Bubble Waffle Cafe: Teppanyaki Revisited?

I was admiring the store front of a new place that had opened up on campus called the Bubble Waffle Cafe, replacing the former Tea Works in the Village and made a mental note to try it one day. In a similar scenario when I was just passing by, I noticed an almost identical store front right by the London Drugs on Kingsway in the same plaza as Honolulu Cafe. Enticed by their one-dollar-bubble-waffle special, K and I headed inside to give the place a try. (Sadly, they had run out of bubble waffles for the day *sadface*)

This one is the lamb and egg teppanyaki rice ($8.95).

Teppanyaki, as they describe it at Bubble Waffle Cafe is without the chef and show that you might expect as entertainment at a more explicit iron grilled food place. Much simpler than that, this place literally offers your food on a hot and, what I am assuming is iron but probably isn`t, plate that cooks my food slowly (although it looked pretty cooked when it was delivered to my table). They also have quite the selection of noodle combos which I did not have the stomach room left to try, but I imagine it is hard to go wrong with noodles. Later in the month, I went out to Aberdeen with my mum just for a walk, and noticed they have another Bubble Waffle Cafe with similar combos and specials right in the food court. So they`ve three locations, which is really great.

And this one is the beef and egg teppanyaki rice ($8.95).

I really could not complain for the price (you may want to see my post about Kobe, and understand why this is "Teppanyaki revisited"). This was satisfying and nothing "out of this world" by any means, and while I did not try it at UBC, it is on the more affordable and appetizing scale of things to eat on campus. I could definitely see myself stopping by for lunch or on my way home. Sadly I write this post having finished my last courses at UBC, so I will not be enjoying a place like this during my own education here, but it is a nice addition to the restaurants already at the Village. Do stop by for some good ol' meat and rice!

March Favourite: Milk & Sugar !

A new friend introduced me to this little bubble tea place right on Kingsway (across from Honolulu Cafe). I have since made many returns to Milk and Sugar, and it is curious that I really had never heard of it before March. After class one day, T showed me this little place and their wonderful two dollar bubble tea specials. And that two dollars is tax inclusive, so really. Two dollars. For bubble tea. I was blown away. Naturally, I have been back for more of their two dollar bubble teas since. It has been a lovely pick me up before or for studying during finals.

Learning about their all-day breakfast specials for $3, I had to go back to try it. Now I am not saying this for the first time in a post, but I hold Bon`s on Broadway`s all day breakfast specials for $2.95 at heart, so I have to go give any all day breakfasts a try to see how they compare. I really enjoy the shorter distance to get to Milk and Sugar by comparison, firstly.

The breakfast comes with two eggs, two slices of toast (toasted without butter), a good portion of potatoes and sausages. The first thing I can say about this breakfast, in comparison to Bon`s, is that there is less oil and butter and general fat used to cook this meal overall. The potatoes are crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, so I vote these potatoes over Bon`s potatoes (I usually get those substituted for fries at Bon`s). I like being able to control the amount of butter I put on my toast here because sometimes I get the super buttered toast at Bon`s (that is delicious but we all know is horrible to have). But I am not a big fan of sausages in general because they tend to be too salty for my tastes, so I like that you can choose ham or bacon over sausages at Bon`s.. And lastly, eggs... But well the eggs are eggs, and hard to mess up overall. Sooo I like the eggs, haha one for each piece of toast.

I feel that Bon`s is better suited to a larger volume of customers because this breakfast took a while to get to my table, or maybe they are short on staff at Milk and Sugar. The place is better known for their bubble tea and drinks than their breakfast. In terms of environment... Well Bon`s is typically loud and full of people, which means the noise level can be quite loud... But Milk and Sugar has the blender right behind you as you eat, so the noise level isn`t any better. I love both restaurants` breakfasts, mhmmm. Really it just comes down to two things to help me pick which one I`d want to go to for breakfast... Which location is closer to me right now, do I want coke (with refills) or bubble tea with my food, and what time it is (Milk and Sugar is open much later than Bon`s is!).

