restaurants to Go to During the Winter Time

When I think of winter, I think of scraping frost from my car in the morning, curling up in my blanket- burrito style (best way to sleep in my opinion), Mariah's 'All I want for Christmas is you" blasting in my car, and eating hot soupy anything to keep my insides warm.

There are so many amazing restaurants in Vancity that serves up delicous hot eats, perfect for combating the nippy air and chilly wind so I thought I'd share a few of my favourites with you. These restaurants are in no particular order. They are all my favourite go-to places during the winter time.

1. Burgoo - Must Get Item: Soup and Sandwich Combo


Burgoo by far makes one of my favourite grilled cheese sandwiches because it's made with an obscene amount of butter and cheese. *Drool*.... and when you pair that with their hot Seafood Potage soup? It's the perfect lunch combo to warm you from inside out.

2. Dinesty - Must Get Item: Soup Pork Dumplings


The last time I blogged about Dinesty was back in 2011 and I wrote about my less than stellar experience. I've returned many times since then, and they've surprised me with improvements each time. Their Xiao Long Baos (soup dumplings) are pretty spot on and if you've never had them before... You are missing out. These little soupy meat purses will change your life. Like legit.

3. Crackle Creme - Must Get Item: Honey Lavender Creme Brulee


Honey. Lavender. Creme. Brulee. Need I say more??

4. Marutama - Must Get Item: THE EGG


Oh god. Their glorious egg still haunts me in my sleep and I'm constantly depressed at the fact that I live so far away from this place. Marutama serves up extremely rich, chicken broth-based ramen with an egg so delicious it'll make you sing to the heavens. Just go and try it.

5. Swiss Bakery - Must Get Item: The Cronut (or Frissant)


It's really hard to explain in words how a cronut tastes but all I can say is... if you like doughnuts, and you like croissants, you will love these cronuts from Swiss Bakery. During my hibernation in the winter, my body craves carbs and this is its calling.

6. CHAU Veggie Express - Must Get Item: Diving For Pearls Pho


What's the first thing that pops into your mind when I say "vegetarian pho"? I can tell you the word 'delicious' was not on my mind. However, after trying their Diving For Pearls Pho, I am now a convert. This particular broth made with lychees and dates is still one of the most flavouful and delicious pho broths I've ever tasted to date. Give this place a try even if you have doubts. Most likely you'll love it.

7. Chez Meme - Must Get Item: French Onion Soup and Bourguignon Baguette


One look at this picture and I'm sure you already know what I'm talking about. In addition to their AMAZING french onion soup, this local mom and pop shop located in Burnaby will surely blow your mind when you taste their baguette sandwiches. Meta Knight and I both love their short rib baguette called "Bourguignon".

8. Gokudo Shabu Shabu - Must Get Item: Hot Pot Combo


Everyone knows hot pot tastes better when it's rainy, snowing, or windy outside. :) During the winter, I like Gokudo because their hot pot combo gives you tons of veggies, tons of meat, a drink, a carbolicious side, and a dessert, all for about $15 bucks. Plus, their individual hot pots mean no-calling-in-sick-the-next-day-when-you're-too-nice-to-ask-your-sneezing-friend-to-hold-off-on-double-dipping-her-chopsticks.

9. House of Tofu Soup - Must Get Item: Seafood Tofu Hot Pot and Fried Dumplings


I'm no vegetarian but these fried dumplings are the bomb. Also, Korean tofu soup is like the modern day chicken noodle soup. A little spicy, hearty, soupy, the perfect medicine to any cold.

10. Forage - Must Get Item: Their Award Winning Seafood Chowder


Soup. Soup. Soup. Soup. Did I mention I like soup? As an avid seafood lover, I can't imagine anything better than this award winning smokey seafood chowder on a cold windy night. As if that's not enough, it's topped with a soft boiled quail egg and pork rinds. Yes. I said pork rinds *wipes drool off keyboard*.

That's it! Hope you enjoyed the post. :) And if you're anything like me in the winter time... you'll relate.



Happy Eating!

Read More