Pure Indulgence at Chez Christophe in White Rock, BC

Nestled in the heart of White Rock, Chez Christophe is a little slice of Switzerland that promises a sweet escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. As you step inside this charming café and chocolate shop, you're transported to a world of delectable Swiss chocolates, tantalizing cakes, buttery croissants, delicate macarons, and an array of specialty desserts that will make your taste buds dance with joy.

After brunch at nearby The Wooden Spoon, our visit to Chez Christophe was a sweet journey. Two desserts, in particular, caught our attention.

Christophe's Tiramisu: A Coffee Lover's Dream

If you're a coffee enthusiast, Christophe's Tiramisu is a heavenly creation you won't want to miss. This delightful dessert boasts a luscious mascarpone mousse that perfectly balances the rich flavours of coffee-infused whipped ganache. This is nestled on an espresso-soaked sponge, adding a lovely textural contrast. Each spoonful is a harmonious blend of creamy and caffeinated, making it the ideal choice for coffee lovers like me.

Christophe's Tiramisu from Chez Christophe
Mascarpone mousse with coffee-infused whipped ganache on an espresso-soaked sponge

Caramel Brownie: A Symphony of Textures

The Caramel Brownie at Chez Christophe is a masterpiece in textural contrast. This dessert features a pecan brownie base that's both nutty and indulgent. You'll find a delightful coconib crunch atop the brownie, offering a playful crispy element. The journey continues with layers of caramel mousse, each bite a sweet, velvety pleasure. The dessert concludes with a generous drizzle of dark chocolate monte, adding a rich, cocoa-infused finish to this symphony of flavours and textures.

Caramel Brownie from Chez Christophe
Pecan brownie, coconib crunch, caramel mousse, dark chocolate monte

Chez Christophe doesn't just offer desserts; it provides an experience. It's where Swiss craftsmanship meets the passion for creating exquisite sweet treats. Whether you're craving a classic like Tiramisu or seeking adventure in the form of a Caramel Brownie, Chez Christophe is a destination that guarantees sweet satisfaction.

So, the next time you're in White Rock, take a delightful detour to Chez Christophe. You'll discover that each treat here is a work of art, and every bite is a moment of pure bliss.

Brunch Date at The Wooden Spoon in White Rock, BC

Happy Labour Day long weekend! Hubby and I discussed going to White Rock using the double-decker bus and finally did it today.

We left our home early (6:30 AM) and enjoyed the cool summer morning at White Rock. We waited for The Wooden Spoon to open at 9:00 AM and were pleasantly surprised that all tables were occupied within 15 minutes.

Hubby's rule is to order any namesake food items, so I got The Wooden Benny while Hubby chose The Spoon Huevos Hash.

The two spoonfuls of huevos hash I took from hubby are filled with beans and pico de gallo. It was a bit spicy, too. It's definitely more complex than the Benny.

The Spoon Huevos from The Wooden Spoon
Corn & bean succotash, baby potatoes, feta, avocado, pico de Gallo, tortilla strips, cilantro lime crema, and sunny side eggs

The Wooden Benny came with two double-smoked bacon on top of a cheddar chive buttermilk biscuit instead of the usual English muffin. The biscuit is chewier and provides more savoury notes than an English muffin.

The benny also came with two soft poached eggs; one was perfectly runny, while the other was about 30 seconds overdone. It came with a simple vinaigrette salad and garlic potatoes.

The Wooden Benny from The Wooden Spoon
Two strips of double-smoked bacon, onion jam and chive gremolata
All benedicts come with two poached medium eggs on a half-cheddar chive buttermilk biscuit, served with champagne hollandaise, heb and garlic baby potatoes, and balsamic vinaigrette salad.

It was a fantastic brunch date with my husband at White Rock.

Barbacoa and Totopos from Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood

When a Mexican acquaintance says that Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in South Surrey, you believe her.

I am working in South Surrey this week to train my replacement (I am leaving my current job). Since I am rarely on this side of Metro Vancouver, I sent a message to a former colleague, and we scheduled to have dinner this evening.

We arrived at Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood and got the last table on their patio that was not reserved. It's definitely different from the Tex-Mex (Americanized Mexican) food you see at most of the places in Metro Vancouver. I don't recognize most dish names except for the one I ordered, which is the Barbacoa, while my friend chose Totopos for us to share.

