Life in the Lower Mainland (BC, Canada)

Dropped by Trattoria Metrotown tonight for a snack with a friend. We were snooping around the neighbourhood for a not-too-busy place for her to have a drink, and finally settled on the patio here. Yes, it was cold out, but the overhead head lamps did an admirable job. I had eaten earlier, so I opted for just a snack. I had initially wanted the honeycomb dessert I had tried before, but I was told it was actually a sometimes-available item from their Nosh deli next door, and tonight they were all out. Our server Clarisse did offer to look in their fridge "just in case", but I sensed that was more an appeasement than any real hope of the dessert being available. My second choice was the Brussels Sprouts which I had tried incidentally as part of another dish last time I was there. It had been good, so I was curious what the side dish was like. Brussels Sprouts ($7.95 as side dish) lemon, capers, chillies, parmigiano reggiano; server offered fresh-ground parmesan after p...

After mediocre experiences with the Glowbal Group (even the flagship Glowbal ), I wasn't actually keen on going to the "Delicious Italian Extravaganza" put on by YVR Foodies , except that I was invited by Zomato to attend for free (otherwise $25). Also, every restaurant must have at least one really decent thing, right? (And I honestly believe that). The menu for the event looked pretty decent, covering a broad range of stuff, plus platters of "chef's selections" for appetizers and desserts. It was a great chance to try many bites of their menu in the hopes that there'll be something in there Trattoria does really, really, well. We were packed into a private meeting room, and I was super-lucky to be in the company of some of the hottest makeup and fashion bloggers in Vancouver --  Jasmine Li of The Happy Sloths  ( her review ),  Jordana of Just J , and Sheila of Maddy Loves . Since Trattoria knew we were going to social media them to death dur...