KissMe Organics: Organic Matcha, you get what you pay for :)

Recently, I was presented with the opportunity to review this organic matcha powder from Kiss Me Organics! They were friendly and open to many of the questions I posed. It arrived on the expected date and I finally had a chance to try their matcha!

They are exclusively sold on Amazon, and they sent me a 40oz bag which is sold for $29.00 regularly. As many may still remember the tsunami in Japan that damaged some nuclear reactors, I was concerned whether this matcha would be tainted by radiation. Maria, who had contacted me in the first place, assured me that they took this into consideration, so they sought tea outside of Japan, to decrease the likelihood of their product being affected by the radiation. Their tea comes from the mountainous region of Fijian in China and is all sent to a lab in Colorado to be tested. The care they put into providing quality matcha is quite reassuring!

Alright, onto how I felt about this product! The color is duller than ceremonial grade matcha, as this was a culinary grade green tea powder. I find the flavor of the tea mild and not as fragrant as I prefer. The powder was ground very finely. Wasn't sure if I needed to use a bamboo whisk, but I used one anyways-- shall try next time to see if it'll dissolve on its own. I feel you get what you pay for, as this isn't sold at a high-end price. Probably better to be actually used for baking and shakes as compared to just water. I would like to thank Kiss Me Organics and Maria for this opportunity to review their product and all the help she's provided!

To find them, you can go on Amazon.com and search for "matcha green tea powder" and they should be the first one on the list! I'm not sure if this link will work, but try here!

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00DDT116M?cache=bc201c8fe001f088d329527d5a77c7cc&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1403387797&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Until next time!

Fishermen Sushi: Oysters Oysters Oysters

The last time I was here, it was still Sushi One! But alas, it has changed, plus, Adorables told me about a sweet deal-- instant interest.

Restaurant: Fisherman Sushi (visit their website here)

Location: 130-12251 No 1 Road, Richmond
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi, Seafood
Price range: $10-15 per person





Date of visit: June 8, 2014
Atmosphere: 4/5
Staff/service: 4.5/5
Food variety: 5/5
Food quality: 4.5/5
Buck worthy? 4.5/5

First off, we were drawn here by the allure of oysters and trying a new place out. Little did I know these delicious little suckers were only $0.75 each. Yes!! Oysters were $0.75 per piece!! Eventually we ordered 16 to share because they were so plump, succulent, fresh, creamy, and delicious. We were only stopped by the fear of dying from zinc overdose xD I don't know how long this will go on for, but get em while they last!

Can't just get full on oysters (we wanted to), so here is some sushi from left to right: Saba ($1.50 each), Hamachi ($2.25 each), Salmon ($1.50 each), and Chopped Scallop ($1.75 each). The nigiri had great rice, perfectly seasoned and great texture. Saba was juicy but a bit "rough", hamachi was disappointing (far too fishy), salmon was average, and chopped scallop was super fresh and delicious.

Overall I really enjoyed my experience here and would definitely come back for their oysters and maybe try their other sashimi like UNI =D I believe Sapporo is also on special for $3.00, now to find out if they have happy hour =P I'm still thinking about the feel of those delicious little oysters in my mouth, mmmmmmm =u=

Hamburger $2.85: Amazing little burger!

Wandering around DT with Adorables and his "food map", we arrived at one of his destinations: a food truck located on Granville Street near Pacific Center! I had heard about this many times, and finally here!

Restaurant: Hamburger $2.85

Location: Granville Street @ Pender Street, Vancouver
Cuisine: Burgers, Western, Fast food, Food truck
Price range: <$5





Date of visit: June 3, 2014
Atmosphere: 4/5
Staff/service: 4.5/5
Food variety: 1/5
Food quality: 5/5
Buck worthy? 5/5

First I was skeptical about this raved food truck because there wasn't a crazy lineup, but I'm kinda glad now, since we didn't have to wait long for this little sucker. For $3.00, we got the Hamburger. Simple, hearty, and delicious. There was bun, mayo, lettuce (lots of it too), tomato, patty, and bun. The abundance in lettuce cut the fatty feel of the patty, and the whole burger was so juicy!! A great little snack for wandering downtown with! Definitely would recommend over a burger from McDonalds, this little cart (wo)manned by 3 ladies is not to be underestimated!

Dark Table: Let me feed you *JAB*

Sadly, there aren't any pictures associated with this post regarding the food because well, it was pitch black in there. However, I'll describe my experience here =)

Restaurant: Dark Table (visit their website here)

Location: 2611 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Cuisine: European, Fusion
Price range: $40+ per person





Date of visit: June 1, 2014
Atmosphere: 4.5/5
Staff/service: 4/5
Food variety: 1.5/5
Food quality: 3.5/5
Buck worthy? 5/5

I got a SocialShopper coupon for a 3-course meal for 2 people ($56.00), which was a pretty good deal, considering their normal 3 choice is $39.00. Super excited, Adorables and I were seated outside in a waiting area for our waiter as we decided on which of the main courses we wanted. The starter and dessert were surprises =)

