Catching up on our tour of the ongoing Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival. Today, a couple of three-way throwdowns and a few surprises.
Round #10…
The Proposition: Eggnog and Rum Hot Chocolate with Cinnamon. Served with your choice of cookie.
Available at: Koko Monk, 1849 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
Ah, one sip and I was instantly transported. It was Christmas all over again. Alas, we didn’t receive the promised cookie, but we were so full after a big dinner, we hardly missed it.
Phaun’s Fancy: Made from 64% dark chocolate with parmesan and fresh nutmeg. Served with a side of Umami No. 5 fudge
Available: At Cocoa Nymph 3739 W. 10th Ave (at Alma), Vancouver
My first response to reading the description was: “Chocolate and parmesan? No.” But after tasting it: “Yes!”. It was the exact same reaction I had to one of Cocoa Nymph’s 2013 Hot Chocolate Festival entries that combined dark chocolate with basil and balsamic to create what turned out to be one of my Top 5 Fest Favorites. In this case, the scent of the parmesan wafts up off the cup but, when you sip it, it’s all chocolate up front with just a wisp of lingering sharpness at the back. It was reminiscent of the sweet and savory marriage of bacon and caramel. At first blush, you don’t think it will work but it does. And it’s delicious. Really! Special mention should be made of the Umami No. 5 fudge that accompanied the hot chocolate. If it was on the regular shop menu, I’d buy it by the box.
Passionista: Fresh passion fruit-infused hot chocolate with Grand Marnier chantilly. Served with passion fruit pate de fruit.
Available at: Thomas Haas, 2539 West Broadway, Vancouver.
This one was Akemi’s favorite of the six we sampled over this three-day span. It packs a passionfruit punch without overwhelming the chocolate. A lovely balance. And that Grand Marnier chantilly? Killer!
Verdict: On paper, it would have been a toss-up between the two runners-up. But in the all important taste-off, I have to go with a most unlikely winner…
Winner: Phaun’s Fancy (Cocoa Nymph)
The Brunette Bangle: Hot Chocolate with the exotic hint of curry. Served with your choice of cookie.
Available at: Koko Monk, 1849 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver
A very nice sipping chocolate with a hint of lingering spice. Another unique yet surprisingly good entry.
The Intimate Act: Milk Chocolate with passionfruit. Served with a hazelnut cookie.
Available at: Beaucoup Bakery 2150 Fir Street (in Kitsilano)
A subtle drink with an excellent passionfruit flavor that shines although the chocolate is strangely muted here.
The Campfire: A classic hot chocolate, only with smoky caramel, smoked Hawaiian sea salt. Served with vanilla marshmallows.
Available at: Thomas Haas, 2539 West Broadway, Vancouver.
One of the best combinations of sweet and savory so far. The vanilla marshmallow, lightly studded with smoked Hawaiian sea salt, was fabulous.
Verdict: Another tough call, but if I had to choose one…
Winner: The Campfire (Thomas Haas)
27 flavors down! 35 to go!
Everyone prepared to trek off to the Pegasus Galaxy one more time? Hope so because our Stargate: Atlantis rematch kicks off today with the episode that started it all: Rising I. Watch it today and come armed with your insights, accolades, critiques, and questions tomorrow! Also, be prepared for Akemi’s unique take on the show as I relay her thoughts on the episode in tomorrow’s blog entry. Yes, it’s Rising I: The Japanese Girlfriend Review!
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