Posts Tagged ‘Chocolate’

Great Gatsby Chocolate & Martini Evening October 22

Speak Easy Martini’s paired with chocolate infused canapés

Now in its 8th year, the festival added a brand new event: “Great Gatsby” Martini and Chocolate Evening presented in partnership with Leigh Square Community Arts Village and Christine’s Catering Company. This cocktail event was inspired by a 1920′s motif and will dazzle your senses and your soul as we pair four tantalizing martinis such as the “Swanky Doll” and the “Gatsby Gin Mill” with eleven delectable canapés, Brie and Cranberries Sachet, Slow Braised Buffalo Ribs and Pepper Beef Carpaccio infused with unforgettable artisanal chocolate. On display for your viewing pleasure is the art collection “The Game” inspired by the 1920’s surreal game, titled Exquisite Corpse or Cadavre Exquis and topping it off, local youth crooner, 2010 PNE Talent winner  Corbin Van der Zalm, will be sharing his inspiration.

Reminiscent of the 1920’s, a time of celebration, the festival will inspire surprise, entertain and above all, help us cherish the good things in life… chocolate. As if that is not enough, your mere presence fulfills our mission: mentored work experience for youth, showcasing emerging artists’ and performers, and modeling our mindfully appreciative approach to chocolate and to life.

Swing with us at the Great Gatsby Chocolate & Martini Evening, for your senses and soul.

Tickets available at festival website www.chocolatefestival.ca ; for direct link to ticket purchase, click here please.

Ticket Price: $56.00 (all inclusive)

Location:

The Gathering Place, Port Coquitlam

#1100 – 2253 Leigh Square Place

Panache – A Night of Chocolate

Chef Thierry Busset

I attended the opening event for the West Coast Chocolate Festival on Friday October 15th, this event was called “Panache” and was held at the top of the Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside Hotel. It was an elegant affair with canapes and appetizers made by Chef Kevin Greehy being passed around, glasses of Prosecco and wines being poured, along with a walk around Vistas with a 360 degree view of Vancouver while indulging in all things chocolate.

Chocolatier Greg Hook

The room was filled with chocolatiers, chefs, vodka purveyors, wineries, pastry chefs, and many passionate chocolate lovers including yours truly.

Chocolate Macarons, Pistachio filled Chocolates, Soucees by Chef Thierry Busset

Belgian Chocolate in raspberry by the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel

Chocolatier Hodie of Xoxolat

Cardemon Crème Brulee Chocolates by Xoxolat

My favourites were Chef Thierry Busset’s (of CinCin and soon to be Thierry) Chocolate Macarons and his Pistachio filled Chocolates and his Soucees, I also loved Greg Hook’s (of Chocolate Arts) Pumpkin Chocolate Squares, the Belgian Chocolate in raspberry (by the Renaissance chefs) was divine as was the Chocolate Tini made by XFour Vodka, and I always love seeing Hodie Rondeau (of Xoxolat) and indulging with her Cardemon Crème Brulee Chocolates.

Bernard Callebaut Chocolate Ganache

Handcrafted gelato from Bella Gelateria

Many more events to come through November 10th for the West Coast Chocolate Festival and you can see them online here.

By: Richard Wolak

Win 2 Tickets to Port and Chocolate

Enter to WIN, 2 tickets to Port and Chocolate (value $60) on September 30th.

Liberty Wine Merchants is pleased to present our 19th annual Port and Chocolate tasting event at the Vancouver Rowing Club.  The evening will explore new and classic pairings, featuring a wide range of ports with decadent chocolates from local vendors.  Don’t pass on this perfect excuse to indulge!

$29.99/person. Tickets on sale now at all Liberty Wine Merchants stores.

Sept 30th. 7:30-9:30pm at the Vancouver Rowing Club, Stanley Park.

http://libertywinemerchants.com/pages/wine-tasting-events.php

Now for The Contest

To enter to win 2 Tickets to PORT & CHOCOLATE  on September 30.. Leave a comment on this post listing answering this question.

What is the preferred type of sweets that pairs best with Port?

The first person to have entered their detailed answer correctly receives the 2 Tickets and will be announced via Twitter.

Fine print: Contest will run until someone wins on 9/22/10. You must enter your full name and register when entering the contest.

THOMAS HAAS

Thomas Haas 005

2539 W. Broadway, Vancouver

Tel: 604-736-1848,

Web: www.thomashaas.com

Advice: For now they closed on Sunday and Monday.

The Counter

The Counter

Double Almond Croissant

Double Almond Croissant

Thomas Haas is not only creative and passionate at creating chocolates and pastries, he is world renown and knows how to romance us all. Many have waited quite awhile for him to open in Vancouver and now we can all savour his delicious pastries, desserts and chocolates. The patisserie is now the shining star of the block located next to Lumiere and the other fine eateries. The ambience is also enriching, with cute tables and a great display of chocolates of course all in fancy packaging that adorns the shelves around the shop. You can order an espresso beverage or the Thomas Haas special hot chocolate which he is known for along with one of the spectacular desserts. I patiently awaited while the almond croissants came out of the oven and enjoyed their Double Almond Croissant ($3.95) filled with almond and topped with almonds and icing sugar, this pastry was divine and worth the wait. If anyone knows chocolate it is Thomas and you will be in heaven at his gem in Kits.

