Bel Cafe (Vancouver, Canada)

David Hawksworth’s Bel Cafe opened up last month offering a variety of pastries, sandwiches, macaroons and drinks.  A bit dangerous for me given that I pass by every morning before work and have been tempted   an embarrassing number of times in the mornings to treat myself to Mr. Hawksworth’s fabulous flaky and buttery pain au chocolate creation. Folks- there is nothing more amazing than this pain au chocolate in town!  If anyone disagrees I’d like to hear where they are getting their croissant fix! It is definitely made with butter and although its not so friendly on the calorie side it definitely tastes friendly! 

I’ve also been there for lunch where I had their vegetable soup and ham and cheese sandwich served with a side of cornichon. Again…delicious! We were also treated to their pate au fruis which was sooo good and something I would not have necessarily  selected before but have since purchased a few times.


Bel Cafe brings a touch of a modern Parisian bistro to the heart of downtown Vancouver.   

Ham and Cheese: French ham, emmenthal and dijon 

Photo courtesy of Bel Cafe.com

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Stein’s Market and Deli (New Orleans, USA)

If you are looking for  delicious New York style sandwiches then Stein Deli is the place for you. A very unassuming Jewish and Italian shop offering cold-cuts, specialty cheeses, meats and other goodies (from around the world). It does tend to be a bit on the pricier side but if its quality that you are after then you won’t mind. My favorites are the Robert and the Jeff Berger served with a side of Kosher pickles. Who would have thought that prosciutto with honey would taste so delicious? 
The Robert (Prosciutto, mozzarella with balsamic vinegar)

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