Screamers are my latest obsession. A genius combination of vanilla soft-serve and a slushy of your choice, they embody everything good in a creamsicle, minus the sticky drippy mess that ensues when it’s a warm day and you don’t eat it up fast enough. I can’t believe I just discovered this. My mom and I…
Author: Denise Alba
Patio Dining: Guu Garden
With the arrival of Stella came the need to get over my aversion to patio dining. In the past, I’d much preferred an air-conditioned dining room, but it was no longer about me. I’d do anything for that little bat-eared and brindle bug; I’d even dine outside, apparently, vulnerable to various types of winged insects…
Shopping, Pidgin & a Movie
After taking Stella to the park yesterday, my friend Christina and I met up downtown for three of our favourite activities: shopping, dinner, and a movie. Our first stop was Sephora – always a dangerous place for me, but not nearly as bad as my favourite store, Aritzia. I’d say 98% of my wardrobe is…
Food Cart Fest Take Two
As disappointed as we were last time, we decided to give the Food Cart Fest a second chance because Le Tigre announced on twitter that they would be there, along with my mom’s favourite, Vij’s Railway Express. I had one goal and that was to try Le Tigre’s pork belly rice bowl (it’s actually called a “kick…
Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk was something I never liked until my last year of college, when I found myself doing a lot of studying at the Blenz near UBC. Not a coffee drinker, I would typically get a dark soy hot chocolate or white tea. On one particularly warm day, however, I decided to try an iced…
Ballet & a Box of Donuts
I don’t have much time for TV anymore, but when I do, I always, always, always need to have a snack. At 9pm, I’m freshly showered, in my pajamas, and on the couch with the A/C cranked all the way up – Stella and I are beginning to wind down (although we usually won’t actually…
Ice Cream Bars
Yesterday was my first time back at Chocolate Arts since Christmas. I had sort of forgotten about it with the opening of Beta5 Chocolates and Beaucoup Bakery, to be honest, but yesterday rekindled my love for it. And not 24 hours later, I found myself back there to pick up more semi-sweet chocolate milk, as…
Morning at Granville Island
One of my favourite places in Vancouver is Granville Island. It’s like one giant farmers market with so much good food alongside art and culture. Earlier today, my mom, Stella, and I took the False Creek Ferry over to Granville Island to have lunch with some friends and their pup, Charlie. It’s a quick ride…
Ice Cream Sandwiches Take Six: Chocolate Arts
Today I tried Chocolate Arts’ ice cream sandwich creations: chocolate and strawberry. The first is a smooth chocolate ice cream sandwiched between flourless chocolate cookies, and the second is an organic strawberry ice cream sandwiched between chewy shortbread with a chocolate drizzle. The chocolate I thought was good, but nothing special. I really liked the…
Nero Belgian Waffle Bar
It’s no secret that I love waffles; I’ve said this before: they are my breakfast/brunch food of choice. Not long ago, we went to Nero Belgian Waffle Bar in the West End, and it’s become my new favourite place for Brussels waffles. I had the “Bresilienne”: a Brussels waffle (or liege, if you’d prefer) topped…
Blueberries for Days
My mom and dad both decided to buy blueberries, forgetting that in our family the blueberry is nobody’s favourite: last year, our pre-ordered 5 lbs from Harvest Union was a total waste (except for the bit that I froze for smoothies and used for scones). Twelve months later, nothing has changed so I’m really not…
Pup & Grub 