Vancouver‘s favourite bakery, well known for its creative collaborations; often combining their sweet pastries with savoury elements from other local shops and restaurants, now has a second location.
This is Beaucoup and today we were checking out their new flagship location in downtown Vancouver. Operating out of the old Starbucks, once located in the St. Regis Hotel; marked by their red and white stripped awning.
Whereas their original location was cozy and intimate. This one opens up with plenty of seating, including patio space, standing room bar, and a few small tables at the back.
There is also enough room in the café to allow for a little shop of sorts. Beaucoup houses a curated selection of local products including their favourite maple syrup; truffle infused oils, mayo, and sauces; and gourmet chips and chocolates. Plus greeting and birthday cards, which will compliment any of their desserts, should you decide to pick a few up as gifts for any occasion.
Their trademark white and red striped branding has also transitioned into their presentation with multiple orders of pastries, served on trays and round platters lined with such a print in wax.
You order at the counter, visually choosing between sweets under the glass, fresh baked goods on the counter; and savoury scones, croissants, and biscuits behind the register.
There is so much to choose from, and so hard to narrow any of it down. But no matter which way you went, it was all a great choice. As told by gaging the room.
Originally, we were going to order a hot chocolate as it is one of their specialities. But seeing as a flat white was made with the wrong milk: cow’s instead of oat, we opted just to grab that instead. It was a beautifully done coffee with precision latte art. A great pick me up to accompany the bevy of sweet and buttery treats to come.
You could tell the quality of all the baked goods, everything tasted fresh with either the expected, crispy, flaky, chewy, moist and/or tender texture. Everything was also picture perfect painted, topped, and dabbed, speaking to the bakery’s professionalism.
Based on our taste and appetites, the following is what we had today. The Black Forest Cake was the adult version of the dark chocolate and cherry cake that I had growing up. Gentle in nuance with a light cherry centre.
The Raspberry Brioche was a ball of fluffy bread filled with a lush raspberry pink cream. I could have used a more even bread to cream ratio as the initial bite yielded an empty centre.
Looking for something savoury I highly recommend the Ham Cheese Scroll. The slightly sweet pastry you already love, made more savoury with crispy ham and burnt cheese. I would order it again and double it while I am at it.
For a dessert on the go, or one you can eat half now and save the rest for later, look to the Banana Caramel tiramisu, served in a jar with screw cap lid. Everything you love about the creamy coffee cake, but now with brightening banana and sweet caramel as an exciting twist.
And the classic Kouigna aman was terrific for its texture. A crispy and flakey ring of sweet and buttery pastry, similar to that of the apple supreme below.
And for cookies the crispy and thin Valrhona chocolate chip cookie was a delight.
Similarly, for peanut butter lovers you don’t want to miss the peanut butter sandwich with two crunchy and gently salted? chunky peanut butter cookies sandwiching a thick layer of creamy peanut butter spread.
Everything pictured in my photos above and everything you can make out in the background will be available regularly. However, there is one item to look out for that is only available during their grand opening. On Wednesday, May 31 the first 100 people to make a purchase starting at 11am will also receive a complimentary, limited-edition Supreme Apple Pie. This is Beaucoup Bakery’s classic croissant roll with spiced apple and a whipped Dulcey and ginger ganache. A delicious dessert made to christen the occasion that will be no more after it sells out.
For those who miss the above, you can still come in to enjoy one of their 4 new cake flavours. Pistachio Raspberry, Hazelnut Dulcey, Whiskey Chocolate, and Coconut Chocolate & Coffee.
The Pistachio Raspberry cake looked like a glass bobble, a glossy shell hiding fluffy sponge and a gel centre. Fragrant with the promised flavours and not too sweet.
The Coconut Chocolate & Coffee cake was predominately chocolate, whereas I wanted more coconut and coffee for a lighter cake to pair with tea. Although overall as a chocolate cake, this was great.
And if looking to pair the new cakes with a new hot beverage, they have 5 new oat tea latte drinks, exclusive to this St. Regis Hotel location. Shizuoka Matcha Blanc, Hojicha Noir, Roasted Oolong, Yasmina, and Parisian Fog.
So downtown commuters, and those looking to start the day off with a coffee and pastry, look no further than to Beaucoup’s newest flagship location. They are sure to become your new favourite morning stop, snack time source, and after work treat destination
Beaucoup Bakery
602 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver, BC V6B 1Y6
beaucoupbakery.com