Meloty-Late-worthy "lunch" ;)

I know I know...it's been a (long) while since my last post. Reason? Very simple-because I have a bunch of tests/exams every week! But how could I waste the one-and-only Halloween sitting in front of a pile of numbers (ahem. calculus, to be precise.)?

So I first started my Halloween with a late lunch. I mean really late, like 2pm. Why so late? It's not because I woke up at 1pm or studied till 1-2am last night, no no no. So...why? I met up with EU and she suggested Meloty in Richmond.

I am no stranger to Meloty. I think it is probably the only "high-tea" place in Richmond. I have tried Secret Garden at Kerrisdale before (posts here and here) and I really like it. Honestly, who doesn't love hightea? ;D It is always great to sit down with friends, enjoying savoury and sweet goodies, and spend almost the whole day at a restaurant. So I have no reason not to give Meloty a try...

Buzz Cafe and Espresso Bar-Art + Cofee

I know there are quite a number of cafe posts going on in my blog, especially during the early summer. The reason is simple. It's because I was bored. As a result, I decided to visit the cafes that I have always wanted to visit: Arbutus Coffee, Bojangles Cafe, and Elysian Coffee.
I would go to Urbanspoon and see which cafes I was interested in :P There's one that caught my sight right away due to it's location and name. I know there is a gallery there in the corner but I never noticed there's also a cafe!

So, curious enough, I decided to go there and see what's actually inside this gallery...

Elysian Coffee

VANCOUVERRR! This is one of the long-lost posts that are "supposed" to be posted this summer. This summer I got to go to a lot of different cafes that I've always to try, or actually I should say I will like to try any cafes that have wifi. Why? Because one of my summer vacay habits was to bring my laptop wherever I go. Aha, good memories, good memories ;)

So here it is, Elysian Coffee. It will definitely be one of my favourite cafes so far.

Hong Kong-Lock Cha Tea House

My sister is a good party-planner. No matter its my birthday or her friends' birthday, she just knows how to give them an unforgettable birthday. Because of this reason, my dad and I decided to give not all, but most, responsibility to design a memorable birthday for my mom.

Well, the first surprise she gave my mom was flawless. She secretly booked a restaurant for lunch without telling my mom (and me) the location. Then in a sunny Saturday afternoon, she brought us to the...Hong Kong Park. What? A Park? Yes indeed, that was exactly my reaction. We would have our lunch in a park......with a restaurant hidden inside ;)

(photo from Openrice)

Japan trip-Coffee Negishi

Underground restaurants are very common in Japan, almost every department store has a basement where you can find small shops, restaurants, bakeries, etc.

Since we lived near Shinjuku, the basement of Odakyu (one of the big department stores in Tokyo Japan) was the most familier to us. Most restaurants there are cafes. So when we decided to have breakfast one morning, the first coffee shop that appeared to us immediately became our first choice.

Japan trip-Cha-Cafe

My dad was constantly thirsty because he kept sweating and sweating and sweating like crazy (yea he sweat A LOT). Also because he did not feel too well in the beginning of the trip, so when we knew he really need to rest, we stopped and would find a place to get a drink, took a rest and recovered a little bit...

The same case happened when we were in Shibuya (Omotesando to be precise) one day. A cafe caught out sight immediately when we looked up a random building :D

Bojangles Cafe in Yaletown-Seaview & Coffee

I was in Yaletown one late afternoon. When I planned to make a left turn to the Skytrain Station, the sparkling seaside just caught my sight right away. The weather was hot like crazy, but walking along the seaside was what people do during summer, right? So I changed my direction, headed to Pacfic Blvd...

There were A LOT of people when I got there; sitting outside the coffee shops, taking their dogs for a walk, cycling on the bikes, taking pictures of the wonderful seaside...As I continued to walk along the seaside, I saw Bojangles Cafe, which I've tried to look for it for a couple of times. Though I was not hungry/thirsty at all, I still decided to go in and take a look.

Arbutus Coffee-Cafe + House?

There's one small cafe caught my sight every time when I was going to W 4th Ave/Kitsilano. Its old, cottage-like outlook always seems fascinating to me. Then I told myself, I must come someday, not necessarily for their food and coffee...but definitely for their setting ;P

I woke up early one day (as usual) and felt like going for breakfast. Since I also planned to spend my day at Kitsilano that day, I decided to find a relaxing cafe there and grab a quick breakfast. Wait...Kitsilano? Isn't there a coffee shop I've always wanted to try?

