But with some time to kill, I made a stop into Caffe Artigiano on Granville. This particular coffee shop was a regular stop for me when I would walk by to catch my bus, that is until, I realized I was spending $4 a day, almost every day. One of my favorite lattes here is the Spanish Latte. Made like a regular latte, it consists of a small blend of condensed milk, making it creamier and sweeter.

After my meeting, I spent the entire morning walking around Yaletown. It was such a lovely day. I, of course, tried to convinced myself not to spend any money on things I didn’t need, but walking into the several home decor stores, I always seem to give into my weakness. Not wanting to hop on the skytrain, I decided to walk the few more blocks to Commune Cafe.

Outside, the sign reads “Those Who Eat Together, Stay Together” which I wholeheartedly agree. There’s something unique about food as a social experience. Oddly enough, when I was there, everyone, including myself was sitting at tables for one.

Not sure what to eat since it was that odd time (after breakfast and before lunch) I grabbed a slice of Erin Ireland’s To Die For Banana Bread. This version is different than the one at Granville Island, made with Macadamia nuts and Callebaut chocolate rather than infused with bacon. While this version was moist and satisfied some of my curiosity, I would rather have gone out and bought a whole loaf to get an accurate impression of the banana bread. I’m pretty sure my slice was robbed of the usual goodness on top.

Commune Cafe – 1002 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC

So, apparently, walking around all day without my usual orthodic support was not only a bad idea, it was a painful one. That evening, without much pressure, my right knee took a hit which resulted in a displaced knee cap; displaced as in pushed to the side of my leg. I am still in shock that I was able to pop my knee cap back in without a second thought, though, I must admit, some obscenities did go through my head at the time.

Jaden is quite scared of my crutches since he keeps barking at them. But a few treats can lure him to sit next to me as a loyal canine companion should.

The purpose of driving down to Fort Langley was an day for afternoon tea and antiquing. Above, the afternoon tea set from Little White House Salon Cafe. The selection included: Egg Salad on mini Croissants, Rosemary Shortbread Cookies, Feta and Tomato Quiche, Sausage Rolls, Cucumber & Cream Cheese Open-Faced Sandwiches, Assorted Scones, Creme Brûlée Macaron, Bacon and Maple Macaron and finally, Red Velvet and White Chocolate Cupcakes.

While the food wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, the cute little cafe was. Nestled inside a house, the Salon is also home to a boutique featuring home decor, clothing and linens which occupy the different rooms in the house.

So cute, you can get lost in here. Admittedly, such a girly thing to do.  And of course, I didn’t exactly walk out of there empty handed. Below, my new owl tea cup.

Little White House & Co. – 9090 Glover Road, Fort Langley, B.C.

A few family friends are on a burger craze, or on the hunt for good burgers. One afternoon, they asked my family to join them at Burger Heaven. There isn’t really anything innovative about Burger Heaven, but at the same time, that doesn’t necessarily signify a bad thing.

Still, part of me is always drawn to the unique. I like things that are different and sometimes I like to think that I like things that no one else likes; but most of the time, that’s just my own perception.

Above –Thai Beef Burger: Topped with crunchy Peanut Butter, Green Onions and Sweet Thai Chili Sauce. I love peanut butter…I’m seriously going to slather peanut butter all over my burgers from now on.

Burger Heaven – 77 10th St, New Westminster, BC

What a lovely start to the May Long weekend here in BC.  An unplanned afternoon featuring a stop at Board of Trade, where I picked up yet another scarf and where just around the corner, Jas and Jer picked up banh mi from Ba Le. Layers of cold cuts, pickled radishes, cilantro and mayo on a delightfully crispy bun.

Ba Le Sandwich Shop – 633 Main St, Vancouver, BC

Onward.

