2950 Glen Drive, Coquitlam
An impromptu dessert stop after our dinner in Port Coquitlam, we went to Miracle Belgian Waffle Bar to satisfy our sweet tooth. We were greeted with a cute storefront and I was excited to go inside and have some delicious waffles. We were seated in a dim corner. The entry into the restaurant showed cute furniture and dim lighting, but a we walked further into the restaurant the decor quality diminished. The wall was exposed and it was quite dusty. As a group, we shared a matcha frappe, a Green Light waffle (matcha ice cream, red bean topping, and almonds on a Belgian waffle) and a B&W Waffle (vanilla ice cream, Oreo cookie crumbs, chocolate and whipped cream on a Belgian waffle). The waffles were absolutely delicious and incredibly pretty looking, and needless to say we cleared them out pretty fast! The matcha frappe was also delicious, just enough matcha flavour without being too overbearing and too sweet. However, I was disappointed to find that as we drank more of the frappe, we hit a lot of ice chunks, and the drink was not blended enough. However, the biggest turn off for me at Miracle were the plates that we were offered to share our waffles on. As I began to hand out the plates to my family members, the ones at the bottom of the stack were incredibly dirty - filled with unknown crumbs and what looked to be hair - and it made my stomach turn. I had to put them on the table next to us so that I could actually eat the waffles. It's a shame, because the food was delicious, but the service on this end was atrocious.
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3382 Cambie Street, Vancouver (Cambie Village)
In Vancouver especially, regardless of weather, ice cream is always a good idea. Rain or Shine Ice Cream, with locations in Cambie Village and Kitsilano, is a neighbourhood shop that serves up homemade ice cream in various delicious flavours. The brightly lit shop with cute ice cream wallpaper and decals is aesthetically pleasing and perfect for your Instagram feed (if you're into that, like me)! I went with my sisters to compare how Rain or Shine measured up against Earnest ice Cream, another ice cream heavyweight in the city. We had London Fog, Honey Lavender, and a summer seasonal flavour Passionfruit Ale, which is a beer flavour from Bomber Brewing. For my Passionfruit Ale flavour, it was something different and very refreshing for a hot summer day. It was very fruity with not much taste of alcohol, which I am torn on. On the one hand, I feel like there should be a little taste of alcohol, but at the same time I feel like I can live without it. Regardless, it was delicious and a flavour that epitomizes summer in Vancouver. As for the other two flavours (London Fog and Honey Lavender), they were also good but a little on the sweet side. The Honey Lavender was especially on the sweet side, which was a little too much for me. I will say that their waffle cones (which you can watch them make in the back) are amazing - they aren't overly sweet, which I guess balances out their sweet ice cream, and has jut the right amount of crunch. Rain or Shine is a nice switch up from my usual run to Earnest, boasting some different and unique flavours. They also have milkshakes, multiple sundae combinations, and Taco Tuesdays, where their waffle cones turn into taco shaped cones, which look amazing. More on the lowdown on Rain or Shine vs. Earnest Ice Cream here! 501 North Road, Coquitlam
In the corner of a tiny restaurant complex on North Road sits Choco Coo Cafe, a dessert cafe whose tiny signage says that they sell Belgian pastries and delicious cakes. I came across Choco Coo on Instagram, and was immediately drawn in by the aesthetic photos of delicate and delicious looking cakes. Flavours like chocolate and matcha were coming through the screen, and I knew immediately that I wanted to try it for myself. So I finally went, with my two friends. In retrospect, I may have overhyped it for myself, but let's just say that the word "underwhelmed" comes to mind. The restaurant is clean, open and incredibly aesthetic. There was a clear case that showed off its beautiful cakes that looked every bit as delicious as they did online. However, what surprised me was the fact that there were only four tables and a bar that could seat 5 people. And all of the tables were occupied by people who were finished their desserts and also brought their homework with them. I appreciate places that let their patrons stay as long as they want; however, it was clear that the workers at Choco Coo wanted these people out so that more people (like my friends and I) could come in. When we finally did get a spot, my friends and I shared a red velvet cake and a Oreo cheesecake. The cakes were good, and just as aesthetic as they looked on Instagram, but at the end of the day, they didn't wow me as much as I thought they would. At the same time, I had watched people walk in and out, hoping to get a seat but giving up and leaving. I don't really have any suggestions on how to get a table - it's either be patient or just try your luck. The slogan that rests on the wood block wall says "Life elsewhere, life in Choco Coo." You may be better off going elsewhere. 25 Alexander Street, Vancouver (Gastown)
