I love baking and cooking! But I do more baking because it costs less time and effort. Last weekend, I baked some cupcakes and made the icing all from scratch. The dulce de leche or “toffee syrup” - is just caramelized condensed milk which I boiled for about an hour and a half. I will upload some of my baking videos soon!:) I haven’t been able to post recently because of school but don’t worry, I will update as soon as possible!:) I would like to thank Alyanna Uy for this awesome photo!:) 

Hey readers! I have not been updating because of the load of school work I have to do-_- i have not even finished my Seattle series yet! Anyway, I will update it ASAP! For now, I’m going to do a quick review of Benkei Ramen, located at 545 West Broadway, near the Cambie Canada line. My friends and I did not intend to eat here but since the restaurant we wanted was full, we just decided to go with Ramen! Not a bad choice considering it was a cold, rainy night! So, what we ordered: Shoyu Ramen with Veggie toppings, Shio Ramen and Shrimp Gyoza. Thanks to Raissa Cheu for the photos!

Shoyu Ramen with Veggie toppings: Served with bamboo-shoots, spinach and nori! the soup base lacks flavor, but i liked the toppings. overall, an “ok” ramen 

Shrimp Gyoza: I’ve tried better Gyozas but ok I will be lax on this since it’s shrimp and i love shrimps and i super love gyoza. but i’ve tried better. this is “ok” as well.

Shio Ramen: my friend ordered this and she said it’s ok as well!

Overall, I’m rating this ramen place a 2.75 out of 5. It’s an “ok” place but there are better ramen places in Vancouver like Santouka and Kintaro. The service was efficient and friendly too. So, when you’re really craving for ramen and you happen to be around in the area, Benkei is the place. Although, there are lots of other great restaurants around this area too! And oh, did I mention that this is right next to Marble Slab? hahaha. 

Check them out: Benkei Ramen

Happy Eating! -Llana :)

For my next Seattle Series, it’s CPK!!!!!! Oh how I’ve missed you!:> We ate here for dinner after a long and tiring day of shopping. This is again located at Westfield Mall, across a car dealer whose name I forgot. I think it’s Honda. But anyway, here are the food we ordered:

All photos are from Alyanna Uy. When the blogger is hungry, she cannot wait to dig in:P 

Crispy Mac N’ Cheese: our appetizer! a twist to the classic mac and cheese! 

Check them out: CPK

Happy Eating, Llana

I tried this in Manila, pretty normal. I do not know about the taste here in Seattle but one of the best I’ve tried so far is Timothy’s in Steveston. But worth to try!;)

Photo by: Alyanna Uy

For my second feature, it’s Auntie Anne’s pretzels!!!!!!! The best hand-made “mall” pretzels ever!!!! I love love love their caramel dip!!!:) 

All photos taken by Alyanna Uy

Hi readers!!!:) I’m on Reading Break right now so to start off the week, my friends and I went to Seattle for 2 days for a much-needed eating and shopping trip!:) To start my “Seattle Series”, I am proud to present the Philippines’ very own, Jollibee! Located at Westfield Mall in Tukwila, around 40+ minutes from Seattle Downtown by public transpo or 20+ minutes by car. I have not had Jollibee for almost 2 years so this was one of the highlights of the trip! I usually order my usual, 2-pc. burger steak and always with extra gravy but since I’m missing the classic chicken joy, I got the 1-pc. chicken joy and spaghetti. I would have gotten their pies as well (I swear, better the McDonald’s) but I needed space in my tummy so I resisted. Anyway, below are the pics from Jollibee. I also posted pictures from Red Ribbon but I did not get anything from there:)

All photos are taken by me unless otherwise stated.  

1pc Chicken Joy and Jolly Spaghetti (photo credits: Alyanna Uy)

Burger Steak (photo credits: Alyanna Uy)

Jollibee menu

Red Ribbon menu

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Red Ribbon cakes (photo credits: Alyanna Uy) 

So I’m writing this Jollibee branch a 4.25 out of 5. I love their chicken and tmy friends said the burger steak tasted the same. But the spaghetti was a bit different. Not entirely different but only a slight one, like with the sauce, cheese and meat. Service was efficient and the restaurant was nice and clean. No long and chaotic line-ups!:) As for Red Ribbon, the cakes were pricey. I wanted to try the Brazo but they don’t sell them by slice so I did not get it. So when you’re in Seattle, don’t forget to drive down to Tukwila and try Jollibee and Red Ribbon! A taste of the Philippines!;) 

-Llana 

I discovered this quaint place when Socialshopper.com featured a deal from them. Soirette is located at 1433 West Pender Street. Please do not dare to walk it, I walked it from Burrard! Save yourselves and take the 19 bus! Anyway, I came here unexpectedly after dropping by Thierry and finding out that their macarons were sold out! I was disappointed so I came here instead. I ordered a box of 6 worth $12 in total with tax. I ordered rose, caramel fleur de sel, violette, rocher, raspberry and strawberry. 

cute packaging!

macarons - strawberry, rose, violette, caramel, raspberry and rocher

this came with the box! it’s back to back but i forgot to take a picture of it.

one got smushed because my camera fell on it as i was trying to take the picture for the first time…:(

Honestly, I didn’t really like the macarons. First, the size is too small for me. Secondly, it’s overpriced, Thirdly, lacks flavor. I like Thierry better (review to follow soon!). Thierry has bigger servings and it’s more delicious. Cheaper as well. My dad didn’t find anything special in these too. But among the flavors I tried, I liked the strawberry, violette and raspberry. But you really had to chew well in order to taste them. This was kind of a let down because I had higher expectations since this received high ratings in urbanspoon. But, I will give this another chance and come back. The lady was nice anyway and I liked the interior. I won’t give any ratings first since I’m coming back. HAHA. Check them out at: 

http://soirette.com/

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1619490/restaurant/Robson-Street-West-End/Soirette-Macarons-Tea-Vancouver

-Llana 

Nori was part of my childhood<3 I remember my classmates and I would always share this back in gradeschool! those were the days….:> 

Happy Eating!!!! -Llana

I would like to thank my friend, Hannah for sharing these chocolates with me!:) I know you can only buy these in Japan or HK..so sad they don’t have it in Vancouver!:( unless some Japanese/Asian stores carry it. So as mentioned above, it’s green tea and pumpkin cheesecake flavors! I am not a fan of green tea but this didn’t taste bad at all. I actually liked it. As for the pumpkin one, it’s kinda weird at first because you can really taste the pumpkin and I’m not as adventurous when it comes to chocolates mixed with other flavours but this was a good experience to try. She said that there are other flavors like ginger! and I also searched it online they have caramel macchiato, fruit parfait, blueberry cheesecake etc… only in Japan I guess!:) oh well, enjoy the pics!