Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

After dinner at Tims, we grabbed groceries at Shoppers and walked around at La Win Supermarket. We picked three different pastries from their bakery and frozen dessert section. Custard Waffle Cakes From the open fridge near the bakery section, we spotted the Monteur Douce Patisserie Custard Waffle Cakes imported directly from Japan. Monteur Douce Patisserie Custard Waffle Cakes made in Japan Creamy custard between a folded waffle. Four Japanese Custard Waffle Cakes The waffle was so soft it was like eating the clouds, while the custard inside was sweet. I love it! Daifuku Red Bean Cake The Red Bean Cake reminds me of the one we got fresh from Kam Do Bakery . Made in Japan Daifuku ...

Happy Tuesday evening! For dinner on this cold and clear night, we went to Tim Hortons to try the new Chipotle Steak Loaded Bowl . I also wanted the wrap version, but the location close to us only has one serving left of Chipotle Steak. New Chipotle Steak Loaded Bowl  from Tim Hortons I feel like it's sacrilegious to say that the beef steak is better than what you get from Chipotle Mexican Grill. It's tender, juicy, and marinated well. Chipotle Steak Loaded Bowl  from Tim Hortons The loaded bowl features a base of brown rice, lettuce, diced tomato, and cucumber. It's topped with slow-cooked seasoned steak, crispy onions, and the signature chipotle sauce. The rice was soft and seasoned well. The lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber provided freshness and a change of texture to the dish. ...

After lunch at White Spot, we walked around nearby Safeway and Pulpfiction Bookstore while waiting for Uno Gelato to open at 12:00 NN. We're here for the 2023 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival and ordered both available flavours: The Drink of Kings and the non-alcohol version of Vancouver Sunny Rush. #136 The Drink of Kings from Uno Gelato The first thing I tasted on my first sip was the coconut whipped cream, then there's this subtle flavour I can't pinpoint, which turned out to be cinnamon. Then, I absolutely love the slight bitterness from the 55% dark chocolate and cocoa powder. The Drink of Kings  from Uno Gelato The Drink of Kings is paired with a vanilla dough cookie with rolled oats which provides a contrasting texture to the creamy hot chocolate. Below is the description of The Drink of Kings on the Hot Chocolate Festival website : #136 - Th...

Happy Sunday! It's been a stressful week, and budget has been extraordinarily tight, but God is good. We received a White Spot gift card last year for fundraising for the RBC Run for the Kids in support of BC Children's Hospital. We used it today, and I ordered the Wagyu Cheddar Burger while hubby got the Bacon Wrapped Cheddar Burger from the Featured section of the menu. Wagyu Cheddar Burger from White Spot 1/3 lb Brant Lake Wagyu beef patty, double Cheddar cheese, sauteed onion, secret Triple "O" sauce, lettuce and tomato on a brioche bun. Wagyu Cheddar Burger I had high hopes for the Wagyu Cheddar Burger, but the sauteed onion was overpowering. It was easier to appreciate the beefy flavour once I took a bite without any onions. I love the slightly burnt, crispy edge of the juicy beef patty. ...

Happy Sunday! For breakfast today, we went to McDonald's to try the Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda McMuffin and Sesame Bacon, Egg & Gouda Bagel. Bacon, Egg, & Smoky Gouda McMuffin The gouda cheese has a distinct flavour and surprisingly works well with the crispy bacon and soft English muffin. Bacon, Egg & Smoky Gouda McMuffin  from McDonald's Sesame Bacon, Egg, & Gouda Bagel It's the same bacon, egg, and gouda cheese, but in a sesame bagel this time. Since the bagel has more flavour than the English muffin, it's more difficult for the gouda cheese to stand out. The edges of the bagel are crunchy and toasted perfectly. Sesame Bacon, Egg, & Gouda Bagel from McDonald's Canada Premium Roast Coffee After breakfast, we walked to church, and when we passed by Tim Hort...

Our last food stop of the day is The Pie Hole because they are part of the 2023 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. They are offering three different flavours, and we ordered the Fat Elvis. #122 Fat Elvis Hot Chocolate from The Pie Hole Below is the description of the Hot Chocolate Festival website. #122 Fat Elvis Dark chocolate and banana-infused hot chocolate, topped with peanut butter whipped cream, chocolate ganache, caramel and candied peanuts. Served with a 3" personal 'Fat Elvis' pie #122 Fat Elvis It's my favourite hot chocolate we have tried so far! I love all the candied peanuts on top, which provided a beautiful crunch to the creamy hot chocolate. It's also the perfect sipping temperature of all the hot chocolates we've had that are part of the Greater...

