Park Crest Diner

Buddha Boy had a plan.  He planned to walk across the street to McD's after dropping off his car for service.  He planned to have a Big Breakfast with an extra order of sausage patty.

Of course, when you involved the wife and the kid, the plan never went as planned.

Since he asked, BabyE and I agreed to join him for breakfast, but not at McD's.  I drove my little cherry tomato (as my brother calls my little red car) and picked up Buddha Boy from the dealership before heading over to Park Crest Diner in the Parkcrest Shopping Centre on Broadway in Burnaby, just one block northeast of Lougheed Highway at Holdom Avenue.

The One Restaurant 美味關係

After a heartbreaking experience at Ali Shan Restaurant 阿里山品味餐廳, I needed something to overcome the heartache.  Something that better resembled the classic "railroad bento 鐵路便當".

After a quick search of local Taiwanese joints, I settled with The One Restaurant 美味關係.  Okay, I admit, I was a bit skeptical about coming here.  You see, our last visit (which was our first) in 2010 was not very pleasant.  While a few dishes were somewhat decent, the horrendous service made the whole experience miserable.

Now, six years later, before walking into the restaurant, I have told myself to stay calm.  Yes, Buddha Girl, stay calm.  Things could have improved since 2010.  And if not, just sing, "Let it go, let it go..."

Ali Shan Restaurant 阿里山品味餐廳

Since Buddha Boy had to work OT, BabyE and I were on our own for lunch.  After visiting DadT, we went for a stroll at Crystal Mall attempting to grab something quick and easy in the food court.  Well, that did not happen.  The food court was packed and I struggled to obtain a table.  It's not as easy with a baby in carriage.

On my way out, Ali Shan Restaurant 阿里山品味餐廳 caught my attention since it was pretty empty.  Buddha Boy and I have not returned since our visit in 2011, so why not try it again?  After all, things could have improved in the past five years...right?

Vivacity Restaurant 名都海鮮酒家

After dropping off Buddha Dog at his doggy spa, we had a few hours to kill before returning to pick him up.  Buddha Boy and I wanted dim sum and we wanted to try somewhere we've never been before.  So, driving along Richmond's famous food street (Alexandra Road), we turned into the parking lot of Vivacity Restaurant 名都海鮮酒家 after we saw a lineup waiting outside.  It was approximately 9:30am.

Happy Day Cafe 喜相逢餐廳

Expanding from Richmond, a new kid has moved into our neighborhood occupying the space formerly nested by Bino's Family Restaurant on Kingsway near Joyce Street in Vancouver.

Wow Thai Food

BabyE and I went for a walk again.  Our plan was to take skytrain to Stadium Station so we could do a quick grocery run at T&T then come home before the traffic rush.  Of course, things never worked out as planned, especially with a newborn.

So...our planned trip was interrupted by an unavoidable diaper change at International Village.  Then, the plan was, again, interrupted by an avoidable stroll through the food court.  Yup, blame this one on me...

McKim Wonton Mein Saga 雲吞麵世家

In the past, we used to be able to just drop and go anywhere, anytime.  That all changed when BabyE became a lifetime member of FOOD FOR BUDDHA.  Nowadays, it takes an extra twenty to thirty minutes just to attempt to leave the house.  Yes, attempt is the keyword.

Late-night eating has also changed a lot for us.  You see, her highness, BabyE, somehow turns into a pumpkin (an adorable one, of course) by about 11pm every night and demands her beauty sleep.  To accommodate her call, we must limit ourselves from dining out late, especially if the restaurant is too far away from home (i.e. Richmond).

Lately, we've been on the hunt for late-night hubs around our neighborhood and McKim Wonton Mein Saga 雲吞麵世家 came into the picture.  I recall that we visited this restaurant years ago (never blogged about it though) and left with disappointing tummies.  Years later, after hearing about their late-night menu, Buddha Boy and I thought it's time for another try.

Uncle Ming's Kitchen 亞洲小廚

We had two hours to kill after we dropped off our truck for service in the morning.  Buddha Boy and I, along with BabyE, took a stroll around Superstore before heading for lunch at Uncle Ming's Kitchen 亞洲小廚 on the northwest corner of Main Street and Marine Drive in Vancouver.