Finch's Tea & Coffee House

353 W. Pender St.

Vancouver BC

(604) 899- 4040

www.finchteahouse.com

Monday - Friday 9am- 5pm

Saturday 11am- 4pm

Date of Visit: June 13, 2011

If you are looking for the perfect prosciutto sandwich, Finch's Tea and Coffee House is for you.  I was browsing through Urbanspoon to look for an unique place to have lunch with my friend, and this cafe got my attention.  Not only did Finch's Tea and Coffee scored a high rating in Urbanspoon, photos of the food in Finch's were really tempting as well.  As I know my friend is a big fan of vintage/ victorian decor, I believed it would be a great place for us to try out :)

Ambience * * * * *

I love the ambience!  I feel like I have travelled back in time :)  The place is decorated with just the right amount of vintage furnitures to create a cozy and comfortable ambience and wouldn't be overwhelming. However, the cafe only fits around 5-6 tables, so it may be hard to find a seat at lunch time.  You have the option to order a take out.

Service * * * 1/2

It is a self-served cafe, where you order at the counter and then pick up the order when the staff call you.  The staffs are friendly and they are passionate about the food they serve.  As they are perfecting each and every order, the order takes a bit longer time to be ready.  If you are in a rush, they recommend to call in advance to order.  The other downsize is that they only accept cash or debit.


Food * * * * 1/2

Steamed Soy Milk with Maple Syrup

It is a great idea to add maple syrup to steamed soy milk!  However, it was too sweet to my liking.. the staff actually offered to add more maple syrup, but it was already too sweet. 

Chai Latte

My friend ordered a chai latte and she liked it :)  I tried a sip and it tasted great!  It had just the right amount of sweetness, creaminess, and spiciness!

Pear, blue brie, prosciutto, roasted walnuts, oil & vinegar Baguette ($8.75)

It was the bestest sandwich I have ever had!  Seriously!  It tasted as good as it looks.  The sandwich was like a piece of art that I would admire its beauty before taking the first bite.  The taste of the whole sandwich was very well balanced with saltiness from the prosciutto, sweetness from the pear, and souriness from the vinegar.  I thought the prosciutto would be really fatty, but actually the fat was well marbled and there wasn't a big strip of fat.  Yumm so good!

PLT- Prosciutto, lettuce, tomato ($6.25)

My friend ordered the PLT and she was really full after the sandwich!  The sandwich was really big and it has lots of lettuce and prosciutto! :)

Value * * * *

The price is right for the quality and quantity of food.  It is around the same price as the pork sandwich I had from Hubbub, but this sandwich is more unique and higher quality.


Overall * * * * *

I would like to visit the cafe again and would highly recommend a friend to eat there!  I had a wonderful time with my friend at the cafe :) 

Hubbub Sandwiches

859 Hornby Street

Vancouver BC

(604) 568- 3398

http://www.hubbubsandwiches.com/

Monday-Saturday 10:30am - 9pm

Date of visit: June 21, 2011, 1:00 pm

Looking for the perfect pull pork sandwich?  Look no further!  Hubbub Sandwiches has the best pull pork sandwich I have ever had :)  It is a new restaurant located close to the Scotia movie theatre in downtown.  My boyfriend and I wanted to eat a simple meal before heading to the movies, so this place was just perfect!  In addition, I got a $5 for $10 deal from Groupon, which was a nice bonus :)

Ambience * * * *

The place was small, simple, modern and clean.  It was very comfortable environment and it had an artistic feel to it too :)  You can eat in or take out, or you can enjoy the sun in the outdoor seats.  It was more of a self-served environment where you can help yourself to a glass of water, and two locations where you can return your used utensils, trays and trash.

Service * * *

As it was a self-served sub restaurant, we didn't have much interactions with the staffs.  Regardless, the staffs were friendly and the line up wasn't long.  Because my boyfriend and I were using Groupon, the cashier took a few minutes extra to verify the coupons.  After making the order, we waited for our numbers to be called to pick up our meal.  Although the food wasn't served as fast as a chain restaurant like Subway or Quizos, but the food was worthwhile.

Food * * * * *

Pork Sandwich ($8.49) and Clean Slaw ($2.99)

The pulled pork sandwich was superb!!  There were a lot of pork in the sandwich and the sandwich was quite long :)  The pork was slightly marinated, which gives it a great taste without being too salty.  The baguette was fresh, firm and chewy.  All of the sandwiches have lettuce, generous portion of onion, jalapenos, cilantros, and their secret sauce.  I don't usually eat jalapenos but the sandwich wasn't overwhelmingly spicy, and the jalapenos compliments well with the other ingredients. 

Clean Slaw has shredded cabbage and coconut in a vinaigrette sauce.  The portion was big for a side.  This cole slaw does have lots of coconut, which is great for a coconut lover.  It is loaded with all sorts of ingredients that is great for tummy and the body :)  It is the perfect dish for the summer!

Chicken Sandwich ($8.93)

The Chicken Sandwich has two large pieces of roasted chicken breasts.  The chicken breasts were lean yet  moisted such that it was very easy to chew.  From the menu, the chicken breasts were steeped in citrus juices and coconut milk, which explains why the breasts were so moisted and yummy. 

