November | 2015 | VeniVidiEdi

Vancouver was our disembarkation point from our Alaskan Cruise. I wasn’t all that excited because I always thought of it as one of those highly urbanized cities that I had gotten used to. Boy, was I wrong! It’s amazing how a few clicks in TripAdvisor would make the planned 4-day stay seem so short.

As always, I searched for the great restaurants and somehow it led me to this Edible Canada website. It featured different food tours and the Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour caught my eye. It offered an afternoon full of gourmet food and wine. And just like that, I put the good ‘ol Amex card to work. I booked for a party of four appetites: Dave and myself, Beans and Momsie

Our adventure began with Kirin Chinese Restaurant — winner of Vancouver’s Best Dimsum Restaurant for 6 consecutive years.

It was a variety of DimSum dishes that brings back memories when I was studying in Cebu. My sister and I would go to this dim sum place behind Rustan’s every weekend. The smell is exactly the same. My nose knows.

I’m not much of a rice person, but this was absolutely delicious.

There was also some huge steamed prawns which I ate before I was able to take a picture…

Next stop was at Urban Fare, it an upscale grocery, almost like Whole Foods , if it were to triple its price.

Fromage Frais Berry with Raspberry in Phyllo Pastry

Big Bang Theory red wine by Blasted Church Vineyard

Dave ate his Vermeer cheese and Truffle Hummus before I could take a picture. See how smug he looks.

I had to hoard the Vermeer Cheese and Truffle Hummus. It was to die for. I have the ability to shop for food abroad and never get in trouble with customs. It’s a gift.

Third stop was Jean-George’s Market

Ginger Lime Margarita with Rosemary Olive Oil Popcorn

Salmon Sashimi on Crispy Rice and some sort of fish on a biscuit (Margarita-brain at this point, y'all understand) — Salmon Sashimi on Crispy Rice and some sort of fish on a biscuit (Margarita-brain at this point, y’all understand)

Slow Roasted Pulled Pork in a bed of something, as you can see, i have downed my second Margarita

Fourth Stop was Thierry Chocolaterie Patisserie Cafe. I have to confess. I skipped this. I knew it was a chocolate and macaron joint. I thought I have been to this place so I decided to go to Hermes across the street and pick up non-edible but equally delicious stuffs. It turns out, I have never been to this place, I was thinking of Laduree… Anyway, my ever-loving hubby got me a doggy bag of an orange bourbon macaron, and in exchange, I handed him an Hermes receipt. He said it was an unfair exchange. Live and learn, honey.

Fifth and final stop was at Bella Galleteria. This joint is owned by James Coleridge who won in Florence Gelato Festival. Our wonderful guide, Daniella informed us that he was the only non-Italian who won such award. This place is always packed. Being in the food tour, we were able to cut through the lines and I was able to enjoy both Salted Caramel Gelato and Coconut Milk Gelato without muss and fuss.

This is not part of the gourmet tour, but that of the food truck tour. Lucky for us, we passed this on our way back. They boast of not being in Vancouver until you've tried their hotdogs. — This is not part of the gourmet tour, but that of the food truck tour. Lucky for us, we passed this on our way back. They boast of not being in Vancouver until you’ve tried their hotdogs.

So after 5 restaurants and 14 meals, I gluttonously ordered Kurobata Terimayo, their specialty, plus Aonori (dried ground seaweed) Fries, coz God forbid I should have hotdogs unpaired with fries….totally unheard of.

My parents have always said that all my dreams will come true if I work hard enough. What they didn’t tell me is that once I’ve achieved my dreams, there’s this dirty little word called “upkeep” that requires even more hard work.

I pretty much have all that I’ve always longed for. But days like these, what normal people would call “day-off”, I run around all day doing errands here and there so that this life I built for myself and my family does not fall apart at the seams. Nails, hair, groceries, dog-grooming, car wash, ad nauseum. The only thing I look forward to today is trying out a new dish that was inspired by my readings on Ree Drummond recipes. She’s my new Mommy Martha Stewart. She’s pre-billionaire and she works really hard to sound relatable.

I started my day with my new favorite breakfast staple—Danish Kringle. It’s from Wisconsin but Trader Joe’s have these and its almond flavor for this season. Last year, it was pumpkin. Equally yummy.

Toast for 4 minutes, pair with coffee and voila! I’m ready for errand day.

I’m doing Fried Ravioli with Marinara Sauce today. I’m using Trader Giotto’s Porcini Mushroom and Truffle Triangoli.

Dip each triangle in beaten eggs then coat with Italian breadcrumbs. Do this twice before deep frying. In my dream world, I would fry this in truffle oil. But there is something absolutely wrong in deep frying a $10 ravioli in a $10/ounce oil….So I will use olive oil instead.

Cook in small batches and in low temperature to avoid burning.

Serve with marinara sauce.

At the end of the day, everything was yummy and shiny. Cookie and GG got groomed washed and groomed after all the rainy and muggy days. Dave even volunteered to bring Beans to piano lessons so I can finally take a break. Life is good.

VeniVidiEdi

I Came, I Saw, I Ate

Monthly Archives: November 2015

The Vancouver Food Tour

Day Off(?)