Review by: Richard Wolak

Halloween Treats

What better way to celebrate the holiday than to pick up a treat for yourself or more treats for your friends or for your friends kids or for your kids.

Here are some treats that caught my eye to help you celebrate this holiday.

'Pumpkins' Chocolate Caramel Apples

'Pumpkins' Chocolate Caramel Apples

Chocolate Pumpkins

Chocolate Pumpkins

The chocolate caramel covered apples range from the simple at $4.49 to the ultimate at $8.99 to the ultra at $11.99.

The full size chocolate pumpkins are $24.99

Indulge and have fun at a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory near you!

West Coast Chocolate Festival

Hodie Rondeau (left) & Pamela Clarke (right)

Hodie Rondeau (left) & Pamela Clarke (right) of Xoxolat

I attended the opening night of this chocolate festival’s events which was the ‘Salon du Chocolat’. The event featured a sampling of chocolate, wines, beers, scotches, liqueurs, and teas.

Rubens Chocolates

Rubens Chocolates

Some of the notable vendors included:

Xoxolat  www.xoxolat.com

Rubens Chocolates  www.rubenschocolate.ca

Saturna Vineyards  www.saturnavineyards.com

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts

Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts www.picachef.com showcasing cooking with chocolate along with providing dessert samples to the guests.

By: Richard Wolak

Chocolatiers in the City

Our region boasts a number of chocolatiers who make some fine chocolates. Here are some of my favourites in and around Vancouver.

Chocolaterie De La Nouvelle France

198 East 21st Avenue

Vancouver

Tel: 604-566-1065

Web: www.chocolaterienouvellefrance.ca

Neighborhood: Main Street

Favourites: Espresso dark chocolate square

Cocoa Nymph

3739 W. 10th Avenue

Vancouver

Tel: 604-222-4477

Web: www.cocoanymph.com

Neighborhood: Kitsilano

Favourites: Sea Nymph bar – salt and english caramel

Cocoa Nymph

Xoxolat

2391 Burrard Street

Vancouver

Tel: 604-733-2462

Web: www.xoxolat.com

Neighborhood: Kitsilano

Favourites: Dark chocolate bark with pecans and blueberries

Mink Chocolates

863 West Hastings Street

Vancouver

Tel: 604-633-2451

Web: www.minkchocolates.com

Neighborhood: Downtown

Favourites: Espresso with a shot of dark chocolate, iced dark chocolate blended drink

Dulchinea Chocolate Café

1118 Denman Street,

Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-2699

Web: www.dulcineachocolatecafe.com

Neighborhood: West End

Favourites: Chocolate Chai, Caffe Bamba, 1528 chocolate

Dulcenea2

Thomas Haas

Unit 128, 998 Harbourside Drive

North Vancouver

Tel: 604-924-1847

Web: www.thomashaas.com

Neighborhood: Harbourfront

Favourites: Chocolate Sparkle cookies, Matcha Tea bar

Chocolate Arts

2037 W 4th Ave

Vancouver

Tel: 604-739-0475

Web: www.chocolatearts.com

Neighborhood: Kitsilano

Favourites: Pumpkin truffle, Salted caramel, native medallions

By: Richard Wolak

DULCINEA SPANISH CAFÉ

inside looking outside

inside looking outside

UPDATED 3/4/12 BUSINESS HAS CLOSED

1118 Denman Street, Vancouver

Tel: 604-689-2699
Web http://www.dulcineachocolatecafe.com

Advice: Try their chocolate taster, great free wifi.

Caffe Bamba

Caffe Bamba

Chocolate, passionate and all is wonderful. I fell in love with this place on my first visit and since have been many more times, little by little I tasted new and different chocolate creations. This is a Spanish café that is inspiring not only for the palate but for everything that it does, the café is comfortable and it has a true ambience. I have a few favourites, try the “Barcelona” made with espresso, chocolate, milk and orange served hot or try the “Chocolate Chai” for another sensational beverage. Try the Caffe Bamba ($4.25) ice cream smothered with their chocolate 1528 and topped with whipped cream (optional), You may aspire something simple and pure, order a shot of their liquid drinking chocolate 1528 ($2) and also a double espresso shot and sip and savour them both. The staff are friendly and ready to help you choose from the wide variety of hot and cold beverages. Tell them it is your first visit and they will give you a taste of their drinking chocolate. There are other chocolate snacks and treats including cookies and cakes to accompany your beverage.

Review by: Richard Wolak

POST UPDATED — Restaurant Closed in November 2010

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