Berry Good

Late night dessert shops… They don’t seem to have many of those in Vancouver, do they? Richmond on the other hand, seems to rake in quite a few, Berry Good being an example. No, it’s not the Hong Kong-style hot/cold desserts. Located in Excel Plaza, across from the popular Top Gun J&C restaurant, this Korean family-run cake shop serves minimalistic desserts until midnight. No ornate detailing or lavish furniture like L’opera patisserie,  just a compact, home-style coffee shop, decor fitting for what it caters. There does seem to be a slight appeal for an English tea room, noted by their choice in dish ware. They have an extensive beverage menu too, ranging from hot to cold drinks, teas to smoothies. Not to forget, their cakes can be paired with a drink at a combo price.

I didn’t come here with expectations, just something to satisfy my sweet tooth. This place did surely that. Their choices aren’t heavy, with portions being just right. The subtly-sweetened treats is a reason why I presume numerous Asian teenagers and families keep revisiting. Though presentation and simple flavours, it hits the spot.

The list of cakes they offer. Keep in mind, they do not serve all of them daily, just whatever is displayed in their case at the front.Earl Grey cheesecake – Not your New York-style cheesecake, this version is almost pillowy, mousse-like. Evident from the photo, the portion is reasonable, perhaps a little small. No American influenced portions here. The cake itself maintains the tanginess from the cream cheese but the Earl Grey flavour is prominent. The graham cracker crust isn’t firm, but crumby each time punctured with a fork. Paired with a side of freshly-whipped cream drizzled with honey over the top, this was certainly one of the lighter cheesecakes I’ve had to date. I wish there was more whipped cream alongside though. The puny amount left the rest of my cheesecake lonely… Frankly, Seasons at the Park will always have my heart for the best cheesecake. The alluring appearance and luxurious taste has me oohing and aahing each time. Vanilla cheesecake – Nothing special as taste was quite standard and easy to replicate. It’s just lighter than your average New York style. Caffè Mocha – Not too sweet! Despite the mediocre look, it was a great pairing for the cheesecakes.

 

Revisit on June 12th, 2014

Hot ginger teaMatcha chiffon cake – Matcha flavour could have been more prominent. Yet, the cake was airy and moist, exactly how a chiffon cake should be. Not too sweet and leave’s one satiated without being heavy on the stomach. Mango cheesecake – Rather than a traditional graham crust, this one had a sponge cake base that reminded me more of a Chinese mango mousse cake than what it was marketed as. Great aroma and taste, but nothing that particularly stood out.

 

Campagnolo & Acme Cafe

I have had a major craving for Italian food as of late (still do), so of course, all I’ve been thinking about is what new places I should try. Campagnolo and Campagnolo Roma have been on hit list for a while (especially with Campagnolo Roma’s rotating soft serve flavours), but because of their locations, I haven’t managed to find the time. Campagnolo however, recently introduced a pasta incorporating stinging nettles, and because they looked so tantalizing on their instagram feed, I simply had to make my way for them.

We came on a Friday and the place was packed. We were told it would be a long wait, but luckily, a spot opened up and we were seated 15 minutes later. Three words: Top-notch service. No matter how good a restaurant’s food is, if the service is below par, it will drag it down. Our server was adorably kind and made us feel right at home.

They tend to switch up their menu, integrating the local produce they source. I admire their approach on sourcing seasonally and ethically, something that to me, is important in dining out. It seemed like most of the clients were regulars and judging by the faces, they looked quite content with their choices. Perfect date night location. A return to try their other dreamy options is on my schedule.

Ricotta Gnudi ($16.50) – stinging nettles, candied salmon, stessa

Soft little ricotta dumplings that had a flavour profile of salted cod. My first time trying nettles, I found them to be quite subtle in taste, but added texture to each bite. The crunch from the candied salmon bits was a nice touch too. Don’t know if I would re-order this though.

Chestnut maltagliati ($18) – lamb ragu, lemon, mint, crema

Lamb and mint is a pairing known to flatter one another, but in this case, the mint took over. The rich, meaty ragù that had so much potential was lost under the heavy notes of mint. Pasta itself however, was handmade and cooked to al dente.

Catching up requires a dessert to compliment. In our case, we decided on Acme Cafe as it wasn’t too far from our dinner spot. When we arrived, it was fairly empty. Seeing how popular Acme is usually, it was surprising. I realized afterwards though, that they close at 9pm, not later like I had imagined. Thus, there wasn’t much of a selection for us to choose from, most of it being already packaged away. Nontheless, the staff was accomodating with our orders and we didn’t feel rushed despite it being close to closing time. Coming during peak hours is probably ideal though, because you are guaranteed to select from an ample amount of daily-made desserts. Plus, their main menu seems suitable for a nice homy meal. 

Sour cherry pie à la mode – It was either this or their signature lemon meringue or pecan pie. I settled with this because I was craving a warm buttery crust to pair with ice cream. The ice cream itself isn’t made in-house unfortunately, and I could taste the freezer burn when I bit into it. The pie, despite the “sour” name, wasn’t at all tart and had the right amount of sweetness without being sickly. The crust was delicious, glossy, and flakey, retaining its firmness even with the hot filling. 

