Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Tim Hortons has recently introduced a new limited-time Nutella product to their menu: the Croissant with Nutella. As a fan of their other Nutella offerings like the Dream Donut, Dream Cookie, and Iced Capp, I had high hopes for this latest addition. Unfortunately, my husband and I were left feeling a bit disappointed. The Croissant with Nutella is essentially a croissant sandwich with a layer of Nutella spread in the middle. While the croissant itself was acceptable , the Nutella was not filled or stuffed inside. This was a stark contrast to what my husband had envisioned: a croissant filled to the brim with the delicious hazelnut spread. Croissant with Nutella from Tim Hortons  Given Tim Hortons' track record with their other Nutella products, it's surprising that they didn't take the opportunity to create a truly indulgent croissant experience. A croissant filled wi...

If you're looking for an authentic Mexican dining experience in Vancouver, look no further than Patron Taco & Cantina. Their traditional burrito is a testament to their commitment to classic flavours and quality ingredients. The star of the show is their signature burrito, a flour tortilla filled to the brim with a delicious combination of: Mozzarella Cheese : Melty and gooey, providing a creamy base for the other ingredients. Rice : A fluffy and satisfying addition that adds substance to the burrito. Pico de Gallo : A fresh, tangy salsa made with tomatoes, onions, and cilantro. Sour Cream : A cool and creamy contrast to the spicy pico de gallo. Lettuce : Adding a crisp and refreshing texture. Served alongside a generous portion of pork beans and chicken tinga, this burrito is a feast for the senses. The pork beans are hearty and flavorful, while the chicken tinga is tender and spicy. ...

Have you ever had a morning where you craved something a little different? That's exactly what happened to us this Sunday. We usually start our Sundays with a classic Tim Hortons breakfast. But today, we decided to switch things up and head to McDonald's after Mass. My husband opted for the Mighty McMuffin , while I went for the Mighty McGriddles . Let me tell you, this was a breakfast showdown for the ages! (Okay, that's a tad bit dramatic!) Mighty McMuffin  Both sandwiches were incredibly satisfying, but I have to admit, I'm a total sucker to the Mighty McGriddles. The double portion of hickory-smoked bacon was crispy perfection* , and I loved . the way the sweet, maple-flavored griddle cakes balanced out the savory sausage. It was like a little taste of heaven in every bite. Mighty McGriddles ...

Tim Hortons has just dropped a trio of delectable treats that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The new Nutella Dream lineup features three mouthwatering creations: the Dream Donut with Nutella , the Chocolate Hazelnut Iced Capp with Nutella , and the Dream Cookie with Nutella . The Dream Donut with Nutella This classic cake donut gets a decadent upgrade with a generous portion of Nutella in the middle. The combination of the soft donut, the sweet powder sugar coating, and the rich, creamy Nutella is a match made in heaven. Dream Donut with Nutella  from Tim Hortons Dream Donut with Nutella  from Tim Hortons The Chocolate Hazelnut Iced Capp with Nutella For those who prefer their sweets in liquid form, the Chocolate Hazelnut Iced Capp with Nutella is a must-try. This iced cappuccino is infused w...

Tim Hortons introduced the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Loaded Wrap and Bowl. These menu items promised a spicy and satisfying experience, combining the tangy flavors of buffalo sauce with the creaminess of ranch dressing. Crispy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Loaded Wrap The loaded wrap, featuring crispy chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and vegetables, was initially promising. However, the crispy chicken was a major letdown. It was dry and seemed to have been sitting for too long, lacking the freshness and crispiness we were hoping for. The other ingredients were decent, but the stale chicken overshadowed the overall flavor profile. Slow-Cooked Buffalo Ranch Chicken Loaded Bowl from Tim Hortons Slow-Cooked Buffalo Ranch Chicken Loaded Bowl The buffalo ranch chicken bowl, featuring slow-cooked chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, and vegetables, was a much more satisfying experience. The ...

 Happy Thursday! For this week's company-paid team lunch, the theme was Thai cuisine. After checking Google Maps, the best source of Thai food within walking distance of the office is inside Club Kitchen at Expo Boulevard: Thai Away Home. We walked to the location on a partly cloudy day. There are so many options but sticking to the theme, I chose Combo 1 with chicken green curry. Combo for 1 from Thai Away in Club Kitchen Spring roll, green salad, hot and sour broth, white jasmine rice, and chicken green curry with eggplant It's a feast! The meal came with some of the best Thai curry around, soft white rice to absorb all the coconut sauce, crispy spring rolls, surprisingly delicious hot & sour broth, and fresh salad. I finished everything and food coma. Chicken Green Curry with Eggplant from  Thai Away Home i...

