Rachael "Miss. Bakeaholic" T.'s Profile

What I hate about nightclubs (not only Ginger) is that you make the guest list... but still have to wait at least 30 minutes in line... only to find out that there is NO ONE inside... what is that? .... and I never understood how Vancouver can charge such an expensive cover !!!!

Anyways............... I think that cash machines should dispense change, similar to the ones at Safeway.... because the bartender at the bar definitely did not know how to count my change... and it was not rocket science. Three of us girls bought drinks and my girlfriend had put in a big enough tip for the three of us... I bought a beer and was going to tip originally, but the chick didn't even give me back the correct change (DON'T SHORT CHANGE ME!).. I was pretty ticked off.. and she had walked off so quickly.. but my girl stood up for me and chased her down and made her give me my money back. She looks at me, and squeels at the top of her voice, pretending to be apologetic.

Her colleague goes up to her and she's pointing at us with her dirty looks... sorry lady but it's your fault, don't think I don't know your scheme.

The music is actually okay and there is a live drummer which is super cool.. but watch your money at the bar.

With Starbucks drinks being so expensive, I expect the baristas to be helpful and provide suggestions.. and I'm a pretty picky drinker and know that they all have the opportunity to taste different things and be inventive.
Being at a previous starbucks - someone told me to try apple juice with my Vanilla Roobis Tea Latte... so I thought I would try it at THIS starbucks.
I wasn't sure what to expect so I asked them what they thought..
The baristas seemed uninterested and definitely not helpful.
I really hate foam because I feel like my drink is not full so specifically requested no foam.. however, the drink was definitely filled with foam and I was just getting excuses from the barista telling me that airating soy milk makes it foamy........ fine I know.... I would rather let the milk sit then.
I finished my drink, opened the lid and sure enough.. all the foam was lined around the paper cup.

Sorry, I just needed to vent.

Thank you to all those who came out to UYE on a rainy and chilly Tuesday night - what a turnout! It was $10 pasta night (which happens every Monday - Wednesday), no strings attached.

This was also my mission to try Vancouver's 101 Best Eats and I thought what better way than to share it with my favourite foodies - the spaghetti quattro which contained spicy chicken, black bean, olive oil with tomato sauce.

Thank goodness for the generous refills of bread and oil and vinegar while we chatted and waited for our food.... and you can also get half orders of appies, which looked nicely presented, which is always a good sign for dinner.

Our server  was patient with our many questions.. and definitely a foodie expert.. we have to get him to join YelP! The best thing about all this was that with so many people and different palettes, everyone offered to share their different dishes (thanks guys).

Aileen and Yumi's Fetticini with porcini mushrooms,
Sasha and Sarah's hand made fusilli and beef,
Crystal's penne,
Tony, Reena, Michael and Raymond's special - canneloni with braised duck in an eggplant cream,
Pennylaine, Andrea, and Peter's Fettucine Alfredo.. and Brett and my Spaghetti Quattro.
(wow I think I got it all!)

Overall, the dishes were different with their twists... I must say that my dish was unique and deserving to be in Vancouver Magazine for its originality.... for me personally, it was too salty (I really like lightly seasoned food)... but had a really nice garlic kick to it... I knew it was going to be oily.. not my kind of thing. The chicken seemed like "ground chicken" if anything.. I was expecting the "chicken" in the canneloni as some other might have described (in addition to Michael C's review). Black bean has already reminded me of Chinese cooking, and this pasta dish still made me think Asian. The pasta was well cooked, however, and I give them props for that, especially with such a large table.

I am a mushroom fan, so I am not surprised that Aileen's Fettucini with porcini mushrooms was my favourite - not overly creamy, and awesome textures.

I will post pictures soon - although my skills lack with my "spontaneous" shots. I appreciate everyone's efforts for coming and the number of stars I can give to that is 5 ++++ stars... so I'll leave the 3 stars to the food.

I remember Reena talk about Maple Lattes so I hope she's had a chance to check this place out! .. located in Gas Town just  a few shops over from Steamworks, this is a little coffee shot that specializes in maple syrups... and GELATO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who knew :)

I have been wanting to try their Maple Lattes for a while so I took a pass on the ice cream / milk shake options. With real maple syrup that is used in their lattes, you get this nice hint in your latte, not over powering, just a nice sweetness, and authenticness... I was scared that it was going to be way too sweet but I was wrong.

In the back they even sell maple syrup soaps.. I've never heard of that before. there are some baked goods on their pastry case - the maple syrup and chocolate croissant looks like a sugar bomb! and their maple syrup and shortbread cookies look very tempting!

There are a few small tables and chairs for mingling and conversation - good lighting and atmosphere.

vancouver magazine says that BBT cafe is one of the best BBT places in the city... and I get it.
I walked in thinking it was just a tea shop - but it is actually a (fine dining) taiwanese restaurant... their bubbletea selection is pretty large and many of the items are made FRESH!
I ordered the FRESH peanut almond milk tea.... and I was afraid I was going to be tricked with powder.. but no - there were little peanut bits, I could taste it!
It was super tasty and really original, I thought... for $4.50, it is a little pricy, but take out is 10% off so for about $4.00 a drink, I think it's fair.

