Red Mango in Bellevue, WA

After the 12-egg omelette breakfast, we went for a bit of shopping around Bellevue. After all, with the exchange rate between the CAD and USD these days, everything in the US seems like a bargain to us. Before heading back to Vancouver we drove over to the Bellevue Suqare for dessert — Frozen Yogurt in a place called Red Mango.

Red Mango was recommended by Erick who mentioned that this fro-yo chain from South Korea had taken California by storm. The only yogurt we ever had was those Danone yogurt that was sold in small plastic cups at the Real Canadian Superstore.

Locating the Red Mango was a bit of a challenge for us. It was because it was not listed on the Bellevue Square store directory. After walking about for a bit and having asked the info counter did we realize how new this store is. They had only opened just last month.

IMG_1510

This Red Mango outlet is small with just a few small tables. We did notice that most of the customers are Asians. Frankly, I know very little about yogurt and never imagined that a popular yogurt chain would actually originate from east Asia.

Froyo, or frogurt, is a low fat alternative to icre-cream. Red Mango claims that they use only natural ingredients in making their “Authentic” frozen yogurt.

IMG_1505

Ordering this is easy. The menu is really small. You get a choice of two flavours — vanilla or green tea. And then you choose the number of toppings you want. The toppings are fresh fruits or dry stuff like nuts. chocolate, etc.

IMG_1502

We ordered two Red Mango Yougurt to share. The first was the medium sized, original vanilla flavour with three toppings. (more…)

Continue ReadingRed Mango in Bellevue, WA

Beard Papa’s in Aberdeen Centre Food Court

On our way home from Granville Island, we stopped by Aberdeen Centre to pick up some Beard Papa’s cream puff. This store is the first Canadian store for this Japanese sensation.

The cream puff craves for Beard Papa’s is like the crave for Krispy Kreme in North America, with long line-up. When we were there just after 2pm, we have to line up for 1/2 hour for the cream puff.

IMG_0250

The shells of the cream puff are baked in customized ovens placed within visibility of the customers. The custard is filled into the shell just before they pack them up for the customer and I guess this is to maintain the freshness of the product. I remembered seeing a sign which says it’s recommended to consume the cream puff immediately after purchased or refrigerate them and consume within the same day.

IMG_0254

There is also a sign posted at the cashier that says each customer is limited to only 1 dozen of cream puff. It is visible from the sign that the original limitation is 2 dozens. That shows that the business is so good that they can’t cope up with.

IMG_0255

As for now, only the original custard cream puff is available at the store. It sells at $1.75 each and $9.50 for half a dozen. (more…)

Continue ReadingBeard Papa’s in Aberdeen Centre Food Court

Notte’s Bon Ton Pastry & Confectionery

It’s cake meet Tuesday again. This time, Christine joined Polly and I to Notte’s Bon Ton Pastry & Confectionery for a sweet tooth fix. This is the first time we come to this place and we did not have a pleasant experience. I’ll tell you why later.

IMG_0232

Notte’s Bon Ton Pastry & Confectionery is located at 3150 West Broadway between Trutch St and Balaclava St. The business is geared more on the take out than eat in although they have a tea room for sit in customer.

Our bad experience came to the fact that we are only allowed to eat the cake we purchased at the tea room with extra service charge provided that we get a drink too. A sign posted in the tea room indicated that there in a minimum charge of $3 or $4 with reading.

Anyway. since we were there already, we just agreed on the extra service charge. Moreover, they do not allow photography of their counter displays as they told me that they do not want other people to copy their products. Hmm, what do you think about that comment?

Here is what we ordered. Christine and I ordered coffee which came in a small metal jug. It is somewhat unique. The coffee costs $1.70.

IMG_0223 (more…)

Continue ReadingNotte’s Bon Ton Pastry & Confectionery

The Diplomat Bakery in Steveston

Updated 4 Jun 2009: Diplomat Bakery has moved to London Rd

Polly and I had resumed our cake meet since the school reopened in September. However, we cant find any new place to go to, so we had been visiting our old favourite places like Le BonBon Cafe and ll Pappagallo Cafe. If you have a favourite place of yours, please share with us as we are running out of ideas of where to go.

We discovered the Diplomat Bakery through the Richmond News Readers’ Choice Award. Even though we live in Richmond, we have never been to this bakery before.

IMG_9775

The Diplomat Bakery is awarded with the best bakery and best cake shop and best desserts for 4 years since 2004. We had trouble locating the store because the Richmond News printed their new address on London Road which is south on No. 2 Road, near the Dyke. The Diplomat Bakery will be moving to this new location in the middle of October.

IMG_9774

There are quite a number of cakes, tarts, bars, pies and biscotti in the bakery. The prices ranges from $2 to $3.50 per slice.

IMG_9772

We ordered three slices of cakes to share. (more…)

Continue ReadingThe Diplomat Bakery in Steveston

Stuart’s Baked Goods in Granville Public Market

Polly and I went for our last cake meet before the summer holiday kicks off. We revisited Granville Island again as Polly loves this place a lot. She was a volunteer for the Vancouver Fringe Festival in Granville Island last year while she was not working at the time.

It was a good day to stay out and soaked up the sun. So, we decided to take out some goodies from the Public Market and enjoy the scenery outdoor and people watching. On our way from the public parking lot to Granville Island, we passed by Starbucks and decided to grab a drink from there. In the store, we saw a sign recommending a new drink called Raspberry Mocha and we decided to give it a try. Since its quite a warm day, we opted for the Iced Raspberry Mocha, a grande costs $4+. A perfect drink for a hot summer day, cold, fruity and the mocha gave me the much needed morning boost.

_MG_5756_edited-1

We stopped by the Granville Public Market to look for something for takeout. We ended up at the Stuart’s Quality Baked Goods store which has a wide range of baked goods.