After making our choices, we were led into the restaurant by our waiter, Albert and he quickly talked us through what to expect and what we were going to do. He described what we would experience inside and how to get him if we needed anything. However, the calling out to the waiter really loudly trick didn't really work out in the end haha =P

Regardless, we were led inside and it was PITCH BLACK. My eyes hurt after a while of trying to seek out any light (which there wasn't any except for the one line of light from the door that Adorables saw occasionally). Seated, we were given some time to chat and adjust. Our drinks arrived first, Adorables ordered a Ginger Ale ($3.25) and I got a Grapefruit Juice ($3.25). I couldn't quite believe that water was for $3.00 on the menu! Anyways, my grapefruit juice was tart and too bitter for my liking =(

Albert brought us bread, and believe me, trying to butter your bread in the dark is DIFFICULT! I got an end piece and it was rather hard, but crispy. I ended up dipping my finger into the butter by accident haha

Then came the fun starter. It was a salad of some sort, it had quinoa and then other leafy veggies. The flavors were interesting, I had some salty bits then some tangy vinaigrette parts. I don't know what greens were in there but some were also bitter and tasted like... methane. Yes. Overall it was fun poking and trying to find if I was done my salad or not!

The mains came, Adorables ordered a Surprise Dish which consisted of Yam Fries, Chicken with Cranberry Sauce, and some veggies. The fries were nice and hot! Chicken was a bit dry (or so the bit I tried). Adorables said he had his face inches from his food all meal just to feel around-- use of fingers was definitely helpful.

I ordered the Garlic Prawns with Citrus Risotto and veggies. Basically what I did was spear at my dish with my fork until I snagged something. I had a bunch of misses where I just placed the fork to my mouth and it was empty. Man, I hope no one saw that! The risotto was delicious-- creamy and moist, the flavors just jumped out at me. I couldn't stop eating-- if only I found where my risotto was on the plate! I had a few mouthfuls of grainy salt on my veggies which were a turn-off though =( There were 6 prawns on my plate, and of course, I'd try to feed Adorables who was busy trying to figure out his dish-- so JAB. Fork+prawn, meet face. They were pretty big prawns but could use better seasoning. (I packed away what I couldn't finish because I wanted dessert)

Finally, dessert was a chocolate cake of some sort. This time, Adorables got me back-- I got cake on my face. Anyways, chocolate cake was moist and sweet, quite delicious but nothing special.

We were led to a small room to pay and got to ask what we ate =)

During our dinner we got spritzed by water on the side and felt around to see where our neighbors were (the tables were empty around us after a short while so we got the chance to freely feel around). I'd say this was a really amazing experience and definitely worth coming to! Besides supporting the blind, I had lots of fun, great laughter, and a very unique experience!

Matsuyama: Late night surprise!

Got a bit late, and looking at what was still open, we stumbled upon Matsuyama-- I've eyed it a few times before but parking around here is a MAJOR turnoff ^^" Waited a bit for a spot, but finally got one at the bar =) Look at this adorable thing!!








Restaurant: Matsuyama 松山

Location: 8500 Alexandra Road, Richmond
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi, Late Night
Price range: $10-$20





Date of visit: May 3, 2014
Atmosphere: 3/5
Staff/service: 3/5
Food variety: 5/5
Food quality: 2/5
Buck worthy? 3.5/5

Unexpectedly, we walked in during their happy hour, so there were some cheap menu items, like cheap sushi! =D Adorables and I ordered a lot of food, some of which I sadly don't have pictures of because I was well-- a bit too excited to eat xD First was the Yam Tempura Appetizer ($4.25). This was crispy, but felt too oily.

Next was the sushi! Salmon ($0.99 each), Ika ($0.99 each), Saba ($), and Chopped Scallop ($0.99 each) on this plate. Also a Dynamite Roll ($3.75). I was rather disappointed all night by the overcooked, overcompacted, and overly-sour rice. However, the salmon was delicious! Super fresh! Rest were less interesting, very average. The saba was disappointing because it fell off the rice and felt rotten =/ It's surprising to see such a skinny dynamite roll though, but they managed to fit in two shrimps, so not bad! =)

Moving on, ordered some rolls to try and take home, there was Bob's Roll ($5.95) and Le Picasso Roll ($4.95) which were on the regular menu (but still quite cheap), as well as an Unagi Roll ($3.25). There's also some Tuna ($0.99 each) and Salmon sushi on this plate. Bob's roll had chopped scallop, salmon, and tuna inside, wrapped with a BBQ salmon skin. I quite liked this one, a bit mushy overall, and same problem with the rice, but I liked the salmon+tuna+chopped scallop combo. Le Picasso Roll was unique in that it was a California roll with asparagus in it. The asparagus was a bit hard in some places but overall flavors were good. Unagi Roll wasn't anything too special, had lots of unagi inside =) Tuna sushi had a large piece of tuna on it, but salmon was still yummier =)

I forgot to get a picture of the Takoyaki ($4.95), but it was crispy and fresh. The ginger flavor overwhelmed the whole dish though =( Finally, Negitoro sushi ($0.99 each) was decent. Smooth paste of toro mixed with negi-- it could have been less blended.

For the price, it was a good deal for late-night sushi. However, I won't be back until they improve their rice.