Bowland

When I first heard about Bowland in Maple Ridge, I was confused as to what it was all about.  Maybe I was having a dense moment, but if I had read it carefully, I would've figured it was Bowl + Land.  It hit me as I was walking up to the place, it serves Mexican-style bowls (with some Indian influences) and other related dishes.  As such, I knew this would possibly be healthier, especially paired with a smoothie.  Good thing too as eating out so much is usually quite heavy.

For their bowls, you get order a signature bowl or Build-Your-Own.  We did the latter with 3 creations starting with a choice between white or brown rice.  Then there are 7 choices for topping including meats, veggies and tofu.  We opted for Chicken, Steak and Butter Chicken.  There are choices for sauce ranging from mild-to-spicy.  I went for spicy in the chipotle.  Then you can top it off with a variety of items including cheese, fried chickpeas, corn and greens.  My favourite meat was the butter chicken since it had the most impact by itself.  Mind you, the other proteins were fine too but you needed a bit of sauce to kick up the spice level.  These were filling and enough for one person.

For those who don't want to take on a large bowl, but wanted the same components except for the rice, you can opt for either their Hard or Soft Shell Tacos.  You can chose between the 7 proteins including lamb, steak, chicken, butter chicken, falafel, tofu or veggies (not a protein but still a choice).  We opted for the Steak and Chicken for the tacos which was a good match as the meat was robust and impactful.  I personally love soft tacos more since it is easier to eat and doesn't shatter and fall apart.  However, I can see the draw of the hard tacos as it provides a textural contrast.

For those really on the go and do not have time for a bowl or tacos, the best option is the Burrito.  We chose the lamb as the protein in this case, hence due to its texture and flavour, it came through even with all of the other components.  It was good once again due to the fresh ingredients.  Something that was unexpectedly delicious was the Nachos.  The fact that they baked with cheese meant the chips became smoky and nutty.  Add in the melted cheese and everything else on top including chipotle and it was addictive.

To wash all of your food down, there is a selection of healthy Smoothies including Green (kale, spinach, mango, banana, pineapple juice & frozen yogurt), Mango Delicious (pineapple juice, mango & frozen yogurt), Banana Berry Blast (strawberries, banana, pineapple juice & frozen yogurt) and Chocolate Whey (almond milk, peanut butter, banana, chocolate vegan protein powder and frozen yogurt).  As you can see, the components are few and straight up simple.  Therefore, each smoothie tasted natural and lightly sweet.  I enjoyed the Mango Delicious the most as it was tropical tasting with tang and sweetness.  If you wanted something a bit more nutritious, I can see the Green doing the trick while still tasting fruity.  Banana Berry Blast was a bit more mild-tasting compared to the others and thicker.  However, the thickest was the Chocolate Whey and it was also the heaviest due to the components.  This was more like a protein shake and great for those who want to drink a meal.  Overall, the food at Bowland isn't complex nor fancy.  However, the food is inexpensive, fresh and relatively healthy.  A good alternative to hitting up a fast food joint.

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this blog post*

The Good:
- Fresh and tasty
- Inexpensive
- Relatively healthy

The Bad:
- Ingredients are repetitive for various items, but they do eat very differently

Carioca Bowls

Initially, I was a bit apprehensive when we had Carioca Bowls on our schedule while visiting Portland.  Not that I want to eat burgers everyday, but healthy food and delicious aren't often mentioned in the same sentence.  However, I was about to find out that my fears were unwarranted as their bowls and smoothies were both appealing in appearance and delicious in taste.  How about that?  I could actually like some healthy bowls...

So before we got to those bowls, we tried all the available Superfood Smoothies including the Classic, Verde, Azul and Forza.  Despite 3 of them being a similar color, they were all unique in their own way.  I particularly enjoyed the verde due to the tropical fruitiness of mango and pineapple.  This was also true for the azul with blueberries and peaches, but it had another layer of sweetness from the dates.  With almond butter, this had a bit more body.  With the addition of peanut butter, both the classic and forza were thick and nutty while balanced off by the açai.

Off to the bowls, they all were comprised of one of the following bases: Rio (açai, strawberries, blueberries & banana), Ipa (açai, peanut butter,  blueberries, chia seeds & banana), Copa (açai, strawberries, blueberries, banana, lions mane & coconut milk) and Mar (açai & coconut sugar).  For their classic Carioca Bowl, it featured a Rio base with nut-free granola, sliced banana, strawberries & blueberies.  As you could expect, this was a fruity and refreshing concoction.  This ate fairly light and was blessed with natural sweetness from the fruit.  The Rio base was a carbon copy of the ingredients, hence, it matched really well.

