Simba’s is an East African restaurant. The dishes we ordered were suggested by the chef and owner himself. He was the one who personally cooked and served our dish. Awesome service and great food! 

Rating: 4 out 5. The food was good. Service was excelled as well. And the ambiance felt like we were really in Africa!

check them out: http://www.simbasgrill.com/index.html

Address: 1269 Hamilton Street 

What we ordered:

Escargot for our appetizer

close up of the snail!

Cache Chicken cordon bleu stuffed with Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms with crispy risotto cake and grilled vegetables 

White truffle infused mushroom risotto

Rating: 3 out of 5

I ordered the chicken but did not like it so much… my sister ordered the risotto and it was good! the escargot was also good but the fact that it’s a snail made me uneasy while eating it but it’s good especially with the mushrooms and the sauce. 

check them out: http://cachebistro.com/

Seattle Series continued with Cheesecake Factory! delayed for months!:O 

THE BEST CARAMEL MACCHIATO EVER!!!!!

Red Velvet!!!

I lost my pictures of the Reese’s, Dulce de Leche and White Macadamia!:( But they were all good!!!

FINALLY! I can blog again after being on hiatus for months because of busy busy school schedule! I’m just glad school is over (although summer session is starting very soon!). Anyway, for my first post, the very popular and highly acclaimed Phnom Phen restaurant located in 244 E Georgia. I ate here twice this month. The first time with family and the second time with friends. Both trips were satisfying in terms of food, service and overall experience. 

I apologize again because I forgot the names of the other dishes we ordered. All I remember was the chicken wings! I really apologize. But I can check on the names again in my next visit:) Below are the pictures from my first trip!

Chicken wings: this is really really good!!!! I would not say the best because I’ve tried better ones but definitely one of their signature dishes. It tasted like pepper corn tofu.. also, the sauce didn’t really do much and it was good by itself anyway. 

I forgot the name sorry! But this was kind of like Vietnam’s version of chow mein or something. I found it ok but my brother really loved it. They have other noodle/noodle soups so I might try those next time. 

Lettuce Wrap! so good!

forgot the name of this dish!

Oyster cake!! (photo by: Kristel Coso)

Chicken Wings!!! (photo by: Kristel Coso)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5. The chicken wings are good but I’ve tried better! This restaurant has been quite a buzz for some time but it’s worth the try!:) 

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/181389/restaurant/Chinatown/Phnom-Penh-Vancouver

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

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 

A semi-fancy dinner with the girls! Adesso Bistro is located at 1906 Haro Street. You can take the 5 Robson bus and get off Denman and walk towards Haro then turn right. Adesso is on the left side. I read about this restaurant at Scout Magazine’s website. This is a quaint Italian restaurant away from the hustle and bustle of Robson street. They have a wide selection of wines and drinks. They have appetizers, pastas and house specials too. What we ordered: Anatra, Cinghiale, Salmone alla Ligure, Aragosta, Linguine alle vongole and Pizza (the name of which I forgot-_-) 

Anatra: this is what I ordered! Braised duck and potato gnocchi with chanterelle, cherry tomato and parsley. I love what I ordered. I have never eaten duck actually, or maybe I have but not cooked this way. Also, I wanted to try gnocchi (after watching it on Food Network). The meat was very chewy and yummy, the gnocchi was very good as well. I also like the chanterelle mushrooms and cherry tomatoes and the sauce as well. overall, a good dish. 

Cinghiale: wild boar ragu with paprika and tagliatelle. I don’t speak Italian so the only thing I understood was the boar. HAHA. I didn’t get to try this but my friend liked it!

Salmone all Ligure: salmon fillet with lightly stewed tomatoe, olive, pinenut and potato. my friend really really liked this dish and I also read in other reviews that people also liked this!

Aragosta: poached lobster, lemon, saffron and lobster sauce. hmmmmm lobster..who can go wrong with this heavenly sea creature! my two friends who ordered this dish really liked this. i got to try this too and the lemon and saffron flavors did give a kick to it. really good! 

