Kare-Kare and Palabok from Goldilocks

We recently moved near Main Street, which is a perfect excuse to visit Goldilocks. Unfortunately, they are closing by March 15, 2026, which means my primary source of Filipino goodies will soon just be the nearby Pamilya Delights.

As a final farewell meal a month before their closing, we decided to have a hearty brunch here after attending Mass at St. Patrick’s. I originally wanted spicy Laing and charred Pork BBQ, but they did not have the latter. I "settled" for their Kare-Kare and paired it with steamed rice. Was it good? Not really. The peanut sauce was a bit watered down, but the salty bagoong served with it made everything better.

Kare-Kare and Palabok from Goldilocks

Hubby chose the Palabok, which was delicious when squeezed with sour calamansi. Before leaving, we also grabbed some crumbly polvoron, fluffy Mocha mamon, and vibrant ube mamon to go.

On our brisk walk back home, we stopped by Pamilya Delights. We were planning to buy fresh pandesal, but we realized we still had plenty of bread at home. Instead, I spotted the golden turon, which I happily shared with hubby during our walk. Disciplined dieting is so difficult when I am in the festive mood to eat!

Chicken Tikka Kathi Roll and Nutri Kulcha from Chai Wagon

Happy Saturday! I worked extra overtime this morning for about five hours before hubby knocked on the door to see if I was finished. After work, we walked to Chinatown to buy necessary items for an upcoming company event. It felt like work had completely taken over my precious weekend!

Ginger Chai from Chai Wagon

To take some well-deserved time back for myself, we decided to hang out at the nearby Chai Wagon. I remember seeing their original cart in front of the Save-on-Foods on Cambie, but we never gave it a real shot. Their new location at the corner of East 2nd and Main Street is so close to our new home that it would be a shame not to support them.

Chicken Tikka Kathi Roll from Chai Wagon

I finished more than ten blog posts while sitting here and happily enjoying my half-sweet Ginger Chai. There was a subtle ginger flavor, but mostly it was warm and comforting, especially since it was raining cats and dogs outside. I enjoyed my steaming drink with a Chicken Tikka Kathi Roll. It was delicious because the saucy chicken tikka and crisp veggies were perfectly wrapped in soft paratha bread.

Pistachio Hazelnut Latte from Chai Wagon

It is almost a tempting sin to have something this tasty so close to me! I might end up coming here every time I have a strong craving for something sweet and savory. Hubby chose the Pistachio Hazelnut Latte, which was sugary and crunchy with chopped pistachios on top. He paired it with a spicy Nutri Kulcha. It was a massive amount of food! Since it was our first time trying it, we found it savory, zesty, and wonderful. I wondered if it would be good with rice, but hubby insisted it went perfectly with the soft kulcha bread.

Nutri Kulcha from Chai Wagon

I will probably be here once a month to catch up on my personal blogging or when I want to try that aromatic biryani bowl that everyone else seems to be eating!

Veggies Delight Tofu and Classic Pad Thai Combo from Thai Chili Wasabi

Happy Friday! I am feeling quite stressed because I have to work overtime this weekend. This is a rare request from our workplace, but it is totally valid since we are currently drowning in work.

Veggies Delight Tofu from Thai Chili Wasabi
Vegan, vegetarian favourite & gluten free friendly tofu stir-fry with mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, green bean, snow pea, bean sprouts, and white onion) gluten free Thai garlic ginger suace

After work today, hubby and I walked to Staples on West Broadway to pick up a small package. Afterward, we were planning to try Saiko Sushi, but it was packed with people. We decided to cross the street instead and enjoyed a quiet and lovely dinner at Thai Chili Wasabi. There was an Indian spot in this location before that we never got to try, so I am pleased to finally be here for a relaxing dinner.

