Dine Around Richmond: Food Street

Comments 5 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Last night I was hosted by Tourism Richmond for a walking and tasting tour along with over a dozen food and travel writers.

Richmond Foodie Tour

The theme of the evening was Demystifying “Food Street” which is a nickname given to Alexandra Road, home to over 200 restaurants within 3 city blocks. We were split into two groups and I followed Michelle Ng, who runs the Vancouver Foodie Tour. She was brought in by Tourism Richmond as a host and independent connoisseur of all things dining in Richmond. Having lived in the city for 25 years Michelle recently got out of her gig in the technology industry and followed her heart – to hosting delicious (and affordable) food tours.

Michelle Ng, Richmond Foodie Tour

Our first stop was Well Tea Taiwanese Restaurant where they had bubble tea and slushes waiting for the entire group. I admit, I’ve never had bubble tea before and it was a delightfully refreshing way to start the tour (although it was rather filling and this was just the first stop). Well Tea is very spacious inside and they serve up over 40 varieties of tea as well as casual Taiwanese snacks.

Well Tea, Richmond Foodie Tour

We had four official stops on the 4 hour tour but as we walked and Michelle talked, the group learned about everything from ‘how to know if a dumpling is properly cooked’ to the difference between Hong Kong style Western Cafes and Izakayas. Michelle not only spoke as though she was educated about Asian food, but as someone who was passionate about her community, often tossing in personal tidbits of information (ie. where to get the best foot massage and who to ask for).

Richmond Foodie Tour

Our unofficial second stop was at Kam Do Bakery which is the place to go for Loh Po Beng (winter melon pastry). You can read a bit more about Loh Po Beng here. On to our “official” second stop at Cattle Cafe.

Cattle Cafe, Richmond Foodie Tour

Here we enjoyed Malay Laksa Soup, Baked Pork Chop with Tomatoe Sauce on Rice, Baked Seafood with Creams Sauce on Rice, Unagi (BBQ eel) Sandwich with Cucumber (and white bread with the crusts cut off), and Bubble Waffle. Favourite at this stop: The soup (though very spicy) and sandwich.

Cattle Cafe, Richmond Foodie Tour Cattle Cafe, Richmond Foodie Tour

Cattle Cafe, Richmond Foodie Tour Cattle Cafe, Richmond Foodie Tour

The next stop was Nan Chuu Japanese Izakaya, part of the Gyoza King family. With its extensive beverage list and vast tapas menu I think it’s here that I started getting really full (even with another stop left on the tour). What we found helpful was that they listed their Top 5 menu items from the past week on their menu so if you walked in and didn’t know what to order, that would be a great place to start.

Nan Chuu Izakaya, Richmond Foodie Tour

Vegetarians beware our samplings at Nan Chuu were Ebi Mayo, Udon with Mushroom and Bacon, Deep Fried Chicken Skins (two ways), Chicken Hearts (two ways), Chicken Gizzard (two ways), Salmon Wraps, and Thinly-sliced Beef Tongue Stew. Favourite at this stop: The salmon and the beef stew.

Nan Chuu Izakaya, Richmond Foodie Tour Nan Chuu Izakaya, Richmond Foodie Tour

We polished off the evening was Jang Mo Jib Korean Restaurant. It looks like a schnitzel house on the outside which stands to reason as the building used to be home to pub. The owners renovated and created a top-notch Korean dining experience which is rather evident when you arrive and see an endorsement from James Barber on the front door.

Jang Mo Jib, Richmond Foodie Tour

The dining room is huge, with high ceilings and the Food Network playing from flat screen TV’s. I think we had the most food here which included: Soon Dae Jub See (blood sausage), Jok Bahl (BBQ pork feet), Jab Che (sweet potato noodle), Hae Mool Pah Jun (seafood pancake), Tohng Gahl Bee (beef short ribs), and pork ribs. Favourite at this stop: Jab Che, Tohng Gahl Bee, and Hae Mool Pah Jun.

