Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Every year, our family has a themed Noche Buena to celebrate the holiday season, and this year was especially special as we celebrated my parents' and siblings' 10-year anniversary in Canada. To mark the occasion, we decided to have Filipino food as our theme. We also did a potluck of sorts, with each family member contributing a dish. My husband and I got Lechon from Kuy's Lechon . I'm happy to share that it was incredibly flavourful, with perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. It received the seal of approval from my dad, who’s a tough critic when it comes to lechon! I also picked up LA Fried Chicken , as Lechong Manok (roast chicken) was unavailable this year. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside, seasoned to perfection. Dad grilled Tilapia , which had a smoky flavour from the grill, and a soft, flaky texture. Meanwhile, Mom cooked her famous Filipino-style spaghetti . This dish is a sweet, ...

Happy Sunday! It's been a long day running errands and finishing up last-minute Christmas shopping. In between stops, we decided to take a much-needed break for lunch, as I was starting to feel hangry. Pearl Castle Cafe  at Club Kitchen We stopped by Club Kitchen in Yaletown, a unique spot featuring 13 different restaurants under one roof. While they primarily focus on delivery, they do offer a handful of tables, and eating in is absolutely encouraged. Fried Chicken Thigh Bento   from Pearl Castle Cafe Slightly chili powder on top of chicken. All bento includes rice, side dishes of the day: tofu, fishcake, and veggie We ordered from Pearl Castle Cafe, where we indulged in some of our favorite Taiwanese dishes: crispy fried pork chops, juicy fried chicken thighs, and flavorful Taiwanese sausage. ...

Happy Sunday morning! The Four Cheese Omelette Bites from Tim Hortons were first released in October of this year, and it took nearly three months for us to finally give them a try. Four Cheese Omelette Bites from Tim Hortons The bites are exactly as described: soft, fluffy eggs infused with a bold cheese flavor. The combination of two types of cheddar, Gouda, and mozzarella creates a rich, savory taste that's pleasantly indulgent without being overwhelming. The texture is smooth and creamy, with the cheese melting seamlessly into the eggs, giving each bite a satisfying, melt-in-your-mouth feel. It actually reminds me of the omelettes I make at home when I use those marble cheese slices, which lend a similar creamy and mild richness.  Four Cheese Omelette Bites  from Tim Hortons While I’m sure many peo...

Happy Thursday! It’s the final company-paid team lunch of 2024, and we decided to revisit our most frequent spot this year: Patrón Tacos and Cantina. I finally gave in and ordered their nachos. The crispy tortilla chips were generously covered with melted Mexican cheese, which created a wonderfully indulgent, rich layer. Birria Nachos  from Patrón Tacos and Cantina Corn tortillas chips covered with melted cheese. Garnished with pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, olives, with a side of guacamole, and birria The nachos were elevated by a bold combination of flavorful toppings, including spicy jalapeños, tender birria, a surprising yet delightful addition of olives, fresh pico de gallo, and a side of creamy guacamole. The dish was comforting and packed with layers of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors that made each bite an experience. It was quite a hefty portion for one per...

Happy Wednesday! For dinner, we decided to visit the Vancouver Christmas Market for the third time this year, making sure to fully maximize our season pass. I was absolutely famished, so my first order of business was to try the chicken pot pie from Meat Pie Haus. It was incredibly comforting. The shredded chicken inside was tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, while the rich, savoury gravy added depth to the dish. The crust, while not exactly flaky, was pleasantly sturdy, holding up well under the weight of the creamy gravy and mashed potatoes piled on top. Chicken Pot Pie  from Meat Pie Haus After devouring the pie, we lined up at Das Schnitzel Haus for their schnitzel wrap with crunchy slaw and potato salad. It was such a fun twist on the traditional pork cutlet. The schnitzel was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, pairing beautifully with the tangy, crisp slaw...

The Vancouver Christmas Market is back for 2024, bringing festive cheer, twinkling lights, and an irresistible array of delicious food and drinks. Whether you're craving traditional German fare, indulgent sweet treats, or gourmet comfort foods, this iconic holiday market offers something for everyone. To help you plan your visit, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of food vendors, their menus, and prices to ensure you don’t miss out on the market’s culinary delights. All prices are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD) and do not include taxes or gratuity. Please note that prices and menu items are subject to change without prior notice, so double-check with vendors during your visit. Get ready to explore the flavors of the season at the Vancouver Christmas Market! New items have ✨ next to it. If you want to compare prices, please check the list from last year. Vancouver Christmas Market 2024 ...

It's all-day happy hour at Boston Pizza, which means I can order all my favorites—Cactus Cut Potatoes and Boston Pizza nachos. Onion Rings  from Boston Pizza We also decided to try their onion rings as part of my goal to try everything on the menu. The onion rings have a perfectly crispy, golden-brown exterior that offers a satisfying crunch with every bite. Inside, the sweet, tender onion adds a delicious contrast to the crisp coating, creating a balanced flavor and texture that’s both savory and slightly sweet. Below is a list of menu items I’ve tried from BP. Apps & Shareables Bandera Pizza Bread Cactus Cut Potatoes (my favourite!) Classic Nachos with BBQ Chicken Classic Nachos with Seasoned Ground Beef Classic Nachos with Spicy Chicken French Onion Soup Garlic Parmesan Fries Onion Rings Spi...

It was a gorgeous Sunday morning when my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, and my husband and I went to Waves Coffee House on West Broadway to hang out. Tiramisu  from Waves Coffee House Hubby and I shared a slice of tiramisu cake. It wasn't overly sweet, with just the right balance of rich coffee flavor and velvety layers of mascarpone cream. The cake itself was perfectly soft, each bite melting in your mouth. The dusting of cocoa powder on top added a subtle bitterness that complemented the sweetness of the cream, making for a delightful, well-rounded dessert.

