Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

The "Unicorn Kisses" from Fufú Café is our 7th hot chocolate that's part of the 14th Annual Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. This exquisite drink intertwines taro and ube (purple yam) with 66% dark chocolate. #77 - Unicorn Kisses from Fufú Café Taro and ube (purple yam) each possess a sweet, creamy, and nutty flavour profile that beautifully complements the aromatic hints of nuts and subtle gingerbread notes found in our Cocoa Berry 66% Mexique dark chocolate. This classic dark hot chocolate is elevated with a velvety topping infused with taro and ube (purple yam), and crowned with a dollop of Fufu's signature salted cheese foam. A delicate dusting of purple yam powder adds the finishing touch, creating a symphony of flavors and textures. Served with our Rice Flour Chiffon Mini Shortcake. It's a harmonious combi...

Sundays are for good food and even better company, and today was no exception. After a soul-soothing Mass, we were drawn to the tantalizing aromas wafting from Royal Seoul House Restaurant, conveniently located just across the street from Fufú Café. The 14th Annual Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival would have to wait—we had a date with a sizzling BBQ combo that promised to elevate our Sunday lunch to new heights. Korean BBQ Combo C (beef short ribs, sliced seasoned sirloin, beef belly, and pork belly)  at Royal Seoul House As we strolled into Royal Seoul House, the atmosphere was surprisingly buzzing with the hum of satisfied patrons. The menu boasted an array of options, but our eyes were fixed on the BBQ Combo C — an irresistible selection of marinated beef short ribs, sliced seasoned sirloin, beef belly, and pork belly. ...

 Happy Sunday! We made another delightful stop on our 14th Annual Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival adventure. Today's breakfast at Beaucoup Bakery features a Star Wars-inspired treat: "Java the Hutt." It was best to surrender to the indulgent side with this decadent mocha fondue special, playfully named after the infamous Star Wars crime lord. Before I share to you about this hot chocolate, here is a list of which ones we have tried so far in chronological order: #133 - Bear with Me from Nuttea #13 - Join the Dark Side from Beaucoup Bakery and Cafe #30 - Violet's Berry Delight   from Boba Run #92 - Snow-Coco from Honolulu Coffee #93 - Calli-Coco from Honolulu Coffee #15 - Java the Hutt from Beaucoup Bakery and Cafe (this post) "Java the Hutt" commands attention with its sultry blend of Valrhona Jivara 40% milk chocolate and a robust shot of espress...

Picture this: It's Saturday night, and the only thing on my mind is satisfying my intense chicken craving. The choices are endless, but this time, my heart (and stomach) led me straight to Popeyes. While I've always enjoyed their signature chicken, this evening called for something different—tender, juicy, and bite-sized delights. So, Popeyes chicken tenders and nuggets it was! Dinner feast  from Popeyes Last week, I indulged in the crispy goodness of Church's Chicken , and the week before that, I savoured Taiwanese popcorn chicken at Redbeef Noodle . Each experience was unique, but Popeyes was calling my name this time. Tantalizing Tenders As I sank my teeth into Popeyes chicken tenders, I couldn't help but marvel at the perfect balance of crispy and tender. The seasoned batter clung to each strip, creating a symphony of flavours with every bite. It was like a culina...

I have been to many Japanese restaurants in Vancouver. However, this was the first time I felt transported to Japan and completely forgot that I was in Canada for a moment. That's what I experienced at Haraheri. After enjoying the hot chocolate at Honolulu Coffee , I quickly searched Google Maps to recommend the closest restaurant. It suggested Haraheri Izakaya. I checked the menu pictures and saw Japanese curry (my favourite). Unfortunately, when we got to the restaurant - the menu had changed, and there was no curry. 🥹 Apparently, curry is only served during lunch. Because there was no curry, I chose the Crab & Unti Carbonara while hubby went for the Miso Wagyu Steak. For sharing, we also ordered the Tori Karaage. The food was divine. Crab & Uni Carbonara  from Eat Bar & Patio Haraheri Fettucine carbonara with shaved parmesan, sea urchin roe & egg, topped with...

We continue our Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate adventure by visiting Honolulu Coffee in their Downtown Vancouver location, where we escaped the pouring rain to enjoy warm, creative, and indulgent Snow-Coco ad Calli-Coco. Snow-Coco We enjoyed in the exquisite "Snow-Coco", a creation that combines 70% dark chocolate with steamed oat milk, forming a creamy canvas for a winter masterpiece. #92 Snow-Coco  from Honolulu Coffee The finest blend of 70% dark chocolate with steamed oat milk creates a creamy canvas for artistry. A drizzle of macadamia nut and coconut syrup adds an exotic twist, while the two marshmallow snowmen create a winter wonderland in your cup. Every sip is a sweet escape to a snowy, cocoa-filled dream. Served with two snowmen made with marshmallows and pretzels. A drizzle of macadamia nut and coconut syrup adds an exotic twist, while the two marshmallow s...

 Happy Thursday! It's team lunch, and the theme is potatoes. Since we missed Thai food last week because of the snow, we decided to order it this week. We got it from Talay Thai Restaurant, delivered by UberEats. I chose Jungle Curry under the menu's Special Talay Thai Dishes section. Jungle Curry is different from my usual green curry. The heat factor is unapologetically more intense, as it embraces its spicy nature with gusto, delivering a fiery kick that leaves a lingering warmth on the tongue. Other than the heat, the core of this culinary masterpiece is the finger root, known locally as ka chai, which imparts a unique earthy and aromatic essence to the curry. Jungle Curry from Talay Thai Restaurant A true central northeast Thai curry prepared with finger root (ka chai) and special Thai herbs. Your choice of chicken, pork, or beef. Ask to have it mild if you can't take ...

Happy Sunday! We shared a Fudge Brownie Latte from Tim Hortons with our breakfast this morning. It has a rich and indulgent chocolate flavour, similar to the dense and sweet taste of fudge brownies. It reminded me of the Marble Swirl Hot Chocolate  but with the addition of espresso. Fudge Brownie Latte  from Tim Hortons Have you tried the Fudge Brownie drinks from Tims? What do you think?

Happy Saturday evening! We didn't get HelloFresh this week, so I ordered fried chicken instead. It took me what feels like forever to decide whether to get KFC or somewhere else and, if elsewhere, where. Fries from Church's Chicken After checking DoorDash for chicken, it suggested so many options. In the middle of the list is Church's Chicken. They have decent gravy, so I went with them. Spicy fried chicken from Church's Chicken We got the 20-piece chicken with two large gravies and large French fries. It's a happy night.  Reheating this will be perfect in the air fryer. Yum!

There’s a specific kind of excitement that only happens when you walk through the gates of Rogers Arena. Whether it's the roar of a Canucks goal or the first chord of a concert, I’ve realized that the food in your hand is just as much a part of the memory as the game itself. I sat through the Canucks vs. Coyotes game last January 18, 2024 specifically to document these updates for you. Prices have shifted, but the joy of a shared bucket of mini donuts remains. Below is your practical, heart-filled guide to every section’s menu for 2024 and beyond." Refill Alert! 🥤🍿 If you're planning a long night, go for the Souvenir Popcorn ($15.99) or Souvenir Pepsi ($11.99) . Both are refillable, making them the most smooch-worthy deals in the arena! A Smooch-Worthy Tip: If you find the prices inside the arena too much for the budget, the nearby Costco food court is a life-saver (MasterCard and members only!). Check my Costco food court guide here . List of ...