Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Filipino food for Noche Buena in Canada

Every year, our family has a themed Noche Buena to celebrate the holiday season, and this year was especially special as we celebrated my parents' and siblings' 10-year anniversary in Canada. To mark the occasion, we decided to have Filipino food as our theme. We also did a potluck of sorts, with each family member contributing a dish.

My husband and I got Lechon from Kuy's Lechon. I'm happy to share that it was incredibly flavourful, with perfectly crispy skin and tender, juicy meat. It received the seal of approval from my dad, who’s a tough critic when it comes to lechon! I also picked up LA Fried Chicken, as Lechong Manok (roast chicken) was unavailable this year. The fried chicken was crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside, seasoned to perfection.

Dad grilled Tilapia, which had a smoky flavour from the grill, and a soft, flaky texture. Meanwhile, Mom cooked her famous Filipino-style spaghetti. This dish is a sweet, savoury pasta made with ground meat, hotdog slices, and a rich, tomato-based sauce. It’s a beloved comfort food in our family, and it was as delicious as ever. She also prepared a refreshing fruit salad, made with mixed fruits like pineapple, apple, and grapes, all coated in a creamy dressing. It was the perfect balance to the rich savoury dishes.

Filipino Noche Buena

My younger sister and her boyfriend brought a tray of Chop Suey and Bibingka from Pin Pin Restaurant. The Chop Suey was a stir-fried mix of vegetables, shrimp, and chicken in a savory sauce, with a light yet flavorful taste that wasn’t too heavy. The Bibingka, a traditional Filipino rice cake made with rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, was soft and slightly sweet, with a hint of salt from the cheese and salted egg topping. It was a perfect combination of flavors.

Kuy's Half Lechon Chopped

My brother contributed Palabok, a savory noodle dish made with rice noodles, garlic, shrimp, and a rich pork broth, all topped with crispy chicharrón (pork cracklings) and boiled eggs. He also brought Peach Mango Pie, a sweet and slightly tangy dessert with a flaky crust that melts in your mouth. Both from Jollibee!

Finally, my youngest sister brought our favorite Lumpiang Shanghai (spring rolls) from Little Ongpin. These crispy rolls were filled with a savory mixture of ground pork, shrimp, and vegetables, served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce. They were the perfect bite-sized treat to snack on throughout the evening.

I’m in a food coma! It was an intense night of eating, but it was so worth it. We also got to play some video games – The Jackbox Party Pack and Tools Up. It was a riot, as always, filled with laughter and fun moments.

For the record, here’s a list of our past Noche Buena themes:

2023: Canadian Food
2022: Ukrainian Food from Ukrainian Village
2021: Korean Food from H-Mart
2020: Chinese Food from Lin Chinese Cuisine and Tea House
2019: French Food (cooked by my sister)
2018: Spanish Food
2017: Japanese Food
2016 and 2015: Domino's Pizza and my mom's Filipino-style spaghetti

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Fried Pork Chop and Fried Chicken Thigh Bento from Pearl Castle Cafe inside Club Kitchen

Happy Sunday! It's been a long day running errands and finishing up last-minute Christmas shopping. In between stops, we decided to take a much-needed break for lunch, as I was starting to feel hangry.

Pearl Castle Cafe at Club Kitchen

We stopped by Club Kitchen in Yaletown, a unique spot featuring 13 different restaurants under one roof. While they primarily focus on delivery, they do offer a handful of tables, and eating in is absolutely encouraged.

Fried Chicken Thigh Bento from Pearl Castle Cafe
Slightly chili powder on top of chicken. All bento includes rice, side dishes of the day: tofu, fishcake, and veggie

We ordered from Pearl Castle Cafe, where we indulged in some of our favorite Taiwanese dishes: crispy fried pork chops, juicy fried chicken thighs, and flavorful Taiwanese sausage.

Fried Pork Chop Bento from Pearl Castle Cafe

The sausage was ordered as a side dish, perfect for sharing. The fried pork and chicken came as part of bento boxes, each served with fluffy rice and three tasty side dishes: silky tofu, savory fishcakes, and a medley of fresh vegetables.

Taiwanese Sausage from Pearl Castle Cafe

It was such a fun and satisfying lunch, and I’m already drooling for more!