Last Thursday, our team embraced the poke trend for our company-paid lunch and headed to Steve's Poke Bar in Yaletown. A quick kilometre walk later, we were ready to dive into some fresh, flavorful poke bowls. As a poke newbie, I opted for the classic "California Dreamin'" bowl. Two scoops of Shoyu Salmon served as the base, but instead of rice, I went for a healthier quinoa option. To top it off, I added furikake seasoning, corn, edamame, imitation crab, wakame seaweed salad, pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and a dollop of Steve's Spicy Mayo sauce. California Dreamin' from Steve's Poke Bar Two Shoyu salmon scoops, quinoa, furikake seasoning, corn, edamame, imitation crab, wakame seaweed salad, pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and Steve's spicy mayo sauce The combination of flavours was delightful! The salmon was fresh and tender, the qui...

What better way to cool down on a scorching Sunday than with a decadent S'mores McFlurry delivered right to your doorstep? I mean, seriously, McDonald's has outdone themselves this time. This frozen treat is an absolute dream come true for S'mores lovers. The perfect blend of crunchy graham crackers, gooey marshmallows, and rich hot fudge swirled into creamy vanilla soft serve is pure bliss. Every spoonful is a delightful explosion of flavors and textures that transports you straight to a campfire. S'mores McFlurry from McDonald's A summer staple just got a whole lot cooler. With the taste of graham crackers and mini marshmallows swirled into smooth vanilla soft serve and blended with hot fudge, you'll be wanting S'more. If you haven't tried this limited-time offering yet, I highly recommend you do! It's the ultimate indulgence f...

I had the incredible chance to choose the theme for our weekly company-paid team lunch thanks to winning our weekly office competition. And let me tell you, I made the most of it by picking burgers from White Spot. I enjoyed their Pacific Northwest Steelhead Burger. The star of the show was undoubtedly the 5 oz Ocean Wise™ steelhead fillet. It was cooked to perfection, flaky and tender, with a delicate flavor that was the perfect base for the vibrant toppings. The pickled onion added a tangy crunch, while the arugula and tomato brought a refreshing freshness. But it was the tartar sauce that truly stole the show for me. That bold dill flavor was an absolute game-changer! I absolutely love it. Pacific Northwest Steelhead Burger  from White Spot 5 oz Ocean Wise™ steelhead fillet with pickled onion, tartar sauce, arugula, tomato, and mayo, To complement the burger, I...

 Maple Leaf Pizza is the closest pizza spot from our home and we decided to grab a couple slices of their veggie pizza that is available. Veggie Pizza  from Maple Leaf Pizza Mushrooms, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and cheese It was surprisingly delicious. The dough was chewy and perfectly cheesy. It is definitely an improvement from Bella Pizza.

With the sun shining bright, there's nothing quite like a refreshing drink to beat the heat. Recently, we decided to check out Blenz's limited edition summer sips. Our local Blenz on the corner of West Broadway and Granville was the perfect spot for a chill afternoon. Coco-Ube Chillo: A Tropical Dream I opted for the Coco-Ube Chillo, and let me tell you, it was pure bliss! This creamy concoction is a delightful blend of vanilla ice cream, ube, whipped cream, and toasted coconut. The texture is like a thick, indulgent milkshake, and the coconut flavour takes center stage, with a subtle sweetness from the vanilla and ube. It's the perfect treat for a hot day! Coco-Ube Chillo from Blenz Coffee Ube Matcha Freddo: A Matcha Mishap? My hubby ordered the Ube Matcha Freddo, anticipating a creamy ube latte topped with matcha whipped cream. Unfortunately, it seems they might ha...

After a long day, there’s nothing quite like fried chicken. With stomachs grumbling, we decided to indulge in a classic comfort food experience from Popeyes.  Our first order was a combo of eight crispy nuggets with Bayou Buffalo sauce on the side, accompanied by a generous serving of Cajun fries. The nuggets boasted a golden, shatteringly crisp exterior that gave way to a tender, juicy interior. The Bayou Buffalo sauce delivered a fiery kick with a subtle tanginess, creating a harmonious blend of heat and flavour. The Cajun fries were a symphony of textures, with a crispy exterior and a fluffy, potato-forward interior. Infused with the bold, aromatic spices of Cajun cuisine, they were a delightful complement to the nuggets. 8-piece chicken nuggets with cajun fries and biscuit from Popeyes Our second round was a more traditional affair: a four-piece chicken meal with onion ring...

It’s a beautiful Thursday with plenty of sunshine and a company-paid lunch to look forward to. With the 2024 Summer Olympics happening in Paris, our team decided that the theme would be the iconic baguette. Beautiful Baguette Sandwiches from PAUL Le Café We’re lucky to have PAUL Le Café, a lovely French bakery, in the lobby of Vancouver Centre II. I decided to try the vegetarian Tomato and Mozzarella sandwich. Tomato and Mozzarella Baguette Sandwich  from PAUL Le Café The baguette was fantastic – crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, filled with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, crisp lettuce, and a fragrant basil pesto. It was a light, delicious lunch that felt like a taste of Paris. Canelé from PAUL Le Café ...