Dessert from Stuffies Pastries inside Metropolis At Metrotown

After buying medicine and as we're walking on our way to the food court, I spot the adorable Stuffies Pastry Cafe. I told my husband that we should buy one after dinner.

Orient Express Stuffies Soft-Serve
Creamy, vegan vanilla soft-served with mochi skewer, read bean paste, and rice crispies  in a vegan fish-shaped waffle cone

Yes, it does look like a fish is eating our dessert. The waffle cone was delicious and was perfect with the red bean paste and soft-serve ice cream.

The pastry reminded me of Oishi Manju and Moshi Manju which we enjoyed from a mall stand near the arcade where our mom used to leave us while she goes shopping and running errands. I'll try more Stuffies next time.

Dinner from The Bake House in Metropolis at Metrotown food court

As if the dinner from Manchu Wok is insufficient we decided to try food the The Bake House since we haven't seen it in any of the food courts we've had the chance to visit.

It took as awhile to choose a dish, but settled on the Seafood Alfredo with a side of Croissant and Creamy Mushroom Soup.

Seafood Alfredo
Salmon, prawn, scallop, imitated crab meat, mushroom, and onion

The pasta is better than I imagined coming from a stand in the food court. It's not mind-blowing by any means, but delicious.

The same can be said about the Creamy Mushroom Soup and Croissant.

Dinner from Manchu Wok at Metropolis at Metrotown food court

I have an ear infection on my right ear and setup an appointment with our family doctor this afternoon. He looked at my ear and asked a bunch of questions and gave me a prescription for antibiotics.

After the appointment and buying medication, we went to the Metropolis at Metrotown food court for dinner. We looked at the available options and decided based on whether we've seen it in Pacific Center or Richmond Center food courts.

That's how I end up ordering from Manchu Wok. I'm in a lot of pain because of my ear and just want to shove food in my face. I also don't feel like writing in this blog which is sad because this is one of my happy place.

Dinner from Manchu Wok

I chose three items on top of fried rice. My three items were General Tso's Chicken, Salt & Pepper Fish, and BBQ Pork.

My favourite is the BBQ Pork. It's so fatty and delicious. What I ordered is too much for one person, so hubby and I shared it.

Frozen Fried Rice from T&T Supermarket

T&T Supermarket focuses on selling items imported from Asia. I like perusing their frozen aisle for new things to try. On our most recent trip to the grocery, I added to our cart three different frozen fried rice, primarily from South Korea.

King Prawn Fried Rice

It smells so delicious, but it doesn't have any flavour.

King Prawn Fried Rice packaging

King Prawn Fried Rice

Bulgogi Marinade Fried Rice

There's no visible beef, but the few mushrooms are tasty. Otherwise, not recommended.

Bulgogi Marinade Fried Rice packaging

Bulgogi Marinade Fried Rice

Japchae Fried Rice

It's delicious and the best of all the three frozen fried rice we tried.

Japchae Fried Rice

Japchae Fried Rice

Do you have a favourite frozen fried rice? Let me know below!

Dinner from Basil Pasta Bar

I haven't used a delivery app in two months. However, I'm experiencing dysmenorrhea today, so as much as I want to go out for dinner, staying home seems the wisest thing to do.

We ordered from Basil Pasta Bar.

Dinner from Basil Pasta Bar

I customized my pasta while hubby chose Lemon Chicken Fettuccine.

Lemon Chicken Fettuccine
Alfredo cream sauce with lemon juice, chicken, zucchini, & capers. Garnished with parmesan cheese & fresh basil

My "Build Your Own Pasta"

For my "Build Your Own Pasta," I selected Spaghetti with Pesto Cream Sauce. For protein, I went for smoked salmon and shrimp. Then, I chose all green vegetables (which should help with the pain): broccoli, spinach, peas, asparagus, and artichoke. Finally, for garnish, I decided on parsley.

It was delicious, but there's extra sauce afterwards, which we kept so I can use it with the pasta at home.

It's a happy night despite the pain. I'm so blessed to have a wonderful, caring husband.

Brunch at Paul’s Omelettery

Happy Sunday! After Mass today, we went to Paul’s Omelettery for brunch since I am craving pancakes.

Lumberjack
2 Pancakes, maple syrup, three cheese omelette, pan fries, fruit cup, and Oktoberfest sausage

Corned Beef Hash
Sautéed potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, bacon and corned beef topped with two free-run poached eggs, and shredded cheddar & Edam cheese

Pancake craving satisfied! I also love the ketchup and hot sauce combination. It’s spicy and tangy.

Guest Post: Lunch at Cactus Club Coal Harbour

This post is written by my husband.

I met up with a high school friend and batchmate today in Downtown Vancouver. He's now based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is on his way to pick up his family at the YVR Airport and he's got a few hours to spare. Plus, he asked if I can sign a copy of my book that he had bought.

We agreed to meet up at the Waterfront Station to make it easier for him to travel. It's his first time in Vancouver, so we walked to Canada Place then to the seawall to the Jack Poole Plaza. We ended up at the Cactus Club for lunch.

There was a line for walk-ins but we can see there are available tables inside and outside. The host still asked for my name and number to add to their waitlist app, then the app sent me a text message. There was no need to wait though as she referred us to another person who walked us to our table. I don't know what's the need for asking the name and number. This process was unnecessary and adding more time before guests can be seated. It's why there's a line outside, even after as we were going out, despite the number of available and clean tables.

I ordered the Four Mushroom steak for lunch. It was good but I think I would prefer their other steak options.

Four Mushroom Steak
8oz certified angus beef® sirloin, shiitake, portobello, button and crimini mushroom demi-glace, buttered mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus

For dessert, I ordered the Five Layer Coconut Cake (which is "New" according to the menu). It wasn't served vertically as the one on the menu so my enjoyment of it was decreased. They also labeled it as "made to share" but it was just the regular slice (which isn't even enough for me). It was good but I think the other desserts were better.

Five Layer Coconut Cake
cream cheese frosting, passion fruit mango purée, hand whipped cream

After lunch, we walked a bit to the Gastown Steam Clock and Vancouver Art Gallery before he went back to the Waterfront Station to return to the airport.

Dinner from ZAC-ZAC Japanese Curry House at H-Mart

While hubby spent time with his high school friend, I visited the Vancouver Public library to check travel guide books. I know it's "old school" to read travel guides because everything is online, but it feels nice to touch physical books.

After an hour or so, I met up with my husband, and we decided to have a food coma dinner at ZAC-ZAC Japanese Curry House inside the H-Mart. 

I ordered the Katsu Curry while hubby chose the Fish Furai Curry. We also ordered a basket of Chicken Karaage.

Fish Furai Curry
Panko breaded filet served with rice.

Chicken Karaage

Katsu Curry
Pork cutlet. Served with rice

I surprisingly preferred the fish curry. It's soft and delicate inside, which worked well with the crunchy outside. Meanwhile, the fried chicken was juicy and perfectly cooked.

When I first tried the curry here in 2016, I thought it was one of the best available in the city. Still, Suika and Mr. Japanese Curry totally raised my Japanese curry expectations that this is acceptable to satisfy your cravings but not meet your emotional needs that can only be satisfied with absolutely delicious food.