Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Happy Thursday! It's raining, and we have a team lunch today. With "Italian" as the chosen theme this week, I decided to visit the relatively new Dante Italian Sandwich along Robson Street. I got their Inferno sandwich. Inferno  from Dante Italian Sandwich  The sandwich came with two Italian cured meats: Capicollo piccante and soppresata. The capicollo piccante has a spicy, slightly smoky taste, while the soppresata contributes more depth with its blend of herbs and spices. The soft focaccia is spread with bomba, which provides extra heat, but it's perfectly toned down by the creamy and rich stracciatella cheese and fresh tomatoes. However, my favorite part is the peppery bite of arugula. The touch of bitterness definitely helped cut through the heaviness of the meats and cheese. Inferno  from Dante Italian Sand...

After our Lunar New Year dinner at Happy Noodle House, we decided to take a walk to Breka Bakery & Café for something sweet. The bakery’s display cases is filled with an array of goodies making it difficult to decide. My husband opted for the Salted Pecan Maple Donut, while I went with the London Fog Donut. Salted Pecan Maple Donut  from Breka Bakery & Café  Maple flavoured glaze with salted roast pecans on top London Fog Donut  from Breka Bakery & Café Earl grey infused milky vanilla glaze with a pinch of Earl grey on top As we took our first bites, we quickly realized that both donuts were much sweeter than we liked. While I do enjoy sweets, I prefer them to have a more balanced sweetness rather than an overpowering sugar rush. In hindsight, I should have pla...

Happy Lunar New Year! LNY is a great excuse to enjoy Chinese food, and we have been celebrating the occasion by having dinner at one of the many Chinese restaurants in Vancouver. This year, we walked to Happy Noodle House along Davie Street. We have tried their food in 2022 when we had it delivered (see post here ). This evening, we ordered their Xiao-Long Bao, Hot Chili Wonton, Chive Pockets, and House Special Chow Mein. It's a feast! The first to arrive at our table is the Xiao-Long Bao, and it's truly top-notch. Nibbling the delicate wrapper gives way to a burst of savory, rich broth and tender meat. Xiao Long Bao from Happy Noodle House Then, we received a plate full of their House Special Chow Mein. The sauce covering the thick, chewy hand-pulled noodles provides a deep flavor. It's so comforting and satisfying. ...

Happy Sunday! After Mass today, there was a pancake brunch in the parish hall. I enjoyed the food for lunch and volunteered until 2:00 PM. #089 Black Sesame Cheesecake from The GOOD Chocolatier Afterwards, my husband, Ted, and I grabbed hot chocolates at The Good Chocolatier since they are part of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. #088 - Fancy Sourdough Browned Butter from The GOOD Chocolatier My husband and I got drink #088 - Fancy Sourdough Browned Butter and #089 - Black Sesame Cheesecake. Neither drink is overly sweet. I prefer the sesame because of its distinct flavor, while no particular flavor profile stood out from the sourdough browned butter.

For our company-paid team lunch today, the theme was Korean, and I convinced my colleagues that we should walk to bb.q Chicken on Granville Street. I'm so happy with the dish I chose! I ordered their Fried Chicken Over Rice with the Mala Hot flavor. The fried chicken had a perfectly crispy exterior and juicy interior. It had a good amount of heat, which the rice and scrambled eggs helped to balance.  Fried Chicken Ove Rice  from bb.q Chickcen Fried chicken, scrambled egg, and onion with mala hot sauce and mayo on steamed rice It was the perfect lunch bowl, especially at only $12.00 during lunchtime!

Happy Wednesday! We left work early (4:00 PM) today because the WiFi was being turned off for rerouting, so my husband and I decided to get our first hot chocolates of the Metro Vancouver 15th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival at Artigiano near BC Place. They offer two flavors: Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate and Orange Creamsicle Hot Chocolate. Artigiano participates in the 2025 Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival The Hazelnut Praline Hot Chocolate is a rich blend of dark chocolate and roasted hazelnuts, creating a deep, nutty base. It's then topped with vanilla cream, chocolate shavings, and a praline crumble, adding layers of texture and sweetness. This indulgent drink is paired with a warm, freshly made beignet filled with chocolate hazelnut cream, making it a truly decadent treat. Drink #009 Hazelnut Praline...

Happy Sunday! After Mass, my parents (specifically, my dad) requested that we hang out at a coffee shop. We originally planned on going to Lumiere, but it looked full, so we ended up at Pablo. Pablo is known for their Japanese cheese tarts. We tried two new flavors today: juicy mango and crème brûlée. Pablo Japanese Bakery Cafe The foundation of their excellent tarts is the crust. It isn't flaky like a Portuguese tart but is more solid yet crumbly, providing a satisfying textural contrast to the filling. The juicy mango tart offers generous slices of ripe, sweet mango, creating a burst of tropical flavor with each bite. The crème brûlée tart is topped with a perfectly caramelized sugar crust that shatters with a delicate crack, revealing a smooth, rich custard beneath. The burnt sugar adds a subtle bitterness that balances the sweetness of the custard. I prefer the latter. ...

