We’re in the stretch run of our Hot Chocolate marathon!
Round #16…
High Society: Earl Grey drinking chocolate. Served with East Van Roasters’ signature gluten-free brownie and candied orange.
Available at: East Van Roasters, 319 Carrall St, Vancouver, B.C.
A great cup of hot chocolate with a pronounced Earl Grey flavor, served with an equally great brownie. One of Akemi’s favorites.
The Black Widow: Uva’s HC-inspired cocktail: reposado tequila influenced with cacao beans and coffee, Cherry Heering liquer, Amaro averna, Bittered Sling plum and rootbeer bitters.
Available at: UVA Wine Bar (and Bittered Sling)
Wow. A nice depth of flavors but this one was so strong I only managed a few sips.
Verdict: Both respectful entries, but – DAMN – that was strong.
Winner: High Society (East Van Roasters)
Round #17…
Chartreuse Milkshake: Uva’s HC-inspired cocktail: Citadelle gin, green Chartreuse, cacao beans, lime and orange juice, Bittered Sling Malagasy chocolate bitters, egg white.
Available at: UVA Wine Bar (and Bittered Sling)
Another drink that packed an alcoholic punch. The Chartreuse was front and center. The cacao beans less so.
Black Magic: gBAR flavoured with black sesame and matcha tea. Served with Erin Ireland’s “To Die For” Banana Bread.
Available at: Bella Gelateria, 1001 West Cordova Street.
I’ve found that, in my past visits, the flavors of the gelato bars got lost in the hot chocolate so I requested a cup with half the milk. The result was a cup with a more concentrated hot chocolate that actually did a better job of showcasing the individual gelato flavors – in this case, black sesame and matcha.
Verdict: I’m a traditionalist, preferring my hot chocolates hot and chocolatey.
Winner: Black Magic (Bella Gelateria)
Round #18…
Red Hot Chili Pepper: gBAR flavoured with chocolate, cinnamon and cayenne. Served with Erin Ireland’s “To Die For” Banana Bread.
Available at: Bella Gelateria, 1001 West Cordova Street.
Again, I had it with half the milk. Pleasantly spicy.
Chocofraiche: A hot drink composed of slow-melted dark chocolate and heavy cream, infused with chili, vanilla bean and cinnamon with a dollop of creme fraiche. Served with zeppoli (Italian doughnuts!)
Available at: UVA Wine Bar (and Bittered Sling)
A very nice sipping chocolate. This one actually had more punch and a longer linger. The accompanying zeppoli were a letdown – undercooked and doughy.
Verdict: I like my spicy chocolate.
Winner: Chocofraiche (UVA Wine Bar)
Round #19…
Sour Cherry Tisane: Cold mocha rooibos tea, sour cherry and Pedro Ximénez cordial, Bittered Sling orange and juniper bitters. Served with zeppoli (Italian doughnuts!)
Available at: UVA Wine Bar (and Bittered Sling)
Pleasantly refreshing. A wonderful flavor combo highlighted by the rooibos. One damn fine iced tea.
9 O Clock Gun: An aromatic cedar hot chocolate – perfect for a stroll around Stanley Park. Served with an Elderberry Caramel Bar.
Available at: Soirette Macarons & Tea 1433 West Pender Street, Vancouver. (Coal Harbour)
Strange, but not for the reasons advertised. Instead of the expected subtle cedar, I (and my friend Kathy) picked up notes of cheese – blue or roquefort. I inquired and cheese was not one of the ingredients. Hmmmm.
Verdict: I do prefer my hot chocolates hot and chocolatey – but not surprisingly cheesy.
Winner: Sour Cherry Tisane (UVA Wine Bar)
Hera’s Habit: Made from 50% deep milk chocolate with malted milk balls. Served with vanilla bean cinnamon shortbread.
Available: At Cocoa Nymph 3739 W. 10th Ave (at Alma), Vancouver
Oh my! You’ll be hard-pressed to find a thicker, richer cup of hot chocolate in this festival. And the slow-melting malt ball at the heart of the cup was a delightful bonus.
Hungers Satisfied: Dark Chocolate with black pepper. Served with a vanilla/maldon salt cookie.
Available at: Beaucoup Bakery 2150 Fir Street (in Kitsilano)
Subtle hints of black pepper in a fairly restrained cup. Akemi felt it tasted more like a latte than an actual hot chocolate.
Verdict: Did I mentioned that slow-melting malt ball?
Winner: Hera’s Habit (Cocoa Nymph)
Our Stargate: Atlantis rewatch continues with…Home!
As soon as my name came up on screen alongside the written by credit, Akemi was instantly on guard: “I’m very nervous about your episodes because you’re twisted.”
True. And, as expected, she was plenty confused by the episode. But that was the point! The audience is supposed to be confused – until the big reveal at episode’s end. Unfortunately, said big reveal only succeeded in confusing her even more: “Very confusing. Very complicated. Don’t you think so? Were you okay when you wrote the episode? Like person who did marijuana.”
But after I took the time to break it down for her, explaining the mist was sentient and responsible for their hallucinations: “Ah, interesting. Now makes sense! Takes so long. So fog was smart!” Indeed.
Some other insights she offered while watching…
On Weir motoring around in her vintage car: “She is piece of Mrs. Old Fashioned.”
On Sheppard: “He seems to like girls.”
On McKay: “I like his t-shirt, I’m with Genius.” Thank you. “I like the fact no one left message and he’s eating old chips.”
On the necklace Simon gifts Weir: “She seems to make a lot of money. And he seems to make a lot of money, right? Nice brand necklace is better. Very cheap.”
Overall – in retrospect, she liked it. Interestingly: “I feel like I’m watching SGU this episode. Technical terms a lot.”
My thoughts on this episode in a previous blog entry: June 12, 2012: Pirates! Days of Stargate Past – Atlantis! Home and The Storm! Pick your favorite Stargate mid-season two-parter and WIN!
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