This global Taiwanese dessert franchise, Meet Fresh Richmond 鲜芋仙, opened its first location in Richmond on Capstan Way. It then opened a second Metro Vancouver location at 1232 Robson Street. Popular menu item includes taro balls, shaved iced, fresh herbal jelly and tofu pudding. I was really excited to try it after seeing so many Instagram photos but left rather disappointed.

The restaurant offers only counter service: order at the front and pick up on the side when your number is called. Then find your own seat.

Tofu Pudding with Taro and Red Beans: sugary with minimal taro and red bean. There was also barely any tofu pudding. I was hoping for more toppings rather than sugary bowl of water.

Taro Mochi and mixed bean ice: My cousin ordered a bowl of shaved ice with mixed beans. It had more toppings but again it was bland and uninteresting.

In the end they forgot to give us the packets of cream in the end. We were expected to clean up the tables after we were done and bring back the dirty dishes to the return station.

more: Snackshot 糖百府 | Dazzling Cafe

 

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Meet Fresh 鲜芋仙
URL: http://www.meetfresh.ca
Cuisine: Dessert, Taiwanese

Hours:
Mon 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Tue 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wed 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thu 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Fri 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sat 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sun 12:00 pm – 12:00 am

8328 Capstan Way #1136, Richmond, BC M2N 5R4
(778) 868-1666

Dazzling Cafe opened it’s first location outside of Asia in Richmond, BC. This uber cute and stylish cafe chain has locations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. They are famous for their honey toast which comes in a variety of flavors. The presentation is pretty and makes every Instagram moment.

I love the interior decor of this trendy cafe. It is filled with white and soft grey tones with accents marble and button tufted seats. Did I mention the bunny ear chairs? What a perfect place for afternoon high tea!

Although Dazzling Cafe is famous for their desserts, they also offer a wide selection of dishes like pasta, rice casseroles, pizza and snacks. Beverages include my favorite Earl Grey Black Milk Tea Latte, Royal Matcha Latte and Rose latte. Of course, there are also coffee, tea, fresh juices and slushies.

Entree prices ranges between $10 to $15 and portions are not enough to share. Honey Toasts are between $12 to $15. I would definitely recommend order a few dishes to share between friends if you are hungry and it is a good way to sample different flavors.

Rose Latte 6.50: A strongly fragrant latte with rose water. It is quite sweet and I would recommend requesting it half sweet.

Earl Grey Black Milk Tea 6.95: available in both cold or hot. I like the cold version now that the weather is quite warm outside. There is a nice balance of tea and milk.

Truffle Fries 8.50: Crispy fries with a nice subtle hint of truffle oil that is not overwhelmingly intruding. A good snack to start while you wait for the rest of the food.

Mentaiko Spaghetti with Cream Sauce 明太子義大利麵 11.50: This was everyone’s favorite dish on the table. I love the silky creaminess of the mentaiko sauce with a nice subtle briny flavor. The pasta was also al dente.

Spicy Spaghetti with Chicken 辣味雞肉義大利麵 11.50: I like the subtle heat of this pasta this that lingers in your mouth for a while. 

Month Blanc Honey Toast 15: This boxed toast is literally a butter toasted bread dessert that is hollowed out, cut into cubed pieces, buttered and toasted. These cubed pieces are then placed back inside the break box along with ice cream, whipped cream. The honey toast is then topped with different fruits and flavors for presentation. There is tableside service at Dazzling Cafe. I like the light sweetness of this chestnuts, whipped cream and the caramelized bread box that is suitable for the Asian palate.

Dazzling Cafe is a great location to catch up with friends over dessert. If you don’t have a sweet tooth that is ok too since they have a lot of savory food options. I like the relaxing environment and the pretty girly decor. I would not recommend this place if you are in a hurry however. Food takes a while to arrive. If you are a Women of Leisure, by all means, you have nothing to worry about 🙂

 

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Dazzling Cafe
URL: http://www.dazzlingdazzling.com
Cuisine: Desserts, Pasta, Waffles

Hours:
Mon 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Tue 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Wed 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Thu 11:30 am – 11:30 pm
Fri 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Sat 11:30 am – 12:00 am
Sun 11:30 am – 11:30 pm

7971 Alderbridge Way #140, Richmond, BC V6X 2A4
(604) 273-0514

Milk and Eggs Restaurant has been opened for a few months now. It is located in Richmond on 8888 Odlin Crescent and Cambie. I first noticed this place with their milk shakes and ice cream desserts. But then people started raving about their meatballs. So naturally I had to see what was so good. The restaurant is chic and modern and seats no more than 40 people. Service is friendly and welcoming.

