Smooch Food: Love Letters to Every Bite

Our company-paid team lunches are always fun because they come with a theme! Every week, we have a little contest: an employee posts a question, everyone enters a guess, and the person closest to the correct answer gets to pick the food theme for the following week. This week's winner chose Greek! We planned on ordering from The Greek in Yaletown, but Uber Eats was not cooperating (it completely shut down our order attempts!). That forced a last-minute pivot, and I'm so glad it did! Mix Shawarma Plate  from Mediterranean Grill Chicken, beef, and lamb with dill rice I quickly switched us over to Mediterranean Grill, and what a delicious save! I happily devoured my Mixed Meat Plate. It came with fluffy dill rice, a fresh salad, warm pita, and that essential cooling tzatziki. The portion was huge! I definitely had to box up some of the leftovers, which we happily enjoyed for d...

For company-paid team lunch, the chosen theme is burgers. Since it's gloomy outside, we got burgers delivered from Blaze. I went for the healthy choice of Smokey BBQ Burger with a lettuce wrap and veggie (harvest) patty. It was so good. I can't even describe how perfect the crunchy lettuce covered in sweet barbecue sauce was. Smokey Blaze  with veggie (harvest) patty and lettuce wrap from Blaze Gourmet Burgers Pepper Jack cheese, double smoked bacon, crispy onion frites, lettuce, tomato, smokey BBQ, and blaze sauce I also ordered a side of their spiral (curly) fries, which were perfectly seasoned too. Curly Fries  from Blaze Gourmet Burgers For reference, below is a list of what I've tried from Blaze. Blaze Beef n' Bacon Poutine Classic Blaze  with beef patty and...

For our company-paid Thai lunch, we decided to try something new and had Khao Thai by Legato deliver instead of going to our usual spot at Club Kitchen. Pad Thai  from Khao Thai by Legato Rice noodles with Tamarindo sauce, eggs, topped with raw beans sprouts, ground peanuts, and lime I played it safe with the pad thai, and it was delicious. There were plenty of rice noodles coated in a sweet and savory sauce, and it was topped with tofu and vegetables.

Thursday is team lunch day, and since the weather is not cooperating, we decided to have our lunch delivered by UberEats. Keftedes  from The Greek Four traditional lamb and beef meatballs served over long grain rice, topped with homemade tomato sauce and shredded saganaki cheese. Served with Greek salad, fresh grilled pita and tzatziki I ordered the Keftedes lunch entree. It came with a delicious Greek salad, pita bread, and tzatziki. Of course, the star is the keftedes covered in tomato sauce. I'm not a fan. I love the fluffy rice and the tender meatballs, but I didn't enjoy the sauce. I'll stick to the gyro next time. For reference, below is a list of menu items I've tried from The Greek. Avgolemono soup Gyro Keftedes Moussaka

After our trip to Mexico and before my sister's trip to the Philippines with her boyfriend, we decided to meet up and hang out at our parents' house. For dinner, we ordered from Yuu Japanese Tapas because it's our youngest sister's favorite spot in Richmond. She absolutely loves their Japanese curry. Dan Dan Ramen from Yuu Japanese Tapas With that said, this time I decided to try their Dan Dan Ramen. This saucy noodle dish is my absolute go-to if it's available in Chinese restaurants, and Yuu's Japanese version is glorious. I'll probably order this again from Yuu over my favorite dish of all time, the Japanese curry. Okonomiyaki  from Yuu Japanese Tapas Hubby and I also shared an okonomiyaki, a dish that's uncommon in Japanese spots. So each time we see it, we get it. This soft swee...

Happy Thursday! It's team lunch, and the theme is Korean, so we ordered from Disco Cheetah. I chose the Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl instead of creating my own custom bowl. It arrived with a generous serving of rice, a fresh green salad, a perfectly poached egg, creamy smashed potatoes, vibrant red pickled cabbage, scallions, crispy shallots, garlic ranch, and a zesty chili sauce. Bulgogi Beef Rice Bowl  from Disco Cheetah Each bite was perfectly balanced: the tender, sweet-savoury beef was the highlight, with its rich, umami flavour. The rice provided a comforting base, while the poached egg added a luscious creaminess. The smashed potatoes were velvety and indulgent, while the pickled cabbage brought a tangy crunch that contrasted beautifully with the other ingredients. The crispy shallots added a satisfying crunch, and the garlic ranch and chili sauce delivered a creamy, slightly...

When it comes to burgers, Blaze Gourmet Burgers delivers a menu bursting with customization options. For team lunch today, I opted for their Classic Blaze but gave it a personal twist: I swapped out the Certified Angus Beef patty for their veggie (Harvest) patty and traded the traditional bun for a lettuce bun. My choices sounds healthy but I couldn’t resist keeping the crispy, savoury bacon. What sets the Classic Blaze apart is its thoughtful balance of ingredients. The crunch of fresh lettuce and tomato pairs beautifully with the tang of crunchy pickles, offering a crisp and refreshing contrast to the rich, smoky bacon. The veggie patty, packed with savoury depth, serves as the perfect foundation, holding its own against the bold flavours. And let’s not forget the Blaze Sauce – creamy, slightly tangy, and a touch indulgent – it ties everything together in a flavour-packed bite. Classic Blaze with ...

