Chelsea Barr from the City of Nanaimo has been promoting the city’s latest (and sweetest) attraction. She’s put together the “Nanaimo Bar Trail” in honor of the famous 3-layer chocolate dessert invented in (and named after) Nanaimo.
Normally served up in bar form with a layer of vanilla custard between a bed of coconut and a solid chocolate topper, the Nanaimo Bar is being transformed into many different creations around the city. Keira and I had the chance to explore a few of these decadent treats during our recent visit to the Harbour City.
A Wee Cupcakery
Location: 407 Fitzwilliam Street
Website: AWeeCupcakery.com
Specialty: The Nanaimo Bar Cupcake
While there were no Nanaimo Bar cupcakes on display by the time we strolled into the shop we had our pick from gluten-free creations, dark vanilla, gingerbread, and red velvet cupcakes topped with healthy dollop of sour cream icing. It’s also conveniently located just down the street from Jakeobs Ice Cream who serves up a massive Nanaimo Bar-theme ice cream sundae.
Modern Cafe
Location: 221 Commercial Street
Website: TheModernCafe.ca
Specialty: The Nanaimo Bar Martini
Vanilla vodka, creme de cacao, espresso, coconut syrup and a healthy swirl of chocolate sauce makes this super sweet martini complete. The addition of the coconut syrup and chocolate sauce really give it a Nanaimo Bar-like taste and if you’re enjoying one late in the evening, you can ask for decaf espresso.
Pirate Chips
Location: 1 Commercial Street
Website: Go Nanaimo Blog
Specialty: The Deep-Fried Nanaimo Bar
Known for their deep-fried specialties (from fish and fries to Mars bars), Pirate Chips serves up a piping hot deep-fried Nanaimo Bar coated in a light cinnamon batter. This crispy treat is melted and chewy on the inside, while it doesn’t lose the flavours from each layer of the bar.
Other stops on the tour include Mon Petit Choux for an organic version, the Nanaimo Museum for a brief history of the dessert, and Minnoz in the Coast Hotel for a Nanaimo Bar cheesecake. You can read about all of Chelsea’s recommended stops in this article she wrote for EAT Magazine or stop into one (or all) of the locations we visited this month.
Follow all articles from our girls getaway in Nanaimo and Victoria this November by viewing my Vancouver Island category.
Ducking into our houses to escape the ghosts made with our breaths, we grab our flannel pijamas, fleece blankets, and cozy-up on the couch to keep warm for the evening. Unfortunately for many in Vancouver, this just cannot and does not happen. Hundreds are on the streets and in shelters, without the luxury of a Snuggie or even a pair of wool socks.
Warm Clothing Donation Sites in Vancouver
I know that every one of us probably has a perfectly good coat in the closet that just isn’t worn anymore or a pair of brand new hoodies that are just a few sizes too big. This is your chance to clear out your storage spaces, boxes and bins, and give these items to those who could really use them. Here’s an easy reference list of donation drop off locations around Vancouver:
Covenant House BC
Location: 575 Drake Street, Vancouver, BC
Needed items: New hoodies, coats, running shoes (for men and women, assorted sizes).
Sock Granny Sock Drive
Location: Little Mountain Place, 330 East 36th Ave (and various Starbucks)
Needed: Socks, toques, travel mugs, underwear and tea bags will be donated to MPA Society.
First United Church
Location: 320 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Neeeded: Warm jackets, toques, vests, warm shirts, pants shoes, socks, and underwear.
Lookout Emergency Shelter
Location: 346 Alexander, Vancouver. Call (604) 255-0340 for drop-off instructions
Needed: Blankets and comfort items (toothbrushes, combs, bandaids)
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre
Location: 302 Columbia Street, Vancouver
Needed: Warm clothing, socks, underwear, outer wear.
The Salvation Army Harbour Light
Location: 119 East Cordova Street
Needed: Blankets, underwear, socks, jackets, gloves/mittens, scarves, and hats.
Blanket Drive at various real estate offices
Locations: Download this PDF for a list of locations in Metro Vancouver
Needed: Warm blankets
Blanket Drive on the Line
Location: 12 SkyTrain and Canada Line stations on Friday November 26, 2010
Needed: Warm blankets collected on behalf of BlanketBC
City of Vancouver Archives
Location: Vanier Park
Needed: Warm clothing donations that will be dropped off at The Gathering Place.
