Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo from The Old Spaghetti Factory Gastown

Happy Thursday! For team lunch, the theme is Italian (pasta). Instead of getting food delivered, we decided to walk to The Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown.

When eating at a pasta place, I usually go for cream-based sauce and seafood, which is why I got the Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo. It's surprisingly satisfying. It's not the best I've tried, but it's something I am willing to eat again when I am craving seafood pasta.

Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo from The Old Spaghetti Factory
A creamy creation with prawns, scallops, and mushrooms sautéed with our spinach and egg fettuccine noodles and Alfredo sauce.

The creamy Alfredo sauce is smooth and rich, coating the perfectly al dente spinach and egg fettuccine noodles. Meanwhile, the prawns and scallops are cooked just right, providing a subtle oceanic sweetness which pairs well with earthy mushrooms.

The Old Spaghetti Factory has an "it's all included" package where an order of pasta includes Italian Sourdough Bread with soft Whipped Garlic Butter, a choice between minestrone soup or crisp green salad, spumoni ice cream, and hot tea or coffee.

Italian Sourdough Bread with Whipped Garlic Butter from The Old Spaghetti Factory

Minestrone Soup from The Old Spaghetti Factory

Spumoni Ice Cream from The Old Spaghetti Factory

I love the warm sourdough bread and how the garlic butter melts into it. I chose soup over the salad. I am not a fan of minestrone soup, so I'll go for something else next time. We skipped the coffee and tea option but absolutely adored the spumoni ice cream. The flavour for today is chocolate pistachio. Yum!

I'm typing this at home after a long day at work. I am blessed with my job. After work, we went to T&T Supermarket and Costco to grab a few things. I am writing this post at home, exhausted.

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

Bagel (but we went for sandwiches): Meat & Bread Pies: Peaked Pies Comfort Food: Nene Chicken Burger: Five Guys Burgers & Fries Italian: The Old Spaghetti Factory

Eggless Red Velvet Cake In A Jar from Just Cakes Bakeshop in Blenz Coffee

Following a satisfying culinary voyage at Taiwanfest, my husband and I extended the delightful afternoon at our cozy neighbourhood, Blenz Coffee.

There's something about sipping a warm, soothing London Fog latte that comforts you like a familiar embrace. With its delicate blend of Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and a hint of vanilla, each sip transports you to London's fog-kissed streets, which I will visit next month.

But the true sweet highlight of our visit was a delectable treat from a local gem, Just Cakes Bakeshop of Surrey, BC. Their Eggless Red Velvet cake in a jar beckoned, promising a harmonious symphony of flavours. For me, red velvet occupies a special place in my dessert-loving heart, second only to the allure of mocha. What captivates me is the delicate equilibrium between the tangy embrace of cream cheese frosting and the sweet surrender of chocolate-infused cake.

Eggless Red Velvet Cake In A Jar from Just Cakes Bakeshop available in Blenz Coffee

As I savoured each spoonful of this cake in a jar, I couldn't help but marvel at the perfect marriage of textures and flavours. The cake was moist and decadent. Meanwhile, the cream cheese frosting lent a creamy, slightly tangy counterpoint to the cake's sweetness. It was a match made in dessert heaven!

In the quiet ambiance of Blenz Coffee, with my London Fog latte casting its aromatic spell and the Eggless Red Velvet cake in a jar indulging my senses, I found solace in life's simple pleasures.

Taiwanese Sausage and Squid Tentacle from Sasaya Bistro | Taiwanfest 2023

To culminate our delightful Taiwanfest culinary journey (see posts about Aiyaohno Cafe and Family Lin), we couldn't resist indulging in our all-time favourites - the Deep-Fried Taiwanese Sausage and the crispy Deep-Fried Squid Tentacle from Sasaya Bistro.

However, there was a hint of nostalgia and slight sadness in the air, as Sasaya Bistro, a constant in Taiwanfest, did not offer their signature bento boxes this time. These bento boxes were a symphony of flavours, combining fragrant rice, tangy pickled cabbage, a perfectly boiled egg, and a choice of tantalizing meats.

Deep-fried Taiwanese Sausage from Sasaya Bistro at Taiwanfest 2023

Oh, how I miss pairing Taiwanese sausage with a bed of fluffy rice; it's a match made in culinary heaven. But despite the absence of the bento box, the sausage itself did not disappoint. Its savoury goodness shone through, reminding me of why I fell in love with it in the first place.

