Snowflakes and sub-zero temperatures – that’s more incentive than I need for seeking out the city’s best hot chocolate! Last week, while it was still a balmy 8°C, we tried the offering at Relish. We haven’t eaten there yet as we always seem to arrive just before closing, but the chocolate was very good; rich and delicious. Their daily menus look incredible so we must try eating there soon!
We tried a new coffee bar yesterday called Shatterbox. I had read a great review of them on page 14 of the Spring issue of EAT Magazine. I thoroughly enjoyed their Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate which was really sublime; the smell of cinnamon and then the rich creamy chocolate followed by the warm sensation of chili, all perfectly paired. And it was really hot (temperature); I’m less fond of lukewarm hot chocolate. GJ says his Americano was delicious, nice and strong, just as he ordered it. Shatterbox Coffee Bar is at 950 Yates Street, Victoria BC – right across from Harris Green Village.
950 Yates Street, between Vancouver and Quadra.
A small, but bright and airy space. Not much seating inside, but a nice patio.
All the shiny tools of the trade.
My gorgeous Dark and Spicy Hot Chocolate, so satisfying.
A nice strong Americano and a beautiful Mocha.
We enjoyed a pleasant spring day walk yesterday along the Galloping Goose Trail and through Banfield Park to Craigflower Road. There is a small bank of shops at the corner of Raynor which includes an old-fashioned barber shop, bakery, children’s clothing shop, hair dresser, hemp clothing store and cafe. Our main destination was The Spiral Cafe to see paintings by Philip Willey. The Spiral hosts a lot of live music and makes great coffee. We also picked up some yummy bread and other treats at Fry’s Red Wheat Bread. The frangipani in their almond croissant was amazing.
Must have hot chocolate everywhere I go! This one was great and GJ says his coffee was excellent.
An accidental shot in the Spiral; sort of cool.
The Spiral Cafe: a great venue for local music and art.
A great group of local businesses.
One of the newer artisan bakeries in Victoria.
We walked home along the Westsong Walkway, enjoying the beautiful view of the Inner Harbour.
One of my favourite Victoria coffee establishments is Habit. Their newer location in the Atrium Building is nice and always busy, but I still love their original shop, just a couple blocks from us, on Pandora Avenue: great coffee and snacks, beautiful art on the walls, awesome selection of magazines to read and purchase, cozy windows seats from which to watch the city. Both locations offer an authentic local experience and dedication to their craft.
Habit Coffee, 552 Pandora Avenue, Victoria BC
The hot chocolates and triple chocolate cookie are obvious in their deliciousness, but don’t be fooled by the plain look of that muffin: lemon, lavender and wild blueberry – just divine!
Gorgeous, cold, sunny day today. We walked around in Fernwood enjoying the brisk air. We stopped at the Cornerstone Cafe for a warmup. Their hot chocolate is very good. It had a nice subtle scent of cinnamon and a hint of cinnamon and chili in the flavour. The cafe is very pretty and a true part of the community.
Rich and creamy, great flavour!
Bright, large windows look out towards the square and The Belfry Theatre.
Cornerstone Cafe, corner of Fernwood and Gladstone.
A second wonderful day. Had a relaxing sleep-in at The Sylvia, which we love, delicious breakfast at Central Bistro, fascinating tour of the Vancouver Art Gallery, extra delicious hot chocolate at 49th Parallel in Kitsilano and wonderful dinner at Nuba on Hastings. Picture taking failed me today, but check out all the links!
Super rich and strong hot chocolate, beautifully presented at 49th Parallel.
We wandered back towards the Old Port through these wonderful neighbourhoods, looking for a few galleries and shops we had found on the internet. Three galleries we recommend visiting are: Arsenal, Darling Foundry and Parisian Laundry. Back to Vieux-Montréal and a warming snack. We ended the day having a delicious Vietnamese dinner in Chinatown.
Loved these dressers in an antique shop window.
Detail.
We passed our hotel, seeking something to warm us up. We found a gorgeous building that turned out to be an art gallery mall on rue St-Paul. It had a sweet little cafeteria where we had hot chocolate, coffee and a little pear tart.
Heading back to the hotel past Place Jacques Cartier.
We were pretty cold by the time we got to Atwater Market, which is incredible. It was the only one of Montréal’s many outstanding public markets we were able to visit. From there we wandered looking for somewhere to eat and found Midi 6. We enjoyed omelettes which included those perfect croissants for $7.75. And, of course, Hot Chocolate, my obsession. It was rich and delicious. The dollop of sweet cream on top was just enough.
The upper floor of Atwater Market is mostly butchers.
Warmed me up right to my toes!
Absolutely superb breakfast at Midi 6 in St-Henri.
At Café Olimpico, I enjoyed, of course, chocolat chaud. GJ’s choice was café latté. I loved the way they were both served in tall glasses. It was a very fine chocolatey delight, rich in flavour, but not heavy; very satisfying.
Yum, my CC on the right.
We were sad to leave Quebec City, but excited to be heading to Montreal. Our last day started with perfect homemade crèpes and a few last hours with my wonderful cousins. We had a last quick stop downtown to pick up some snacks and try what is reputedly the best hot chocolate in town: it was amazing! Erico Chocolat Frais and Choco Musée at 634 rue Saint-Jean is worth a visit. A huge selection of chocolate delicacies and a menu of hot chocolate: the three we tried were all fantastic. Hopped onto the Via Rail to Montréal and the third leg of our Belle Province vacances!
GJ took this funny picture of Jasper at breakfast our last morning in Quebec City.
Two of the four pairs of slippers we commissioned from a beautiful artisan we met in Victoria along the causeway where First Nations and other artisans sell their beautiful crafts.
I wish we had had more time at Erico Chocolat. We tried three different types of hot chocolate. The largest cup was mine: thick like hot pudding!
Bought a few snacks at this charming little shop: J.A.Moisan. It was full of gorgeous groceries, chocolate, cheese, household items, tea and all things beautiful and delicious.
Getting some blogging started on the train ride from Quebec City to Montréal.
We love the train; no traffic, beautiful scenery…
Final approach to Montréal.
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