Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Breka

After dancing away in the wee hours of the AM, we, deservedly, slept in the next morning. Waking up, I knew I wanted to take this day and thoroughly explore more of the Vancouver food scene. Knowing that the list of dining options was endless, we targeted a few specific spots for the different meals of the day. Refreshed, rejuvenated and excited, we set out to the busy streets of Vancouver.

Our first stop was Breka Bakery & Cafe. A local favourite and chain unique to Vancouver, the coffee shop is brightly featured and has an eclectic feel to it. I could foresee myself spending hours here on my computer doing work over a cup of coffee.

Breka features homemade coffee and an abundance of breakfast and brunch food items. Knowing we were off to lunch soon, I decided on just caffeine re hydration and a Almond Chocolate Croissant. The croissant was a wonderfully flaky bun with a liberal amount of almond butter and drizzled chocolate. It was a delightful start to the morning and kick started the appetite for a full day of eating.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Japadog

Before I started this food blogging gig I was a fervent fan of the Food Network. There would be days after a long day of school or work when I would return and watch hours and hours of Food Network Programming. One of my favourites (there are a ton ...) was Eat St., a show about the food trucks and stalls popping up around the major cities. While mostly based in American cities, there was one episode featuring Vancouver and their Japadog. I was hooked. The idea of taking an American classic, the hot dog and jazzing it up with extra-ordinary ingredients truly excited me. Ever since then, I had been meaning to try a Japadog.

After our walk through Stanley Park, we had a couple hours prior to going to the Wedding Reception. Making a coy request to the group, I was crying out in happiness when they acquiesced and we made our way to the Japadog store. Apparently the hot dog carts were so popular that the owners warranted creating a dedicated store on Robson street.

I was THRILLED. The aromas and tantalizing flavours wafting through the restaurant were dizzying and drove my excitement level to a frenzy. The restaurant has a large brightly lit menu board featuring their top dogs. I was impressed by the number of creations they were able to pump out the small kitchen.

I had the Kurobuta Terimayo. The dog was a pork berkshire pig product and covered with seaweed and Japanese mayo. This was divine. In all the years I have been dreaming of this moment, I was scared this moment would not live up to the expectation ... but it did! The lusciously fatty pork was contrasted perfectly with the creamy mayo and sharp seaweed. I was also impressed by the bun which was sturdy enough to keep all the delicious contents in while soft enough to not detract from the ingredients.

Another co-diner had the Okonomi. Also a berkshire pork product with Japanese mayo, bonito flakes and fried cabbage. The crispy bonito flakes (dried fish scales) had a slightly creamier taste than the seaweed in the first dog. The addition of cabbage was a thoughtful one as it gave the dish a crisp fresh flavour.

The fries were also excellent here. Japadog allows you the option of six kinds of flavours on your fries, we went with the Butter & Shoyo and the Umekatsuo (Plum & Sharp Jack). Both were excellent additions to the nice crisp fries. The Butter & Shoyo was a table favourite as it added a umami fatty flavour to the fries.

Overall this meal was exactly what I was hoping for after years of dreaming of Japadog. The uniqueness of the restaurant was what drew me in initially, but the depth of flavours and excellent handling of ingredients is what will keep me coming back ... and recommending it to anyone who will listen.

Vancouver 2015 Wedding - Papparoti

In the afternoon of the wedding between the ceremony and the reception, we decided to tour Vancouver and see some of the sites and attractions around town. On a busy Saturday afternoon it was no surprise that Robson Street was hopping. I was impressed by the energy and vibrancy of the city, the eclectic people and the natural beauty that envelops you.

Feeling the need to get refreshed, we stopped by PappaRoti for a quick coffee. A chain of coffee bars unique to Vancouver, I am told of their wonderous coffee and delicious buns. As we were hoping to walk through Stanley Park, it was an short walk to the location on Robson West.

I was told I had to get the Coffee Bun. I was initially unimpressed, what is this ordinary looking bun and why are people so fussy about it? One bite changed it all: super crisp and crunchy on the outside with a slight hint of caramel flavour and incredibly buttery on the inside. The secret apparently lies in their technique of double baking the buns allowing them to get the unique flavour and dichotomy of textures. We ordered the bun with a side of Coconut Cream. While good, I found the sides actually detract from the subtle caramel flavour of the bun. I recommend enjoying these on their own, especially when fresh out of the oven.

With my stomach filled and caffeine receptors filled, we departed for Stanley Park. Little did my travel companions know, but my mind was still swimming in the deliciousness of PappaRoti's bun.