“White Chocolate Ganache, Coconut Powder, Marzipan. Topped with Whip Cream and Toasted Almonds.”
Price: $6.95
We were very excited about trying this creation, since their entry from last year really surprised us. We were the first customers of the day that were getting this hot chocolate so it was great to see.
While the guy was making these hot chocolates, he tasted the milk to make sure it was how it should taste. We loved the addition of the toasted almonds and coconut. It really reminded us of a Ferrero Rocher for sure, smooth inside and crunchy outside.
As a side note, we are not normally fans of chunks in the hot chocolate once the whip melts away, but this time it really worked with the flavours and the esthetic of the drink. Overall we really enjoyed this drink and suggest that if you like Ferroro Rocher then you should go and try this drink.
Since we are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, this year will still be a little different. There will not be a launch event this year again, which is slightly sad since there is no way to pre-try some of the amazing drinks that are being offered. Looking at the list of contestants there will be no need to get Calgarians excited because there are so many amazing businesses participating. We cannot wait to get trying these delicious hot chocolates that the businesses of Calgary are offering.
If you don’t know what YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is, it takes place in February every year and participating cafes, restaurants, and chocolatiers compete for the coveted titles of Best Hot Chocolate, Best Spirited Hot Chocolate, and the Cup that Runneth Over (who sells the most). A portion from each of the Hot Chocolates supports Meals on Wheels and that in turn provides meals to Calgarians in need.
This is our sixth year participating in YYC Hot Chocolate Fest. Last year we were able to try over 50 different Hot Chocolates and 44 the year before. We wonder how many we will be able to try this year.
There are so many amazing cafes, restaurants, and chocolatiers participating this year, including;
Although we have only listed ten, there is so many more that are going to be exciting to try.
If you would like to follow our adventure make sure you follow us @extremecoffeefreak on Instagram or keep checking out the website for all the posts about the drinks.
We look forward to trying the hot chocolates this year!
Today we decided to check out a new place that just opened up just off 17th AVE SW. They are just located off 6th Street. They feature over 20 unique frosting flavours and a variety of decadent toppings. All their products are made with high quality ingredients and are 100% plant-based, dairy and lactose-free, egg-free and cholesterol-free. They were also featured on Shark Tank and backed by Robert Herjavec.
The Interior
When you walk in there is a counter with a couple seats to the right and behind that there is a very long service counter where you can watch them make your hand crafted cinnamon buns. On the left near the end of the counter there is a spot that there will be a couple seats that you can sit and enjoy. It is very bright and smelled absolutely amazing in there. They have their menu quite big behind the counter which was absolutely amazing, this way you can see everything that they offer in one location.
The Food
When we walked in there was such a great smell we got super distracted by how amazing it was in there. The worst part was that my daughter selected what we were getting which means she got a bunch. They have six signature cinnamon buns that we got to try and then we picked up one more. The cinnamon buns we got were;
From Left to Right – Top Row – Old Skool, Cookie Monster, Sparkle Berry Bottom Row – Tropical Bliss, Campfire Smores, Caramel Apple Pie
Old Skool $5.50
This is their classic cinnamon roll topped with vanilla frosting.
This was a very good basic cinnamon bun that had really great flavour.
Cookie Monster $7.25
This has cream cheese frosting topped with a scoop of homemade cookie dough, chocolate sauce and chocolate chips.
This was a good cinnamon bun, but we all wished, even my daughter, that there was a little less cookie dough. It was really overpowering and we couldn’t taste the other flavours. I know that this is just our opinion, but we thought you should know.
Sparkle Berry $6.75
This has chocolate frosting topped with strawberries and sprinkles.
This was a very good cinnamon bun, the chocolate frosting was not over powering which was amazing. The strawberries were fresh and loved the little crunch from the sprinkles.
Tropical Bliss $7.25
This has raspberry frosting topped with blueberries, bananas and flaked coconut.
This was a very good cinnamon bun, the raspberry frosting seemed a little sweet (to us) and the bananas and blueberries tasted fresh. Unfortunately our bananas turned a little brown since we placed ours in the fridge when we got home. Either way still tasted amazing.
Campfire S’mores $7.25
This has marshmallow frosting topped with graham cracker cookie bits, marshmallows and chocolate sauce.
