Vancouver West

Vancouver West side

Michele Cake Shop is the Best Bakery at Kerresdale

We purchased a small chestnut cake because they did not have the sliced versions. Our cake was beautifully layered with fruits and whipped cream. The extravagant chocolate decorations look like abstract art. We cut it open to reveal the layered sponge cake and chestnut filling. The sponge cake has good springy texture, and they are not dry at all. I enjoyed the chestnut filling because they are not too sweet. Most of the sweetness comes from whipped cream. The flavour profile is very balanced.

Baked Sweet Potatoes from H-Mart

The sweet potato easily breaks apart by simply folding it. You would first notice the golden color interior accompanied by the steam. There is a strong sugary hearty smell that invades my nostril, and I welcome it with a deep breath. My puppy would charge towards me, then look at me with his begging eyes to trade for a piece of my treasure. This wholesome healthy treat is suitable for everyone in the family to enjoy.

Pot House on West 41st

41 noodle & rice pot house is a no-frill Cantonese restaurant. Where they lack with non-glamorous decor, cheap tableware, and broken cups are picked up by authenticity, food quality and value. I had a very frustrating dining experience picking out sharp shattered chicken bones from the hardened charred rice, but the food was still very tasty. I would recommend this restaurant. Just don’t get the chicken.

Gastown’s bakery has the most variety of baked goods

Purebread has a very solid presentation. Everything looked very good and was tightly placed together. I have not walked into a bakery that I was unable to make my decisions like in Purebread. The baked goods were made early in the morning, so some of the items may be a bit stale. I would recommend re-heating with a small convection oven at home before enjoying them.

Truffle Gouda by Dutch Cheese Makers Corp.

We were really happy to find this luxurious treat from Whole Foods Market. The sample size cost more per unit, but the cost for larger quantity at $10.99/lb is actually not that bad. This added truffle flavour may not be for cheese experts as I do find the flavour getting boring after a while. However, the Klare Melk Truffle Gouda would definitely impress your friends who haven't tried them. It would be perfect for a cheese party or even pot luck.

Donair Spot Lebanese Restaurant in Vancouver

My platter came with salad, hummus as sides and Basmati rice below the meat. It is served in a styrofoam container. I grabbed a spoon and a fork, then onto enjoying my lunch. The salad was simple lettuce, tomato, and cucumber. They are crispy and refreshing, I can taste how fresh it is. The lamb was very thinly sliced. They are very tender and juicy with lots of flavour. The juice flows into the Basmati rice to make them moist. Of course, the mouthwatering sauce on top also contributed to that. I find the chicken a little dry with a hard crust. I think it worked pretty well to have two types of meat. It provided alternative texture, but I probably wouldn’t order the chicken again. The lamb worked much better for me.

Meiji Milk Cookie Ice Bar

Normally, when I get an alternative flavour of the same product, the expectation is to have a consistent texture and flavour profile. With the taste and texture both lacking far behind its Milk ice bar counterpart, I cannot justify the $8.99 price tag. It is really rare to see someone screw up an Oreo product. I simply cannot recommend Meiji's Milk Cookie Ice Bar.

Share Tea, Under-advertised bubble tea franchise in Vancouver

Aside from the things I have said about the bubble tea served in Share Tea, I quite enjoyed my stay here. I think that is the princess within me talking. The tea is actually not bad once you get past the sweetness. As long as I know the taste profile for Share Tea is over-sweetened, I can customize my drink according to my taste anyway. That is not a big deal. The $4.80 for a large cup of bubble tea is very affordable, considering other places are serving $7 per cup. I was also very happy that the credit card machine didn’t even have a tipping prompt. I would recommend Share Tea but perhaps ask for half sweet with extra ice.

Meiji Milk Ice Bar

Biting into the ice bar reveals the consistent texture of the interior. I could feel the slight icy texture, but that actually provided a little bit of the refreshing sensation. The taste is wonderfully designed. This ice cream bar has a very rich taste of milk. The sweet taste is complemented by some savory taste to make each bite interesting.