Friday, 30 March 2012

Slurpee, Pork Chop & Chocolate Chip Cookies

So I finally got to see the place where mama Gen & her BF get there awesome slurpee, it is a small little neighborhood store. Usually when you have slurpee if you drink a lot of it at once or it melts you are left with ice which means watery taste no more flavor but this one is different even if you do either the flavor is still there. The slurpee machines they have is 1 out of few in the world, the only down side is they only have 1 flavour…pepsi. But it is still really good slurpee. Didn't get to see the name of the store but it is located in Coquitlam on Como Lake. Mama Gen's BF also got use some cute pens from the store.

My BFF recommended me to try hot milk with cinnamon. Cinnamon is suppose to be good for your skin. I didn't like it, maybe it is the cinnamon we have I didn't taste any cinnamon in the drink. Wondering if trying it with cinnamon sticks would be better, maybe try next time.

Mama Gen made me pork chop with cauliflower & rice for lunch yesterday. I don’t eat a lot of pork anymore since hanging out with my BFF but it was really good. Thanks to Mama Gen for feeding me good food (^_^)
 
I made some Chocolate chip cookies yesterday, they turned out ok very crunchy. I got the recipe from allreceipe.com but I did one thing different I let the dough sit in the fridge overnite, which was recommended by one of the reviewers. I will probably try a different recipes next time to find the one that is so good that I can't stop eating them...wondering if that is such a good idea or not.

Thursday, 29 March 2012

Beautiful BC - Light House Park, UBC & White Rock

Lighthouse Park is located in West Vancouver, you can get there by public transit. It is a nice place for a hike, nothing difficult. The lighthouse itself is offlimits but you can see if from the distance.


Pacific Spirit Regional Park is the 1st park I went to when I first moved to BC. It is by the University Of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver and accessible by public transit. The trails are easy but I haven’t walked them in a long time since I heard someone was attacked, I usually hike by myself so I rather not take the risk and there is not much to see on the trail. My favorite place was to go down to the beach but not anymore because a big part of the beach is clothing optional…nude beach. Before I thought only a small section was clothing optional but last time I went almost all of the beach is…awkward…One naked guy actually starting talking to me…super awkward….So the only time I can go now is when it is cold out but it is a really beautiful place in the summer time (>_<)


White Rock is a city in BC, you can get there by public transit but be prepared for a long trip depending on where you start from, for me it takes about 1 hour ½ to get there from Coquitlam.  A little history or interesting fact (^_^) White Rock is named for a distinctive large white boulder located on the beach close by the promenade. Last time I went I found the white rock, was nothing special maybe that is why I never noticed it the other times I went. When I am in White Rock I go to the pier and promenade, it is a nice place to walk & relax.
 


Monday, 26 March 2012

Insadong Restaurant, Thierry Cafe & Yoko Sushi

This weekend I ate out a lot...crazy....Insadong is a Korean restaurant right by my place which I have been to a few time for Korean BBQ...I went here twice over the weekend. Once for lunch for a friend's birthday, we had Korean BBQ and another time for dinner which I finally got to try other dishes on the menu. I had Dolsot Bibimbap which was ok but good price for the stone bowl type. The service has improved a lot since the last time I was there but still need to ring them to get more tea. The Interior is nice but for dinner it was really cold but warmed up when we started eating. Probably would go back again to try other stuff on the menu since I live so close by and it isn't as bad as I thought it was before.

      Food: 4/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 5/5




BBQ Beef, Seafood Tofu Soup & Dolsot Bibimbap
Thierry Cafe is located in downtown Vancouver, I highly recommend this place. Most of the desserts we order were really good...LOVED the Lemon & Chocolate Tart..sooo good. We ordered 2 Lycee Macaroon...not my favorite, I think in general macaroon's aren't that tasty for me...this was my 2nd time trying. I don't know why they cost so much. Also the Black forest cake wasn't one of my favorites either it was way to rich for me and it has alcohol in it which I could taste...a no no. Ordered a Latte so I could take picture of the design on top (^_^) the latte itself was way to strong and bitter for me but then again I don't drink coffee. The service was good, they were friendly. The interior inside was very classy but small. There are only a few tables inside and they seem very close together. We had to find a table outside to eat are desserts, even thought they had heating lamb it was still so cold. Eating outside would be nice in the summer not recommend for cold weather.  The price was ok, not overly expensive but not cheap either but well worth it for the yummy desserts. Would definitely come back again to try more of there desserts, especially the ones I wanted to try from the reviews I read but they didn't have them that day.