To Granville Island. I haven’t been here for awhile, and the weather was perfect for a walk around the markets and pier. The afternoon was a leisure pace, sipping tea, perusing through vendors, gazing over the cheeses at Benton Brothers and sampling Erin Ireland’s To Die For Banana Bacon Banana Bread with Whipped Maple Butter at Edible Canada at the Market’s take out window — Coast to Coast, a Canadian’s Tribute to Bacon. Not to mention, I saw the cutest dog sitting in the basket of a bicycle, enjoying affection from strangers passing by.

And into the evening…

Richmond Night Market always seems like a good idea, that is, until you remember the lack of decent parking and good drivers; not to mention, the crowds of people who just stand. They stand for no reason, except to block other people. I personally loved night market as a kid because it was bonding time with my dad, though I must admit, the quality of vendors has steadily decreased. Once the kid looking for cheap lead pencils and folders adorned with Kerokerokeroppi, I now, with extreme pushiness, make my way to find food.

Our eats include the standard hurricane potatoes, curry fishballs, rice noodles and the like; but this year, I also found a particular interesting looking item known as “crunchy dog”. A skewered hot dog dipped in batter, covered in potatoes, deepfried and then sprinkled with seasoning and ketchup. Not very healthy, but then again, what street food is?

What a lovely day…with lovely company.

But I am talking about good cheese, not the cheese you get at your standard grocery store’s deli, I’m talking about the this-is-so freaking-good type of cheese. In fact, that’s actually how our server at Gundrun described the plate above.  The charcuterie consisted of Grey Owl Ash Goat Cheese, Avonlea White Cheddar, Merida Chorizo, Housemade Pâté, Czech Beer Salami accompanied by an assortment of mustards, olives, apples, mangoes, dates, figs and quince jam.

And the dish we all spent the last few days craving for…Appenzeller, Emmental, Gruyere, Wine, Kirsch and Fresh Nutmeg Fondue.

Our bread was served in little baskets, and when they arrived at our table I was delighted by how cute they were, so much so, that one server promised I could keep it while another server unfortunately scooped it up as he cleared our table.

For dessert…

Chocolate Pot de Creme with Peanut Butter Cookie Croutons.

Gundrun Tasting Room, if located somewhere else say Yaletown or Gastown, would be fitting though would surely have its fair share of competition. But here in Steveston the restaurant seems to have found a fitting nesting place, hidden from the main street. The space offers both small and long communal tables and with a spacious patio, it’s a great little nook for ushering those beloved, summer nights. And like many other restaurants in this community, the service here is lovely, with approachable and helpful servers.

With right ingredients and a little creativity, it really is hard to mess up cheese and that’s probably one of the reasons I love it so much — that and because it’s so freaking delicious.

Gundrun Tasting Room – 3500 Moncton St, Richmond, BC

I suppose it’s not quite summer yet, but the weather in Vancouver as of late has felt truly awesome. To celebrate Jenn’s birthday, in a somewhat belated manner, Allie, Jenn and I spent an afternoon in Steveston.

While taking a walk through the Steveston Village, we perused through various stores, tea shoppes, and walked around the pier to spy on the delicious looking seafood people were enjoying. We also had our geek moment looking around the main street at the various areas where Once Upon a Time is filmed.

Dinner was only an hour away but we still managed to get a bit of snacking in. First stop was at Bell’s Bake Shop, a cute yet cheeky bakery featuring an assortment of cupcakes. Top Left – Mango Italian Soda. I had the biggest craving for Italian Soda that day, or a Root Beer Float, or any soft drink for that matter. Top Right – Peanut Butter Swirl Brownie

Bell’s Bake Shop – 110 – 12211 First Avenue, Richmond, BC

Continuing on our walk, I saw a mini donut shop. In my mind, I just wanted to take a look, but in reality, that meant me walking out of that store with mini donuts to share. Truth be told, I am not a fan of places that give you the choice of many flavors, but offer quantities that don’t allow you to try all thems; it doesn’t bode well with my indecisive nature.  But the server at Outpost Mini Donuts saw my predicament and he kindly gave me one of each flavor, at the price of 1/2 dozen. This good fortune always happens to me when I’m with Jenn. Bottom Right and Middle –  Cinnamon Sugar, Powdered Sugar, Chocolate icing, Vanilla Icing, Maple Icing, Strawberries & Cream, Coconut Paradise and Grandma’s Lemon.

