Restaurant Review -- Little Nest, organic, local, kid-friendly eats

New: Restaurant Review -  Little Nest, organic, local, kid-friendly eats

What's up: Restaurant review: Acme Cafe and where to eat brunch in Vancouver, Eggless Tiramisu

Happy New Year! So after all that holiday bingeing and the terrible sense of guilt that goes with it, I thought I’d lighten up my meals a bit and try some lighter, healthier foods. Luckily, lightening up still leaves room for my new found love—brunch. After walking past it dozens of times to get to my favourite deli, Santa Barbara on Commercial drive, I finally made some time to visit Little Nest. 

Arborio rice pudding with a seasonal fruit compote at Little Nest

I visited Little Nest on a weekday morning so the cafe wasn’t too busy, but there was a consistent flow of customers dropping in to pick up breakfast. Little Nest touts itself as being a very “kid-friendly” establishment and it certainly lives up to its name. Everything from the play area in the middle of the restaurant equipped with a mini kitchen and an abundance of toys, to the little wooden blocks on your tables just screams family. And speaking of screaming, we were quite lucky that morning, the only kid there was just quietly playing by himself in the play area, but I have heard the play area can get quite busy and I’d imagine the noise level in the restaurant could increase exponentially. 

Little Nest on Commercial Drive

Restaurant Review -- Acme Cafe and Where to get brunch in Vancouver

New: Restaurant Review -- Acme Cafe and Where to get brunch in Vancouver

What's up: Eggless Tiramisu, Chocolate Fruit and Nut thins, Homemade Marshmallows

So during my last few weeks in Vancouver, I decided to pound down my list of brunch/breakfast places that I just had to try. My list included Red Wagon, Flying Pig, Little Nest, Acme Cafe and Two Chefs (Read more to see my top 10 Vancouver Brunch Places list below).

So far, one of my favourites has been Acme Cafe. Although I did really enjoy it, I do have my reservations about it because my dining companion unfortunately got food poisoning from her breakfast. 

Breakfast at Acme Cafe on West Hastings

Acme Cafe is located just around the corner from the Woodwards building. There is plenty of street parking, but like everywhere in Downtown Vancouver, you have to pay for it. We got a wonderful window seat and the restaurant was relatively empty with only a few other tables occupied (this was on a weekday morning). 

Restaurant Review - Dark Table Restaurant: Dining in the Dark

New: Restaurant Review - Dark Table Restaurant: Dining in the Dark
What's up: The Perfect Thanksgiving gravy and Thanksgiving Desserts

Dark Table has finally made its way down to Vancouver and of course I had to go check out what this was all about. Dining in complete darkness was definitely a nerve racking experience. I couldn’t check out my surroundings, I didn’t know where other tables were, and I couldn’t see what I was eating at all. The servers, who are all visually impaired to a certain degree, were trained for just two months before they were put into action.

Dark Table Restaurant, Vancouver's newest dining experience

The dining experience begins outside where you’re taken to a bench where you select what menu you’d like and your main course. You have the choice between a surprise appetizer or dessert and meal ($33) or both plus the meal ($39).

Restaurant Review - Romer's Burger Bar and Where to get the best burgers in Vancouver

New: Restaurant Review - Romer's Burger Bar and where to get the best burgers in Vancouver

What’s up: Cheap meals in Vancouver -- Fill up for under $5,  Travel Dining - Sapphire Princess cruise ship dining, Cheap baking substitutes

It's the last day of September and the warm Vancouver weather seems to be holding up believe it or not (well, except for those chilly mornings). Hang on to the last bit of the warm, extended summer weather and take this opportunity to enjoy a delicious patio meal.

Romer’s Burger Bar opened up in my neighbourhood a short while ago and it finally got warm enough for me to enjoy one of their tasty burgers on their beautiful patio overlooking the Fraser River.

Unlike most burger joints, Romer’s Burger Bar doesn’t include any fries or salad with its burgers. Because I couldn’t enjoy my burger without a side of fries, I ordered a basket of their garlic fries ($5) to supplement my Standard burger ($9). The fries had a very strong raw, garlickly flavour.

Romer’s has a whole page of different fixins for diners to customize their burgers. I chose to add local goat cheese ($1.50). It was a bit of a disappointment because for a whole extra $1.50 on top of what I paid for the burger, all I got was a tiny smear of cheese. Although it added great flavour to the burger, it was certainly not enough for the entire burger.

