Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

As you've probably gathered from my previous posts, I enjoy the free company-paid team lunch every Thursday. As a result, I've been to quite a few food joints that my husband hasn't tried yet. This list is to help us keep track of all the places we need to visit together. ☑️ A la Mode Pie ☑️ Al Basha Express ☑️ Bali Bites food truck ☑️ bb.q Chicken ☑️  BC Momo ☑️ Blaze Gourmet Burger ☑️ Boteco Brasil ⬜ Brazilliant Café ⬜ Brooklyn Dumpling Shop ⬜ Browns Socialhouse ☑️ Burger Crush ⬜ Casereccio Foods ⬜ Cafe Medina ☑️ Chit Chat Burger Bar ☑️  Dante Italian Sandwich ⬜ Devil's Elbow Ale and Smoke House ☑️ Dingding Restaurant ⬜ Disco Cheetah ☑️ El Compadre (part of Club Kitchen) ☑️ Five Guys Burger & Fries ☑️ Gimme Coxinhas ☑️ Grand Chinese Restaurant ⬜ Hawker's Delight ☑️ H-Kitchen inside H-Mart ☑️  Ignite Pizzeria ☑️ JINYA Ramen Bar ☑️ Jerusalem Shawarma...

Navigating the dining options at CF Pacific Centre can be an adventure, whether you are looking for a fast-casual lunch during a busy work week or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up. Located right in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, this bustling shopping hub houses far more than just your standard food court staples. From sizzling Greek platters and iconic Canadian burgers to hidden luxury tea rooms and Parisian patisseries tucked inside Holt Renfrew, there is something here for every craving. In this complete guide, we break down every active food court stall, specialty café, and street-level eatery, complete with menus and insider tips, so you know exactly where to head for your next meal. Urban Eatery Directory ☑️ Flaming Wok Excellent for quick Chinese take-out during your lunch break, offering generous combo portions and classic fast-casual favorites. Menu & Pricing Create Your Own Combo (Includes Fried Rice or Noodles): 1 Item: $14.99 ...

They say you can’t pick a favourite child, but in the Vancouver food scene, the "Best of the Bunch" categories come pretty close. These are the heavyweights—the bakeries that wake us up with the scent of butter, the romantic corners where we’ve shared our deepest secrets, and the "cheap eats" that keep our hearts (and wallets) full. This is my personal documentation of The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best of the Bunch. As I look through this list, I see a map of my life in this city—the milestones celebrated at Seasons in the Park and the rainy Tuesday comfort found at Breka. It’s a grounded reminder that whether it’s fine dining or a food truck, a truly "smooch-worthy" bite is about the feeling it leaves behind. Bakery ☑️ Breka Bakery & Cafe (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Livia (2025) ☑️ Purebread  (2024, 2026) ☑️ Small Victory  (2024, 2025, 2026) Breakfast ☑️ Caf...

This is my personal checklist of the winners in The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards 2024 and 2025: Best by Cuisine . It’s my "Love Letter" to the diverse flavors of Vancouver—a roadmap for every craving, from the comfort of my favorite Filipino childhood dishes to the spice of a perfect Malaysian laksa. African ⬜ Axum Restaurant (2024) ⬜ Harambe (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Kilimanjaro Snack House (2025) ⬜ Moltaqa (2026) ☑️ Simba’s Grill  (2024, 2025, 2026) Caribbean ⬜ Baby Dhal Roti Shop (2024, 2026) ⬜ Calabash (2024, 2025, 2026) ⬜ Havana (2024) ⬜ The Lion's Den Cafe (2025, 2026) ⬜ The Patty Shop (2025) Chinese ⬜ Bao Bei (2024, 2025, 2026) ☑️ Chinatown BBQ (2026) ⬜ Dinasty Dumpling House (2025) ⬜ Dynasty Seafood Restaurant (2024, 2026) ⬜ Mott 32 (2025) ☑️ Peaceful Restaurant (2024) Filipino ☑️ Goldilocks (2024) ☑️ Hapag Ihaw-Ihaw (2025) ...

There is something so incredibly romantic about a kitchen that masters just one thing perfectly. Whether it’s the chew of a traditional Montreal-style bagel or the golden crunch of fried chicken, these specialty items are the true heartbeat of Vancouver’s culinary soul. This is my personal documentation of The Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards: Best Specialty Items. It’s a roadmap of the specific bites that make our city so unique—and a checklist of the "smooch-worthy" treats I can’t wait to indulge. Bagel ⬜ Mish Mish (2025, 2026) ☑️ Rosemary Rock Salt  (2024, 2026) ☑️ Siegel’s Bagels  (2024, 2025, 2026) ☑️ Solly’s Bagelry (2024, 2025) Barbecue ☑️ Chinatown BBQ (2025, 2026) ☑️ Gyu-Kaku (2026) ☑️ Juke Fried Chicken  (2024) ☑️ Memphis Blues BBQ House  (2024, 2025, 2026) ☑️ Rosie’s BBQ and Smokehouse  (2024) ⬜ ...

✨ At a Glance: Quick Facts 📍 Location: Tim Hortons (Tims) 🥐 Ordered: Chipotle Veggie Croissant ($5.29) ⭐ Smooch Verdict: A surprisingly tasty fast-food breakfast win! It is a delicious harmony of buttery sweetness and comforting grease, though highly carb-heavy. Pair it with protein to balance it out and eat it immediately while it is fresh and warm! Happy Sunday sunny morning! There is nothing quite like a bright, relaxed weekend start to clear the mind. For breakfast today, we headed over to Tim Hortons to check out a brand-new addition to their morning line-up: the Chipotle Veggie Croissant ($5.29 plus tax) . This is Tims' latest attempt at crafting a satisfying, mor...

2026 Vancouver Canadians Food Menu & Prices: Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium I headed back to Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium today for the Vancouver Canadians' 75th Anniversary season! While the vibes remain the best in the city, there have been some major menu shake-ups, including a new Triple O's stand. Below is your updated 2026 guide compared to our 2024 data. 🔥 2026 PRO-TIP: Don't forget that 75¢ Hot Dog Tuesdays are back! Note: For those looking for the ultimate stadium challenge, The Yard Dog (3-foot hot dog) is still on the menu for $37.00 . New for this season is the Yard Nacho , a massive sharing platter for $40.00 . Rogers Field at Nat Bailey Stadium Below is a list of concessions in...