In and Around the City in the Acura MDX

A few weeks ago, I spent a week test driving the Acura MDX 2022 car around Vancouver while trying some dishes at restaurants and cafes.

I visited ZARAK by Afghan Kitchen for dinner and enjoyed delicious Afghan food and drink. It’s all about elevated Afghan dishes and a beautiful dining room to match at this newly opened eatery on Main Street. Loved their Bolani, triangle shaped Afghani flatbread stuffed with potato and spices, served with chutneys; along with the Mantu Dumplings with spiced beef, onion, chaka, split pea.

The Lamb Shank with kachaloo, potatoes, served with salat was very good; I also tried the Chicken with, spiced potato, Afghan four spice served with asparagus.

For dessert the Rose Pannacotta with pistachio sponge, and pistachio, was a delicious creation by pastry chef Daniel Munoz; and I also loved the Shir Yakh, qaimaq, pistachio (yummy Afghan ice cream).

The next night, I visited The Wild Fig Restaurant and Lounge prior to it’s reopening as it has been closed due to covid for close to two years. Here I had a chance to taste some dishes and mocktails. The Aqua Sipper mocktail was refreshing and went well with the beautiful Beet Salad. The Cab Flank Steak and shoestring fries was a tasty share plate; but favourite dish was the Mirin Glazed Salmon served on a bed of sushi rice, topped with sliced avocado.

One of the nice features of the Acura MDX is the large amount of cargo space at the rear, you can fold down the last two rows of seats and then you can transport some larger items or store lots of luggage for a trip.

I indulged in a holiday lunch feast at Forage as I previewed their festive lunches that were happening in December. This platter to share featured JD Farms Specialty Turkey and Traditional Trimmings, (boneless white and dark meat) with chanterelle mushroom and turkey chorizo stuffing, gluten free pan gravy, Spicebox whisky cranberry sauce, garlic butter pomme purée and Smoked Boneless Fraser Valley Pork Rack with maple apple slaw, roasted winter vegetables, honey garlic Brussels sprouts

I returned to Nancy go Yaya for my 2^nd visit for lunch to try a couple more dishes including the delicious Chicken Curry Puffs – made by Shaiful Azrin Zakaria; and the yummy Pandan Chiffon Cake with muscovado crémeux and macadamia cornflake crunch.

First-class front seat comfort is enabled via next-generation Acura sport seats featuring 12-way adjustment, three-way seat heating and three-position memory – all standard. MDX Platinum Elite Package gains additional power-adjusting side bolsters and thigh extensions for 16-way adjustment. I loved this feature which enabled me to adjust the position of my seat accordingly.

I had a catchup dinner with friends at Yugo Restaurant on Main Street, a modern Japanese and French inspired eatery that has been a popular addition to the street’s dining scene for the past couple of years. Both the Main Street Roll and the Black Cod with Soy Maple Syrup Black Cod. Stir-fried Noodles, Kale, Mushrooms, Yuzu Foam were very good.

After dinner my friends and I went for dessert across the street to Sweet Revenge, a lovely dessert lounge that has been in the Riley Park neighbourhood for over 20 years. I had the warm Apple Crisp which was delicious.

The rear seating in the 2nd row is also quite spacious offering up good leg room for your passengers.

Another day I visited Sorry Coffee Co in Deep Cove to check out this recently opened café, and enjoyed a cortado and a walk in the rain around the village. It’s a cute café with seating, they have crepes, baked goods, and coffee by Moja.

Afterwards I visited nearby United Strangers Coffee in North Vancouver for a yummy donut which was made by local Butter Boom Bakery. This cafe offers a full espresso drinks lineup as well as offers a wide selection of baked goods, sandwiches and more. The cafe is also a market of sorts that features cool nik naks as well as some prepared and jarred foods.

Another day I finally made it over to Tamam To Go for a takeout lunch getting an order of the Mujaddarah vegetarian a tasty dish with Mujaddara rice, lentils, and caramelized onions.