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Sunday 31 January 2016

The Five Stages of Granadilla


Stage 1: Discovery


Stage 2: Excitement 



Stage 3: Confusion


Stage 4: Fear


Stage 5: Disappointment 


Saturday 30 January 2016

My Adventure With Siddhartha


Siddhartha's 
2066 Commercial Drive
Vancouver, BC

Siddhartha's Indian Kitchen Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


Looking for peace in the chaos of a working day, I walked into Siddartha's expecting to be welcomed by a sari dressed beauty, smells of freshly made curries and soft chants.


Instead I was welcomed by an Asian woman, blasting Ofra Haza songs and big screen TV on CNN.


The food, described as healthy Indian soul food, included a salty North American style salad with cranberries surrounded by Aloo Tikki and chaat with cucumbers and red peppers.


I walked out feeling I did not conquer a break to myself nor win a restaurant discovery battle.

Friday 29 January 2016

My Sweet Niece

My sweet niece is one-fifth my age. She lives on the other side of the land, so we do not have lots of chances to hang out. But when we do, she treats me well.


After school, she prepares a snack for us. Today's was juice in a mug, toast with jam and cheese. All in matching plates and mugs and brought to my lap.


But wait till she sees my treat - a cinnamon buns cake; only found on the other side of the land.


Thank you my sweet niece.



Thursday 28 January 2016

Miku Or Minami


Miku Restaurant
70 - 200 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC

Miku Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

I simply cannot choose decide which one I like more Miku or Minami - please help me decide by leaving a comment to this blog article. But first, a visual tour of my Miku feasting session.





Wednesday 27 January 2016

Corfu Perogies

Six months ago, to the day, Replacement Chef made a Corfu Lasagna. Six months later, my empty-freezer-fridge-experimentations led themselves to creating Corfu Perogies.


I am sure no one will try the recipe, but why not, here it is hoping that someone out there in the world is adventurous enough to try it. First, layer, in a greased baking dish, uncooked perogies.


Mix in some cooked meat. I had pre-cooked chicken pieces which I mixed in. But I am sure cooked steak, ham or bacon will work very well too.


Add a Corfu-style sauce toppings - in this case canned tomatoes, olives, oregano and sprinkled feta cheese - and bake for 30 minutes in a 375 oven. Crunchy tasty perogies; and they still go well with sour cream.

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Caffé Brixton Still Unique


Caffé Brixton
212 East Georgia
Vancouver, BC

Caffe Brixton on Urbanspoon



I visited Caffé Bixton almost 2 years ago. At that time I fell in love with it for how unique it is.

Today, Caffé Brixton is still its unique self. The interesting furniture is still there, the quality of food and service is still very good. 

Even the unique vegetarian meatloaf with whisky bbq sauce and crispy onions I loved last time is still waiting for me.

The Raincoast Kombucha was an added unique offering that is definitely worth a try (I wonder where they distribute this stuff; their website is quiet scarce).

But nothing will beat the uniqueness of Caffé Brixton's Washrooms!






Monday 25 January 2016

Instant Dinners at the Kitchen

Neighbours wrap up a party and a beautiful platter of leftover snacks are delivered to somerville kitchen; laid out with as much care and love as the original party platter was done up.


Another night. Leftover pasta sauce made by one special person the previous night. Salmon pieces brought over by another special person the night before that. All I do is boil an egg and mix all together with spinach leaves.


One other night, a friend brings one thing, a neighbour brings another, my fridge contributes a third dish and my freezer the fourth. An impressive instant spread is served.


Sunday 24 January 2016

Scrub Daddy

Why would I pay over $5.00 to buy a Scrub Daddy? Well, I can give you at least 5 reasons.

Reason #1: It adds a je ne sait pas quoi to the kitchen.



Reason #2: It is one of the most successful Shark Tank featured products.


 Reason #3: It's a sponge that acts like a normal sponge in warm water.


Reason #4: But when the job is tough, use cold water and it becomes a tough scrub daddy.


Reason #5: It smiles at me when the job is done. I love you Scrub Daddy.

Saturday 23 January 2016

Vancouver's French Gem #2

café salade de fruits
1551 West 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC

Cafe Salade de Fruits Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


I have no idea why it took me decades to discover these French Gems of restaurants in the city (Read Vancouver French Gem #1). And how can one not fall in love with a café with such taste in art.


café salade de fruits is more of a bistro than a café. Service is offered in French, unless you choose to speak another language. Specials and more specials on the black board. Pleasant experience sums it up.


You can order your (free range) Omelette made the Canadian or French way - the French way is not fully cooked with egg yolks dripping into your plate as you cut in it. But at least you get a good taste of the quality eggs they serve.


I must remember this place - perfect for weekend brunch, business lunch or a cosy evening date.

Friday 22 January 2016

Vancouver's French Gem #1

au comptoir
2278 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC

Au Comptoir Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

I have never been to Paris. But I can tell that this café au lait looks trés parisien. 


au comptoir describes itself as a classic café parisien. And I think they succeeded to recreate the ambiance of a Parisian café - the small tables and chairs next to each other, the noise level, the French servers with a tad of snappiness and a menu that includes croque monsieur and croque madame.


An enjoyable discovery. Tune back tomorrow for Vancouver's French Gem #2.


Thursday 21 January 2016

Mink Gold

Mink Chocolates
863 West Hastings
Vancouver, BC

Mink Chocolates Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


This is Mink Chocolates'  Gold Medal Winner at the 2015 International Chocolate Salon in San Francisco.


A very well deserved award - this chocolate bar tastes like gold. Chocolate with cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves, ginger and turmeric - an indian curry taken to a golden heavenly level with chocolate. A bar to sure try; but buy more than one - the first bar will disappear very fast. Enjoy.