Croissant and Tiramisu at Foret Noire Patisserie

Joyeux Lundi! Happy Monday!

We're walking home from Commercial Drive and decided to stop by Foret Noire Patisserie. It's so clean and quite intimidating, but the viennoiserie they offer is familiar.

I ordered a Plain Croissant and Tiramisu while hubby picked the Chocolate Croissant. We also ordered to-go a box of their European Cookies.

Mouthwatering viennoiserie and cake from Foret Noire Patisserie

Plain Croissant
Flaky dough and freshly baked daily.

Plain Croissant

I am not a croissant expert by any means, but I have tried a few of them in Vancouver:

• Mon Pitou - May 22, 2021
• Beaucoup Bakery - May 23, 2021
• Thomas Haas Patisserie
• Blue Hat Bakery - Cafe 

Out of all of them, the flakiest is definitely from Foret. Check the photo above. It's like we murdered the croissant because they're just flying everywhere.

Chocolate Croissant
Our chocolate croissant will leave you coming back for more! Warm and fresh pastries are baked daily for you. Pass by and grab them to-go or dining in.

Chocolate Croissant

The Chocolate Croissant is not as flaky as the Plain Croissant, and it's great. However, I kinda wished I had brought it home so I could reheat it and melt the chocolate in the middle.

Tiramisu
Savoyard sponge, brandy coffee syrup, espresso, and mascarpone mousse.

A peek inside the Tiramisu.

It's definitely the best Tiramisu I had. The coffee flavour is mind-blowing.

I can't wait to open the European Cookie box and hopefully remember to update this post.

Perfect Gift: European Cookie Box

The European Cookie Box from Foret Noire is the perfect gift for special occasion or if you're unsure what gift to give, this is the right choice.

Beautiful Exterior Box

Professionally Packaged

Delicious Cookies and Almond Chocolates

My husband and I are already thinking that this will be good pasalubong (gifts) to friends in the Philippines whenever we go back for a vacation.

Lunch at Hon’s Wonton House

Happy Monday! It's a non-working holiday in British Columbia as we celebrate Victoria Day. 

We needed the exercise and decided to walk 5 kilometres to Commercial Drive from our home and another 5 kilometres going back. I made a list of restaurants, coffee shops, and dessert shops along West and East Broadway between Arbutus Street and Commercial Drive as part of our Boosting Broadway Businesses campaign.

At the end of our walk (when we reached Commercial Drive), we decided to grab late lunch at Hon's Wonton House.

Lunch at Hon's Wonton House

If we're not "dieting," I would have ordered 2-3 sides and/or dim sum, but a couple of noodle soups and one side are enough for now.

Popcorn Chicken

It's good Popcorn Chicken, but they have so many available Sides and Dim Sum that I will try something different next time we come to Hon's Wonton House.

Beef Brisket & Wonton Noodle Soup

BBQ Pork & Wonton Noodle Soup

I recommend getting just the Wonton Noodle Soup without the BBQ Pork and Beef Brisket. The wonton is delicious - the best one I've tried in Vancouver.

But if you have to choose between BBQ Pork and Beef Brisket, I recommend getting the BBQ Pork instead.

For next time, I might try their rice meals. I was tempted to get the Curry Beef Brisket on Rice, but hubby pointed out that we should get wonton because it's on their name. 

Lunch from Akbar's Own Indian Restaurant

Happy Sunday on a long weekend. We went to Mass, and afterwards, we had lunch at Akbar's Own Indian Restaurant.

Hubby and I started a Boosting Broadway Businesses project where we do our best to support restaurants and coffee shops along Broadway. This is why we chose to have lunch at Akbar's.

Lunch Feast from Akbar's Own Indian Restaurant

We ordered our usual orders at Indian restaurants. The serving is not huge, but enough.

• Mixed Platter (Samosa, vegetable pakora, and chicken pakora)
• Garlic & Basil Naan
• Tandoori Chicken
• Palak Paneer
• Chicken Vindaloo
• Lamb Biryani
• Kheer

Mixed Platter
Serves 2. Samosa, vegetable pakora, and chicken pakora

When we come back, I'll order the chicken pakora again. It's the best item from the Mixed Platter.

Garlic & Basil Naan
White unleavened bread baked in tandoor oven flavoured with garlic and basil.

I think this is the best Garlic Naan I've had so far.

Tandoori Chicken
Half chicken marinated with authentic Indian spices & grilled in tandoor to perfection.

The chicken was still juicy inside, and you could taste the char from the grilling. Overall, a great Tandoori Chicken.