Crispy Spring Roll from Thai Chili Wasabi
Fried vegetarian rolls (cabbage, carrot, glass noodle, green bean, onion) with homemade sweet chili sauce

If I were not strictly dieting, I would have totally ordered their green curry. However, I still very much want to lose excess weight, so I went for the healthier but still absolutely rocking choice of Veggies Delight Tofu. I absolutely love their soft tofu soaking up the savory stir-fry sauce. I ate only half of the steamed rice, though I did make a sinful choice by enjoying the crispy spring rolls. They were crunchy and piping hot when they arrived, making them the perfect little reward for my stressful week.

Classic Pad Thai Combo from Thai Chili Wasabi
The word famous Thai noodle stir-fry with chicken and 3 shrimps, egg, thin rice noodle, bean sprouts, green onion, Tamarind citrus Pad Thai sauce

Hubby enjoyed his Classic Pad Thai Combo, which was the ideal mix of sweet and savory flavors. The staff was extremely friendly too!

Builid Your Own Poke Bowl from Pokerrito

I finally remembered to take a clear photo of my team lunch! Since I started disciplined dieting, I keep forgetting to take photos of the tasty Vietnamese dishes and other diverse cuisines we have tried so far. However, I managed to capture a shot of my healthy poke bowl today.

My Poke Bowl from Pokerrito 
Mixed greens, salmon, fresh tuna, green onion, cilantro, Kale, romaine lettuce, classic shoyu, tomato, edamame, radish coin, ginger, sweet corn, and tamago

Gemini suggested specific ingredients that would be best for my nutritional diet. My bowl from Pokerrito was a vibrant mix of crispy mixed greens, fresh salmon, and silky tuna. I topped it with sharp green onions, fragrant cilantro, hearty kale, and crunchy romaine lettuce. For flavor, I added classic shoyu, juicy tomatoes, tender edamame, peppery radish coins, zingy ginger, sweet corn, and soft tamago.

It was a refreshing and satisfying meal that made me feel energized for the rest of the work day!

Ham & Cheese Croissant and Peppermint Tea from Lumiere Cafe

After Tims, we went back to our first home as a married couple. Our cozy rental studio, located just a block away from Granville Street, was our home for eight years. Returning the keys today and saying a final goodbye made me feel quite emotional.

Ham & Cheese Croissant from Lumiera Cafe

Afterward, I walked to Suki to get my annual haircut while hubby went back to church for a meeting. Once I was finished, I decided to walk to Lumiere Cafe to wait for him. While waiting, I enjoyed a warm cup of refreshing peppermint tea and a savory ham and cheese croissant. They were both perfect for this typical rainy Vancouver day.

Peppermint Tea from Lumiere Cafe

I have been disciplined with my dieting for a full month now. While I know I can technically eat whatever I want, sometimes it just feels simpler to go back to eating everything without any constant worry. It is a challenging journey, but I am sticking with it!

Below are my picks for the food and drinks I've experienced at Lumiere.

Drinks

• Hot Chocolate
• Large Mocha Frappé 
• Peppermint Tea

Food

• Garlic & Cheese Bun
• Ham & Cheese Croissant
• Matcha NYC Suprême
• Salted Egg Yolk Croissant

Butter Pecan Tart from Tim Hortons

It is our first Sunday morning at our new place. We realized it is quite a long commute to our current church, involving a brisk one-hour walk or a twenty-minute bus ride followed by a nine-minute walk. We really want to keep going there because it is such a wonderful community.

After Mass, we stopped by Tim Hortons for our usual breakfast and to try the Butter Pecan Tart and Custard Tart. Unfortunately, the creamy custard tart was completely sold out, so we settled for two of the nutty butter pecan tarts instead.

Butter Tart from Tim Hortons

I thought the flaky crust on the butter tarts they served a few months ago was much superior. The current one felt a bit different and less buttery. What happened, Tims? Despite the minor snack disappointment, it was a peaceful morning spent together.

Cơm Gà Ướp Sả from Pho Japolo

It was another busy Saturday. Papa invited us to join one of his important business meetings, then we picked up my youngest sister from her work, and finally, we headed to IKEA. We walked and shopped for essential items we needed for our new home.

