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

Opa! Platter and Opa! Fries from Opa! of Greece

Happy Christmas Eve! For lunch today, we stopped by Pacific Centre for some last-minute shopping and grabbed a quick lunch at the Urban Centre food court. We decided on some Greek food from Opa! of Greece to keep us going.

We ordered the Opa! Platter with a chicken skewer. It was a full plate featuring succulent chicken, fluffy rice, golden oven-roasted potatoes, a refreshing Greek salad, warm pita wedges, and creamy tzatziki. The tzatziki is always so great. Dipping the pita bread into it is such a delicious experience.

Opa! Platter from Opa! of Greece
Chicken skewer served with rice, oven-roasted potato, Greek salad, pita wedges, and their famous Opa! tzatziki.

We also ordered their Opa! Fries. These are crispy fries tossed in aromatic herbs and a splash of bright lemon, but what really made them amazing was the tangy tzatziki on the side.

Opa! Fries from Opa! of Greece
Crispy, golden fries tossed in herbs and lemon juice, served with their famous OPA! tzatziki

It was the perfect, fast, and flavorful meal to power us through the rest of our holiday errands. Now that the shopping is finally done, we are officially ready to head home, relax, and enjoy the magic of Christmas!

Italian Combo and Turkey Pesto from Mangia's Sandwiches

Happy Monday! I am working from home today and tomorrow, December 23, and one of the best parts about living just a block away from South Granville is how much I can get done during a one-hour lunch break. I managed to run to Purdy's to buy last-minute gifts for the family and still had time to grab a quick bite at Mangia's Sandwiches.

Italian Combo from Mangia's Sandwiches
Italian Mortadella, Prosciutto & Balsamic Glaze

Hubby chose the Italian Combo, which features Italian Mortadella, Prosciutto, and a sweet balsamic glaze. I opted for the Turkey Pesto, which was filled with smoky turkey and aromatic basil pesto. Both of our sandwiches were served on their crusty original baguette and topped with creamy fresh mozzarella, vibrant red peppers, crisp dressed lettuce, and juicy tomatoes.

Turkey Pesto from Mangia's Sandwiches
Smoked Turkey & Basil Pesto

After enjoying our sandwiches, we took a quick walk back home and got right back to work. It was the perfect productive midday break!

Tuna Tataki Roll and Yaki Udon from Sushivan

We have been watching the Korean drama Ghost Doctor lately, and it gave me a sudden, intense craving for Korean-style ramen. After our coffee date at Bean Around The World, we walked over to Sushivan. This is definitely one spot I am going to miss in South Granville once we move!

Korean Style Ramen with Chicken from Sushivan

I ordered the Korean Style Ramen with chicken. it arrived steaming hot and spicy, which was perfect for warming up on a cold and drizzling Vancouver day. Hubby went for the Yaki Udon with beef. Since my ramen was so spicy, I couldn't fully taste the sauce coating his noodles, but the udon itself was chewy and perfectly cooked.

Yaki Udon from Sushivan
Beef, vegetables, and bonito

For sharing, we grabbed the Pork Gyoza which came with a divine sauce. We also ordered the Tuna Tataki Roll. One of the many reasons I love Sushivan is that their Special Rolls menu has remained constant for the years I've lived nearby, making it so easy to work my way down the list. 

Pork Gyoza from Sushivan

Tuna Tataki Roll from Sushivan
Seared tuna, crab meat, avocado, cucumber, asparagus, garlic, and unagi sauce

The Tuna Tataki roll features fatty seared tuna along with creamy crab meat and avocado. What makes it unique is the refreshing, crunchy element from the fresh cucumber and asparagus. It was so good!