And then, there was the Deep-Fried Squid Tentacle. Eating it was akin to a jaw workout - an exercise in chewiness that truly tested the limits of my dental prowess. But it was worth every bite, with its crispy exterior giving way to a delightfully tender interior.

Deep-Fried Squid Tentacle from Sasaya Bistro at Taiwanfest 2023

Our Taiwanfest food adventure was a joyous affair, filled with old favourites and a few new discoveries. While I missed the bento box dearly, the enduring appeal of Taiwanese sausage and the unique experience of tackling the Squid Tentacle made it a truly happy food day.

Taiwanese Egg Cake and Popcorn Chicken from Family Lin | Taiwanfest 2023

After savouring the delectable delights from Tai Dog at Aiyaohno Cafe during our visit to Taiwanfest, we couldn't resist the allure of returning food vendor - Family Lin.

What awaited us was a taste sensation that instantly won our hearts: the best deep-fried Taiwanese chicken popcorn with salt & pepper. Each bite was a symphony of flavours and textures, a perfect blend of juiciness and crispiness that left our taste buds dancing in delight. I dare say if Family Lin had a restaurant nearby, it would undoubtedly become a personal favourite, perhaps even dethroning Redbeef Noodle Kitchen as my go-to source for Taiwanese-style chicken popcorn.

Deep-Fried Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken from Family Lin at Taiwanfest 2023

But that wasn't all we discovered at Family Lin's booth. We also had the pleasure of trying their Taiwanese Egg Cake, a delightful surprise that added a touch of sweetness to our savoury adventure. The cake was wonderfully soft, its texture reminiscent of a sweeter, egg-shaped pancake. What truly set it apart, though, were the crispy edges that added a delightful crunch to each bite. While I enjoyed its soft and slightly sweet interior, my husband was captivated by the crisp edges that perfectly balanced flavours and textures.

Taiwanese Egg Cake from Family Lin at Taiwanfest 2023

If you're the proud owner of this fantastic eatery, consider this a call-out from an ardent food lover. Your culinary creations deserve to be celebrated and shared. Please drop me a message with your location - great food like yours should be savoured and promoted!"

Deep-Fried Pork Belly Tai Dog from Aiyaohno Cafe | Taiwanfest 2023

Every year, as our annual Labour Day weekend tradition, we go to Taiwanfest for a delightful taste of Taiwanese cuisine. While Sasaya Bistro has always been a familiar face at the festival, this year brought a pleasant surprise – not one, but two new food vendors! Among them was Aiyaohno Cafe,   selling 'Tai Dog.'

At first, my husband and I thought it would be similar to Japadog, offering hotdogs with Japanese-style toppings. However, we were in for a surprise. Tai Dog's approach was refreshingly different. Instead of the usual, they took the hotdog bun, coated it in crispy panko, deep-fried it to perfection, and then crowned it with succulent pork belly. 🤯

Deep Fried Pork Belly Tai Dog, a collaboration creation between Taiwanfest and Aiyaohno Cafe

The result was a delightful contrast of textures and flavours. The bun was crispy on the outside yet wonderfully soft on the inside. The pork belly, with its tantalizing combination of fatty and crunchy elements, was the star of the show. It was beautifully balanced by the refreshing crunch of cucumber.

Tai Dog from Aiyaohno Cafe

In a word, it was unique and, more importantly, delicious. As I savoured every bite, I couldn't help but think, 'Could I please have this with some soy milk?' 😋

Tai Dog Menu from Taiwanfest

Frikandel Special from Dutchlicious | Dutch Street Market

Happy Sunday! We spent most of the morning and early afternoon in Downtown Vancouver. There's a Dutch Street Market north of West Georgia along Granville Street, and we stopped by a food trailer called Dutchlicious.

After perusing the menu, I decided to go for the most interesting - a frikandel and Dutch fries. Frikandel is skinless sausage topped with onions, curry ketchup, and mayonnaise. Because it is skinless, the exterior was crispy, while the interior was moist and tender.

The savoury sausage was topped with sweet onions and mayonnaise, but the unique condiment is the curry ketchup. It is a popular condiment in Germany and other European countries. It is ketchup mixed with curry powder, sauce, and other seasonings. It is tangy and slightly sweet with a hint of curry flavour.