Phở tái, gân, and sách from Pho Japolo
Noodle soup with eye round steak, soft tendon, and beef tripe

Afterward, I wanted something comforting. My sister suggested LA Chicken, and the "non-dieting" me would have probably said yes. However, the disciplined 2026 me said no and suggested Pho Japolo instead. I ordered the Cơm Gà Ướp Sả, which is marinated lemongrass grilled chicken. I ate all of the tender chicken and fresh salad, but I only finished half of the fluffy rice.

Cơm Gà Ướp Sả from Pho Japolo
Marinated, grilled lemon grass chicken

Admittedly, my strong willpower wavered slightly when I snacked on the Chả Giò, those deep-fried shrimp spring rolls that Mama did not finish. I regretted it only a bit because they were excellent and crispy. It was a satisfying meal to end a productive day!

Ice Cream for Dinner from Earnest Ice Cream

Ice cream for dinner? Yes, please! I realized that I am an adult who has been trying hard to stick to my disciplined diet and make better health choices, but today is a special day. It is our first night in our new home, and we actually own this one!

Tahitian Vanilla Ice Cream from Earnest

After running around Costco like mad people, hubby and I decided to just grab ice cream at Earnest for dinner. I chose the Tahitian Vanilla, which was creamy and floral. Hubby went for the Rocky Road, which was filled with crunchy nuts and soft marshmallows.

Rocky Road from Earnest Ice Cream

We licked our chilled treats while walking around the industrial area of Mount Pleasant. It was a simple and sweet way to celebrate this huge milestone.

Phở Gà from Pho Quynh Express

All our things are officially in our new home! A huge shout-out to Go Truck Go for providing such a wonderful moving experience. In between the chaotic unpacking and organizing, we decided to step out for a quick lunch at Pho.

Phở Gà from Pho Quynh Express
Chicken and rice noodle in soup

Phở Tái Sách from Pho Quynh Express
Rare steak & tripe rice noodle in soup

I ordered the Phở Gà, and it truly felt like a warm hug in a bowl. The clear broth was fragrant, and the tender chicken pieces were perfectly cooked. Mama kept feeding me bites of her savory rice with charred grilled chicken, which was a sweet delicious gesture. We also shared the shrimp salad rolls, which were crisp and fresh. To finish, I enjoyed a chilled and refreshing coconut juice.

Gỏi cuốn from Pho Quynh Express 
Shrimp salad roll

I am feeling satisfied and energized. Now, we are heading to Costco to buy even more essential things for our new home!

Veggie Patty Wrap and Bacon Egg Wrap from Blenz

It is finally THE big day! Before the move officially started, we needed to fuel up with breakfast. We originally wanted to try Kathy’s Sandwich along West Broadway, but they were not open yet, which was a bit of a bummer. We ended up across the street at Blenz Coffee instead.

Veggie Patty Wrap from Blenz

I enjoyed a warm Veggie Patty Wrap and a cup of hot Hibiscus tea. The wrap was filled with savory vegetables and a soft plant-based patty, making it a light but nutritious choice for a busy morning. Hubby went for the more filling Bacon Egg Wrap and a creamy mocha. His wrap was packed with salty bacon and fluffy eggs, providing plenty of energy for the move.

Bacon Egg Wrap from Blenz

I will definitely miss this specific Blenz once we move. It has been our reliable go-to spot during the summer when we needed a cool place to hang out whenever the apartment became unbearable. It is time to start the next chapter!

For future me, below is a list of drinks and foods we've tried from Blenz:

Drinks

Blue Latte Caramel Sundae Chocochillo Coco-Ube Chillo Cranberry Dark Hot Chocolate Eggnog Latte Gingerbread Latte Hazelnut Crisp Hot Chocolate Holly Jolly Pistachio Lemon Shaken Iced Tea London Fog Latte Pumpkin Spice Latte Matchachillo Matcha White Hot Chocolate Mochachillo Sticky Toffee Twinkle Thai Iced Tea Toffee Nut Latte Wintermint Cream Cold Brew