Totopos from Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood
Fresh made guacamole, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, pico de Gallo, house made corn chips

The house-made corn chips are amazing. It's obviously fried and made in the restaurant. I've only seen one other restaurant that makes their corn chips fresh in-store: The Mexican Antojitos y Cantina in Downtown Vancouver. It's served with fresh pico de gallo and creamy guacamole.

Barbacoa felt the safest option because it's something I have heard previously. It was served in a stone mortar with banana leaves at the bottom. It is accompanied by cilantro, onions, habanero sauce, and corn tortillas.

Barbacoa from Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood
Slow braised beef sirloin and pork shoulder with beer and dried chiles, served in a stone mortar with banana leaves, cilantro, onions, habanero sauce, and corn tortillas.

The meat is so tender and quickly falls apart. I took a corn tortilla and used it as a base for building a Barbacoa taco. In one taco, I ate it with just meat. I added a habanero sauce making a spicy taco on the next one. Then, I tried one with onions. Lastly, a mix of everything. I never knew eating tacos could be this fun and amusing - each taco is so different.

Gelato from Maya's at White Rock, BC

After a wonderful dinner at Charlie Don't Surf, we walked to Maya's for gelato. They offer gelato, ice cream, and soft serve. Hubby wants the healthier gelato while I want soft serve.

Tiramisu Gelato from Maya's
A hint of mascarpone cheese, sweet marsala wine, and a hint of coffee.

Unfortunately, their soft serve machine isn't working. I opted for my usual gelato flavour: Hazelnut. My husband went for the Tiramisu.

Hazelnut Gelato from Maya's

It's nice to eat something cold while the sun is shining so brightly outside. No wonder there's half a dozen (maybe even more!) ice cream shop along the White Rock Boardwalk.

Surfer Burger and Fish & Chips from Charlie Don't Surf | White Rock, BC

Happy, beautiful Friday! It's my penultimate Friday at work, and I decided to bring all my equipment back to my boss's home in South Surrey. Afterwards, my parents, I, and my husband decided to enjoy the sun and have dinner near the White Rock Pier. I chose Charlie Don't Surf for dinner.

I went for the Surfer Burger with fries. It has been a while since I last had good salmon, and this is definitely fresh wild-caught salmon. It's the right pink colour and has that distinct, slightly sweet flavour and a delicate melt-in-your-mouth texture. Yum! Meanwhile, the lettuce is crispy and the tomato is juicy. Then, the pickle adds a slightly sour note that helps cut through the richness of the salmon. I also love the subtle sharpness and pungency of the onions.

Surfer Burger
Wild caught salmon burger comes with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, umali sauce on a toasted brioche bun served with fries

My husband went for their Wild Pacific Cod Fish and Chips. I think the kitchen waited for the other dishes before releasing the fish and chips because the batter coating was soggy when it arrived at our table. The cod is still tender which is good. The tartar sauce is pretty acceptable too.

Wild Pacific Cod
2-piece wild pacific cod fish & chips

Wild Pacific Cod from Charlie Don't Surf

My mom ordered the Bubba Shrimp Pizza. They didn't skimp on the shrimp,   which I absolutely love. It has a subtle sweetness and brininess to the pizza and pairs well with the vibrant pesto. However, my first bite is overwhelmed by the creamy and tangy feta cheese. I love how everything goes well together.

Bubba Shrimp Pizza
Shrimp, pesto, green onion, tomato, and feta

My dad ordered the 3 Cheese Pesto Penne, which I couldn't try. Of the three dishes we had today, I highly recommend the Bubba Shrimp Pizza.

Ice Cream from Seaside Scoop

After a complete meal at Olive Garden, we drove to White Rock and walked around the pier. Before heading home, we decided to eat ice cream from Seaside Scoop.

I had my usual flavour, Cappuccino while hubby had pistachio.

My 1-scoop of cappuccino ice cream in a cup with a waffle cone on top

Hubby's 1-scoop pistachio ice cream in a cup with waffle cone on top

Yay for Saturday!

Lunch at Jan's On The Beach

It's our first time at White Rock and the reason for our visit is to see the Psych shooting location. Our family love that series so much.

Chili Garlic Prawns

Seafood Fettucine
Prawns, mussels, fresh fish, scallops, shrimp, crispy capers and spinach in a garlic cream sauce.

Salmon Fish and Chips
Lightly deep-fried with tasty gluten-free batter served with french fries, coleslaw, and tartar sauce.

It's a beautiful day to be walking around in White Rock.