Posts Tagged ‘Cafe’

LEONIDAS CHOCOLATES

1055 Canada Place, Vancouver

Phone: 604-647-7559

Web: http://www.leonidaswaterfront.com/

Twitter: @LeonidasChocola

Advice: Located on the wharf towards the water, outside of the new Vancouver Convention Centre.

 

Dark Hot Chocolate

Chocolates and Truffles

As a chocolate enthusiast, I am always searching out chocolate indulgences and recently visited this world renowned chocolatier café. I had their delicious signature Dark Hot Chocolate as well as a selection of chocolates and truffles that included the Buche Massepain Pistache Dark — Dark chocolate, pistachio flavour marzipan; Truffe Champagne – White and milk chocolate ganache with real champagne, coated in white chocolate powder; Truffe Noisette – Milk chocolate ganache with chopped hazelnuts, coated in hazelnut powder; Manon Café Fondant – Dark chocolate praliné with coffee butter cream and a whole hazelnut; Louise White – White chocolate praliné with caramelised nuts and the Giamanda – The creamy smooth Gianduja from Leonidas flavoured with chopped California almonds.

For chocoholics you will find chocolate beverages as well as chocolates and truffles flown in fresh from Leonidas in Belgium, you will also find pastry creations made locally specifically for them.

The café is off the beaten path but well worth your discovery when you are looking to escape for a chocolate indulgence!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Thierry Opening

Thierry Busset and Jack Evrensel

On Tuesday, September 27th I attended the opening party for Thierry on Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver. It’s owned by Thierry Busset and Jack Evrensel who are partners in the tasty project. Jack is also the President of Top Table Group.

Tree of Macarons

It is no secret that I have been a fan of Thierry Busset’s Macarons since discovering them a long time ago, Thierry’s centrepiece the Tree of Macarons showcased the table of the desserts at the centre of the party.

Bowl of Macarons

This is a classic French café with a modern twist, guests sampled signature dishes from their sweet and savoury menus, as well as wine and apéritifs in their fully licensed café.

Thierry is open daily 7am- Midnight and is located at 1059 Alberni Street in downtown Vancouver. You can also find them on twitter @thierrychocolat or online at http://www.thierrychocolates.com/

By: Richard Wolak

FOOTO DELIGHTS

820 Homer Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 568-6500

Web: www.footocroissant.com

Twitter: @FootoDelights

Advice: Watch for their daily Croissant specials.

Specializing in Croissants, Footo “Fresh out of the Oven” makes just that plain and filled croissants all day long! Owner Brenda Yip learned her craft at Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver where she studied pastry. The open kitchen allows for all to see the Croissants going in and out of the oven, you will also find house-baked macarons, everything is made using natural ingredients and having no artificial flavours, preservatives or chemical additives. The menu also features Croissant sandwiches, along with desserts that include panna cotta, tiramisu, chocolate and fruit mousse, strawberry tuxedos and frozen yogurt.

 

Almond Croissant

Cheese Croissant

Macarons

I had a tasty Almond Croissant ($3.25) as well as a Cheese Croissant ($3.25) filled with mozzarella and Cheddar. I also tried their Macarons ($3.25 for a 4 pack) and had a Lemonade ($2.50)

Their menu also features 5 kinds of hot chocolate which will be the favourite go to drink once the dark and cool days begin.

Review by: Richard Wolak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIERRY

1059 Alberni Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 608-6870

Web: http://www.thierrychocolates.com/

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Snag a spot on the outside patio. You can purchase the Macarons individually, in a pack of 7 or 12.

I have always had a sweet spot and a love for visiting spots for sweets. Ever since I did a Behind the Scenes interview with Chef Thierry Busset I have been a fan of his Macarons, and now a fan of so much more. Located in close proximity to Robson, is Thierry a modern shop, café and atelier that is ever so sweet. The Curved walls of palmwood tambour imported from Europe are highlighted by flowing Castore lights playing off marble floors and Thonet bentwood chairs that evoke classic Parisian cafés. You will not only find beautiful desserts showcased in the temperature controlled pastry case you will also find the Macaron showcase featuring 8+ different macaron flavours daily as well as pastries, chocolates and more.

Raisin Brioche

Hazelnut Pithivier

Macarons: Maple, Gianduia, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb

 

Espresso Macchiato

House Liquid Chocolate

On my most recent visit I indulged having a Raisin Brioche ($3.45) and the most delicious Hazelnut Pithivier ($4.95) along with a selection of macarons:  Maple, Gianduia, Blackberry and Strawberry Rhubarb ($1.75 each). I also had a Espresso Macchiato ($2.95) made with the organic Thierry Espresso Blend coffee designed exclusively for them by Casa Del Caffé’s Vincent Gentile and then to finish off a 2oz taster of the House Liquid Chocolate ($7.45 if 8oz pour).