Palak Paneer
Homemade cheese cooked with spinach, onions, and Indian spices.

I wished the Palak Paneer had more flavour. It's pretty disappointing.

Chicken Vindaloo
Boneless chicken & potatoes cooked in a zesty, tangy curry sauce.

I like vindaloo because its flavour profile is different from your usual curry or butter chicken. It's spicy, and there's some sourness to it. 

Lamb Biryani
Basmati rice cooked with lamb and Indian spices.

The biryani was flavourful, and the lamb was so tender.

Kheer
Rice flour cooked in milk. Served cold, a delightful dessert of our old traditional days

My favourite is the Lamb Biryani and the dessert. 🤤 I can't believe this is the first time I'm trying Kheer. It's delicious.

Inside Akbar's Own Indian Restaurant

We were there at 12:02 PM, and when we ended our meal more than an hour later, there were no other customers. So if you're able to, please support your local businesses.

Breakfast from Tim Hortons

Happy Sunday! It's the second day in a row that we grab breakfast from Tim Hortons. This time we took advantage of the promo "2 Can Dine for $8.99 - All Week," which means 2 Coffee, 2 Classic Breakfast Sandwiches, and 2 Hashbrowns for $10.00 (including tax and cup charge).

I should have used the same promo yesterday and saved almost $5.00. Oh well.

Homestyle Biscuit Sausage Breakfast Sandwich

English Muffin Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

We ordered the sandwiches with the default buns, and they're both excellent. Surprisingly better than the Steak and Eggs Sandwich yesterday.

Breakfast Sandwiches and Wraps from Tim Hortons

For future me, here is the list of breakfast sandwiches and wraps that we've tried. This menu is from the Tim Hortons app based on the closest location to our home.

☑️ Steak & Egg Breakfast Sandwich ☑️ Homestyle Biscuit - May 2022 ☑️ English Muffin - May 2022 🔲 Plain Bagel 🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel 🔲 Everything Bagel 🔲 Plain Croissant 🔲 Four Cheese Bagel ☑️ Sausage Breakfast Sandwich ☑️ Homestyle Biscuit - May 2022 🔲 English Muffin 🔲 Plain Croissant 🔲 Plain Bagel 🔲 Everything Bagel 🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel 🔲 Four Cheese Bagel

☑️ Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

☑️ English Muffin - May 2022

🔲 Homestyle Biscuit

🔲 Plain Croissant

🔲 Plain Bagel

🔲 Everything Bagel

🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel

🔲 Four Cheese Bagel

🔲 Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich

🔲 English Muffin

🔲 Homestyle Biscuit

🔲 Plain Croissant

🔲 Plain Bagel

🔲 Everything Bagel

🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel

🔲 Four Cheese Bagel

🔲 Sausage & Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

🔲 Homestyle Biscuit

🔲 English Muffin

🔲 Plain Croissant

🔲 Plain Bagel

🔲 Everything Bagel

🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel

🔲 Four Cheese Bagel

🔲 Farmer's Breakfast Sandwich

Sandwich Type:

🔲 Sausage & Egg

🔲 Bacon & Egg

🔲 Egg & Cheese

Breakfast Bread Options:

🔲 Homestyle Biscuit

🔲 English Muffin

🔲 Plain Croissant

🔲 Plain Bagel

🔲 Everything Bagel

🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel

🔲 Four Cheese Bagel

🔲 Grilled Breakfast Wrap

Sandwich Type:

🔲 Bacon & Egg

🔲 Sausage & Egg

🔲 Egg & Cheese

🔲 Sausage, Bacon, & Egg

🔲 Bacon & No Egg

🔲 Sausage & No Egg

☑️ Farmer's Breakfast Wrap

Sandwich Type:

🔲 Egg & Cheese

☑️ Sausage & Egg - June 2020

☑️ Bacon & Egg - June 2020

🔲 Bagel BELT

Sandwich Type:

🔲 Sausage & Egg

🔲 Bacon & Egg

🔲 Egg & Cheese

Breakfast Bread:

🔲 Everything Bagel

🔲 Plain Bagel

🔲 Sesame Seed Bagel

🔲 Plain Croissant

🔲 Four Cheese Bagel

🔲 Simply Sausage Breakfast Sandwich

🔲 Homestyle Biscuit

🔲 English Muffin

Lunch from LA Chicken | Birthday Game Night Celebration

Our youngest sister's birthday celebration is today, and she requested that we have a game night. 

We started the day by watching Spider-Man: No Way Home because my brother and husband have not seen it yet. I don't really have an affinity for superhero movies except for Spider-Man. Even then, the only ones I watched were the three movies with Tobey Maguire; apparently, I saw the first Andrew Garfield, which I didn't even remember.

After the movie, we had lunch. My mom cooked her Filipino-style spaghetti, and we ordered fried chicken and sides from LA Chicken. Lastly, we had a Costco chocolate cake.

My mom's spaghetti and fried chicken and sides from LA Chicken

We also watched The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin so that my younger sister's Canadian boyfriend could learn about Filipino humour. It's funny. Even our youngest sister's best friend had a laugh.

Then, we had game night. We played Harry Potter: Hogwarts Battle all night (until 10:00 PM). Then, finally, we reached Book 5 and couldn't get past it. We almost defeated it during the last round, but Voldemort and his Death Eaters took over all our locations. I can't wait to play again!

Hershey’s S'mores Dream Donut from Tim Hortons

If you've been following my blog (which only my husband and mom does 😅), I try every new Dream Donut from Tim Hortons that I could.

Today, we had S'mores Dream Donut. It's delicious. There's chocolate inside and the graham on top provides some crunch. Overall, one of their best Dream Donut.

S'mores Dream Donut from Tim Hortons
This Dream Donut combines the classic and nostalgic tastes of S'mores in a way that's unique to Tims. The ring donut is packed with rich, delicious chocolate filling, dipped in marshmallow-flavoured fondant and topped with graham cracker crumble, and a drizzle of chocolate fondant.

S'mores Dream Donut

---

List of Dream Donuts from Tim Hortons

I arranged it alphabetically instead of chronologically.

Apple Pie Dream Donut Black Forest Filled Ring Dream Donut Chocolate Hazelnut Eclair Dream Dulce de Leche Easter Nest Dream Donut Hershey's S'mores Dream Donut

New York Cheesecake Dream Donut Penguin Dream Donut Sea Salted Caramel Dream Strawberry Shortcake Filled Ring Vanilla Cream Puff Filled Ring

Breakfast from Tim Hortons

Happy Saturday! We're starting our weekend with Steak and Eggs sandwiches from Tim Hortons. I had one sandwich with Homestyle Biscuit and the other with English Muffins.

Homestyle Biscuit Steak and Egg Sandwich

English Muffin Steak and Egg Sandwich

Small Hot Chocolate

Hubby and I agreed that the Homestyle Biscuit was the better option.

Dinner at Legendary Noodle

Happy Friday! I had a stressful afternoon which is never an excuse to stress eating, but here we are at Legendary Noodle along West Broadway for dinner.

Spicy Thin Noodle Special Beef Broth with Sliced Marinated Beef, Spinach, and Hard-Boiled Egg

Curry Beef Stir-Fried Cut Noodles
Finely sliced noodles from a flour dough, stir-fried greens, red pepper, celery, bean sprouts, and dark bean soy sauce

Both noodle dishes are excellent. This is the best beef noodle soup dish I've had in Vancouver. Although, to be fair, when I go to restaurants specializing in noodle soup, I usually get their rice dish, so maybe I'm not the best judge of this. 

Salt and Pepper Chicken

Xiao Long Bao
Steamed Juicy Pork Dumpling

The Salt and Pepper Chicken and Matcha Ice Cream are all as expected. Unfortunately, the Xiao Long Bao is subpar.

After dinner, we walked along West Broadway from Laurel Street to Maple Street and back to our home. We were discussing possible project names for our plan to support Broadway businesses (specifically restaurants and coffee shops) affected by the train line's construction.

Matcha Ice Cream

Biebs Brew™ by Tims x Justin Bieber

Happy Tuesday morning! One of the notifications on my phone this morning is from the Tim Hortons app (yes, I have it on my phone), specifically the announcement of Biebs Brew™, a collaboration drink between Tims and Justin Bieber®.

Tims x Justin Bieber

Biebs Brew is here.

This is the announcement on the app:

After a delicious and successful Timbiebs partnership, we couldn't wait to team up again and celebrate our long--standing love with Justin. So we're back. The wait is over. We've collaborated once more and co-created a new French Vanilla Cold Brew. Justin, eager to get the first sip, waited for 16 hours while it steeped to perfection. Try our second collab, Biebs Brew for a limited time.

It tastes even better paired with Timbiebs. Back by popular demand. 

 

What is Biebs Brew?

It's a French Vanilla Cold Brew.

When will Biebs Brew be available?

June 6, 2022

What are the Timbiebs?

There are three Timbiebs flavours.

1. Chocolate White Fudge
2. Sour Cream Chocolate Chip
3. Birthday Cake Waffle

Timbiebs Box

All three Timbiebs flavour

Good things come in two.

If you purchase the iconic duo (in Canada only), a 10-pack of Timbiebs and a Biebs brew of any size, you get 2x the reward points. This offer is valid at participating restaurants in Canada from June 6-19, 2022.

If you're a registered Tims Rewards member who orders a Biebs Brew (any size) and a 10-pack of Timbiebs together in a single Eligible Transaction, you will receive ten (10) additional points. Maximum of twenty (20) points per person and per account.

Lunch from Jollibee in Vancouver

I want to make this post political, but my husband recommended not to, for fear that I might be targeted; so I'll do my best to keep it at a minimum.

I have been sad, angry, upset, and disappointed since seeing the election results in the Philippines last week. We had plans to take a vacation to visit my in-laws and friends next year, but since the dead dictator's son seems to be winning, we decided to cancel our trip.

We are also going further than cancelling our visit. I have decided to stop supporting all Filipino businesses and products sold here. Why? I saw that Marcos, Jr. is supported by prominent businessmen, and my stomach couldn't handle the idea that I was buying their products. Or the thought that I could be giving my hard-earned cash to businesses that support a thief makes me nauseated.

Lastly, we always donate to organizations that help the Philippines when there's a disaster. We're not going to do that anymore. Canada is home now, and we have decided to help our fellow Canadians who will appreciate it more.

The lunch from Jollibee today is our farewell to Filipino businesses (until something change).

Line inside Jollibee

With that said, here's what happened today. First, we went to Mass and decided to walk across Burrard Bridge to Jollibee while it was raining.

Upon entering the store, there were many people in the queue, and the next thing I noticed was how hot it was. I told my husband that it's warm here, and he said maybe it's part of the experience, so you feel like you're in the Philippines. 😅

We ordered one 1-piece Chicken Joy with Jolly Spaghetti, Cheesy Yumburger, Deluxe Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Large French Fries, and Peach Mango Pie.

Chicken Joy and Jolly Spaghetti

Deluxe Spicy Chicken Sandwich

Cheesy Yumburger

The food is nostalgic. The spaghetti and fried chicken tasted the same way when I was a kid. The Peach Mango Pie is double the size of what you'll find in the Philippines. Lastly, the spicy chicken sandwich can compete with the best ones in North America.

I learned in our Leadership class that "A principle is not a principle until it costs you something." I will miss Filipino food, but I had to make a stand in my own way.

Dinner at Masa Japanese Restaurant

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC have only two draws so far in the season, and they're both at home. So for both games, it felt like a loss. A win makes me happy (of course) while a loss is expected, so I'm upset, but not enough to stress-eat. A draw is painful because it means they had a chance to win but didn't.

Like in the last draw, we end up at Masa Japanese Restaurant to eat after the game. I didn't order my usual Assorted Curry but chose two rolls and a takoyaki.

Romeo Roll
Seared prawn, crabmeat, avo, cucumber, mozzarella, and balsamic

Juliet Roll
Seared jalapeno, crabmeat, avo, cucumber, mozzarella, and balsamic

Takoyaki
Deep-fried mixed tako ball with sauce

I hope the Whitecaps FC wins on Wednesday, but I expect them to lose because I do not want to be disappointed.

Snacks from Commercial Drive Pizza at BC Place | Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs San Jose Earthquakes

Happy Saturday! We're back at BC Place to watch the Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs San Jose Earthquakes match, resulting in a 3-3 draw.

As I continued trying the different stalls and food in BC Place, we grabbed a couple pizza slices from Commercial Drive Pizza.

Fiesta Pizza (previously called Taco Pizza)
Seasoned Ground Beef, Mozzarella, Cheddar, Green Onions, and Diced Jalapeno Peppers

If you want the more flavourful pizza of the two variants, we tried. Unfortunately, the Carnivore Pizza doesn't have as many chorizo or bacon, so it feels like we got Pepperoni Pizza.

Carnivore Pizza (previously called Italian Job Pizza)
Pepperoni, Chorizo, and Bacon

The Poutinerie

After the pizza, I ordered French Fries and Funnel Cake Fries.

French Fries and a cup of Pepsi

Funnel Cake Fries
Signature fried topped with icing sugar.

Unless you like fried dough with icing sugar on top, I don't recommend the Funnel Cake Fries.