I have been to chocolate heaven, and it's in Kitsilano.
I've been so eager to visit KoKo Monk, and was waiting until the final week of the Hot Chocolate Festival for when they were serving all of their flavours for the 2017 Festival. Many of what they serve is vegan, and from one glance at their website, you could tell that these were people who cared about chocolate.
My colleagues and I arranged a small outing to KoKo Monk on the last Saturday of the Festival. I anticipated it being busy, and I had heard that the store was small, but I don't think any of us had an idea of how difficult it was to find seating! There were two tables: a community table that seated about seven, and a small cafe table for two - the kind you see outside of French cafes. There was probably 10-12 people in the shop, with eight to ten outside at four small tables.
My group and I slowly took over the community table, and the eight of us squeezed somewhat comfortably in to the seats as s-l-o-w-l-y the drinks rolled out. The staff were kind enough to give us some chocolate bark as a thank you for our patience, which I think delighted us all.
Most of us ordered flights of three small, tall glasses of rich, creamy chocolate. When we finally got our drinks and had our first sips, I think we were all transported to a private world of bliss.
I've been so eager to visit KoKo Monk, and was waiting until the final week of the Hot Chocolate Festival for when they were serving all of their flavours for the 2017 Festival. Many of what they serve is vegan, and from one glance at their website, you could tell that these were people who cared about chocolate.
My colleagues and I arranged a small outing to KoKo Monk on the last Saturday of the Festival. I anticipated it being busy, and I had heard that the store was small, but I don't think any of us had an idea of how difficult it was to find seating! There were two tables: a community table that seated about seven, and a small cafe table for two - the kind you see outside of French cafes. There was probably 10-12 people in the shop, with eight to ten outside at four small tables.
My group and I slowly took over the community table, and the eight of us squeezed somewhat comfortably in to the seats as s-l-o-w-l-y the drinks rolled out. The staff were kind enough to give us some chocolate bark as a thank you for our patience, which I think delighted us all.
Most of us ordered flights of three small, tall glasses of rich, creamy chocolate. When we finally got our drinks and had our first sips, I think we were all transported to a private world of bliss.
Each sip was an experience. Seriously. The chocolate was smooth and carefully crafted, leaving a lingering taste of whatever spice or flavouring it was paired with.
I first tried the Black Velvet drink. It was rich with a little cayenne kick to it, making it a great, warming option for those cold winter nights (does that exist in Vancouver?). I then tried Sin and Salvation, described as an "organic lavender, white hot chocolate with fig and chamomile." It was definitely the sweetest of them all, but also the lightest. The white chocolate gave it a milky taste, which is something you don't often experience in vegan foods. The lavender was distinct, but not overpowering. This drink is what I'd imagine a summer night chocolate dessert drink to taste like. Maybe they'll bring it back in the summer months?
Last, I tried Cosmic Rose. This drink is what one of my colleagues described as, "smooooooth." It was also very creamy and thick - actually, it would be more descriptive to call it thick-k-k-k than just thick. If there was a standard for is a high quality classic hot chocolate, I would suggest you turn to the Cosmic Rose.
By the time we all walked out of the tiny store, we were all a little giddier and buzzing on a slight sugar high. Oh, and about half of us had chocolate still at the corners of our smiling mouths.
Oh, chocolate. How sweet it is to be loved by you.
I first tried the Black Velvet drink. It was rich with a little cayenne kick to it, making it a great, warming option for those cold winter nights (does that exist in Vancouver?). I then tried Sin and Salvation, described as an "organic lavender, white hot chocolate with fig and chamomile." It was definitely the sweetest of them all, but also the lightest. The white chocolate gave it a milky taste, which is something you don't often experience in vegan foods. The lavender was distinct, but not overpowering. This drink is what I'd imagine a summer night chocolate dessert drink to taste like. Maybe they'll bring it back in the summer months?
Last, I tried Cosmic Rose. This drink is what one of my colleagues described as, "smooooooth." It was also very creamy and thick - actually, it would be more descriptive to call it thick-k-k-k than just thick. If there was a standard for is a high quality classic hot chocolate, I would suggest you turn to the Cosmic Rose.
By the time we all walked out of the tiny store, we were all a little giddier and buzzing on a slight sugar high. Oh, and about half of us had chocolate still at the corners of our smiling mouths.
Oh, chocolate. How sweet it is to be loved by you.