Saturday, June 2, 2018

Foursquare Adventure (African Restaurant): Simba's Grill

As part of my World Food Tour series, hubby and I went to Simba's Grill Vancouver. They are an African Restaurant according to Foursquare. It's our first time to try African cuisine. Here's our experience!

African Restaurant Category

There are 7 restaurants categorized in Foursquare as 'African Restaurant' and I searched the description for the top 3 and decide from there.

Foursquare African Restaurants in Vancouver
Foursquare City Guide's African Restaurant in Vancouver

I would prefer to go to the first suggestion BUT in this case Jambo grill is a fusion of four countries, Iran, India, Africa and Canada which is why I decided to go to Simba's Grill. They described their cuisine as 'East African Fusion Cuisine'. That's good enough for my food tour since they're combining favorites from East Africa.

Simba's Grill

We arrived at West End at around 6:30pm and we didn't know that there's an abundance of restaurant along Denman Street. There are even line up to a Ramen place nearby.

It's easy to spot Simba's Grill because it has a yellow awning in front with its name printed. We entered and requested a table for two and we were seated by the entrance with a view of the street and with our backs against the other guest. I really liked it because this way I won't be conscious since we tend to order too much and get judgmental and amusing looks from people.

We received our menu and I asked for a glass of water because we were really thirsty, they gave it right away. Service was excellent! The chef and owner went to our table to ask if we have any questions. I told him that it's our first time and we weren't sure what to get. He asked if we prefer barbecue or curry. I said hubby prefers barbecue and I love curry. He gave his recommendation but told us that we could take as long as we need to decide. Such a nice guy!

Muhogo for Appetizer

For appetizer, we ordered Muhogo. It's deep fried casava root. In Tagalog, we call this kamoteng kahoy.

Muhogo. Deep fried casava root.

The server asked us if we want it plain or spicy. Of course, spicy. She placed a small container of mango spicy sauce and oh boy was it really spicy. I wished the Muhogo was crunchier but it's still excellent.

Kuku Muchuzi  and Beef Mishkaki for Main Course

I ordered Naan and Kuku (chicken) Muchuzi while hubby ordered the Beef Mishkaki. Serving is good for sharing and we even had leftovers to go.


Naan was great. I wished I ordered more. The Muchuzi is tasty with tender chicken breast. Comparing it to the Afghan cuisine, this has stronger flavor.

Kuku Muchuzi. A traditional curry cooked the East African way using Simba's special spices.

Meanwhile, the Mishkaki melts in your mouth with how tender it is. In the Afghan kebab, you can still taste the spices they use (pepper, salt, etc.). On the other hand, in the Mishkaki you can really taste the marinade they used on every bite and it's really obvious that it was marinated for so long with how juicy it was.

Beef Mishkaki. Beef cubes marinated in special spices barbecued served with rice.

Dessert

Another regret... we should have ordered 2 Raas Malai instead of sharing 1 because it was so good! Now, I am curious what the Lemu Cheesecake tastes like. Really happy with the dessert.

Raas Malai. Baked Ricotta Cheese soaked in cream topped with pistachio and almonds.



I am food coma! :) Looking forward to the next country we visit while staying in Vancouver.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

International Village Food Court: Dinner at Giant Panda and Bali Thai

We're watching Isle of Dogs at International Village and decided to have dinner at the food court.

Bali Thai: Balinese Chicken and Beef Rendang

Giant Panda: Lemon Chicken and Ginger Beef



Sunday, May 20, 2018

Lunch at Olive Garden

It's my youngest sister's birthday and like we did last year, we went to Olive Garden all the way in Langley.

Tour of Italy

Cannoli

Tiramisu


Saturday, May 19, 2018

Lunch at Congee Noodle House

After 3 hours of walking around to catch Pokemon, we're starved and decided to have dinner at Congee Noodle House.

House Special Seafood Congee

Donut

Wonton & Dumpling in Soup

Steamed BBQ Pork Rice Roll


Saturday, May 5, 2018

Cinco de Mayo dinner at Sal y Limón

Sal y Limón is the highest rated Mexican place in Foursquare, so we decided to try.

Quesadillas

Nachos

Burrito

Churros

The food was delicious.


