Sweet & Spicy Boneless Chicken from Le Coq Frit

Happy blessed Sunday to you! After breakfast at Tim Hortons, we grabbed pies for Thanksgiving dinner tonight from The Pie Hole, went home to grab leftover containers, and then had lunch at Le Coq Frit.

I had to look at my last blog post about this place to decide what to get. According to past me, we found the Original Red Chicken too spicy for my husband, so we're skipping that. We also have not tried the Sweet & Spicy Chicken, plus I love the Real Crispy Chicken. We got those two.

It's perfect fried chicken: crispy exterior, juicy tender interior, and flavourful. My husband still found the Sweet & Spicy too spicy,   so I took 5 pieces while he got 5 of the Real Crispy Chicken.

I wish they had a combo where I could try all of them simultaneously. I could order one of each flavour if only they had a small size. Oh, and remember to order the fries since it's covered in Cajun seasonings.

Lunch at Le Coq Frit

Sweet & Spicy Chicken (Boneless) from Le Coq Frit
It's crispy, sweet, spicy, and utterly delicious!

Real Crispy Chicken (Boneless) from Le Coq Frit
Double fried chicken

French Fries from Le Coq Frit
Deep-fried until Golden Brown, then sprinkled with Cajun seasonings

Pumpkin Spice: Tim Hortons Edition

As the leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp, it's that time of year again – pumpkin spice season! Yesterday, we went to Starbucks and tried all their pumpkin-themed offering. Today, we went to Tim Hortons for breakfast and ordered their Pumpkin Spiced offering: The Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Muffin.

Tim Hortons' Pumpkin Spice Latte comes out swinging with a robust pumpkin flavour. It's bold, and the sweetness is well-balanced. This isn't your ordinary PSL; it's packed with that familiar fall warmth. If you crave an authentic pumpkin essence, Tim Hortons delivers.

Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Spice Muffin from Tim Hortons

Meanwhile, the Pumpkin Spice Muffin does not have a strong pumpkin flavour, but at least it is a muffin and not overly sweet like what feels like a cupcake from Starbucks.

Pumpkin Spice Muffin from Tim Hortons

Overall, I prefer Tim Hortons' fall menu over Starbucks.

Fall for Flavour: Starbucks' Autumn Delights

As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisper, Starbucks ushers in the magic of autumn with a delightful array of seasonal offerings. From the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte to mouthwatering baked goods, there's something for everyone to fall in love with this season. Join us on a journey through Starbucks' fall products as we sip and savour the cozy vibes of fall.

The Pumpkin Spice Latte, affectionately known as the PSL, is the undisputed king of fall beverages. This creamy espresso-based drink is infused with the warm flavours of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, all crowned with a dollop of whipped cream. Its familiar, comforting taste embodies everything we adore about autumn. It is also my third PSL, as I tried one from Blenz Coffee and McDonald's. I thought McDonakd's has the strongest pumpkin spiced flavour so far.

Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks

We also tried two baked goods that are part of the fall offering: Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin.

Pumpkin Baked Goods at Starbucks

Starbucks' Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf is a slice of autumnal heaven. Moist and rich, the pumpkin loaf is studded with pepitas, adding a delightful crunch to every bite. It's a harmonious blend of spice and sweetness, making it the ideal accompaniment to the PSL.

Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf from Starbucks

While Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin may look like a muffin, it tastes more like a decadent cupcake. With its velvety pumpkin-flavoured center and sweet cream cheese frosting, it's a delightful treat for those with a sweet tooth. However, it might be a bit much if you prefer a less sugary experience.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin from Starbucks

Fall at Starbucks is a time of warmth, spice, and everything nice.

Mochido and Matcha Scones at BC Culture Days: Discover Japan, organized by Pacific Arts Market

After lunch at MASA Japanese Restaurant, we returned to BC Culture Days: Discover Japan, organized by Pacific Arts Market.

We ordered from the two food vendors: Mochido and Sweet U.