Romer's Standard Burger with local goat cheese

I also had the opportunity to try out the SoCal burger ($10), a turkey patty with avocado, tomatoes, watercress and few other typical add ons. This was a super flavourful burger, juicy and extremely tasty.

Romer's SoCal Chicken Burger

Cheap meals in Vancouver -- Fill up for under $5

New: Cheap meals in Vancouver -- Fill up for under $5

What’s up: Travel Dining - Sapphire Princess cruise ship dining, Cheap baking substitutes

We’re not always as loaded as we’d like to be, and sometimes we just want a tasty bite that costs next to nothing. Where can we get a cheap meal in Vancouver? Does cheap exist outside of fast food?

Check out my list of the top cheapest meals in Vancouver. That’s right folks, we can be full for under $5 in Vancouver. These may not be the most ideal places to bring a date or bring any guests at all, but when all you’re looking for is some cheap food and a full, satisfied stomach, give these cheap Vancouver restaurants (FYI not all are restaurants) a try.

Bons off Broadway

For just $2.95 you can get their infamous, super filling all day breakfast. You have your choice of a combination of toast, potatoes (or French fries), bacon/ham/sausage and eggs cooked to your preference. You can also substitute any of the above for anything else. For example, I’m not an egg person, so I often switch out my eggs for potatoes or bacon (that’s right you can have more bacon) for no extra cost. There’s also a variety of bread so you can have brown, white or even rye bread.

If the all day breakfast isn’t to your liking you can also get a stack of pancakes, a soup and sandwich combo or an omelette. It’s a fair sized restaurant although a bit dingy, the utensils are clean and you get free coffee refills. Make sure to go early and grab a table. Take out is also a great option.

Starts at: $2.95

Location: 5451 Nanaimo St.

Ikea Restaurant

Ikea's famous Swedish Meatballs covered in gravy and crispy french fries

Yes, it’s a bit strange to think of Ikea as a place to grab some grub, but it’s fantastic. They’ve got great, hearty meals and extremely inexpensive bites. This cafeteria-style restaurant serves up their famous Swedish meatballs and potatoes for $2.99 Monday to Friday and $4.99 Saturday to Sunday.

Craving some pasta? They’ve got organic pasta with marinara sauce for just $1.99 and you can even grab dessert for under $3. Head down to the Ikea Bistro near the exit to grab a bite on your way out. For just $0.75, you can get a hot dog, or for $2 you can get the 2 hotdogs and unlimited soft drink refills deal. No need to skip dessert either because they’ve got some delicious frozen yogurt that tastes just like the McDonald’s ice cream for just $1.

Looking for a super cheap breakfast? For just $1, yes $1! You can get a hearty breakfast of eggs, potatotes and sausages (until 11 a.m.).

Starts at: $0.75

Restaurant Review -- Les Faux Bourgeois

New: Restaurant Review -- Les Faux Bourgeois

What's up: Strawberry Sponge Cake Recipe, Berry Picking and How to Pick the Best Strawberries, Cheap Baking Substitutes,  Birthday Goodies, Measurements

I don’t care how good it is, I’m not paying $50 for a few slices of duck breast on bed of spring salad. One of my favourite cuisines is French cuisine, and the only thing that makes it better is when it’s reasonably priced. French food is known for being overpriced with small portions of god-knows-what. But reality check, French food isn’t just garlic-buttered frog legs, escargot in cream sauce, or pan-seared rabbit. Sure that’s what they may be famous for, but they also serve delicious, more ordinary items such as duck, beef, lamb, fish -- food you’d find at any other restaurant.

Les Faux Bourgeois Cafe on East 15th, inexpensive, great French food

I tried out Les Faux Bourgeois on East 15^th recently, and not only was this French restaurant reasonably priced, it was fantastic.

As an appetizer, I ordered the Mt. Pleasant Picnic ($12) which included an assortment of cheeses and charcuterie including my favourite, prosciutto.  This was a great way to start off my meal, not being too large or small, but just enough to start up my appetite.

The Mt. Pleasant Picnic charcuterie and cheese plate from Les Faux Bourgeois

For dinner, I was torn between the mussels (Moules Mariniere $17) and the duck (Canard Confit $18), but ended up with the duck which was a fantastic choice, but I’ll definitely be back to try the mussels. The Canard Confit was perfectly cooked with a layer of crispy skin and moist, flavourful meat. The duck was tender and did not just fall off the bone (which usually indicates that it’s been boiled). The main was served with a side of warm potato, arugula, goat cheese and snap pea salad that perfectly complimented the duck. This healthy serving was more than enough to fill my hunger even without the appetizer.