So, here I came, the long-waiting Arbutus Coffee.

Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates & Patisserie-North Vancouver

After lunching with EU, we decided to go to somewhere else to spend this sunny weekend. But where to go? "North...Vancouver?" EU agreed. So, that's where our North Van exploration started.

This was my second time going to North Vancouver. We went to Lonsdale Quay Market and grabbed some gelato, then EU suggested to visit Thomas Haas. I've definitely heard of Thomas Haas-especially its Almond Croissant-but have never tried it before or even visit its store at Kitsilano. Hmm, sounds interesting to me, so why not?

Michi Waffle & Espresso Bar-A good ending to my long weekend :)

Actually right after we finished parking, EU recalled there's a waffle place on Robson Street that she has always wanted to try. Since we didn't order much in Banana Leaf, we decided to visit that waffle place.

Kolachy Co-Stuffed full of GOODNESS

EU has been praising how great Kolachy is after trying it two weeks ago. "OMG, their bread is simply awesomeeee! It's super soft! I'm not joking, you should definitely give it a try!"
Originally, we planned to go last Sunday; however, we phoned them and they said it's closed on sundays! Disappointed enough since I was pretty desperate to try their buns (but I try not to keep my hope too high after hearing EU's glorifying their bun), we ended up having Maple Castella,which is a wonderful choice, of course.

So finally, despite today's rainy day, we decided to go Kolachy Co and gave those lil' buns a bite!

Rock Cakes-ROCK! Cakes

Last recipe I've posted (Chinese Cold Noodles) is a good dish which you can throw all your left-overs into chewy cold noodles. This time, although you can't throw ham and broccoli (uhh..you can if you want to) into the mixture, you can add other sweet left-overs instead.

(Image from foodphotoblog)

Raisins & Chocolate Chips Rock Cakes

• Fun! Just make all ingredients together then you're done!
• Any sweets at home? Use them so you don't have to buy extra ingredients for this recipe.
• Practice creativity
• Snack (tea, party), lunch
• A fun way for children to learn how to cook

Ingredients: (make about 6 mini cakes)

• Plain flour 100g
• Baking powder 1 tsp.
• Salt a pinch
• Castor sugar 50g
• Margarine 50g
• Egg 1/2
• Raisins 15g
• Chocolate chips 15g
• Milk 1/2 tbsp.

*You can change the ingredients for the Rock Cakes. I've chosen raisins and chocolate chips for this recipe, but you can add marshmellow for Rocky Road Cakes, apples for Apple & Cinnamon Cakes, berries for Mix Berries Cakes, etc etc.

1. Preheat oven to 190C.
2. Grease baking sheet. You can use PAM spray or just use parchment paper.
3. Sieve flour with salt and baking powder.
4. Beat egg.
5. Rub fat into flour with finger tips until mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Stir in sugar, raisins and chocolate chips.
6. Make a well in the flour, pour in beaten egg and mix well.
7. Add milk if necessary to mix to a stiff dough.
8. Divide into equal portions and shape with a fork and spoon.
9. Bake until well risen and golden brown. This takes about 15mins. Then cool on a cooling rack.

Easy enough? Just by using this simple and easy recipe, you can create different types of Rock Cakes you want. Now, indulge yourself with this chewy ROCK Cakes! ENJOY!

Yellow Dots Cafe-The best Ginger Tea in Richmond?

Should I use the phrase "City of the Dead" to describe today?

EU and I did drive to Pacific Centre; HOWEVER, it was closed on Easter sunday! So we decided to drive back to Richmond and planned to have a walk in Richmond Centre.
Ok, after we arrived Richmond Centre, we found out it's closed on Easter sunday as well! Sad enough, I suggested to make a visit to Parker Place because it's an Asian mall, so maybe it would open today.

Yes, I was right ;) It was about 3 o'clock and EU and I were a bit thirsty, so we decided to buy a drink in the foodcourt. To be honest, I am never a fan of Parker Place's food court because it is too crowded for me. Also, I don't like the atmosphere of the food court. Thus, it was a surprise to EU that I suggested going to Parker Place's food court for a drink. Eu wanted to drink some hot tea instead of the Taiwanese bubble teas, so the only choice for us is...Yellow Dots Cafe.