Happy Lunar New Year! We had lunch at Peaceful Restaurant in their Kitsilano location and had four dim sum dishes. Xiao-Long Bao Steamed Buns The first dim sum that arrived at our table was the 8-piece Xiao-long bao steamed buns. We haven't had it in a while, and it has a strong pork flavour. After slurping all the soup, dip it in the vinegar sauce to add sourness which helps cut through all the fat. Xiao-Long Bao Steamed Buns from Peaceful Restaurant Xiao-Long Bao Steamed Buns are very soupy. Pan-Fried Chicken Fried Dumplings The next dish that arrived at our table was the 8 pieces of Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings. The skin of the dumplings is crispy, while the inside is hot. The chicken flavour is stronger than the park, and the dipping sauce is sour,  cutting through the oiliness of the dish. Be sure to ea...

Happy Sunday! We visited the 49th Parallel Coffee + Lucky's Doughnuts for the 2023 Hot Chocolate Festival and shared a Florals & Spice hot chocolate. Florals & Spice Hot Chocolate It has sweet floral undertones and is definitely sweeter than the  Plus de Cerises, Mon Chérie from The GOOD Chocolatier . #01 Florals and Spice Dark hot chocolate infused with cardamom and organic rose petals. Served with a mini brioche doughnut filled with spiced chocolate custard and topped with orange blossom glaze, pistachios and rose petals.

We find ourselves in a 49th Parallel Coffee + Lucky's Doughnuts location because of the 2023 Hot Chocolate Festival. So, of course, we tried two of their donuts: Vanilla Old Fashioned and Vegan Triple Chocolate. We also ordered two savoury pastries (Savoury Scone and Pistachio Almond Croissant) because it's breakfast, and I don't want all sweets. Breakfast at 49th Parallel Coffee + Lucky's Doughnuts Vanilla Old Fashioned Donut Vanilla Old Fashioned is crispy on the edges and with a slight vanilla sweetness. I prefer this to the Triple Chocolate Donut. I love the difference in texture with the soft interior and crunchy exterior. Vanilla Old Fashioned Donut at 49th Parallel Coffee + Lucky's Donut Savoury Scone The Savoury Scone is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It's filled w...

Tim Hortons introduced a new Vanilla Coconut drinks line, including Vanilla Coconut Latte, Vanilla Coconut Cappuccino, and Vanilla Coconut Cold Brew with Espresso-Infused Foam. Today, we tried the Vanilla Coconut Latte, and it has the expected light vanilla taste and is smooth with a subtle hint of coconut aftertaste. Vanilla Coconut Latte  from Tim Hortons Hey Tims, my dad is requesting a coconut-flavoured (infused) donut. I suggest trying a Filipino bread pan de coco  for flavours that inspire you. It's his favourite bread.

Our first meal for lunch today is at Olive Garden, and we're trying two new items: Chicken Marsala Fettuccine , Ravioli Carbonara , and Meatballs Parmigiana . My parents are celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary. Their youngest daughter and offspring suggested we take the more than 40 km (24 miles) drive to the only Olive Garden location in British Columbia, Canada. Of course, we're here for unlimited breadsticks and soup. Pasta e Fagioli Pasta e Fagioli is the last soup that I have not tried at Olive Garden, so it's what I ordered today. It's sour because of the tomatoes and hearty because of the beans. There's also a bit of heat that feels like from black pepper. Pasta e Fagioli My favourite is still the hearty and filling Zuppa Toscana, which hubby ordered. Zuppa Tuscana NEW: Chicken Marsala Fettu...

Happy Sunday! For the first time, we're consciously visiting places participating in 2023 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival . Our first stop for the hot chocolate season is The GOOD Chocolatier inside Greens Market along West Broadway. The GOOD Chocolatier offers two flavours as part of the 2023 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival After the 9:00 AM Mass and Pancake Breakfast at Church , we ordered both available drink flavours from The GOOD Chocolatier a couple blocks away. #73 Plus de Cerises, Mon Chérie It's a beautiful cup of hot chocolate that took 5-10 minutes to prepare. It was lovingly handcrafted by the friendly person at the counter. It has a strong cherry flavour which reminds me of black forest cake. #73 Plus de Cerises, Mon Chérie Darling, why have only one cherry, if e...

Happy Sunday morning! My husband and I are joining our parish community at St. Augustine for pancake breakfast organized by Knights of Columbus after the 9:00 AM Mass. We enjoy pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, sliced turkey, and waffle fries. It's a filling, delicious lunch. The pancakes were perfect with the syrup, while the eggs were soft and salted. The breakfast sausage still has that snap. Lastly, the sliced turkey was moist and savoury. Pancake Breakfast organized by Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus has a couple chef members. That's why we will try to attend whatever feast they prepare moving forward. We were seated with four retired senior citizen ladies. It's so fascinating to hear their stories. They ask each other about their schedule and activities. For example, they pray the rosary together every Wednesday, then, on some days, th...