Tim Hortons is bringing back for a limited time two retro donuts: the Blueberry Fritter and the Lemon Cake Donut . Lemon Cake Donut  from Tim Hortons Lemon Cake Donut  from Tim Hortons I tried the Blueberry Fritter when it first returned, so today I decided to try the Lemon Cake Donut. It features a soft and fluffy cake donut covered in sweet and citrusy glaze. I love it!

Happy Saturday! We visited my parents' place for lunch and dinner. Dad cooked sisig and dinuguan, which we gladly enjoyed for lunch. Then, for dinner, Mama requested delivery from Pizza Hut. My youngest sister and I decided on two Triple Treat pizza boxes, which meant four different pizzas: the Mac & Cheese Pizza, Pepperoni Lover's, Meat Lover's, and Veggie Lover's. This post is primarily about the amusing Mac & Cheese Pizza. We didn't grow up eating mac and cheese of any kind, so we found it deliciously amusing—it's essentially classic macaroni and cheese placed on top of a pizza crust. A little grilled chicken would make this even better, but it's great as is. The Mac & Cheese pizza has a creamy, cheesy flavour from the macaroni and cheese topping, combined with the bready, slightly crispy texture of the pizza crust. Mac & Cheese Pizza  from Pizza Hut ...

For our company-paid team lunch today, we walked to Club Kitchen to enjoy Thai cuisine from Thai Away Home. I usually go for their green curry, but today I had a craving for noodles that was definitely satisfied by the delicious pad thai. Pad Thai from Thai Away Home at Club Kitchen The soft, slippery noodles were coated in a complex, umami-rich sauce with tender chicken and tofu, topped with crunchy peanuts and bean sprouts. It was the perfect bowl.

Our Sunday mornings usually involve a trip to Tim Hortons for a quick and easy breakfast. This week, we were excited to see they had launched a new line of White Chocolate Pistachio beverages, promising a unique twist on winter comfort. Naturally, we had to try a couple! We grabbed a White Chocolate Pistachio Latte and a White Chocolate Pistachio Hot Chocolate to see if they lived up to the hype. The Latte was a visually appealing drink. The foam was nicely frothed, and the Belgian white chocolate curls on top added a touch of elegance. The first sip was a burst of sweetness, unfortunately with no pistachio flavour. The Hot Chocolate was a different experience altogether. It has the same visual appeal of the latte and the aroma was primarily of sweet hot chocolate. The taste was very sweet, a bit too sweet for our liking. The pistachio flavour was not noticeable, almost completely overpowered by the chocolate. It was served at a good temperature, but the ...

Happy Friday! I took a vacation day from work today for a dental appointment. My youngest sister asked if I wanted to join them at Olive Garden in Langley, BC, on Sunday. I called her and asked if we could go today since I was off. Off we went! We started by sharing the Stuffed Ziti Frittata, a crispy, golden-brown disc of pasta filled with a rich, creamy blend of cheeses and meat sauce. The crispy edges gave way to a soft, cheesy interior, making it a perfect appetizer for sharing. Stuffed Ziti Fritta  from Olive Garden Crispy fried ziti filled with five cheeses. Served with Alfredo and marinara dipping sauce Then, we moved on to their bottomless bowls of soup and those addictive breadsticks. The soup, a creamy chicken gnocchi, was rich and comforting, dotted with tender potato dumplings and shreds of chicken. The breadsticks, warm and buttery, were perfect for soaking ...

Happy Thursday! My husband picked me up from work today, and I was too exhausted to cook dinner at home. We decided to grab dinner at Kinkura Sushi + Sake along Davie Street before walking across the Granville Bridge. I was blown away by their "Giant Katsu" — it was truly huge. My husband ordered it thinking it would be a wide but thin fried pork cutlet. However, we received a behemoth of a tonkatsu — a thick slab of pork, easily longer than a chopstick and nearly two inches thick! It was a golden-brown, crispy mountain of meat. The sheer size of it dwarfed the accompanying bowl of fluffy white rice. It was crazy! The unexpected size was a delightful surprise, and the katsu itself was perfectly executed: a satisfyingly crunchy, golden-brown exterior giving way to a tender, juicy interior. Yum! Giant Tonkatsu  from Kinkura Sushi Deep-fried breaded pork served with house salad and rice ...