Union Gospel Mission – UGM Outreach Team
Location: 616 E Cordova Street
Needed: Warm clothing items, new and gently-worn.
Two years ago a group of people took it upon themselves to make a difference. They connected through Twitter and came together for a Tweetup Heatup, collecting coats and warm clothing donations to hand out in the Downtown Eastside. This sparked Tweetup Heatups in several other cities across North America including Pittsburgh.
One small gesture, one afternoon, can make a difference. Let’s make sure all Vancouverites can get through this cold snap.
I realized that I let my 6-year “blogiversary” slip past me yesterday as it was on November 22nd 2004 that I wrote my first blog post. I had the site up on Blogger for a while before that and had no idea what to publish. What I ended up posting was random and scattered. I spoke of rain, trains, and pancakes with candles made of butter. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Holland Park in Surrey has become a central celebration site for festivals, seasonal activities, and community events. On November 30th you can join Mayor Dianne Watts for a Tree Lighting Ceremony complete with face-painting, hot beverages, family activities, fire dancers, a children’s choir and various other entertainment.
When Tuesday, November 30th from 5:00pm until 7:00pm
Where Holland Park at King George Highway & 100th (Old Yale Road)
The public are also encouraged to bring along non-perishable items to donate to the Surrey Food Bank.
For most of my life, the only time I had ever spent in the Nanaimo are was either at Departure Bay or Duke Point ferry terminals. Nanaimo is a port for vessels carrying tourists, travellers and commuters however in recent years its own downtown core has become known as a great place to eat, shop, and live. During our recent girls getaway to Victoria, we stopped off in Nanaimo for the first day to explore what this burgeoning arts and culinary community has to offer.
The Harbour City is split into several districts and in one afternoon of walking around we hit the Waterfront, Old City Quarter, and Arts District.
Mon Petit Choux Bakery
Location: 101 – 120 Commercial St.
Website: MonPetitChoux.ca
When walking into this “little corner of Paris” in Nanaimo you get a bear-hug of aromas from fresh-baked bread and buttery croissants. I enjoyed an Americano and a delicious Croque-Madam to get my morning going. The owner is very passionate about real, fresh, organic and local ingredients going into their food. There is even a mission statement posted on the cafe’s window that reiterates her message to passersby. Mon Petit Choux is the smaller sibling to The Wesley Street Cafe up in the Old City Quarter.
Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Location: 101 Gordon Street
Website: VIConference.com
While we weren’t there to attend any keynote sessions, the sign out front at the conference centre advertised a unique showing of E.J. Hughes’ Malaspina mural. Completed in 1938 it was recently restored after being discovered at the historic Malaspina Hotel prior to its demolition. The conference centre serves not only as a meeting place, but also an extension of the Nanaimo Art Gallery for city expositions, complimenting the Nanaimo Museum just across the street.
Barton and Leier Gallery
Location: 99 Chapel Street
Website: BartonandLeierGallery.com
This colourful boutique and gallery shimmers, shines, and dazzles with local and international pieces. Paintings and hand-made jewelry adorn the walls while trinkets, chains, ornaments and accessories hang all around.
2 Chefs Affair
Location: 123 Commercial Street
Website: DNBIA
Only a month old this new bistro cafe specializes in eat-in and take-out lunches prepared by a husband and wife team. After some very sweet treats throughout the day their “Smokin’ Hot” clubhouse sandwich was exactly what I needed to re-charge.
Throughout our walk we ducked into independent shoe stores, home decor meccas, clothing shops, and a European specialty deli. Every proprietor was around to greet us, tell us about their latest collections, and chat about their passion — whether it was fresh-baked breads, imported squid-ink pasta, or the cozy knit sweaters. Old architecture and traditions mixed with modern concepts around every turn. It easily convinced me that Nanaimo can be a day-trip destination from Metro Vancouver by ferry or float plane.
During this walking tour we also paused to get a tea leaf reading and explored a few stops along the Nanaimo Bar Tour, which I’ll cover in future posts.
Follow all articles from our girls getaway in Nanaimo and Victoria this November by viewing my Vancouver Island category.
