Leila likes

Leila likes Design. Photography. Visual Storytelling
Vancouver, BC
� [email protected] I’m inspired by my surroundings and what I find here.

Marketing and advertising design was my life, and now I am devoting my time to what I love to do: raising two littles, freelance design, documenting food scenes, and living in beautiful Vancouver. Leila Likes is my venue to share my passion for local finds on all things coffee/food, travel and art . From new coffee joints to getting the inside scoop on the best bites/drinks in town, Leila Likes is

where friends can find out the latest on what I like. My goal is to featuring what I love, and introducing them to those that are interested. Mostly, I like to share, with both good friends and new acquaintances. Thus I created “Leila Likes” to sharing to yet another level and to bring the lovely things I find to you, my readers.

08/09/2026

Finally catching up on all the content I’ve been meaning to share.

Just this spring, celebrated their first year by bringing together two masters who have deeply influenced Pete’s journey, Yosh*teru Ikegawa of and Kentaro Nakahara of Sumibiyakiniku Nakahara, who came all the way from Japan to Vancouver.

This had been a long time in the making. Pete had dreamed of bringing his mentors and masters over to Vancouver, and I’m so happy to see that dream finally happen.

We’ve been fortunate enough to watch Pete’s journey long before Sumibiyaki Arashi existed. From his bento days, to that special Whistler dinner for DH’s birthday, to watching his ideas, skills and confidence grow over the years, it has been pretty special to witness how far he has come.

And this anniversary dinner felt like such a beautiful full-circle moment.

Three masters at the grill, each with their own rhythm, their own way of moving, their own years of experience. My eyes (and cameras) kept moving from one end of the counter to the other, trying not to miss a single moment.

But what stayed with me most was everything you couldn’t put on a menu.

The respect between the chefs.
The friendships built over years.
The shared language of craft and fire.
And the understanding that comes from dedicating so much of your life to getting better.

And then there’s Pete.

Even with all the accolades, I love that his humility remains. He continues to stay true to himself, never feeling the need to overdo things just because he can. Instead, he keeps coming back to the same thing: learning, refining and perfecting his craft.

It reminded me that the restaurants we fall in love with rarely begin when the doors open. There are years of learning, mentors, friendships, sacrifices and dreams that come before that first service.

And honestly, the adrenaline that night was unreal.

Thank you, Pete, for inviting me to be part of such a special moment. It was an absolute privilege to witness it from behind the camera and, more importantly, to witness this chapter of your journey.

Here’s to many more years of Sumibiyaki Arashi. ❤️

07/31/2026

This year’s Araxi Longtable Dinner happened to fall on DH’s birthday, making the celebration feel even more special. There couldn’t have been a more beautiful way to welcome another year with my dear husband.

Seven years on, this remarkable long table continues to draw us back. It’s a tradition we look forward to every summer, one that has quietly become woven into our lives.

Not simply for the extraordinary food, but for the people behind it. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside so many remarkable chefs whose talent we deeply admire. Watching them create, together with the dedicated team bringing every detail to life behind the scenes, is a reminder that true hospitality is an art built on generosity, passion, and countless unseen hands.

Rain fell in the hours leading up to the evening. Although the skies cleared just in time, the long table found a new home inside the barn. The setting may have changed, but the magic never did. If anything, the rustic warmth, weathered wood, and soft evening light made it feel even more intimate, as though we had all gathered in someone’s home to celebrate the season together.

Perhaps that’s the beauty of the Araxi Longtable Dinner.

It’s never just about what’s served on the plate. It’s about the conversations that linger long after dessert, the friendships that deepen over the years, the familiar faces we’re always grateful to see, and the appreciation for everyone whose hands make an evening like this possible.

Some traditions deserve to be celebrated.

This will always be one of ours.

06/30/2026

It’s been over two weeks since we returned from Japan, and I’m only just getting around to sharing a few moments from the three weeks we spent exploring our favourite country together. (There are many more tucked away in my “Grad Trip” highlights.)

It was meant to be a graduation trip, but somewhere between early morning walks, countless convenience store stops, too many coffees, one unforgettable meal after another, wandering through quiet neighbourhoods, ducking into tiny mom-and-pop restaurants, and finally caving in for a day at Disney, I realized we were quietly celebrating something much bigger.

The end of one chapter.

Our little chili pepper isn’t so little anymore.

She has always been the one who surprises us. The first awake while the rest of us slowly find our way into the morning. Meticulous in everything she does. Thoughtful. Disciplined. Determined. The steady one. The one who somehow keeps our family stitched together without ever asking for the credit.

She’s brilliant, but you’d never hear her say it herself. Her hard work has opened doors through academic achievements and scholarships, yet she’s remained wonderfully humble through it all. It’s one of the many things I admire most about her.

She’s my shopping companion, my partner in true crime documentaries, and the person who notices when someone needs kindness before they’ve even asked for it.