Four Cheese Omelette Bites from Tim Hortons

Happy Sunday morning! The Four Cheese Omelette Bites from Tim Hortons were first released in October of this year, and it took nearly three months for us to finally give them a try.

Four Cheese Omelette Bites from Tim Hortons

The bites are exactly as described: soft, fluffy eggs infused with a bold cheese flavor. The combination of two types of cheddar, Gouda, and mozzarella creates a rich, savory taste that's pleasantly indulgent without being overwhelming. The texture is smooth and creamy, with the cheese melting seamlessly into the eggs, giving each bite a satisfying, melt-in-your-mouth feel. It actually reminds me of the omelettes I make at home when I use those marble cheese slices, which lend a similar creamy and mild richness.

Four Cheese Omelette Bites from Tim Hortons

While I’m sure many people could easily recreate this dish at home, if you’re in need of a quick, cheesy breakfast on the go, these omelette bites are a tasty and convenient option.

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Birria Nachos from Patrón Tacos and Cantina

Happy Thursday! It’s the final company-paid team lunch of 2024, and we decided to revisit our most frequent spot this year: Patrón Tacos and Cantina.

I finally gave in and ordered their nachos. The crispy tortilla chips were generously covered with melted Mexican cheese, which created a wonderfully indulgent, rich layer.

Birria Nachos from Patrón Tacos and Cantina
Corn tortillas chips covered with melted cheese. Garnished with pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeños, olives, with a side of guacamole, and birria

The nachos were elevated by a bold combination of flavorful toppings, including spicy jalapeños, tender birria, a surprising yet delightful addition of olives, fresh pico de gallo, and a side of creamy guacamole. The dish was comforting and packed with layers of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors that made each bite an experience. It was quite a hefty portion for one person, so I was able to save half for dinner, enjoying the leftovers just as much as the first serving.

For future me, below is a list of menu items we have tried:

Appetizers

Empanaditas
Nachos (Birria)

Sopas Tradicionales

Tortilla Soup

Main

Burrito (Chicken Tinga)
Chilaquiles (Chorizo)
Enchiladas (Carnitas and Garlic Mushroom)
Huaraches (Garlic Mushroom)
Quesabirria
Quesadillas

Desserts

Churros

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Meat Pie, Schnitzel, and Raclette in Vancouver Christmas Market

Happy Wednesday! For dinner, we decided to visit the Vancouver Christmas Market for the third time this year, making sure to fully maximize our season pass.

I was absolutely famished, so my first order of business was to try the chicken pot pie from Meat Pie Haus. It was incredibly comforting. The shredded chicken inside was tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned, while the rich, savoury gravy added depth to the dish. The crust, while not exactly flaky, was pleasantly sturdy, holding up well under the weight of the creamy gravy and mashed potatoes piled on top.

Chicken Pot Pie from Meat Pie Haus

After devouring the pie, we lined up at Das Schnitzel Haus for their schnitzel wrap with crunchy slaw and potato salad. It was such a fun twist on the traditional pork cutlet. The schnitzel was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, pairing beautifully with the tangy, crisp slaw. Wrapped in a soft tortilla, each bite was a satisfying contrast of textures, and the creamy potato salad served on the side added the perfect touch of indulgence.

Schnitzel wrap with crunchy slaw and potato salad from Das Schnitzel Haus

Following a couple of savoury dishes, we decided to treat ourselves to a sweet dessert: croffles from Pancake & Waffle Haus. I opted for icing sugar and butter, and it was absolutely glorious. The croffle was warm, light, and crisp, with the delicate sweetness of the icing sugar complementing the rich, melt-in-your-mouth butter.

Croffles from Pancake & Waffle Haus

To end the evening, we queued at the popular Cheese Me Raclette booth and got the classic raclette with baguette and salami. It was amazing. The melted cheese, smooth and slightly tangy, was spread generously over a French demi-baguette filled with savoury Italian deli meat. Each bite was a delightful, gooey indulgence—enjoyed in Vancouver, Canada, by a Filipina. How international can you get?

Classic Raclette with baguette from Cheese Me Raclette

Cheese Me Raclette

Here is a link to everything I have tried in the Vancouver Christmas Market.

