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.

Chef Liu Kitchen 牛師父正宗台灣牛肉麵

Over the years, we have tried Chef Liu Kitchen 牛師父正宗台灣牛肉麵 a number of times and we haven't had much luck with their food.  So why am I here again?  Simply put, I am a sucker for Taiwanese food...it's in my blood.

Perhaps being a food-court stall has prompted my returns.  You know, with so many selections in the Richmond Public Market, Buddha Boy could wander and hunt for whatever he desires while I have the option (or not) to be suckered in with the same depressing Taiwanese food.

Hot Pot Legend 火锅世家

Since Buddha Boy planned to work OT, I was suppose to have dinner with my brother, Worm.  I even made an appointment with him.  But, of course, siblings love ditching one another for surprise popup functions...it's all part of being a family!  LOL!

Not sure if I had any food (or enough food) at home, Buddha Boy sets off his panic attack and decided to take all of his OT work home.  Honestly, I do have food at home, something as simple as instant noodles with spam would always satisfy my tummy.  But my husband insisted that we must head out for some real food.

Okay now...where to go and what to eat?  Buddha Boy drove into Richmond and decided to eat somewhere in Continental Plaza 置地廣場.  Ramen?  Nope.  Taiwanese food?  Nah.  Fish soup noodles?  Closed permanently.  Buddha Boy narrowed his choices down to Japanese tapas or hot pot.  Since I knew fat boy is never a fan of hot pot, I already began walking towards the tapa joint.  But, to my surprise, my husband chose AYCE hot pot...

Really?  Seriously?  Is that truly what you want?  I'm good if you are determined.

Sea Fortune Restaurant 海洋皇宮酒家

Back in April, while having dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Skipper on the last day of their visit, they suggested that we should try the dim sum at Golden Sea City Restaurant 金城海鲜酒家 on Granville Avenue in Richmond.  They thought the prices were reasonable and the food was satisfying.

Months later, Mr. Skipper visited Vancouver again.  This time, we thought to go with his suggestion and try some cheap but decent dim sum.  Unfortunately, pretty much right after Mr. & Mrs. Skipper's visit in April, Golden Sea City Restaurant 金城海鲜酒家 has closed its doors permanently.  The same location has now been succeeded by Sea Fortune Restaurant 海洋皇宮酒樓.

Cafe Loyal 來佬快餐室

It's a Sunday...and Buddha Boy was on duty for some OT again.  Before making his way to the office, Buddha Boy wanted to make sure that his wife was properly fed...

We wanted some kind of comfort food.  After tossing ideas back and forth, Buddha Boy took me to Cafe Loyal 來佬快餐室 on Bridgeport Road at No.5 Road in Richmond.  Is this a restaurant?  Yes...and no.  Simply put, it's a food-court stall embedded in its own enclosed facility that offers HK-style cafe food expedited only over the counter instead of table service.

Empire Seafood Restaurant 帝苑皇宴海鮮酒家

Years ago, Top Gun J & C Restaurant 尖東新派食館 (now known as 名堂海鮮火鍋酒家 as its Chinese operating name) was our canteen.  It all stopped when the restaurant started using jarred garlic to steam fresh seafood (i.e. king crab, lobster, spot prawns).

Nowadays, our two top choices in Richmond for Cantonese cuisine would be Golden Paramount Seafood Restaurant 金百樂海鮮酒家 on Park Road or Empire Seafood Restaurant 帝苑皇宴海鮮酒家 on No.3 Road.

Tsim Chai Noodles 沾仔記

It's a Saturday...and we were stuck in a seven-hour course at the Richmond Hospital.  I thought about packing lunch boxes from home but we weren't sure about the microwave situation.  So, during our lunch break, we had to suffer through all that miserable tortures from the hospital cafeteria, brought to you by Sodexo.

Yung Ho Soy Drink 永和豆漿

After an early morning appointment at the clinic, I drove into Richmond looking for breakfast before heading over to Daiso.  It's approximately 9am and I was looking for a quick bite, preferably at a food court.  After a quick search online, I ended up at Yung Ho Soy Drink 永和豆漿.

Years ago, after many people raved about this place, Buddha Boy and I paid it a visit but left with disappointing tummies.  Years later, I thought to give it another try to see if this Taiwanese-style traditional breakfast stall can satisfy my homesickness.

Strike 破店

It was another one of my vegetarian days.  It's lunch time, where to go and what to eat.  After tossing ideas back and forth with Buddha Boy, we ended up at Strike 破店 in Richmond.

Enjoy Cafe 1+1餐廳

After dropping off Buddha Dog at his day spa, Buddha Boy and I had a little over an hour to kill before my TCM appointment.  Perfect time to have a quick breakfast...but where?  Not wanting to go far, we ended up Enjoy Cafe 1+1餐廳, which was about a block away from the doggie spa.

Greenday Vegetarian 綠日素食

Located where the former Woo Ying's Vegetarian 如意吉祥素食 was, Greenday Vegetarian 綠日素食 is the new kid in Pacific Plaza 太古廣場.

Prata-Man Singapore Cuisine 百達門星洲美食

Years ago, after reading a post on 604 Munchies, we visited Prata-Man 百達門 on the day Buddha Boy returned from his boys-only golf trip.  I remember that we left the dive with satisfying tummies.  Now, years later, Buddha Boy and I thought to give this place another try.

South Ocean Seafood Restaurant 南海漁村海鮮酒家

After dropping off Buddha Dog at his day spa, Buddha Boy and I had 1.5hr to kill before our appointment with my TCM.  We were hungry and needed breakfast...yes, dim sum for breakfast.  We decided to make a stop at the next dim sum restaurant in sight...okay, South Ocean Seafood Restaurant 南海漁村海鮮酒家 it is.