Tim Hortons introduces Vanilla Coconut Latte

Tim Hortons introduced a new Vanilla Coconut drinks line, including Vanilla Coconut Latte, Vanilla Coconut Cappuccino, and Vanilla Coconut Cold Brew with Espresso-Infused Foam.

Today, we tried the Vanilla Coconut Latte, and it has the expected light vanilla taste and is smooth with a subtle hint of coconut aftertaste.

Vanilla Coconut Latte from Tim Hortons

Hey Tims, my dad is requesting a coconut-flavoured (infused) donut. I suggest trying a Filipino bread pan de coco for flavours that inspire you. It's his favourite bread.

NEW Chicken Marsala Fettucine and Ravioli Carbonara from Olive Garden

Our first meal for lunch today is at Olive Garden, and we're trying two new items: Chicken Marsala Fettuccine, Ravioli Carbonara, and Meatballs Parmigiana.

My parents are celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary. Their youngest daughter and offspring suggested we take the more than 40 km (24 miles) drive to the only Olive Garden location in British Columbia, Canada.

Of course, we're here for unlimited breadsticks and soup.

Pasta e Fagioli

Pasta e Fagioli is the last soup that I have not tried at Olive Garden, so it's what I ordered today.

It's sour because of the tomatoes and hearty because of the beans. There's also a bit of heat that feels like from black pepper.

Pasta e Fagioli

My favourite is still the hearty and filling Zuppa Toscana, which hubby ordered.

Zuppa Tuscana

NEW: Chicken Marsala Fettucine at Olive Garden

The chicken was crispy, but the sauce was surprisingly sweet, while the mushrooms provided an earthy flavour. Unfortunately, after a while, the pasta is too heavy, and I am food coma.

Chicken Marsala Fettucine

NEW: Ravioli Carbonara at Olive Garden

The sauce was creamy. It's also salty, thanks to the bacon and cheese, while the ravioli filling is heavy. The serving is smaller - only around ten or so ravioli. Adding shrimp or some sort of protein might be a good idea for this dish.

Ravioli Carbonara

NEW: Meatballs Parmigiana at Olive Garden

The order came with five meatballs covered with melted cheese and tomato sauce. The meatballs are juicy, tender, and flavourful.

Meatballs Parmigiana

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It was a fun lunch and drive with the family. We're food coma.

Shrimp Scampi, Unlimited Soup and Breadsticks at Olive Garden

Happy Wednesday! We watched the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Canadian Championship game last night, so today I took a day off so I can wake up later than usual.

My youngest sister and I also planned a road trip to Langley, BC, to have lunch at Olive Garden with our parents.

Spinach Artichoke Dip
A blend of spinach artichoke and cheeses served warm with flatbread crisps.

The flatbread crisps were terrific, but the dip is unfortunately too salty. Whatever blend of processed cheese they used has a lot of salt to be enjoyable. I thought it was me, but my dad noticed it too.

Zuppa Toscana
Spicy Italian sausage, fresh kale and russet potatoes in a creamy broth

The Zuppa Toscana was delicious. Thanks, past self, for taking a note to order this over the Chicken and Gnocchi.

Shrimp Scampi
A lighter take on a classic! Shrimp sautéed in a garlic sauce tossed with asparagus, tomatoes, and angel hair.

I thought the saltiness from the Spinach Artichoke lingered in my mouth that's why the Shrimp Scampi tasted salty, but when I arrived home and asked my hubby to try my leftover, he said the same thing without my prompting. The two items I chose were salty. :(

I ordered a $7.00 to-go pasta because I ordered an entree. We enjoyed the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce at home for dinner, and it came with four breadsticks. Thankfully, the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce is not salty.

Bola Bola Siopao from Mr. Siopao de Langley | "Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!"

"Maligayang Pasko, Vancouver!" is an annual Christmas Market organized by the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. It's my first time going with my husband, mom, and younger sister this year.

After going through the temperature and vaccine card check, the first food booth to welcome you is Mr. Siopao de Langley. I ordered five (one bag) of bola-bola siopao.

Mr. Siopao de Langley

I will update this post once we enjoy the siopao.

Bola-Bola Siopao Update

The Bola-Bola Siopao from Mr. Siopao de Langley tasted like something you will get from the Philippines. I wish I had some sauce to go with it though.

Bola-Bola Siopao

If you're in Langley, then this is definitely a good siopao place, but since I am in Vancouver I still love the Bola-Bola siopao from Bao Bakery.

