City to City: Sweet Revenge Patisserie

This summer, M and I spent a lot of time in the city. Because he's a teacher and there was a massive strike on for the past few months, when it came to summer plans, we were in a tight situation financially. Which meant less vacations and more stay-cations! One stay-cation we enjoyed was spending the day in Deep Cove to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. At the end of the day, we came back to Vancouver to enjoy a little dessert trip to our very favourite dessert cafe...Sweet Revenge! Not only does this place have AMAZING desserts and coffee/tea, it is also special to us because we've gone there to celebrate every significant milestone in our relationship. We are "welcomed back" by the same waiter almost every time and they treat us like we're royalty. 

Now, Sweet Revenge is definitely not the most trendy place to frequent in the city. In fact, their decor and atmosphere are more reminiscent of a 90's New York romantic comedy movie set...but perhaps that's why we like it so much. The nostalgia of it allures us, not to mention we are always swooned by the sweet sounds of 1940's jazz. Which, coincidentally, we had as a music theme for our wedding!

The space is looking pretty empty in my pictures because we happened to go there on a hot summer weekend and were let in a little bit before it opened to get out of the blazing heat. But my warning to you is if you decide to go, get there early! It's a tiny little space that fills up so fast. We enjoyed the quiet of the cafe for a few minutes before the whole place was full and there was a line up out the door! 

For some reason, the apple pie just felt right for the mid-summer evening. I normally choose anything chocolate, but this pie was incredible! I don't think I've ever had such a delicious (and HUGE) piece of pie. (Except for, of course, our Grandma's pies which she is known for!). M had a delightful slice of cheesecake and a press of London Fog while I opted for an espresso. Now, if you are a chocolate lover and not in the mood for pie, I strongly recommend the Sweet Revenge or Chocolate Gateau- both incredibly rich with chocolatey goodness.

Sweet Revenge is only open in the evenings, but if you are in the Vancouver area be sure to make it a mandatory way to end your day. And they're open really late, so perhaps it could be a late night romantic rendezvous...No matter the occasion, there's a little something to satisfy every sweet tooth!

Sweet Revenge Patisserie

4160 Main Street

604-879-7933

Hours: 7pm-12am, Open until 1am on weekends.

Website: Sweet Revenge

Facebook: Sweet Revenge Patisserie

City to City: City Perks

I really have no choice. I have to post about the coffee shop I work in after Jenni's post on Wednesday! 

City Perks is lovely. I've been a barista here for just about two years, and truly still love it. 

It's in a quiet little historic neighbourhood, but it's really not a quiet place! It's rarely not busy. 

Amidst lunch preparations and fresh baking is my favourite part, the coffee. A neat little part about City Perks, that connects me and Jenni is that our coffee is from a roaster in Vancouver! Forty Ninth Parallel coffee is well-known in B.C., as that's where their shops are, but Saskatoon residents are getting to know and appreciate it quite well as we've been brewing it for just over a year. It's truly great coffee. They source it directly, choosing each carefully, roast it attentively, and we get it shipped to us every week, ensuring it's fresh. I had chance to visit the roastery last year and get some intensive training. Making coffee is an art, a craft, and a true passion of mine! (Can you tell?)

Fresh scones and muffins are made every morning! Wraps + sandwiches, soups, quiche and salad for lunch, and for the afternoon: desserts...cakes and more cakes! Tons of work is put into each part of this place. 

We sell lots of home brewing equipment. At home, my husband Jordon and I have a v60 dripper. I'd highly recommend it. Pour over coffee is a fun art to get into. 

At City Perks, we brew Kalita wave Pour over coffee. Making sure to weigh each one, we love brewing coffee by the cup. 

We also recently got in Chemex for retail brewing equipment. Also a fantastic Pour over coffee experience, the Chemex has the glass server 'built in'. A Chemex is fantastic to share!

The owners of City Perks (hello Mike and Coralee!) also bought the flower shop next door in fall! And what goes better with coffee than flowers? Not in your coffee. No. Just on the side, for a friend or spouse or something. 

One more unique thing about City Perks is that during a large renovation last year, the goal was to use as many repurposed and recycled items as possible. Doors and tables were repurposed from the Delta Bessborough hotel, hardwood was reclaimed mismatched pieces stained to the same colour, bar stools from a bar that closed down in Saskatoon, tin tiles from an old drugstore in small town Saskatchewan, and lots more! It's fun to tell the stories of how it all got put together. 

City Perks is a treat. You should stop by if you're in Saskatoon!

City Perks Coffeehouse

801 7th Avenue North
website: City Perks
instagram: cityperkscoffee
twitter: @PerksCity

Open Monday-Friday 7am-10pm

Saturday 8am-10pm

Sunday 9am-5pm

City to City: The Mighty Oak

Welcome to the The Mighty Oak, my favourite neighbourhood cafe! I discovered this hidden gem when walking to Main Street one day. It's tiny and there's not much to indicate that it's a coffee joint, but I think that is what makes it so special. I love going to those busy, trendy cafes as much as the next person and they have their perks (pardon the pun). But the atmosphere of a popular shop on a busy street is so different from that of a tiny cafe tucked away in a neighbourhood. 

The first thing to be observed are the shelves stacked with groceries- necessities that you could pop by to grab if you are out, along with some specialty items. While I haven't bought any groceries yet, each item appears to be carefully curated and high quality. And I think I will be buying groceries soon, because they carry the best locally made ice cream, Earnest Ice Cream!

The thing that is special about this cafe is the community feel you get when you walk into the shop. From the very first time I stepped foot in, I noticed that there were benches instead of individual chairs and they all faced one another. I like that this set-up just helps to foster the already existing idea that this cafe is where you come to be with those around you. Sure, at times there may be the odd person typing on a computer, but for the most part, people are coming to be with people. And not just hipsters to be with hipsters or business minded people to discuss their latest projects together.

It's a shop that invites people in from all walks of life. From the parent and child to the oldest of friends enjoying retirement, there's a bit of everything. And I have a feeling if I were a child living in this neighbourhood, I would be running to the store everyday for some of those sour keys! But as an adult, the croissants are so very satisfying- they taste like heaven. 

I don't know much about coffee (at least not as much as Kristen!) but I do know that I have enjoyed every cup that I've had! The owner carefully crafts each cup to delicious perfection. He uses a coffee roasted in Seattle called Caffe Umbria and bags of beans are available to buy in the store. 

So if you are ever in the Cambie neighbourhood near 18th and Columbia in Vancouver, be sure to seek out this delightful shop for an Americano or Latte. And while you can grab and go, don't forget to stay and chat a while. You might be surprised by who you meet!

The Mighty Oak

198 W 18th Avenue

604-558-0722

Open Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm

p.s. Be sure to watch for Kristen's review of a local Saskatoon neighbourhood cafe on Friday!