For future reference, here is the updated list of everything I’ve tried at Sushivan so far:

Appetizer

• Gyoza (Pork)
• Ika Karage
• Chicken Karage
• Soy Garlic Chicken Karage
• Spicy Chicken Karage
• Takoyaki

Bento Box

• Teriyaki Box (Chicken or Beef)
• Sushi and Sashimi Box
• Teriyaki and Sashimi Box (Chicken or Beef)
• Salmon Teriyaki & Sashimi Box

Donburi

• Unagi Don

Special Roll

1. Alaska Roll
2. Awesome Roll
3. Alien Roll
4. Spider Roll
5. Love Love Roll
6. Rainbow Roll
7. Caterpillar Roll
8. Dragon Roll
9. Philadelphia Roll
10. Tuna Tataki Roll

Tempura

• Seafood Tempura

Udon / Meal

• Yaki Udon (Beef)
• Chicken Katsu
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• Korean Style Ramen
• Cream Crab Udon

Sausage Roll and Double Chocolate Croissant with Nutella from Bean Around The World

Happy Saturday! I have to be honest and admit that I’ve been so unproductive at home lately. For real! When I’m stuck in the house, I’m just in no mood to blog or deal with the endless list of tasks for our upcoming closing and move to our new place.

To break the slump, hubby and I headed to Bean Around The World at their South Granville location. Sometimes a change of scenery is the only way I can actually focus and get things done. Of course, a warm Mocha paired with a savory sausage roll provided the perfect motivation.

Sausage Roll from Bean Around The World

Hubby went with an unsweetened Matcha Latte and paired it with a decadent Double Chocolate Croissant with Nutella.

Double Chocolate Croissant with Nutella from Bean Around The World

It worked! I finally powered through all my moving-related emails and caught up on all my blog posts. Now, the only things left on the list are errands that aren't computer-specific like grabbing dinner, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming. Ugh. Adulting is hard, but at least the mocha was good!

The Festive Feast at Nando’s

Happy Thursday! I had a massive craving for rice today, and honestly, my last trip to Nando’s left me feeling a bit dissatisfied. I knew I needed a redo to get exactly what I was looking for, so we headed back for dinner to try The Festive Feast Platter.

This platter is designed for four people, but we decided to go for it anyway! It comes with a Whole Chicken, Large Garlic Bread, Large Fries, an Extra Large Spiced Rice, and four Natas for dessert. I even upgraded the fries to Spiced Fries because you can't go wrong with that extra kick.

Large Garlic Bread, Large  Spiced Rice, and Large PERI-PERI Fries part of The Festive Feast at Nando's

Four Natas as part of The Festive Feast at Nando's

Plainish Whole Chicken from Nando's

We ordered the whole chicken "plainish" and then grabbed a bottle of the Medium sauce from the station to cover it ourselves—it was perfect. I loved and enjoyed every single bite. There is just something about their flame-grilled Whole Chicken that hits differently, and their rice and fries truly rock!

Since it’s meant for a group of four, we obviously had plenty of leftovers, which meant getting to enjoy the whole feast all over again the next day. I left feeling so happy and finally satisfied!

Hazelnut Cream Puff from Giovane Caffè

Today is our last official day in the office together before we all head off to work from home until January 6th. As a team lead, I wanted to do something special to wrap up the year, so I decided to treat everyone to some sweets!

We originally had our hearts set on some adorable cakes from Daan Go Cake Lab, but unfortunately they had to cancel our order. I guess the "Pigs in a Blanket" cakes were just too popular and sold out! Luckily, Giovane Caffè, right in our building's lobby, came to the rescue.

Hazelnut Cream Puff from Giovane Caffè

I’ll be honest: I haven’t always been a fan of their savory sandwiches, and I used to think their desserts gave Italian sweets a bit of a bad name. However, the Hazelnut Cream Puff I picked up today actually changed my mind! It featured a chewy pastry shell filled with a luscious, sweet hazelnut cream that paired perfectly with a hot cup of tea. It was the ideal companion as we spent the afternoon tidying our desks for the year.

Looking back, 2025 has been a year of growth and challenges. From the difficulty of letting go of my first direct report to the excitement of hiring and training someone new, it’s been a learning curve. A major highlight was definitely getting to visit our office in Cork, Ireland, and finally meeting the team there in person!

I am so grateful to our Almighty Lord for my job and this company. Cheers to a restful break and to giving my absolute best again in 2026!