This was a good cinnamon bun, but we found it a little too sweet for our liking. We didn’t eat it right away so the graham cracker chunks on top went soft and we not a great texture. If you were to get this one, make sure you eat it right away.
Caramel Apple Pie $7.75
This has caramel frosting, fresh sliced apples, pecans, pie crumble and caramel sauce.
This was a very good cinnamon bun, the crunch from the pecans and the combination or fresh apples and caramel was delicious. We would definitely get this one again, but split between the three of us since it is quite filling for sure. It tastes exactly like an apple pie.
The Banff Roll $6.75 (not photographed)
This has coffee frosting topped with caramel sauce, chocolate sauce and coffee dust.
This was a good cinnamon bun, but I honestly felt like it was laking coffee flavour. There was coffee frosting and coffee dust and I only got one or two bites of the whole cinnamon bun that I could taste coffee. It was good, but I wish there was more coffee flavouring.
We also ended up purchasing a sample of each of their frosting for the next time we visit we can make our own with whichever toppings we would like to. If you want to make your own it starts at $5.50 and can just go up from there.
The Service
Everyone working was very friendly and welcoming. We asked a lot of questions and they were able to answer every single one. It is always great when the staff know their product and are excited to be able to sell them. We also ended up purchasing a sample of each of their frosting for the next time we
The Hours
Sunday to Thursday – 10:00am to 9:00pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00am to 10:00pm
Parking
They are located just off of 17th AVE SW and 6th ST which means that there is no parking on their street. If you don’t mind walking a little you can park anywhere on 17th AVE and walk over. All the parking surrounding this location is paid parking, but it will be totally worth it.
Last Words
We will definitely be visiting again. We want to try any of their new ones that they come out with. On top of their standard Signature Rolls they also have featured rolls. When we visited they had six featured rolls including the Banff Roll that we purchased. It will be great to see what else they can come up with and us being able to make our own combinations.
Today we decided to go and check out a newer cafe that just opened down on 17th AVE SW called Sociality House. They are located in the old Blame Betty building. Which means that they are an old house with the coffee bar on the main floor with a meeting space located upstairs. It is a really cool location for sure.
The Interior
When you walk in the door you are greeted by a “living room” style seating with a bank of seating and a large window. In the middle of the main floor by the stairs is the coffee bar with a small shelving unit with mini market items for sale. In the back of the main floor there are a couple tables, a big comfy chair, and then to the right there was a couple big chairs and a bathroom. Upstairs they have another “living room” style seating area with a couple couches at the front of the house and then followed by a couple tables. At the back of the house they have a big family style table which is centered in the room. It is really beautifully designed. There is a great flow between the rooms and they used each little nook and cranny for showcasing market items for sale. All the furniture located in this location is also for sale, if you are interested then you would just talk to one of the staff members.
The Drinks
They have a limited menu which is really nice to see, so after looking over the menu we each got a drink.
I ordered a Latte for $5.50 and it was really good. They are using Monogram coffee which is good. I wished it was a little stronger coffee flavour, since I did find it a little weak for my liking.
My wife ordered a London Fog for $5.00 and we were very excited that they use Jagasilk tea. It is the best for London Fogs. This was a very exciting moment for my wife and daughter when they found out.
My daughter ordered a Hot Chocolate for $5.00 and it had really good chocolate flavour. She only commented that she wished it was hotter.
The Service
The staff that worked that day were very friendly and helpful. We asked quite a few questions and they answered each one without hesitation.
The Hours
Monday to Sunday – 8:30am to 5:00pm (Winter Hours)
Parking
Since you are located on 17th AVE SW there is only street parking on either side of the street and you will be paying no matter where you park.
Last Words
If we are down on 17th in and around that area we would definitely stop back in here and grab a beverage while walking around.
This new burger shack just opened not that long ago up in Sage Hill and we had seen some of their social media and it looked amazing. When we decided to head over it was their grand opening and it was busy which was always great to see. They have a really nice corner position up in Sage Hill, it does look like they may have a little patio available in the summer.
The Interior
When you walk in there is a couple tables with a long high bar on the right side of the restaurant. Behind the couple tables to the left there is a counter to take orders and then the kitchen is located behind that, if you wanted to you could watch them make your burgers right in front of you.
The Drinks
Since we seen that they had milkshakes we had to try a couple.
