Ki Hon Sushi

Went out for dinner yesterday with some of the girls for sushi at Ki Hon Sushi in Coquitlam. The food was good, I order Lunch Special Box B which came with miso soup, ebi sunomono, 1/2 California roll, 1 ebi, assorted tempura, beef teriyaki & a salad. It was a lot of food & for a  very good price 10.95 (+tax & tip)...I was SUPER full. The service on the other hand wasn't that great, nobody came to refill our tea. The interior is ok, the restaurant is small. We got the biggest table which was just enough space for 4 people, if our party was bigger we wouldn't be able to seat together. The restaurant closes at 8:30 which is really early (>_<) but it is in Coquitlam so it is to be expected. I would go back again.

       Food: 5/5             Service: 3.5/5            Ambiance: 4/5             Price: 5/5

I had a good time spending time with my friends, I don't get to see them a lot...so it is good to meet up & catch up. Hopefully I will get to see them more often from now on (^_^)

Le Petit Saigon

Went for dinner yesterday at Le Petit Saigon with a group of friends in Vancouver. Wasn’t really that hungry when I went so I just had a small pho. The food was only ok nothing special. The service was quick, interior was ok. Price was cheap. Don’t think I would go back here myself since the Pho at Pho 99 taste a lot better. 
         
       Food: 3/5             Service: 5/5            Ambiance: 3/5             Price: 5/5

Jugo Juice & Cardero's

In the middle of our walk to see the Terracotta Warriors we stopped once to get a drink at Jugo Juice. My first time ordering a drink there. My BFF ordered the Carrot Apple drink (I didn't like it that much) & I ordered the Watermelon Wiggle which had watermelon, mango & tropical nectar. The Drink was ok not something I would crave though.

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

After seeing the last Terracotta Warrior we went for dinner at Cardero’s Restaurant which was close by. My BFF & I both had the salmon burger it was really good, melt in your mouth & fresh. The service was good, our waiter was nice he gave us our bill & told us no pressure to leave just sit as long as we want even though we told him that there is probably people waiting for a table, he said it’s ok they can wait ^_^ never had a waiter tell us that before. The Ambiance was nice, we got a table outside in the patio which we had view of the mountains & it was by the water. Price is high but that is what you expect to pay for a gourmet burger downtown. I would go back here again if I am in the area, not too often since it is pricier.

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

Gem Sushi & Watermelon Candy

Went for sushi at Gem Sushi in Coquitlam on Saturday with Mama Gen & company. This sushi restaurant is owned by Chinese people. The food there was only OK, service was OK, interior wasn’t anything interesting but clean & price was average. Not a place I would intently go to for sushi but maybe if I am in the area.

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

Mama Gen bought me some Maynards sour watermelon candy…was kind of depressed so I ate the whole box that night but now I am a bit better. Not really my favorite candy, wasn't really sour & didn't have much taste to it but I can't say no to candy unless it is really disgusting...like black licorice.

Java Hut Cafe

Yesterday my boss treated us to sandwiches at the Java Hut Cafe for Administration Appreciation Day. I ordered a turkey, bacon sandwich but I didn't eat my sandwich until dinner since I already brought a lunch. The sandwich was good but not worth the price. The service is good, the ladies are friendly. Ambiance was nothing special. They only accept cash here. Overall I don't know if I would ever go back here again since the price doesn't really appeal to me.

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

Busy Friday

Friday was a busy day with picking up my brother...the right date this time (^_^) & eating out the whole day. I ate lunch out that day because I didn't want to carry to much stuff with me. I went with one of my co-workers to Cheers Restaurant & Catering which I read some good reviews on for it's cheap good food. I ordered the lamb Slovakia which came with potatoes, rice, bread & a salad for $7.99. The lamb & the bread were good, everything else didn't taste good not Greek at all but for the cheap price you can't really expect that much. My co-worker ordered the cheeseburger which came with fries, onion rings & bottomless coffee or pop for only $6.99. She said the cheeseburger was only OK. The service was only OK, a bit slow but then again that could be because we were in a rush to get back to work and we didn't tell them to put a rush on our food. The interior was nothing special, kind of disorganized & mix-matched. If I ever go back I would like to try there breakfast next time. They have some breakfast deal for $5.

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

Vancouver International airport or YVR has been ranked best airport in North America for the third time this year (^_^)

For dinner I went with my brother, his GF & our cousins to sushiholic for sushi. My brothers GF wanted sushi, so I tried to find a place close by. We ordered a Rainbow roll $9.95, 12 pcs of assorted tempura $10.95 & sushiholic tray which is 54 pcs of sushi for only $23.95. The food was OK, I thought the batter used on the tempura was really good but the sushi was nothing really special. The price was really good for the tray but the other stuff were just standard price. The service was good but very busy so most of the time you will need to call them over to refill tea. The interior was nice. I would go back to this sushi place if I am in the area.

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

After sushi we decided to go for dessert downtown to Thierry again. This time the desserts weren't that great. We ordered fruit tart which was OK but nothing really special about it. This time they had the passion fruit mousse that I wanted to try, it was OK but really sour. And the chocolate tart was way too rich in flavor. So Thierry is very hit or miss.