      Food: 5/5             Service: 5/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 4/5
 


Lemon Tart, Chocolate Tart, Black Forest Cake & Lycee Macaroon

Latte, inside of Macaroon & desserts divided 3-ways
Yoko Sushi is located in Coquilam. I have passed by this place so many times on my way home from work before. The food was ok, I loved the presentation of each dish. The service was not very attentive, they didn't come back to refill our tea but the food arrived quickly (we were hungry). I love the interior, it was nice & clean. The price was reasonable. I think I would come back again.

     Food: 4/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 5/5             Price: 4/5


Avocado growing in a glass cup...very interesting

Ranibow Roll, some kind of Maki Roll, Sara Roll, Miso Soup,
Agedashi Tofu, Crunch Roll, Red Dragon Roll & Assorted Sashimi

Sunday, 25 March 2012

Random Stuff: Advil, Chips, Plant & Stickers

So I read that Advil Liquid Gels can help reduce redness & the size of pimples. For me I'm not sure if it helps a lot, I think it reduce the size a little bit but redness is still there so not really that effective so far from what I can see. No idea how you are suppose to open the capsule gels without making a big mess. First I tried using a knife....that didn't work then I used scissors and it did cut through but so messy. Maybe I will give it another try again but I will need to buy more Advil Liquid Gels...not sure if I want to spend money on it or not (the one I used last time was from a friend).



Was craving Chips or more like Tortilla with Salsa & Guacamole. So got some from Extra Foods...yummy...




My co-worker gave me another plant to add to my collection...I don't remember the name of the plant again (bad memory >_<) but it is some kind of flower. I really hope it will grow and I will get to see it bloom.



My order of stickers came from eBay. I wanted alphabet stickers for sticking on my Kobo & Playbook. One of the sellers gave me an extra pack of stickers for free, sticker of clothes...don't have much use for it though. The quality of the stickers aren't that great but you get what you paid for. I paid 0.99 cent each for them...but they add a little something to my Kobo & Playbook (^_^) just hope they stay on.


Thursday, 22 March 2012

More Restaurants: Afterglow, Bellaggio & Tempest Lounge

My thoughts on a few restaurants/lounge downtown that I have tried. First is Afterglow in Yaletown it's part of the Global Grill, we went here last year to celebrate me & my friends birthday & also a farewell to another friend who moved to Thailand (>_<) I miss him. The food I had wasn't that great & it was expensive. The service was good. The interior was ok, a lot smaller then I thought it would be and it got super crowded (good thing I made reservations and arrived early). And the crowded at the place wasn't that great. It was either younger or older. I don't think I would ever go back here again.

      Food: 2/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 2/5


From left to right top to bottom: Calamari, Lamb Shank (my dish), Spaghetti Meatballs

Steak Tartar (disgusting >_<) & a lot of shots
Also for my birthday last year my friend treated me to watch the show Cavalia (it was awesome) after that we went to look for a place to eat, we randomly choose Bellaggio Cafe. We ordered pizza, I loved the crust of the pizza...it was so good but I didn't like the topping. The service was ok. The interior was very old style with old posters on the wall & the area where we sat had old books everywhere. The price was kind of expensive but I guess that is the price you pay for gourmet pizza. I would like to go back again and try the other types of pizza they have.

       Food: 4/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 4/5




My friends & I last year decided to go watch the hockey game downtown. Personally I am not a sports fan, I don't play it or watch it but it's fun to hang out with friends. We had originally picked a different location to watch but it was packed (Vancouver people love hockey...crazy) and they were charging people $10 each to sit at a table (rip off) so we went looking for another place to watch the game and that is when we found Tempest Lounge. It was empty in there but I don't know why the food there is pretty good. I had a grilled chicken burger and I liked it. The services was pretty good and the interior was pretty nice, comfortable & clean. The price was regular for what you would pay for a burger at a restaurant. I would go back again with friends...maybe not to watch a game (sorry it was boring) but just to hang out and talk.

      Food: 5/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 5/5             Price: 4/5

Tuesday, 20 March 2012

Random Stuff: Junk Food, Buns & Nail Polish

My cousin went to the U.S. last monday and brought back some goodies....spicy cheetos. They don't sell spicy Cheeto here in Canada which I find wired since most of the people I know LOVE them. My cousin gave me a bag (^_^) back to my candy craving phase...sooo bad (>_<) but I didn't over do it this time, I only bought 2 bulk bags. I'm always hungry at work so I snack on dried fruit...bought 3 big bags of dried cranberries and 2 different types of raisins.


