Archive for the ‘Bar & Cafe Reviews’ Category

SOIRETTE MACARONS & TEA

April 21st, 2012 admin

1433 West Pender Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-3308

Web: http://soirette.com

Twitter: @SoiretteMacaron

Advice: Ask for help to pair the macarons to the tea. Macarons can be purchased individually or in a box of 6 or 12.

You will find a showcase of macarons in this Coal Harbour locale and there are rows and rows of them all lined up by colour and flavour with all sorts of different fillings. You’ll also find quite an extensive selection of teas which have been custom selected and blended.

Creamy Earl Grey Tea & Macaron

I had a Creamy Earl Grey Tea along with Caramel Fleur de Sel Macaron for an afternoon snack as I sat back looking at the colorful macarons in the showcase. They also offer mousse cakes and cheesecakes that come in 7″ and 9″ sizes (you just need to order them in advance). Watch for exciting new macaron flavours!

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Coal Harbour Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

COFFEEBAR

April 8th, 2012 admin

10 Water Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-9693

Web: http://www.thecoffeebar.ca

Twitter: @mycoffeebar

Advice: Open daily.

Each time that I am in Gastown on a Sunday, this has been the café to go to with friends. Of course this is a great café to frequent on a daily basis which is located in the heart of Gastown. I like the place for its brightness from the front as well as the courtyard out back, also love the exposed bricked walls and the seating layout. They serve up a line-up of espresso beverages, tea as well as cold drinks, additionally there is a good selection of baked goods to munch.

Espresso Macchiatto

I have been coming here ever since they opened, it seems that I always have the same beverage which is the Espresso Macchiatto $2.85, my go to beverage of choice.  Yes they do have sandwiches as well, however when I am in the area, my go to is for the espresso beverages.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Gastown Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

TRAFIQ CAFÉ & BAKERY

April 5th, 2012 admin

4216 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-648-2244

Web: http://www.trafiq.ca/

Twitter: @TrafiqCafe

Advice: Custom cakes available (call ahead)

This café is a magnet for drawing in neighborhood regulars and others that commute across town for a taste of Paris. I adore the communal tables where people can enjoy sandwiches or baked goods along with coffees. I have visited a couple of times recently and love the ambiance as well as the delicious eats and sweets.

Lemon Chicken Ciabatta & Roasted Yam Soup

I have had the Lemon Chicken Ciabatta ($7.95) with lemon aioli, tomato, lettuce, chicken breast along with a soup of the day which was the delicious Roasted Yam Soup ($5.95).

Chunky Monkey

Killer Brownie

I have also had their outstanding and heavenly Chunky Monkey ($3.25) think bananas, chocolate and brioche as well as the Killer Brownie ($2.50) that is full of chocolatey goodness.

Walnut Coffee Cake

Dulce Croissant

Vanilla Éclair

On another visit I had the moist and delicious Walnut Coffee Cake ($3.25) as well as Dulce Croissant ($2.50) filled with dulce cream along with the Vanilla Éclair ($2.75) topped with chocolate and filled with vanilla cream.

Espresso Macchiato

Baked goods always go well with an Espresso Macchiato ($2.70) and their coffee beans are from Los Beans Trading Co a local roaster.

The French-inspired patisserie also bakes their own rustic, naturally leavened breads by the ‘dough boys’ as they are known, the breads are offered fresh from the oven each morning at 9. The ʻcake ladiesʼ as they are known are baking beautiful and sumptuous cakes including a Confetti cake for the kids and adults alike.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Main Street Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

CADEAUX BAKERY

March 17th, 2012 admin

172 Powell St. Vancouver

Tel: 604-608-8889

Web: http://cadeauxbakery.com

Twitter: @cadeauxbakery

Advice: Custom cakes to order in advance.

Mixing the best of both worlds Cadeaux features Chef Eleanor Chow’s dessert creations with espresso based beverages in her own bakeshop café. Joining me for a delightful afternoon chat were friends Avelino Santos @Food_Wine_Lover and Ali Hui @FoodWineFinder talking all things food and wine.

