My love of food...

Wednesday, 21 August 2013

Topanga's

Many a year ago, an old colleague of mine (who rocks, for the record) recommended Topanga's. He raved about it so much, I almost walked over to the restaurant right then and there and had dinner. Alas, I didn't follow my gut, I didn't do that, and it's been tempting me ever since! So, I finally got my act together and went this summer and it was definitely worth the raving. It probably didn't hurt that my company was great, but the food was delicious, their patio is awesome, the portions were out of control, the prices were reasonable, the service was fabulous and the restaurant had such a nice feel to it. I especially liked all of the families that were there that night. So, needless to say, I would recommend doing as I say and not as I do, and getting your butt down to Topanga's sooner than later! You definitely won't regret it.

My dining partner's Enchilada serviced with chips, salsa, rice and beans. ($12.55)

My Chicken Flautas served with chips, salsa, rice and beans. ($14.15) Amazing! I'd definitely have to say these were the best chicken flautas I've had so far.

http://topangacafe.ca/

Twitter: @TopangaCafe

Tuesday, 20 August 2013

Sciué

I recently met up with some of my favourite lunching ladies and we decided to be wild and spontaneous and switch up our eating location! Where did we end up? Sciué. I forgot how enjoyable lunch there is. You're out of the hustle and bustle of the regular lunch rush, the food is yummy and fresh, and the patio on Melville is lovely. Definitely a nice way to mix it up. Now, on to the food!

The selection of fresh paninis and desserts (sold by sandwiches or treat).

Pizza galore! Sold by weight.

My Taormina Paninoteca: prosciutto crudo, bocconcini, avocado, roma tomatoes, organic greens and pesto on a fresh pane Romano bun. ($8) This was a very yummy sandwich and fresh as can be. But it wasn't quite enough to fill me up for lunch, so I'd recommend getting a salad as well, if you're really hungry.

My Large Italian Salad: fresh roma tomatoes, cucumber and red onions, tossed in a balsamic vinegar reduction with extra virgin olive oil and served with bread from the bakery. ($5.75) Note: the small salad and large salad are the same size. The difference is that the large salad you get chunks of tomatoes whereas in the small salad you get fewer slices of tomato.

http://www.sciue.ca/

Twitter: @sciuevancouver

Monday, 19 August 2013

Super Thai

I don't know about you, but new food trucks seem to be popping up left, right and center in Vancouver. I love it!!! I was super excited when I checked the Vancouver Food App the other day and discovered Super Thai. So excited, that my long-legged food truck venturing friend and I decided that we should try it for lunch that very day. The conclusion? Lovely, yummy, authentic (as far as I could tell, but I'm not a Thai expert), fresh (each dish is made fresh to order), solid portions and good prices. Definitely one to try. So, let the pictures tantalize your taste buds and then get your butts down there to satisfy them!

Things to note: (1) Cash only. (2) Super Thai is located at Granville and Hastings. (3) As the food is made fresh to order, there is a bit of a wait to order and then get your dish. But the freshness makes up for it. (4) At first my long-legged food trucking adventuring friend and I were at a loss as to where we could sit to eat our meal. We decided we'd meander further North to the Vancouver Sun building. Low and behold, there are benches and picnic tables overlooking the North Shore, port and railway tracks, just to the right of the Vancouver Sun building. It was amazing!

Pad Thai: rice noodles, chicken, tofu, shrimp, egg, bean sprouts and peanuts on the side. Yummy in my tummy! ($8.00)

Thai Green Curry with Chicken: coconut milk, eggplant, green beans and basil. Served with Jasmine Rice. ($8.50) Very nice.

The menu.

The X that marks the spot.

The panoramic view from our picnic table!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Super-Thai-Food/503051076410387

Twitter: @superthaifood

Friday, 16 August 2013

Campfire Ban S'mores

If you're anything like me, camping just isn't camping without s'mores. So, when I went camping with friends on the long weekend, we were crushed to find out that a campfire ban came into effect the day that we arrived. We fully understood and respected the ban, but camping just isn't camping without a campfire!

We'd packed our s'mores goodies just in case the campfire ban miraculously lifted mid-weekend, but we were down to our last night and no such luck. That's when one of our fellow campers (we'll call her the S'more Saviour) asked if we had the s'more goodies somewhere. Everyone thought she was craving a marshmallow, but she said that she wanted to make a s'more. We were all confused, until she pulled out her butane torch that she uses to make crème brûlée!!! Complete and utter brilliance! I have never seen a group of adults so excited in my life. Totally made the camping trip complete....thanks S'more Saviour!