Value * * * 1/2

Although the sandwiches would be close to $10 without the coupons, I think it is still worth a try.  My boyfriend and I were really full after the sandwich!  It is a great alterative to the regular subs from a chain restaurant.

Overall * * * *

I would recommend to a friend!  My boyfriend suggests that the subs could be better if they offer more options, such as having whole wheat breads versus white bread, and have an option for beef sandwich.

Point Zero Restaurant and Lounge

                      

1149 Granville Street

604-440-1149

Hours:

Mon-Thurs 4:30pm - 12pm

Fri- Sat 4:30pm- 12am

Sun 4:30pm - 11pm

Date of visit: April 30, 2011

This restaurant was featured in Groupon back in March 2011, with the $20 for $40 deal.  Since I am a big fan of Japanese food, I took advantage of this deal to try out a Japanese restaurant that I haven't try before.  It is interesting how this restaurant is only open for dinner and late night, so I did a bit of shopping before heading to the restaurant.  If you are taking the Skytrain, it is close to the Yaletown- Roundhouse station. 



 

Ambience * * * * *

This is a cozy restaurant with sofa seats and chairs.  The place is clean and the sofa seats are comfortable.  There are three projector screens on the wall that play sports programs, which makes it a great place to watch the games.  As the restaurant does not have a lot of tables, reservation is highly recommended if you wish to watch the games there.  There is also a music station at the front of the restaurant and a disco ball on the ceilling, which can easily convert the restaurant to a dancing lounge. 

  

Food * * * *

There are soo many choices to choose from!  We spent 20 minutes deciding what to eat!  There are appentizers, signature rolls, simple rolls, veggie rolls, roll combos, sashimi, rolls, sashimi combos, salads, donuri, noodles, desserts, etc.  The picture above features the chef specials.

Lamb Skewers ($5.95)

The lamb skewers are really tasty.  It is nicely marinated such that it is not too salty, and the lemon and green onion nicely compliment with the lamb.  It would be better if there are four skewers instead of three.

69 Roll ($8.95)

I'm not sure why it is called 69 roll, but sure it is a tasty (and sexy) roll.  It has smoked salmon and eel on the top with avocado and crab meat inside.  This combination is soft and yummy, especially the smoked salmon and smoky mayo gave the roll a bit of a smoky, salty taste.  Because of the name of the roll, my boyfriend and I have decided to try it.  However, I don't think I'll order it again as it seems like a common roll that other Japanese restaurants would have. 

Dragon Roll ($9.95)

On top of the roll, fish roe lays on top of tempera eel with mayo and eel sauce.  Tempura shrimp and cucumber are wrapped inside the roll.  The fried eel and tempura shrimp make the roll really flavourful.  Overall, it is a delightful roll with just the right amount of crunchiness.  However, due to the price, I don't think I'll order it again.

Found memo ($8.50)

It is the best of the four rolls I have tried.  It contains soft shell crab, lettuce, cucumber, and avocado inside the roll and has smeared salmon on top.  I have tried soft shell crab rolls at other restaurants but this one is the best one I've ever tasted!  The soft shell crab in the roll is large enough to actually taste the crab meat (not just the shell).  Also, the crab was warm when it was served, which made it really soft and flavorful.  I will order it again if I go back to the restaurant.

Caterpilla Roll ($7.50)

It is a delightful roll for people who loves avocado (like me)!  It has layers of avocado on top of the roll with cucumber and eel inside.  It tasted nice and soft, though nothing really special about the roll.  I don't think I'll order it again. 

Service * * * * *

There were two lady servers when we were there, one takes orders and the other serves dishes.  Since there were only three tables occupied, we got right amount of attention from the servers.  Water was filled quickly and the food came quickly as well.  The server asked us if we were watching the game, so she'll place us at a table that has a good view of the projector screens.  The lady that served the dishes told us what the rolls were and also asked us how's the dinner.  Both ladies are really responsive and friendly.



Value * * * 1/2

The price is around average for Japanese tapas.  I wish the price is a bit lower so that I can try more different kinds of rolls.  Normally I won't spend $40 on Japanese food unless it is all you can eat.  Regardless, my boyfriend and I were really stuffed after the meal.

Overall * * * *

I will go there again and will recommend my friend to go there.  I had a good time at the restaurant, and I enjoyed the food.  I didn't know about this place until it was featured on groupon.  $20 for $40 was a great deal as I have tried five different dishes and they all tasted good.  I wish I had tried other chef special rolls instead of the caterpilla roll.  

                                            

Groupon deal for Samba Brazilian Steakhouse ($20 for $40!)

There is a great dining deal for Samba Brazilian Steakhouse at Groupon!  It is conveniently located at Vancouver Downtown at 1122 Alberni Street.  For $20, you can get $40 toward your food and drink purchase at the restaurant.  You can choose to eat their menu items or their buffet.  Their buffet, like any other buffet, is not cheap.  Here's their prices:

Lunch (Monday-Thursday): $14
Lunch (Friday- Sunday & Holiday): $16
Dinner (Monday- Thursday): $29
Dinner (Friday- Sunday & Holiday): $32

Does it worth to try?  I would say YES!  I dined at the restaurant twice for dinner, and I had pleasant dining experiences at both times.  Though it has been a long time since my last visit, my rating based on those experiences may not be accurate (hence I am not doing a extensive review on it now).  I believe it is one of the restaurants that each Vancouverites should try at least once. 

