2012-12-12 Dinner @ Schanks Sports Grill

350 Gifford Street, New Westminster, BC

604-777-8088

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I love pub wings, especially during its specials.  However, the cheap Buddha Girl is still living in the old days where wings special was only five or ten-cents each.  I honestly couldn't believe how expensive the wings are nowadays.  WTF?  Forty-cents each?  Fifty-cents each?  Yup, I rather live in the past...

I've been to Shang Noodle House 尚麵館 and Kirin Seafood Restaurant 麒麟海鮮酒家 a good number of times, but Schanks Sports Grill never really caught my attention.  When Buddha Boy suggested it, it took me a while to clue in where it was.

We had a total of forty wings.  The wings were, before sauces, nicely deep-fried with a crispy coat.  Now, on to the flavors.  We couldn't detect much honey or garlic in the Honey Garlic Wings (above, top left).  The Hot Wings (above, top right) were standard.  The Sweet Chili Wings (above, bottom left) were wings tossed in, well, as the name suggests, sweet chili sauce.  The Teriyaki Wings (above, bottom right) were too salty.  All sauces tasted very commercial. 

On top of the wings, we also ordered a BBQ Chicken Pizza.  Ample amounts of grilled barbeque chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, mozzarella cheese, cilantro and barbeque sauce.  The dough was thick yet light, and was done nicely with a crispy and crunchy bottom.  This 12" pizza was surprisingly delicious.

With no prior knowledge, we visited on the night where BC Hydro was having their Christmas party.  Most of the sections were reserved except with the corner where the pool tables were.  Unfortunately, even with that small section open to the public, majority of the BC Hydro staff hogged the games area and limited public enjoyment.  Nothing the pub can do, in fact, even with the busy night, we still received good service.  Perhaps the party organizers can better educate their employees.

2012-05-12 Snacks @ A&W

#100 - 805 Boyd Street, New Westminster, BC

604-515-5351

So, after an extremely disappointing meal, we went to the A&W nearby...right now, anything would be better than Wok Box...even Magnetic Cafe...yes, Wok Box was THAT BAD!

We ended sharing a 5-piece Chubby Chicken Combo that came with fries, a drink, and a side (coleslaw).  The gravy was an add-on.  Not going to go into details about the food here since it's just fast-food, but it was satisfying, especially having it right after the disgusting experience at Wok Box.  Plus, we just simply cannot resist the diet root beer...hahahaha!

One thing I must bitch a little about this A&W location...instead of staff standing around chatting, maybe it's nice to have them clean the tables and chairs/benches?  Thoroughly, that is.  It's not a big restaurant and seating is limited, but when tables are not cleaned promptly (after customers leave), it leaves even more limited seating in this small restaurant.  Many of the chairs (even the benches) were not only dirty, but also sticky...the whole image was not very "appetizing".

2012-05-12 Dinner @ Wok Box

#115 - 805 Boyd Street, New Westminster, BC

604-540-9657

Why were we here?  Why...why?  I blame this misfortune on my chubby partner-in-crime, my husband, Buddha Boy.  You see, earlier in the year, Buddha Boy asked me to pick up this deal on SocialShopper for some Asian "fusion" food.  Honestly, I was not too keen on it...but being the wonderful wife I am (Wahahaha!!!)...I still went for it...bad choice.

There was only one customer dining when we showed up.  The interior was bright and spacious, but most of the tables were dirty and sticky.  I saw garbage (wrappers, paper napkins, fork, and etc.) lying around at different spots on the floor.  After we ordered, Buddha Boy and I had to scout out an "acceptable" table to sit at...I was not too pleased.  Oh, by the way, don't expect service here as it runs like a fast-food joint.

Don't be fooled by the Pot Stickers, which did not resembled the actual meaning of "pot-stickers 鍋貼", instead, these were deep-fried chicken and vegetable dumplings.  This was one of the two better dishes, but, unfortunately, other than being fresh, nothing was memorable.  Not much meat, not much vegetables...not much filling, period.

The Butter Chicken Naan-wich had a very doughy naan with limited amount of chicken in the butter chicken.  The sauce was not smooth and it was quite salty.

