320 Robson Street, Vancouver (Downtown)
The ice cream scene in Vancouver keeps churning out new contenders and new, innovative ways to serve and eat ice cream. Lik N2 Ice Cream on Robson is a one of those unique places, calling itself as Vancouver's first liquid nitrogen ice cream store. Upon entry to the store we were stunned by the sunny yellow walls and white walls, as well as all of the silver appliances in the back and the telltale sight of nitrogen smoke. On the other side you can see all of the ice cream being mixed, nitrogen flying everywhere and a cute neon sign that reads "I got Lik'd in Vancity". The aesthetic of the ice cream comes from the syringe that is added to the ice cream, typically with the syrup or sauce that is added to the said flavour. Emma and I got the strawberry blueberry sunrise, which consists of blueberry sorbet, strawberry sauce in the syringe and topped with fresh mangos. It was definitely a fruity treat which evidently used fresh fruit. However, for $7.50, the portion size was a little underwhelming and the ice cream was pretty meh. Don't get me wrong - it was delicious and fruity and I appreciated the freshness, however, it seemed really steep for what it was and it didn't wow me be any means. In comparison, 720 Sweets is under $6 and way bigger and cooler. I can see where the hype is for this place, however, I wouldn't recommend waiting in line for a small cup of ice cream and a plastic syringe.
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534 W Pender Street, Vancouver (Gastown)
I finally got to try Cartem's Donuts for real this time. Not as a passer by or as a guest in a donut tasting event - I got to sit down and try their donuts, have their coffee, and enjoy the atmosphere. I had been in this Cartem's previously for a donut tasting event, but today I had wandered in with Mateo so that we could enjoy some warm coffee and a sweet donut along with it, and I definitely wasn't disappointed. Cartem's is a very popular place that has a wide selection of donut offerings, and I was really glad that the store wasn't super busy and that we got a table to chill out at. I love the vibe of the store and everything about it. I had gotten a mocha along with a Earl Grey donut, which was a yeast donut that was glazed in this Earl Grey glaze and sprinkled what looked to be rose petal bits on them. It was a delicious donut, although cakier than those at 49th Parallel & Lucky's. However, it wasn't super sweet and it was amazing, and the mocha complimented it quite nicely. Mateo had a Strawberry Daiquiri donut with a London Fog. While we enjoyed our hot drinks and donuts, there was also a Scrabble board for us to play. I genuinely love the idea of having board games in restaurants, as it offers a different way of socializing and kind of forces you to put your phone aside and focus on not just the game, but the company and friends that you are with. It was a great game (that I ended up winning), and my victory was extra sweet with the donut! Cartem's also has another location on Main Street (2190 Main St.), and both offer lots of great activities from arts and crafts to open mics, which adds another layer of cool to it's already cool vibe. I'm a fan! 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. 413 Industrial Avenue, Vancouver (Main Street) I was really excited to find out that that I was going to go to Beta 5 Chocolates and try out their famous cream puffs! However, warning: it's not an actual sit down place. The 'Industrial Avenue' should have been a giveaway to me, because it is literally a factory with no place to sit down. So, now that that's out of the way, let's talk about their awesome and unique cream puffs! The shells are lightly crispy and give way to incredible cream flavours - about three different flavours of cream in each. My friends and I had the Earl Grey Raspberry, Vietnamese Coffee and Spiced Mango, which is part of their "holiday in the sun" winter collection. These unique and handmade creations were so special and too pretty to eat! But we couldn't resist and the flavours were amazing! Aside from their cream puffs, they also specialize in chocolate making, creating really cool chocolate creations. As well, they have house-made ice cream and macaron ice cream sandwiches. Since they don't have any place to sit down, I would suggest going to the nearby Tim Horton's, buy a drink and enjoy it there! (Shout out to Eugenia and Marinelle [@justurbasicmatchagirlz on instagram] for accompanying on such a fantastic foodie adventure!) 32 Water Street, Vancouver (Gastown)
After months of curiosity and walking past it many times, I finally got to experience the mystery that is Mosquito with Elaine. A dessert and champagne bar that is open from Wednesday to Sunday, this upscale and minimalist alcove is the epitome of romance and luxury. Since it was February, it seemed like most of the parties there that night were either on a date or on a "I have Valentine's day" protest with their girlfriends. The drink menu was pricey for a broke student, but since I was in a once in a blue moon 'treat yo-self' mood, I decided to go for a champagne cocktail and paired that with their Matcha Green Tea and Guava Opera - a fancy name for a very minimalist, Masterchef presentation-esque dessert plate. If you're looking to really woo your special somebody, look no further than Mosquito. Just make sure you don't go on a Monday or Tuesday and that you have an extra padded wallet. Sorry for the poor quality photos :( super romantic places tend to be incredibly dark and candlelit! 3278 W Broadway, Vancouver (Kitsilano)