With more body, due to the use of the Ipa base, the Ultra ate more heartily.  It was comprised of nut-free granola, sliced banana, strawberries, almond butter, dates and pumpkin seeds.  This was mainly a protein bowl and the heaviness of the base and ingredients made it filling.  Definitely not as light and fruity as the Carioca Bowl, but still had a bright component to balance off the richness of the peanut butter in the base and the almond butter.

Continuing on with more robust bowls, we had the Yogi consisting of both the Ipa and Copa bases, nut-free granola, sliced banana, strawberries, peanut butter, toasted coconut, cinnamon and coconut oil.   We already knew that the Ipa base was pretty robust, but with the addition of peanut butter, this was quite the meal, especially for breakfast.  However, if you wanted more than just fruit, this would be it.

Other than the original Carioca Bowl, my favourite of the bunch was the Pollinator with a Mar base, nut-free granola, sliced banana, kiwi, raspberries, bee pollen and honey.  This was definitely up my alley due to the fruity tang of the raspberries and kiwis.  The mar base provided some more bright fruitiness while the bee pollen added some floral sweetness.  Of course the crunch from the granola added some texture.

The Rose City Bowl was something a bit different as it featured a Rio base with hemp granola, sliced banana, strawberries, raspberries, Honey Mamas chocolate pieces, and Jem nut butter drizzle.  Yah, this was quite the creation with hits of fruit, sweetness from the chocolate crunch and richness of the nut butter.  This was yet another filling creation that would satisfy even the biggest appetites.

In addition to their smoothies and bowls, we also tried their Avocado Toast as well as the Brazilian Cheese Bread.  As you can see in the picture, this was a very different avocado toast.  It contained vegan sauce and hemp seeds.  Hence it had an earthy and nutty thing going on.  Possibly a bit of fermented taste to it too.  It was not lacking in flavor.  As for the cheese bread, the regular ones were just like how I like them - cheesy & chewy.  The vegan version was a bit more dense and had a slightly saltier taste.  Overall, I really did enjoy the bowls and smoothies, mostly due to the fresh fruit and the delicious bases.  This turned out to be the thing we needed to cleanse ourselves for the next batch of upcoming restaurants.

*All food and beverages were complimentary for this blog post*

The Good:

- Fresh quality ingredients

- More healthy than most other meals

- It actually tastes good!

The Bad:

- Some of the more protein-focused items are rather heavy, but it is par for the course

Shizenya (Broadway)

Often, when we eat out, the food is greasier, saltier and sweeter than what we should be consuming.  However, the main point of most restaurants is to provide something tasty that you may not necessarily be able to cook at home.  Now that would be fine and dandy if you ate out only intermittently.  I don't eat out as much as I used to for a variety of reasons, yet I do still eat out a decent amount.  So sometimes it is nice to have a relatively clean and healthy meal.  That is why we chose Shizenya for lunch one day.  They are known for their brown rice sushi and bowls, that is better for you than white rice.  Also, they do their best to make most of their other dishes in a healthier manner.

This exemplified even with their starter Salad (included with the lunch sets) where the dressing was not as sweet as other spots.  Ingredients were fresh and vibrant.  Off to some Tuna and Salmon Nigiri, it was set atop brown rice (as mentioned earlier).  Naturally, brown rice has a firmer texture than regular sushi rice.  It is less sticky and also has a nuttier flavour.  We didn't mind it as it was well prepared with fresh fish on top (as fresh as flash frozen can get).

On the topic of that fish, we got the TST Sashimi featuring albacore tuna, sockeye salmon, and tuna toro.  As you can see, there was a nice sheen on the slices of fish which meant it smelled fresh and like the pieces in the nigiri, they were indeed fresh (as much as flash frozen can get).  Naturally, the salmon had a firmer texture than the tuna but was still buttery.  The toro was predictably the softest and fattiest while the albacore was meaty while soft.

We ended up with 2 rolls in the Dynamite and Spicy Salmon (also 2 pieces of Unagi Nigiri).  Of course they were made with brown rice which made them heartier, but not overly so.  As evidenced in the picture, they didn't shortchange us with the salmon, but it wasn't as spicy as we wanted it to be.  The dynamite roll was pretty typical but the avocado and cucumber was really fresh.

