Ever since the evening we briefly dropped by the Richmond Night Market, I had been itching to try poke. By the third last day of my trip, it was no longer a wish, but a mission.
A game plan was devised to obtain Poke Bowls from Poke Time and Garlic Bread from Spaghetei for lunch and commute home in time for lunch, all within the 1.5 hour transfer period. Strategic scheduling was involved, as was the checking of downtown bus routes.
SkyTrains serviced Waterfront Station along the Canada Line from two terminus stations: Richmond-Brighouse and YVR Airport, with the route splitting at Bridgeport station. Trains were quite frequent during weekday afternoons: each four-car vehicle pulled in at intervals of 4-5 minutes, enabling customers to reach their final destination - be it the airport or the downtown core, within a reasonable time frame.
A game plan was devised to obtain Poke Bowls from Poke Time and Garlic Bread from Spaghetei for lunch and commute home in time for lunch, all within the 1.5 hour transfer period. Strategic scheduling was involved, as was the checking of downtown bus routes.
SkyTrains serviced Waterfront Station along the Canada Line from two terminus stations: Richmond-Brighouse and YVR Airport, with the route splitting at Bridgeport station. Trains were quite frequent during weekday afternoons: each four-car vehicle pulled in at intervals of 4-5 minutes, enabling customers to reach their final destination - be it the airport or the downtown core, within a reasonable time frame.
I needed not ride the train to the northmost terminal station, so I hopped off at City Centre. Immediately after making my way above ground, I sped across the street to catch the bus heading towards North Vancouver. I had barely made it.
The first stop of the day was Spaghetei. As mentioned previously, the Japanese-style spaghetti restaurant would be closing soon, and I knew I'd regret not tasting their Garlic Bread once more before my return to the East Coast. While en route, I made a quick call and placed my order.
Another sprint ensued after disembarking the bus. I bolted into and out of Spaghetti within record time, then ran across Robson to catch the next southbound Translink vehicle.
The first stop of the day was Spaghetei. As mentioned previously, the Japanese-style spaghetti restaurant would be closing soon, and I knew I'd regret not tasting their Garlic Bread once more before my return to the East Coast. While en route, I made a quick call and placed my order.
Another sprint ensued after disembarking the bus. I bolted into and out of Spaghetti within record time, then ran across Robson to catch the next southbound Translink vehicle.
Poke Time was located relatively close to Robson and Jervis, so there was minimal walking involved. To my delight, there was no lineup inside the shop whatsoever. The Works and a Zen Bowl (both large) were swiftly prepared to go. Neither girl minded as snapped shots of the ingredients being mixed, though one was clearly less patient that the other.
The Works was Poke Time's ultimate bowl: it included three choices of protein along with their entire selection of toppings and garnishing elements called "mixers". BC Salmon, Tuna, and Ahi Tuna were my selections, though shrimp and tofu were also readily available for the crustacean- and soybean-saavy. It should be noted that Ahi Tuna prompted an additional charge of one dollar.
Zen Bowl was a tad smaller than The Works but equally colourful and packed with delicious, good-for-you ingredients. I had been provided the option of adding crunchy toppings for the final touch; dried coconut shreds were chosen for the Zen Bowl and a mix of crispy garlic, shallots, and coconut for The Works.
The Works was Poke Time's ultimate bowl: it included three choices of protein along with their entire selection of toppings and garnishing elements called "mixers". BC Salmon, Tuna, and Ahi Tuna were my selections, though shrimp and tofu were also readily available for the crustacean- and soybean-saavy. It should be noted that Ahi Tuna prompted an additional charge of one dollar.
Zen Bowl was a tad smaller than The Works but equally colourful and packed with delicious, good-for-you ingredients. I had been provided the option of adding crunchy toppings for the final touch; dried coconut shreds were chosen for the Zen Bowl and a mix of crispy garlic, shallots, and coconut for The Works.
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Flexibility in payment options made for an extremely swift checkout process (they accept credit!!), so I was back outside in a matter of minutes. My return bus was nowhere in sight, so I made the quick decision of popping into Chatime.