Vancouver Christmas Market 2024: Food Menus and Prices

The Vancouver Christmas Market is back for 2024, bringing festive cheer, twinkling lights, and an irresistible array of delicious food and drinks. Whether you're craving traditional German fare, indulgent sweet treats, or gourmet comfort foods, this iconic holiday market offers something for everyone. To help you plan your visit, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of food vendors, their menus, and prices to ensure you don’t miss out on the market’s culinary delights.

All prices are listed in Canadian dollars (CAD) and do not include taxes or gratuity. Please note that prices and menu items are subject to change without prior notice, so double-check with vendors during your visit. Get ready to explore the flavors of the season at the Vancouver Christmas Market!

New items have ✨ next to it. If you want to compare prices, please check the list from last year.

Vancouver Christmas Market 2024

Bratwurst Haus

Bratwurst is a quintessential German sausage, perfectly grilled to achieve a delectable blend of smoky flavours and savoury spices, delivering a true culinary delight.

☑️ Thuringer Brat - $11.00

☑️ Bavarian Smoke - $11.00

☑️ All Beef (100%) - $12.00

☑️ Farmer Sausage - $13.00

☑️ Currywurst - $13.00

☑️ Veggie Sausage - $13.00

☑️ Cheesy Bacon Twist - $14.00

☐ Pop / Water - $3.00

Das Champignon Haus & Das Soup Haus

They share a booth.

☑️ Mom's Grilled Cheese - $10.00

☑️ Ham & Cheese Croissant - $12.00

☑️ French Onion Soup - $13.00

☑️ Roasted Tomato Soup - $13.00

☑️ Creamy Mushroom Soup - $14.00

☑️ Champignon with Garlic Sauce - $16.00 for regular and $20 for large ✨

☐ Slice of Garlic Bread - $3.00

☐ Slice of Bread - $2.00

☐ Extra Cheese - $2.00

☐ Water Bottle - $3.00

Das Kebab Haus ✨

A middle eastern flare at the Vancouver Christmas Market. This is a new food stall this year! You can choose from three sauces: BBQ, tzatziki, and spicy.

3 skewers for $13.00
5 skewers for $20.00
8 skewers for $28.00
Pita Bread - $4.00

☑️ Beef

☑️ Chicken

☑️ Lamb

☑️ Pork

☑️ Veggie

☐ Pita Bread

Das Lángos Haus

The Hungarian delight of langos is a golden-fried flatbread adorned with a delectable combination of garlic, sour cream, and grated cheese, creating a symphony of flavours that dance on your taste buds.

☑️ Classic Lángos - $13.50

☐ Traditional Lángos - $12.50

☑️ Nutella Lángos - $11.00

☐ Plain Lángos - $9.00

☐ Extra Bacon - $2.50

☐ Cheese - $2.50

☐ Green Onion - $2.00

Das Strudel Haus

Indulge in the delicate layers of flaky pastry wrapped around a delectable filling by grabbing a strudel from Das Strudel Haus.

☐ Warm Cherry Strudel with Creme Anglaise - $15.00

☑️ Warm Apple Strudel with Creme Anglaise - $15.00

☑️ Black Forest Cake with Callebaut Chocolate - $14.00

☐ Strudel Gift Box for 2 with Creme Anglaise - $28.00

☐ Black Forest Gift Box for 2 with Callebaut Chocolate - $26.00

Meat Pie Haus and Mr. Hotcakes

Mr. Hotcakes and Meat Pie Haus shares a hut. Vegan options are available for the hotcakes.

☑️ Original hotcake with whipped cream - $10.00

☐ Original hotcake with cream cheese icing - $11.00

☐ Original hotcake with ice cream - $13.00

☑️ Chicken Pot Pie (topped with mashed potato and gravy) - $15.00 ✨

☑️ Sausage Roll (All Beef) - $12.00 ✨

Mr. Pretzels

If you want the perfect combination of chewiness and crispiness that makes an irresistible treat for festive snacking, then look for Mr. Pretzels.