Jang Mo Jib, Richmond Foodie Tour Jang Mo Jib, Richmond Foodie Tour

Jang Mo Jib, Richmond Foodie Tour Jang Mo Jib, Richmond Foodie Tour

Jang Mo Jib, Richmond Foodie Tour

In order to avoid wasting the food samples, Tourism Richmond provided everyone with a take-away food container so that we could savour the leftovers later on or bring home some of our favourite dishes for our loved ones.

It’s amazing to think that we explored so many Asian culinary styles and dishes within about a 2-block radius. We had great guides that definitely opened my eyes to some of the dining possibilities within Richmond. “Food Street” is a short walk from Lansdowne Canada Line Station and everyone recommended that you either make dinner reservations or arrive before 6:00pm before the entire block fills up with dinner guests for the evening. Check out a recommended food tour itinerary on the Tourism Richmond website.

Disclosure cmp.ly/2 our meals were compliments of Tourism Richmond.

Backyard Photowalk

Comments 3 by Rebecca Bollwitt

When I was young I remember waking up summer mornings, sun blazing through my East-facing window and warming the foot of my bed. My cat would hop across my sheet-covered legs to sprawl then bask in the rays. She would lay there until either her movements or the heat forced me to get up and toss on my freshly cut shorts, recycled from last school year’s jeans. Morning birds would sing, the garbage truck would roar, and my cereal would snap, crackle and pop.

Backyard Flower

The day’s activities were unknown but there were a few staple selections from which to choose. Badminton (if the net was still up), Frisbee (if it wasn’t on the roof), kiddie pool (if no beetles had found their way in), or one of the many yard games my siblings and I had invented (or adapted from summer camp play). All involved many hours in the backyard or on the front lawn; grass between the toes, honeysuckle patches, and avoiding any “gifts” the neighbour’s dog may have left us. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Free Subway Breakfast, Customer Appreciation

Add a Comment by Rebecca Bollwitt

Subway is offering up a free breakfast combo as a part of a customer appreciation campaign tomorrow, August 19th.

Free Subway Breakfast

The offer is valid 7:00am until 10:00am for a ham & cheese egg muffin melt and a coffee.

This is available only at participating restaurants in BC so you may want to call ahead to your local Subway today to confirm before you line up in the morning. No other purchases are necessary in order to get in on this offer.

Update 2011 Participating Subways in Canada are offering a FREE Breakfast Day on May 31, 2011 between 7:00am–10:00am. Receive a free ham & cheese egg muffin melt and a coffee (size not specified).

Grease in Vancouver: Pre-Sale Code

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Grease is coming to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver, hot on the heals of Disney’s The Lion King (that broke box-office records for Vancouver and Canada during its run). Grease was Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year” and will be rockin’ its way across the country in this new production, direct from Broadway.

Grease! Coming to VancouverTake a trip to a simpler time of poodle skirts, drive-ins, and T-birds. “Bad boy” Danny and “the girl next door” Sandy fall in love all over again to the tune of your favorite songs: “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together” as well as additional songs from the hit movie: “Grease,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want.”

Grease will run October 26th until the 31st, and I’m sure will inspire many Halloween costumes (and sing-alongs). This production will be appropriate for all ages and families.

Tickets go on sale Monday August 23rd at 10:00am however I have a special pre-sale code for Miss604.com readers. If you would like to skip the line and scoop up your tickets today, follow this link to Ticketmaster and enter the pre-sale code: THUNDER when you are selecting your tickets. This code will only be valid until Sunday August 22nd at 10:00pm, the day before the general sale.

Crazy Sustainable Commute 2010

Comments 1 by Rebecca Bollwitt

The Crazy Sustainable Commute is for fun as well as promoting alternatives to driving to get from A to B. On August 27th commuters are being asked to find their way to work in a unique and creative way. Suggestions include canoeing, stilt walking, rollerblading, skateboarding, kayak, pogo stick, etc.

“The goal is to inject enthusiasm and obtain exposure to sustainable transportation. We want to get people to rethink the way they get to work!” You can sign up online for the Crazy Sustainable Commute and there will be an after-party at 5:00pm that day in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Follow @CrazySustCommut or the tag #CSCVan2010 on Twitter for updates and participant info.