Sugar Fix: The top treats at Bel Cafe

Dec 19 2017, 4:27 pm

Sugar Fix is a series profiling desserts in Vancouver. Bakery and café owners divulge the three desserts that are most likely to fly off their shelves, as well as which of their products are their personal favourites. Next up is Bel Cafe.

Bel Cafe Macarons

Agree with me or not, but I believe macarons have had their moment. By all means, I don’t mean to insinuate that they’re on their way out—no, they’re here to stay—but the hype has certainly died down. That being said there are great macarons to be found in this city, comparable to those in Paris even, and Bel Café is one of those places.

This post is not solely about macarons, but to be bluntly honest, the macarons are the stars here. I’ve tried making macarons myself, only to record another #bakingfail for the world to mock. Cracked shells, absences of feet and hollow insides are some of the countless errors I’ve encountered while dabbling in the pastry world. What I’ve found? It’s always best to leave it to the professionals. And by professionals, I mean pastry chefs at Bel Cafe. Among the favorites are: strawberry lemon, passionfruit, cookies and cream and vanilla bean. The cookies and cream knocks it out of the park with its resemblance to a sophisticated and textured oreo cookie.

rasp

Now I’m not necessarily a fan of dome-shaped desserts, perhaps its due to the fact that many cannot hold structure and end up collapsing and becoming somewhat of a gooey mess. But this cake held its own; a combo of dark chocolate, raspberry and vanilla cake, its simple flavor profile isn’t shockingly amazing but it’s good, great even.

Lemon Tart

The tangy, sour taste (that is too often robbed from other desserts pretending to consist of real lemons) is a delightful surprise in this lemon tart. The creamy lemon filling is housed in a crisp, flaky crust. Light (so don’t bother sharing) and satisfying. Definitely a summertime treat, so I would probably opt to kick the winter blues with something a little more dense and filling, chocolate cake (above) and a piping hot Bel Cappuccino anyone?

Bel Cafe

Address: 801 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

Phone: 604-673-7000

Hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Website: www.belcafe.com

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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