Mixueer's Kitchen In Vancouver: Olympic Preview - My Top 5 Vancouver Sweet Destinations

Usually, I write from Mixueer's Kitchen in Toronto, but for this special article I'm mixing it up! As you all know, the Winter Olympics are coming to Vancouver in February. I just moved to Toronto in October from Vancouver - which I considered home for 5 years - so I've decided to share some of my insider information for any of you fellow foodies headed that way next month. Many of you out there have a huge sweet tooth just like I do, so I present to you my Top 5 Vancouver Sweet Destinations! (In no particular order, because this really is a Sophie's Choice situation).

1. Qoola - Scrumptious Frozen Yogurt, all without Genetically Modified ingredients, and only 90 calories! And really, how do you beat buying frogurt and going to watch the sunset at English Bay Beach, all in the span of 5 minutes? Amazing location! 1116 Denman Street, Vancouver, BC V6G 2M8 - (604) 801-6338

2. Cupcakes - Amazing cupcakes, they come in many delicious flavours like Lemon Drop (Lemon with butter cream frosting), the Koo Koo (coconut with cream cheese frosting), and my personal favorite the Red Velvet (red cocoa with cream cheese frosting). They have multiple locations, including on Thurlow Street and on Denman Street, but the Broadway location is my personal fav. Cupcakes can even make wedding cakes! 2887 W Broadway Ave V6K 2G5 - (604) 974-1300

3. Mondo Gelato - The best gelato I've ever had, with the most creative flavors! Where else can I get Durian flavoured gelato? With the small size cup, you can get two scoops and ask for them to be different so you can taste a couple of flavors at a time. And bless them, Mondo Gelato carries gelato, sorbetto and soy gelato for us poor lactose-intolerant suckers. Sample the spectacular grapefruit ice, biscotti, Ferrero Rocher and over 100 other flavours. There is a store on Denman, but for pure variety, the Robson Street location is my favorite. 1222 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC V6E 1C1 - (604) 694-0108

4. New Town Bakery - I used to live in China, and the New Town Bakery has the most spectacular egg tarts this side of the PRC! Right in the heart of Chinatown, they also have a little restaurant at the back if you want to sit. On a savoury note, New Town has some of the only steamed buns I've had in Canada that actually taste like the bao zi I used to buy on my way to school as a student in Shanghai. Try my favorite, the pork and vegetable buns. 158 East Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1T3 - (604) 689-7835

5. Trees Organic Coffee - This is my favorite cheesecake on the planet, bar none. Thin graham cracker crust, the softest, most pillowy cream cheese filling. Try the chocolate, it's a revelation. 450 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1V4 - (604) 684-5060

Though I cannot be in Vancouver for the Olympics, I was lucky enough to be at my parents house in Guelph, Ontario when the torch passed through town. My mother and I trooped out in the cold and stood by the side of the road and watched the flame pass. We were lucky enough to watch the hand off from one runner to another and I was about two metres from the torch. What an amazing moment to witness, it reinforced to me how proud I am to be a Canadian.

Vancouver
Olympics

Mixueer's Kitchen In Vancouver: Olympic Preview - My Top 5 Vancouver Sweet Destinations