We added some lunch sets with the Sliced Beef Ribeye Bowl with spinach gomaae.  Again, the use of brown rice made this robust and filling despite the bowl's modest size.  The sliced beef was soft and tender while the teriyaki glaze was just sweet enough with some tanginess.  Really enjoyed the side of spinach gomaae as it was cooked just enough that it still had a crunch.  Sesame dressing was natural-tasting while not being overly sweet.

Last thing we got was the Shizenya Bean Curry with Chicken.  Due to all the beans, it ate like a curry chili.  Lots of texture and body while the curry was flavourful without being too sweet.  The addition of tender chicken breast made this fulfilling.  It was still moist despite being cooked through (as chicken should be!).  Overall, the food felt healthier and was quite satisfying.  Only thing is that the prices are on the higher side, but I guess you are paying for the ingredients.

The Good:

- Healthier alternative

- Fresh ingredients

- Quite tasty

The Bad:

- Pricier than other places

- Parking is not the best right now on Broadway

Bamboo World Kitchen (Granville Street)

It goes without saying that eating healthier is a good plan when one normally dines on an abnormal amount of rich foods.  So with that in mind, I did not hesitate to accept an invite to try the newly opened Bamboo World Kitchen in South Granville.  Not only do they want the customer to be served healthier options, they are committed to be as sustainable as possible with local organic ingredients and Oceanwise seafood.  Furthermore, their packaging is plant-based and even their countertops are made from recycled chopsticks.  Now that is commendable, but honestly, we need to see if the food can pass the taste test too right?

So getting right to it, we sampled their Dim Sum items first including Bamboo Gyoza, Prawn Dumpling and Bean Curd Rolls.  So I gotta tell you, these were pretty legit.  The gyoza was vegetarian with a combination of cabbage, carrots and shiitake which was tender and moist.  I found the wrapper to be thin and al dente in texture.  There was enough flavour on its own due to the white pepper, five spice and black truffle oil, however, the side of citrus soy helped brighten up the flavour profile.  So if you are wondering how the prawn dumplings turned out, I'm glad to report that they were really good.  The dumpling skin was medium thickness but tender with a slight chewiness.  Inside, the buttery shrimp did that sweet snap thing with the unmistakable hint of sesame oil and white pepper.  There was a chili lime sauce that predictably added tang and spice, but I much preferred dipping it into the Royal Bamboo Sauce that came with the bean curd rolls (think of it as a hot sauce with tang and sweetness).  About those bean curd rolls, they decided to make them semi-crispy rather than the traditional soft version we find at Chinese restaurants.  I thought it was a good decision as it was less messy to eat and it had an airy crispy texture encasing bamboo shoots, carrots, wood ear and mung bean vermicelli.

Off to their main part of the menu where any of their creations could be had in a wrap or a bowl.  We decided to give their Bangkok Bowl a try that consisted of organic tofu (+$2.00) marinated rice noodle, tomato, cucumber, pickled carrot, romaine lettuce, cilantro, scallions, coconut curry sauce and royal bamboo sauce.  I thought that the ingredients were fresh and appealing while the sauces combined to offer up all of the flavours including spice, tang, sweet, savoury and even a touch of bitterness.  The noodles were soft due to being marinated and I personally would've preferred a chewier version.  However, Jacqueline's parents tried the bowls too and they liked the texture of the noodles.  So each to their own.

To get a sense of what things would be like in a wrap, we had the Bombay in a flour tortilla (also can opt for a sundried tomato or spinach tortilla as well).  This wrap contained organic local chicken (+$4.00), bamboo brown rice, red onion, cucumber, marinated chickpea, mango chutney, grape tomato, spinach and cilantro with a curry yogurt sauce.  Of course this ate very differently than a bowl where I was able to get almost every ingredient in one bite.  Therefore, I got the meatiness of the tender chicken, crunch from the greens and firmness of the chickpeas.  In terms of flavour, the curry yogurt was tangy with unmistakable Indian spices.  This was tempered by the sweetness of the chutney.  In my opinion, the wrap would be my choice.