Linguine alla Vongole: manila clams, white wine and herbs. it just takes that to whip up this simple yet delectable dish. you can never go wrong with seafood!;) 

Pizza: last but not the least, the PIZZA, the name which I forgot…or could not find in their online menu. but this pizza is really really delish! classic Italian style (you know the kind of pizza they make in legit Italian restaus… the crust is thin and crispy, sort of like a thin pita or biscuit of some sort).. really yummy!

Overall, I’m giving Adesso a 3.75 out of 5. The food was great, the service was really efficient and nice (we had a reservation and we were late and yet they accommodated us very well), ambiance is very nice although it was noisy at that time, sounded like a classy noisy Chinese restaurant, washrooms are clean and well-stocked.. overall, it was a nice, “hidden” place with good Italian food. If you like to get away from the hustle and bustle of Downtown, this is THE place. 

Check them out foodies!!! 

Urbanspoon, Yelp and Adesso Bistro website. 

Bon apetito! -Llana

*****All photos were taken by the talented, Chelsea Go. I do not own any of these images!*****

This is my first Dine Out Vancouver for this year. Urban Thai Bistro is located at 1119 Hamilton St., a short walk from the Canada Line. Here’s their Dine Out menu for only $18! 

I came here with a friend so we got to try most of their items. What I ordered: Tom Kah Goong for appetizer, New Zealand Lamb Loin Chops for the main, and Deep fried Banana with mango ice cream for dessert! 

Tom Kah Goong:this hot, spicy and sour soup with tiger prawns, mushrooms, lemongrass and coconut milk! I’m not a big fan of anything coconut but this soup is pretty good actually. The blend of spicy and sour adds zest to the coconut milk so it’s very creamy and has lots of flavors. pretty good and warm considering it was cold that night. 

New Zealand Lamb Loin Chops: So I got this for my main! I would have gotten my usual and favorite Pad Thai but I wanted something new. Lamb is not my favorite but I don’t mind eating it, but after this I now know what people meant by the aftertaste so now I won’t eat lamb anymore. HAHA. It does have the aftertaste! but the dish was good especially the green curry sauce. Although I won’t appreciate it anymore because of the aftertaste that I just realized after eating this. hahaha. But if you love Lamb, go for it. 

Deep Fried Banana with Mango Ice Cream: YUMMY! I love deep fried banana!!! especially mango ice cream!! simple dessert, evocative combination! 

Here’s what my friend got: Lettuce Wrap for appetizer, Goong Pad Ma-Mauong Hin Ma-Pan for main and also the Deep Fried Banana for dessert!

Lettuce Wrap: this was my favorite dish of the night!! i love the grounded chicken and all other veggies in it! So good! And now I’m craving for more of this! The portions were small though (it is only an appetizer) but I wished they have given us more! HAHA. but this was really good! 

Goong Pad Ma-Mauong Hin Ma-Pan: Goong Pad what?! The name is complicated and long but it simply: stir fried tiger prawns with roasted cashew nuts and chili. HAHA. I will be biased again because i love seafood especially shrimps so I must say this was also good, but nothing exciting about it. The dish was pretty simple so nothing special. All our main came with white rice btw. 

Overall, I would give this restaurant a 3.50 out of 5! Very good service (it was not packed, only a few tables were occupied when we arrived), the food was good and ok -I really loved the lettuce wrap! Some dishes were strong but some are just average, the place was nice - dimly lit, cozy ambiance, and the washrooms (for women) were clean. I would love to come back here and try their Pad Thai and other dishes! 

Check them out: 

Urbanspoon, Yelp, Thai House website. 

*Urban Thai Bistro is a subsidiary of Thai House Restaurant Group. They have other Thai Restaurants across Vancouver so check them out! 

Happy Dine Out!

-Llana