My wife ordered a Strawberry Milkshake for $6 and it had real strawberries in it. With the addition of strawberry puree it tasted really great.
My daughter ordered the Oreo Milkshake for $6 and it was so good. She said that there was chunks of oreo inside the milkshake as well. It was amazing.
The Food
Since they have a small menu (which was nice to see) it made it easy to choose what we wanted to get.
I ordered the Double Burger for $9 and it was light and delicious. It had tons of toppings that you could choose from. I ordered it with a side of onion rings, they were really good we just wished they stayed hotter.
Unfortunately on this trip my wife and daughter just had some onion rings.
On our next trip my wife and daughter ordered Single Burgers with fires and a poutine. The poutine is really delicious and we have ordered it every time since this trip.
The Service
Everyone there is so friendly and very helpful when we talked to them. They were able to suggest toppings for the burgers that they thought would work with what we were feeling. They are very friendly.
The Hours
Monday to Saturday – 11:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday – 11:00am to 8:00pm
Parking
They are located in a strip mall business area so there is a bunch of parking all around this restaurant.
Last Words
As you seen above we have been back a couple times since this original visit. We will be visiting them whenever we want a light and delicious burger with an amazing poutine. Plus the milkshakes are really good as well. Make sure you visit their location in the North or in the South.
Just down the street from Hello Toast there is a cafe called Amplified. It is attached to the Kamloops Public Library which we thought was really cool. They have really cool neon lights in the front windows on either side of the entrance as well.
The Interior
When you enter there is a bunch of table around the big bar across the centre of the cafe. They had a pretty big menu which was nice to see, there were drinks for everyone. Just past the bar before the front windows they had shelving that had a bunch of coffee for sale.
The Drinks
After looking at the menu, we decided to get a couple drinks and then sit outside on the patio.
I ordered a Pour Over for $6 and it was made with Sought x Found coffee which was funny. I drove all the way to Kamloops to have a Sought x Found coffee. They did a really good job.
My wife had a Peach Pear Fruit Smoothie for $6 ad it had really great flavour. It was made with Dr. Smoothie which is always really good.
My daughter ordered a White Velvet Frappe for $5.75 and it tasted like a Vanilla Bean Frappe from Starbucks. Sorry to say that Amplified’s was SO much better than Starbucks. Here is was creamy and delicious.
The Service
The staff were friendly and was able to suggest a coffee for us to purchase before we left.
The Hours
Monday and Friday – 7:00am to 5:00pm
Tuesday to Thursday – 7:00am to 8:00pm
Saturday – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Parking
There is parking on either side of the street and again you will have to pay again.
Last Words
When we are in Kamloops we would probably stop by and get more coffee or grab another drink.
Last time we drove through Kamloops we drove by this little cafe and knew when we came back through we had to stop here. So this was the time. We were so happy to be able to try this place. They were busy, but their hostess, Grace, was amazing. She kept checking in and letting us know that our table was almost ready and overall she was just amazing.
The Interior
We didn’t really go inside since we sat on the patio since it was a really nice day. There was a bunch of tables on their patio all shaded by the trees. My daughter did take a peak inside to look at the specials on the board. It was a huge wall displayed board on the right side of the interior and then the bar and kitchen were on the right with a bunch of tables on the left side of the restaurant.
The Drinks
I ordered a small latte for $4.50 and it was really good, I believe it was made with a dark roast. Both my wife and daughter ordered a London Fog for $4.75 each which were okay, they were sad that it was made with Twinnings Tea. They really wish cafe’s would pay a little more for really good tea since they use really good coffee.
The Food
The menu had a bunch of items that sounded amazing and all the food that was coming to the tables looked amazing so we were excited to try some delicious food.
Both my wife and I ordered the Full Smoked Backed Bacon Benny for $16.50 each. It was excellent and the bread was delicious, the eggs were cooked perfectly. The hollandaise was really good and they gave lots of it which was awesome. We also really loved the seasoning on the potatoes.
My daughter ordered the Full Smoked Bacon Benny for $16.50. It was amazing and the bacon was crispy which made it even better. All my daughter could say was ‘Yummy!’. She had all the same comments as our food as well.
The Service
The staff were amazing, we ended up talking to the owner when we paying and she said that this is a family run business from the beginning, there is multiple generations working here. They have very quick turnaround for the tables and the are absolutely amazing all around.