Too add even more greens to our order, we also had the Bamboo Forest (which is more of a salad) with Oceanwise shrimp (+3.00), mixed greens, marinated rice noodles, bean sprouts, bamboo shoots, edamame, mint, basil, cilantro, scallions, cashews, black sesame seeds, radish, sweet chili sauce and citrus soy vinagrette.  I really loved this bowl as the shrimp was perfectly prepared and once again, the ingredients were fresh and vibrant.  Lots of crunch from the veggies and a soft nuttiness from the cashews.  The combination of sauces added tang, saltiness and a minor touch of spice.

I feel that their Smoothies were their most stealthily awesome item on the menu.  We ended up trying the Raspberry (raspberries, banana, dates, vanilla extract and almond milk) and Blueberry Maple (blueberries, maple syrup, banana, dates, vanilla extract and almond milk).  These could also be had with soy milk if desired.  We finished these aggressively as they were smooth, fruity and smooth with just enough sweetness.  A really nice compliment to our mains and dim sum without feeling heavy or overfilling.

We saved a bit of room for dessert and had the Vegan Coconut Panna Cotta topped with cherry compote and toasted coconut.  Being a vegan version, there was no gelatin in this and hence it was more akin to yogurt in texture.  It tasted great with a mild sweetness complimented by the semi-sweet compote.  Texture and aroma was provided by the toasted coconut.  So you know what?  I guess it sounds clichéd to say this, but we really did feel good after eating this meal.  Nothing was heavy, yet still satisfying and full-of-flavour.  Bamboo World is a good option for those who need to grab lunch everyday but want to avoid the usual fast foods.  Looks like people agree with this sentiment as they are opening up their second location on Broadway close to VGH shortly.

*All food and beverages were complimentary*

The Good:
- Fresh local sustainable ingredients and plant-based packaging
- Flavours from around the world
- Reasonable pricing considering the quality of ingredients

The Bad:
- For me, the rice noodles could've been chewier, but then again, other people liked it  

Gaea Foods

I was approached recently to test out the services of private Chef Dimitri Georges of Gaea Foods.  Seeing how I wasn't going to be the only one testing out his wares, it seemed like a good idea to gather up everyone for one dinner at one location (which was my house).  Therefore, we saw the likes of Sean, Joyce, Grace, Amy and Diana join me for dinner.  Now before we get to the "meat" (will be ironic btw) of this post, Gaea specializes in healthier alternatives and even offers nutrition services.

We started off with the Eggplant with mint pesto and cashew cream. Thinly-sliced, while not crispy, the eggplant discs acted as the base for the canape. I found the pesto to be chunky, mild-tasting with only a hint of mint. Creamy and light, the cashew cream was aromatic and added a pleasing texture.  Next, we had the Foamy Garden Pea Soup with basil and avocado cream. Texturally, the soup was appealing with a light airiness accented by the dollop of rich avocado cream.  I felt the flavours were pretty muted, but there was a certain natural sweetness that went well with the basil.

From that, we moved onto an Arugula Salad with grapes, pistachios and tomatoes in a light vinaigrette. This was pretty straightforward and to be frank, not really something that showcased Chef Dimitri's repertoire and skill. I personally would've liked to see something cooked other than a salad that I could make myself. Onto our main dish, I was a little perplexed to find a large portion of Salmon Tartare on a bed on lentils du puy, topped with fresh micro greens. Okay, I love salmon tartare, but as a main, there was just to much of it. It was good though with buttery pieces of salmon lightly dressed with a balanced acidity. However, there were some improperly cut long pieces.

For dessert, we were served a Mini-Pumpkin Tart with a Chaga Hot Chocolate. I really liked the tart as it featured a firm and crunchy shell that was not overly sweet nor greasy. The pumpkin topping was creamy and not overly "pumpkin-tasting" while easy on the sugar. As for the hot chocolate, it was somewhat thick in consistency while easy on the sugar. There was a certain appealing aroma which could've been stronger. It fit the theme of the meal though as it didn't feel heavy nor unhealthy. Now therein lies an issue with this dinner. The food as a whole was decent and definitely healthy. If one was in the market for a healthy private chef, then Chef Dimitri is your man. In terms of wowing us, I guess he was behind the 8-ball from the start with a light and relatively nutritious meal. I applaud him for sticking true to his style and convictions, but it didn't hit any high notes personally. With that being said, he will cooked whatever a client desires, so maybe one might have a different experience depending on the type of cuisine. 

The Good:
- Healthier alternative
- Chef Dimitri does everything for you, so you don't have to

The Bad:
- Our meal was too light and healthy in my opinion which left me wanting for more

*All food and services were complimentary*