After a wave of unprecedented cold weather, it’s time to warm up our bodies and souls. Well, good news! The 12th edition of the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival has just begun! From January 15th to February 14th, 44 coffee shops, pastry shops, chocolatiers and ice cream parlors in Greater Vancouver will offer hand-crafted chocolate drinks. During that limited time, you will be able to choose among 106 original recipes, which also include gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options. You can find the full list of participating vendors: here If you are having a hard time deciding where to go, you c ..read more

A few months ago, a Japanese friend told me that SenZushi in Victoria was a great spot for a good Japanese meal. I decided to take advantage of the winter holidays on the island to give it a try and get my Japanese food fix. The Atmosphere SenZushi is located on Fort street, pretty much across Blue Fox Café. You can feel the Japanese vibes from the outside with the red lanterns and the wood fences covering up the windows. The inside also has a strong Japanese feel. The décor falls a bit into cliché with the red Japanese umbrella, the fans and the pictures of geisha and mount Fuji, but I ..read more

Rating: 2 out of 5. When it comes to pizza, Canada is no different from its American neighbor: thick and doughy is the norm. But not to worry, if you’re craving some thin-crust pizza, there is still a plethora of pizzerias to choose from. If you are in Victoria, Faro at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is one of the many options. This Italian restaurant opened in the summer of 2020. Its menu features Mediterranean appetizers and handcrafted Neapolitan-style pizzas. The Atmosphere I went to Faro for lunch on a Sunday. It was a chilly day so I sat inside, but there is a nice patio that must be very enj ..read more

Canada is known for its cold weather and its luxuriant nature, but it doesn’t particularly shine on the international food scene. Yet, Canada has a few edible gems that are worth a try, and believe me, it goes beyond poutine and maple syrup! Let’s start our culinary journey by exploring Canadian sweets. I’ll share with you my must-try treats and, of course, I will let you know the best spots to sample them in Vancouver. 1. Date Squares Jitters‘ date square ($4.55) Date squares are probably one of my favorite Canadian sweets. Traditionally, the chewy date paste is placed between two buttery oa ..read more

Rating: 3 out of 5. The world is like a giant kitchen and I am desperately trying to eat everything it has to offer. Sampling new cuisine and flavors is my favorite pastime, so when a Sri Lankan acquaintance told me he would take me to House of Dosas — his favorite Sri Lankan restaurant in Vancouver, I was literally overjoyed. House of Dosas is a very popular hang out in Kingsway. Every week they have a ‘Monday Special’. On that day, all their dosas are only $5.99, so we figured there would be no better day to go on our culinary expedition. The Atmosphere As its name suggests, House of Dosas ..read more

Rating: 4 out of 5. Are you craving a sweet treat? If the answer to this question is yes, then you should consider Nero. This Belgian waffle bar has two locations downtown. A couple of days ago, I was in need of a sugar boost so I went to their restaurant on Seymour street. The Atmosphere I went to Nero on a weekday for a late brunch and I did not have to wait much to be seated. However, a line-up formed up at around 1pm while I was eating, so I apparently barely managed to beat the crowd. It’s a first-come first-served basis so I would recommend you to go early, especially on weekends. The ..read more

As a result of the pandemic, many of us are now working from home. Although it has its good sides, it’s perfectly normal to want a change of scenery once in a while. Whether you feel lonely, want a break from your instant coffee, or need that extra sugary boost to get you through the day, there is a café for you out there. But when it comes to work or study, not all coffee shops are created equal. If you’re looking for a place where you can work or study comfortably while sipping on a nice cup of coffee, you’re in luck! In this article, I will introduce you some great coffee shops to do just t ..read more

Rating: 4 out of 5. There is a new comer in Vancouver’s dining scene that has been making some noise. A couple of months ago, Chef Bardia Ilbeiggi opened the restaurant Delara in Kitsilano. Delara means ‘beloved’ in Persian and it is a rather fitting name since it has already won the hearts of many Vancouverites. This establishment serves modern and seasonal Persian cuisine and the menu is strongly influenced by the Chef’s Iranian heritage. The Atmosphere I went to Delara for dinner a couple of weeks after its opening and the place was crowded. At times, it got very noisy, so it was hard to ..read more

Rating: 3 out of 5. This is my first autumn in Vancouver, and I was not mentally ready to face this much rain. On most days we still get two-digit temperatures, however the sun often plays hide-and-seek with the dark clouds. I may not have the power to make the sun come out, but I can at least make it come to my plate. So, regardless of the grey sky, I decided it was about time to enjoy some Greek cuisine and I headed to The Greek by Anatoly in Gastown for some warm Mediterranean food. The Atmosphere My partner and I were apparently the only ones with a Greek food craving. No other guest sho ..read more

Rating: 3 out of 5. New Sunday morning, new brunch spot! After a first amazing brunch at Jam Café, I have been on the lookout for serious contenders in Vancouver. After browsing the web, I decided that my next stop would be Forage. This all-day restaurant serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s consistently been ranked among the best brunches in West End over the years, so it was a good enough reason to try it. The Atmosphere I went to Forage at around 10am on a Saturday morning and I was able to get a seat pretty much right away. No line up is definitely a plus. The inside is more upsc ..read more