Mink Gold

Mink Chocolates

863 West Hastings

Vancouver, BC

www.minkchocolates.com

This is Mink Chocolates'  Gold Medal Winner at the 2015 International Chocolate Salon in San Francisco.

A very well deserved award - this chocolate bar tastes like gold. Chocolate with cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, cloves, ginger and turmeric - an indian curry taken to a golden heavenly level with chocolate. A bar to sure try; but buy more than one - the first bar will disappear very fast. Enjoy.

A Product Not To Buy

Umi's Kitchen Butter Chicken Simmer Sauce

www.umisindiankitchen.com

It looks great on the shelf.

You read the list of ingredients - cream, water, tomatoes, fresh onions, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, fresh ginger, cashew nuts, fresh garlic, sea salt, Xanthan gum, spices, cilantro, cayenne - and you think all natural.

Cuts down the Butter Chicken cooking time by 75%. Locally made a bonus.

But something went amiss when used. The expected dark orange Butter Chicken sauce colour came out as a bright yellow orange.

The taste was more like an asian nut sauce - it must be the cashew. Mental note - do not buy again.

A Product To Buy

Mama Mary's Ready Made Pizza Dough

www.mamamarys.com

A great product that you buy off the shelves with no need to freeze or keep in the fridge. Quoting their website "They contain no cholesterol, MSG, trans-fats or animal fats and are lower in sodium than most other brands". And it worked extremely well for an empty-the- fridge-pizza night.

The first crust was covered with ketchup and oregano (mom's version of pizza sauce). Mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, ham and cheese, with pizza ready to eat before you can figure out Domino's online ordering system.

The second crust turned into a greek vegetarian pizza with red peppers, tomatoes, black olives and feta cheese.

Now if I can only remember where I bought them from!

Will a Fat Burger Make You Fat

Fatburger

255 West Broadway

Vancouver, BC

I still remember when Fatburger opened on Denman Street back in 2006. It took over a local business' location and the word on the street was a big American chain taking over the west end. That big yellow monstrosity on Denman Street never enticed me to try it.

Ten years later, on a misty late hungry night in hipster land, this Fatburger location looked kind of cozy. A parking spot suddenly came free right across it; this was meant to be tried.

I don't know what the fuss is all about. This burger is fat, dripping fat and tastes like fat. I don't think I will see you again Frankie any time soon.

Bufala

Bufala

5395 West Boulevard

Vancouver, BC

www.bufala.ca

I tried Bufala this summer. I have been back at least twice. In my opinion Bufala is one of the best of Kerrisdale's dining options. Just look at this presentation.

While the Italian Burrata is as beautiful in the mouth as it is on the plate, Bufala excels in its pizzas. The pesto and ricotta with pine nuts is a must try. 

I believe this is the Finocchiona (Bufala, please correct me if I got it wrong) with Fennel Sausage, Castelvetrano Olives, Caramelized Onions, Provolone, Marinara (yes, the menu reads like a beautiful ancient roman poetry).

Bufala is definitely worth the trip to Kerrisdale (and while talking about reading, when in Kerrisdale, don't miss out on a visit to Hager Books at 2176 West 41st avenue; the sweetest smallest independently owned bookstore in the city).

White, Pink & Creamy

There is no need to have a special occasion to make a white and creamy cake at somerville kitchen. But this one was a special one. It was drizzled with pink coloured cream softened with rose water. A fantastic invention and highly recommend you try it.

My Dear Lovely Neighbour

My Dear Lovely Neighbour, you cannot get more adorable than walking in with your home cooked meal in this lovely 'container'.

You continuously spoil us and we love you for spoiling us.

You are an inspiration for strength, thoughtfulness, generosity, love, and wittiness. 

Olly Jolly for My Dear Lovely Neighbour. Life at somerville kitchen would have been too drab without you.

Thank you!