The Thai Red Curry Chicken was a disgusting dish.  Not only thst the vegetables were not fresh, some even tasted rancid.  The chicken was tough and chewy.  The sauce was unbearably salty.  The rice was dry.  The portion was small.  Nothing was right.

Another one of the two better dishes was the Breaded Chicken.  With a choice of honey, lemon, orange, teriyaki, almond, or sweet and sour sauce, we opted for almond.  Okay, the "better" part was that these were freshly deep-fried, but other than that, it's pretty disappointing.  Exactly what part of this dish said "almond"?  Nothing.

I admit, we tend to stay away from "fusion" food.  Don't get us wrong, we've had some good experiences with fusion cooking, but in general, we've had more misses than hits.  Our visit to Wok Box was simply horrifying.  This place not only fools, but it's also for fools...and us being the "one-time-fools" was already too much for us.

2012-02-11 Dim Sum @ Spring Garden Chinese Seafood Restaurant 綠茵閣海鮮酒家

832 - 12th Street, New Westminster, BC

604-525-6000

We were invited to tag along for dim sum with AuntieF, UncleP, CW and WW.  Everyone wanted dim sum, but just not sure where.  Luckily, Buddha Girl recalls Anton of Fraser Park Restaurant previously suggested to try his favorite dim sum spot located in New Westminster.

The Mini Sticky Rice Wraps 珍珠糯米雞 was pretty standard.  It's not bad in taste, but nothing extraordinary.  Unless you're having a craving, no need to order it.

The Green Onion Pancakes 蔥油餅 failed.  It had too little green onions and the dough was too thick.  Not recommended.

We all enjoyed the Deep Fried Meat w/Dried Shrimp Dumplings 安蝦咸水角.  With ample fillings and thin layers of dough, these were gobbled quickly as they arrived hot and crispy at the table.

The standard har-gow, or Crystal Prawn Dumplings 水晶蝦餃 were pretty decent in size, not the largest, but were not small either.  While not thin, but the skin was not thick.  Ample amount of shrimp but lacked crunch.  These were acceptable and simply comforting.

The Prawn with Scallop Dumplings 鳳眼鮮蝦帶子餃 mirrored the har-gow except with added scallops and wrapped with open tops.

While the shrimp quality was weak, but I enjoyed the Deep Fried Prawn Spring Roll 蝦春卷.  These rolls were fresh and deep-fried nicely, hot and crispy.

Every deep-fried item here was served fresh, so the Deep Fried Squids with Peppery Salt 椒鹽鮮魷 was no different.  The squid pieces were seasoned well with a bit of a kick in flavor.  The flour coating was a bit heavy, but not thick.

The Deep Fried Chicken Joints w/Peppery Salt 椒鹽雞膝 was basically the cartilages between chicken drums and thighs.  The version here had more meat attached to the cartilages than other restaurants we've been to.  These were well marinated, well coated, well fried.  Another decent dish that we'd order again.

Another dish we all enjoyed was the Deep Fried Halibut Belly in Premium Soy Sauce 頭抽哈利拔腩.  Served bone-in, these went quickly.  The sauce was a simply soy mix with onions.

The Singapore Style Curry Fried Vermicelli 星洲炒米 was a bit weak in curry and lacked wok-hei 鑊氣 (or 火候 in Mandarin), but it was tasty with a good amount of pork and shrimp.

The Rice Flour Rolls with BBQ Pork 蜜汁叉燒腸粉 had both hits and misses.  Each roll had ample amount of meat and green onions, but the dough itself was thick.  The roll tasted bland, with or without soy.  Credits given because these rolls were made in house, not out-sourced.  Note that the rice rolls are only available till 3pm.

On top of the Deep Fried Sweet Milk Custard 炸脆奶 (which Buddha Girl forgot to take a picture because she was busy chatting), AuntieF also ordered Steamed Sponge Cake 飛碟馬拉糕.  The cake was not overly sweet and it was very moist and fluffy.

The six of us enjoyed our visit.  The food was overall decent and there's a great value to be had.  On top of that, we don't have to wake up early just to go for dim sum since this place offers dim sum till 5pm.

2011-12-19 Dim Sum @ Kirin Seafood Restaurant 麒麟海鮮酒家

350 Gifford Street, New Westminster, BC

604-528-8833

MomM's students and I met up for a seasonal get-together.  To make things easier for everyone, we agreed to meet at mid-point (well, almost), in this case, Kirin Seafood Restaurant 麒麟海鮮酒家 at Starlight Casino had the best location.

