Tiger Ramen is a ramen joint in Kamloops.

Isn’t it great to be able to say that? Let’s say it again: Tiger Ramen is a ramen joint in Kamloops.
I had been doing not so convenient drive-bys, on a regular basis for weeks in anticipation of Tiger Ramen’s opening. The last time I did multiple drive-bys and Peeping Tom Dances in front of a yet-to-be opened eatery, was last summer waiting for the Ploughman’s Lunch and Coffee to open.

The Sweet Home Café is a small soup and sandwich type of place. The main draw for parents is that Sweet Home Café offers a supervised play area for small children. The restaurant is small, but the space is defined. On one end of the restaurant, there is the play area and on the other end there is a living room-like lounge space. In the middle, joining the play and lounge spaces, is the café dining area.

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.

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)

Did you know there is phở available in Kamloops?
How much do I love the fact that the establishment, which brings phở to Kamloops, is the local doughnut shop?
That’s right my friends, the Donut King is now serving Vietnamese beef noodle soup.
The Tranquille Road Donut King location has been offering phở for the past month or so, but lucky for me, today is the first day the Summit Drive location has it available.