My aunt bought some pineapple buns from Saint Germain Bakery at Metrotown since my uncle raved about how good they tasted. She gave me 1 to try out, I was disappointed wasn't good at all. I prefer Sun Fresh bakery in Chinatown a lot better. The top part that is suppose to look like pineapple was very thin, barely anything there and the rest of the bun just didn't taste right. So the only thing for now that I would recommend at Saint Germain Bakery are there Puff Egg Tarts.



I am in LOVE with Holographic nail polish but sadly I only own one (>_<) Milani 3D Holographic High Tech. I haven't seen any around so far, even the Milani one I can't find anymore since it is not part of there regular collection. I got mines at Sears for around $6.00.

Milani 3D Holographic High Tech

Some of the nail polish I own. All from Secret Nails

Monday, 19 March 2012

Come Along Seafood Restaurant

Come Along Seafood Restaurant in Vancouver is the restaurant I go for dim sum with my family since it is close by to my grandma's place and she doesn't like to travel too far. The food is pretty good...there are some misses but overall good. Last time we had fried squid that was yummy but the fried rice noodle with beef wasn't that great. The service is pretty good but when it gets busy it can get a bit crazy. The interior is nothing really special but the lighting is good with the natural light. Can always get some good pictures there but the tables can be too close together. The price is good for the amount of food you get...always leave full. I don't mind going back again with my family...once in awhile that is...

        Food: 4/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 5/5

My grandma & me

from left to right top to bottom: Steamed Pork Dumplings, Steamed Shrimp Dumplings, 
Chicken Feet, Fried Shrimp Spring Rolls, Fried Squid with Spicy Salt, Fried Fish

from left to right top to bottom: Fried Noodle, Fried Rice Noodle with Beef, Sticky Rice

Saturday, 17 March 2012

Cooking - Rice Noodle with Beef Soup, Salmon with Mixed Vegetables & Other Food

My first attempt at making Rice Noodle with Beef Soup was only ok but didn't taste the same like how my mom makes it. When she makes it I can't stop eating it...it's sooo GOOD. Will need to call her and attempt to make it again. But the soup was still ok, here is the recipe for this version

What you need:
-1 cube of Pho soup seasoning (I got this from my mom but I saw it at my local Asian supermarket)
-rice noodles
-beef cut into cubes
-green onion



1. cook the noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and place in bowl.
2. following instructions on package for the pho soup seasoning but also add the beef with the soup base to cook.
3. pour the soup into the noodle bowl & add green onions.

Salmon with mixed Vegetables

I was really lazy last week to make anything the night before for lunch, so I came up with something quick that I can make in the morning, Salmon with Vegetables. Very easy to make

What you need:
-Salmon
-mushroom
-red & yellow pepper
-avocado
-baby tomatoes
-black pepper
-olive oil



1. Heat a pan with some olive oil & add some black pepper then add the salmon. Flip salmon over after a few mins & add some more black pepper to the other side of salmon.
2. add avocado, baby tomatoes, red & yellow pepper. Add black pepper to taste.
3. cook until veg's & salmon are cooked



Was really craving Vietnamese sub for awhile and I finally got one yesterday at Pho 99. Was disappointed with it, doesn't taste as good as it did before (>_<) will need to find a good place that has good subs. I got to try some more Persian food today, my second time having Persian food. This one I liked a lot better then the last one, the beef & rice was soo good. I hope I will get to try more Persian food in the future, since my BFF is Persian after all. Also was craving the mixed cooked vegetable dish I made so made some more today (^_^)

Friday, 16 March 2012

Bibimbap

The first Korean food I ever had was bibimbap & that was in Toronto. Where it is cheap & good. Last summer my BFF & I tried 3 places (sort of) in the Burcoquitlam area (this is the boarder between Burnaby & Coquitlam) trying to find good bibimbap but no luck.

The first one we went to was Good Friends Restaurant. We order bibimbap and it wasn't that great. The services was ok. I LOVED the interior of this place, it had a very warm feeling to it. With it's green & yellow walls & cute/pretty displays of flowers and pots. The price was typical BC price for bibimbap which is around $10-12 depending on if you get it in a stone bowl or not (price is higher for stone bowl). I usually prefer stone bowl if they have, I like the taste of it better that way. Not sure if I would go back to try other stuff on there menu or not...maybe...maybe not.....

       Food: 3/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 5/5             Price: 4/5



The 2nd place we went to was Spicy House...ok more like we sat down at a table and were given a menu then left because they didn't have bibimbap on there menu & we didn't know any of the dishes on the menu...so we left (>_<) so I can't say if this place is good or not. I think I need my Korean sister here before I can go back and try.

