SEAWEED

So I know a lot of people that read this blog might probably be Asian. Okay. Maybe not. But today's post is dedicated to edible seaweed.

Well, how should I start this? For those that haven't tried it, its pretty much dried algae formed in sheets. Its kind of fishy. A lot of Asian cultures use this in their preparation of food. Seaweed is found in sushi, kimbap, soups, salads, etc. I'm just going to focus on the dried snack version.

Anyways, seaweed is really high in iodine - aka really salty, a pack of like 10 paper thing slices is the same as a pack of potato chips. I find either most people are addicted to this stuff or they're really blah and they won't try it again. Seaweed is a matter of personal preference.

Anyways, todays post is where I buy my seaweed. Generally, I don't know for what reason, I like the really small packets of seaweed that you can buy at any Asian grocery (Lucky, T&T) imported from Japan. They're super expensive like 8.00 for like the smallest possible pack. Ugh. But recently, my mom brought him a box from Costco. Its so reasonably priced that I have just accepted the fact that quantity > quality.

But seriously though, this stuff isn't bad. For 9.99 CDN you get 36 packets... and they're pretty good. Packaged in South Korea!

Jayone Roasted Seaweed

Throwback Thursday: The Cupcakery (Monte Carlo Street of Dreams, Las Vegas)

This week's feature is The Cupcakery, from Las Vegas Nevada! I actually miss Vegas a lot. But last summer, I stayed at the Monte Carlo and every morning I would walk past this little cupcake shop before heading down the strip. Everything inside was really pink, really cute, and sparkly! The Cupcakery is located inside the Street of Dreams inside Monte Carlo, but they have other shops too located around Vegas. 

I'm generally not a big fan of cupcakes. But the designs on some of them did catch my eye. Haha. At least they were really good. 

Strawberry Shortcake w/ Cream Cheese frosting :)

Carry on friends! Vacation time is awaiting!

T.H.I.S. Place (10382 105 St)

So some of you know Tom who owns Lan's Asian Grill. Well recently over the summer he invested in a new venture called T.H.I.S aka To be Happy Is Simple. THIS is located right across from building 5 from Grant Macewan. Contrary to popular belief, THIS doesn't actually serve food (sorry guys, I know Thai food at Lan's is definitely a hit!)- its a coffee shop. They have a plethora of coffee, teas, hot drinks, cold drinks, and popsicles. When the time is right, they'll have frozen yoghurt. 

When you walk in, the doorway is a maze and it leads you straight to the counter where you're greeted by the other owner of THIS. She's really nice and she'll recommend you things that are absolutely delicious (or what she feels like making for you - its especially good). 

All their hot chocolate is made with real chocolate, not powder and definitely not chocolate milk. Their popsicles are all handed made and the sticks have their special insignia on it. 

 

Viet Iced Coffee Popsicle

Sorry for the blurry picture, I was running late for my class and I quickly snapped a shot. The above popsicle is not actually on the menu. You can try it out, I totally recommend it. It has a lot of caffeine in though, so beware. If you've never had a viet iced coffee before, its basically really strong coffee over condensed milk (which is the white parts). 

Try it out! I give this place 10/10. But be wary, the shop isn't open Sundays and its closed at 7 from Monday- Saturday :) 

EDIT 1: Go try their hot chocolate, they come in plenty of different flavours! And they're made of real chocolate!

Its Springtime!

I know I know. Edmonton isn't exactly the ideal place to call home for spring and summer. But when spring is about to come, and after the last snowstorm, it means its a time for flowers, and ice to melt and everyone tries to lose weight to fit into bikinis again. 

To me, springtime is welcomes the plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh fish, er ... fresher fish, and BBQ meats come out again! Long gone are the 8 months of canned goods that you're forced to endure. Okay, I'm over exaggerating, but I tend to eat a lot more canned foods over winter. On the plus side, spring welcomes lower costs of grains and vegetables.

Most people are probably grimacing from this post. Like WHY DO YOU EAT VEGGIES THEY DON'T TASTE GOOD!

YOU TELL ME IF THE BELOW PICTURE DOESN'T TASTE GOOD.

Ahi Tuna Salad from Joeys Downtown

I'm not a fan of the warm or hot weather. But I'm a big fan of food that tastes good. I hate eating, to me its a chore to stay alive. I eat minimally but when I have to eat, I prefer stuff that tastes good so I'll actually enjoy it for once. 

Anyways, welcome back spring, I'm sure a bunch of people missed you.

:)

Sloppy Hogs Roed Hus (10406 118 Ave)

BBQ BBQ BBQ is what men always crave. So when I give the chance for my partner in crime to choose the restaurant, it was going to be BBQ or steak. I visited this place once before bringing along my male BFF.

This place is packed. By packed I mean, this place is super small and they take reservations and is quite busy. I went on both a Friday and again on a Tuesday and there wasn't any smaller of a crowd.