Delicious Canard Confit from Les Faux Bourgeois

Mini Doughnuts Recipe & Vancouver's Best Doughnuts

New: Cheap Baking Substitutes, Best places to get doughnuts in Vancouver and Baked Mini Doughnuts recipe 

What's up: Oakwood Canadian Bistro Review, Birthday Goodies, Measurements

Baked mini doughnuts recipe

Has anyone else noticed the new doughnut fad? They’ve always been around, but recently, they’ve been gaining more popularity as something that doesn’t necessarily need to be eaten with coffee or tea. Doughnuts are getting much fancier nowadays with flavours such as salted caramel, earl grey or even bourbon bacon. They’re even getting popular as a wedding cake alternative.

 

Beautiful doughnut wedding cakes

Regardless, I’ve always loved doughnuts. Whether it’s the ordinary Tim Horton’s, rich Krispy Kremes or the decadent ones from Cartem’s Donuterie, I love them—unfortunately they do not reciprocate my love, much like most of the sweets I adore. The sugar, the fat, the additives. So what better way to combat these than baking my own doughnuts! I also finally got around to buying one of these adorable little mini doughnut pans. 

Wilton mini doughnut pan

Feeling that doughnut craving coming on? Here are some of the best places to get doughnuts in Vancouver:

Cartem’s Donuterie: One of the newest additions to Vancouver’s dessert scene. Has a great selection of unique doughnuts.

Romer’s: Yes, it’s a burger place, but their Drunken Doughnuts are to die for. Little sugary deep-fried mini doughnuts with Kahlua Nutella , Limoncello and Maple Whisky dipping sauces on the side.

Tim Hortons: Cheap doughnuts that (almost) never disappoint. I’ve only had one stale apple fritter there in my life. Great variety of traditional flavours, baked doughnuts, affordable prices.

Edible Flours (vegan doughnuts): Even you vegans can enjoy a tasty doughnut in Vancouver. This vegan bakery has chocolate, raspberry, maple and vanilla doughnuts for vegans and those with a gluten-free allergy.

Restaurant Review -- Oakwood Canadian Bistro

New: Oakwood Canadian Bistro review
What's up: Birthday Goodies, Measurements, Soirette Macarons and Tea review


The Oakwood Canadian Bistro is difficult to define. The best I can do is describe the menu as a mixture between elegant bar food and classic North American dishes with a twist.

The scrumptious flat iron steak at Oakwood Canadian Bistro

With ceiling-to-floor wood decor and tables that resemble fancy picnic benches, the restaurant has a casual but sophisticated look and very laid back atmosphere. The service was reasonable, although they may have been a bit understaffed that night as it wasn’t easy catching the servers’ attention and our glasses were frequently empty. 

The Oakwood boasts serving only organic, hormone and antibiotic-free, ocean-wise meats and fish.

The food however was excellent. As an appetizer, the all Canadian poutine was a meal by itself. Served in a rustic little iron cast frying pan, crispy, thick-cut fries were smothered in cheese curds and smoked beef brisket, then drizzled with a delicious sauce.

Oakwood's All Canadian poutine served in a mini skillet

The maple pork belly was also an excellent choice. A moist slab of tender pork belly was served with crunchy, savoury pork crackling and a jicama salad.

Maple Pork Belly at Oakwood

Restaurant Review -- Soirette Macarons

New: Soirette Macarons review, About 

What's up: Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes, Measurement Quicksheet, Birthday Freebies

We’ve all heard of Thierry and Thomas Haas, but sitting on an obscure block of Pender Street near Coal Harbor is Vancouver’s newest addition to the macaron family, Soirette. 

Although the space was small, the bakery was whimsically decorated with a sky blue and white theme. Little round tables lined the shop and if you look carefully past the elegant display of mouth-watering macarons, you may catch a glimpse of the adorable little arrangement of macarons sitting on miniature stools. 

This tiny little bakery holds a large variety of delicate little macarons including the typical raspberry, lemon, vanilla, chocolate and a few atypical flavours including Malibu (as in the white bottle with the orange sunset), lavender (like the flower), pink peppercorn, passion fruit, caramel fleur de sel, and violette. Occasionally Soirette has special flavours, such as a Guinness-flavoured macaron coloured an emerald green with a sheen of pearl green dust on top. My favourites were pistachio and maple.