Combo 1 (pretzel + bottled water) - $10.50
Combo 2 (pretzel + dipping sauce + bottled water) - $12.50
Bottled water - $3.00
Dipping sauce - $2.00

☑️ Sugar & cinnamon pretzel - $8.75

☐ Salted pretzel - $8.75

Pancake & Waffle Haus

Customizable sweets are the game at the Pancake & Waffle Haus. Bottle water is $3.00

Choose your style for $8.00:

☑️ Poffertjes (10 pieces of Dutch Mini Pancakes)

☑️ Croffles (Croissant waffle)

☐ Affogato (Hot coffee on ice cream)

☐ Waffle on stick

☐ Ice cream (2 big scoops)

Choose a sauce for $1.00 each:

Nutella
Chocolate syrup
Strawberry syrup
Caramel sauce
Maple syrup
Condensed milk
Butter
Whipped cream
Raspberry jam

Choose a topping for $1.00 each:

Oreo crumbs
Biscoff crumbs
Cinnamon Sugar
M&M
Marshmallow
Cinnamon crunch
Coconut
Sprinkles
Add ice cream +$3.00
Add banana +$2.00
Add strawberry +$2.00

Below is a list of popular creations:

☐ Icing sugar & butter - $9.00

☐ Raspberry jam & marshmallow - $10.00

☐ Caramel sauce & biscoff crumbs - $10.00

☐ Condensed milk & cinnamon - $10.00

☐ Strawberry syrup & coconut - $10.00

☐ Nutella & peanut - $10.00

☐ Chocolate syrup oreo - $10.00

☐ Nutella banana - $11.00

☐ Nutella strawberry - $11.00

☐ Strawberry syrup banana - $11.00

Squid Feast

One of my favourites from last year, Squid Feast, is an Asian booth in a European market. Choose from one of the following sauces: spicy garlic, tzatziki, spicy salt & pepper, and sweet & sour.

☑️ Large Deep Fried Squid Tentacle - $19.00

☑️ Small Deep Fried Squid Tentacle - $16.00

☐ Deep Fried Whole Squid - $13.00

☐ Deep Fried Shrimp - $16.00

Cheese Me Raclette

Raclette is molten Swiss cheese skillfully scraped onto potatoes, enhancing the festive ambiance with its rich, savoury allure. Vegetarian iotions are available upon requested.

☑️ Gourmet Raclette with Potatoes - $21.91

☑️ Classic Raclette with Baguette - $17.15

☐ Caciocavallo Grilled Cheese - $17.15

☑️ Cheese Me Chowder - $15.24

☐ Add Charcuteries - $8.58

☐ Add Melted Raclette Cheese - $8.58

Das Apfel Haus

They serve apfel (apple cider).

☑️ Non-alcoholic cider - $5.00

☐ Spiked cider - $9.95

☐ 2024 Collectible Mug - $9.50

Das Kartoffelhaus - The Hurricane Potato

It's all potato at the Kartouffel Haus, which offers kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) and Hurricane Potato. The German potato pancakes are vegan friendly and are served with apple sauce & sour cream.

The hurricane potato is $11.00 while a zuccini version is $14.00.

☐ Kartoffelpuffer - $14.00

☐ Kartoffelpuffer with smoked salmon - $19.00

☐ Kartoffelpuffer with brie cheese - $19.00

☑️ Kartoffelpuffer with smoked salmon and brie cheese - $23.00

Das Schnitzel Haus

Schnitzel is a classic German dish featuring a thin, tenderized meat—commonly pork or veal—lightly coated in breadcrumbs and expertly fried to achieve a delightful crunch.

☑️ Schnitzel wrap with crunchy slaw & potato salad - $23.00

☑️ Viennese pork schnitzel with potato salad - $18.00

☑️ German pork schnitzel with potato salad and gravy - $19.00

☐ Bottled water - $3.00

Das Gulasch Haus

Embrace the spirit of the season with a steaming bowl of Gulasch, a true winter delight. This traditional Hungarian stew features tender chunks of beef slow-cooked to perfection in a rich and savoury broth.

☑️ Tender beef stew - $16.00 + bread bowl for $2.00

☑️ Vegan potato stew - $14.00 + breadbowl for $2.00

☐ Water - $3.00

Haxen Haus

Haxen Haus serves schweinshaxe, a large pork shank roasted on a special rotisserie.