Happy Thursday! For dinner, I met up with my former colleagues, who have since become close friends. It’s always such a joy to spend time with them. We went to our usual spot: The Wicklow. True to form, I ordered my favourite dish—the Yorkshire Pudding Bowl. These are, hands down, the best I’ve had in Vancouver so far. The Yorkshire puddings are perfectly soft and chewy, offering the ideal contrast to the creamy mashed potatoes they’re filled with. The dish is then drenched in rich, savoury gravy and topped with tender Angus beef, which is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I absolutely love it. Yorkshire Pudding Bowl  from The Wicklow Certified roast angus beef, house gravy, garlic mash potatoes, horseradish aioli, served in a big Yorkshire pudding bowl I arrived a bit too early and, while waiting for everyone, decided to try the Pita and Hummus. The roasted garlic hummus wa...

Happy Merry Tuesday! We celebrated the holiday season at the office with a delightful dinner at The Keg, followed by watching the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena (they lost 4-3 in overtime). Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie  from The Keg Carrots, peas, mushrooms, green lentils, chickpeas, red wine gravy, and mixed green salad For dinner, I ordered the Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie. It was wonderfully creamy and surprisingly satisfying, especially for a low-calorie option. The dish featured a comforting blend of carrots, peas, mushrooms, green lentils, chickpeas, all topped with a rich and savoury red wine gravy. The flavours were hearty and well-balanced, offering a great alternative to the traditional meat version. Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie  from The Keg Carrots, peas, mushrooms, green lentils, chickpeas, red wine...

It’s a beautiful Monday evening, and we attended the Immaculate Conception Mass at church today. After the peaceful hour, we decided to grab dinner at the newly opened Namiya Sushi on West Broadway. Salmon Teriyaki Bento Box  from Namiya Sushi includes California Roll, tempura, organic salad, fruit slices, and rice Hubby and I both ordered teriyaki bento boxes. I chose the sockeye salmon teriyaki, while hubby went for the beef teriyaki. Beef Teriyaki Bento Box includes California Roll, tempura, organic salad, fruit slices, and rice The bento boxes arrived with a comforting, hot bowl of miso soup, perfect for such a chilly night. The meal also included 8 pieces of California rolls, 4 pieces of crispy tempura, a light and refreshing salad, and some sweet fruit to balance the flavours. ...

Happy Saturday! It's been a couple of years since we last visited Eggspectation, and today, the place is packed with Taylor Swift fans. We started our meal with drinks from their smoothie bar. I tried the Page's Tropical Paradise, which I didn't quite enjoy (I'm not a fan of berries!), so my hubby happily drank the fruity blend of banana, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, mango, and pineapple mixed with orange juice. I opted for his choice instead, the Tropical Teaser—a refreshing mix of mango, banana, and pineapple, blended smoothly with orange juice. Page' A Tropical Paradise  and Tropical Teaser  from Eggspectation For our meals, hubby picked the Eggstravaganza, a hearty plate featuring two sunny side up eggs, accompanied by two slices of soft, sweet brioche French toast drizzled with pure maple syrup. It also came with crispy bacon (his favourite!) and...

It's Thursday! My husband had dinner plans this evening, so I decided to head to Boston Pizza to indulge in my favorite Cactus Cuts. As I browsed the menu, I noticed their "Season's Eatings" section and couldn't resist trying one of the new items. I chose the Tour of Italy, which features two types of pasta and chicken parmigiana. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the pasta. The spaghetti marinara was overly tangy with a one-dimensional, sour tomato flavor, while the fettuccine in basil cream sauce lacked seasoning and felt incredibly bland. The creamy sauce didn't provide the depth of flavor I was hoping for. New Tour of Italy  from Boston Pizza Buttermilk-breaded fried chicken breast topped with signature Alfredo sauce, Gouda, provolone, Pizza mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Served with spaghetti marinara and fettuccini in a Basil cream pasta sauce ...

Happy Thursday! It's team lunch, and the theme is Korean, so we ordered from Disco Cheetah. I chose the Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl instead of creating my own custom bowl. It arrived with a generous serving of rice, a fresh green salad, a perfectly poached egg, creamy smashed potatoes, vibrant red pickled cabbage, scallions, crispy shallots, garlic ranch, and a zesty chili sauce. Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl  from Disco Cheetah Each bite was perfectly balanced: the tender, sweet-savoury beef was the highlight, with its rich, umami flavour. The rice provided a comforting base, while the poached egg added a luscious creaminess. The smashed potatoes were velvety and indulgent, while the pickled cabbage brought a tangy crunch that contrasted beautifully with the other ingredients. The crispy shallots added a satisfying crunch, and the garlic ranch and chili sauce delivered a creamy, slightly...

It had been a long day at work, and my husband picked me up. I was too tired to cook or even decide on what to eat. We spotted Halal Guys near the office and he decided to have dinner there. Beef Gyro  Sandwich from Halal Guys I took my first bite of my beef gyro & chicken sandwich, and I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The beef gyro was tender and savoury, with a rich, smoky flavour, while the chicken was juicy and perfectly seasoned. The raw onion added a crisp, slightly sharp bite, balanced by the sweetness of the peppers. The jalapeños brought a subtle heat, and the olives offered a briny tang. We also added creamy hummus, which provided a smooth and savoury contrast to the other flavours. All of this was tucked inside a soft pita that wrapped everything together in a comforting, satisfying way. Chick...