Lunch at Triple O

I haven't been to Triple O in a long time!

I'm pleasantly surprised to see that they have Chicken & Waffle, which I, of course, got. Meanwhile, hubby got the Original Burger with Cheese.

Chicken and Waffle
Menu Description: Our Buttermilk Chicken patty topped with naturally smoked bacon, lightly-spiced maple syrup, aged Canadian cheddar cheese, and our signature mayo sandwiched between two locally-made Belgian-style waffles.

The buttermilk chicken was crunchy and flavourful. You can never go wrong with the delicious bacon and cheddar cheese combo. The waffle is dense, which is expected coming from a fast food place. Overall, I'll try this again.

Chicken & Waffle and my fave side Garlic Parmesan Fries in the background

Got too excited, so we started eating the Original Burger with Cheese
Menu Description: 100% fresh Canadian beef, crisp iceberg lettuce, fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, secret Triple "O" sauce, two slices of cheese and our signature pickle on top.

You cannot go wrong with the Original Burger from Triple O. We keep coming back to this deliciousness. Since my parents live near a Triple O branch, they love Triple "O" Tuesdays when the Original Burgers is just $4.49.

Lunch delivery from Pizza Hut for NFL Playoffs

Hanging out at my parent's place to watch the NFL Playoff games today. We ordered the Triple Treat Box from Pizza Hut.

Congratulations to both the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans on the playoff win! We can't wait for tomorrow's games.

Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut

Boxing Day Lunch at Bubble Waffle Cafe

After hours of shopping, we end up at Richmond Center for lunch. Of course, the Dining Terraces (aka what they call the food court) is full, we're glad to find a seat.

I'm so happy that there's now a Bubble Waffle here. We ordered from there. It was chaotic because of the line. Otherwise, the food was great!

Curry Beef Brisket with Rice

Chicken Nuggets with fried rice

I can't wait to order more of their chicken nuggets (it's more like chicken popcorn). Yay for great food after a day of shopping.

Lunch at Burger King

We arrived in Richmond and was in search of an air mattress. We end up grabbing one from Walmart in Richmond and decided to have late lunch at Burger King.

Spicy Chicken Parmesan Sandwich was delicious! I can't believe how great this sandwich was. 

Late dinner at Thai Hang

We're at the airport tonight to send off mother who is taking a vacation.

Vermicelli Bowl with Lemongrass Pork

Lunch at Lotus Restaurant

B4. Grilled Chicken Slices, Fried Roll Vermicelli Bowl

A5. Combo Platter (Fried Roll, Salad Roll, and 3 pcs Fried Chicken Wings)

#5 Pho with steak and tripe

D22. Che Dac Biet (Special Bean Combination served with Coconut Milk and Crushed Ice)

Dinner at Pajo's Fish and Chips, YVR

2-pc Salmon Fish and Chips

Day 0 of Vacation: YVR to NRT to NAIA

Vacation! The last 8 months is all about the next two weeks. We're off to the The Philippines to get married again! In this blog, I'll focus on the things we ate and we ate a lot!

Breakfast and Lunch in YVR

Our flight is at 2:25 PM (Pacific Time), but we're so excited that we're already at the airport at around 9:00 AM. We took a Yellow Cab going to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and knowing full well that the check-in counter will still be close, we grabbed breakfast at Tim Hortons.

Tim Hortons for breakfast before we leave Canada

By 12:00 NN, we're done checking in and going to security. We're enjoying our Chinese cuisine lunch at a place called Hanami Sushi (yes, I know, it's confusing). After lunch, I asked hubby to buy me Starbucks drinks. We're now waiting at the Gate.

Starbucks!

Japan Airlines

I have a new favourite airline. Actually, it's not the airline that I like exactly but the planes they use. The chairs are arranged 2-4-2. Yes, there are only two seats near the window, so I have the window seat, and hubby is on the aisle seat. It's so much easier to move around without a third person to worry about.

Food

I prefer food from China Airlines. The biggest surprise in JAL flight food is they give you a cup of ice cream. I didn't finish it, but it's such a pleasant surprise.

Amusing to see a local (Vancouver) gelato maker supplying for JAL! Mario's Gelati.

Japan Airlines

Lunch at Japan Airlines

Breakfast at Japan Airlines

Narita International Airport (NRT)

Our plane arrived in Japan, and we have less than 2 hours to go through security and board our connecting flight to Manila. We wanted to explore, but it has to wait on our return.

For now, we went directly to our boarding gate and ate at the closest convenience store. I would have ordered the curry, but it would take 10 minutes, so I opted for their ramen and noodles.

Ramen

Noodles

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)

At around 10:30 PM (Philippine Time), we arrived safely in Manila. I was tired and angry (my default mood after flying trans-pacific). Our flight left Japan 1-hour late, and we were circling around NAIA for around 30-minutes (according to hubby - I was sound asleep when they made announcements) because of airport traffic.

Vegetable Keema Curry and Häagen-Dazs Matcha Ice Cream

That's it for Day 0 of our vacation!

Happiness found at Japadog

I love Japadog and not the hotdog itself but the flavour they create. As you can see from this blog, we go to Japanese restaurants frequently and Japadog recreates those flavour profiles in hotdog sandwich form.

Plus they have french fries drenches in Japanese Curry Sauce. Two things I love in one dish.

