A Very Tarty Afternoon.

Thomas Haas is known for chocolate. We like chocolate... I'm not sure what else to say? Well, I will say that I went to the Thomas Haas Patisserie with my fellow countrywoman, Rebecca. We went to the one on West Broadway, which is between Larch and Trafalgar Street. It is bigger than the North Vancouver location, but for what it gains in size, I feel lacks in a certain coziness. 

There are pros though! There is a big wooden structure on the ceiling, which represents the chocolate molecule. I really like this idea, and of course couldn't resist taking a picture!

Before going, I had actually taken a look at the website and made up my mind that I wanted their Pear and Almond Tart. Here is a picture of the Pear and Almond Tart, except you can't see it because they had sold out. 



The only thing in the whole place that they had run out of! I put a little strop on for about 20 seconds, pouted a bit, considered the idea of stomping my feet, and then realized I wasn't a child and ordered a Gluten Free Caramel Brownie Tart, which also look pretty good. 



Thomas Haas himself served us, and I have to say I felt a little starstruck. He recommend me the Harmony tea - I said yes of course!

Rebecca ordered the lemon tart and a Cappuccino. We cut our tarts in half and shared like proper little ladies. 

We had a lovely chat for about two hours, and then decided it was time to leave as we were the only ones left in there and they were stacking the chairs on tables around us! The tarts are really tasty, a perfect little midweek pick-me-up. 

Thank you Mr. Haas for a nice experience!

 

A weekend of Food

We had a particularly food-y weekend. It wasn't planned, but as always, during the week we eat so well and then the weekend comes, and we are hungry for something other than chicken and broccoli! 

On Friday afternoon, we met for lunch in Gastown at the Chill Winston. Some of Jose's work friends had told him about the 12 for $12 lunch menu which we wanted to try. Twelve options all at $12 makes it a great place for a quick lunch. They have plenty of options: meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan. I had the Arctic Char, Jose had the Bison Burger and then we shared the beet and mango salad. Considering the price, the food was excellent. The portions are on the smaller side, and I thought they were a little stingy on the mango!

In the evening, we went back to one of our favourite places - Fable. A restaurant on West 4th in Kitsilano, with a concept of Food to Table, hence Fable! The food is absolutely delicious.

The menu is quite small, but all the ingredients are local and so you really know you are eating fresh, good-quality ingredients. We ordered rye bread with whipped butter, 'canned' tuna, pate, the pork special, lemon meringue parfait and S'mores. A fairly indulgent evening washed down with a Bourbon Sour and a Kiss from a Rose.

The 'S'mores' is basically a... s'more! I had no idea what s'mores were when I first came to Canada, but for anyone else who might be wondering, it's a graham cracker with a layer of marshmallow and chocolate - a Canadian camping favourite. Definitely not one for the waistline, but oh so good!

Nero Waffles

Waffles, waffles, waffles...

Okay, a waffle place on Robson street ... Nero Belgian Waffle Bar. It is a tiny place, barely noticeable, except for the line of people waiting for a seat. Now, I really haven't tried enough waffles in my years to really say these are the best... but, they are amazingly good. 

We went on a snuggly Sunday morning and ordered waffles and coffee. 

They have two types, Liege or the Brussels waffle (I think that's the right name). I ordered one of their more simple combinations, Nutella + banana and an Americano.

 I think I possibly closed my eyes the whole time as it was one of those 10 minutes of 'I have to savour every single bit of this'. Having a little dish of chocolate spread is total heaven.

 They have other more elaborate toppings... ice cream, cream, coffee, caramel, fruit... although I personally think the simpler, the better. 

Jose even ordered sneaky seconds to go!

It is a bit of a naughty treat, but you have to be naughty sometimes, right? Sorry... I don't mean to waffle on ... ha ha ha 

Mink Chocolates

Mink is a café... a chocolate café. While walking around Coal Harbour, we stopped to get a coffee. They have a really beautiful collection of little chocolates and bars. Although very tempted, I only bought an iced-coffee as it was really hot. Mink is on West Hastings, between Howe and Hornby. The lady that served wasn't as lovely and chocolate-lady as I would have liked, but she made me a coffee and that's enough I suppose!