LUXOMME

Can we just take a moment to appreciate this.

For those of you who have no idea what's going on, I was in your position - three months ago.

I've recently moved in Toronto (more accurately the GTA), and as if this was all planned, my new place is situated basically in between all of the restaurants that I've been wanting to try out for ages. Gonoe, Cho Sun Ok, and Kobi.

So that's what I did.

And I dragged along someone with me.

A new face on my blog, I originally tried to convince him to go to Gonoe (for the live moving octopus and sushi!), but this guy hates - like hates with a capital H - sushi, for a reason that still escapes me.

Let's pause for a moment. Who doesn't like sushi! 

Our order of dakgalbi comes in a large iron pan surrounded by a mixture of cheese and corn. The chicken itself is marinated in a spicy sauce, topped with onions, and mixed in with carrots, cabbage, and rice cakes. Add ons are available at an additional charge - rice, more rice cake, ramen, udon etc.

While we waited for the chicken to cook and for the cheese to melt down, I made this guy flash his billion dollar smile for my camera.

This sort of moment needs to be captured.

We can eat, but first - let me take a picture. 

Once it's cooked down, you can see the flavours meld together into a indulgently savory dish. We've got thick pieces of squid and chicken laced with vegetables and chewy rice cake.

Delicious.

And if you want to tingle your taste buds even more, you take a piece of the spicy chicken, and then dip it in the melted cheese. Rolling it around until you've got the perfect proportion of chicken to cheese so that you've got the sharp spice of the chicken blended with the mild and creamy mozzarella, with a slight sweetness that comes from the corn.

This dish is perfect for the chilly Winter evenings we are about to embrace. 

Kobi also specializes in more traditional BBQ as well other Korean dishes, but it's definitely a place you want to bring someone along to. Perfect for gatherings with friends, or a sweet dinner date.

Take me back. Please.

naomi

Meet me in Gastown for a delicious vegan meal.

Last weekend, I hopped on a plane over to Vancouver for a conference, and although it spanned most of my time, there were a few hours I had to explore the city.

This was one of them.

While in Vancouver, I called up my cousins who are both vegans and were the ones who suggested the place. A self-proclaimed meat lover, I was skeptical at the idea because I honestly wasn't sure how exciting food made only from vegetables and plants could be. 

Turns out, it's quite exciting.

"Meet", the name of the restaurant is a cheeky homage to the fact that it is a completely plant based restaurant. I'm not sure if it's a combination of "Meat" and "Beet", or if it's supposed to symbolize a meeting place for people.

Either way, it's attention catching.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, you are greeted by this open space that is enclosed in glass, allowing natural sunlight to stream in. 

The interior is simple, no fuss, and comfortable. 

At every table, they have self-serve cutlery (which imo should be implemented in every restaurant, so that no one has to chase down their waiter every time they drop a fork on the ground) and some organic ketchup, which was a whole new level of flavor.

These two faces are new to the blog! And no, they're not my cousins but they feel like family. 

The three of us met at another conference back in February and managed to stay in touch long enough for Samantha and I to fly over to Vancouver so we could meet up. We are missing a few friends as they all went home to catch some z's after the conference, but Hong was sweet enough to offer Sam and I a ride to the airport, with a quick stop for lunch beforehand.

While waiting for my cousins to arrive, we perused the menu - which showcases not only the creativity and the variety of vegan foods available, but keeps it simple enough not to overwhelm. 

Turns out, there are many many things you can do with vegetables.

Once my cousins arrived, we convinced them that we HAD to try the sweet chili cauliflower [9.75], and convinced them to share.

According to the menu, these are first fried in beer batter and then covered in their special chili-ginger glaze, the topped with scallions and sesame seeds. 

Seriously. You haven't tasted the full potential of cauliflower until it's prepared like this.

Not only is it slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, the tanginess and spiciness of the sauce paired with the subtle sweetness of the cauliflower makes for an explosive bite. 

I know some of you may be appalled and think that 10 dollars expensive for 5 pieces of cauliflower

But this isn't normal cauliflower. Trust me.

We continued with our main meals. A macro bowl for me [12.75], and burgers for everyone else. 

Samantha opted for a Mac N' Cheez burger [14.5] which not only comes with a healthy salad, but a generous heaping side of fries.

That's right guys, vegan mac and cheese. 

