Brekkie Sandwich from Aidan's Cafe

It is our first full day as homeowners, and our first order of business was having Chad the handyman fix several little maintenance things in our condo. The work took a bit longer than expected, so we ended up having a very late combined breakfast and lunch at 1:00 PM at Aidan’s. We always see this shop in a plaza along West Broadway, but since it is only open from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday, this was finally our first time visiting!

Brekkie Sandwich from Aidan's Cafe

I ordered the Brekkie Sandwich while hubby went for the Brekkie Bagel. I was so hungry that this felt like the best meal ever! My velvety egg was amazingly fluffy inside the crusty toasted sourdough, topped with creamy sliced avocado and peppery arugula. Yes, we are staying focused on the healthy choices here! Hubby’s sandwich featured the same soft egg and savory ham tucked inside a toasted everything bagel.

Brekkie Bagel from Aidan's Cafe

He also tried a tropical coconut banana latte. I did not try it myself, but he mentioned that he could definitely taste the rich coconut milk, even if the sweet banana flavor was a bit missing. 

Coconut Banana Latte from Aidan's Cafe

It was exactly the fuel we needed to get back to our new home!

Mixed Grill Feast at Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

It is a big day! We finally got the keys to our first home. Yes, we are officially homeowners in Vancouver! I am feeling overwhelmed and extremely grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for this blessing and to all the wonderful people who helped us along the way. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we finally had dinner at Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen. It is one of the closest restaurants to our current rental, yet we had not been there since they opened.

We ordered a lot to mark the occasion. We started with the drinks; I chose the floral hibiscus cinnamon, which is great for managing my blood pressure, while Hubby enjoyed the bold Lebanese coffee. 

Hibiscus Cinnamon from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

The first dish to arrive was the vibrant tabbouli salad, which was so refreshing. 

Tabbouli Salad from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen 

Then came two cold mezzas: the smoky baba ghannouj and the zesty muhammara. I loved the crisp red peppers and the subtle sweetness from the tart pomegranate molasses. It was delicious and paired perfectly with the fluffy pita bread and golden fried potatoes. The eggplant was great too, offering a completely different flavor profile.

Baba Ghannouj from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
Char-grilled eggplants, diced green and red peppers, garlic, parsley, and pomegranate molasses
Muhammara from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
Fresh red peppers, walnuts, tahini, and pomegranate molasses

Then came the main event! We ordered the Mixed Grill Value Feast, which included all three charred meats: Shish Tawouk, Kafta, and Lahm Mishwi. The succulent chicken was far superior to the savory beef and tender lamb; it wasn't even close! 

Mixed Grill Value Feast from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
One order of each grilled mezza (lahm mishwi, kafta, and shish tawouk) served with fried potatoes and two choices of any cold mezza

To end this amazing meal, we ordered the Osmalieh, which was absolutely delicious. It was crunchy and not overly sugary, making it the perfect final bite. 

Osmalieh from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen
Two layers of crispy kataifi pastry, a creah ashta filling, and a generous drizzle of orange blossom syrup

Osmalieh from Mazahr Lebanese Kitchen

This was the perfect meal for our celebration. To God be the glory!

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Tim Hortons

This is a standard oatmeal raisin cookie that hits the spot when you need a quick treat. If you are trying to lose weight, this cookie comes in at 290 calories. It is a smart way to satisfy a persistent sweet tooth without consuming an excessive amount of sugar, all while getting some beneficial fiber from the hearty oats.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Tim Hortons

The chewy texture and plump raisins make it a reliable snack. It is definitely good enough to be paired with a hot coffee for a balanced midday break.

Tacos and Churros from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Happy Thursday! Like many others, my New Year's goal is to lose weight and manage my health more effectively. I decided to ask Gemini for help with my choices. For dinner tonight, I mentioned we were eating at Taco and asked for suggestions that would be heart-friendly, liver-friendly, and high in iron.

Tacos from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

The recommendation was to order the Carne Asada and Frijoles tacos. They were both so good! I was surprisingly impressed by the creamy mashed beans, and the tender top sirloin topped with sharp raw onions and fresh cilantro was truly top-notch. Hubby wanted the Al Pastor, which we also ordered. I checked if this was okay to try, and since I had only finished half of my lunch earlier, it fit into my plan. The marinated pork was good, though it wasn't quite at that authentic Mexico City level.

Frijoles Taco from Tequila Cocina
Mashed beans topped with feta cheese served on a 4" corn tortilla

Pastor Taco from Tequila Cocina
Marinated pork and pineapple. Topped with onion and cilantro served on a 4" corn tortilla

Carne Asada from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.
Top sirloin. Topped with onion and cilantro.

The restaurant provides crunchy free chips and spicy salsa to start the meal. While the advice was to enjoy them in moderation, I honestly ate a bit too many because I have zero control when chips are right in front of me!

First bowl of chips and salsa from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch. 

Jamaica from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

To end the night, we shared warm churros with cold ice cream. The suggestion was to take just a small bite and brush off the sweet sugar. Instead, I enjoyed two of the mini churros dipped in silky caramel and rich leches sauce, though I did manage to resist the ice cream entirely! 

Churros with Ice Cream from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Churros with Ice Cream from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Churros dipped in caramel from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

Churros from Tequila Cocina | Mexican Restaurant, Cantina & Brunch.

We walked home feeling satisfied, especially knowing I made an informed decision about my order.

Rigatoni Arrabbiata with Meatballs from Casereccio Foods

Happy Thursday! It was our first team lunch for 2026, and we decided on Italian cuisine. We ordered from Casereccio Foods. Last night, I actually started asking Gemini to help me eat more healthily based on my specific health conditions, and it suggested I order the Rigatoni Arrabbiata with Meatballs as a satisfying but balanced option.