Sticky Bun

Espresso Macchiato

I had the outstanding Sticky Bun with yummy toffee throughout the bun as well as an Espresso Macchiato, Avelino had an Apple Danish and Ali had a Croissant.

I love there open kitchen concept where you can see all the cakes being made from the batter to the decorating you get a nice peak into their ever evolving scene. In the midst of our conversation, I stared into the pastry case looking at all the wonderful brownies, croissants, scones, chocolate truffles and most of all the London Fog Layer Cake which is my must try treat on my next visit.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Gastown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

TRUFFLES CAFE

March 16th, 2012 admin

5151 Oak Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-505- 4961

Web: www.trufflesfinefoods.com/café

Twitter: @trufflesfoods

Advice: Located inside the Visitor Centre at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

With its floor to ceiling windows over-looking Livingstone Lake and the Woodland Garden, this casual café is located inside the VanDusen Botanical Garden’s new ‘Living Building’ Visitor Centre. Small tables and chairs scattered about the room as well as comfy lounge chairs and a couch add to the café’s casual ambiance.

Half Sandwich, Pasta Salad and Coleslaw

Everything in Truffles is made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients. In addition to muffins and scones; breakfast fare includes croissants, breakfast parfaits and breakfast burritos. I was in for lunch sharing with a friend and had a half of a Baguette Sandwich ($7 regular size) along with a Pasta salad ($5) and their delicious Coleslaw ($5) that is made with a touch of coconut.

For lunch, they also offer a hot daily special and two fresh-made soups along with an array of assorted fresh salads, paninis, sandwiches, filled croissants, fruit salads and desserts. In addition to drip coffee, there are espresso beverages, juices and organic teas.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, West Side Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

REVOLVER COFFEE

February 20th, 2012 admin

325 Cambie Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-4444

Web: http://revolvercoffee.ca/

Twitter: @revolver_coffee

Advice: Choose from a couple espressos on offer, seating is limited as its often full so ask to join others and meet some fine folk.

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. Having visited on several occasions, this is one of those cafes that takes top bill in our city.

Espresso Macchiato

Each time I have had an Espresso Macchiato, as it’s my go to espresso beverage of choice. I have eaten cookies as well as muffins on various visits, they have got sweets and coffee and that pretty much sums it up along with some tea!

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.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Gastown Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

LEONIDAS CHOCOLATES

January 1st, 2012 admin

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

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Downtown Tags: , , , , , , , , , No Comments »

GERARD LOUNGE

October 11th, 2011 admin

845 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC

Tel: 604-682-5511

Web: http://www.vancouver.suttonplace.com/restaurant/Lounge_Menu.htm

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Drop by for lunch, dinner or a late night drink.

Known as an old classic, Gerard is one of the most notable lounges in the city for the business crowd and visiting celebrities. I had lunch a couple of weeks ago joined by my Actor friend Kenji Maeda, it was the first time we had both visited for a meal. The room is well appointed dark wooden bar, matching tables and comfortable leather chairs.

Albacore Tuna Tataki

Spicy Fried Salmon Tacos

To start we shared the delicious Albacore Tuna Tataki ($14) wakame & shitake salad, green horseradish mayonnaise & lemongrass sambal dipping sauce; along with the outstanding Spicy Fried Salmon Tacos ($15) served with tomatoes, guacamole, chipotle crème fraiche & spicy coleslaw.

Beef Sirloin Burger

Sutton Clubhouse

For our mains I had the Beef Sirloin Burger ($17) white cheddar, bacon, mushrooms, Portuguese bun, horseradish aioli & red pepper relish and Kenji had the Sutton Clubhouse ($16)  house -smoked & roasted turkey breast, potato artisian bread,  traditional condiments & caciocavallo cheese as well as fries on the side.

Review By: Richard Wolak

Posted in Bar & Cafe Reviews, Downtown Tags: , , , , , , , , , , No Comments »
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