_MG_5771_edited-1

You will be overwhelmed by the varieties of baked goods here. It is so hard to decide on what to get. Here are some of the baked goods.

Bread, cookies, biscotti…

_MG_5772_edited-1 (more…)

Continue ReadingStuart’s Baked Goods in Granville Public Market

Liberty Bakery on Main Street, Vancouver

Updated: 12th Jan 2015; This restaurant is closed according to Urbanspoon.com.

LotusRapper recommended Liberty Bakery to us. Liberty Bakery is located at the corner of Main St and E. 21st Ave. You will not miss this bright orange building. There are street parkings and two parking spots at the rear of the bakery.

Liberty Bakery is an European style bakery with a Swedish chef. It is just perfect for Polly and me because it opens early, i.e. 8 am.

_MG_5571_edited-1

The interior decoration is simple and rustic. The furnitures are made of wood and painted colourfully. The decoration theme seems to focus on crows as there were quite a few crows posters on the walls.

_MG_5557_edited-1

There is even a wooden crow on the display window. Hmm, to the Asians, crow brings bad luck. I wonder what crows means to other ethnic society?

_MG_5558_edited-1

Liberty Bakery serves pastries….

_MG_5554_edited-1 (more…)

Continue ReadingLiberty Bakery on Main Street, Vancouver

Ganache Patisserie in Downtown Vancouver

Ganache Patisserie is a cake shop which specializes in chocolates, pastries and wedding cakes. It is located at 1262 Homer Street in downtown Vancouver.

_MG_5398_edited-1

There are street parkings all around and this place is easy to find. Ganache specializes mainly on wedding cakes but there are three small tables for people to sit in to enjoy the single serving cakes with coffee and tea.

There are quite a number of displays of multi-tiers cakes in the shop. They are simply pleasing to the eyes. One will also noticed the French influence as there are a number of the cakes with the Eiffel tower garnishing. Here are a few of them:

_MG_5386_edited-1

_MG_5387_edited-1 (more…)

Continue ReadingGanache Patisserie in Downtown Vancouver

Blue Parrot Coffee in Graville Public Market

It’s cake meet time again. Polly and I ran out of idea of where to meet. It’s hard to find a dessert or cake place which opens in the morning. Do you know any? We would surely appreciate some recommendations.

So, we decided to revisit Granville Island again. We visited Granville Island in early March when Polly and I had our cake meet at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts. This time we went to the Blue Parrot Coffee inside the Granville Public Market. This stall is located at the end of the Public Market which overlooked the Burrard Bridge and the Vancouver skyline.

_MG_4848_edited-1

The Blue Parrot Coffee sells organic and specialty coffee and tea. They also serve gourmet sandwiches and pastry.

_MG_4849_edited-1

Polly ordered a Tuna Sandwiches as she did not have her breakfast yet. She was too busy preparing her kids and husband’s lunches and getting them ready for school that she had no time for herself. That’s sounds like a typical mom’s morning.

The Tuna Sandwich was big and garnished with lettuce, pickled cucumber, sliced red onions and lots of tuna.

_MG_4851_edited-1 (more…)

Continue ReadingBlue Parrot Coffee in Graville Public Market

Sweet Obsession on West 16th Ave, Vancouver

Polly and I missed our cake meet as both of us have a busy schedule. Finally, we get to have a break this Tuesday to go to Sweet Obsession at 2611 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver. Sweet Obsession is located in a small street mall in a residential area.

_MG_4399_edited-1

There is hardly any signage except one small one in front of the shop.

_MG_4402_edited-1

Sweet Obsession has a selection of exquisite cakes and pastries. You will be amazed at the selection available there; ranging from cheese cake, chocolate cake, mousse cake, tiramisu, torte, tart, flan, etc. They cater for all occasions from small dinner parties to weddings and formal affairs.

_MG_4391_edited-1

Sweet Obsession also serves sandwiches, pastries, cookies and dessert bars.

_MG_4398_edited-1

We decided to order our favourite cheesecake. We ordered two slices of cheesecake to share. The first one is a Chai Latte flavour cheesecake. The Chai flavour is very strong and overpowering somehow.

_MG_4385_edited-1

We preferred the Lemon flavour cheesecake instead. The tanginess just goes well with the creaminess of the cheesecake.

_MG_4387_edited-1

The cheesecake cost slightly over $5 per slice. We also ordered a Mocha and a Cappuccino to go with the cheesecakes. The drinks cost between $2.50 and $2.70.

_MG_4390_edited-1

The total bill came up close to $20 including tips. This is the only cake place that we’ve seen with mothers coming in for a take out with their baby prams. Sweet Obsession has very good traffic with a lot of clients coming in for take-out. The traffic tells us that this is a great place for cake.

Click on the link below to see more cakes.

(more…)

Continue ReadingSweet Obsession on West 16th Ave, Vancouver

Steeps Tea Lounge in Vancouver

Updated: 14th Jan 2011; This restaurant had closed according to Urbanspoon.com.

Polly and I met again for a girls day out. We went to Steeps Tea Lounge on West Broadway and Laurel in Vancouver. It was a lovely sunny spring day and as you can see, there are already people enjoying a cup of tea in the sun at the patio.

_MG_3930_edited-1

Steeps Tea Lounge offers some two hundreds teas ranging from matcha (green tea), herbal teas, rooibos (black tea), chais and premium loose tea.

_MG_3925_edited-1

There is a cabinet by the wall where stacks of china tea cups, old fashion tea cups and mugs for you to pick if you prefers.

_MG_3929_edited-1

The decoration in Steeps creates an ambiance for relaxation. It is a great place for friends to meet and chat while enjoying a great cup of tea. (more…)

Continue ReadingSteeps Tea Lounge in Vancouver