My brother & his GF got me some gifts (^_^) from there trip. Some beautiful scarves, a nice hair brush, bling doggie, hanging sky lantern from Taiwan & dried guava which didn't taste good (>_<)

It was nice seeing my brother & his GF again, there are many times when I do miss having my family around. I hope they can come back to visit longer next time.

Recent Purchase & My Addiction

Had a craving for Reeses peanut better cups so I purchased some Reese Mini ‘s. Also think I am getting a little bit sick again so got some NeoCitran just in case.

Thinking about my childhood and one type of food popped into my head Fried Dace with salted black beans. I found it at T&T but expensive now, it cost under $1 before but now it is over $3. I purchased one, still taste the same as before (^_^) good good. It taste good with rice but I ate some of it just as is…was too lazy to make rice.

I purchased NYX NP 32 South Sea nail polish on sale for $1.99 at Price Smart Foods. The color is very opaque so you will need a few coats. I have not used it on its own yet, I have used it on top of another color to add some shine to it and it looks nice.

After going to The Golden Boot the first time I have been wanting to go back, so last Friday I went back with my BFF. My BFF ordered the Pizza Imola - mozzarella, chicken, brie & onion which I had for lunch the next day, it was ok but I prefer the one I ordered last time. I ordered the Lasagna alla Bolognese which was good but I should have just eaten half of it instead of the whole thing because it was way too much eating the whole thing. And we couldn’t leave without having the Tiramisu..yummy. I LOVE this place (^_^)

The Vancouver Sun Run & Save-On-Meat

The Vancouver Sun Run is an annual 10K race. One of my friends was in it. I followed the race for a bit then took skytrain to the finish line to snap some shots of my friend when she past the first line (^_^)

After the race we went for lunch at Save-On-Meat in Gastown. It is a nice little place in a not so great neighborhood but it is a busy place. The food is good, I ordered the Club Sandwich & also got the Signature Chocolate Bacon Cookie which wasn't bad it taste like a regular cookie with a hint of bacon taste. The service was good & interesting diner interior. The price is good, so if you want to get good food for cheap this is the place. I would like to go back to try there All Day Breakfast & there interesting milkshakes.

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

Sweet Art Bakery & Cafe, Buddha-Full Juice & Smoothies & Taco Del Mar

Since I got the date wrong yesterday I didn’t bring a lunch to work because I didn’t want to carry too much stuff when I went to pick up my brother. So I had to eat out, I picked Sweet Art Bakery & Cafe which was close by & I read some good reviews on. A BIG disappointment, I ordered the Thai Chicken wrap which was OK on the first few bites but got a bit over powering after more bites. I also ordered a Cherry Danish since they are a bakery after all. BIG mistake…the worst Danish that I have ever had. There was barely any cherry filling and it didn’t even taste like cherries & the pastry looked & felt flaky & good but didn’t taste like anything. I have had better Danishes from my local supermarket. In the end I couldn’t finish it (>_<)  It is a nice looking place but food wise I would not go back again.

       Food: 2/5             Service: 4/5            Ambiance: 5/5             Price: 3/5

After my big disappointment at the Bakery & Café I decided to try out another place close by Buddha-Full Juice & Smoothies I ordered the Common Ground which is strawberries, banana & orange juice. It was ok but nothing that I think I would go back for. The price for the smoothies isn’t cheap but you are expected to pay more when it is made with real fruits. The interior was nice, had a hippie feel to it. Personal I wouldn’t be going back since drinks are pricey and only ok.

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

Last weekend we went out to eat Mexican at Taco Del Mar. I haven’t really tried much Mexican food, so I was totally lost on what to order. Mama Gen helped me out, I got 2 ground beef burritos. The food was ok but it is something I could probably make at home. The service was really friendly and the interior is nice for a fast food place. Overall I don’t think I would go back because the food doesn't really entice me.

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

Ramie’s Restaurant & The Golden Boot

Over the weekend I got to try 2 different restaurants one I didn’t like that much and one I LOVED. On Friday I meet up with a friend who I haven’t seen in a few years for dinner. I choose a Greek place called Ramie’s Restaurant in Burnaby that I read some good reviews on and it is close by to where my friend lives and is on my way back from work. Was really disappointed with the food, I order calamari and it came too quickly, was cold and was only ok. I also had Roasted Lamb which was good and my friend had Lamb Slovakia which I felt was a little burnt. I thought the portions were small, since I was able to finish both the calamari & lamb. So I don’t think it was worth it for the price. The service wasn’t that great, when my friend & I finished eating and we sat & talked nobody came by to refill are water & I kind of got the feeling that they wanting us to pay & leave. The interior was nothing too special but I liked that we got a seat beside the window. Overall I don’t think I would go back there again.

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

 On Sunday I meet up with another friend to celebrate her belated birthday. This time I chose an Italian restaurant called The Golden Boot in Coquitlam. Which was close by to us & another friend said was really good. My friend ordered Veal and Spinach Cannelloni & I got the Pizza Victoria which had Mozzarella,Roasted Pepper,Tomato,Onion & Spinach both sooo good. The pizza was made with fresh ingredients, the crust was just perfect not greasy at all. The price wasn’t bad for what we ordered, I ordered a large pizza & I had left over’s for my BFF (she LOVED it too) & for lunch the next day. We also ordered Tiramisu for dessert…It was sooooo good. The service was good, very friendly. The interior & atmosphere was nice. I definitely will be coming back again.

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

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

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