After a Stressful Day: Point Grill at UBC !

Eating on campus has always been an issue of money and quality since my first day four years ago. I had a presentation last week that I had been stressed about for weeks, so I was super relieved when it was over. My friend K met me on campus right after during my break to try the Point Grill at Marine Drive. I had seen it on the list during Dine Out Vancouver and took note of it, having never actually noticed it just passing by (which probably has to do with the unlikelihood of finding myself near Marine Drive very often).

Call it a small celebration that I could relax just a little bit after the debate; we were between trying the Point Grill and Mahony and Son`s on campus, but decided on the former`s burger menu. We both ordered the BBQ Burger, which is topped with "Grilled Free Range Chicken Breast, BBQ Sauce, Smoked Bacon, Farmstead Smoked Cheddar, Caramelized Onions and Pickle" (I opted out of the onions and pickles, obviously). They also claim that "All Beef Patties are House Made with Natural Angus Beef". It both sounded and tasted delicious *drools*.

BBQ burger with a side of fresh cut fries at the Point Grill ($12.50).

BBQ burger with their daily soup: Barley beef soup at the Point Grill ($12.50).

The BBQ sauce was definitely eminent in my burger and this burger definitely satisfied my appetite! I was so hungry that day haha. K and I hilariously debated which side dish (daily soup, salad or fries) would be the most "bang for your buck".. I think my fries win! They were not too salty, crispy on the outside and light and very 'potato-ey' or fluffy on the inside; fresh cut and just to my liking. Yum! We also enjoyed the decor, lots and lots of natural light. Thank you very much to my friend K for coming out to UBC just to have dinner with me :)

Last of the Hot Chocolate Festival : Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France, French Made Baking & Happy Valentine`s Day !

Here`s to the end of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival this year, we definitely got to all the drinks that I really wanted to try. That`s awesome because since the festival`s second run in 2012 (making this the third year for me), I`ve never managed to try all the ones on my list because I never have enough time. Hooray to only having classes on two (long) days of the week! We went to Soirette (twice), Bella Gelateria (twice), Thomas Haas, Schokolade, Leonidas, French Made Baking... And on Valentine`s day, we finished off with Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France and a final trip to French Made Baking.

I really liked these fake wax seals for their chocolates.

In 2012, I went to this little chocolate shop on the corner of Main St and 21st Avenue to try a hotcho.. And was really unimpressed with Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France`s store hours. After the trouble of commuting there, they were closed.. Contrary to the information on CityFoods, on their store website, and heck! Even on the little sign on their door that told me they would be open. But two years later, K took interest in the iced drinking chocolates they were offering and having tried an iced hot chocolate in Vegas (Serendipity 3 at Caesar`s Palace by the way, if anyone is interested), I really like the idea of them.. Thankfully, their hours were accurate this time and we entered the door to find a cozy and very small French chocolate shop... That was very crowded with people coming in to pick up chocolates for their loved ones on Valentine`s day, how sweet!

We shared a Chocolat Glace a la Rose, a rose flavored iced drinking chocolate that was served with a liege waffle with a choice between a chocolate hazelnut spread or a fleur de sel (sea salt) caramel spread to go with the waffle. If you know how much I love chocolate and hazelnut, then you already know which spread we picked. But I was actually worried that the spread might be too sweet, since liege waffles tend to lean towards the sweet side for me even by themselves, but no such thing. The waffle was just right, toasted so the chocolate spread melted just a little bit as you ate it. Delicious, I would definitely come back for another.

The rose iced drinking chocolate itself.... I would recommend for people who absolutely adore rose water. The taste of rose and cocoa (and I mean cocoa, not milk chocolate) almost compete with each other. I really have to say that it was as if my taste buds were struggling to decide which flavor stood out more. Neither necessarily overpowered the other, though I can`t say they complimented each other either. Meh, but with a very friendly francophone owner, I am hopeful to be back next year to try a different flavor. Plus, their chocolates were really a hit; the place remained full of people for our entire duration there!

