Even though there are a million food blogs out there, I felt a strong need to add my voice to the foodie conversation and share my personal food experiences. I aim to bring genuine and honestly curated information on the best (or not) eating places in the Greater Vancouver area.
I wish to build a trust with my readers based on my truthful, unbiased opinions and recommendations. Your feedback will go a long way in helping me determine where I stand on my pledge.
I look forward to receiving your feedback. Please let me know what do you think of my blog posts by filling and submitting the form below.
I look forward to receiving your feedback. Please let me know what do you think of my blog posts by filling and submitting the form below.
Palmyra a thriving oasis city was established in third millennium B.C. by Romans. Today its world famous ruins ( located in modern-day Syria, 100 miles north-east of Damascus ) offer silent testimony to its past grandeur and majesty. Palmyra was as an important center of culture and commerce along the ancient Silk Road. It is believed that the name Palmyra came from the abundance of palm trees surrounding the ancient city.
Palmyra archaeological site.
Great! How do I get there?
Make your way to the Palmyra Mediterranean Grill, located at 10020 152 St, Surrey, BC. The place is run by a super-friendly Syrian family who, in the true Arabic tradition of hospitality, greet you with a generous smile. The place is spick and span with a reasonably sized dining area.
Wraps being prepared (L) and a delicious spindle of meaty goodness on the vertical grill (R).
What to order?
The Palmyra menu is basically split between wraps and platters. A wrap also called shawarma (Middle Eastern) which is different from gyros (Greek – Mediterranean). One difference between shawarma and gyro is in the preparation — shawarma is more about the flavor of the meat than the plethora of toppings on it.
Note: This establishment does not serve any alcoholic beverages!
Let’s Wrap this up
You can order a wrap with your choice of chicken, lamb, beef or a combo of meats – menu does not list the combo, but they will make it for you. Wraps are made with generous amounts of meat, freshly cut veggies, tzatziki sauce, smoky humus and house made hot sauce – all neatly wrapped in a warmed pita bread pocket. The falafel wrap is one of the few vegetarian offerings.
Platter matters
A typical platter is a combination of grilled meat of your choice, delicately flavored rice, humus, choice of a salad (fatoush , garden or Tabuli) and a warmed up thin flatbread called Saj. You can substitute meat with falafel or a quinoa salad as a veggie option.
There is no wrong choice here, no matter which platter you select.
My favorite is the chicken kabob platter – two skewers of grilled juicy white meat chunks, done to perfection. Feeling adventurous? ask for their hot sauce on the side.
Chicken kabob platter.
Another family favorite is the kafata kabob platter – a combination of lamb and beef slivers cut from the juicy meat spindle and served over rice and other items mentioned above.
Et cetera, et cetera!
Don’t feel like going out? DoorDash will deliver.
The grill is open all days of the week from 11 am till 10 pm.
Reservations are usually not required unless its a fairly large group.
A typical meal, before tips, is usually $12 – $16 per person.
An authentic Thai meal includes four main seasonings: salty, sweet, sour, and spicy. If any of the four tastes is missing the dish will not be considered satisfying. Street food is a big part of Thai culinary culture and offers amazing variety of flavors and aromas. Chad Thai Restaurant brings you all that is good in street food at restaurant standards.
Thai Taste and Pride
The name Chad Thai roughly translates to Thai Taste and Pride. The restaurant is located in the Burnaby Heights area in Burnaby. They do live up to their commitment statement given below.
“Chad Thai is Committed to Providing Healthy and Delicious Thai Food at an Affordable Price for our Customers’ Satisfaction”
As quoted on the Chad Thai website.
The restaurant is not roomy and I found it a bit cramped, especially during rush hours. However, this minor shortcoming is offset by the quality, authenticity and taste of the food. The menu is extensive and offers a wide variety of Thai dishes. Some of the main ones include:
Soups (Tom Yum is really yummmy!).
Red, Green and Yellow curries (with chicken, beef or pork).
Oodles of noodles (Pad Thai is a popular dish.)
Wok fried dishes. Some combination of veggies with protein of your choice.
Seafood – Only about 4 to 5 dishes in this category. My favorite is Drunken Seafood.
Things to Know
Generally found this to be a good value for money. A typical dinner would cost between $20 – $25 per person. Lunch specials (from 11:30 AM – 2 PM) are a good value and cost $ 13 before tax.
Chad Thai takes reservations. A good idea if you have a large group and do not wish to have to wait outside for a table.
Here are some Yelp reviews by people who have been to Chad Thai.
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Note: All images used are from the Chad Thai Burnaby, web site.
The Japanese word DOMA literally translates as “dirt place” an area of hard compacted dirt found in traditional Japanese homes. I guess the reason for using this name is to convey to the customers that they are being welcomed to a traditional Japanese home space.
Irasshaimase (Welcome to the Establishment)
This little restaurant is tucked away in the Village Market, Fraser Heights area of Surrey. The moment you enter the place it feels like you have stepped through a portal into a little piece of Japan. Elegant yet simple decor imparts a unique sense of tranquility that washes over you. Doma is a family run business and you are welcomed as family.
What to eat? – Suggestions
You can eat there or, if you are short of time, place a take out order. To get the complete experience I suggest you find time and eat there. Their menu is easy to navigate for those who know their way around Japanese fare, but if you have any questions the friendly hostess is happy to answer.
Everything that I have tried there has always been authentic Japanese. Some of my favorites are:
Shrimp tempura
Udon noodle bowls
Assorted sushi
Maki rolls
Chicken katsu or teriyaki
Bento boxes are a great deal but available only during lunch hours 11AM to 3PM.