Food

Bacon Egg Wrap Bacon English Muffin Beef Roll Beignets Breakfast Bagel Butter Chicken Wrap Chicken Sun-Dried Pesto Wrap Chocolate Brownie Dacaron: Double Chocolate Dacaron: Japanese Matcha Dream Dacaron: Tahitian Vanilla Bean Just Cakes: Eggless Red Velvet Cake in a Jar Lemon Poppyseed Muffin Lumberjack Breakfast Wrap Nanaimo Bar Tiramisu Tuna Sandwich Turkey & Bacon Sandwich Veggie Patty Wrap

Assorted Sashimi at Masa Japanese Restaurant

It has been such a long Monday. I had a full day at work, then hubby and I walked to Canadian Tire before walking over to our new home to drop off and assemble several things we bought. We did all of this without having any dinner! We finally got to sit down at the closest sushi spot to our current home, Masa Japanese Restaurant, which was thankfully still open late.

I ordered their Assorted Sashimi Platter, and it was incredibly satisfying. The fresh salmon, buttery tuna, and chilled red snapper were exactly what I needed. 

Assorted Sashimi at Masa Japanese Restaurant 

Hubby, however, was a little traitor; he ordered my absolute favorite, the Assorted Katsu Curry. He did give me one bite, which was so comforting to say the least. The crispy breaded pork and rich savory curry sauce were delicious.

Assorted Katsu Curry from Masa Japanese Restaurant

Moving is so stressful, and tomorrow is finally THE Big Day. I pray that everything goes smoothly as we officially transition into our new home. To God be the glory! 

For future reference, below is a list of menu items we've tried from Masa.

Bento Box

• Teriaki (Beef) Bento Box
• Veggie Bento

Donburi (Rice Bowl)

• Chicken Katsu
• Unagi Don

Japanese Curry

• Assorted Katsu Curry
• Beef Curry
• Chicken Curry
• Shrimp Curry
• Veggie Curry

K-Meal (Korean Food)

• Bulgogi Jeongol
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• Deep Fried Chicken
• Korean Yangnyeom Chicken
• Soy Garlic Korean Boneless Chicken

Platter

• Salmon Teriyaki
• Tofu Teriyaki Platter
• Tonkatsu

Ramen

• Kara Miso Ramen
• Miso Ramen
• Shio Ramen
• Tonkatsu Ramen
• Spicy Tonkotsu Ramen

Sashimi

• Assorted Sashimi

Special Roll

• Aburi Cheese Monster Roll
• Atlantic Salmon Oshi Sushi
• Crispy Jumbo Dynamite Roll
• Devil's Kiss
• Double Dragon
• Double Spicy Tuna Special Roll
• Grouse Mountain
• Juliet Roll
• Knights of the Round Table
• Romeo Roll
• Sake Bomb Roll
• Secret Garden Roll
• Tekka Bomb Roll
• Tuna Tataki Roll
• Volcano Roll (Salmon)

Starters

• Agedashi Tofu: Original and Diavolo
• Chicken Karaage
• Chicken Wings (salt and pepper with sweet chilli sauce)
• Creamy Prawn
• Croquette
• Ebi Katsu
• Gyoza (Pork)
• Gyoza (Veggie)
• Sushi Pizza: Original
• Takoyaki

Sweets

• Green Tea Mochi

Tempura

• Appetizer Tempura
• Assorted Tempura

U-Don

• Nabeyaki U-Don

Salmon Steak Teriyaki from Manna Sushi

Happy Sunday! We are moving more of our things to our new home today with the help of my parents.

For dinner, we walked to the nearby Manna Sushi. I really enjoyed their succulent Salmon Steak Teriyaki, though I made sure to eat only half of the wholesome brown rice to stay on track with my goals.

Salmon Steak Teriyaki from Manna Sushi
Stir-fried veggies with brown rice served on a hot griddle

Ton Katsu from Manna Sushi
2 pieces of deep-fried pork cutlet, salad, rice and miso

I also had their assorted tempura and focused mostly on the crispy vegetables. The flaky salmon was glazed in a savory sauce, and the nutty rice was the perfect accompaniment. 