Also delicious.

Hong opted for a Double Double Bacon Cheez Burger [14.5], which is about as confusing as it is exciting. Bacon in a vegan restaurant!? Please tell me that's true. 

I have no idea how its prepared, but not only did it have the chewy and crispy texture of perfectly cooked bacon, but the smokiness wasn't overwhelming and the sweetness came through just right. 

The best part is that it's completely (or almost) guilt-free. 

I could eat an entire bowl of this and not feel too bad about myself.

Although service was slow, it was more than worth the wait. 

Usually, with most of my friends, once the food arrives, everyone is ready to dig in. 

Except me.

I'll whip my camera out and usually you'll hear a resounding groan as my friends all realize what's about to happen. Then, for the next 5 minutes, as I repel all glares directed towards me, I proceed to photograph their meals (and them) from every single angle possible. 

This time, it seems I may have met my matches. 

My cousins who have put up with my food-arazzing for years now are completely used to it, and have decided that it's easier just to smile and pose for me instead of resisting.

Which is easy when they are this photogenic.

Once all the pictures were taken, the cameras and phones were put away so that we could enjoy each other's company. 

Feeling very satisfied after the meal, I left the restaurant with a whole new perspective.

1. Vegan food is delicious and if every meal could be this good, I would actually seriously consider giving up meat.

2. Vancouver is gorgeous (when it's not raining). The layout of the city itself and it's architecture is such a refreshing change from Winnipeg and Toronto. The mood of the city is relaxed yet bustling, and the options and opportunities are endless.

3. There's not much I need in life as long as I have family, friends, and good food.

naomi

Tonight, my date and I are heading over to La Carnita Taqueria!

And by tonight, I really meant back in August - because I am a procrastinator.

And by date, I really mean Tiffany - except whenever we are together, its less of a date and more of a situation.

 I promise you. Something is bound to happen.

Upon arrival at 4pm, even though we were no where close to peak hour, we were told that the wait would be 15 minutes or so (because La Carnita is a happening place). The hostess asked us if we would like to sit outside or inside, to which I quickly chimed "outside please!"

Because everyone knows that natural lighting is much better for the gazillion photos I intend on taking.

Tiffany, who lived in the States for part of her life and frequents it often, is an absolute pro when it comes to Mexican food. So I let her take the reins.  

Because it's realistically only 4pm, and we intend to continue our night with more food, she decided to be conservative with our order. One order of Tortilla Chips dusted with Ancho Chili Power & a side of Guacamole [8], one Mexican Street Corn [9], one Beef Cheek taco [5.5], and one signature Carnita Taco [4.95] which was highly recommended by our server.

The chips came immediately, and unlike the guacamole at El Catrin, it comes pre-mashed and ready to eat. I don't mind doing less work.

Famished after a long morning of downtown wandering, we quickly dug in to the generously seasoned chips and smooth guacamole. 

First bite, we were hooked. Second bite, our mouths were on fire.

Quick! Pour the water!

Crunchy bites between massive gulps of water. The chips were delicious and the pain wouldn't stop us.

Thankfully, around the 5th chip, something else arrived at the table.

A perfect distraction to our current woes. A perfectly charred corn on the cob, topped with a special spice blend and a drizzle of crema. 

As I made Tiffany pose for the nice photo, which I had to re-take at least 5 times because she refused to smile for me, our tacos finally arrived!

Some of you may find it peculiar that we would go to a Mexican place and only order two tacos, but I think that La Carnita does everything else much better.

But the two tacos we had were also fantastic.

Fillings were generously piled on. You can see how it completely fills the entire shell, threatening to spill over at any moment. 

Makes for a very very satisfying bite.

Midway into my first chew, the waiter frantically hurried over to our table. 

Remember how I said something always happens when Tiffany and I are together?

Well, apparently it was about to rain and if it started to pour, the waiter instructed us to leave all the food at the table and then rush inside, and our food would be carried and brought back to us to make sure the bill found its way back to the right table.

One thing worse than cold food that's supposed to be hot, is soggy food. 

Quickly putting the camera away to finish off my food, Tiff and I stuffed the remainder of our taco into our mouths and then requested the bill.

The mayhem that ensued shall not be documented on camera. 

One day we will have a quiet uneventful dinner. 

naomi

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For more reviews and information on La Carnita, please visit the following link,