Living in North Burnaby, close to the Burnaby Heights area means we have easy accessibility to Chez Christophe, the popular bakery and chocolate shoppe.
I first introduced them to my partner, purchasing a birthday cake from him there. The iconic shades of blue and gold detailing on their box is a dead giveaway.
In the following months he learned and purchased a birthday cake for his friend there. And in doing so, also got a treat for himself. This is when he discovered their croissants, and have been going back for more since.
Whenever we have some earlier plans in the day, we stop by Chez Christophe for a snack c to carry us through breakfast on to lunch. We typically choose 2 pastries each. I go for the savoury, he the sweet.
A croissant is a must and today it was their double baked almond number. He also likes their fresh fruit danishes.
The double baked almond is a hand and mouthful. This is one you have to eat over a plate, or in our case the box. A dish to catch all the croissant crust flakes and all the loose powdered almonds. At the heart of this giant is a fine almond paste adding a different level of sweetness and interest to the baked good.
The fresh fruit Danish has the same flaky and buttery croissant crust, but moulded and baked into a box. An edible receptacle to carry the bounty of strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries sitting in a lush custard cream. This I enjoyed and it would have been my go to for a sweet option as well.
For savoury I went for the two new croissant items. The croissant wrapped hot dog and a croissant onigiri.
The Croissant Dog or aka “Cro-Dog” is basically a Chinese style hotdog cocktail bun, but instead of chewy bread-dough it is a crispy and flaky croissant wrap. The filling a classic weiner sausage with cheddar cheese and mustard. Although I could have used more of the latter two, as the distinct flavour of the hotdog was overpowering against the gentle butter pastry. I also would have liked some ketchup for acidity.
I was impressed by looks alone. The Kimchi Oniwassant is an onigiri shaped croissant with tuna, mayo, kimchi, and seaweed. It looks like, and you eat it like the traditional Japanese snack, but instead of rice you have flaky pastry. There was plenty of tuna stuffed within, but I did not get any of the acidity or spice of kimchi, and I could have used some additional seaweed in the filling for more taste interest. However, this was still a fun treat and a tasty snack.
Our visit also coincided with the last day of Taste of Burnaby, where the cafe had a dessert special, so we also got a taste of that. Coconut waffle crunch with pineapple and lime curd, coconut curd topped with pineapple confit cake. This was a dessert that was not too sweet, but more tart and tangy. It felt summery and timely with the tropical fruit. I liked the differing textures from the cream, to the gel, sponge, and crunchy base. Overall, a very well conceived slice.
It is always a delicious time with Chez Christophe. We go for the baked goods and coffee, but they also offer chocolate gems and seasonal centre pieces that are work checking out. Not our first time and it won’t be our last. I just have never ordered enough in one go to write a full review on it, until this day.
Chez Christophe
4717 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2K8
(604) 428-4200
chez-christophe.ca
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