Viennoiserie at Beaucoup Bakery (Vancouver, Canada)

If you know anything about me, you know that the one thing I do best and often is to travel. My latest trip took me to my hometown of Vancouver, British Columbia. I hadn’t been back home for almost two years which meant there were many new restaurants to try and review. But after two years of being away all I really wanted to do was visit old favorites. A few newer places were on the must-eat list including the most talked about bakery in South Granville, Beaucoup Bakery.

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I gathered all my girlfriends for a day of venturing into Vancouver’s food scene. It was the most perfect and beautiful sunny day for it. We walked across the Granville Street Bridge and followed our stomach’s to Beaucoup Bakery. The place was packed forming a line almost out the door. I felt at home and was immediately transported back to my college years in Paris.

02-DSC_0024An assortment of Viennoiserie sat perfectly in the baskets along the wall including my favorites: Pain au Chocolat, Chausson aux Pommes and Croissants.

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A pain au chocolat and pain aux raisins were my choice while my friend ordered the most tempting creation: a blue cheese and raisin twist which was truly amazing.  While butter is a key ingredient to French pastries, these were drowned with butter to the point where each bite released a mouthful of butter. My girlfriends while enjoying every bite felt that theirs too was too rich in butter…if there ever was a thing. I’m not one to complain of too much butter and definitely enjoyed every bite. My girlfriends loved it so much that rumor has it they are now big fans. Me? Unfortunately I left Vancouver shortly after my first visit.
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Beaucoup Bakery & Cafe on Urbanspoon

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Egg Tarts at Casa Pastéis de Belém in Lisbon (Portugal)

The moment you take the first bite into a sweet Portuguese egg tart (better known as ‘pastéis de nata, or “cream tarts”’) you know you will be coming back for more. And if Portugal isn’t home, you will make sure to find your nearest Portuguese bakery wherever you may live to get your weekly dosage. I fell in love with natas while living in Switzerland where there is a large Portuguese population resulting in delicious Portuguese bakeries and restaurants. This famous sweet can be found all over the city in Lisbon — and country, and in Portuguese colonies like Brazil, Goa and Macau.  But the best place to really taste it is in Lisbon. And the best place to taste it in Lisbon is at Pastéis de Belém in the Belem neighborhood- just a ten minute tram ride from the center of Lisbon. This is where the original and oldest natas recipe can be found. The line up is long yet moves quickly and is  well worth the wait.  Once at the counter you can point to what you want or just ask for the Pasteis and they will quickly wrap up the warm, sweet and creamy custard tart dusted with sugar and cinnamon in a little blue and white box for you to treasure.

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Casa Pastéis de Belém is located at: 84 Rua de Belém

+351-21-363-7423

pasteisdebelem.pt

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Bittersweet Confections- CBD (New Orleans, USA)

Chocolate truffles, cakes, cupcakes and more chocolate. This is what you’ll find at the new Bittersweet Confections location in the Central Business District. Although, there on a cake tasting mission, we ended up tasting many of their delicious cupcakes in various flavors: chocolate, red velvet and almond. All were delicious and washed down with a perfect cup of cappuccino. They also offer little treats to take away- neatly packaged in clear plastic and pink stickers. 
 
Originally located in Lakeview close to City Park the owners have relocated downtown. Lucky us- their treats are now more accessible for those living on this side of town.I hear their truffles are to die for and so I’ll have to go back sometime on a truffle tasting mission. Will keep you posted on my discoveries. 
Bittersweet Confections on Urbanspoon
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Hermé pas Hermes (Paris, France)

72 Rue Bonaparte/185 rue Vaugirard, Paris

 

In the mood for chocolate, macaroons, bonbons? Why not stop at Pierre Hermé?   Not to be confused with Hermes with an ‘S’ better know as every fashionista’s mecca for luxury handbags and belts.

It is this confusion that led us to Pierre Hermé. My friend and I were in a desperate search for the the Hermes store in Paris…however due to the pronunciation we were led to Pierre Hermé. Not that I was complaining. I’d way rather indulge in expensive chocolate than a leather belt. This discovery however, was not easy on the pockets as  what Hermes represents in fashion, Pierre Hermé represents in delicious mouth-watering sweets. The shop is pretty small, smart, simple yet chic where you will be welcomed by a sweet/chocolate connoisseurs (although it is Paris- so lower your customer service expectations) who will teach you about each selection and help you with your picks. Although I love macaroons- at Pierre Hermé I often tend to go for the chocolate truffles and other sweets.  Be advised that this is not the cheapest spot in Paris to fill your belly with chocolate delights… but I do promise that the experience will be well worth it.
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Gran Forno Italian Bakery (Fort Lauderdale)

One thing I look most forward to on every trip to Fort Lauderdale is my daily morning trips to the local Gran Forno Bakery. It is located on the lovely Las Olas Street where many wonderful local mom & pop shops can be found. The breads are baked daily in their ovens and if you go early enough you will get your hands on warm, pillowy and delicious breads. I must admit that I have tried everything in this bakery and do love each and every one of their delights. Amongst the favorites include the ciabatta, multigrain, and walnut and raisin breads. Then on to the sweets: the chocolate, almond, ham and cheese croissants are all wonderful treats for one’s belly.  But then there is also the scones….oh the scones. How wonderfully delicious and not too sweet are the scones. (Other ‘Forno’rific delights include: custard-filled fruit tarts, lemon cakes and chocolate fudge brownies, chocolate tarts and paninis).  Next, make sure to also try the small pizzas!!! They are once again….delicious. Choices include the eggplant, tomato, mozzarella or the tomato/mozzarella pizza. I can’t resist having these for breakfast. Living only two blocks away from this little Floridian gem is both a blessing and a curse. I have no control when it comes to delicious breads and treats…. or to be more factual I have no control when it comes to the wonders of gastronomy.

Gran Forno Bakery on Urbanspoon

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If only I could live in La Duree (Paris, France)

La Duree, 75 Champs-Élysées/ 21 Rue Bonaparte/ 16 Rue Royale/ 62 Boulevard Haussmann, Paris, France
Every girl and secretly every boy falls in love with La Duree . What’s not to love about a shop decorated in pastel colors offering every possible flavor of Macarons your little heart can desire?  If you need a break from shopping the streets of Paris or if you really have no excuse but want to try macarons in every flavor then please take the time and visit your nearest La Duree. My personal favorite is the chocolate (anything chocolate makes me happy), lavender, caramel and the raspberry. You may have to try all flavors to find out what your favorite flavor.
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