Christmas Eve dinner from Lin Chinese Cuisine

Every year our family (my sisters) chooses a cuisine for Christmas Eve dinner. This year they chose Chinese cuisine because they want Yang Chow Fried Rice.

We have our dinner separately. Hubby and I are in our home while my parents and siblings are in theirs. We are following the rules and are not physically together.

I ordered from Lin Chinese Cuisine. I called as early as 2:30 PM to place an order for 5:00 PM delivery. The lady over the phone said it'll get there around 5:30 to 5:45, which works fine for us. I forgot to tell her that our buzzer doesn't work, so I tried calling at 5:00 PM, and their number is not working. We decided to wait in the lobby of our building at 5:30 to wait for our delivery and ensure that the delivery person doesn't wait long.

It's a miracle! We only waited a couple minutes, and he got there. He told us that they have 30 deliveries in the area simultaneously, and the chef is going crazy because they didn't expect the demand. I added a huge tip on my order, and hopefully, the chef, delivery person, and everyone gets a share.

Noche Buena - Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Xiao Long Bao (Shanghai juicy pork dumplings)

Pan-fried pork buns

In an older post, I mentioned that I didn't enjoy the steamed pork buns, and I think the pan-fried version will be better, and I was right—Yay past self for the reminder to try the pan-fried pork bun.

Free Spring Rolls when you spend $50 or more

House Special Fried Rice

Our favourite Shanghai-style Chow Mein

Ginger Beef

Lemon Chicken

Honey Prawns

Shredded Pork with Chili and Garlic Sauce

We had a lot of food, and my simple table setting (i.e. paper plates, LOL) did the trick. No dishes to wash, it looks good, and we still keep maintain our simplistic lifestyle of buying only the things we need.

We ate dinner simultaneously as our family in Richmond, and we were doing it over a video call. After dinner and desserts from PICA, hubby and I watched "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time. By the time the movie was over, it's 11:00 PM, only an hour before our traditional 12-midnight exchange gift.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Cookies and Yule Log Cake from PICA Chef

I thought of ordering from Arts to Bakes or Kaye Bakes for our Christmas Eve dinner desserts, but since it's just hubby and me and we have a small fridge - it won't fit a big cake.

I checked PICA's website to see if I can pre-order any of their holiday cake like I did last year. Online shopping for cake led to me buying an Assorted Holiday Cookie Tin, which is more expensive than the cake.

Classic Chocolate Espresso Yule Log

Classic Chocolate Espresso Yule Log

I love the espresso buttercream on the yule log cake. It's so delicious! The size is also perfect for two people, and we'll be able to finish it in a couple to three days.

First "layer" of assorted cookies - Linzer, Sable, Crescent, Chocolate Dipped, and Christmas Tree Matcha Cookies

All our assorted cookies - Linzer, Sable, Crescent, Chocolate Dipped, and Christmas Tree Matcha Cookies

I surprisingly enjoyed all the cookies, even the Linzer! I was so sure I'll dislike the Linzer, but I liked it as well. The matcha does not have a strong matcha flavour but still enjoyable. The crescent is not overly sweet, while the sable and the chocolate-dipped cookie is perfect.

Assorted Holiday Cookie Tin

Yay for supporting PICA. Merry Christmas, Lily and team!

Christmas Lunch Date at Vancouver Fish Co.

Merry Christmas! We're going to pick-up our Yule Log cake from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts at 1:00 PM. We left our home at 11:30 AM so we can grab lunch at Go Fish. Unfortunately, I think they're closed. I told hubby that we should have lunch at Vancouver Fish Co. We've been here before but never together. When he used to work nearby, his team would almost always have their team lunch here. I've been here maybe twice for work meetings as well.

Anyway, today it's just me and hubby celebrating life, love, and all the blessings today (a day before Christmas).

We started our meal with drinks and a bowl of soup.

A couple iced tea for drinks

West Coast Seafood Chowder

The first spoonful of the chowder was disappointing, but I like it more as I eat more. As I bite into the different flavours and textures of the different fresh seafood, bacon, and veggies, it warms up the soul. Is that too metaphorical? It was cold outside, so the seafood chowder is like a warm hug.

Seafood Linguini
Local seafood, prawns, mussels, sundried-tomato cream sauce, and parmesan

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed the Seafood Linguini. It's so much better than the Seafood Penne from Bridges Restaurant! I kinda wished I didn't have to share it with hubby, but it's Christmas, and even though the serving looked small, it's satisfying.

