French Made Baking arrived near the corner of Kingsway and Broadway not too long ago. The location is convenient for me as I’m in this vicinity fairly often when I stay in Vancouver. It’s a bakery if you haven’t already Columbo’d that from the name. I pick up a few croissants and things to make a quick breakfast this morning; along with other items for nibbling throughout the day.

Macarons ($10.00 for six)

I met a princess in plain clothes today, and this is her castle.
Her castle is The Enchanted Teacup. It’s a drive-by discovery for me. I am on my way to Gary’s Deli when I see a purple and lime green building on Tranquille Road. Yes, purple and lime green.
Qu'est-ce que c'est?

Arnott’s Tim Tams are sweet chocolate cream biscuits that hail from Australia. The rectangular treats are far too sweet for me to eat straight, but they are perfect when eaten via "slam" with unsugared coffee. I buy them in Kamloops at London Drugs, and sometimes they can be found at Superstore too.

Little Beetle Bistro is an old converted farm house that stands amidst more recent buildings on South Sumas Road.
The restored deep blue building sticks out from its neighbours, in this area that's predominately an industrial park.
The bistro is busy with most of the tables filled with patrons chatting about things like the newest stretch stitch option on their Pfaff.

Caramel Latte ($3.50)

It’s colder than I thought it would be on this particular afternoon. I forego wearing a coat, since I will be inside all afternoon for a workshop. Such a mistake. I’m freezing while walking down Victoria Street; I forage for a hot beverage.

I am on my way to Princess Auto this fine morning, and I’ll need a breakfast stop. Princess Auto stocks some pretty random things in their inventory. It's not just auto. The last time I was there, I found melamine airline dinnerware, next to cigar cutters! My legitimate reason for being at Princess Auto is for jack stands, but that’s just an excuse to peruse their aisles. It doesn’t take much to entertain me, does it?

Harold’s Family Restaurant is located just minutes down the street for a quick morning meal.

I’ve been enamored with malt beverages for awhile now.
Look what I found in Kamloops the other day:

Tiger Malt ($0.98)

Did you know there is pho available at Fratelli Foods?
I noticed this sign the other day at Fratelli Foods on Victoria Street. A bowl of pho can be had on Mondays or Wednesdays for $7. I strolled by during the weekend, so I couldn't try.

It will be awhile before I can get myself downtown on a Monday or Wednesday afternoon.

Have you tried Fratelli pho?

I feel like I just spent the entire morning in an appointment at the bank. Perhaps things seem to take longer when my stomach is rumbling. By the time I exit the financial institution it is well into the lunch hour.

As Kamloops begins to acquire a light dusting of icy precipitation, we head over to Papa Tee’s Pizzeria. The new pizza joint sits on the corner of 7th Avenue and Victoria Street (kitty corner to the Thompson Hotel that houses the Noble Pig and Crush restaurants.)

Chicken Noodle Soup ($5.25)

*UPDATE: October 2012 Chicken Time is now closed.

Stop. Chicken Time.

Did the base line to Rick James' Superfreak just start playing in your head? Did visuals of MC Hammer dancing, in his namesake pants, to U Can’t Touch This start sequencing in your mind? This happens to me every time I see or think about this place.

The name is funny, no? I think it needs an exclamation mark at the end. Chicken Time!
This is one of those places I find myself drawn to simply because of the name: Chicken Time.