Brunch with Mommy

Boy, have I been a BAD daughter. I hadn't seen my mom for over a month, partially due to my resolution to eat out less. Since she doesn't cook, most of our visits include a meal out. But when I got an email from her to say "she missed me", I felt so guilty that I decided to go for brunch with her at my neighbourhood Earls.

I was craving something different, wings and dry ribs just were going to cut it today. They just seem like evening food to me...so instead, I tried their Fish and Chips. Two gigantic chunks of halibut fish, breaded lightly and deep fried until golden brown. Served with a generous portion of fries (really good too) and a side of coleslaw. It was a lot of food. I only ate half and packed the other half to go. Too bad I left the restaurant without the takeout box. I called the restaurant afterwards but it was already tossed. So sad.

My mom got something I'd never tried either, their Chicken Quesadilla. Part of the reason why I couldn't finish it was due to the fact that I ate a quarter of her quesadilla. Really good and cheesy, and not overly dry, as some quesadillas can be. I liked how the sour cream and salsa were served on the side, so you can use as much or as little as you like. The side caesar was done well too, with a healthy portion of grated parmesan on top.
Just goes to show, trying something different is a good thing...just make sure you remember the take-out box!

Lunch with BFF

A few weeks ago, my BFF returned from a work assignment earlier than expected and decided to meet me downtown for lunch. As a last minute lunch place, Keg Thurlow is a sure bet.

As soon as we sat down, we ordered the yam fries for Ryan...he thinks it's the best thing...looks like potato fries, but just a bit healthier. Too bad I just find them too sweet.

There's a new item on their menu...Chicken Lettuce Wrap. From what I can tell, it looks just like their chicken fajitas (and that's how I was charged for it on my bill), but instead of tortillas, it was iceburg. Hmmm...come to think of it...maybe I should have gotten the fajitas instead.

I like foods that I can play with...manhandle somehow...thus my passion for peking duck...both ways. The chicken breast were diced, and mixed with some red and yellow pepper strips as well as fried onions. It was tasty...although the breast was a little too dry (that's what she said).

BFF got the beef dip...I've had it a million times at the Keg. It's a reliable dish...bread, beef and au jus. Not too complicated, but satisfying nonetheless.

Losing my Virginity at Vera's Burger Shack

After a day of rest, a friend decided to drag me out for sushi. Taisho was rammed, and as we walked back to her car, we spotted Vera's Burger on Main. She looked at me in horror when I said that I've never been. She said "you're a food blogger and you haven't been here? We're going now."

They look so innocent don't they?

Mine was The Power burger...still looks harmless...

The unveiling...

Whoa...I got a messy one...patty loaded with cheddar, fried onions and the usual fixings...

Oh, wait! Did I mention 'fried egg"!? Seriously, you put a fried egg on anything, and I'll probably eat it.

So that you can see it's messy goodness, I did an open faced shot for y'all.

She ordered the BBQ Burger...there was provolone, bacon, fried onions and of course, BBQ sauce.

We each had half of both burgers, but I have to admit...mine was messier! I could eat hers with my hands, easily. When I passed her mine, she took one look at it, one look at me, and then went inside (we were seated at the patio) and grabbed a knife and fork. She is so much smarter than me...haha. 

Chen's with BFF

Last Sunday, before the start of a difficult week for my BFF, we decided to meet up for lunch to brace ourselves for what's to come. Sometimes, good friends and good food can prepare you for anything. We went to Chen's in Richmond, for some delicious Shanghainese food.

First thing we ordered...XLBs. I have to say...these were really really good. Better than Shanghai Village but not as good as NingTu. Really juicy inside, and they don't close the top all the way, so you can suck out the soup that way if you want. SO SO good.

Another one of my favourites is the Pork Chop Noodle in Soup. I like how they served it separately, so that the pork chop doesn't get soggy!

A huge bowl of noodles, more than enough for the three of us...her boy loved the noodles...nice and soupy. Thinner than usual, but cooked perfectly.

The deep-fried pork chops were crispy, with a touch of curry/tumeric flavour. They served it on the side of the noodles, and with a knife and fork! But what I actually like to do is...dunk the fried pork into my noodle & soup...making it slightly soggy, and easily bite-able. Yummy!

Because it was a cold and soggy day, we decided to warm ourselves up with a Hot and Sour Soup. It wasn't exactly what we expected...the hotness came from pepper instead of chilies. Weird, but by the second bowlful, I accepted it. It wasn't as sour as I hoped, but it was good. Just different.

Another dish we ordered was the steamed sticky rice dumpling. They called it sweet sticky rice on the menu, but it's totally not. For those of you familiar with the sticky rice from dim sum and other Chinese places, that's what's inside. And it's wrapped in a thin dumpling/bread skin...SO good...but so heavy! I can't wait until lil Ryan grows up and he can have a whole one on his own!

One of my favourites at Shanghainese places is the salty sticky rice. It's essentally Chinese sushi...with dried pork floss, preserved veggies and a Chinese donut. Really good, and freshly made here. It was the last thing to arrive for us, but normally, it's the first thing to come at other places. I guess that's how you know...they make it fresh!