I love curry and instantly loved the Frikandel topped with curry ketchup.

Combo 4 Dutch Fries (Large), 1 Frikandel Special

We also ordered Dutch fries and were uncertain about what makes it "Dutch." It's thicker than what you typically get from fast food chains and smelled unusually good, but it tastes like you're regular deep-fried potatoes.

According to my research, we should have ordered Dutch Fries Special. It's the thick-cut fries with mayonnaise, ketchup, onions, and ketchup curry. It sounds delicious.

I also noticed that their menu includes Indonesian influence, like satay and spring roll, which makes sense since Indonesia was a former Dutch colony.

Pure Indulgence at Chez Christophe in White Rock, BC

Nestled in the heart of White Rock, Chez Christophe is a little slice of Switzerland that promises a sweet escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. As you step inside this charming café and chocolate shop, you're transported to a world of delectable Swiss chocolates, tantalizing cakes, buttery croissants, delicate macarons, and an array of specialty desserts that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

After brunch at nearby The Wooden Spoon, our visit to Chez Christophe was a sweet journey. Two desserts, in particular, caught our attention.

Christophe's Tiramisu: A Coffee Lover's Dream

If you're a coffee enthusiast, Christophe's Tiramisu is a heavenly creation you won't want to miss. This delightful dessert boasts a luscious mascarpone mousse that perfectly balances the rich flavours of coffee-infused whipped ganache. This is nestled on an espresso-soaked sponge, adding a lovely textural contrast. Each spoonful is a harmonious blend of creamy and caffeinated, making it the ideal choice for coffee lovers like me.

Christophe's Tiramisu from Chez Christophe
Mascarpone mousse with coffee-infused whipped ganache on an espresso-soaked sponge

Caramel Brownie: A Symphony of Textures

The Caramel Brownie at Chez Christophe is a masterpiece in textural contrast. This dessert features a pecan brownie base that's both nutty and indulgent. You'll find a delightful coconib crunch atop the brownie, offering a playful crispy element. The journey continues with layers of caramel mousse, each bite a sweet, velvety pleasure. The dessert concludes with a generous drizzle of dark chocolate monte, adding a rich, cocoa-infused finish to this symphony of flavours and textures.

Caramel Brownie from Chez Christophe
Pecan brownie, coconib crunch, caramel mousse, dark chocolate monte

Chez Christophe doesn't just offer desserts; it provides an experience. It's where Swiss craftsmanship meets the passion for creating exquisite sweet treats. Whether you're craving a classic like Tiramisu or seeking adventure in the form of a Caramel Brownie, Chez Christophe is a destination that guarantees sweet satisfaction.

So, the next time you're in White Rock, take a delightful detour to Chez Christophe. You'll discover that each treat here is a work of art, and every bite is a moment of pure bliss.

Brunch Date at The Wooden Spoon in White Rock, BC

Happy Labour Day long weekend! Hubby and I discussed going to White Rock using the double-decker bus and finally did it today.

We left our home early (6:30 AM) and enjoyed the cool summer morning at White Rock. We waited for The Wooden Spoon to open at 9:00 AM and were pleasantly surprised that all tables were occupied within 15 minutes.

Hubby's rule is to order any namesake food items, so I got The Wooden Benny while Hubby chose The Spoon Huevos Hash.

The two spoonfuls of huevos hash I took from hubby are filled with beans and pico de gallo. It was a bit spicy, too. It's definitely more complex than the Benny.

The Spoon Huevos from The Wooden Spoon
Corn & bean succotash, baby potatoes, feta, avocado, pico de Gallo, tortilla strips, cilantro lime crema, and sunny side eggs

The Wooden Benny came with two double-smoked bacon on top of a cheddar chive buttermilk biscuit instead of the usual English muffin. The biscuit is chewier and provides more savoury notes than an English muffin.

The benny also came with two soft poached eggs; one was perfectly runny, while the other was about 30 seconds overdone. It came with a simple vinaigrette salad and garlic potatoes.

The Wooden Benny from The Wooden Spoon
Two strips of double-smoked bacon, onion jam and chive gremolata
All benedicts come with two poached medium eggs on a half-cheddar chive buttermilk biscuit, served with champagne hollandaise, heb and garlic baby potatoes, and balsamic vinaigrette salad.

It was a fantastic brunch date with my husband at White Rock.