Kintaro Ramen Vancouver

 

Located at the end of popular shopping and food street, Robson Street in Vancouver, Canada, Kintaro Ramen has been serving delicious ramem for years! We've been coming to Kintaro Ramen since we discovered it years and years ago. It's great to see that they are still open and survived the Pandemic.

Handmade noodles and yummy broth, Kintaro always has fast, friendly service and delicious food! It can be pretty popular at certain times so expect a short line.

Bar seats are now available to sit at again (only table seating was available during the Pandemic).

Customize your ramen by adding various toppings like butter, corn or extra meat.

It depends on your appetite that day, but usually 1 bowl of Ramen is filling, and no need for ordering extra noodle! 

If you're visiting Vancouver and craving some Ramen, check out Kintaro Ramen!

Don't forget your snacks!

Kintaro Ramen

788 Denman St, Vancouver, BC V6G 1C9

Crayfish Season in Sweden

August and September means it's the time for Crayfish season in Sweden! Crayfish or "Kräftor" in Swedish can be described as mini lobsters. The name "crawfish" refers to the same animal but is a term mostly used in North America.

During the crayfish season, many Swedes gather for Crayfish parties! 🥳 

Everyone brings their own food & drink and there might be a grill setup for those who prefer BBQ. Maybe some decorations like red ribbons or Crayfish are hung around the party area.

It is also traditional to see Swedish snaps as one of the main drinks at the party.

Swedish cheese pies are also eaten - made with "Västerbotten" Swedish cheese.

Singing Swedish drinking songs before everyone does a cheers or skål! (in Swedish) is also a part of the celebration!

If you're in Sweden, maybe you have already attended a Crayfish party in summer? If you haven't yet, Crayfish season is coming up!

You can also find Crayfish at seafood restaurants in Sweden or when you are exploring the archipelago.

Don't forget your snacks!

Check out a previous blog post on the Gothenburg Archipelago.

Purdy's Chocolatier Vancouver

 

A Canadian chocolatier, Purdy's Chocolatier has been around since 1907! Their popular chocolate shops can be found in a number of locations around the city and country!

Our favorite items at Purdy's aside from their chocolates have been the hedgehog truffles and the vanilla dipped ice cream bars! You can choose to dip it in white chocolate or dark chocolate or both?

Whether it's some mixed bars or a box of chocolates, when you receive chocolate from Purdy's you know it's something special!

Canadian Chocolates in special Canada souvenir tins make for great gifts.

Are you Dairy-free but still enjoy chocolate? Purdy's chocolates now offers more than a few Vegan options!

We have previously tried the Vegan caramels and chocolate bars and they were delish!

At Purdy's there is always a lot to choose from to satisfy everyone's chocolate cravings. 

If you're in Vancouver, looking for some delicious chocolate, for you or as a Canadian gift, check out a Purdy's Chocolate shop! 

Don't forget your snacks!

If Purdy's sounds familiar, I have previously mentioned Purdy's in earlier blog posts like one on Vegan treats for Mama.

Purdy's Chocolatier 

2196 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N7

Check out the Purdy's website for more info

Birdies Eats and Drinks Burnaby

A newly opened restaurant, by Earl's, Birdies Eats and Drinks is a great family-friendly restaurant with a lovely vibe and relaxing atmosphere. Located in Burnaby, Canada, the restaurant is spacious and airy with several seating sections to choose from.

Not sure whether to sit out on the patio or indoors? Ask for a table near the unique Garage door that they put in just for the restaurant!

Birdies' Passion fruit Spritz 

At Birdies, weekends are for brunch and it has it's own menu! Brunch items include a Birdies take on bacon and eggs, a delish Avocado Benedict and much more!

There is juice for the kids and the server reminds you to mention any allergies when you order. The crispy pave style potatoes were a favorite!

The restaurant is California-inspired, everything from the beautiful artwork and decor to the vibrant, fresh colors, of each dish and drink.

There are only a few options for dessert on the brunch menu. We tried the Drunken Tiramisu which was huge and great for sharing.

Birdies' Drunken Tiramisu with chocolate shavings and Edible flowers!

Birdies is open all day and serves lunch, dinner and Happy Hour. Their Happy Hour is everyday from 3 to 5pm, onor 9 to late on Sun-Thu and 10 to late Fri and Sat.

At Birdies, you not only enjoy some delicious eats and drinks but pretty great customer service too. The friendly staff really make sure you enjoy your dining experience!

Whether you're getting together with friends, lunch with colleagues or bringing the family for brunch, give Birdies Eats and Drinks in Burnaby a try!

