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.

Wang's Shanghai Cuisine 上海点心店

Since the night before, we have already decided where to go for lunch after BabyE's haircut.  Our previous visit to Wang's Shanghai Cuisine 上海点心店 was quite enjoyable and we wanted to return to try a few more items on the menu.
(Click here for the blog post of our previous visit.)

We arrived approximately twenty-minutes after the restaurant opened at 11am and the place was packed.  Luckily, with a baby in the group, we didn't have to wait long and got the most ideal corner table that could accommodate a car seat comfortably.

Chez Buddha - Sashimi Night

Months ago, Mr. Skipper showered us with some sashimi-grade otoro of Southern Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) and the eyes of Bigeye Tuna (Thunnus obesus).  But, because I had a bun in the oven, I was unable to eat anything raw.  After months of waiting (and whining), the bun was finally out of the oven and I am now ready for some quality sashimi.

This time, Mr. Skipper came to Vancouver for business on a very short notice.  And, as always, he brought us lots of goodies.  Since Mr. Skipper was in town, it made sense to invite him over for dinner so he could prep and serve the sashimi for us.  Yes, our "invited" guest had to do the work...

We also asked MomJ and her friend, AuntieBo, to join us for dinner so we could cut up more maguro loins.

Garlic & Chili Restaurant 蓬萊川魯菜館

Located in a strip mall hidden one block northeast of Lougheed Highway at Holdom Avenue, Garlic & Chili Restaurant 蓬萊川魯菜館 is a ma-and-pa shop that serves homey Chinese dishes that will satisfy your simple cravings.

Since I work nearby (less than a two-minute drive), I was a bit shocked that this place never made an appearance on our blog.  My apologies.

Off The Grid Waffles

It's been a while since our last post.  With a new focus in life, our blog has dropped to the very bottom of our to-do list.  There were moments where I attempted to sit in front of a PC and type, however, things never went as planned.

That being said, I have been vividly posting photos of our eats on Instagram, and, if I remember, on Twitter and Facebook as well.  After all, posting photos from a smartphone is much easier (and faster) than typing a blog post on a PC.

 Instagram: foodforbuddha
Twitter: @BuddhaBoy604 / @BuddhaGirl604
Facebook Page: FOOD FOR BUDDHA (@FoodForBuddha)

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.

My Greek Taverna

After a disappointing experience at Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna, I really wanted to take Buddha Boy to My Greek Taverna in Coquitlam, a place where my colleagues and I visited and enjoyed.

With no table reservation, our first try failed about a week ago on a Thursday night.  That evening, after a quick gathering with my colleagues for wings at Woody's on Brunette, Buddha Boy suggested we should go across the street and have Greek food for dinner.  We showed up at approximately 6:30pm trying to obtain a table only to find that the restaurant was packed and the wait time was at least an hour.  We ended up having dinner elsewhere.

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.

Mui Garden Restaurant 梅園粉麵茶餐廳

This week, I had the luxury of having Buddha Boy as the chauffeur for my early morning appointment.  After the clinic, we went to my usual Wednesday breakfast joint only to find that it's closed for annual vacation.  Scrambling around trying to find a place to eat, Buddha Boy suggested to head over to Victoria Drive and have breakfast at either Boston Restaurant 波士頓餐廳 or Mui Garden Restaurant 梅園粉麵茶餐廳.  We ended up at the latter.

B.C. Sushi

Another late-evening visit at St. Pauls' Hospital.  After our visit, the three siblings (Buddha Boy and I, along with my brother, Worm) drove over to BC Sushi for a late dinner.  Budget-friendly late-night menu for a group of large eaters...perfect!!!

 Since it's AYCE, there's really not much to talk about.  I'm just going to post the photos and list the items.

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.

Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant 豫湘園

Being a northern-Chinese descendant, I love noodles.  Actually, I love noodles, buns and any Chinese pastries/delicacies that are made from flour.  That being said, I'm also extremely picky and particular with the preparation/cooking methods of flour-dough, especially when it comes to texture, taste and aroma.

Yu Xiang Yuan Restaurant 豫湘園, a noodle house on Victoria Drive and East 50th Avenue, has prompted many returns from us, mainly for its various types of handmade noodles.

Rose Garden Seafood Restaurant 嘉好海鮮美食之家

After a late evening visit at St. Pauls' Hospital, Buddha Boy and I were hungry.  It's approximately 9pm and we have not yet had dinner.  Not exactly sure what we wanted, Buddha Boy suggested to go for late-night menu at our neighborhood canteen, Rose Garden Seafood Restaurant 嘉好海鮮美食之家.