Gluten-hunting trip results in several treasures
Last week I was a promiscuous bakery hound, prowling around Richmond, Vancouver and even Squamish, a gluten-seeking missile.
I went for lunch at Origo Club in Richmond (origoclub.ca), but with an ulterior motive of trying some of Remi Ho’s pastries; he honed his craft at high-end spots such as Cioppino’s, Chez Christophe and Secret Location.
I loved, loved his velvety cheese tart with just a hint of sweet. Apparently, he had something similar in Tokyo that he deemed brilliant and this is his effort to make the same. I also had a cream puff with matcha white chocolate ganache, mochi and dulce de leche, another winner. My beverage of choice was a beautiful Lapsang Souchang tea that was like a peaty scotch.
Also last week, Origo Club began afternoon tea, available Fridays and Saturdays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. for $45; the pastries and savouries are artfully presented on sculptural tiered shelves.
Next, I visited the tiny Fife Bakery (fifebakery.com) on East Third Avenue in a semi-industrial neighbourhood of Vancouver where 20-something baker Felix Yau makes some of the city’s best bread. But this time, I went for savouries. The cheese and spinach tart was fine, but a sausage roll with Oyama sausage was delicious.
Since L’Atelier Patisserie (latelierpatisserie.com) over on East Fifth Avenue is within a bread’sthrow distance of Fife, I went to try its croissant. I’m always appreciative of a good croissant discovery. It was very good, and so was a pain au raisin. (Oh, I also got croissants at Origo and they, too, had that shatter exterior and moist, buttery interior pockets of air.) Love this little place with the friendly owner from Marseilles; it reminds me of patisseries in little French villages.
And finally, I discovered Tall Tree Bakery in Squamish (talltreebakery.com), next door to Backcountry Brewing, when I was headed there for a pint and some food. Alas, it was near closing and since I was headed to dinner, I didn’t buy anything, but the website shows all kinds of artisanal breads, pastries and savouries.
Next trip up, I’m going in!