As I pack my souvenirs and conference materials and get ready to head to the airport home I want to take a moment to share 2 wonderful little spots that I found while here in Vancouver. My disclaimer is this, I have never been to Vancouver before, nor did I do any research on dining options for this trip knowing full well I wouldn't have much down time. I am telling you that because you may know about these 2 spots, they may be "over" or big conglomerates-I completely doubt it though and they are so good that I don't care if they are owned by the Russian Mafia!
First, let's spend a moment talking about Mink Chocolates (www.minkchocolates.com) 863 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver. I noticed the little sandwich board with an arrow beckoning shoppers and chocolate lovers down the few stairs to their shop. I walked by the place at least two or three times. On my way back from Chinatown I was hot, tired and in need of a pick me up. I decided a treat was in order! Mink bills themselves as a "chocolate cafe". I decided on the frozen chocolate (12 oz size, about $5.50 including tax). It was available in milk or dark chocolate. I went with the milk chocolate. It was one of the best tasting things I have ever put into my mouth. It was frozen, perfectly blended-no chunks of ice-just perfectly smooth consistency that wasn't as thick as a milkshake. The flavor was really of the most perfect milk chocolate bar. It was something so simple and so perfect. It was really worth the visit. Additionally, Mink gives you a little square of dark chocolate with your order as a little treat. It was divinity in a frosty cup....sigh....Also at Mink they have a frozen mocha, ass't coffee drinks and delicious chocolate bars in unique flavors like pb&j, rose petal and rice krispie treat...
My second pick is Bella Gelateria (www.bellagelateria.com) 1001 W Cordova Street, Vancouver. Several classmates of mine highly recommended this place, speaking of the proprietor who shared with them his love for the best ingredients that he gathers from around the world. Some folks had been there every day this week. I had to go! I ordered a 2 flavor cup ($6.60 including tax). I decided on ricotta lemon and Tahitian vanilla. The tart ricotta lemon complimented the vanilla perfectly. They both were the true essence of perfectly made gelato-smooth, creamy, highly concentrated flavors. They had many other flavors of gelato and sorbetto including cilantro lime, hazelnut, milk, cherry....It is a small shop but you can watch the gelato being made, and they are liberal with the samples. A real treasure.
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