Can't wait to try their red / green beans and their food too!!!

I was playing basketball in the area so I needed some substenance afterwards. On Sunday afternoon, I was afraid that this bakery would be closed.. but NO! This place was crazy packed with people and families of all ages.... I had to take a number and wait to be called.
I got an assortment of buns and tarts - BBQ pork, curry, coconut, and portuguese egg tarts...

Wow the tart was even better this time.. fresh out of the oven and it was just so gooey :) The bbq pork bun had a kick of spice which was an interesting change to the typical ones I usually eat elsewhere.

This is SOOO UNIQUE!.. at least I think so! I was told that there would be a lineup.. and it only happens once a month.. so I'm telling you - do not come starving because you may have to bail before you get in... or come early.

Every first Friday at the HTUKC, there is a perogy dinner from 5pm to 8pm. volunteers spend their day making perogies and cabbage rollls, raising funds for the church.

I arrive with my friends just after 6:30.. the line up is out the door... and about 15 - 20 minutes later I make it in.......... the church hall is smaller than I thought... the process if pretty efficient. One of the volunteers will give you placemats and direct you to an open table for your party. You can pick up an order form on the table and line up (this time for the food)... trust me.. it's another 20 - 30 minute wait. during that time.. you can decide what type of meal you would like:

Regular dinner - 6 perogies, 2 cabbage rolls, ukrainian sausage, saukerkraut or salad
Super dinner: 10 Perofies, 4 cabbage rollsm ukrainian sasuage, S or S
Mini dinner: 4 perogies, 1 cabbage, sausage, salad only
Dinner range from 8 - 15 dollars
there is borscht and dessert to add on.
All dinners come with tea or coffee.

I thought everything was super tasty.. never thought I'd like the cabbage rolls but they were great. Lots of sautted onions and sour cream to top it off.
It's listed as one of Vancouver's 101 Best Eats! I don't know if it's one of the best things to eat.. but it's definitely one of the best experiences ever!

I am going to try to write this based on the experience of the spa..... not had a massage in about 7 months.. and needed some stress release. Having seen this sign outside the century hotel about how they have won so many awards.. i thought I'd take the opportunity to try it out.

I went in for my appointment, was escorted and given a mini tour of the place and where everything was.. some dining tables, lounge for relaxing, changerooms, extra changerooms to pool and sauna.. and then the room for the massage.

The room was very simple and clean - dim lights, with the table in the middle and soothing music. My RMT and I had a nice conversation while she gave me my massage and I definitely felt pain in places I thought I would feel it... I honestly don't know if it was a good or bad pain... I was indifferent.

After my 45 minutes, I was brought to the dining room where I was provided with a nicely presented salad and two pieces of chicken. It was really nice... grabbed a cup of coffee and slowly enjoyed my meal. Afterwards, I went to the lounge where I sipped on more juices and put cucmbers on my eyes.

... and over 2 hours later, I left feeling relaxed and thinking that everything was all good.

The experience is great...... I would go back in a heartbeat and if I had the money... unfortunately.. it was been a week since I've gone and my body has gotten more and more sore and my muscles have gotten tighter. If you are not use to this, it may take a day for your body to recover..... I'm still trying to figure my situation out... maybe it's just calling for another massage.

I'll keep this simple:

1. Not a lot of space
2. Show up before 9pm
3. Drinks are delicious - GET THE FRENCH CUFF
4. Majority of the crowd are males between 25 - 35.
5. Good music
6. Too loud for conversation

.. GET THE FRENCH CUFF!

Morning after Halloween... everyone is probably trying to find ways to heal their tummies after fun and festive activities....... and Templeton is exactly one of those places you should head to........ even at 1:30pm.. there was a lineup at the door........ after about 15 minutes, my girls and I were seated at a booth....... be aware - no one is going to bring you menus because they are on top of the JUKEBOX. Their menu is massive, full of breakfasts,, burgers, and other goodies... prices are decent to a little pricy depending on what you get.. no matter what breakfast option you get - you're going to have three eggs so be prepared for a large meal.

Your meat options to go with your eggs are bacon, veggie bacon, turkey sausages....... not going to lie.. did not like the veggie bacon AT ALL.. it was dry and rubbery
My eggs were cooked to my liking, and comes with other multigrain toast or rye... I replaced my roasted vegetables with a side of vegetarian poutine (Vancouver 101 Best Eats!).. it's a $2.00 add on.. but it has cheddar cheese and mushroom gravy.. so YUMMY.

The food was good but the long long long long LONG wait for the food was pretty irritating.. there were probably only two cooks in the kitchen., and the waitresses weren't really attentive and ignored some of the things we asked.

This place is worth going back.. but be prepared to wait.

fillingggggggg