☑️ Half pork hock with sauerkraut and rye bread - $17.00

☑️ Whole pork hock with sauerkraut and rye bread - $34.00

☑️ Pork hock sandwich topped with sauerkraut - $11.00

☐ Side of sauerkraut (veggies) - $4.00

☐ Pop / water - $3.00

I Love Chocolate

Experience pure decadence at the Vancouver Christmas Market with the mesmerizing chocolate fountain. Cascading velvety layers of rich, molten chocolate await, providing the perfect canvas for dipping an array of treats.

☐ Fruit skewers (mixed skewers) - $9.50

☐ Marshmallow skewer - $6.50

☐ Chocolate covered apples - $12.00

☐ Chocolate covered banana - $11.00

☐ Chocolate covered pineapple slices - $10.00

☑️ Chocolate covered pretzel rods - $6.00

☐ Kids marshmallow - $2.00

☐ Hot chocolate - $7.00

☐ Oat milk hot chocolate - $8.00

☐ Whipping cream / mini marshmallows - $1.00

Helmis Perogies

Vegetarian option is available for their only menu item. It is served with crumbled farmer's sausage from Rempel Meats in Abbotsford, sour cream, sauerkraut, and grilled onions.

☑️ Potato and Cheddar Perogies - $17.00

Das Späetzle Haus

Späetzle are soft egg noodles, often pan-fried for a delightful crispness, bringing a taste of European tradition to the festive atmosphere.

☐ Homemade späetzle - $18.10

☑️ Späetzle with mushroom sauce - $22.86

☐ Add bacon bits - $1.90

☐ Add double cheese - $6.67

☐ Add truffle mushroom - $2.86

Authentic Churros

Churros are golden-brown treasures, dusted in cinnamon sugar or sugar, and boast a crispy exterior that gives way to a warm, soft center.

☑️ Cinnamon sugar or sugar - 3 for $8.00

☑️ Cinnamon sugar or sugar - 6 for $14.00

☐ Caramel sauce - +$1.00

☐ Chocolate drizzle - +$1.00

☐ Whipped cream - +$1.00

☐ Oreo crumble - +$1.00

☐ Nutella - +$2.00

☐ Maple syrup - +$2.00

☐ Coffee cream - +$2.00

Transylvanian Chimney Cakes

Chimney cakes are a delightful pastry with a crispy, caramelized exterior and a soft, doughy interior.

☐ Walnut chimney cake - $13.00

☐ Coconut chimney cake - $13.00

☑️ Cinnamon sugar chimney cake - $13.00

☐ Almond chimney cake - $13.00

☐ Add Nutella - +$3.00

☐ Add lemon curd - +$2.00

☐ Add apple cinnamon - +$2.00

☐ Add black forest cherry - +$2.00

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Onion Rings from Boston Pizza

It's all-day happy hour at Boston Pizza, which means I can order all my favorites—Cactus Cut Potatoes and Boston Pizza nachos.

Onion Rings from Boston Pizza

We also decided to try their onion rings as part of my goal to try everything on the menu. The onion rings have a perfectly crispy, golden-brown exterior that offers a satisfying crunch with every bite. Inside, the sweet, tender onion adds a delicious contrast to the crisp coating, creating a balanced flavor and texture that’s both savory and slightly sweet.

Below is a list of menu items I’ve tried from BP.

Desserts

Seasonal

Tiramisu Cake from Waves Coffee House

It was a gorgeous Sunday morning when my parents, my sister and her boyfriend, and my husband and I went to Waves Coffee House on West Broadway to hang out.

Tiramisu from Waves Coffee House

Hubby and I shared a slice of tiramisu cake. It wasn't overly sweet, with just the right balance of rich coffee flavor and velvety layers of mascarpone cream. The cake itself was perfectly soft, each bite melting in your mouth. The dusting of cocoa powder on top added a subtle bitterness that complemented the sweetness of the cream, making for a delightful, well-rounded dessert.

Below our Waves food and drinks we have tried:

Food

Drinks

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Pita and Hummus from The Wicklow

Happy Thursday! For dinner, I met up with my former colleagues, who have since become close friends. It’s always such a joy to spend time with them. We went to our usual spot: The Wicklow.

True to form, I ordered my favourite dish—the Yorkshire Pudding Bowl. These are, hands down, the best I’ve had in Vancouver so far. The Yorkshire puddings are perfectly soft and chewy, offering the ideal contrast to the creamy mashed potatoes they’re filled with. The dish is then drenched in rich, savoury gravy and topped with tender Angus beef, which is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I absolutely love it.