How is it different from other restaurants?  If you are going for their buffet, the host will give a card that says "Go!  You want more food" on one side and "Stop!  You are full" on the other side.  During the meal, different servers will serve you different kinds of meat (lamb, beef, pork, chicken) right at your table.  Meats are pierced through a sword, just like donair, and the servers will slice the meat from the sword.  Servers and the meats will keep coming to your table until you flip your card to the "you are full" side.  At dinner time, there will be a brazilian belly dancing performance!

Why is it worth the trip?  It is a great place for meat lovers, as you'll have all the meat you want until you can't stand the smell of meat.  When you are tired of chewing meat, you can also eat from the salad and hot food bar .  The salad and hot food bar have pretty good selection, and food in the bar tastes pretty good.  And right now you can get a good deal!

Don't miss this good deal!  The deal is ending in 13 hours!  You can use the coupon until September 11, 2011!

Groupon link:
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu24047029

Here's the details about the restaurant directly from their website
http://www.thaihouse.com/samba-brazilian-steakhouse/

SAMBA BRAZILIAN STEAKHOUSE

Address: 1122 Alberni St. Vancouver
Telephone: (604) 696.9888

LUNCH HOURS

11:30am to 3:00pm Weekday (Mon - Thurs & Sun)
11:30am to 3:30pm Weekend (Fri & Sat)

DINNER HOURS

5:30pm to 10:00pm Weekday (Mon - Thurs & Sun)
5:50pm to 11:00pm Weekend (Fri & Sat)

Afternoon Tea at Shangri-La Hotel's Lobby & Patio

1128 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

Afternoon Tea Hours: 1-5pm

Cost: $36 each person

Reservations can be made though OpenTable  

Date of the visit: Feb 14, 2011

As you may have noticed, my high tea at Shangri-La Hotel's Lobby was on a Valentine's Day.  My bf and I wanted to try something different so we went for High Tea for the first time.  My reservation was at 3:30 pm, and there were only two tables occupied at that time.  There wasn't a special menu for Valentine's Day, which is a good thing considering special menus are usually higher in price than the regular menus. 

Ratings (out of five stars)

Food * *

 (Top picture: ooops I spilled some tea on the table.. hehee)

The high tea started with the tea, of course.  There was a large selection of teas to choose from, which was divided to green, black, red, and fruity teas.  I had a fruity tea that I really liked, and my boyfriend had Japanese cherry green tea that he liked a lot too.  Then the scones (one each) came with three different kinds of spreads (cream cheese, raspberry, and peach).  The scones had just the right softness and the spreads tasted well with the scones. The highly anticipated three-tier high tea tray came after the scones.  The bottom layer was the petite sandwiches (smoke salmon, roast beef, and one that I forgot) and a half croissant with egg salad.  The smoke salmon petite sandwich tasted great, and it was the best item in the whole meal.  The middle layer was some random pastry, including a wrap with Portobello mushrooms and veggies, and BBQ pork in a puffed bun, and shredded pork, green onions, and red onion on chow mien.  Sounds amazingly like Chinese food eh?  It tasted amazingly like Chinese food too…  I was not expecting to eat Chinese food in high tea and I was not impressed.  The top layer was the dessert, which has fortune cookie (seriously!), Chinese crunchy cookie, lychee flavoured jelly with Gogi berry, and Shangri-La’s signature cake.  I liked the signature cake, but I was so disappointed of the other dessert items.  I mean, comm’on I can buy them directly from the T&T supermarket.  I would expect more, much more, from Shangri-La Hotel.

The food in general tasted fine (which explains the two stars) but it was definitely lacking creativity.

Value *

To me it was not a value at all!  For that amount of money, I can get a really decent prime rib dinner at the Keg.  I understand that it is supposedly a high class setting and that high tea is generally more pricey than a meal, but for the food I get it is not worth the money.  Although me and my bf had a bit of fun opening the fortune cookie and reading our fortunes, fortune cookies in high tea is a definite turn off to me.  I was going to give zero star for value, but for the service and ambience that we had for amount of time we spent there, I would give it 1 star.

Ambience * * *

It was a relaxing ambience; the seats were comfortable and the ceiling was high.  It could add more decors to create a luxury or elegant ambience.  Since the lobby was facing Arbutus Street, my seat was facing the side of the Urban Fare. 

Service * * * * *

The host was very attentive; he greeted me and my boyfriend immediately when he saw us checking out the menu by the lobby entrance.  He placed us by the window, so we were seated comfortably on an armchair with a decently sized table for high tea.  Our server was quick, and he checked on our tea a few times to see if more water was needed.

Overall * *

I will definitely WILL NOT go back, and I WILL NOT recommend anyone to have high tea there, unless they change the menu.  For the price, I believe there are better high tea places than Shangri-La Hotel.