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.

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.

Grand River Seafood Restaurant 濠江尚品海鮮酒家

Before Buddha Boy officially started his new position in Coquitlam, he has been doing a lot of research of where to eat and what to eat.  After settling in for a few months, I met up with Buddha Boy for lunch at a new dim sum joint that was recently changed from a buffet to a Cantonese-style seafood restaurant, owned and operated by Chinese from China.

IKEA Restaurant

I really needed food after a lengthy morning appointment.  Since I was planning to head to IKEA in Coquitlam to pick up some storage baskets, it made sense to grab some cheap breakfast at the same time too.

Cafe Gloucester 告羅士打餐廳

After another morning visit at the clinic, Buddha Boy and I decided to try the breakfast offerings at Cafe Gloucester 告羅士打餐廳 on Cambie Street in Vancouver.

Years ago, we've dined at this restaurant many times on different occasions but were never satisfied with its food nor the the service.  While we did not rule it out of our list, we never seemed to find a good enough reason to return.

Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna

After a visit at St. Pauls' Hospital, Buddha Boy and I needed dinner.  It was almost 10pm and we were starving.  Not wanting to wait any longer, Buddha Boy suggested to go for Greek food at Stepho's Souvlaki Greek Taverna, which was just around the corner.

We don't know much about Greek cuisine but Stepho's has been on our list to try for a very long time.  Actually, Buddha Boy and I have been to Stepho's on different occasions, but that was long before we met.  :p

Banh Mi Saigon 西貢麵包

After an early morning appointment at 7:30am, we wanted a quick breakfast before Buddha Boy heads to work.  Since we were on Victoria Drive near East 41st Avenue, Buddha Boy suggested to go for banh-mi so he can bring a couple of sandwiches to office for lunch.

Yu Ki BBQ Kitchen 裕記燒腊小廚

Formerly known as Yu Kee, we have frequently visited this neighborhood gem for a very long time, especially when we wanted something comforting and close to home.  In fact, we began our visits since the start of its operation when it was only a Chinese barbecue take-out.

Last year, this restaurant has quietly changed its ownership and made a slight modification to its English operating name while the Chinese name stayed the same.  Under its new name, Yu Ki BBQ Kitchen 裕記燒腊小廚, the restaurant is now owned by the head chef who previously worked under his predecessor.