It was the first company-paid team lunch of 2025, and the theme was Greek! We went to our favourite spot: The Greek in Yaletown. Their gyro is my absolute favourite, and I've stopped trying anything else on the menu. The chicken is perfectly seasoned with a fragrant blend of oregano, garlic, and other Mediterranean herbs, making it incredibly tender and juicy. The warm, soft pita wrap cradles the savoury meat, and the crisp, fresh lettuce, juicy ripe tomatoes, and sharp red onions provide a delightful contrast of textures and flavours. Gyro from The Greek Slow-roasted chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki on a fresh baked pita with avgolemono soup Plus, it comes with either soup or salad. I always choose their avgolemono soup. The creamy, lemony broth is rich and comforting, with a subtle tang that perfectly complements the savoury gyro.

Happy Thursday! This morning, a colleague and I headed to the nearby Lovelarte to grab breakfast and have a meeting. Hot Chocolate  from lovelarte I decided to try the Moroccan Vegan Wrap, and I paired it with a rich, creamy hot chocolate. Moroccan Vegan Wrap  from lovelarte The hot chocolate was the perfect complement to the wrap. Its smooth, velvety texture helped balance the dryness of the wrap. While the wrap itself was flavourful with its blend of Moroccan spices and vegetables, it had a slightly dry and gritty texture that made the drink a welcome addition to the meal. Together, they provided a satisfying combination of warmth and flavour, making for a cozy and fulfilling breakfast.

Happy Sunday! As part of our breakfast this week, we tried the new Spinach & Feta Savoury Egg Pastry from Tim Hortons. Spinach & Feta Savoury Egg Pastry from Tim Hortons It was a bit warm, but the pastry wasn't flaky. Additionally, the feta cheese and egg combination had an unusual texture — almost rubbery. The flavour is also off-putting. I'm not a fan of this one.

Happy Saturday! We visited Ikea today for dinner and were pleasantly surprised to find two new items on their menu: Poutine (a Canadian classic) and a Pulled Pork Sandwich. Let’s dive into the details. Ikea's take on the Canadian favorite, poutine, was passable. It had all the essential components: crispy fries, gravy, and cheese curds. However, I believe the gravy is what truly makes or breaks a poutine, and this one was just okay. The first bite had a strange aftertaste that I couldn’t quite place, but it eventually mellowed out and became more enjoyable. Poutine  from Ikea's restaurant Next up, the Pulled Pork Sandwich, an American classic. The pulled pork was beautifully shredded, incredibly tender, and packed with flavor. However, the barbecue sauce was a bit too sweet for my taste, with an almost fruity undertone due to the lingonberry base. While it wasn’t bad, it ce...

Happy Saturday! Ugh. I'll be back to work on Monday, and since my hubby has a dental appointment, I decided to wait for him inside a nearby A&W. It's my first time trying the A&W chicken strips. I want to say that they're like any typical chicken strips from a fast food chain, but they're a bit above the rest because they taste like real chicken. Chicken Strips  from A&W Chicken Strips  from A&W The seasoning is simple—salt and pepper—nothing fancy, just this classic combination. Plus, they're lightly breaded. I surprisingly enjoyed them!

Happy Friday! It's our first time eating out in 2025, and we’re checking out a relatively new spot, Ramen One , located along West Broadway between Cambie and Yukon. Spicy Tonkotsu Miso Ramen from Ramen One Tonkotsu broth mixed with our house-made miso paste. Topped with Kikurage mushroom, green onions, pickled ginger, 3 pieces of chashu and an egg. The rainy weather makes it the perfect day for a warm bowl of ramen. What sets Ramen One apart is its unique ambiance and service. Each diner gets their own private booth (similar to those you’d find in Japan), and your ramen is served through a little window — it's actually pretty fun! Ramen One I tried the Spicy Tonkotsu Miso Ramen, and it did not disappoint. The chashu was tender, the soft-boiled eggs were just right, and the noodles were perfectly cooked. Super...

Here's a keto-friendly air fryer cake recipe. This will be a simple, almond flour-based, cinnamon-spiced cake, perfect for a sweet keto treat! Keto Cinnamon-Almond Cake in the Air Fryer Ingredients: 1 cup Almond Flour 2 large Eggs 1/4 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk 2 tbsp Butter (melted) 1 tsp Vanilla Extract 1/2 tsp Cinnamon 3 tbsp Sugar Substitute (to taste, such as stevia or erythritol) Pinch of Salt 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for greasing the air fryer pan) Directions: Prepare the air fryer : Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Lightly grease a small cake pan or silicone mold with olive oil to prevent sticking. Mix dry ingredients : In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, cinnamon, sugar substitute, and a pinch of salt. Mix wet ingredients : In another bowl, whisk the eggs, unsweetened almond milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract together. Combine : Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ...