Das Gulasch Haus inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

We really weren't planning on ordering here, but it's chilly, and the person selling was really trying hard, so we end up enjoying a tender beef in a bread bowl gulasch.

Tender beef stew inside a bowl of bread

Das Gulasch House

On their menu, they have a short description, which I will quote below.

Gulasch is a delicious warming stew found primarily in Austria and Hungary, where it had its origin as shepherds dish in the 9th century. In the 19th century Vienna, the center of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a special type of Gulasch developed with more meat and fine Hungarian paprika."

Das Karoffel Haus inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

Kartoffelpuffer is basically German potato pancakes. Based on the description, it's like hashbrown or potato patties (depending on how you call it) but in a circular shape.

Kartoffelpuffer served with apple sauce and sour cream.

Kartoffelpuffer

I'll transcribe below what's in the signboard included in the second picture.

"A quintessential German treat beloved across every region of Germany, Kartoffelpuffer are not only a favorite dish to serve at home but are also a popular street food found at local events like the Christmas market.

Kartoffelpuffer are made from potatoes that are grated raw and grated finely. The shredded potatoes, finely grated onion and salt are then fried to light golden. The end result is a crispy exterior and soft interior.

Kartoffelpuffer can be served sweet or savory. Most commonly, they're served with applesauce, sugar, and sour cream. Sometimes they are served with salmon and/or brie as a part of a meal.

In a word, they're simply DELICIOUS!"

Mr. Pretzels inside the Vancouver Christmas Market

This is the best pretzels I have tried EVER! Where can I get these all year round?

Salted Pretzels

They have a Fun Fact poster that you can read while waiting in line. It says, "The first pretzels were baked as a soft squshy bread, like the soft pretzels of today. Pretzels may have been originall called bracellae, the Latin term for little arms, which later turned into the German bretzel. Pretzels were used in some cultures' wedding ceremonies, which may be where the term tying the knot originates from. Despite the ancient origins of the pretzel, the Mr. Pretzels you are about to consume was probably baked less than 15 minutes ago."

Staying Dry in Starbucks

Today, hubby and I decided to go to the Vancouver Christmas Market. Unfortunately, it started raining. We decided to hang out at the Starbucks across the street to wait for the rain to pass.

Bagel and Salted Caramel Mocha

Lunch at Peaceful Restaurant

We first heard of Peaceful Restaurant at Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It's one of the places Guy Fieri visited in Vancouver, so we tried it once, and we keep coming back.

For today's lunch, hubby and I ate with my mom. Peaceful is known for their hand-pulled noodles, so we ordered all noodle dishes. For us, we ordered our usual (when it's available) food.

We ordered the same dishes from Lin's Chinese Restaurant and Fortune Garden Restaurant. We got Xiao Long Bao (at Fortune, we got the dumpling they have available), Dan-Dan Noodles, and Shanghai Stir-fried Noodles.

Xiao-Long Bao Steamed Buns
Filled with minced pork, ginger and a savoury a sauce

Shanghai Stir-fried Noodles
Shredded pork, cabbage & light soy sauce

Dan-Dan Noodles
Spicy, tangy peanut sauce, minced pork & spinach

We also ordered something we love only from Peaceful Restaurant: Beef Rolls!

Peaceful Beef Rolls
Five-spiced beef rolled in a crispy green onion flat-bread & sweet hoisin sauce

I'm so glad we now how "default" order at Chinese Restaurants. We have the same "default" set of dishes from Japanese restaurants, depending on what they offer.

New Bagels at Tim Hortons

As expected of our Sunday routine, hubby and I had breakfast at Tim Hortons. We usually try new items they have on the menu.

Today, they have Spinach & Mozzarella Bagel and Jalapeno & Cheddar Bagel. We got both as a breakfast sandwich.

I had the Jalapeno & Cheddar Bagel with sausage while hubby had Spinach & Mozzarella Bagel with bacon. I'll try both bagels next week toasted with cream cheese.

Tim Hortons Breakfast

Coffee Date at Waves Coffee House

It's our first time going to this coffee shop. The location along West Broadway (at Spruce Street) is spacious, with natural light coming in from the west and south side.

Hubby and I had our "annual review and planning meeting." We usually do this during December to discuss what we're grateful for this 2019 and what our goals are for next year. It's also an excellent time to look back on all the memories we have created and what we want to accomplish next year.

We had our discussion while enjoying our Italian Calzone, Eggnog Latte, and Salted Caramel Eggnog Latte.

Italian Calzone

Salted Caramel Eggnog Latte

I wish this coffee shop is much closer to our apartment. The Starbucks and Blenz near us are much smaller and not as well-lit as this Waves Coffee House.

Dinner at Marquis Grill

It's our neighbourhood bar. It's a block away from our place, and yet tonight is our first time here. There are so many exciting options, and I want to try them all! After a lengthy discussion about what to get, we ordered the following.

The Truffle Fries smells fantastic with the truffle, but the parmesan cheese is what made is stand out. This is a great start to dinner.

Truffle Fries
Fried sage, truffle oil, and parmesan

I love pesto, and when I saw the Pesto Tagliatelle, I knew I had to get it. It was delicious. I wish there were a garlic bread that came with it.

Pesto Tagliatelle
basil pesto, blistered tomato, spinach, and shaved parmesan

My colleagues and I were just discussing fried chickens from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. When I showed him a photo of the giant Taiwanese fried chicken from Big G, he mentioned about it looking like a schnitzel. In the menu of Marquis, there just so happened to be schnitzel.

Chicken Schnitzel
Panko-crusted chicken, green onion mash, braised cabbage, mushroom gravy

The only downside of the schnitzel is the burned Brussel sprouts. Otherwise, it was terrific.