The shop is filled with homemade ice creams and sorbets, coffee and other packaged goods to go. This is paradise and I am looking forward to indulging when that whim beckons.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Revolver Coffee Opening

John, Matti, Chris, and George Gianniakos

On Wednesday, August 31st I attended the opening party for Revolver Coffee on Cambie Street downtown Vancouver.

It’s operated by brothers John, Matti, Chris, and George Gianniakos who are 4 passionate brothers who share a true love for the bean; it’s owned by parents, Tarry and Kristine Gianniakos who also own Crema in West Vancouver.

I was happy to find one of my favourite coffee roasters beans on the bar, those from Ritual Coffee in San Francisco. They are smart about their coffee choices, customers have the choice of two for their espresso based drinks where you can choose from Ritual Coffee or Phil & Sebastian. They also have different roasters coffees available (always changing) with five brewing methods to choose: steel filter; Aeropress; siphon, clever or French press.

George told me that serving the best tea is also important for them and each brew pot is temperature controlled. On the Espresso side of things the menu is going to be simple, none of that fancy ‘bucks stuff, here it is going to be the true brew. On the eats side of things look for fresh baked goods, candies and nuts.

I have always loved cafes, especially ones that excude coolness, a place that people can enjoy the best coffee while being inspired and lost in thought.

Revolver Coffee is open daily 7:30am- 7pm and is located at 325 Cambie Street in the Gastown area of Vancouver. You can also find them on twitter @revolver_coffee or online at http://revolvercoffee.ca/

By: Richard Wolak

NELSON AND THE SEAGULL

315 Carrall Street, Vancouver

Tel:  (604) 681-5776

Web: http://www.nelsontheseagull.com/

Twitter: @gastownseagull

Advice: Have a seat at the communal table and meet other folk.

This is the living room we all once lived in, or want to escape to now. I have visited a few times over the summer and love the high ceilings, open kitchen, the large communal table and of course the living room. The café is large, spacious and inviting, it is also a great people watching spot too!

The café has become the new spot for the community, for the creative people who live and work inside and outside of the Gastown area.

Avocado on Toast

Espresso

Lemon Tart

Chocolate Lava Cake

On my last visit I had the Avocado on Toast ($5) and previously an Espresso ($2.50) along with one of their delicious Lemon Tarts ($3.50) that oozed with sweet lemon along with the Chocolate Lava Cake ($3.50). Asides from the coffees on order, they bake bread and not just any bread, it’s a Ciabatta which is moist and chewy on the inside and crunchy on the outer crust, all of their sandwiches and toasts are on this wonderful bread.

Review By: Richard Wolak

PHAT YALETOWN

 

1055 Mainland Street, Vancouver

Tel:  604.684.6239

Web:  http://www.phatdeli.com/

Twitter: @PHAT_Yaletown

Advice: Private room in the sports bar is a hockey lovers paradise. Get the Phat-Size sandwich and take home the other half.

Any of my visits to New York, Montreal or LA, have always resulted in visiting a Jewish deli for a Smoked Meat or a Pastrami sandwich. After a bit of banter over twitter and friends nudging me to get to PHAT in Yaletown, I joined up with Rachel Fox for a Smoked Meat dining adventure. What we discovered was a Smoked Meat paradise in our backyard so to speak, their smoked meat is prepared in Montreal and smoked in their deli in Vancouver and it’s the leanest type of meat which for us West-coasters makes us happy! PHAT has been serving up sandwiches, soups, salads and more for years, about a year ago they expanded doubling in size and adding a sports bar which looks more like a hockey wall or room of fame.

Skinny Matzo Ball Soup

Reuben Sandwich

Poutine

Coleslaw

I had the heart-warming Skinny Matzo Ball Soup ($4.25) which is made with one matzo ball, you can get the Phat size with two matzo balls in a chicken soup broth. Next was the delicious Reuben Sandwich ($11.99 phat size) with smoked meat, served on toasted Marble Rye with Saurkraut & Swiss Cheese along with the best Kosher Dill pickle; I shared the Poutine ($6.50) with phat fries along with the Coleslaw ($2.50) and for a refreshing beverage had a Limonata ($2.60). They have got bagels and bagels with lots of tasty toppings, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, here you can even get a bagel and a beer!

Review By: Richard Wolak

CAFE BRIXTON

212 East Georgia Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 568-8200

Web: n/a

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Sit at the communal table or at the window.

Slightly secluded as it is off the beaten track of bustling Main Street in Chinatown/Strathcona, the café is well worth your discovery. First of all it is spacious and has that sort of NY feeling to it with its exposed brick walls, open 15 ft beam ceiling, distressed looking wooden tables and chairs. Secondly, there is a large communal table for sharing  while studying or working.

Carrot Cake

Espresso

I had the moist and tasty Carrot Cake ($2.95) with vanilla bean cream cheese icing and an Espresso ($2.75) made with 49th parallel coffee. The menu also includes baguette sandwiches, baked goods and beverages. They also offer an extensive brunch menu which I will get to trying one day soon.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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