Friday, May 4, 2018

Breakfast Buffet at Ocean 999 Pan Pacific Hotel Vancouver

It's my first vacation day for 2018 and what's the one thing we did? Eat breakfast buffet!


Plate number 1

Plate number 2 (Love the mushroom and sausage!)

Plate number 3

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Food Day in Granville Island Public Market

We spent the whole day in Granville Island primarily playing Pokemon Go and just hoarding one of the tables. We watched tourists come and go and enjoy our beloved Granville Island Public Market.

Breakfast at Blue Parrot Organic Coffee

Matcha Latte and Toffee Nut Latte

Lunch from Kaisereck Deli

Perogy Plate: Potato and Cheddar Perogy and Spicy German Sausage

Dinner from Gourmet Wok

Fried Rice, Fried Fish, Kung Pao Chicken, and Pork BBQ

Desserts from GI Gelato & Coffee House

Pistachio and Coffee Gelato


Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Dinner at Cineplex Cinemas

I was disappointed by the food offering. I don't know, but I was expecting it to have as many food choices as they have in their Marine branch, but they only serve like 9 items and even the snack bar didn't have Outtakes - only popcorn. Food was still good, though. Expensive but good.

Chicken and Pesto Panini with Potato Salad

Italian Panini with Quinoa Salad

Dessert for the day: Eclair


Sunday, April 15, 2018

Waffle Double Down for Lunch at KFC

I have a secret to tell you. I love KFC. I tried KFC in 4 countries (out of the 11 I've been to). KFC Philippines has the best gravy. Meanwhile, KFC Malaysia has the most flavorful spicy chicken. KFC China (at the airport) is usual (no crazy flavour when I was there. Lastly, KFC Canada has the least tasty chicken. Well, until we tried their Spicy Chicken with Waffles.

Chicken and Waffles

I enjoy chicken and waffles. When I go to places that offer breakfast, it's one of the things I looked for (followed by Eggs Benedict or Omelette). It's no question that we are going to try Waffle Double Down when we saw an ad for it.

KFC's Waffle Double Down

The verdict? It's crunchy outside, soft inside waffle in between two crunchy, spicy, boneless fried chicken. Instead of mayonnaise, the sauce is maple syrup. It was great!

Unfortunately, it's available for a limited time only, so be sure to try it while it's still available.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Foursquare Adventure (Afghan Restaurant): Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

In celebration of Foursquare Day, I am starting a world tour (while staying in Metro Vancouver) with food based on the Food categories of Foursquare!

Afghan Restaurants in Vancouver 

First on the Foursquare alphabetical list of categories is Afghan Restaurants. According to Foursquare, four restaurants are categorized under Afghan Restaurants.

Foursquare Map

We decided to try Afghan Chopan from the list because it's affordable, and it's accessible. "East is East" is closer to our home and has a higher rating, but the food is a mixture of Indian and Afghan cuisine, so we went to Afghan Chopan instead.

Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner

It's a small place (with about 9 chairs and 3 tables), but the branch on No. 3 Road is closing permanently on April 20, 2018. They have a new branch around a 10-minute walk near the Richmond Public Market at Westminster Highway.
Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu
Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu
Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu
Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner Menu

Ashak for Appetizer 

They have three choices for appetizer - Bolani, Mantu, and Ashak. Before going here, I was reading Wikipedia about Afghan food, and because of that, I decided to get Ashak. I initially want Mantu, but I thought it's close to Korean Mandu, so I went for something different.

Ashak from Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner
Ashak for Appetizer
Menu Description: A very delightful and common Afghan recipe, steamed dough with leeks topped with sauce and yogurt.

The dumpling itself is cooked well, and it wasn't chewy, and it's not fried, so it's not crunchy either. The sauce on top is delicious. I love beans. The sauce shows more of the personality of the cuisine. In the Philippines, we have soy sauce and chilli flakes as we like our food saltier. It seems like Afghan cuisine, loves their spices and well, tomato-based dishes.

Pallow and Kebab for Main Meal

I chose Afghan Chopan because I think it's affordable and oh boy was I blown away. Jomar ordered Assorted Kebab while I got the Pallow Special. There was so much food! I think it's suitable for 3 people. Everything is so good! I will go back just for the Pallow! It's mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful. Meanwhile, the Kebab was seasoned well, tender, and melts in your mouth.