I've had better versions of the same elsewhere, but the softness of the rice makes it different. You know it's fresh. One thing...cash only. Wish we had known that before we got there. Good thing a run to the bank isn't that far...but oh, it was cold! Another note: they're closed on Wednesdays! Would you believe that all this food only cost us $28!?!? I almost don't want to share this gem... I hate lineups!   

Last dinner in Vancouver with my sister...

Last month, with my sister leaving for Hong Kong the day after, we had one final family dinner together. We ended up at Cactus down at the Market Crossing. It's my nephew's favourite restaurant here.

My niece has developed a special way of ordering...food, deconstructed. This is the teriyaki chicken rice bowl, with the veggies, sauces, and chicken...all on the side. Haha...I love it!

My stepdad ordered the steak...which came witha nice helping of mashed potatoes, and loads of mushrooms! Yum!

Not being too hungry myself, we ordered the scallop and shrimp linguine to share. One of us loves shrimp, one loves scallop, and one loves noodles...between the three of us, we knocked this baby back!

My sister also ordered the steak, but hers came with just peppercorn sauce, sans mushrooms and potatoes.

My nephew loves the sliders...and the waitresses...he actually did a drawing for our waitress, and presented it to her when we left. So sweet!

100 Days - Round 3

So for my third visit here, I met up with a fellow foodie/tweeter, and we had a lovely Saturday brunch. It ws her first time, but my experience was useless here, since their brunch menu is different from their dinner menu.

She decided on the Proscuitto and Egg Gnocchi with. I love gnocchi too, but since she decided on it before me, I was set to order something else. I have said this many times before, but it's well worth saying again...anything topped with a fried egg is always better.

With this closeup, you can actually see the fork marks on the gnocchi, and the crispy proscuitto. There are peas here, but buried under all that homemade gnocchi goodness. Oh man, this looked so good. And I had to restrain myself from taking another picture of her food after she broke the egg.

And now, my very traditional Opus Benedict. Shaved proscuitto di parma, topped with burrata cheese and a poached egg, fully doused with hollandaise sauce. Along with a healthy portion of potato hash.

The hollandaise sauce is rich, but not overly so...creamy enough to ooze on to the plate nicely...

The best part of eggs benny is bursting open that yolk! Wow, you can really tell that it's an organic egg, alright. See how orange that yolky goodness is!?

Seeing as this was brunch...there was no way I could finish. Here is my pretty take out box...Yeah. that's going to reheat nicely for dinner.

Mis Trucos

Sometimes, being surprised is a good thing. I had plans for dinner with a friend, but the venue was a surprise. Well, it turned out to be a surprise for both of us...since we parked and couldn't find it. The entrance is very "discreet" but it's worth the hunt!

The first thing we got was wine, but the second thing we got was their Chorizo and Potato torte...a 2" bite filled with flavour, carbs, and meat. I liked that it came piping hot, and bite sized.

Scallop ceviche was the next dish...fresh and flavoured with parsley, radish and tangerine segments...nice and refreshing.

A close up look of the scallop....fresh, thinly butterflied, and loaded with flavour.

Oh, and despite me not wanting carbs, I was easily persuaded to get their freshly baked baguette...complete with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and fresh sea salt...carbs are so GOOD!

Finished up dinner with a Lobster and Truffle Risotto...three other people tried to order this after us...but it was sold out...too bad suckas...

The truffle oil...laced with some sour cream.

This IS food porn. The lobster weas perfectly cooked...probably poached, but the best part of the dish...the smell of truffle oil. Better than perfume!

HUB - pre Gaga

Last month, before the Lady Gaga concert, we headed to Hub to use a Groupon. All appies are $6 here before 6pm. We got here in the nick of time!

After much deliberation and overthinking, we decided to order a bottle of the Ravens Wood zinfandel. Better to get a bottle here that to have the overpriced Mission Hill at GM Place, er, Rogers Arena aka the Phone Booth.

We got an order of the Nachos, which was supposed to come with chorizo sausage. Well, it arrived and we were shocked by the size of it. It's normally $16 on the menu, but it was definitely not worth that! It was really small, and the chips were a little disappointing. Thin and flavourless.

And to make matters worse, the chorizo sausage was more like the bacon bits that you can get at Safeway. Flavourless and soggy. Not good.

The next dish to arrive were their Kobe meatballs. I had lowered my expectations due to the disappointing nachos, but these were good! Loved the shaved parmesan on top...

I had to force myself to stop eating the whole thing before taking a picture. It was juicy, tender and really good. These were well worth the money for $6.

Took off after this and headed to the concert. Here are a few of the pictures from the night.

The opening act - Semi Precious Weapons

She's here!

The entrance

Doing her thing...

Rocking the crowd

Haute couture

Gorgeous

So sexy

Dancing up a storm

A view of the crowd

Talent...

What an outfit

Oh, I'm scared of heights

So pretty

The encore

The finale
All in all, a great night and a great concert courtesy of @bennettchin. Thank you for an amazing night.