A light hike at Lighthouse Park at West Vancouver

A few of our closest friends here gathered for a picnic and light hike at Lighthouse Park at West Vancouver this summer. We usually have annual picnic. Since the youngest family’s kids are old enough for a light hike, we decided that we go for a hike instead or just sitting around for a picnic.

The above is the entrance to the Lighthouse Park; one of the National Historic Site of Canada. It was a busy day and the parking lot was almost full. The weather was just perfect, lightly cloudy and not too sunny.

We found a picnic area with a couple of picnic tables with a great view of the Burrard Inlet, looking across Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge. Ben in-charged of getting bahn-mi from Bahn Mi Saigon. The price has gone up from $5 to $5.50. The buy 10 get 1 free is still valid.

After our late lunch, we walked down to the rocky area next to the water.

Most of the members of our party climbed up the rocks to enjoy the view. The younger kids have no fear, running up and down the rocks.

Then, we made our way to the Point Atkinson Lighthouse.

The lighthouse is not accessible; only view from the gate. I love the effects of the clouds of the photo of the lighthouse. Continue reading

Master Jia Braised Food at Crystal Mall Foodcourt, Burnaby

Crystal Mall foodcourt is our favourite place to have an early lunch after church service. We attended the early service which ends around 10:30am. We usually have coffee after the church service in the church before we head out to Crystal Mall.

We arrive at the food court just after 11:00 am. It is just perfect timing before the rush lunch hour. Getting a seat is a problem at all at this time.

We decided to try the Master Jia Braised Food instead of our favourite spicy noodle from Chao Shou Wang.

Ben got the Spicy Pork Feet to share. I think it is $12. There is generous portion of pork which has a hint of spiciness. The item beside the pork is tofu puff.

It came with a daily soup with daikon and carrot.

There is even two slices of oranges to end the meal.

We supplemented our lunch with a bowl of savoury tofu pudding bought from Healthy Soyfoods from the market place downstairs, another of our favourite food at Crystal Mall.

Our lunch came to $14 cash. Great value for money.

Farewell Dinner at Trattoria Italian Kitchen, Burnaby

My boss bought a farewell dinner for one of our team member who resigned. It is sad to loose a colleague but we want to share a memorable farewell.

We had the farewell dinner at Trattoria Italian Kitchen, across Metrotown in Burnaby. It was recommended by one of our colleague who recently dined there with some of her friends visiting Vancouver.

Trattoria Italian Kitchen is known for it’s house pasta and pizza. In the photo above, you can see the pizza oven which is located near the entrance.

Complementary sourdough bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip.

Some of us ordered some virgin cocktails for our drink. The above was some green tea with mint ordered by colleague. Continue reading

Pinpin Restaurant on Fraser St., Vancouver

Happy Canada Day to all chowtimes reader. Due to work, it’s getting harder for me to blog. Thank you for all your support all this long thirteen plus years. I will try my best to keep this blog afloat.

My boss bought me and my colleague dinner after work on a week day. Thank you, boss.

We had dinner at Pinpin Restaurant on Fraser St. It serve Filipino Chinese cuisine. The place was busy at dinner time. Reservation is advised.

We had the Bihon Pancit. My boss asked for less salt and less oil as she is very health conscious. Despite less oil and salt, it was still pretty good.

My colleague ordered the Pusit Sisig; her favourite dish. She ordered this dish every time she visits Pinpin. Pusit Sisig is diced spicy squid served on a hot plate. It is slightly tangy and it goes well with steamed rice.

We also ordered a vegetable dish to have a complete meal. We had Sitaw at Kalabasa sa Gata which is string beans and squash in coconut milk. The squash was very creamy and melt in your melt. The curry sauce is also good with steamed rice.

After dinner, my boss also got us some cassava cake to take home, She loves cassava cake and she wants to some home for Ben. How thoughtful. I will make her some Malaysian style cassava cake to try one day.

Pinpin Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Shine Valley Lamb Soup on Garden City Road, Richmond

This is a meal to celebrate mother’s day plus birthday and something else for Nanzaro.

Ben suggested a couple of places for Nanzaro to choose and he picked Shine Valley Lamb Soup.

The decoration is very traditional with wooden tables and benches. The benches were a bit hard on the bum.

Chinese tea is served.

We had some grilled lamb as appetizer. Six skewers for CAD9. Continue reading

Cafe Xu Hue on Kingsway, Vancouver

Ben picked me up from work on one of the Friday in March. He wanted to check out the new T&T on Kingsway.

So, we had dinner at a nearby restaurant, Cafe Xu Hue.

It was past 6:30pm and the place was quiet as it is close to their closing time.

Ben ordered their famous Bun Bo Hue Dac Biet whch is spicy Vietnamese Vermicelli with sliced pork and beef, pork congealed blood in soup. Continue reading

Paulik Gardens Neighbourhood Park, a secret oasis in Richmond

A friend posted some pictures of a beautiful park in Richmond recently on facebook. We were surprised this park exists in Richmond which we are not aware of it. So, one evening, we went for our evening walk at this gorgeous park.

Paulik Gardens Neighbourhood Park was known as Lulu, a Memory Garden.

This park is about people’s experiences of gardens. It has a wide variety of flowers which are in bloom in spring. I totally enjoy taking photos of the flowers for your enjoyment.

Continue reading

Xian Noodle Restaurant on No. 3 Road, Richmond

My family went out for dinner on a weekend. It is getting rarer for the whole family to eat out together.

Xian Noodle Restaurant has a location on No. 3 Road now, on the row of shops north of Real Canadian Superstore.

The decor is simple and pleasant. We were there early and the restaurant was not busy.

We were handed a Chinese menu and we had to ask for an English one.

I guessed most patrons of the restaurant read Chinese.

Arkensen ordered a Lamb Noodle Soup. Continue reading

Garry Point Park Cherry Blossom Festival

On 7th April, Ben and I decided to go to the Garry Point Park Cherry Blossom Festival after our lunch after church service.

This is the 3rd year of this festival held at Garry Point Park.

This is the first time we came to this festival.

The program of the festival at various tents. Fortunately, the weather was perfect during the festival. The tents are just for precaution in case of shower as April is usually a wet month.

Here are some of the events; Sado Tea Ceremony at the Hanami Tent. Continue reading

Dolar Shop Hot Pot in Lansdowne Mall, Richmond

Emily, Marian and me met up at Dolar Shop Hot Pot for dinner on a week day. Emily had just returned from China.

Emily made reservation and she was there early to ensure we had a table. Marian picked me up from work and when we arrived, there were people waiting in the waiting area.

Do not be misled by the name of this place, it sounds like dollar store but it is a high end hot pot restaurant.

There is a sauce bar with appetizers and various sauces for you to mix and match.

Here are some of the items on the sauce bar.

The appetizers include kimchi, seaweed and roasted peanuts. Continue reading