Happy Thursday! Today, for our company-paid team lunch, we enjoyed a delicious bagel theme. The Melbourne office is a huge fan of Schmuck's Bagels, and for good reason. It's one of the few places that can consistently handle large orders on the same day. Miss U Lox  from Schmuck's Bagels Smoked salmon, creamy cream cheese, pickled red onion, tomato, capers, fresh dill, & lemon on rye I opted for the "Miss u Lox" bagel, my go-to choice for a bagel sandwich with salmon and capers. The smoked salmon provided a rich, salty flavor, complemented by the smooth, tangy cream cheese. The pickled red onion and tomato added a burst of acidity and sweetness, while the capers provided a briny, salty kick. The fresh dill and lemon added a bright, herbaceous flavor, although the lemon was a bit overpowering for my taste. Overall, it was a delicious bagel sandwich, bu...

This Thursday's team lunch took us to Italy, specifically a delicious adventure in the land of pasta. We ordered from Basil Pasta Bar, and while my Pesto Shrimp Linguine boasted all the hallmarks of a flavorful dish, it fell a little short of its full potential. Let's dissect the beauty that awaited me: perfectly cooked al dente linguine formed the base, ready to cradle the star of the show - a creamy pesto sauce. This wasn't your average pesto sauce, though. Imagine a vibrant green infusion of basil's earthy goodness swirled with the richness of the cream, all gently nudged into a complex dance by the subtle acidity of white wine. Pesto Shrimp Linguine from Basil Pasta Bar Pesto cream sauce with white wine, shrimp, garlic, and spinach. Garnished with parmesan cheese & fresh basil Then came the parade of add-ins: plump, juicy shrimp, their delicate sweet...

This week has been a rough one. That persistent cough just wouldn't quit, and let's be honest, crawling out of bed for anything but tissues and cough syrup wasn't exactly appealing. But sometimes, a little self-care is the strongest medicine. Enter Trish Juice, my new favourite Vancouver destination, for a delicious (hopefully effective) pick-me-up. Knowing I needed a vitamin boost, I started with their fresh-squeezed orange juice. Bonus points for the buy-one-get-one-free deal – a small victory in a week of feeling under the weather. The sunshine in a glass was exactly what I needed to perk up my taste buds. Trish Juice Wellness Package Now, for the not-so-delicious but hopefully powerful part of my order: the Turmeric Shot. This concoction of turmeric, lemon, ginger, honey, and coconut water sounds exotic, but let's be honest – it's a mouthful, literally and ...

Thursdays just got a whole lot tastier! Thanks to our fantastic company's treat, this week's team lunch took a delightful detour to Casereccio Foods in Kitsilano. I ordered the spaghetti pesto verde with chicken, and it was nothing short of amazing. Casereccio Foods, meaning "homemade" in Italian, lives up to its name in every way. The star of the show was undoubtedly the freshly made pasta. Each perfectly cooked strand held its shape beautifully, offering a delightful springy texture that danced on the palate. The crowning glory of this dish, however, was the pesto verde. This vibrant green sauce has fresh, high-quality ingredients and a complex flavour profile. The herbaceous notes of basil were perfectly balanced by the earthy tones of pine nuts and the sharp tang of parmesan cheese. Spaghetti Pesto Verde  from Casereccio Foods Traditional Basil Pesto is made with fresh basil, p...

Picture this: It's Saturday night, and the only thing on my mind is satisfying my intense chicken craving. The choices are endless, but this time, my heart (and stomach) led me straight to Popeyes. While I've always enjoyed their signature chicken, this evening called for something different—tender, juicy, and bite-sized delights. So, Popeyes chicken tenders and nuggets it was! Dinner feast  from Popeyes Last week, I indulged in the crispy goodness of Church's Chicken , and the week before that, I savoured Taiwanese popcorn chicken at Redbeef Noodle . Each experience was unique, but Popeyes was calling my name this time. Tantalizing Tenders As I sank my teeth into Popeyes chicken tenders, I couldn't help but marvel at the perfect balance of crispy and tender. The seasoned batter clung to each strip, creating a symphony of flavours with every bite. It was like a culina...

 Happy Thursday! It's team lunch, and the theme is potatoes. Since we missed Thai food last week because of the snow, we decided to order it this week. We got it from Talay Thai Restaurant, delivered by UberEats. I chose Jungle Curry under the menu's Special Talay Thai Dishes section. Jungle Curry is different from my usual green curry. The heat factor is unapologetically more intense, as it embraces its spicy nature with gusto, delivering a fiery kick that leaves a lingering warmth on the tongue. Other than the heat, the core of this culinary masterpiece is the finger root, known locally as ka chai, which imparts a unique earthy and aromatic essence to the curry. Jungle Curry from Talay Thai Restaurant A true central northeast Thai curry prepared with finger root (ka chai) and special Thai herbs. Your choice of chicken, pork, or beef. Ask to have it mild if you can't take ...