The last place we went to was called Jinro, I think because no English sign only Korean but that is the name on the menu. They didn't have the stone bowl bibimbap (>_<) which in the end didn't really matter because it was only ok, a bit better then Good Friends but wouldn't go back to have it again. The service was ok. The interior nothing exciting, very oldest feeling. Read reviews that there BBQ is good but service only the fatty meat....which I don't like so probably wouldn't be going back.

       Food: 3/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 3/5             Price: 4/5

Koreana Restaurant in Coquitlam. I had bibimbap here once back in 2010, from what I remember it was good but I think I was hungry at that time so not a good time to judge. So I well have to go back again to try it out again. The last time I went we had Korean BBQ which was pretty good. We choose a combo and it came with a variety of meat, sweet & sour pork (i think), a soup & korean dumpings. They give you lettuce to wrap your meat with which is the way I was taught how to eat Korean BBQ but not every place gives you lettuce for free, they charge extra (>_<) The Service was good, the interior is nice & the price wasn't too bad. I would go back again.

       Food: 5/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 5/5             Price: 4/5

Taken with Canon PowerShot SX200 IS 

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Cooking - Penne With Chicken Marengo

Another recipe from "Prevention Guide 30-Minute Chicken Dinner" this time Penne With Chicken Marengo

what you need:
-8 oz penne
-1/2 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes
-1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into chunks
-1 tbsp all-purpose flour
-1/2 tsp dried thyme
-1/4 tsp ground black pepper
-1 tbsp olive oil
-3 cups sliced mushrooms
-1/2 cup chicken broth
-1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes in puree
-1/2 cup orange juice
-1 tsp grated orange zest
-1 tsp brown sugar
-1/8 tsp salt



1. in a bowl of boiling water soak the sun-dried tomatoes for 5 to 10 mins. When softened, drain & chop coarsely. Set aside.
2. cook pasta according to package directions. Drain & transfer to serving bowl.
3. place chicken with flour, thyme & pepper into a ziplock bag & toss.
4. Heat oil in skillet over high heat until hot. Add chicken & cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown.
5. Add mushrooms & 2 tbsp of broth. cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are soften & begin to release their water.
6. add tomatoes with puree, orange juice, orange zest, sugar, salt, sun-dried tomatoes & remaining broth.
7. bring to a boil, scraping bottom of pan with wooden spoon to release browned bits. Reduce heat to med-low & simmer until sauce is thickened & flavors are blended. Pour mixture over penne & toss to coat.

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Phnom Penh Again

Went back to Phnom Penh again but this time with my cousin. Again ordered the fried chicken soo good (^_^) Also got the Mango Moo Shake again but this time the mango was sour but it was still ok. My cousin got the Strawberry Shake, the fresh (frozen) strawberry weren't that good taste watery to me. We order Lemon Grass Chicken with Rice. We ordered too much chicken, totally didn't think about that until after our order came. The Lemon Grass Chicken was only ok, don't think I would order it again though. I would rather try other stuff on the menu next time. And I was expecting it to be the breast part that they give you but they gave you all the parts, not that this mades it bad just wasn't use to seeing it that way. The Lemon Grass Chicken also came with a small bowl of pork bone soup, it was good but not a lot of meat on the pork bone. My cousin liked the Fried Chicken....soo good...

Pork Bone Soup, Lemon Grass Chicken with Rice & Fried Chicken

Mango Moo Shake & Strawberry Shake

Monday, 12 March 2012

Cooking - Pad Thai

Made Pad Thai over the weekend. I followed this recipe on AllRecipes.com not sure if this is how authentic Pad Thai is suppose to taste like but I like it. I have only had good Pad Thai once at a restaurant & that was back in Winnipeg, so far no luck in finding anything good in Vancouver.

Sunday, 11 March 2012

Birthday Gift - Nail Polish

One of my friends birthday is coming up so I got her nail polish as her gift. These are the ones I got her:
-O.P.I Are We There Yet (peachy-orange)
-O.P.I Dutch Tulips (red-pinkish)
-China Glaze Nasty (purple-pinkish)
-China Glaze Shower Together (turquoise)
-China Glaze First & Last Top Coat
All nail polish from Secret Nails. I hope she likes them (^_^)



Also at Secret Nails I got a bottle of nail polish thinner for myself since the nail polish I have (most of them) are going bad. I got it for under $4 for 4oz bottle, seems to be working well.