Terimayo and Okonomi

Chicken Karaage and Curry Fries

Birthday Lunch at Fisherman's Terrace Seafood 釣魚台海鮮酒家

Yummy dumplings

Birthday Lunch at Moxie's Classic Grill

Fresh Smashed Guacamole: smashed to order, fresh white corn chips, & salsa fresca

Portobello Veggie Burger: marinated full mushroom cap, aged white cheddar & fresh herbs + side fresh market salad

Sirloin and Stuffed Potato

Pre-flight dinner at YVR: White Spot

Brie & Mushroom Veggie Burger

Hot Fudge Brownie

Boxing Day Lunch at Neptune Wonton House

It's Boxing Day! A day of shopping in Canada. Honestly, it's the only day I buy new clothes. You'll never be able to make me buy clothes that are not on sale.

After hours of shopping, we had lunch at Neptune Wonton House. It's the only restaurant with available seats - everything else is full of people. Of course, what to eat at a wonton house? Wonton Noodle Soup, of course.

Wonton Noodle Soup

Early Dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory

We played bowling for the first time, and it was hilarious! After such a fun time, we decided to grab early dinner at nearby Old Spaghetti Factory.

Chicken Parmigiana
Menu Description: A hand-breaded chicken breast, fried to a golden brown, topped with marinara sauce and melted parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Served with spaghetti with marinara sauce or fries

Spaghetti with Meatballs
Menu Description: Hand-rolled meatballs served with Italian marinara sauce and topped with fresh parmesan cheese

The food was good. Service can be improved. But time spent with the family is always fun.

Lunch at Tandoori Kona Restaurant

Tandoori Kona Restaurant is at a strip meal along Cambie Road. They serve delicious Indian food. Hubby and I ordered too much, as you can see.

Aloo Palak
Menu Description: Spinach and Potatoes

Tandoori Chicken
Menu Description: Traditional boned chicken tandoori

We ordered Tandoori Chicken because hubby pointed out that "tandoori" is in the restaurant name so it must be good.

Vegetable Samosa
Menu Description: Triangular Pastries with vegetable fillings

Gulab Jamuns
Menu Description: Round Indian cake balls in syrup

This one is too sweet for us and we love our sweets!

Lunch at Bourbon St. Grill

This is the best deal in the Richmond Center food court. For less than $15, you can get a plate full of your choice of meat, vegetable, and carbs.

Food from Bourbon St. Grill

Foursquare Adventure (Afghan Restaurant): Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

In celebration of Foursquare Day, I am starting a world tour (while staying in Metro Vancouver) with food based on the Food categories of Foursquare!

Afghan Restaurants in Vancouver 

First on the Foursquare alphabetical list of categories is Afghan Restaurants. According to Foursquare, four restaurants are categorized under Afghan Restaurants.

Foursquare Map

We decided to try Afghan Chopan from the list because it's affordable, and it's accessible. "East is East" is closer to our home and has a higher rating, but the food is a mixture of Indian and Afghan cuisine, so we went to Afghan Chopan instead.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

It's a small place (with about 9 chairs and 3 tables), but the branch on No. 3 Road is closing permanently on April 20, 2018. They have a new branch around a 10-minute walk near the Richmond Public Market at Westminster Highway.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Ashak for Appetizer 

They have three choices for appetizer - Bolani, Mantu, and Ashak. Before going here, I was reading Wikipedia about Afghan food, and because of that, I decided to get Ashak. I initially want Mantu, but I thought it's close to Korean Mandu, so I went for something different.

Ashak for Appetizer
Menu Description: A very delightful and common Afghan recipe, steamed dough with leeks topped with sauce and yogurt.

The dumpling itself is cooked well, and it wasn't chewy, and it's not fried, so it's not crunchy either. The sauce on top is delicious. I love beans. The sauce shows more of the personality of the cuisine. In the Philippines, we have soy sauce and chilli flakes as we like our food saltier. It seems like Afghan cuisine, loves their spices and well, tomato-based dishes.

Pallow and Kebab for Main Meal

I chose Afghan Chopan because I think it's affordable and oh boy was I blown away. Jomar ordered Assorted Kebab while I got the Pallow Special. There was so much food! I think it's suitable for 3 people. Everything is so good! I will go back just for the Pallow! It's mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful. Meanwhile, the Kebab was seasoned well, tender, and melts in your mouth.

Pallow Special
Menu Description: Tender pieces of beef shank beneath Afghan steamed basmati rice served with side vegetable.

Assorted Kebab with side salad
Menu Description: One skewer each of chicken, shami (ground beef), and tekka (beef tenderloin) kebab

We finished everything, just the two of us.

Ferny for Dessert 

Based on the food we've tried, it's evident that Afghan food isn't into extreme. I mean so far, nothing we've had is TOO spicy or salty, so I wasn't expecting the only dessert in the menu to be sweet. It's called Ferney, and I was right that it wasn't delicious.

Ferny
Menu Description: Milk Pudding made with a hint of cardamon and topped with Pistachios.

It was soft, and when we started digging in, it slowly lost its form. The pistachios on top provided crunch and texture to the whole thing.


Have you tried Afghan food before? How was it?

Lunch at Church's Chicken

After Mass, we had a quick lunch at Church's Chicken.

Chicken Sandwich

We love chicken!

Dinner Celebration at Cactus Club Cafe

Tonight, we are celebrating my parent's wedding anniversary with dinner at Cactus Club in Richmond Center.

Vegetarian Burger with Fries

Vegetarian Burger up close