The Hours
Monday to Saturday – 7:30am to 2:30pm
Sunday – 8:00am to 2:30pm
Parking
There is street parking on either side of the street and you will have to pay for parking, but if you have forgotten or need to add time there is a parking machine right in front of the restaurant.
Last Words
Whenever we head through Kamloops we will be stopping here for sure. We had the best experience and the most amazing food so it is a no brainer that we will be visiting again.
One of the main reasons for coming to Gibson’s was to visit one of my favourite shops, Beachcomber. I have loved their coffee for a while now and I was super happy that we could visit here. They have such a nice location above the main street and they are at an elevation that you can see the water from their front door. Such a nice view for sure.
The Interior
When you walk in there is a bank of tables on the right and the bar is on the left. In the front window they have a bench and shelving that has a ton of product for sale, but no prices. In their showcase today they had Deadly Donuts and boy or boy they were flying out of there for sure.
The Drinks
It was not very hard for us to decide what we wanted to drink since they have a limited menu, which is very nice, no need for a ton of options.
I ordered a Latte for $4.50 and it was a dark roast that kicked you in your face. It was very strong but had very good flavour.
My wife ordered the London Fog for $4.50 and it was made with Wise Monkey tea, which we know is very weak tea, so my London Fog was very weak with not much flavour.
My daughter ordered a Mocha for $5 and it was delicious. She said it had amazing flavour and it was really good that it came with whipped cream.
The Service
The staff were friendly and it was busy so it was nice that they were able to make it a great experience even though they were crazy. It was so great that we were able to ask questions and get answers without feeling like an inconvenience.
The Hours
Daily – 7:00am to 5:00pm
Parking
There was parking all around the cafe on either side of the road and it was all free parking.
Last Words
If we are back in Gibsons in the future I would for sure head back and get a beverage and pick up some coffee. If I cannot make it back then I would for sure order more of their coffee beans online and have it shipped to me.
We decided to get up early, catch a ferry and head over to Gibsons to check out a couple cool places there. Our first stop right off the ferry was to Molly’s Reach. I am so glad we got there when we did because it seemed like everyone that was on the ferry went there first as well. If you don’t know about Molly’s Reach here is a little backstory…
“There are Beachcombers fans on every continent. From 1972 until 1990, audiences across Canada and around the world tuned in to watch a quirky comedy-drama unfold in the out-of-the-way town of Gibsons, on the coast of British Columbia. Life was simple there – it revolved around boats, logs, and cups of coffee at a local diner called Molly’s Reach. Nowadays you don’t have to be a beachcomber to eat at Molly’s… the same welcoming atmosphere that put Gibsons on the map.”
This was a show that I watched when I was younger and when we were in Vancouver last time we were talking about heading over to Gibson and this time we were able to come. I was and will forever be a Beachcomber.
The Interior
All over the walls there is memorabilia from the show Beachcomber, there are news articles, pictures, signed pictures, and lines from the show. They have a bunch of tables surrounding the kitchen and coffee bar. It was so nice sitting on the water with the windows being able to open and the flower boxes sitting outside. It was a great experience.
The Food
After taking in everything around us we decided to order some food.
I ordered the Stacked Breakfast for $13 and it was really good. The bacon and eggs were cooked perfectly and the potatoes were amazing.
My wife ordered the Holy’s Hash Bowl for $18 and it was really good. It looks small but it was very filling. The potatoes were delicious and they had a ton of meat in this little bowl.
My daughter ordered the Smoked Pork Benny for $17 and she said it really good. She said that she wished it came with toast or potatoes, just something a little extra for that price. She also said that the hollandaise was really good. She was sad that she didn’t get her fruit cup like it said on the menu.
The Service
Everyone working was very friendly and helpful. We only commented that we got our food before our drinks and we had only ordered juice, which we thought was strange. The atmosphere is absolutely amazing.
The Hours
Wednesday to Sunday – 8:00am to 3:00pm
Parking
There is only street parking since it is located on a corner in lower Gibsons, thankfully all the parking is free.
Last Words
We will definitely be heading back to Gibsons in the future so we can stop at Molly’s Reach and then see what else Gibson’s has to offer, or just stop here and then catch another ferry to the next island.
Extreme Coffee Freak 