Whether it's Chicken feet, goose feet or pork hocks...I love them all!  So when I spotted Boneless Duck Web in Spicy Sauce 麻辣鮮掌, or simply, duck feet, I knew I had to get it.  Light hints of spiciness with springy but chewable texture, simple but satisfying.

The Deep Fried Crispy Tofu 脆皮金沙豆腐 had a very crispy outer texture, but that was pretty much it.

The Rice Noodle Stir Fried with Celery, Bean Sprout and Shredded Chinese Mushroom in XO Spicy Sauce XO醬炒米粉 was a small dish for the price but it had very good wok-hei 鑊氣 (or 火候 in Mandarin).  The XO sauce was incomparable to TG J&C.

Yes, I love eating feet, except for the dish of Steamed Chicken Feet and Gluten in Black Bean Sauce 豆豉生根風爪.  I prefer chewing on something Q or springy...when steamed, the feet tend to get all soggy and sometimes, too salty...and that's exactly what happened here.

The Prawn and Pineapple Spring Roll 風梨鮮蝦春卷 was not too impressive.  Chopped canned pineapple with poor quality shrimps...you get the picture.

The Steamed Dried Shrimp, Green Onion and Chinese Donut Rice Roll 蔥花蝦米炸兩腸粉 was HORRIBLE!!!  The donut was stale and hard to chew.  The rice skin looked thin, but it wasn't.  The green onion had a weird taste...like it's starting to change...yuck!

Don't be fooled by the look of these Steamed Crab Meat, Prawn and Preserved Vegetable Dumpling 雪菜蟹肉水晶包...this was just another way of cheat your money by wrapping har-gow in a fancier method.  Honestly, I couldn't see nor taste any crab meat.  Yes, the preserved vegetable was visible, but tasteless.  Shrimp was not the greatest quality.  Don't even get me started with the skin.

Nothing special about the Sparerib Steamed with Chopped Garlic 金蒜蒸排骨, just a simple dish that satisfied a simple craving.

Another disappointment was the Deep Fried Squid in Spicy Peppery Salt 椒鹽脆鮮魷.  First, the squid was so "chewy" that I had to pull it with my fingers to break it off.  Next, what "peppery"?  I only tasted salt.  And finally, bad oil.

AuntF's in-laws recently return from a trip to HK/Taiwan and they brought back a box of pineapple cakes (pineapple pastries) for her.  AuntF shared a couple individual packs with me.  While I appreciate the gesture, these pastries were a disgrace to be a called "pineapple cakes (pineapple pastries) from Taiwan"...very little pineapple filling with thick pastry crusts...a major fail.

2011-01-18 Lunch @ Paradise Vegetarian Noodle House

8681 - 10th Avenue, New Westminster, BC

604-527-8138

After an hour drive to my destination in Delta, then an hour drive back, I was hungry!  Since it's my veggie day, I was quite limited to where and what I could eat...such a good girl huh?!?!?  On the other hand...Buddha Boy was bad!  He didn't follow our designated veggie day...instead...he had a beefy beef burger at Earl's...grrr...

 I got there at 11:30am.  With approximately seven tables of 4s, the place was small but comforting...and very clean!  I like the lotus pictures on the wall (yups, I'm very Buddhist/Taoist...I love all lotus pictures).  There were two ladies working...one was in the kitchen and the other was in and out greeting and serving customers while helping out in the kitchen.

 Fresh Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon)...some place calls it salad rolls.  These were simple and refreshing.  The rice wrap (skin) was thin and very "Q"...I forgot to ask them which brand they use so I could buy it and make it at home!

 Just before my soup noodles showed up, I was served with a plate of bean sprouts with lemon and chili...standard practice at most Vietnamese restaurants...but where's the basil?

 I ordered a small Spicy Noodle Soup (Bun Hue)...the broth was a bit bland and it was not spicy enough, so I added more hot sauce and hoisin sauce to it.  Overall, this was ok...not bad, but not too great neither.  Will I visit again?  Not really, simply because this place is not really for Buddhist/Taoist vegetarians (especially for vegans) because just from what I saw, they used onions and green onions.