The interior of the Robson location is grander than most others I've seen (with the exception of Vaughan). Checkered tiles, an abundance of seating, and plentiful natural light made for a pleasant sipping environment. Comparatively, the staff was lacking, leading a twinge of disappointment to appear in my heart.
Two members of staff should have been more than sufficient to maintain an empty store. Yet both girls were sloth-like and possessed poor English listening skills, leading to overall inefficiency.
The interior of the Robson location is grander than most others I've seen (with the exception of Vaughan). Checkered tiles, an abundance of seating, and plentiful natural light made for a pleasant sipping environment. Comparatively, the staff was lacking, leading a twinge of disappointment to appear in my heart.
Two members of staff should have been more than sufficient to maintain an empty store. Yet both girls were sloth-like and possessed poor English listening skills, leading to overall inefficiency.
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My own experience was of mediocre quality, but the couple that had sauntered in afterwards had been treated in a downright rude manner. The Thai Milk Tea wasn't bad though - just a few scoops more milk powder than I would have preferred.
A southbound bus appeared just as I reached the bus shelter, so I hopped on and began the second part of my sprint-stop adventure. An incredulous amount of willpower was summoned to ensure that all lunch items would arrive home in one piece and kept as fresh as possible.
The SkyTrain transfer at Bridgeport would have resulted in a missed bus, followed by a half hour wait for the next one. As the train pulled into my station, I took a deep breath, squeezed through the doors and bolted down the steps. My foot almost slipped, but safety was owed to the presence of the railing. I paddled down the steps at a speed which I had never known my body was capable, then sprinted around the corner as if my life depended on it.
The bus was there. There was no stopping now.
The SkyTrain transfer at Bridgeport would have resulted in a missed bus, followed by a half hour wait for the next one. As the train pulled into my station, I took a deep breath, squeezed through the doors and bolted down the steps. My foot almost slipped, but safety was owed to the presence of the railing. I paddled down the steps at a speed which I had never known my body was capable, then sprinted around the corner as if my life depended on it.
The bus was there. There was no stopping now.
To my utter relief, it remained stationary until I neared the doors. Panting heavily and gasping for air, I plunged into the first seat as the bus pulled away. "You're lucky - I saw you run or I would have left already!" the driver called out to me.
The duration of the entire trip, door-to-door/home-back-to-home, was just under two hours. The Garlic Bread had lost most of its warmth by the time I feebly pushed open the doors and collapsed onto the ground; nonetheless, the baguette slices remained as delectable as ever, and the crispiness was easily restored via toasting.
The duration of the entire trip, door-to-door/home-back-to-home, was just under two hours. The Garlic Bread had lost most of its warmth by the time I feebly pushed open the doors and collapsed onto the ground; nonetheless, the baguette slices remained as delectable as ever, and the crispiness was easily restored via toasting.
Poke Bowl's yummy creations were finally unveiled after I had regained enough energy to peel myself off the ground. I began shovelling the contents of the Zen Bowl into my mouth without a second thought, and was immediately overwhelmed by the explosive flavours of the veggie-and-fish-topped rice bowl. Enveloped in a bubble of sweet corn kernels, creamy crab meat salad, mandarin oranges, and fragrant sesame seeds was a well-textured meal of grains and greens. The bowl was satisfying, but devoid of that horrid, overly filling aftereffect. Before I had realized it, my spoon hit the bottom of the black reusable container. I hadn't been mindlessly eating while watching TV; the contents had simply disappeared as a result of thorough enjoyment.
The Works was even better the Zen Bowl, brimming with chunks of salmon and tuna of unrivaled freshness. Each scoop exhibited a different sauce and ingredient pairing. It was a meal I didn't mind munching on again for dinner.
The Works was even better the Zen Bowl, brimming with chunks of salmon and tuna of unrivaled freshness. Each scoop exhibited a different sauce and ingredient pairing. It was a meal I didn't mind munching on again for dinner.
Poke Time offers salads, burritos, nachos, bowls, and even half-and-half options, all of which can be customized to one's heart's desires. For the sake of efficiency, I chose two Signature bowls. But for future visits, I'd like to taste their "rollers" and Dole Whip once more.
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