5395 West Boulevard, Vancouver

Tel: 604-267-4225

Web: www.themacshack.ca

Twitter: @the_mac_shack

Advice: If you are going with a friend and having any of the Mac & Cheese dishes then share a medium size or get 2 smalls and share.

West Coast Salad

Having a Mac & Cheese growing up was never as fun as my recent visit to The Mac Shack for dinner. My friend Cassandra Anderton joined me to indulge in Mac & Cheese oooey gooey cheesy goodness! We started with some greens and each had a small West Coast Salad ($5) with tossed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, mushrooms and honey roasted pecans served with a light raspberry vinaigrette.

Lobster Mac

The Ultimate

Build Your Own

Bread Dippers

Next, we shared 3 of the Ultimate size of Mac & Cheese, all were served in large cast iron pans, the first was the outstanding Lobster Mac ($18) with asiago & Canadian cheddar, lobster meat, oyster mushrooms, lemon, dill, truffle oil and roasted garlic in a cream sauce. The second was The Ultimate ($16) with bacon, bell peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, chicken, chorizo, shrimp, with Mozzarella and Gruyere cheese in a tomato sauce. Third, was a Build Your Own ($16), which I built using the healthiest of ingredients on offer, ours had Aged cheddar and Asiago, along with whole wheat pasta, broccoli, caramelized onions, and mushrooms in a tomato sauce. We also added an order of Bread Dippers ($ .90) that perhaps was adding more carbs into the mix that we could have done without.

The Squish

The Skillet Brownie

We both thought dessert was in order to round up our comforting meal. We both shared The Squish ($4.75) double chocolate chip cookies filled with vanilla ice cream with a raspberry coulis, however it was the 2^nd dessert that was the clear favourite for us both, The Skillet Brownie ($5.90) double chocolate brownie warmed in a skillet topped with vanilla bean gelato and drizzled with raspberry coulis.

The Mac Shack has taken Mac & Cheese to a new level, with the best cheese and quality ingredients this is surely Mac & Cheese that you are going to want to eat time and time again.

Review By: Richard Wolak

859 Hornby Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-568-3398

Web: http://www.hubbubsandwiches.com/

Twitter: @_hubbub

Advice: Pick your protein then have it as a sandwich or a salad – you choose when ordering.

Chicken Sandwich

Quinoa Salad

I was curious as to what the all the hubbub was about, in for lunch to go I ordered their Chicken Breast Sandwich ($8.99) chicken steeped in citrus juices and coconut milk with pickled jalapenos, creamy garlic sauce, romaine lettuce, cilantro, and crunchy caramelized onions atop a toasty baguette. I added a sidekick of their Quinoa Salad ($2.99) a hearty, high protein salad with black beans, corn & peppers. Although the sandwiches appear to be simple they are far from ordinary, each is unique and different made with the highest quality ingredients. They tell me their Pork Sandwich is the most popular and their house speciality, you be the judge! The Sidekick addition of a salad or BC grown potato chips is another unique idea. Hubbub has a variety of drinks including a rotating selection of craft beers.

Review By: Richard Wolak

488 Robson Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-609-2467

Web: www.choppedleaf.ca

Twitter: @choppedleaf

Advice: Better value if you have the Chopped Water to stay. Starter size salad is good for one person, the full salad is good for 2 to share or for next day eating.

Sunshine Salad

Love this spot, I have been in several times to eat-in or take-out. I have had the delicious Baja Quesadillas ($9.50) Cajun chicken, black bean corn salsa and cheddar served with dip and salsa; the Vegetarian Quesadillas ($9.50) veggies, cranberries and cheese. Love the chef designed salads and I have had the Chopped Signature Salad (full salad $10.50) grilled chicken, romaine, onion, cranberries, feta and croutons with balsamic; but I have fallen in love with their Sunshine Salad (starter size $6.75) grilled chicken, spring mix, cucumbers, mozzarella, avocado and apples with goddess dressing. The Chopped Water ($1.50) is naturally flavoured and includes free refills. You can also design your own salads and wraps and choose from a large selection of healthy proteins, greens, cheeses, choppings and dressings. There is also soups, breakfast options as well as a kid’s menu.

Review By: Richard Wolak

#105 – 3757 Jacombs Road, Richmond

Tel: 778-297-4757

Web: http://www.noochsnackandchill.com/

Twitter: @noochsc

Advice: Located behind Ikea, a hideway that is worth your discovery.

Roast Chicken Panini

Tandoori Chicken Sandwich

Quinoa Spinach Salad

Passion fruit Ice Tea

Loved the big red couch in the center of this stylish restaurant that has been dressed in red and white, the eatery is spacious with lots of seating. Having experienced their delicious food at a catered function recently, I made it a mission to scout their locale in east Richmond for lunch and had my friend Gio Levy join me. On the lunch menu there is a large selection of panini, sandwiches, salads and drinks, I had the Roast Chicken Panini ($8) tender pieces of whole roasted chicken, herbs ‘n’ spice, lemon aioli, tomato, and cheddar served with a side salad and potato chips and Gio had the Tandoori Chicken Sandwich ($10) fresh chicken breast marinated in garlic and tandoori spice, lemon aioli, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. We both then shared the healthy Quinoa Spinach Salad ($9) with pineapple, papaya, feta cheese, strawberries, almonds, spinach and more. For our beverages we both had a refreshing Passion fruit Ice Tea ($3.50)

Must get by one day for breakfast and to try the fruit topped Fresca vanilla waffle!

Review By: Richard Wolak