Rigatoni and Meatballs on Arrabiata from Casereccio Foods
5-hour slow cooked tomatoes with dried chilies, garlic, parsley, and parmigiana  

The ridged rigatoni was perfectly al dente, and I made a conscious effort to eat it all very slowly. The fiery Arrabbiata sauce was made with spicy chili flakes and tangy tomatoes, which paired so well with the savory meatballs. Taking my time to enjoy each bite really made a difference in how I felt after the meal.

Below is a running list of the pasta dishes I’ve tried from Casereccio so far:

• Rigatoni Arrabbiata with Meatballs
• Spaghetti Pesto Verde

Indian Favourites from Tamarind Tales

Happy Sunday! We have been stuck at home for the last two days watching Korean dramas and continuing the endless cycle of packing and sorting for our upcoming move. After Mass today, we grabbed our usual breakfast at Tims and did a grocery run at No Frills. On our walk back home, we passed by Tamarind Tales along West Broadway. We have seen this specific spot change from a Japanese restaurant to two different Indian restaurants, with this being the second one. We decided it was finally time to try it before it changes again and before we move away from the area!

Lunch at Tamarind Tales

We ordered our favorite Indian classics: Chicken Vindaloo, Palak Paneer, Tandoori Chicken, and a Bread Basket featuring four different types of bread. 

Bread Basket from Tamarind Tales
Butter naan, roti, garlic naan, and laccha paratha

The basket included buttery naan, traditional roti, aromatic garlic naan, and flaky laccha paratha. The laccha paratha was easily my favorite! The bread basket is an awesome choice because it allows you to experience the best variety of Indian breads in one go.

Goan Chicken Vindaloo from Tamarind Tales
Chicken and potatoes cooked in spicy vindaloo sauce

The fiery Goan Chicken Vindaloo was spicy and the succulent chicken was incredibly juicy. It paired perfectly with the fluffy white rice. However, the charred Tandoori Chicken was the best of all the dishes we tried; it was smoky and tender. 

Tandoori Chicken from Tamarind Tales
Bone-in chicken marinated in yogurt and traditional masala spices

I ordered the Palak Paneer mild, and this is the first time I have had a version that was still excellent even without the heat. Most Palak Paneer I have tried becomes bland when made mild, but this velvety spinach puree was flavorful and went so well with the breads.

Palak Paneer from Tamarind Tales
Indian cheese cooked in a roasted garlic, cumin, and spinach sauce

To finish our meal, we shared our favorite Indian dessert: Rice Kheer. It was creamy, sweet, and provided the perfect cool down.

Rice Kheer from Tamarind Tales
A creamy Indian rice pudding slow cooked with milk, sugar, and caramom

Tamarind Tales also offers a lunch buffet from Thursday to Saturday between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm. I already cannot wait to come back!

Breakfast Tacos and Szechuan Shrimp + Pork Dumplings from Earls

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Our first meal of the year was at Earls. We woke up a tad late today and were rushing to make the 11:00 AM Mass, so we walked over to the nearby Earls for brunch afterward. I have made a personal decision to have a meal at Earls every New Year, a tradition we also kept in 2024 and 2023.

Szechuan Shrimp + Pork Dumplings from Earls
Chili crunch, black vinegar, roasted peanuts, and green onions

Szechuan Shrimp + Pork Dumplings from Earls
Chili crunch, black vinegar, roasted peanuts, and green onions

To start our meal, we ordered the new Szechuan Shrimp + Pork Dumplings, and they were absolutely divine. The delicate paper-thin wrapper was filled with succulent juicy pork and tender shrimp. The dumplings were drizzled with and sat on top of a bold tangy sauce made of dark black vinegar, spicy chili crunch, toasty roasted peanuts, and fresh green onions.

Breakfast Tacos from Earls
Scrambled eggs, aged white cheddar, pickled red onions, avocado, chipotle crema, crispy potato pavé, and garden greens 

For my brunch, I tried the new Breakfast Tacos. These featured soft flour tortillas filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, sharp aged white cheddar, zingy pickled red onions, creamy avocado, and smoky chipotle crema. The dish was served with brittle crispy potato pavé and peppery garden greens. I really enjoyed the greens. I had only ever seen potato pavé in a YouTube video before, so I was happy to finally try it, though it was a bit too oily for my taste. The tacos were alright, but nothing truly wave-worthy.

Earls Breakfast from Earls
 Eggs sunny side up, dry-cured bacon, sourdough toast, crispy potato pavé, and garden greens

Hubby went for the Earls Breakfast, which consisted of bright eggs sunny side up, salty dry-cured bacon, and crusty sourdough toast. His meal was also served with the same potato pavé and garden greens.

Ultimately, the company of my husband made this meal so much better than the food itself. For reference, here is the updated list of items we have tried at Earls:

Brunch

• Crab Cake Benedict

Handheld

• Beyond Burger
• Garden Burger
• Roast Beef Sandwich
• Vegetarian Burger

Mains

• Half BBQ Ribs
• Oven Roasted Salmon

Noodles + Bowls

• Garlic Prawn Spaghetti
• Truffle Tortellini
• Truffled Parmesan Chicken

Shareable

• Warm Spinach + Three Cheese Dip
• Yuzu Calamari

Soup

• Clam Chowder

Steaks

• Canadian Prime Sirloin (9oz)
• Filet Mignon
• Filet + Peppercorn
• 12oz Prime Striploin (12oz)

Desserts

• Key Lime Pie
• Molten Gingerbread Cake
• Sticky Toffee Pudding Bowl