Outpost Mini Donut Co. – 110 – 12240 Second Avenue, Richmond, BC

A few weeks back, I had a job interview in the Downtown East Side, and shortly after, I popped into Save on Meats for lunch. Seeing as it was so busy, I headed into Gastown and popped into Salty Tongue instead. The long tables, created from the building’s original beam inside provides limited, yet communal seating. Above – Albacore Tuna Melt. I wasn’t a huge fan of this sandwich, but what I really enjoyed was their coffee.

Latte made with Stumpton Coffee — Hair Bender

I was hesitant to write this post, because well…like most people, I am not eager to show my areas of weakness.

As you may have guessed, the outcome of said interview was not in my favor. * No, I didn’t tell them I liked food. Though, perhaps that would have helped. It was definitely one of my better interviews though, the conversation flowed well, the compliments were plenty and my interviewers were impressed, but in the end, it just wasn’t that exact fit. And looking back, I feel that the candidate for that position should have been someone who would be able to exhibit a great passion for the causes the organization was working hard to address and admittedly, perhaps that person just wasn’t me.

Salty Tongue – 213 Carrall St, Vancouver, BC

Mother’s Day is here and one of the most common things daughters do is to take their moms for afternoon tea. For my mom and I, it’s not necessarily a celebratory activity, it’s more of “hey-let’s-go-eat-small-sandwiches-and-drink-tea”. It’s a favorite past time of ours, and so for Mother’s Day, I want to share a collection of our favorite afternoon tea memories.

Shangri-La Vancouver – This one sticks in our memory the most — simple treats prepared with high quality ingredients and served in the most delicate manner.

Shangri-La Hong Kong – Best part of travelling is having afternoon tea….everyday.

Langham Place - This hotel/mall was the first place where we encountered a floor tiered stand. Such little things that impress me.

Cityview Hotel (Hong Kong)- We went to this one on a whim, we were walking home from a hair cut and turned a corner and went into the hotel for afternoon instead.

Adonia Tea House – Cute and charming and one of the few places that served scones in addition to the tiered platters.

Serendipitea – A place for cute old ladies, and apparently, also new couples.

The Plaza in New York was perhaps the most expensive tea to date; a lovely check off our “afternoon tea” bucket list.

Urban Tea Merchant – West Coast flavors on display.

Happy Mother’s Day to all those special moms in our lives. We love you every day.

Golden Dungeness Crab, made with Salted Egg Yokes & Spiced Salt from Dai Tung Chinese Restaurant 大同海鮮酒家- 1050 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC

Xiao Long Baos, beautifully steamed, full of soup and ready to be devoured from Top Shanghai.

Ahhh, the Eight Treasure Duck. I’m not quite sure what the eight treasures are, typically this dish includes Chestnuts, Ginko Nuts, Chinese Sausage, Sticky Rice, Ground Pork and of course, Duck. When cut opened it is all gloriously revealed.

So wonderfully delicious. The 8 Treasured Duck is available by advanced order at Top Shanghai Restaurant.

Top Shanghai Cuisine 上海一只鼎 - 5880 #3 Rd, Richmond, BC

This weekend I..

• Hung out with my sister and mom at Ikea and munched on xiao long baos at Long’s Noodle House
• Enjoyed dinner with old friends and drinks with Gloria and Kathy at Diamond
• Randomly went to Zulu Records with Jenn where we made new friends, enjoyed a mini concert with Bend Sinister and topped it all off with some Mexican at Las Magaritas.

How was your weekend?