While Dine Out Vancouver is happening, did you know there’s also Hot Chocolate Festival? In fact, this is the 10th annual Hot Chocolate Festival. 44 different locations offering more than 110 flavours over a 4-week period, up until Valentine’s Day. Of course, I take this opportunity every year to discover local chocolatiers and find whimsical, creative hot chocolates.
First stop this year is the new 1931 Gallery Bistro at the Vancouver Art Gallery. They have recently renovated the bistro space upstairs from the art gallery and renamed it. They are also part of Dine Out Vancouver but I thought its $45 menu wasn’t quite worth it and they didn’t make it on my list.
Anyway, onto the hot chocolates. I was very intrigued because all their creations were inspired by art. Unfortunately, they were having technical difficulty so at the time of my visit they could only offer 2 of the 4 creations listed on the official website. As per my usual, I ordered one of each.
The Group of Seven is a homage to Canadian landscape painters. It features seven distinct chocolate elements on a malted hot chocolate base. Flavours were strong and rich, and I really liked the chocolate pearls. What bothers me, now that I’m looking back, is that I never received my mille-feuille!! It was just the drink on my plate.
On the other hand, Show Me the Monet was a letdown. It is inspired by Monet’s famous water lily gardens. It’s a Ruby Callebaut hot chocolate, accompanied by parmesan and candied pecans, and a white chocolate and pistachio-stuffed pretzel. I had ruby before and I have enjoyed its fruity, acidic flavour. I got none of that here. It’s almost like a watered-down hot chocolate, with very little flavour. The pretzel was also quite tough to chew – I couldn’t finish it.
Final Thoughts
Between the two, I preferred the Group of Seven; but at $8.95 each, I don’t think neither was worth the money, especially I didn’t get my mille-feuille (it’s partly my fault for not noticing but they shouldn’t have not served it). Overall, I think the hot chocolates here are over-priced and I expected more from these art-inspired creations. Even though they have two more on the menu, I’m afraid I won’t be going back for more. I left the restaurant feeling a bit disappointed.
1931 Gallery Bistro (2nd Floor of Vancouver Art Gallery)
750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
604-662-4831
1931gallerybistro.com
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