By Jennifer Patterson
A much-deserved ice cream break on the dock at Granville Island. Photo by KK Law
Battle brain freeze while enjoying a sweet frozen treat. The ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery is anything but ordinary: pick from dozens of flavours, from banana rum to raspberry; choose some toppings, from sliced almonds to gummy bears; then watch as it’s all mixed together on—what else—a cold marble slab. (more…)
The forecast is for sunny skies and summery weather, so we highlight three sweet treats to satisfy your sweet tooth (and one of them is ice cream!).
Local fave Pascale's All Natural Ice Cream is available at stores and restaurants around Ottawa. Photo credit: Alexandre Mattar.
Pascale’s All Natural Ice Cream
Rich, creamy, and made with fresh ingredients. The unusual gourmet flavours, such as white chocolate pistachio and dark chocolate sea salt, have made it a local favourite. Retails for $10.95-$12 for a half litre. Available at The Piggy Market, 400 Winston Ave., and several other stores and restaurants in Ottawa. www.pascalesicecream.com
Flourless, Decadent Chocolate Cake
Dense, moist, and not overly sweet, just what a flourless chocolate cake should be. $8. Flying Piggy’s, 1665 Bank St., 613-526-4900. www.flyingpiggys.com
Banoffee Pie
A restaurant staple at Allium, this pie boasts a graham crumb crust filled with toffee, bananas, cream, and shaved chocolate. $8. 87 Holland Ave., 613-792-1313. www.alliumrestaurant.com
Tucked away on Vancouver Island, north of Nanaimo off the Island Highway is Coombs, a place that’s become known for its signature rooftop of grazing goats. Under that roof is The Old Country Market, a quirky grocery store that offers a huge selection of breads and sweets made in their bakery, a cheese shop and imported foods that run the gamut from English licorice to bacon-flavoured mayonnaise a.k.a. Baconnaise.
Before you head to the Market to shop, have lunch at Cuckoo in Coombs Trattoria & Pizzeria. The Italian restaurant offers pasta and wood-stove pizza in a large space with wooden tables and rustic tablecloths (which you can buy next door in Zolena). If the weather is nice, sit out back on the patio under the plum trees. Just outside the restaurant is the greenery area with large pots and Chinese statues, shrubbery and small cacti. Nestled in amongst the plants is Zolena, a shop with wool blankets from New Zealand, Chinese silk bags and bangles from India. (more…)
Nimby Burger photo by KK Law
Burgers cooked to order, hand-cut French fries, thick milkshakes made from real ice cream—the menu is simple but stellar at Nimby Burger, a casual walk-up window across the street from Kits Beach. It reopens May 20, just in time for the long weekend and the kick-off to summer.—Sheri Radford
This popular hub of activity along English Bay offers tasty food, sweet treats and great summer activities
By Kendra Wong
Beetroot salad at Raincity Grill
DOWN BY THE BAY
Satisfy seafood cravings at some of the city’s favourite bayside eateries. Enjoy gourmet Alaskan king crab, sablefish and lobster ravioli at seafood destination 1 The Boathouse. During the hot summer days, chill out on the patio at 2 Milestones Grill and Bar with one of the famous bellinis. 3 Raincity Grill (pictured, right) offers a great view of English Bay and serves classic seafood dishes including seared BC albacore tuna and goat cheese cannelloni.
SWEET TASTE OF SUMMER
After a walk along the beach, cool down with some delicious treats. Indulge in customized ice cream orders at 4 Marble Slab Creamery. Step into 5 Cupcakes for an assortment of flavours ranging from chocolate to coconut. Head to 6 Qoola Frozen Yogurt and try the refreshing green tea
flavour.
GET YOUR SPORT ON
Enjoy kayaks or paddle boats—complete with rentals and lessons—or take a guided tour of Vancouver’s shoreline with 7 Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre.
Inukshuk at English Bay. Photo by Andy Mons courtesy Tourism Vancouver
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
Seeking an activity that doesn’t cost a penny? Take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, go suntanning with friends—don’t forget your sunscreen—or enjoy a breathtaking sunset. A short walk along the beach takes you to the 6-m- (20-ft-) tall Inukshuk stone monument (pictured, left).
The south end of Denman Street is just a short walk from downtown. Or hop on the #5 bus heading west on Robson Street.
