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Posts Tagged ‘Baked Goods’

THE MIGHTY OAK

198 West 18th Avenue, Vancouver

Tel: 604-558-0722

Web: www.TheMightyOak.ca

Twitter: n/a

Advice: Closed Monday.

Off the beaten track, hidden away in the heart of a neighborhood is this small café on the corner. Inside you will find an espresso bar along with a selection of baked goods, for now they only bake their own scones, they also carry a selection of pies from Vancouver Pie Hole. You will also find a selection of food products on the grocery side which features many local producers including Earnest Ice Cream and others.

Espresso Macchiato and Cheese Onion Scone

I enjoyed my Cheese and Onion Scone along with an Espresso Macchiato, I had wanted a slice of pie which was my main reason for visiting however they were sold out. The room is small and cozy, so feel free to stand by the espresso bar and sip away while you indulge in one of their savoury or sweet treats!

Review by: Richard Wolak

BEAUCOUP BAKERY & CAFÉ

2150 Fir Street, Vancouver

Tel:  (604) 732-4222

Web: http://www.beaucoupbakery.com

Twitter: @beaucoupbakery

Advice: Go early as some of the pastries sell out within minutes.

From the get go, even before the bakery café had opened, I was a fan of Jackie Ellis and her divine creations. She started offering her delicious baked goods at the farmers markets around the city to tempt us all. Temptation is the beginning, passion is the game, and being unique is what drives a bakery/café.

On the plate: Cheese Croissant (back), Pine Nut Praline Croissant (front) & Bostok (right)

On the plate: Tropical Scone (back) and Kouign Amann (front)

I have been to the café a couple of times already with my friend Chris Fellbaum and on my own.  Chris and I savoured our way through a selection of baked goods and sweets that included the delicious Bostok a square piece of brioche dipped in orange flower syrup and topped with almond frangipane; a perfectly flakey Cheese Croissant that was filled with cheese and the Pine Nut Praline Croissant which is probably the best nutty croissant that I have ever had and I have had many in my travels. We also tried the outstanding Tropical Scone made with coconut, pineapple, and mango and the buttery rich Kouign Amann with vanilla maldon salt.

On the Plate: Le bi bi (top left), Pain Au Chocolate (top right) and Cheese & Green Onion Scone (bottom)

Caramel Éclair

The Cheese & Green Onion Scone was moist and loaded with cheesy goodness and the very rich Le bi bi is a round brioche soaked in rose water syrup with orange scented frangipane was an addiction inspiring pastry that’s going to have you in heaven after just one bite. The Pain Au Chocolate is as good as the best one you have ever had and if you love this simple pleasure you are going to be living in this café. I have also tried the outstanding Caramel Éclair.

Latte

Espresso Macchiato

The café also features an espresso bar on my visit with Chris he had a Latte and I had my usual Espresso Macchiato.

You will find a diy ‘do it yourself’ chalkboard on the side well where you can add your inspiring answer to it, each week they ask a question, then photo all the answers which are to be added to their website gallery. The café is very small, go early to attempt to find a seat, get ready to stand in the fairly fast moving lineup which will tempt you to never end!

Review By: Richard Wolak

W2 MEDIA CAFÉ

111 West Hastings, Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-9896

Web: http://www.creativetechnology.org/

Twitter: @W2MediaCafe

Advice: the café is located on the main level off of the Hastings Street entrance to the right.

Royal Chicken Wrap with coconut vegi korma

This is where creativity begins, the café is a hideaway worth your discovery, here you will find a creative team of chefs lead by Chef Karen McAthy who create delicious healthy food. I have eaten here on several occasions as well as have held a couple of my events here this past year including Tasting Plates and Food Talks Vol. 1. On this visit I was in for lunch and had the special of the day, Royal Chicken Wrap with coconut vegi korma which was delicious and healthy too. On a previous visits I had their Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie, and other baked goods.

W2 Media Cafe is an artist-run, globally networked media arts lab, Incubator, community meeting space and social enterprise cafe serving artists and residents of the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver. Serving healthy, high quality food and drink and employing DTES residents, you will find a full espresso bar featuring Salt Spring Coffee, home-made baked goods, sandwiches, wraps and soups along with other daily creations.

Review By: Richard Wolak

TRAFIQ CAFÉ & BAKERY

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

CADEAUX BAKERY

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

REVOLVER COFFEE

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

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

CAFÉ FOR THE CONTEMPORARY ART

140 East Esplanade Avenue, North Vancouver

Tel: (778) 340-3379

Web: http://www.cafeforcontemporaryart.com/

Twitter: @cafca140

Advice: Check out their website for their events calendar.

Anytime I am on the North Shore I stop in for a visit to this wonderful café that has an art gallery inside the café. The idea for the art gallery is to showcase local artisans and to provide customers with an escape of sorts, to walk through the exhibits while sipping espressos and other café beverages. The café is beautiful, spacious and well-layed out and has baristas who are passionate about making great coffee.

Espresso

My beverage of choice here is an Espresso ($3) that is always served with a bite size cookie. You will find a complete beverage menu of coffees, tea, and juice along with sandwiches, scones, cookies, muffins and more.

Review By: Richard Wolak

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