Assorted Tempura from Manna Sushi
4 prawns and 8 pieces veggies

They serve such excellent food at reasonable prices, which is why it is such a shame to learn that they are closing soon.

A Family Feast from Italian Tomato Restaurant

We visited my parents today to celebrate their anniversary a bit late. Mama had a specific craving for seafood pasta, so we ended up ordering a large pickup from Italian Tomato Restaurant.

Pescatore from Italian Tomato Restaurant
Baby clams, baby shrimps, baby scallops, mushrooms in tomato sauce

The food was absolutely glorious. We ordered two pizzas and three different pastas to ensure everyone had their favorites. Mom got her wish with the Pescatore, which arrived covered in a tangy tomato sauce and loaded with succulent clams, tender shrimps, sweet scallops, and earthy mushrooms. 

Papa chose his favorite, the extremely comforting Penne alla Carbonara. It featured smoky Italian bacon in a traditional cream sauce reduced with a rich egg and sharp parmesan cheese.

Alla Carbonara from Italian Tomao Restaurant
Italian bacon in traditional cream sauce, reduced with an egg and parmesan cheese

Meanwhile, "dieting me" opted for the Michaelangela with nutty whole wheat spaghetti. This dish was a lighter but flavorful mix of lean chicken breast, crunchy broccoli, vibrant red peppers, and fragrant herbs in a pungent garlic, olive oil, and white wine clear sauce. It was great to have all three bases covered: cream sauce, tomato sauce, and olive oil.

Michaelangelo from Italian Tomato Restaurant
Diced chicken breast, broccoli, red peppers, mushrooms, ginger in a garlic olive oil white wine clear sauce

For our pizza, my sister chose the classic Margherita, while I went for the Ortolana. It was topped with healthy artichokes, savory mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and sharp red onions. The servings here are truly meant for sharing and are so delicious. I cannot wait to order here again and hopefully have a few leftover bites to take home!

Ortolana from Italian Tomato Restaurant 
Artichokes, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and red onions

Margherita Classic Italian from Italian Tomato Restaurant
Tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese

We enjoyed our meal with the Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé which was a thoughtful gift from our realtor to congratulate us on buying our first home. If you are looking to buy a home in the area, I highly recommend our realtor, Donald McDougall. To God be the glory for these family moments!

Samgyetang and Jjajangmyeon from H-Kitchen

We had our new home blessed by Father Ignacy today. I asked my workplace for an extended lunch break so we could complete the blessing and enjoy a meal together. My parents and two sisters joined us for lunch at H-Mart in Downtown Vancouver.

10. Scorched Rice Ginseng Chicken Soup from H-Kitchen
Made with scorched rice, Ginseng, chicken, and jujube

For the first time, I ordered the Scorched Rice Ginseng Chicken Soup (Samgyetang). It arrived in a heavy stone bowl and was piping hot. The meal was comforting and felt like a loose congee with tender chicken. Choosing this nutritious soup over the salty Korean ramen was another attempt to make better health choices, especially with the earthy ginseng.

Noodle in Black Bean Sauce from H-Kitchen
Black bean sauce, pork, sweet onions & zucchini + roasted dumplings (3 pieces)

Hubby, meanwhile, ordered the Noodles in Black Bean Sauce (Jjajangmyeon), which is a popular dish we always see in Korean dramas. We both thought their version was a bit too sugary, which is saying a lot coming from a Filipino family that enjoys sweet spaghetti! Despite that, it was a lovely afternoon spent with family.

Seasonal Vegetables and Crispy Tofu from Peaceful Restaurant

We are moving the first batch of our things today with the help of my parents. In between picking up items from our current place and dropping them off at our new home, we grabbed a quick lunch at Peaceful Restaurant.

Seasonal Vegetables and Crispy Tofu from Peaceful Restaurant

In my attempt to stay mindful of my health goals, I ordered the silky tofu and vibrant stir-fried vegetables. However, I decided to pair them with their delicious and high-calorie Peaceful Fried Rice. 