Soft serve is taking over Vancouver! Soft and creamy ice cream on a waffle cone has always been one of my favourite treats, so it's awesome to see it making a comeback! One of these new soft serve places, Soft Peaks in Gastown, boasts organic soft serve ice cream with premium toppings such as local honeycomb and Australian TimTams, The flavour of the soft serve is very creamy and milky tasting - really milky. But with the various toppings and syrups, the various ice cream mixes have cute names such as Salty Himalayan (soft serve topped with Himalayan Pink Salt) and Sunrise in California (Sweet and Sour Yuzu marmalade on the Soft Peaks signature twist). A cute little shop that is right in the heart of Gastown, the soft serve combinations offered at Soft Peaks will take on a different adventure with every bite and each flavour. And new this summer - they have milkshakes available in original and chocolate! Just remember, though, Soft Peaks is not open on Tuesdays! (I made that mistake this summer haha...) 1703 Robson St, Vancouver
Waffles are now more than breakfast foods and can be eaten with more than just syrup. Nero Belgian Waffle Bar on Robson Street is a petite little stand with a cozy interior and delicious smells of Belgian and Liege waffles made fresh to order. The waffles from Nero are definitely good ways to treat yourself. With different options and combinations and the choice of toppings either on Belgian or Liege waffles, Warm and fresh waffles with fruit and cool cream and ice cream on top made for a very delicious dessert. Despite it's popularity, Nero only has one waffle bar on Robson, making it very crowded during peak hours. The other little problem with Nero's location is how far away it is from the skytrain, so it's a bit of a walk if you don't want to get on the bus. When Eleanor and I went, we definitely lucked out and got a place to sit down and thoroughly enjoy our waffles. Even with the long waits, I have been told many times before that Nero Belgian Waffle Bar is definitely worth it, and I'm here to affirm that and definitely encourage other people to go check it out! 6888 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby
Located just a 3 minute walk from Royal Oak skytrain station in Burnaby, Ki Tea House and Cafe sits next to small cafe and is by far the cutest things on this block. With it's sweet and minimalist interior and a love for all things anime, what drew me in was the sweet smell of pastries and waffles. Similar to that of Belgian waffles, this new phenomenon of waffles as desserts defies the breakfast food. My friend ordered a simple strawberry waffle, which was topped with strawberries, syrup, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream - perfect on a sunny day! Ki Tea House and Cafe offers other waffle flavours, along with little cakes and desserts and bubble tea. A perfect for a little dessert break! 3992 Fraser Street (Vancouver East) -OR- 1829 Quebec Street (Vancouver Olympic Village)
I scream, you scream, we all scream for (Earnest) Ice Cream! Opened in 2012, Earnest Ice Cream's tagline is "Seriously Good", and I cannot agree more! Being dedicated to keeping their ingredients local and fresh, there are new flavors every day that are unique, making this ice cream shop anything but ordinary. They focus on small batches which gives them the opportunity to explore - and with this exploration comes incredible parties in your mouth like London Fog, Lemon Poppy Seed, Strawberry Basil and Whiskey Hazelnut - just to name a few. Aside from the typical flavors (but ten times better than your average chocolate!), Earnest Ice Cream also has seasonal flavors, special mixes (Spruce Bud? Lavender? Cardamom??) as well as specially prepared vegan ice creams. In short, the ice cream is delicious, one of a kind, and definitely a must try! Especially during the summer when ice cream is a popular treat, the wait is usually really long. However, the wait is worth it! Now with the additional location in the Olympic Village, there is no excuse to not try out Earnest Ice Cream! It is one of my favourite places to go for ice cream, due to its accessibility and seemingly endless array of delicious flavours to try. There is always something new to try for the adventurous ice cream connaisseur, or personal favourites that people have every single time they go. Earnest is indeed "seriously good", and for a good reason! 1059 Alberni Street, Vancouver
I have Elaine to thank for introducing me to macarons! Thierry is a Parisian style cafe that is located Downtown. Being a cafe among many others, Thierry also offers a variety of savory goods that act as a amuse-bouche and pre-show to the delicate and delicious desserts that are on display. From macarons to cakes to cookies of all kinds, the atmosphere of it all transports you to the streets of France. I highly recommend the macarons while you are there, as well as the Belgian hot chocolate. If you are looking for a sweet treat for yourself or an outing with friends, treat yourself to Thierry! Or, if you are trying to woo a special someone, I would definitely encourage you to stop by Theirry at least once. When we came on Valentine's Day, it was standing room only! |
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