Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

If you stepped outside last night, you know that summer in Vancouver is officially teasing us, and you know exactly what that means. The bright neon lights, the music drifting over the Canada Line tracks, and that unmistakable, mouth-watering aroma of cumin skewers and fried squid are back. My husband and I braved the crowds last night to get a first look and a first taste of the 2026 Richmond Night Market season. Richmond Night Market Crowd Because I know how overwhelming it can be to navigate the maze of stalls when you are hungry, I spent my evening walking the rows and taking photos of every single food booth and menu. I wanted to make sure you have the ultimate cheat sheet before you go! Whether you are looking for the absolute cheapest bites under ten dollars, planning a fun date night, or trying to figure out if the Zoom Pass is worth it this year, I have you covered. He...

✨ At a Glance: Quick Facts 📍 Restaurant: Italia Bella (West Broadway — Vancouver, BC) 🍝 Ordered: Linguine Pescatore ($29.95), Baked Beef Tortellini ($26.95) ⭐ Smooch Verdict: A charming, upscale surprise on West Broadway with a warm neighbourhood feel. While the seafood linguine was generous but under-seasoned, the rich and cheesy baked tortellini was an absolute standout! Happy Saturday! After a wonderful, productive morning blogging away at Elysian Coffee , our appetites finally caught up with us. We needed a spot for lunch right away, so I quickly pulled up Google Maps to see what was closest to us and open at that exact momen...

✨ At a Glance: Quick Facts 📍 Location: Elysian Coffee Roasters (7th & Ontario — Vancouver, BC) ☕ Drinks: Oat Milk Matcha Latte ($7.00), Double Baked Matcha ($7.90) 🥐 Food: Breakfast Sandwich ($9.00), Grilled Cheese ($8.75), Almond Blueberry Muffin ($4.25), Cheese Scone ($5.25) ⭐ Smooch Verdict: A fantastic neighborhood spot to camp out and be productive. While the savoury items are comforting, the real star of the show is the almond blueberry muffin, which explodes with fresh fruit and is capped with a perfect, crunchy top! Happy sunny, beau...

✨ At a Glance: Quick Facts 📍 Restaurant: Patrón Taco and Cantina (Vancouver, BC) 🍱 Ordered: Beef Tinga Burrito Bowl (Lunch Special) ⭐ Smooch Verdict: A deeply satisfying, layered lunch deal that is perfect for breaking a long fast. The savory shred of the beef tinga mixed with fresh, crisp toppings makes this a reliable mid-week winner! Happy Thursday! In my books, Thursday means one wonderful thing: our company-paid team lunch. Even better? I actually won our team competition this week, which meant I got the ultimate prize of choosing the cuisine. Naturally, I picked Mexican, and we headed straight to our usual beloved spot, Patrón Taco...

✨ At a Glance: Quick Facts 📍 Restaurant: Mr. Sushi 🍱 Ordered: Veggie Box ($18.50), Chicken Yakisoba ($13.95) ⭐ Smooch Verdict: Our ultimate go-to neighbourhood favourite delivers again. The Veggie Box is a phenomenal, nourishing option when you want something lighter, and the spinach gomae is an absolute must-order discovery! Happy Friday! After spending a solid three hours nesting at Honolulu Coffee False Creek to work on the blog, Hubby and I decided that cooking dinner was absolutely not on the agenda for my day off. Naturally, we headed straight to our neighbourhood favorite, Mr. Sushi . Since I was still feeling pretty content and f...