Yorkshire Pudding Bowl from The Wicklow
Certified roast angus beef, house gravy, garlic mash potatoes, horseradish aioli, served in a big Yorkshire pudding bowl

I arrived a bit too early and, while waiting for everyone, decided to try the Pita and Hummus. The roasted garlic hummus was smooth and flavourful, with just the right amount of garlic to make it savoury without overpowering. The warm, soft pita bread slices were perfect for dipping, providing a comforting balance to the rich hummus.

Pita and Hummus from The Wicklow
Roasted garlic hummus, black olives, paprika oil, fresh parsley

I also tried a mocktail—the Pineapple Sour. This refreshing drink was a simple yet delightful mix of pineapple juice, egg whites, lemon juice, and simple syrup, resulting in a tangy-sweet beverage with a silky texture. It was a great way to sip something light while catching up.

Pineapple Sour from The Wicklow
Pineapple juice, egg whites, lemon juice, and simple syrup

I love The Wicklow! It never disappoints. For future me, below is a list of menu item we have tried in The Wicklow.

Chips & Salsa
Nachos (Decembmer 2021,February 2022)
Pesto Linguine
Pulled Pork Poutine (December 2018, May 2019, May 2019)
Sesame Crusted Tuna Saku
Yam Fries
Yorkshire Pudding Bowl (March 2019, May 2019, December 2019, August 2021, February 2022)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie and Billy Miner Pie from The Keg

Happy Merry Tuesday! We celebrated the holiday season at the office with a delightful dinner at The Keg, followed by watching the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena (they lost 4-3 in overtime).

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie from The Keg
Carrots, peas, mushrooms, green lentils, chickpeas, red wine gravy, and mixed green salad

For dinner, I ordered the Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie. It was wonderfully creamy and surprisingly satisfying, especially for a low-calorie option. The dish featured a comforting blend of carrots, peas, mushrooms, green lentils, chickpeas, all topped with a rich and savoury red wine gravy. The flavours were hearty and well-balanced, offering a great alternative to the traditional meat version.

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie from The Keg
Carrots, peas, mushrooms, green lentils, chickpeas, red wine gravy, mixed green salad

I also couldn't resist the Keg Fries, which were perfectly crispy and golden—ideal for mopping up any leftover gravy from the Shepherd's Pie. The fries were seasoned just right.

Billy Miner Pie from The Keg
Mocha ice cream, chocolate crust, fudge, caramel, and almonds

To cap off my meal, I indulged in the Billy Miner Pie. This dessert is incredibly decadent — rich mocha ice cream nestled on top of a velvety chocolate crust. As if that wasn’t indulgent enough, the mocha ice cream is drizzled with warm fudge and caramel, and topped with crunchy sliced almonds. It was an absolute treat for the senses!

Below is a list of menu items I have tried from The Keg.

Appetizers

Scallops & Bacon

Keg Steaks

Accompaniments

Mains

Casual Plates

Loaded Nachos with Braised Beef

Desserts

Monday, December 9, 2024

Teriyaki Bento Boxes from Namiya Sushi

It’s a beautiful Monday evening, and we attended the Immaculate Conception Mass at church today. After the peaceful hour, we decided to grab dinner at the newly opened Namiya Sushi on West Broadway.

Salmon Teriyaki Bento Box from Namiya Sushi
includes California Roll, tempura, organic salad, fruit slices, and rice

Hubby and I both ordered teriyaki bento boxes. I chose the sockeye salmon teriyaki, while hubby went for the beef teriyaki.

Beef Teriyaki Bento Box
includes California Roll, tempura, organic salad, fruit slices, and rice

The bento boxes arrived with a comforting, hot bowl of miso soup, perfect for such a chilly night. The meal also included 8 pieces of California rolls, 4 pieces of crispy tempura, a light and refreshing salad, and some sweet fruit to balance the flavours.

Chicken Karaage from Namiya Sushi

I couldn’t resist trying their chicken karaage, which was decent but didn’t stand out, and the takoyaki, which had a nice crisp on the outside and a soft, savoury center.