Soft serve is taking over the ice cream scene, and here is yet another new place coming onto the scene and just taking it by storm. 720 Sweets, which just opened about a month ago, is reinventing the look of soft serve ice cream with their eclectic mixes and toppings. But the even cooler part is the showy nitrogen smoke that comes with it. According to my sister, who watched the ice cream being made, the nitrogen cubes go into the main cup while the ice cream goes in a separate cup. Then hot water goes into the cubes to create a cloudy smoke that surrounds the ice cream once the second cup goes on top. The results last for about 3-5 minutes and it is quite mesmerizing. I have never seen anything quite like it. The homemade soft serve is not too milky or icy. I personally prefer this soft serve over the soft serve offered at Soft Peaks, flavour wise. The toppings that went on our ice creams - Milky Way for Eleanor and S'mores for me - added to the aesthetic appeal and the taste of the ice cream. The Milky Way had a milk tea soft serve base with caramel drizzle, espresso jelly, crushed walnuts and salted caramel Biscotti. The S'mores had a chocolate soft serve base with dark chocolate drizzle, with a toasted marshmallow on a Pocky like chocolate almond stick. Both were delicious. 720 Sweets is off to an incredible start, with people lining up before it's opening at 3 every day. Again, it is a small place with minimalistic decor. The wait is a little long, depending on when you go. But it's super delicious. As the wall decal says, "my mind says to go to the gym, but my heart says ice cream". I agree! 433 Abbott Street, Vancouver (Gastown)
Soft serve: soft serve everywhere. And Uyu is definitely a unique and strong soft serve place that is making a name for itself in the world of soft serve ice cream. "Uyu" is the Korean word for milk, and Uyu Ice Cream officially opened it's door almost a month ago. Leading up to it's opening, Uyu offered tastings of their original flavour as well as their unique flavours such as green tea, black sesame, salted caramel and Vietnamese coffee. After their success, the storefront opened on Abbott Street in Gastown, making it walking distance away from False Creek and Yaletown. With rotating flavours every week, patrons have the choice of having their soft serve in original form or in ice cream bar form. After choosing their flavour, there is an array of toppings from freeze dried fruit, different kinds of nuts and almond bark, plus various complimentary syrups. Whoever thought that black sesame soft serve topped with condensed milk, freeze dried strawberries and milk chocolate almond bark would be a good combination? (hint: I didn't. But it definitely was delicious!) I personally prefer Uyu over Soft Peaks, and the prices at Uyu are definitely a better deal for more soft serve! This super young company is just starting up but has serious potential and a great niche. I highly recommend it - go check them out! 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...) 907 Denman Street, Vancouver (West End)
Styo [stahy-oh] - "frozen yogurt in style" This petite ice cream shop on Denman Street is part of a growing trend of ice cream places cropping up all over the city. Specializing in soft serve, the homemade original flavour and green tea flavour are used as bases for what is now known as "parfaits". Similar in idea to your typical parfait, these parfaits start with the soft serve and alternates with fruit or cornflakes, topped with syrups, more fruit, more cornflakes, and many other things. Styo offers a wide variety of parfait combinations such as "Chocolate Devil" (Original froyo+chocolate pearls+brownie+wafer stick+banana), "Green Tea Harmony" (green tea froyo+red bean+cereal+coffee jelly+cream puff) and "Fruity Rainbow" (original froyo+pineapple+mango+blueberry), just to name a few. Aside from the parfaits, they also offer various sweet waffles and smoothies. Eugenia and I tried their special, Twisted Pop (original and green tea froyo twist+strawberries+blueberries+cereal, topped with caramel corn and a wafer stick). Despite the fact that I got a small size, there was still a lot of frozen yogurt and despite the seemingly strange combination of toppings, it tasted really good! The larger size is a dollar more, so if you are really into frozen yogurt and weird toppings, I say go for it! The "make your own" combination, I was told, is not worth it, so go for something that is already set up. Overall the place is really cute and the novelty of the parfait was nice, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 245 Union St. Vancouver (Chinatown)
Creme brulee has always been one of my favourite desserts, and when I heard about this creme brulee place on Union Street close by another foodie adventure place, I knew that it was a sign to take advantage of it. Crackle Creme is a quaint place with that is filled with character, sweet smells and a lot of passion. The creator and owner of Crackle Creme, Daniel Wong, opened the store just over a year ago, specializing in flavoured creme brulee but also serving Liege waffles, affogato and other secret menu items that can be found on Instagram. Naturally, I had to try the creme brulee - earl grey for myself and salted caramel for Marinelle. There were a host of other flavours including butterscotch bourbon to Tahitian vanilla to mango passion fruit. Watching the creme brulee being torched before my eyes was definitely an experience - and hearing my spoon crack through into the cream was something else entirely, hence the name "crackle creme". I think that i will definitely try out the Liege waffles next time, but the creme brulee was a great treat! Follow Crackle Creme on Instagram for secret menu items, and pick up a punch card on your way out! |
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