Matcha and Red Bean Chubby Macaron from Sweet U

The Matcha Scone and Matcha & Redbean Chubby Macaron from Sweet U was to die for. The macaron is perfect, especially with matcha and red bean. However, my favourite is that matcha scone. It has a strong matcha flavour, and it is so moist. It was obviously baked the same day. I need all scones to be like this!

Matcha Scone from Sweet U

Moist Matcha Scone from Sweet U

Afterwards, we chose a Black Sesame donut from Mochido, and I was overwhelmed by the black sesame flavour, which was slightly sweet yet nutty. But the real surprise that I keep forgetting is the donut base has the consistency of mochi.

Black Sesame from Mochido

I need more scones and mochi donuts in my life.

Bento Box from MASA Japnese Restaurant

Happy Saturday! I got my annual haircut today. After that, we stopped by BC Culture Days: Discover Japan, organized by Pacific Arts Market. Unfortunately, the two vendors served sweet desserts, so we walked to MASA Japanese Restaurant in the same block.

I ordered my usual Assorted Katsu Curry while my husband got their beef teriyaki bento box.

Beef Teriyaki Bento Box from MASA Japanese Restaurant

Assorted Katsu Curry from MASA Japanese Restaurant

Since this was our first meal, I felt surprisingly full.

Cheese Tart by Castella Vancouver from Chun Fun How

After dinner at Suika, hubby and I walked along West Broadway looking for a coffee shop and desserts. We reached Cambie, and on our walk back before heading home, we decided to stop by Chun Fun How to try their Cheese Tarts.

Perfect Cheese Tarts

Cheese Tart

Castella Vancouver and Chun Fun How

Cheese Tart by Castella Vancouver served in Chun Fun How

The Cheese Tarts from Castella Vancouver are more savoury (cheesy) than sweet. It is creamy and velvety smooth, but a perfect bite includes a bit of crust with a spoonful of the tangy cheese, providing contrast.

Madai Ramen and Steak Curry Yakiudon from Suika

It's Friday, and I am exhausted. I told my husband that I was too unmotivated to prepare dinner. He met me in front of Indigo (West Broadway and Granville), and we discussed what to have for dinner. I told him to decide because I did not want to think.

He picked Suika because he knew it was my comfort place. I was still sad, so I told him while walking there. "Okay, we can go to Suika, but I guess I won't order my usual Signature Beef Curry with Tonkatsu." He looked shocked and asked me, "Who are you? What have you done to my wife?" He also asked me our security question (something that only the two of us know, just in case we get replaced by aliens - I know, we're weird). I was giggling at this point because of my husband's reaction.

I am so grateful to the group who did not arrive for their reservation, so we got a table.

For a change, I ordered the Steak Curry Yakiudon. It still has my favourite beef curry sauce with bigger chunks of meat. It coated the perfectly cooked udon noodles.

Steak Curry Yakiudon from Suika
Udon noodles tossed with tenderloin beef cubes and our signature curry sauce

Steak Curry Yakiudon from Suika

Meanwhile, hubby went for the Madai Ramen (I did not take a picture of the menu to remember the name) in Today's Special Menu, which was distinctively different. Ramen is usually pork or chicken broth-based. Sometimes, you will see beef or vegetable-based broth. This one is fish-based, and it's light and such a comforting bowl. It's not oily. I love it.

Madai Ramen from Suika

Madai Ramen from Suika

Chicken Donair, Falafel & Hummus, and Dolmades from Donair Dude

Happy Friday! It's a rare Friday for me to be in the office. I grabbed lunch from the Donair Dude location in front of our office. Donair Dude is a chain of restaurants in BC specializing in serving donair.

I ordered too much: chicken donair platter, dolmades, and falafel with hummus.

The chicken dinner platter includes rice, perfectly seasoned chicken with fresh veggies, and sauce.

Then, when I spotted the dolmades, I got it, too. These vine leaves enveloped a delectable filling, showcasing the beauty of simplicity in Mediterranean cuisine. It could be better than others I have tried, which was disappointing.

Lunch from Donair Dude

Lastly, we got falafel with hummus. The creamy and velvety hummus is the match made in heaven with the crispy on the outside and tender on the inside hummus.