Andy's Bakery

I was feeling quite proud of myself for getting up early on a Saturday and going to my fitness class so I decided to celebrate with a pastry. It was, miraculously, not raining and I headed out to Commercial Drive in search of my treat. Not even three blocks from my house, I went in for my first visit to Andy's Bakery.

Au Petit Chavignol

During my rock and roll days, we had a rehearsal space on Hastings and Hawks. The only cool thing around in those days was the nightly karaoke at the Astoria. I mean, we knew a guy that we called "Stabby". Nowadays, the area is becoming cool thanks in large part to the duo of Les Amis du Fromage and Au Petit Chavignol. I have purchased many cheese from the friendly people at Les Amis but hadn't tried the restaurant until a beautiful Saturday brunch date with the lovely Sarah.

Thierry Patisserie

Sometimes I like to treat myself to something a little bit fancy. It was on one of those days that I ended up at Thierry Patisserie. If you are a fan of pastry and chocolates, you have probably heard of Chef Thierry. He was the pastry chef at Cin Cin and west and the opening of his cafe on Alberni and Thurlow was highly anticipated by pastry lovers, of which I am one. It took me a while to get there, but the anticipation did make the occasion special.

Boneta

Big M and I celebrated our one year anniversary on May 29.  We had talked about returning to Vegas, where we got married, but instead we spent that money on a trip to Red Deer for my Mom's birthday.  Red Deer is just as awesome as Vegas.  (Hi Mom!)  But that did leave us with what to do for anniversary dinner. I always enjoy a chance to dress up and be fancy so I sent Big M a "short list" of about 12 restaurants from my wish list and he chose Boneta. Hooray!

I was working in Gastown when Boneta opened up on the corner of Cordova and Carrall St back in 2008. I will admit that at the time, I thought this was a crazy choice and they wouldn't last. This was before the Woodward's building were complete and pre hip restaurant explosion in Gastown. Prime Time Chicken was the closest competing restaurant. Well, I was sure wrong on that prediction.

Chocolate Buffet at Flerui in the Sutton Place Hotel.

The story of the Chocoholic Buffet at the Sutton Place Hotel has been passed around like a legend for quite some time. I believe the first time I heard it was when I was at an underwear party and a fella was trying to impress me with how many ladies he takes to the buffet (not impressed, btw. He was barking up the wrong tree in those days. I finally had the chance to go as Liza planned her birthday party for the buffet.

The buffet is located in the Fleuri restaurant in the hotel. You will know where to find it as you walk in. You can smell the chocolate from the lobby. The official details for the buffet are:
• Seatings: 6:00pm - 8:30pm and 8:30pm - 10:00pm
• $28.00 per adult / $14.00 per child (12 years and under)
• Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday

They strongly recommend reservations, although we were there on a Thursday and there were maybe 4 groups there. I can imagine that weekends would be busier.