Meet Fresh is a Taiwanese dessert chain that opened this year in Richmond and they also have a location downtown on Robson now. This is the culmination of two visits. Once you have ordered at the counter, you will be given a device that will vibrate when your order is ready to be picked up at the counter. They get pretty busy at night but service is pretty fast since everything just needs to be assembled.
Desserts
Nero Belgian Waffle Bar-Seymour St. Location
The new location of Nero Belgian Waffle Bar opened up a while back and I finally checked it out. I no longer need to trek to the West End to get my waffle fix! The new location is on the corner of Seymour and Nelson and it’s a lot more spacious aka less waiting! This Nero’s felt more cozy with the red brick-coloured walls and chair cushions; and the dim lighting. They have some snug looking window booth seats and also patio seating as well.
Limited Edition Ube and Coconut Ice Cream-Amato Gelato Cafe
Disclaimer: All ice cream was complimentary but opinions are my own.
I’ve been seeing ube flavours popping up in Vancouver this year and my fellow food blogger Foodgressing (check out her giveaway!), has just launched her own collaboration flavour, ube and coconut, with Amato Gelato Cafe/Mario’s Gelati. Located near Olympic Village, they are one of Vancouver’s first gelato stores and have 200+ flavours on rotation.
Ube is purple yam and it’s a popular Filipino dessert flavour. The owner said that he had trouble getting his hands on ube and a lot of suppliers that he talked to suggested that he just use taro but he knew it wasn’t the same despite the similar colours and flavour profiles.
Snackshot-My First Taste of Ube Sago
Snackshot is a new HK style dessert shop in the Marpole area. I still remember when this location was Bubble World back when I was in high school! It’s located next to Qoo Cafe on Granville and 64th. The outside doesn’t look that inviting but the decor inside is on point.
I don’t normally gravitate towards Asian desserts (I’m more into cakes and pastries) but I was interested in trying their dessert platter and the Vitasoy Bulldog drink. Also, it took me 20+ years before I could accept red bean as a dessert.
Desserts at Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar
After having fish and chips on Granville Island, my friends and I decided that we needed dessert. Since most places on Granville Island were already closed we brainstormed nearby dessert joints and my friend suggested Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar. Typically I get desserts at Asian dessert cafes or ice cream shops so this was new and different for me. Also a lot fancier!
Boulevard Kitchen and Oyster Bar is located inside the Sutton Place Hotel which is diagonal from the Scotiabank Theatre. They used to have a different restaurant here that had a chocolate buffet but unfortunately I never got to try it. Continue reading →
Monplaisir Macarons
Disclaimer: I was invited to a tasting by Monplaisir Macarons. All food was complimentary but opinions are my own.
Monplaisir Macarons is based in Calgary but the owner Jean-Marc Mons and his wife are hoping to expand into the Vancouver market so they set up a tasting event at the Best Western Plus Chateau. The macarons are made with 100% natural ingredients and are certified gluten-free. They do not use any animal gelatin, preservatives, additives or trans fat. Jean-Marc’s goal was to make the macarons as authentic as possible.
Flavours available are: Tiramisu, Nutella, Lemon, Passion, Pistachio, Honey Lavender, Caramel, French Vanilla, Creme Brulee, Raspberry, Red Velvet, White Chocolate and Cookies and Cream.
Passion 8 Dessert Cafe
As a huge fan of Taiwanese thick toast and carbs in general, I was drawn to the toasts from Passion 8 Dessert Cafe. Here they call them “toastery”. They are also known for their shaved ice. Passion 8 is located on Cambie and 14th near Tropika.
I really didn’t feel like having shaved ice though since it was -5 outside but they come in two different sizes and you can also do take out as well. Actually in general I’m not crazy for shaved ice if there are other options around. I haven’t even been to Snowy Village yet! Continue reading →
Fable Diner-Take me Back for Milkshakes
A few years ago I went to Fable Kitchen for dinner and I was impressed with their food but it’s not a place I can visit often. I was delighted to hear that they were going to take over the space where Reno’s diner used to be and turn it into a more casual and affordable version of Fable Kitchen but with a diner feel. After trying out a free yoga class nearby, I headed over for dinner. Fable Diner is conveniently located on Main and Broadway.
FYI, the yoga class was really low level and felt more like a stretching class. It felt like I spent the whole time waiting for the “real yoga” to happen but it never did… It was my second time trying yoga and needless to say, I don’t think I burned any calories.
Trafiq-The Place for Cake Lovers
I was having some serious cake cravings and I remembered seeing a bunch of Instagram posts on Trafiq so it was about time I went back. I’m pretty sure Instagram feeds all my cravings since I’m easily influenced. I noticed they had a “new” salted caramel cake that had positive reviews so I hoped that it was available! Trafiq is located on Main and 26th and they also close at 6pm everyday so it’s hard to visit on weekdays if you have work.
Trees Organic Coffee-Broadway
Disclaimer: I won a giveaway from Trees Organic Coffee for free cheesecake, drinks and a gift bag for 4 people
Trees Organic Coffee opened a new location on Broadway and Fir St. a few months ago. To celebrate, they hosted a giveaway on Instagram and on Facebook and the lucky winners would receive free cheesecake and drinks for themselves and 3 friends. I won the Instagram giveaway and redeemed my prize last month.
I’ve been to Trees Organic Coffee quite a few times in the past and most recently, when they offered 50% off cheesecake for National Cheesecake Day over the summer. Their claim to fame is that they were voted “The Best Cheesecake in Vancouver”. They have various locations downtown.