The prices are reasonable and without breaking the bank you can enjoy a flavorful meal, made from high quality fresh ingredients, for about $20 per person. If you do visit the place please do share your experiences on my blog.
Arigato!
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Note: All images used are from the Domo Sushi web site -> http://domasushi.ca/index.php?view=about .
Szechuan cuisine, also known as Sichuan, is a type of Chinese cooking that comes from the Sichuan province of southwestern China. It has bold flavors, particularly the pungency and spiciness resulting from liberal use of garlic and chili peppers, as well as the unique flavor of Sichuan pepper.
Locations
The Burnaby location is one of the four Chongqing locations in Vancouver area. I have been a regular here for the past fifteen years. If you love authentic spicy Szechuan food then this is the go to place. The restaurant is clean, functional and staffed with friendly efficient people. Your order appears on your table in quick fashion and it is delicious. The table setting includes only chopsticks. If you are not comfortable using these please feel free to ask for cutlery.
What to Order?
Ten Dishes you must try at a Szechuan Restaurant
My hands down favorite all these years has been the Dai Ching chicken with bone-in. They also have a boneless version which I only tried once and it simply lacked the flavor of the one with bones. So make sure you specify bone-in when ordering. The Seafood Chow Mein with crispy noodles is another of my weaknesses. I could go on and on but suffice it to say that almost everything I have tried there was a delightfully tasty experience.
Things to know
If you are a large group you may like to order a number of items and then share. I have always found this to be the best way to enjoy a variety of dishes.
For a group of 4 or more it is advisable to call ahead and make a reservation. While making reservations (or ordering for a pickup) please be aware that there are 4 ChongQing locationsand you are calling the right one. It has happened to me when I placed a order at one location and then showed for pickup at the one I wanted – Embarrassing to say the least!
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Note: All images used are from the ChongQing Burnaby location website -> https://chong-qing-restaurant-kingsway.securebrygid.com/zgrid/themes/11951/pages/locations.jsp
Afghanistan is a land locked region bordering Iran, Pakistan and Russia. It’s known for its majestic vistas, vast empty deserts, and a harsh climate. Most Afghans lead simple lives, but their food is exceptionally flavorful and a treat for your taste buds.
There are quite a few Afghan restaurants in Vancouver. I have been to most of them but my hands down favorite is Afghan Chopan(Chopan in Afghani means sheep herder) in Surrey . This is one of my family’s favorite eateries since last 18 + years.
Food at Afghan Chopan
The menu is not too extensive so you are spared the agony of deciding what to order and what not – FOMO is always a concern. You can choose from individual dishes, or if your party is 4 or more then a platter is the better way to go. There are a number of platter configurations on the menu – number of people and what items you want.
The food is not spicy yet delicately flavored with Middle Eastern spices like cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, all spice and nutmeg. Service is prompt and courteous and always ready to answer any questions you may have.
A daughter after my own heart. She can hardly wait to dig into those delectable lamb chops.
What to order?
We usually order a family platter suitable for the size of our group. The platter has variety of grilled meats like chicken, lamb and beef served on a generous mound of green salad and includes 2 or 3 sides of veggie items. If not included with the platter (some platters do) we always order the famous Kabuli pilao (pilaf) which has a chunk of braised beef buried underneath a mound of aromatic rice – like a Kinder surprise 😋 of sorts.
Things to know
The restaurant takes reservations (call 604 543-2385) so its always a good idea to make one – the place fills up rather quickly during dinner service. For walk-ins there is usually a wait of 20 to 30 minutes.
Note: This establishment does not serve any alcoholic beverages!
The price per person for a great meal is around $25.00 before tax and tips.
If you have not had the chance to try Afghan food, please do so at the first opportunity – you will not regret it and that’s a promise.
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Note: All food and site related images are from the Afghan Chopan website: https://sites.google.com/site/afghanchopancuisine/
Beef kebabs, chicken tikka and lamb chops – The Succulent Trinity
A bite of history
Lahore is one of the major cities of Pakistan and steeped in history going back hundreds of years. Lahore was founded during the Mughal dynasty ( 1526-1857 ) in India. It quickly gained fame as the City of Gardens. Lahore also lays claim to be the culinary center of the sub-continent. Over the decades it developed a rich tradition in spicy and flavorful food. This preamble sets the scene for what’s below.
Things to know
Its located in Surrey’s booming Payal Shopping Center. The place is clean with a simplistic decor which is fine as I am more interested in the quality and taste of what they have on the menu. They take reservations except for the Sunday brunch.
Note: This establishment does not serve alcoholic beverages.
Now let’s eat!
Beware that the food is spicy and some dishes are more oily than others!
This is a regular haunt for my family and we always enjoy the experience. The menu is extensive and I have not tried every item on it. However, my all time favorites are :
Appetizers reflect the authentic Lahore street food.
Pakoras (fried fritters) veggie, chicken or fish. Everyone’s favorite.
Dahi baras (fried lentil dumplings served in a cold tangy yogurt sauce). A must on a warm day.
Entrees
The chicken tikka, beef kebab and lamb chops platter (see picture above)
Butter chicken. The chicken is grilled first and then added to the creamy sauce – the correct way.
Tandoori fish. A well marinated cod or bass fillet grilled in the traditional clay oven.
Paneer bhurji. A spicy veggie dish prepared with onions, farmer cheese and peas. I am a card carrying carnivore but love this one veggie dish.
Assorted curries.
Borrowing the phrase from a popular Canadian TV show, ‘ You gotta eat here ‘ .
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Note: All images are from the Lahori Restaurant website: http://lahorirestaurant.ca/