For future me, here's a running list of everything I've tried from Giovane Caffè so far:

• Breakfast Wrap
• Caprese
• Frittata Panino
• Hazelnut Cream Puff
• Manzo
• Prosciutto 

Yaletown Sunshine from Ignite Pizzeria

Happy Thursday! Today marked our final company-paid team lunch for 2025, and we decided to celebrate the end of the year with a local Vancouver favorite: Ignite Pizzeria.

I ordered the Yaletown Sunshine, and it reminded me exactly why I love their style. They do a thin, chewy crust perfectly! This particular pizza was a vibrant mix of flavors: tangy tomato sauce, creamy vegan mozzarella, earthy spinach, briny artichokes, and smoky fire-roasted tomatoes.

Yaletown Sunshine from Ignite Pizzeria
Tomato sauce, vegan mozzarella, spinach, artichoke, fire-roasted tomato 

It was the perfect, light-yet-satisfying way to end the year on a high note with the team.

I’ve been to Ignite a few times now and they never disappoint. For future reference, here is the running list of pizzas I’ve tried from them so far:

Carnivore Pizza 

• Mediterranean Shrimp Pesto

Herbivore + Vegan Pizza

• Masala Magic
• Yaletown Sunshine

Testing Out Yar Café (Soft Opening Review!)

Happy Saturday! I absolutely love lazy weekends with no errands in sight. After sleeping in and enjoying a relaxing brunch at home, I decided it was time to hunt down a new coffee shop to hang out and finally be productive (time to write some blog posts!).

Mocha from Yar Café

During my search, a new spot called Yar Café popped up on Google Maps in West Broadway, right near the old Toys R' Us location. They are still in their soft opening phase, having only started their journey two weeks ago. It's so exciting to catch a new business early! Naturally, I ordered too much! Here's the rundown:

I started with an 8 oz Mocha, which was definitely on the bitter side. I paired it with the gorgeous Pistachio Kunafa Croissant. Inside, the croissant was packed with crunchy, sweet, shredded pastry (kunafa) soaked in a sugary syrup. Unfortunately, the croissant itself tasted stale. A quick reheat would have brought it back to life, I think.

Pistachio Kunafa Croissant from Yar Café

A quick peek inside the Pistachio Kunafa Croissant from Yar Café

Then, Hubby joined me straight from his dental appointment, and we ordered three more things! The Iced Persian Latte was super pretty, strong, and bitter—perfect for a late afternoon jolt. We also grabbed their Beef Sandwich for a late lunch, which was packed with sliced beef, a house sauce, peppery arugula, tomato, and Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. It was a delicious, satisfying sandwich, though not exactly mind-blowing.

Iced Persian Latte from Yar Café

Beef Sandwich (House-style) from Yar Café
Sliced beef, house sauce, arugula, tomato, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese

Finally, we tried the Tiramisu Danish. It featured sweet tiramisu filling inside what should have been a flaky pastry, but sadly, the bread was stale again, which was really disappointing.

Tiramisu Danish from Yar Café

My verdict for future me (and you!): Definitely order their drinks, which are unique and strong. But for now, until they sort out the freshness, skip the food!

Bubble Waffle from Cha House

I was still feeling a little hungry after our quick dinner at Edo Japan and well, the craving was real!

We headed over to Cha House immediately for a dessert fix. I ordered their signature Bubble Waffle, and it was exactly what I needed to finish off the night. It was absolutely perfect: soft, wonderfully pillowy, and perfectly sweet.

Bubble Waffle from Cha House

Instant happiness! What a delicious end to a long, busy Friday.

Sukiyaki Beef Bento and Crispy Tofu Bento from Edo Japan

Happy Friday! It was a very long day; I worked in the office today because we're totally swamped finishing up year-end tasks. After finally clocking out and before we tackled some Christmas shopping, we grabbed a quick dinner at Edo Japan in their Pacific Centre location.

Hubby was in a classic mood and went for the Sukiyaki Beef Bento. It was a huge plate featuring tender, savory Sukiyaki Beef, plus a satisfying little mix of sides: four pieces of Cali Roll and two crunchy pieces of Tempura Shrimp.

