I should probably find the fact that I’m about to admit to everyone that I have an emotional attachment to food a little bit troubling.. but I’m going to do it anyways. Because, really, haven’t we all felt a little bit happier after a good meal at some point in our lives? Now, the food I’m about to divulge to you may not necessarily be the best of the best, but it’s dishes that i’ve literally grown an emotional attachment to. In other words, if I go to these restaurants and these dishes aren’t ordered, I’ll probably leave a little bit unsatisfied. You may not feel hungry now.. but you probably will after!
The first thing you should know about me is that I’m a pretty big fan of brunch… and when I say pretty big fan, I mean pretty BIG fan. So, naturally, I have a couple of favourite places – the first being The Red Wagon! The Croque Madame is probably the heaviest breakfast I’d ever let myself ingest, but goodness is it ever good. It’s basically an open face ham sandwich with swiss cheese melted over it, and grilled to a perfection. I certainly have to be in a pretty hungry state, and the drive out to hastings and nanaimo is a bit of a trek, but if I’m there, I AIN’T LEAVING WITHOUT EATING THIS.
I discovered this next yumminess during a reunion with my elementary school friends a few months ago.. and ever since then I’ve had cravings of the Red and White Tuna Stack from Tokyo Thyme in Kerrisdale every once in a while. Its basically a build-your-own-hand-roll style dish with chunks of tuna sashimi, rice and seaweed (add a quail egg for some extra kick!). The fancy rolls in this restaurant can be a bit on the expensive side, but you get a real authentic Japanese feel to everything. Either way, as long as I’ve got my tuna stack, I’m good to go!
This next dish is a serious “feeling fancy and don’t want to spend too much, but it still needs to be delicious and filling” meal. Normally at a regular steak house, a prime rib will cost well above $20 before tax and tips, but at Chaise on Main St., it’s priced at a delicious $16! Paired with garlic mash, grilled veggies and yorkshire pudding, it’s impossible to still be hungry after. Seriously. it. is. so. good.
For people who’ve never gone to Naam on 4th Ave, once I mention that it’s all vegetarian, a lot of the time they’re automatically turned off from it. I can understand people who feel like if they don’t eat meat during a meal, they’d still be hungry after because sometimes, I’m like that too.. until I found Naam! I used to ALWAYS get the teriyaki stir fry, but ever since my friend told me to try the tofu dog platter, I’ve never gone back. You seriously don’t even realize that you’re not eating meat because they’ve made their tofu dog taste SO GOOD – and not artificial at all! Moreover, it comes with a side of their famous fries with miso gravy dip and Naam salad. It’s seriously like the best of every world on a single plate.
Like every good meal, this post shall end with none other than dessert! And a mighty fine dessert it is – Smooth Operator from Sweet Revenge on Main St.! It’s basically a black forest cake on crack. They always write different messages on the plates which makes it EXTRA sweet :). Despite how it looks, it’s actually not too heavy of a dessert.. or maybe I’m just obsessed and am lying to myself to make me feel better.. I’ve recently been on a froyo binge, so I haven’t been in to get this in a while.. but posting this seriously makes me crave it now.. brb guys?
Hope you enjoyed part 1 of my guilty pleasures in Vancouver.. please stay tuned for part 2 because I’m sure it’ll be just as delicious!
#TinaWays 