Don't forget your snacks!

Birdies Eats and Drinks

3850 Lougheed Hwy., Burnaby, BC V5C 6N4

Check out their website for more info

Purebread Vancouver

 

From Savory breakfast items like the Fritatta and Egg Brioche to sweet treats like blueberry scones, and cakes, Purebread is a great bakery to visit for breakfast or a snack.

Originally a family bakery established in Whistler, BC, Canada, Purebread now a few locations in Whistler and Vancouver! 

Our favorite items besides the coffee (free refills with drip coffee) is the lemon bar!

We were happy to find a delicious lemon loaf which is also vegan and nut free! They had one with frosting and one without and toddler preferred it frosting free!

If kids aren't interested in the pastries or breads, they also have Kids Only cookies ;)

There's a lot to choose from and the staff were super friendly and helpful when asking about different items and pointing out which items were vegan. The bakery changes certain items every month (like their scone of the month). Their ginger rhubarb scone was so delish!

If you're visiting Vancouver or Whistler in Canada and looking for a bakery for breakfast or snacks, drop by Purebread!

Don't forget your snacks!

Purebread Vancouver (a couple locations)

159 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H5

2887 W Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6K 2G6

Purebread Whistler 

4338 Main St #122, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4

Check out the Purebread website for more info.

Sea to Sky Gondola Squamish

We visited the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) which is located about an hour from Vancouver! It was our first visit and a really great day trip to do with the kids.

If you're visiting on very hot summer day, remember to stay hydrated and stay in the shade when possible. 

The Sea to Sky Gondola is about a 12min ride up 885m above sea level with incredible views of Howe Sound and the coastal mountains. 

Tickets for the gondola aren't cheap. We went with a one day family ticket that's good for 2 adults and 2 kids. Kids 5 and under are free of charge. If you're local, you can even get a year pass. 

At the bottom, before you take the gondola, there's a gift shop, bathroom and a little kids play area. 

Kids played while we sat and watched the gondola!

When we went, there was also a food truck with drinks and ice cream called "Praguery". Unfortunately, the ice cream wasn't dairy-free but the chimney cones were vegan! The toddler loved the cinnamon sugar soft chimney cones which were warm and fresh from the oven! 

 

You can refill your water bottles or buy a cold drink at the Restaurant/Cafe at the top of the mountain! The kids loved that we could get ice from the ice machine! 

You can sit outdoors on the deck and take in the views or indoors. There is a small kids "busy" corner in the indoor seating area.

At the top of the mountain, when you get off the Gondola ride, there's a summit lodge and kids play area. 

There are many different trails you can also walk around and see the views.

We also stopped by Shannon Falls which is a short walk from the parking lot of Sea to Sky Gondola or park at the Shannon falls parking lot and walk about 10min to see the falls.

If you're looking for a great day trip from Vancouver, check out the Sea to Sky Gobdola in Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh).

Don't forget your snacks!

Sea to Sky Gondola

36800 BC-99, Squamish, BC V8B 0B6

For more info check out their website

Praguery Ice Cream Truck 

Check out their website for more info

Roscioli Rome Italy

Located in Campo di Fiori, in Rome, Italy, we tried the Roscioli's Caffé Pasticceria and Antico Forno Roscioli.

A popular breakfast choice with a coffee is a Maritozzo. It looks like a cream bun. An Italian equivalent of a Semla bun maybe?

On first taste, the bun had a lemony flavor and the bun had been drizzled in some syrup. The cream was light and no nuts or Cardamom like a Swedish semla. It was delicious and kid-approved as well :) Paired nicely with a cappuccino.

The Maritozzo buns came in different sizes and there was also one topped with fruits.

Pizza!

The Antico Forno bakery is takeaway only and expect it to be busy. When we visited, there were even food tour groups gathering outside getting ready to enter the restaurant. 

We dropped by Antico Forno to get some dinner on the go! You tell them which pizza you want and they will ask you where to cut it. Then they weigh it and give you a ticket that you take to the pay. Delicious pizza that we ate on the way! They even had Marinara pizza which became one of the toddler's favorites during our trip!

There is also the Roscioli Salumeria con Cusina which we didn't get a chance to try this visit. 

This is the Roscioli Restaurant, gastronomy, salami and cheese counter. Takeaway is available!

If you're visiting Rome, Italy and looking for some snacks to grab and go, definitely check out the cafe and bakery. They were also recommended by others who had previously visited Rome!

Don't forget your snacks!

Roscioli's Caffé Pasticceria 

Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, 16, 00186 Roma RM, Italien

Antico Forno Roscioli 

Via dei Chiavari, 34, 00186 Roma RM, Italien

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italien

Happy Slurpee Day!

