Well, I’m not sure how to start this post any other way than telling you I just had my taste buds handed to me…it all started yesterday around noon, I was in a deep conversation with my good friends Mike and Tracy about the importance of supporting each other by attending the ‘work christmas party’ (this somehow involved me promising Mike a dance..which was a poor idea picture a drunk Elaine Benes), all of a sudden a man walked into the lab looking for grooves for his wife, I noticed his accent immediately, and asked what part of France he was from, he raised his eyebrows and exclaimed “Paris!” (but only the way someone from Paris can say it..it sounds more like Peri and is generally attached to a smile). As soon as he said it I to tell him about the French Restaurant Jake had taken me only the night before (La Brasserie) which instantly escalated the conversation fueled by his passion and knowledge for French cuisine, Fabrice (his name) mentioned La Crocodile and how it would trump any sort of experience that I may have had in any other French restaurant in Vancouver, we laughed and playfully defended our experiences at both. This conversation had mutated into a discussion over French pastries, I (of course) mentioned the to-die-for croissants we all know and love at 49th Parallel on 4th, he laughed ‘Ah my dear Oleef..you have not had a pastry yet..come to my bakery, I will show you a pastry, I will take care of you’. My eyebrows were raised, we shook on it and I promised him that he would see me.
So that brings me to this morning, a full day off, no plans in sight, Jake and I hopped in the truck and squirted up to 10th and Arbutus. As we approached Plasir Sucre the familiar eyes of the owner met mine through the glass, he was on the phone but it didn’t stop him from coming outside to greet both Jake and I. ‘Ah Oleef! You came! Come in! Let me take care of you…’ Jake and I walked into the packed boulangerie and were in aw. The aroma of exotic tea and spices mixed with the scent of fresh bread being baked took us by the collar and led us directly to a beautiful display of pastries. Fabrice immediately began filling a paperback with chocolate, almond and plain croissants, he handed them to me and looked me in the eye reminding me that he said he would take care of me if I came..I smiled and thanked him handing the bag of goodies to Jake, before I could do anything else he started to slice something and quickly handed both Jake and I a slice of freshly baked peppercorn bread. I had never tasted bread like this before, somehow he was able to keep the firm crust that lined a spice infused slice of heaven. He wrapped up the rest of the loaf and handed it to me, giving me another silencing look when I reached for my wallet. We sat down and opened the bag, Jake taking the almond croissant and (of course) I dove for the chocolate. We sat there in a haze of flavor, discussing the experience must be similar to how it must feel to taste really good food for the very first time. We spent some time thanking our new friend, admiring some of the other dishes people were having and smelling some of the bakeries beautiful selection of tea’s. I was very happy I met Fabrice, and so was my stomach! Jake ended up telling two people about the little shop on as we ventured back to the truck (no joke-finishing the second croissants).
Need more proof? http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/14/1501365/restaurant/Kitsilano/Plaisir-Sucre-Vancouver
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