Their soft opening menu includes a variety of appetizers, salads, and classic pasta and rice dishes like Pesto Cream Chicken Fettuccine, Meatball Penne and Katsu Port Cutlet on Rice.

Milk and Eggs special Deep Fried Chicken Wings 10.75: Tasty, well rendered garlicky whole wings. It is not too greasy and the skin is crispy. I appreciate that they give you the whole wing (wing, drumette and tip).

Prawn Chili Aglio Olio Linguine 13: Chili infused olive oil pasta topped with sauteed prawns. Add 1.50 for garlic bread. I enjoyed the subtle burst of heat. Four fresh tiger prawns. Although I would appreciate it much more had it been deveined.

Shitake Mushroom Stuffed Meatball Fettuccine 13: White wine cream sauce pasta topped with panko crusted meatballs stuffed with a shitake mushroom and preserved olive filling. We asked the owners whether they recommend the mushroom meatball or the classic tomato meatball and said this was the best seller. You get two giant fist size meatballs that is quite filling. It’s interesting and tasty that it had a panko crust. It was very juicy and wasn’t overcooked. I liked their cream sauce more compared to the chili linguine above. It feels less greasy and must more satisfying.

Although the portion looks lean, it is actually quite filling. It is great for sharing and having the option of snacks and desserts after.

I’m looking forward to trying other items especially their desserts and homemade ice-cream.

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Milk & Eggs
URL: na
Cuisine: Italian, Chinese Fusion, Dessert

Hours:
Mon Closed
Tue 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Wed 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Thu 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Fri 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sat 4:00 pm – 12:00 am
Sun 4:00 pm – 12:00 am

8888 Odlin Crescent #1030, Richmond, BC V6X 3Z8
(604) 231-9878

AAA Restaurant 麗記 recently opened in Richmond just a few doors down from Lido Restaurant 麗都餐廳. It took over the old space where Kam Ho 金豪麵家 used to be at 8053 Alexandra Road. Fans of Lido (me included) seem to be either happy for an alternative or made at the copy cat.

It is no doubt, the menu and decor suggests the two are quite similar. AAA replicas if you will. But you will probably understand once you understand that one of the chefs from Lido opened AAA. As for us, we are quite happy of the new roomier cafe with less line ups sans attitude.

Breakfast and Lunch combos is their specialty. Come before noon and enjoy a nice choice of breakfast items from congee, oatmeal, omelettes to soup noodles. After 12 noon, you can also choose from a plethora of rice dishes and sides like turnip cakes. Everything is good in my books!

Hot Horlick and Iced Milk Tea. The milk tea is rich and strong and no doubt will keep me up past 1am.

But before anything else, can we talk about this beauty of a pineapple bun? This BLB has a crunchy shell. It is slightly coated with a little bit more sugar than Lido. The bun is moist and served hot with a giant slab of cold butter. Some argue that the King of Pineapple Buns is still 金華冰廳 Kam Wah Cafe in Hong Kong. Frankly I don’t care much of Kam Wah and this AAA Pineapple Bun simply hits the spot!

Satay Beef Instant Noodles: Tenderized beef slices with a good satay broth.

Added to a combo is a dinner roll and ham and egg omelette.

Shredded Pork with Preserved Vegetables: One of my favorite comfort dish for any cold, rainy day.

Pan Fried Turnip Cake: a great side especially loaded with chili oil!

AAA Restaurant 麗記
URL: n/a
Cuisine: Chinese, Hong Kong Cafe

Hours:

Mon Closed
Tue 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wed 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thu 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Fri 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sat 9:00 am – 10:00 pm Open now
Sun Closed

8053 Alexandra Rd, Richmond
(604) 279-8808