 

July 11th is 7-11 or Happy Slurpee Day! To celebrate 7-eleven's birthday, it's the day that 7-eleven gives out free slurpees!!! 

The "Thank You" slurpee cup is the size of a  small slurpee and of course, you are free to combine several slurpee flavors to try. It's just part of the fun! But try not to take too long since there are usually line-ups for the free slurpees!

Which slurpee flavors did you try today?

Don't forget your snacks!

Carnaval del Sol Vancouver 2023

This year, Carnaval del Sol took place in the neighborhood of Yaletown in Vancouver, Canada. It was a fun Summer festival right in the city!!

For kids and grandparents, they had a kids plaza and even a tented seating area for Seniors. It was lacking in seating for others needing a place to sit and eat however. Hopefully, this can be improved for next year!

Some of the delicious Latin foods we tried  included, empanadas, tacos and egg tarts!

It was a very hot day in the sun, with not much shade so it made it harder for kids. An umbrella, staying in the tented areas and the free water filling stations helped a bit but one could only last so long in the sun! 

We watched some dance performances from Mexico Vivo Dance company. Beautiful traditional costumes were worn.

There were a variety of items to buy at the festival, everything from snacks to jewelry and tshirts.

The first 300 attendees of the day were able to enter free, after that there were tickets that you needed to purchase to enter. No time limit after entering.

It was our first time attending Carnaval del Sol and we left happy and full. We really enjoyed it! 

Don't forget your snacks!

Carnaval del Sol 2023

For more info on this Summer festival check out their website.

Kenny's Gelato Stockholm

We love stopping to play at Marcusplatsen Playground before shopping, after a dentist appointment or before/after a visit to the library. 

This conveniently located playground is right next to the Sickla Shopping center. The play area has a small slide and climbing structure with a few benches around for parents to sit.

Kenny's Gelato in Sickla is located right in Marcusplatsen by the playground. It's a great place for parents to sit and relax not too far away from where the kids can run around! 

Kenny's Gelato has some pretty tasty Gelato  which we have tried on several occasions.  They also serve coffee and pizza like a Nutella dessert pizza!

Their unique gelato flavors change every week. They always have at least 1 sorbet (dairy free) flavor making it a perfect option for anyone with dairy allergies.

Their pineapple sorbet was delicious! 

Kenny's Gelato is pretty popular on sunny weekends, so expect to wait in a line. At least its right by the playground :) 

There are a few locations around the city but the one at Marcusplatsen is one of our favorites (especially during the warm Summer months)!

Don't forget your snacks!

Kenny's Gelato

Marcusplatsen, 131 54 Nacka

Checkout their website for more info

NORMAL low price store

NORMAL is a Danish low price store with locations around Scandinavia, Finland and Netherlands. 

You can find various items from Travel sized lotions or travel bottles to notebooks and toiletries.

Our favorite section has to be the snacks! There are chocolate bars, various candy, tea and coffee and even Japanese snacks! 

A huge variety of other chocolate bars like Milka brand at great prices!

The store is similar to a Dollar store with the discount items and the huge selection. So if you're looking for things like cleaning supplies or toiletries it's a good option. 

If you want some ideas for take-home gift bags for kids birthday parties, Normal for small candies or stationary to put in the bag. They also have a party section for decorations, cards and candles!

Don't forget your snacks! 

NORMAL

Hamngatan 37, 111 53 Stockholm, Sweden 

Check out their website for more info and locations around Sweden.

Top 5 Summer drinks Stockholm

Summer has finally arrived, and with it comes some warmer weather! Time to enjoy some Summer drinks to beat the heat.

Here are 5 Summer Drink Ideas in Stockholm!

Ice Coffee

Many cafes around the city have added ice latte or ice coffees go their menu! Islatte in Swedish, Kajsas på kajen is one cafe with some nice views and cold drinks!

Bubble Tea or Boba

Places like Momocha on Södermalm offer some delicious Bubble Tea!

Smoothie!

Smoothies are available at various cafes and even Swedish Fast Food chain, Max! Some smoothies are even Vegan!

Slushie

We have seen slushies around at Filmstaden and 7Eleven with different flavors like Fanta!

Circle K Gas station also offers slushies, which they call K-Freeze!

Starbucks Frappuccino 

Popular treat on the go or sitting down to enjoy at a Starbucks in Stockholm!

Whatever your favorite Summer drink is, hope you can enjoy it this Summer and who knows, maybe you'll even find a new favorite :)

Don't forget your snacks!