I’m not even trying for dramatic effect when I say that I’ve been meaning to go to Thomas Haas for years!

Seriously, I’ve wanted to visit the café since the first location opened in 2005, back then I used to buy Thomas Haas chocolate bars at the Whole Foods in West Van, my favourite were the matcha tea bars, I used to load up on them when they’d go on sale.

Several long years later, having eaten my way through the newer patisseries that have cropped up in the city, I ran out of reasons not to go to Thomas Haas.

So on a dark rainy Saturday, we went for coffee at Thomas Haas Chocolates, at the North Van location tucked away in a quiet industrial area with nice views of downtown Vancouver.

It was an afternoon of very few plans, one of those where you pull up a stool at a café, savour delicious coffee and delicate pastries, and linger – I’ve dubbed these ‘coffee & chat afternoons’ and I plan on having a lot of these this year.

And that’s exactly what I did; sat, enjoyed my coffee and had a great conversation… and took some photos

I love the other times when there’re no conversations too, just a few unobtrusive moments to just be and reflect.

Seating was limited and the place packed, yet it was a friendly and comfortable atmosphere with pastries and confections beautifully showcased, and a welcoming staff.

I had almond milk mocha with my almond croissant – it was perfect!
The croissants were buttery and flaky with lots of layers, and the mocha smooth and chocolaty, just what you’d expect from an award-winning pâtissier.