Below is a list of everything we've tried from Peaceful so far:

Dim Sum 

• A01. Xiao Long Bao Steamed Buns
• A02. Steamed Soft Pork Buns
• A03. Pan-Fried Pork Buns
• A04. Peaceful Beef Rolls
• A06. Cumin Beef and Flatbread
• A12. Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings
• A17. Deep Fry Sesame Ball

Soups

• C03. Minced Chickwn with Corn Soup

Seafood

• D03. Salted and Pepper Squid

Chicken

• E08. General Tso's Chicken

Beef

• G05. Beef and Broccoli

Vegetables

• H02. Seasonal Vegetables and Crispy Tofu

Sauce Noodles

• K02. Dan-Dan Noodles

Stir-Fried Noodles

• L01. Mu-Shu Stir-Fried Noodles
• L05. Shanghai Stir-Fried Noodles

Rice Dishes

• M01. Peaceful House Stir-Fried Rice
• M02. Yang-Zhou Stir-Fried Rice

Peaceful House Rice from Peaceful Restaurant
Stir-fried with diced pork, shrimp, vegetables, & cilantro

The rice was savory, smoky, and filled with crispy bits that made it impossible to resist. It was so satisfying and comforting that I ate every bite with absolutely no regrets. Sometimes, you just need that extra energy to get through a move!

Avocado Toast from Glory Juice

Happy Sunday! We woke up early today to ensure the cleaner could enter our new home and work her magic. Afterward, we headed over to the nearby Glory Juice for a healthy start to the day.

Breakfast at Glory Juice

I ordered the Avocado Toast on tangy sourdough bread, which I paired with Juice Number 17. Since I had been fasting, I was absolutely starved and could not wait to dig in. The creamy avocado was topped with crunchy seeds and fresh microgreens, making every bite feel nourishing. Hubby chose the Glory Granola Bowl, which were excellent too; they were warm, filling, and topped with banana.

Avocado Toast from Glory Juice

Glory Granola Bowl from Glory Juice

The morning staff member was the absolute friendliest and even gave us samples of their savory hummus spread and their rich nutty butter. I liked both, but that smooth hummus is definitely something I will choose next time I am back. It was the perfect, vibrant meal to kick off a busy day of homeownership!

Roast Beef Sandwich from Forecast Coffee Roasters

My husband had his Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Exemplification at Our Lady of Sorrows today. It was located in a different neighborhood, and while I am not entirely sure what all the formalities mean, I am always happy to be there to support him!

Roast Beef Sandwich from Forecast Coffee Roasters
Roast beef, arugula, Parmesan, garlic & horseradish aioli, lemon vinaigrette, and ciabatta

Afterward, I was quite hungry, so we ended up at Forecast Coffee Roasters. I ordered the Roast Beef Sandwich, and the garlic aioli was the bomb! It was truly amazing. The soft ciabatta bread was filled with fresh lettuce, tender beef, and sharp red onions. It was the perfect savory bridge to get me from lunch until dinner.

Bento Boxes from River Sushi

We spent our first full day (a total of 11 hours) at our new place. After Chad the handyman finished his work, we finally headed back home, but not before stopping to buy more supplies from Canadian Tire and Home Depot.

Sashimi Bento Box from River Sushi
2 piece salmon sashimi, 2 piece tuna sashimi, dynamite roll, tempura, salad, and miso soup

I was absolutely starving at this point, so we decided to stop by River Sushi for a quick dinner. We both ordered bento boxes, and they were quite good. My box featured fresh sashimi, crispy tempura, tender teriyaki chicken, and fluffy white rice. It was a filling and satisfying meal that hit the spot after such a long day.

Nagiri Bento Box from River Sushi
Dynamite roll, 3 piece nigiri (salmon, tuna, and ebi), tempura, salad, and miso soup

I am so glad we were able to check off another restaurant on our West Broadway checklist before we move!

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!