Sukiyaki Beef Bento from Edo Japan with 2-piece Tempura Shrimp and 4-piece Cali Roll

Meanwhile, my tofu phase is still going strong! I ordered the Crispy Tofu Bento. My plate came with perfectly golden and crispy cubes of tofu drizzled with a sweet and savory sauce, plus two spring rolls and two flavorful gyoza.

Crispy Tofu Bento from Edo Japan with 2-piece Spring Roll and 2-piece Gyoza

Everything on my plate was great, especially the tofu and the gyoza! However, here's a note for future visits: skip the spring rolls. They didn't have much flavor, and honestly, the crispy tofu is more than enough to satisfy that fried craving.

After that quick fuel-up, we are ready to hit the shops!

Company Christmas Party from JOEY Burrard

Happy Wednesday and Merry Christmas! Today was our company Christmas party, and it was a blast. We started the evening by spending a fun 90 minutes being kids again, playing all the best arcade games at The Rec Room!

After all that competitive energy, we took a leisurely stroll over to the JOEY Burrard location for dinner. This was my first time dining at JOEY, and I was so excited to see how they stack up against classic Vancouver spots like The Keg, Earls, and Cactus Club. (This is my third Christmas party with my current employer; we did Cactus Club first, The Keg last year, and now JOEY!)

I started with the Korean Fried Cauliflower, and honestly, my mind was blown. I was chatting and taking a few bites, and then it dawned on me: this is not chicken! I seriously had to bite into the middle to double-check that it was actually cauliflower. The flavor was spot-on, and the texture was shockingly like chicken.

Korean Fried Cauliflower from JOEY Burrard
Sweet & spicy Koren chili glaze, pickled fresnos, watermelon radish

For my main dish, I went for the Herb Crush Salmon with truffle beurre blanc, preserved tomatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, and snap peas. I know, I'm that unusual person who orders salmon even when the restaurant is known for steak! While it was fresh and beautifully plated, it wasn't super flavorful. I have to say, The Keg's salmon dish still holds the top spot for me.

Herb Crush Salmon from JOEY Burrard
Truffle beurre blanc, preserved tomatoes, creamy mushroom potatoes, and snap peas

To end the meal, I ordered the Warm Italian Donuts with vanilla mascarpone cream and lemon curd. They were pillowy soft and perfectly tart... but man, it was disappointing that they weren't actually warm.

Warm Italian Donuts from JOEY Burrard
Vanilla mascarpone cream and lemon curd

Overall, it was a fun day of celebrating! Now, I know which of the big three has the best salmon.

Boneless Chicken Thighs and Skewers from Nando's

For dinner tonight, we decided on some flame-grilled deliciousness and headed over to Nando's at their Davie Street location. We always love their signature peri peri chicken!

Boneless Chicken Thigh with Spiced Rice and PERI-Fries from Nando's

Hubby went with the classic combo: the Two Boneless Thighs served with a side of Spiced Rice and PERI-Fries. Meanwhile, I opted for the Chicken Thigh Skewers, accompanied by sides of Golden Cauliflower and Roasted Brussel Sprouts.

Chicken Thigh Skewers with Golden Cauliflower and Roasted Brussel Sprouts from Nando's

It was a great meal overall, but I have a few notes for my next visit (and for anyone else planning a trip!):

• Spice Level: I think the sweet spot is definitely the third level of spice (Medium or Hot, depending on how they name it that day!). Anything higher is just spicy without enough flavor to truly enjoy the chicken and the marinade.
  
  
• Sides: Next time, I'm going to skip the cauliflower; it was just a little too saucy and rich, and the chicken is definitely the star of the show. The Peri Peri Rice is a must-have, though! It works so perfectly with the chicken and is a great vehicle for the sauce.

A solid dinner date! I'm already looking forward to my next peri peri fix.

PERI-PERI Chicken

• Chicken Thigh Skewers
• 2 Boneless Thighs

Sides

• PERI-Fries
• Spiced Rice
• Golden Cauliflower
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts