Mink Chocolates

After Dim Sum at Imperial, Whipping Girl insisted that we go visit Mink Chocolates. I normally do not eat a lot of chocolates; but I do get into it during Christmas. I had to put more money in the meter along the way - freakin' $2 for 24 minutes!!! So not being much of a chocolate connoisseur, I really didn't know what Mink was all about when Whipping Girl mentioned it to me whilst I was munching on chicken feet.

As we walked up to Mink, I got the idea. A place where you can get chocolate, treats and a beverage. It looked pretty trendy and I was beginning to be afraid that it would be all looks and no substance. Imagine that, all looks no substance, in downtown... Anyways, it was a glorious day in Downtown Vancouver, with the sun shining bright, the birds chirping, people bustling and temperature rising. Great day for hot chocolate, right? Yah, that's what I thought too when Whipping Girl ordered up 2 hot chocolates. Was she trying to kill me? Well, with skepticism in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other, we left Mink. Before I had a chance to take a sip, Whipping Girl explained if she was having a bad day, she would come down to Mink for some chocolate goodness. Hmmm... When I have a bad day, I just look at pictures of food. Am I the only one that does that??? Yes, I'm an ice hockey goalie... but I'm not crazy!

So I finally got a chance to take a sip of hot chocolate in the beautiful sunshine. Whipping Girl looked on with great anticipation. I thought to myself, what's the big deal? It's hot chocolate, how good can it be??? Well, one sip and I immediately could tell that this was no ordinary hot chocolate. Oh no, not that powdered crap you get out of a vending machine at the law courts or at the AQ at Simon Fraser. It was smooth, sweet, sensual (?) and not burning hot. I was looking for adjectives to describe this heavenly drink and settled on, "It tastes like I'm drinking a chocolate bar". Whipping Girl actually helped me finish the sentence as if she was reading my mind. Yes, the chocolate flavour was bursting with yummy vanilla sweetness. I couldn't believe I was ranting and raving about a hot chocolate. The piece of extra dark chocolate that accompanied the beverage was just plain good. I'm not a chocolate connoisseur, so I don't really have the adjectives to describe it. You have to trust me (famous last words). As I got into my car, Whipping Girl seem content walking away, again earning props from moi regarding her Mink recommendation.

The Good:
- The place has a good vibe - trendy and inviting
- Excellent hot chocolate
- Good chocolate

The Bad:
- Well, with anything trendy and good, it doesn't come cheap
- Not really a huge selection

Mink Chocolates
863 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, B.C.
604-633-2451
www.minkchocolates.com