Banana cream pie – Had a bite of this and was pleasantly surprised by how light, yet aromatic it was. Sure hits the spots if you’re a banana lover like my friend!

 

Don’t Argue! Pizzeria

Another casual pizza joint springing with hipsters has nestled itself in none other than Main street, but this particular space has decided to try something different. Pizza by the slice can be ordered here, which can either be terrific or deadly news, depending on the person. It’s a great solution though for those who aren’t in the mood for a big ol’ pie, but still crave the high-quality ingredients that Vancouver’s beloved Neapolitan pizza spots tend to use. Plus, as they open till 11pm on most weekdays, its a convenient fix for a comforting pre-bed time snack. The amply-lit interior with its simple design and jukebox carries the basics, but there are some choices that seem to be sparked by the demands of locals. For example, the use of kale as a topping. One thing to note is that there might be a waiting issue during peak hours as that has been a concern I’ve heard. Yet, as we came before rush hour, our visit was pretty solid. The dough itself chewy and crisp, despite the lack of a fire oven for the usual charring. There was an appropriate amount of ingredients layered on the pizza too, and the flavours left our group satisfied. I can see why it has charmed many people to continue revisiting. What’s not to like about simple house-crafted food? Or just pizza in general…

Sausage Kale (Large)

On My Radar

For those interested, there have been quite a few restaurant that have opened up recently. I’ve listed below some of the places that I see myself venturing to in the next couple of months. This is a great opportunity to explore the food scene and trends that are arising in Vancouver with friends! 

Cinara Restaurant 

http://cinara.ca

Blacktail Florist 

http://blacktailflorist.ca

Pazzo Chow

http://pazzochow.com

Exile Bistro 

http://exilebistro.com

 

Cressey Dinner Party

What a night. The experience of attending #dinnerpartyyvr was surreal, a night I wish that could repeat itself. I was lucky enough to be a guest to dine with MasterChef Canada Top 12 Finalist, Josh Gale at Cressey’s Arbutus Ridge show room. The set-up was splendid, minimalistic but still dainty and elegant. Jasmine, Josh Gale’s girlfriend did a wonderful job setting up the space.

Once we entered, we were greeted with glasses of champagne and some delicious bread, served alongside applewood smoked maple butter and herb oil. At first, I found the flavour combination strange, reminding me of barbecue sauce or the seaweed chips I grew up eating. Yet, after time, I found myself addicted to the taste.

After some mingling, we made our way to our designated spots to kick off the dinner. My guest and I began chatting with those around us, exchanging stories and learning quite a bit about one another. Being the youngest participants, we felt comfortable in the mix, not awkward as we had anticipated. We shared stories and had an incredible time bonding over one thing we knew we had in common – food.

The dinner could not have been better; I fell in love with each dish. The presentation, taste, everything was there. What made it more special was when Josh Gale sat at our table during one of the dishes and began chatting with us about his future plans and answering whatever questions we tossed his way. The personable gesture was such a highlight of my night, though meeting Mijune of Follow Me Foodie was also spectacular… I cannot wait for the next one to come, it is an event that one should certainly attend. It isn’t only to eat great food, but mingle with those in your community. 

First course – Local Baby beets, thyme and honey yogourt, beet stems, bacon and greens

Second course – Handmade squid ink pasta, octopus, chorizo, tomato and saffron

Third course – Braised short rib, red wine jus, ancho chile, local carrots, polenta

Fourth course – Espresso macarons

The Cressey afterparty

 

La Mezcaleria

Loud. Trendy. Upbeat. Owned by the same founders of La Tacqueria, the dishes served here are authentic, concluded by the overwhelming line-up that forms right when doors open. Their most popular dish that has patrons returning is their queso fundido, a gooey molten cheese fondue served in a volcanic rock molcajete. It’s salty, stringy, and comforting, especially with the addition of the chorizo sausage. The oily nature and paprika-seasoned ground meat adds a complexity of flavours that heightens the dish when stuffed in the tortilla. The fun doesn’t stop there though. Feel free to rip off the burnt cheese with your fork. Why waste, right?

My main dish was the Parrilladas Vegetariana, consisting of “grilled portobello mushrooms marinated in home-made pasilla chile sauce. Served with nopalitos, toreado peppers, green onions and Mexican style potatoes.” The dish was flavourful, being quite hearty as it was accompanied with another round of corn tortillas. No bland or sodium-laden components which I find most restaurants end up doing when serving vegetables. This definitely did not disappoint! 

The quality is evident. There is attention given to their ingredients, from the source to the execution. It seems that they are trying to re-invent ethnic cuisine, putting it in a different market while still retaining the autenticity of Mexican fare. La Mezcaleria would be classified as a higher-end restaurant, despite its casual vibe. Though I found the service to be rather mediocre, the place itself serves as a good socializing hub with fresh made-to-order dishes and apparently, killer cocktails. High ratings seem to be justified in this case.

Queso Fundido with Chorizo ($18.50) Parrilladas Vegetariana ($16) Vegetarian Tacos (4 for $9.50) Meat Tacos (4 for $11.50)Mixiote de Cordero ($18)