Happy snowy Thursday in Vancouver! For team lunch, the theme is Thai food. Unfortunately, I'm the only one in the office today because I'm watching the Canucks game tonight. Green Curry  from Thai Express Silky, creamy, and spicy green curry made with coconut milk perched on a bed of aromatic rice. I ordered too much food from Thai Express. They arrived acceptable. I enjoyed their green curry sauce but did not like the battered chicken or the General Thai Bok Bok Bag. I'd like to think that it is better enjoyed in the store. Otherwise, it's just a sad attempt at chicken nuggets. General Thai Bok Bok Bag  from Thai Express Indulge in crispy and irresistibly tender pieces of signature General Thai chicken However, I'll still happily dip it in green curry sauce. ...

For team lunch today, they chose Malaysian cuisine and even suggested the dish they plan to order in the Melbourne office: Nasi Lemak. Because we want to feel connected to our colleagues on the other side of the Pacific, we also ordered Nasi Lemak with Chicken from John 3:16 Malaysian Delights . Nasi Lemak with Chicken  from John 3:16 Malaysian Delights The nasi lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves. It is fragrant and has a subtle, sweet coconut flavour. It is a party in your mouth when paired with the succulent, juicy chicken. The meal also includes crunchy peanuts, crispy anchovies, and spicy sambal. It's perfect. Yay for happy food.

Happy Saturday! I'm still dealing with jetlag and a major KFC craving hit, so I decided to order some for delivery. In our order, I included 10 pieces of the new Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets and my trusty Variety Bucket, which comes with 8 pieces of chicken, 4 chicken tenders, and a medium serving of popcorn chicken. Variety Bucket  from KFC 8 pieces of Canadian farm-raised and hand-breaded Original Recipe chicken, 4 white meat chicken tenders hand-breaded in our 11 herbs and spices, medium Popcorn chicken, large fries, and 2 dips. Unfortunately, the Original Recipe Chicken Nuggets and the chicken tenders turned out to be quite salty. Even after reheating, the saltiness was hard to ignore. Thankfully, the popcorn chicken and the classic secret recipe fried chicken tasted as delicious as usual. 10-piece Nug...

It's Thursday, which means company-paid team lunch and the chosen cuisine for this week is Korean. My colleague and I went for Korean fried chicken from bb.q Chicken, a restaurant brand from South Korea. I ordered the Golden Original Wings, and we got Red Chak Chak Fries for sharing. Golden Original Wings from bb.q Chicken Korean fried chicken at its best. Juicy and tender inside, light and crispy outside It's difficult to screw up Korean fried chicken, and the Golden Original Wings delivers. It has enough crisp on the outside and juicy inside. Of course, I fell in love with the Chak Chak Fries. It's flavourful and spicy. As I grew older, I stopped craving spicy food just for the sake of the heat with little to no flavour. The Chak Chak Fries is perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat. For amusement, below is a list of our team lunches so far. Wee...

Happy Thursday! This week, our team's lunch theme is comfort food. When asked what familiar culinary flavours I seek for solace, I immediately responded 'fried chicken.' A follow-up question inquired whether I preferred the standard version or the Korean iteration, to which I replied, 'Either work - after all, both are forms of fried chicken.; With our theme decided, I embarked on a quest (searched) to discover the finest options available for delivery in Vancouver. This culinary exploration (Google) led us to Nene Chicken, renowned for its delectable Korean fried chicken offerings. This marked my first foray into Vancouver's Korean fried chicken scene, adding to my excitement. Original Drumstick from Nene Chicken Working within a budget, I opted for a classic order: the Shack-Shack Fries and a 3-piece serving of original drumsticks. Meanwhile, my colleague indulg...

Thursday is team lunch day, followed by work-from-home Friday. This week a colleague from Melbourne chose pies. I searched for "Aussie Pie Vancouver" and found Peaked Pies. Traditional Aussie Pie I'm no pie expert, but that is the best savoury pie I've had. It has a flaky exterior and a juicy, perfectly seasoned interior. I honestly thought it'll be a small pie, but I was full and sleepy after lunch. Traditional Aussie Pie with "Get Peaked" Add-On  from Peaked Pies Ground beef, onion, and gravy I also chose the "Get Peaked" add-on, which means my pie is topped with mashed potato, mushy green peas, and gravy. It was amazing. I do not like mushed green peas, but the gravy was excellent. Traditional Aussie Pie  from Peaked Pies Lamington It's my first time h...

Happy Thursday! For team lunch today, we ordered Thai cuisine, and I went for my usual spicy green chicken curry from Thai Away Home Restaurant. Our lunch is delivered by Uber Eats and we enjoyed it in the rooftop of the office building. Green Thai Coconut Chicken Curry Combo Served with rice, salad,  and spring roll Since I just had green curry recently, I can make a good comparison. This is much better, but it seems unfair since I got the previous curry at a mild spice level. Overall, it was a satisfying lunch. Thank God for company-paid food. For my amusement, below is a list of our team lunch so far: Week Number: Brazilian: Boteco Brasil Chicken: Nando's Japanese: SUSHI UOmo Japanese Restaurant Bagel: Rosemary Rocksalt Thai: Thai Away Home