Chocolat Glace de la Rose, with a really cute cardboard straw and waffle! ($5)

Yummmy! Gaufre de liege waffle with a chocolate hazelnut spread :)

Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France
198 East 21st Avenue, Vancouver
Weekdays : 12p to 630p
Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Saturday : 11a to 6p
Sunday : 12p to 5p

Back to Soirette & in line for Thomas Hass !

Our first stop this year for the festival, we had already tried Soirette's 9 O`Clock Gun, which was a really good cedar flavored hot chocolate inspired by Stanley Park. Our last time there, it was too packed to really sit down and get some photos or enjoy our hot chocolate. But this time, it emptied as we ordered!

We went back on Saturday for their Hot Toddy Float inspired by Grouse Mountain, not offered on the same day as the 9 O`Clock Gun. The description for the Hot Toddy Float was this: "You`d stay warm and cozy even in the peaks of Grouse Mountain with this buttered rum hot chocolate blended with wild mountain honey ice cream." We could definitely taste the liquor in this drink, but like any other hotcho that has had honey in it, the honey was sadly lost amongst the other flavors.

Hot Toddy Float served with a "Grouse Grind Reward Cluster" at Soirette Macarons & Tea.

I surprised K with this heart shaped strawberry butter macaron ($2) when he went to fill up our parking meter :)

Naturally, there was only meter parking available in the Coal Harbour area so we did not fill our meter all the way, just in case it ended up being packed again and we were forced to get our drinks to go again. So while K went to fill the meter some more when we discovered seats, I ordered our hot chocolate and this heart shaped macaron to surprise him. I am no fan of strawberry myself, but he seemed to enjoy it :)

Google maps estimated a 10-12 minute drive from Soirette to Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie, yet another beloved macaron stop for me. Here the aromas were amazing, and the line was out the door of the little cafe. Once I reached that door in line, I was once again fascinated by their amazing ceiling as I was last year. I took another photo of that ceiling and I am sure I will get another next year when I return... Please note that there is underground parking (we paid for meter parking again without knowing they offer parking!)

I love the Thomas Haas saucers!

Another photo of their amazing ceiling a year later (see previous year Thomas Haas blog post).

A colorful assortment of macarons offered that day ($10 for 6).

I wanted to get a shot of this crazy line up that only got longer after we got in line!

Too packed to get our drinks in one of their nice mugs, but I love these!

The Passionista (left) and the Campfire (right) at $5.95 each.

And I really loved the cocoa flower that`s on their to-go cups!

The line and lack of seating forced us to grab our drinks to-go, instead of being seated to enjoy them... But you still get that heart and the decoration of the drinks even in to-go cups, how nice! K had the Passionista, a "fresh passion fruit-infused hot chocolate with Grand Marnier chantilly" and it was served with a passion fruit pate de fruit. A Google search revealed that this was a chewy candy with an intense fruit flavor made from the purees of fresh fruit. I had the Campfire, "a classic hot chocolate, only with smoky caramel, smoked Hawaiian sea salt" and this was served with marshmallows and another little pastry that I haven`t any clue the name of. I am a huge fan of sea salt caramel flavored things, and was pleased to say that this tasted like the 9 O`Clock Gun with the addition of that sea salty, caramel flavor. It definitely had many layers to the taste and I really liked it! Both of these drinks are offered everyday through until Valentine`s Day, and I really recommend Thomas Haas` macarons :)

Soirette Macarons & Tea
1433 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Monday - Wednesday : 10a to 6p
Thursday - Friday : 10a to 7p
Saturday - Sunday : 11a to 6p

Thomas Haas (Kitsilano)
2539 West Broadway, Vancouver
Tuesday - Saturday : 8a to 530p
Sunday & Monday : closed