This place features a pig riding a motorcycle and purposedly misspelled name as its sign.

The first thing you see when you walk in (besides the amazing amount of people with large amounts of food in front of them) is a quaint little house on the prairie stove selling their marinates/ dipping sauces. In my opinion, I liked the honey mustard the best - its tangy with the right amount of thickness. The other two flavours are worthy mentions. You can try all three dipping sauces with any order of beef brisket.

Anyways, I'll cut to the point. Its a lot of food and no vegetables. The servers all have anti-vegetarian sentiments. Besides the offensive tshirts, the restaurant is very smoky inside (like I'm pretty the BBQ fumes fans out into the seating area). Also it is very dimlight

The menu features a few items served different ways. The appetizers are all standard BBQ - so sliders, poutine, fries, coleslaw. BBQ chicken, BBQ pulled pork, BBQ ribs, BBQ beef brisket are arranged in different manners but in the end you're getting the same thing. All meals come with cornbread and a side of beans. All items on the menu are priced decently for the amount you get. There are family sized packages for the brave.The alcohol list is well packed with your standard domestic beers, a few imports, and of course the "girly drinks"

1/2 ribs, 1/2 chicken with fries

Beef Brisket Burger w/ Mustard

You come out of this place smelling like BBQ. Its so good, you're so full and all the boys are happy. Just be prepared to feel really really greasy when you're done. But the satisfaction from food while showering is the best feeling. :D I give this 9/10.

Izakaya Tomo (3739 99 St)

So I know I haven't updated in a while. My phone broke, I got a new one and recovering all my pictures were a pain. 

Anyways, back in January, this little shop opened up. Izakaya Tomo is found in a weird awkward industrial part of town. Its hard to spot, but its by the south side Canada Post depot and tucked along side Don's Photo and a little pho place. 

When I went, it was quite busy. Reservations can be made in advance. I guess thats what happens when a new place opens up. You're first greeted by a friendly... er, friendly servers. The place itself is very small. A few bar stools. And very small tables. You won't fit more than 4 people.  The server seats you and gives you a menu. Then he introduces the place. (Apparently Izakaya is a bar or pub style in Japanese). He mentions the portions are very small and they're mainly appetizers or finger food, as he liked to put it.

The drink selection at Izakaya Tomo is very large, for Japanese imports, and for non alcoholic popular drinks. Outside the standard pop and juices, they offer Japanese teas, Japanese beers (not many domestic ones sorry!), and popular Japanese drinks (includes yakult and calpico!)

So you order the drinks and you open the menu. Its about 4 pages. Most of the food is decently priced, maybe on the pricey side once you see the sizes. The selection of sushi and standard Japanese meals are very limited. Everything in the menu has a western take or a very Japanese take. Like the server warns you, the portions are appetizer sized. Probably the larger dishes are udon and rice dishes but not so much.  Anyways, I've attached some images for you: 

 

Tuna Tataki - very fresh tuna in ponzu sauce with the right amount of onions and seaweed!

Takoyaki - very freshly fried and light and crispy inside. A large helping of dried octopus flakes on top. 

Fried Oyster Balls - the top part is a light yam hash 

Beef Tataki - thinly sliced meet in ponzu sauce over a bed of onions

I did order other things, but I got kinda hungry and I started eating those dishes before taking a picture. I enjoyed this place but I am kind of on the fence about coming back. Maybe its because I tend to avoid a bar setting when eating with my partner in crime. But, the atmosphere is enjoyable despite a bit cramp. 

If you get a chance, try it out! The food isn't really bad at all. :) 

De Dutch (10030 Jasper Ave)

I got to school downtown and somedays I'm there really early and I didn't eat breakfast.

So, I was browsing through my friend's Instagram and I saw a cute little place. Anyways, downtown is always under construction, so my boyfriend and I walked to this place. Parking is pretty terrible at this place after we got there. Its only accessible from one side and this restaurant sits close with 5 other.

Anyways, this place is very bright inside, and very orange. Its cute. Decor is interesting. Washrooms are clean hahaa.

It wasn't very busy when I went at 11. But we ended up ordering breakfast (they also serve lunch too). The menu is quite friendly and they offer special delights. (I wasn't really in the mood for their special Dutch pancakes).

BC Salmon Eggs Benedict

Big Breakfast

They serve very crispy but soft inside hashbrowns and offer you a side of salad or fruit with every meal. Surprisingly, they give you jam and peanut butter for free, not just butter. My boyfriend found the biscuit that the eggs benny was one kind of different, but its apparently dutched style: very multi grain and even more dry than the normal biscuit. There wasn't enough hollandaise sauce on it.

I'd give this place a good 8.5/10. I'd return if I missed a meal and I wanted to walk here. Parking is really bad, and the construction outside is really loud. But food is good! :)