Takoyaki from Namiya Sushi

There are at least five sushi spots within a kilometre of our place, so I’m always looking for that one standout dish that will make me return. For example, Sushivan has its Korean ramen, while Masa serves a fantastic Japanese curry. What’s Namiya Sushi’s signature dish? I suppose I’ll have to keep coming back to discover my go-to item.

Saturday, December 7, 2024

Fried Chicken Benny and Eggstravaganza from Eggspectation

Happy Saturday! It's been a couple of years since we last visited Eggspectation, and today, the place is packed with Taylor Swift fans.

We started our meal with drinks from their smoothie bar. I tried the Page's Tropical Paradise, which I didn't quite enjoy (I'm not a fan of berries!), so my hubby happily drank the fruity blend of banana, strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, mango, and pineapple mixed with orange juice. I opted for his choice instead, the Tropical Teaser—a refreshing mix of mango, banana, and pineapple, blended smoothly with orange juice.

Page' A Tropical Paradise and Tropical Teaser from Eggspectation

For our meals, hubby picked the Eggstravaganza, a hearty plate featuring two sunny side up eggs, accompanied by two slices of soft, sweet brioche French toast drizzled with pure maple syrup. It also came with crispy bacon (his favourite!) and Lyonnaise-style potatoes—sautéed potatoes with onions and a touch of seasoning, making them perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. We're currently going through a French toast phase at home, and this dish was a comforting, satisfying choice.

Eggstravaganza from Eggspectation
A classic dish! Two large free run eggs (sunny side up), two slices of brioche French toast with pure maple syrup, bacon and Lyobbaise-style potatoes

Meanwhile, I selected what I consider the best brunch item: the Fried Chicken Benny. This dish features a perfectly poached egg, atop a toasted English muffin, with crispy fried chicken smothered in rich, velvety hollandaise sauce. The contrast between the crispy chicken and the creamy sauce was absolutely divine. It’s the perfect combination of savoury and indulgent flavours—truly a comforting brunch.

Fried Chicken Benny from Eggspectation
Lightly breaded chicken breast broiled with swiss cheese on an English muffin, topped with two poached eggs and our famous hollandaise sauce

I also got the chance to say hello to my sister, who was busy working the bar today.

Below is a list of items we have tried from Eggspectation.

Great Eggspectations

Benedict and Beyond

Omelettes Eggscetera

Eggspectation Omelette

The Classics

Eggstravaganza

From the Smoothie Bar

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Tour of Italy from Boston Pizza

It's Thursday! My husband had dinner plans this evening, so I decided to head to Boston Pizza to indulge in my favorite Cactus Cuts. As I browsed the menu, I noticed their "Season's Eatings" section and couldn't resist trying one of the new items.

I chose the Tour of Italy, which features two types of pasta and chicken parmigiana. Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the pasta. The spaghetti marinara was overly tangy with a one-dimensional, sour tomato flavor, while the fettuccine in basil cream sauce lacked seasoning and felt incredibly bland. The creamy sauce didn't provide the depth of flavor I was hoping for.

New Tour of Italy from Boston Pizza
Buttermilk-breaded fried chicken breast topped with signature Alfredo sauce, Gouda, provolone, Pizza mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Served with spaghetti marinara and fettuccini in a Basil cream pasta sauce with garlic toast

Thankfully, the chicken parmigiana was a redeeming feature. The chicken was perfectly cooked—tender and juicy on the inside, with a delightfully crispy coating on the outside. It was just the right balance of crunch and tenderness, making it the true star of the dish and a saving grace in an otherwise lackluster meal.

Boston Pizza checklist

For future me, below is a list of all the items we have tried at Boston Pizza.

Apps & Shareables

Bandera Pizza Bread
Cactus Cut Potatoes (my favourite!)
Classic Nachos with BBQ Chicken
Classic Nachos with Seasoned Ground Beef
Classic Nachos with Spicy Chicken
French Onion Soup
Garlic Parmesan Fries
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Thai Bites (part of The Triple Play)
The Triple Play

Pizza

Boston Royal Pizza
Carbonara Pizza
Deluxe
Great White North
Loaded Pepperoni & Bacon Squarefooter Pizza
The Meator
Mediterranean Pizza
Pepperoni Pizza
Spicy Perogy Pizza (I highly recommend!)
Tropical Chicken

Pasta

Boston's Lasagna