We’ve rarely worried about her. She’s always seemed to know where she’s going, even when the rest of us are still figuring it out.

Soon, our home will be even quieter.

Maybe we’ve always been a little softer with our youngest. She has long been the quiet anchor of our family, and perhaps we’ve held on just a little tighter because of it.

For so many years, we’ve been teaching her to spread her wings. It’s funny how no one prepares you for the moment she finally does.

Somehow, it feels fitting that one of our favourite places became the backdrop to one of life’s biggest milestones.

Here’s to the next adventure, wherever it may lead. We’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

Twenty-two years of marriage. More than three decades of us.Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how quickly life move...
06/20/2026

Twenty-two years of marriage. More than three decades of us.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how quickly life moves. Maybe it’s losing Dad. Maybe it’s watching both of our girls prepare to step into lives of their own.

The moments that once felt so normal are now the ones I cherish most. School drop-offs. Family dinners. Late-night talks after the kids were asleep. Trips. Coffee runs. Celebrations. Heartbreaks. The beautiful, messy collection of moments that became our life.

Looking back, we’ve been incredibly fortunate. Our life together has been full, joyful, and rich in all the ways that truly matter.

As our girls get ready to follow their own paths, this chapter feels especially tender. The house is changing. Our roles are changing. And while I’m still learning how to hold on and let go at the same time, DH is already dreaming about what comes next, adjusting how he works and imagining the years ahead.

And truthfully, I am too.

More trips. More wandering without an agenda. More afternoons spent discovering a neighbourhood we’ve never explored. More coffee shops where one cup somehow turns into three hours. More conversations. More curiosity. More collecting memories instead of things.

My dear DH, after all this time, you’re still my favourite person to share a table, a coffee, a flight, and a life with.

These wedding studio photos were taken in Taiwan a few months before we got married, Dec 2003.

Looking at them now, I can’t help but smile at those two young people, so focused on the future and all the milestones ahead.

Standing here all these years later, I realize the dream was never a destination. It was all of it. The big trips and big celebrations. The ordinary Tuesdays. The packed lunches. The family vacations. The laughter around the dinner table. The people we loved. The life we built, one day at a time.

Because one day, those ordinary days become the ones you miss the most.

❤️ 22 years married. 30 years together. Still my favourite adventure.

05/14/2026

Back behind the scenes with Tojo san, capturing some of his newest offerings, and honestly, moments like this always remind me how much this journey has come full circle.

Over 15 years ago, when I was still working in advertising and marketing, our paths crossed for the first time. Tojo san was one of the people who unknowingly changed the direction of my life and became a huge reason why I stepped into this industry in the first place. Since then, it’s been incredibly meaningful working alongside him and capturing his world whenever he needs me. The trust he has given me over all these years means more than words can explain. In many ways, he has always felt like my Japanese father.

And somehow, every shoot still ends the same way, being completely spoiled with some of the most delicious bentos, catching up on life, and genuinely happy to see each other again.

Some beginnings stay with you forever, and no matter where life takes me, my cameras will always be ready for him.

05/13/2026

A little late posting about the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards, a community I hold so dearly. A day spent cheering for people we love, who have worked relentlessly behind the scenes year after year.

I know I say this every year, but being able to work on the cover, alongside the team, and create images for restaurants I truly adore is something I always look forward to with this issue. It goes far beyond photography. It’s about the people, the stories, the long hours, the resilience, and having the privilege to capture all of that through my lens.

It is also a reminder of why I am still so deeply in love with this industry, continuing to work hard, create, and support a community that has given me so much over the years.

Thank you once again for including me. And congratulations not only to the winners, but to every finalist, every team, every cook, server, manager, dishwasher, sommelier, pastry chef, and every person behind the scenes who helps shape this industry into what it is today.

For the full list of winners, please visit the Vancouver Magazine website.

04/13/2026

Between being onsite for clients and media dinners, the windows to catch up with friends and drop by places have been few and far between.

It took six months—but finally made it happen. A fun dinner with at , right where I like to be: at the bar. Watching the room, taking in all the playful details, and getting even more excited for our upcoming trip back to Japan, very soon.

Thank you to the team for the warm hospitality and for the new cocktails sneak peek, , I’ll definitely be back. And thank you .d.mancenido for the warm welcome, and for the off-menu dishes.

04/09/2026

Easter dinner this year. Mom, both sisters, one table.

It’s been a while since we’ve all been in the same city at the same time—and this was exactly what we needed. A low-key evening, no stress, just good food, easy conversation, and time that didn’t feel rushed.

The mango cake from Easter Dinner Kit completely caught us off guard. Cream, fresh mango, and a layer of jasmine tea jelly that tied it all together.

Last year it was the carrot cake (and I usually lean savoury over sweets), and somehow, this year, the cake stole the show again. I couldn’t stop going back for that jasmine tea jelly.

Saved the last slice for tonight.
Still thinking about it.

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