The gorgeous greens of Whistler Golf Club. Photo by John Henebry courtesy Tourism Whistler
1 Stunningly beautiful golf courses: there’s no better place to try for that elusive hole-in-one.
2 Skiing and snowboarding, even in the summer.
3 A leisurely hike through the mountains followed by a ride on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola.
4 Flightseeing. The scenery is even more spectacular when seen from the sky.
5 The bustling Whistler Farmers’ Market, which carries produce fresh from nearby farms.
6 Hearing accents from around the world, from both visitors and locals.
7 The pedestrian-only village.
8 Enjoying a cold beer on a restaurant patio.
9 Enough events and festivals to keep you busy every day.
10 Wandering through the many art galleries.
Hikers walk by the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. Photo by Paul Morrison courtesy Tourism Whistler
11 Friendly locals eager to point a confused visitor in the right direction.
12 Flying through the trees—with the greatest of ease, of course—on a thrilling zipline adventure.
13 A once-in-a-lifetime train trip with Rocky Mountaineer.
14 Dining on award-winning cuisine at Araxi.
15 Guided bear tours with local bear researcher Michael Allen.
16 Discovering the rich heritage of the local First Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
17 Gorgeous views. Whichever direction you turn, it looks like a postcard.
18 Buying fresh waffle cones overflowing with giant scoops of ice cream from Cows Whistler.
19 Shakin’ your groove thang at local nightclubs.
20 Anything and everything outdoors, from kayaking to fishing to mountain biking.
Callebaut's delectable soft serve ice cream
Of all things enjoyed during summer, ice cream tops the list. Soft-serve Belgian white chocolate ice cream at Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut is a luxurious treat for refined tastes. Reader’s Digest rates Cows ice cream “Canada’s best.” We’re fond of ‘Messie Bessie’, a combination of rich chocolate ice cream, Skor bar, English toffee and Oreo cookie.—RM
Cool off this summer at some of Calgary’s best spots for sweet frozen treats.
AMATO GELATO CAFE
This Italian café on Kensington Road is known for its wide selection of homemade gelatos and sorbettos. From coconut mango swirl to cookies and cream, their 72 flavours ran the gamut from typical to unusual. Also on their menu is a selection of frozen yoghurts, non-dairy tofulatis and low-sugar gelatos and sorbettos. Enjoy any of their frozen treats on their sidewalk patio.
LIC’S
Also known as Leavitt’s Ice Cream Shop, this family-run ice cream parlour is designed like a ‘50s soda shop and located just off the Bow River Pathway. Try one of their regular flavours in a homemade waffle cone, or a pick of the month such as raspberry cheesecake or Turtle. Enjoy the store’s player piano while you eat your cone, which staff play upon request. Lic’s also makes ice cream cakes, which can be ordered in advance for special occasions; flavours include mint chocolate chip and chocolate fudge.
MACKAY’S ICE CREAM
A Cochrane landmark, this ice cream parlour is best known for its extra-creamy homemade ice cream. Made from a family recipe and using the highest butterfat cream available, MacKay’s has been in business for over sixty years. Enjoy some of their favourite flavours such as mango or chocolate peanut butter—served all year round—or try a seasonal flavour such as Mini Egg Hunt for Easter and gingerbread at Christmas.
MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY
For those who like to design their own dessert, Marble Slab is the place to go. Pick from the different varieties of waffle cones dipped in chocolate and candies, or a waffle bowl. Next choose an ice cream flavour such as birthday cake, key lime or coffee, and select your “mixins.” You can mix two or three ingredients into your ice cream, including fruit or crushed chocolate bars and candies. All your selections are then mixed together on a cold marble slab. If you find the number of decisions too daunting, you can try one of their already designed creations or a milkshake made with plain ice cream.
MY FAVORITE ICE CREAM SHOPPE
People may come to My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe for the wide selection of ice cream flavours, but they stay for the atmosphere. Situated in the neighbourhood of Marda Loop, the shoppe is decorated with a collection of ice cream memorabilia, from black and white photos and vintage signs to old church pews lining the walls. Ice cream flavours remain consistent with old favourites such as brownie meltdown and candyfloss, as well as new varieties such as After Eight. Piano players can also get their ice cream free by playing the shoppe’s instrument for a minimum of 10 minutes.
NECTAR DESSERTS
This Inglewood dessert bar is a spot for the true connoisseur, with a wide selection of cakes and tarts paired with wines and coffees. They also serve their own made-from-scratch ice cream and sorbet, available in their retail shop and served in a homemade cone or take-home carton. Try one of their original ice cream flavours such as blue cheese or Mexican vanilla, or enjoy a fruit sorbet made from guava, blackberry or honey tangerine. —Elena Redd