Though, I did find The Bao Place in Burnaby near Metrotown. I'll definitely check them out and compare if they are any better than the Bao Bakery.

Lunch at Olive Garden in Langley, BC

My sister called me early Friday morning asking if we want to go with them to Langley to have lunch at Olive Garden the following day. I said yes because I have been craving pasta all week. I have been thinking about getting carbonara from Domino's Pizza, which I enjoy.

After a 30-minute drive to Olive Garden, we had lunch. Of course, we have to enjoy ourselves together separately. Hubby and I enjoyed a private lunch together while my parents and three siblings sat it on another table on the other end of the restaurant.

Appetizer

To start our lunch date, we ordered A Sampler Italiano with Calamari, Fried Mozzarella, and Lasagna Fritta. A choice between soup and salad came with our main course, so we both ordered their creamy soup.

A Sampler Italiano

For the appetizer sampler, we picked calamari, fried mozzarella, and lasagna Fritta. My favourite of the tree was calamari. The mozzarella was not the best one I've tried, and it wasn't hot when it arrived at our table. The lasagna Fritta, I just didn't know what to expect.

A Sampler Italiano

Lasagna Fritta and Mozzarella Sticks

Calamari - lightly breaded and fried squid served with marinara and spicy ranch.

Soup

Chicken and Gnocchi

For soup, I picked the Chicken & Gnocchi, which was still as delicious as I remembered.

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup is a creamy soup made with roasted chicken, Italian dumplings, and spinach.

Zuppa Toscana

Meanwhile, hubby ordered the Zuppa Toscana, and I liked it better than the Chicken and Gnocchi. I'm making a mental note to get that next time.

Zuppa Tuscana includes spicy Italian sausage, kale, and potatoes in a creamy broth.

Main Course

I have been craving pasta all week. I just didn't know it's carbonara I am thinking about until I thought about Domino's Pizza.

Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

By the time my carbonara arrived, I was nearly full, and the first bite was delicious. The chicken was a bit sweet, while the shrimp was cooked perfectly. However, the sauce itself felt heavy, and there was nothing to cut through all the cream and oil. I kinda wished the chicken was grilled instead of fried.

Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara is spaghetti tossed in a creamy sauce with bacon and roasted peppers.

Steak Alfredo

Hubby ordered from the "Amazing Alfredos" section of the menu. I just took a small bite of the steak and the pasta, and both were good. We took some home, so I'll enjoy it tomorrow.

Steak Alfredo includes grilled 6 oz sirloin topped with garlic herb butter and fettuccine alfredo.

Dessert

Olive Garden has some really great dessert options.

Chocolate Brownie Lasagna

We settled with Chocolate Brownie Lasagna. It was sweet and decadent. Surprisingly, we didn't finish it even with the hot tea, so yay for having dessert tomorrow.

Chocolate Brownie Lasagna

Chocolate Brownie Lasagna is eight layers of rich, fudgy brownie and sweet vanilla cream cheese frosting with chocolate drizzle. Yum!

Drinks

For drinks, I had an unlimited iced tea while hubby enjoyed the Blackberry-Pineapple Iced Tea. After the meal, while enjoying dessert, I ordered a hot tea because I felt too full to finish dessert.

I can't wait to go back here and try their other kinds of pasta dishes.

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

Lunch at Olive Garden

Our youngest sister is not so young anymore. She is celebrating her x-th birthday (no, I am not going to announce her age). She only has 1 birthday wish, and it's specific: For brother to have lunch or dinner with the family in Olive Garden. Sister is addicted to the unlimited breadsticks of Olive Garden ever since she heard it from one of the YouTubers she frequently watches.

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Appetizer Sampler

Italian Feast

Dessert

First Time at Olive Garden

My youngest sister loves watching YouTubers instead of the TV for entertainment. She said that one of the channels she watches wanted IHOP to sponsor them, but didn't. Instead, Olive Garden came and saved the day. She was so curious about Olive Garden that we drove 44km to the only branch in British Columbia at Langley.

We surprisingly loved it! The unlimited breadsticks and soup are amazing, plus the pasta is delicious, and the desserts are over the top. I'd say it's worth the drive.

Soup and Breadsticks

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Breadsticks

Entrees

Spaghetti with Meatballs

Half Tour of Italy - Chicken Parmigiana, Lasanga Classico, and Fettuccine Alfredo

I shared the other half with my boyfriend.

Desserts

Chocolate Caramel Lasagna

Black Tie Mousse Cake

Tiramisu

On top of the fantastic food, the service was excellent. The waitress is accommodating. She answered all our questions and was polite.