Different Afghan dishes on the table from Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner
Pallow Special
Menu Description: Tender pieces of beef shank beneath Afghan steamed basmati rice served with side vegetable.
Assorted Kebab One skewer each of chicken, shami (ground beef), and tekka (beef tenderloin) kebab
Assorted Kebab with side salad
Menu Description: One skewer each of chicken, shami (ground beef), and tekka (beef tenderloin) kebab

We finished everything, just the two of us.

Ferny for Dessert 

Based on the food we've tried, it's evident that Afghan food isn't into extreme. I mean so far, nothing we've had is TOO spicy or salty, so I wasn't expecting the only dessert in the menu to be sweet. It's called Ferney, and I was right that it wasn't delicious.

Ferney from Afghan Chopan Bakery and Diner
Ferny
Menu Description: Milk Pudding made with a hint of cardamon and topped with Pistachios.

It was soft, and when we started digging in, it slowly lost its form. The pistachios on top provided crunch and texture to the whole thing.


Have you tried Afghan food before? How was it?

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Lunch at Church's Chicken

After Mass, we had a quick lunch at Church's Chicken.

Chicken Sandwich

We love chicken!

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Foursquare City Guide Food Adventure

I plan to try one new restaurant per week but to make it more interesting for each week it should be from one of the Foursquare category. For example, on week 1 we will try an Afghan Restaurant then the following week it will be African Restaurant. It's not just one new restaurant; it will be one different category as well.

Partial list of Foursquare category

Why Foursquare? Because I love it!

The Goal

Why do I want to do this? Well, obviously I love to eat. Next, I love to travel and by trying out different cuisines every week is like getting to know that country and culture through their food. Lastly, I want to explore more of Greater Vancouver area. Actually, this adventure only works because Vancouver (and Canada) is such a diverse city (and country).

The Pick

How do I pick which restaurant to try? I consider the following:
  • Distance from home and work. I don't want to travel too far if there's one nearby.
  • It should be our first time there.
  • Foursquare rating. I read this article from a Foursquare data engineer and I appreciate how she broke down how their rating system works which makes me trust it more.
  • Budget. It should be reasonable for two people to dine in.


I actually have picked the first 3 restaurants I want to try - Afghan, African, and Ethiopian. 



What do you think of this plan?

UPDATE! June 2, 2018. The challenge has changed. We did it once a month instead of weekly because it makes sense from a budget stand point and we sometimes just didn't have time.


Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Happy Pi Day!

Happy Pi Day! To celebrate today's Pi Day, hubby and I went to Granville Island Public Market in search of pie. I didn't know that there's a store that specializes in the cake! It's like pie heaven.

Coconut Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Blueberry Pie, and Apple Pie

Pumpkin Pie, Lemon Meringue Pie, Pecan Pie, Raspberry Rhubard Pie

A La Mode

Located inside the Public Market, A La Mode offers a wide selection of homemade sweet and savoury pies. Whether you’re after a toasty beef pot pie or a sweet slice of lemon meringue, we’ve got what you’re looking for. Enjoy a slice in the market or take a whole pie home to share.
- Granville Island Directory

A La Mode pie menu

My Pick

We decided to try Pecan Pie (my fave) and Apple Pie (because it's safe). Our assessment is pecan pie over apple pie, but it was the BEST apple pie we EVER tried. I don't know why, but in the Philippines, when we try apple pie, it always seems sour.

Apple Pie

Pecan Pie

Pi Day story

In my last 2 years in the Philippines, we celebrate Pi Day with a dear friend. Unfortunately, around our neighbourhood, there's not one pie source, and we always end up eating at fast-food chain Jollibee because they have Peach Mango Pie, which is not really a pie. I am not sure what type of pastry it is.

A box of Peach Mango Pie


Meanwhile, last year, I decided to buy a pie from Save on Foods. It was better than I expected to come from a grocery store, but it was not as delicious (not even close) to the Pecan Pie from A La Mode.

Pecan Pie from Save on Foods

How did you celebrate Pi Day?

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