Things to note:

This is a two-person job. There needs to be proper rotation and focused roasting, people!
As there's no fire grate to melt your chocolate over, we concluded that in the future we'd place the chocolated graham cracker on a skillet over the camp stove and see if that would work in the same way.

And in the event that you're not in a campfire ban area...try this fabulous idea created by the Ultimate Camper:

Take a waffle cone and place chocolate bits and marshmallows into it in layers.
Wrap the cone in tinfoil.
Place in the fire until toasty warm and melted.
Open up that yummy goodness and enjoy!

Roasting in progress!

S'more making!

My s'more! Okay, I'll admit it...there may have been a s'more appy and a s'more dessert!

Thursday, 15 August 2013

Chou Chou breton crêpes

Folks, if you make your way to Food Cart Fest this weekend and are overwhelmed by the plethora of deliciousness surrounding you, here are some guidelines to survive:

Make sure you do a full walk of the food truck circle prior to purchasing anything. There is an unlimited abyss of yummy goodness, but only so much room in your belly!
Pick your favourite meal for lunch and enjoy.
Make sure to leave enough room for two desserts (you know you want to!)
Ensure Chou Chou breton crêpes works into your food truck equation in some, way, shape or form.

I had the pleasure of eating at Chou Chou breton crêpes a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved it! I had the homemade Strawberry Rhubarb crêpe as one of my two desserts and it was to die for! Hot right off the presses, a truly homemade strawberry-rhubarb sauce with natural sweetness (not sugary at all) and just a touch of melted butter on the crêpe. When I got to the last bite, I didn't want it to end!

Not to mention, the lady who runs this truck is a machine! All by herself, churning out three crêpes at a time in unison as fast as Usain Bolt runs the 100m. The only help she gets is in the money department. I do believe it's her Mom in the back who she passes the money to and gets the change back from. The whole process truly was a focused art form. It was amazing to watch! Although, I have to admit my favourite part was her sign: "CAUTION French Woman at Work." Classic!

The French woman hard at work.

The oh-so scrumptious menu.

My homemade Strawberry Rhubarb crêpe! ($5.50)

Not excited at all!

Catering? Sign me up!

https://www.facebook.com/ChouchouBretonCrepes

Twitter: @chouchoucrepes

http://www.foodcartfest.com/#home
Twitter: @ArrivalAgency

Tuesday, 6 August 2013

Johnny's Pops

Johnny's Pops definitely supports the theory that size does not matter. Despite the fact that this is the smallest food truck that I've encountered so far, the scrumptious handmade popsicles that come out of it are up there with the best food that the Vancouver food trucks have to offer! I ordered a Raspberry basil and it was literally like eating puréed frozen raspberries with a hint of basil. Amazing! I could have eaten another three! So, if you're out and about, are craving something cool and happen to see Johnny and his food truck...make a bee-line for it.

Johnny and his truck.

The menu.

Me and my oh so yummy popsicle! The popsicles were $5 this day since a portion of the proceeds were being donated to charity. I believe they're normally $4.

http://johnnys-pops.com/

Twitter: @JohnnysPops

Friday, 2 August 2013

Roundel Cafe with a side of Vancouver

Roundel Cafe is officially at the top of my favourite brunch places and up until last weekend I didn't even know it existed! I went for a hike (good old Dog Mountain on Seymour) with two of my favourite fitness companions and after working up a solid appetite, we decided that the only logical way to reward ourselves was with brunch! One of the ladies suggested the Roundel Cafe based on a google search, and we're sure glad that we decided to try something new.

The Roundel Cafe is absolutely lovely! The diner itself has been around for years and still has the original counter, stools, booths...you name it. However, it doesn't feel like a greasy spoon diner. It feels like you stepped back fifty years in time to your Grandma's kitchen. The servers are laid-back, efficient and real. The food is homemade (no store bought sauces here!) and there are no fried foods. Add to that that the food is delicious and the prices are normal, you can't go wrong!

My spinach and tomato and feta benny. Two free range poached eggs topped with homemade dill hollandaise, roasted potatoes and yams and salad. ($13) Heavenly! I had to consciously stop myself from making happy eating noises.