Halibut BLT

Halibut BLT
Local halibut, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, sourdough, and fries

Each component of the sandwich is delicious, but together it didn't work for me. The bread was perfectly buttered, while the BLT portion is delicious (it's a delicious BLT sandwich). The halibut was grilled and delicious on its own, but somehow it doesn't work with everything else. On the other hand, the french fries were perfect.

What will I order again?

Definitely the Seafood Linguini and Chowder. I don't recommend the Halibut BLT and Fish 'n' Chips.

Dinner delivery from Chipotle

For dinner tonight, I decided to check Uber Eats instead of our usual SkipTheDishes just because I'm getting "tired" of the options available in Skip. I picked Chipotle.

Dinner from Chipotle

Sharing a burrito

The burrito we ordered was huge, and we decided to split it for sharing. I got a burrito bowl as well, which we will have for breakfast tomorrow morning.

A burrito and a burrito bowl plus guacamole and queso blanco

I have high expectations of the chips, but it was too salty for my liking, which is unfortunate. The guacamole and queso Blanco was good, though.

Breakfast Tomorrow

Happy Saturday!

Lunch delivery from Pho Xe Lua 24

Happy Saturday! We played Pokemon GO for like 30 minutes outside then it started raining. I realized the outside world felt so dirty when it's wet and when you're outside. I like the rain when I'm indoors getting cozy under a blanket.

For today, we ordered pho to warm us up. I love the pho from Pho Xe Lua 24 today. I am not crazy about their sides but the delicious soup made everything better.

Food from Pho Xe Lua 24

Vietnamese Spring Rolls (2 pcs)

Deep-Fried Butter Chicken Wings

House Special Noodle Soup

Rare Steak and Beef Ball

I kinda regret not getting beef stew which has been a staple every time we order from a Vietnamese restaurant and my basis of good Vietnamese place. Oh well. Today is pho kind of day.

Surprise Steamed Buns from Bao Bakery

My parents, siblings, and I have a group chat. My sister just sent a menu of Chinese restaurants where they're going to order for their Christmas evening dinner. I responded with "Gusto ko ng siopao" (I want siopao).

Siopao is what we Filipino calls a pork (or chicken) steamed buns. My mom called so early in the morning asking if we want it. They'll drive all the way to Joyce Street (East Side of Vancouver) from Richmond and bring us a box of siopao (we live West Side of Vancouver). Parents are the best!

I have been craving it for months now and I can't believe it's here! Bao Bakery have delicious, freshly made steamed buns. 

Siopao, literally meaning "hot bun", is the Philippine cuisine indigenized version of the Cantonese steamed bun called cha siu bao. - Wikipedia

When I was younger, I love and would only eat asado siopao, but now I only eat bola-bola and find the asado too sweet. I am growing old! 

Half dozen of Chicken Deluxe (Bola-Bola) Steamed Buns

Bao Bakery

Yay for Siopao Friday!

Lunch delivery from Klasik Inasal and Noodle Express

Happy Tuesday! It's rare for us to have anything delivered on a weekday, but well we have no viand to go with our rice so might as well order Filipino food. Last week, we had Chinese cuisine which goes well with rice, this week it's Filipino food.

I have ordered from Klasik Inasal in the past and I ordered three same dishes: Shanghai Roll, Pork BBQ Skewer, and Eggplant Omelette (Tortang Talong).

2 orders of Pork BBQ Skewer and I apparently made a mistake and only ordered one serving of deep-fried Shanghai roll

Eggplant Omelette (Tortang Talong) 

Party Tray

I ordered two viand (ulam) so we have something to eat for the rest of the week. Hubby kept saying will two be enough for the rest of the week. He doubts my food budgeting skills lol. I understand his hesitation since the "party tray" we ordered looked small. Though, it's full to the brim. 

Chicken Caldereta

My plan is to have the caldereta for tomorrow breakfast and lunch. Hopefully, even Thursday for breakfast. Then, for Thursday and Friday lunch we're going to have the bicol express.

Bicol Express

I wish the Bicol Express was spicier, but that's because I love spicy food. Yay for Filipino food. I was thinking of ordering from DoorDash, then I noticed that they charge me an 11% fee and I am sure they charge the restaurants some fee as well which is infuriating. Anyway, all is well. I love SkipTheDishes and the ability to contribute to a restaurant which I almost always do.