Finch's Tea & Coffee House-Lick that freshness!

Everything was nicely planned today. EU planned to have lunch at Gorilla Food and to end our day at Miku Restaurant. Luckily the weather was better today, we decided to take Skytrain to Waterfront then walked to our destination. Unfortunately, Gorilla Food didn't open today for some reason. Then EU came up with another idea-Finch's Tea & Coffee House.

Knowing that I am a fan of vintage, she brought me to this interesting looking coffee house. She said she's always wanted to give their baguettes a try, but since it closes at 5pm every day, she couldn't try it except on weekends. So we decided to give this little tea & coffee house a try.

Secret Garden Tea Company #2

ArelyB, one of my best buddies, came to Canada last year and stayed here for about 3 months. As this was only her second time coming to Canada, everything seemed new to her. EU and I wanted to bring her to some unique restaurant that she had never seen before. And the first thing came to our minds......the Secret Garden Tea Company.

Secret Garden Tea Company #1-T for Two?

Secret Garden Tea Company
#5559 West Blvd, Vancouver BC
(Kerrisdale)

Ratings
1:Yucks! 2:Improvement needed 3:So-So~ 4:Good 5:Very good 6:Heavenly

Food: 5.5
Price: 4.5
Services: 6
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 5.5

• Authentic high-tea place
• Mon-Sat 8am-7pm Sun 9am-6pm
• Traditional high-tea sets (with three-tiered tray) available
• Breakfast and lunch available
• Snacks are also available
• Large variety of teas available
• Super friendly staffs
• Kid-friendly, cozy place
• Suitable for all ages
• Price is a bit higher compare to other cafes or restaurants for a quick snack
• You can purchase their teas if you want
• Popular to locals
• Cute and fancy cups and plates
• Dine in/Take out (48hrs notice is required)
  Occasion to celebrate: tea parties, luncheons, baby showers, family outing, anniversaries, office parties, birthday parties, memorial services, garden parties and picnics. You can call them to help plan a personalized menu.

Premium High Tea Set (for two)-5.5/6

• $25.95 for adults, $16.95 for children (8 years old or below)
• Reservations can be made for: 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm, every day of the week
• Your selected tea + three-tiered tray (including miniature pastries, sweets, sweet scones, Devon cream, raspberry jam, and sandwiches)
• They change the items every month
• They will refill hot water to your teapots
• Since this is my first visit and first time trying a traditional three-tiered tray high-tea set, I find this really special and unique
  
  

Buckingham Palace-5.5/6

• Earl grey and jasmine
• It is one of their bestsellers
• You can add milk if you like but I didn't; I like the bitterness of black teas
• Even though it's more like a decoration to add fanciness to the plates and teapots, I like how they have given each teapot a coat in order to keep it warm

Low Tier-5.5/6

• Egg salad pinwheels, mini sandwiches (with black forest ham, cheese and honey mustard) and mini croissants (with ham and cheese on top)
• I highly recommend their pinwheels! (especially the egg salad ones) They are so soft. I can't say the egg salad is mushy, but it is as soft as the bread.
• Everything is tiny but I suggest not to eat them in one bite! I like eating the mini sandwiches in layers ;)
• They give us the right amount for two people. This low tier may seem a lot but I'm sure you are still able to move on to the next tier, then to the top lier.

Mid Tier-5/6

• Cranberry petite scones (come with jam and devonshire cream) and banana coconut loaves
• I like the banana coconut loaf more. While it may look like it's overly coated with coconut flakes, the banana flavour is still there.
• The scones are crunchy but not hard. You can add jam or cream if you like.

Top Tier-4/6

• Lemon tarts, fudge cakes and lemon cakes (actually I'm not sure about the name of this one)
• Lemon tart is one of their signature items
• I love the lemon tart! The lemon flavour is strong but it's not that sourness you get from the real lemon.
• The fudge cakes are acceptable. It is actually not as sweet as other typical desserts I had before.
• For the last one, I'm not sure whether the filling is lemon or other type of fruit. I have spent some time figuring out..but well, it still tastes good though.

I like Secret Garden Tea Company. Spending a relaxing afternoon there with my family and friends, sipping a cup of freshly made tea and indulge myself in those pretty bite-sized snacks are definitely a nice way to take a rest from a busy and chaotic week.