Sugarholic Cafe

Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way

Richmond, BC V6X 4J7

     I first noticed this cafe when I was at Aberdeen with a group of friends. I was drawn to the cute and cozy atmosphere, but we just ate, so I decided to try this cafe some other time. And that time was today! I was starving after attending a presentation in Aberdeen Square, so I though that there was no better time than now to try the cafe.

     I went with two others, so we ordered three dishes. I ordered the Miso cream risotto with salmon steak, and the others ordered the Rolled chicken thigh with spicy sesame sauce on rice, and the Rolled chicken thigh with basil lemon soy sauce on rice.

Miso cream risotto with salmon steak

Rolled chicken thigh with spicy sesame sauce on rice

Rolled chicken thigh with basil lemon soy sauce on rice

     As you can tell from the above pictures, the overall presentation was lacking. Although I did not walk into the cafe expecting to be floored by the presentation, I still feel that the colour combinations could have been much better. The food itself was fine, but wasn't anything special. The salmon steak on the miso cream risotto was lightly salted and peppered, but was slightly overcooked, causing a rather dry texture. The risotto itself, although slightly lumpy, was rather tasty. The distinctive salty taste of miso and the creaminess of the sauce combined well, resulting in a savoury taste. There were small pieces of tofu in the risotto which added a nice touch. I tried a piece of the Rolled chicken thigh with basil lemon soy sauce, and while the taste was, once again, fine, I couldn't taste any hints of the lemon soy sauce. I only tasted pesto sauce over crispy fried chicken, but the chicken itself was rather tough. While I didn't try the Rolled chicken thigh with spicy sesame sauce on rice, the others said that the dish was quite tasty, but rather spicy, and that the chicken in this was more tender than in the other chicken dish. 

     The service, like the food, was just fine. Overall, this cafe was "just fine" in every aspect. Nothing about this cafe, besides the decor, stands out. Nothing draws you in for a second visit. If you were already in the area and are just looking for somewhere convenient to eat, then this cafe would fit the criteria. However if you are looking for something special, I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to eat here.

Black+Blue

1032 Alberni St

Vancouver, BC V6Z 2V6

     On Tuesday this week for my birthday I decided to visit Black+Blue, one of the many restaurants under The Glowbal Collection, with a good friend of mine. Black+Blue, despite some terrible ratings on certain sites, is actually one of my favourite restaurants. I've never encountered any of the problems that people mention. The service is impeccable and the food is delicious. Although to some, the price point is considered to be too high, I think that the experience is well worth it, especially when taking the luxe decor and amazing overall environment into account. But to those who want the experience without the hefty price tag, it is easily achieved by going during Cocktail Hour, every day from 2:30pm-5:30pm, when the entire Cocktail Hour food menu is 50% off.

     When I went this time with my friend, we decided to order the Mussels and Frites, as well as the Crab and Spinach Dip for appetizers. The mussels were fresh, with an amazing texture and were flavoured well, while the fries were golden perfection, especially when paired with the creamy dipping sauce. The Crab and Spinach Dip was exceptional when paired with the crispy forno bread. We also had an USDA Strip Loin Hot Rock. It was fun to watch the meat cook before our eyes. Make sure to watch carefully though, or you might overcook the meat! Since it was still early and the appetizers were more than enough to fill us up, so we decided to forgo mains. Since it was my birthday, I got dessert on the house! If you tell them that it's your birthday and show valid proof, they will give you some type of dessert.

                                                                   Here's what I got!                          

Located at the heart of downtown Vancouver, this 3-level modern twist of the classic steakhouse is a must visit!

Introduction

Hello!~ I've decided to start this lifestyle blog which will be dedicated to sharing great places to shop and dine, although other topics, such as reviews, will be thrown into the mix as well.