Food Market

First, I have to apologize for the blur and crappy picture because I couldn't wait to dig in!   Second, I think it's called the Food Market.  Anyway, it's a cafeteria opposite The Bay downtown Vancouver at the ground level near the Skytrain.

Fruits Tart! Fresh fruits! The crust wasn't crunchy enough to my liking though :(

Mango Cheesecake -- I think I bought it too late.  I would like it more if it's fresher and tasted more like mango

Lastly! I am so sorry for not posting for so long... Real life can really get in the way!

For the love of chocolate

Chocolate is the answer... whatever the question.

Xoxolat an excellent chocolate store if you are looking for gift for anyone who has any opinion about chocolates.  They carry high quality chocolates that makes chocolate not just a dessert but food that people need to take time to enjoy it.

I attended the chocolate tasting class offered by Xoxolat a year back and the experience makes me enjoy chocolate more.  So, as I am about to visit some friends who have different preferences for chocolates, I took a 1.5 hour bus ride there and picked up everything I needed.

Le 100% -- 100% dark. Organic!
Theo Spicy Chile -- 70% dark. Organic fair trade!
By Xoxolat:
Sea salt & Nibs -- 75% dark. Lavendar -- 75% dark.
Westcoast Breakfast -- Bacon, espresso in deep rich milk chocolate!

My list of favourite stuff in the store goes like this (roughly):
1) Lavendar chocolate bar (shown in the picture)
2) Spicy hot chocolate -- must have for the winter!
3) Chocolate nibs -- They have plenty of selections for this. 
4) TBA after i go back there a few more times!

The first time the chocolate shoes caught my eyes in the mall, I thought they were too fancy as chocolate.  But now, I am planning to get them as presents for some of the ladies ;)
 

Thierry Chocolateria Patisserie Cafe

Instead of buying birthday cakes, we have been bringing our birthday friends to Thierry for a treat while we have a taste of different desserts.  It's a wonderful to chill and chat with friends while satisfying our sweet tooth.

Sweet Sweet Revenge

My friend introduced this place to me as one of the regular places for dessert before she found out more sweet goodness in downtown.  This is definitely not a place I would have come if I wasn't across the street at Hawker's Delight.   You wonder how much I can eat after so much food across the street.  But, living well is a Sweet Revenge.

Leonidas

Another coupon deal! This time it's not a restaurant; it's a dessert cafe - Leonidas.  The special deal includes a cup of hot chocolate.  I think the hot chocolate was made without adding water, i.e. only milk was used.  Since it was during Valentine's day that we went, we get a special <3 on top of the hot chocolate!

Waffle!

As I wander along Robson Street on a Friday evening, I accidentally came across the Michi Waffle & Espresso Bar. But I was too full from dinner and so, did not try. The display did catch my eyes and to satisfy my curiosity, I went there two days later!

There are two types of waffle: liege and brussel. The liege waffle is more chewy and dense while the brussels waffle is supposedly to be light and crispy. They offer different type toppings for the waffles and instead of mix-matching the toppings ourselves, we decided to go for their summer special. I know summer is almost over but shhhh....

It did not take long for the server to bring out the Summer Delight Waffle Sundae with brussel waffle



and the Wicked Blue Waffle Sundae with brussel waffle


They sure look yummy! I am not the best judge when it comes to waffle but I really would wish the waffle is a little more crispy. The brussel waffle was definitely light but I would prefer it to be a little more crispy. We did not try the liege waffle because like I said, I prefer crispy waffles :) When I think back now, I think the amount of whipped cream on the waffles probably took away the crispy-ness of the waffle. I was shock to see so much whipped cream on top of the waffle, but the fresh fruits and blueberry sauce made me feel less guilty.

The fruits are freshly cut which is always a bonus. The only downside is the sweetness of the fruits depend greatly on the fruits themselves. I was happy that they used fresh fruits instead of can fruits. It could be improved a whole lot more if the fruits can make themselves sweeter naturally. The blue berry sauce wasn't too sweet at all and I love it. You can obviously tell that minimal artificial sugar were added. I wish it would taste more like blueberry though...

My friend ordered an english earl grey tea. It comes in a nice little glass teapot. I like the idea. She wasn't too blown away with the tea. There are a lot of positive reviews about the latte and espresson served in the store but a coffee-retard like me really can't comment much ;)