New Eats: Crackle Crème

It’s worth noting that, upon walking into Crackle Crème, we witnessed two separate parties happily calling, “We’ll be back!” as they exited the place.

Perfectly poised to catch summer’s golden hour beaming over the cool stretch of Union Street past the Jimi Hendrix Shrine, this specialized crème brulèe joint is undeniably unique, and immediately irresistible. Ramekins of flavoured custard are torched on site, filling the space with a delicious burnt-sugar waft. We satisfyingly cracked the tops of a classic vanilla bean brulèe and lemon-leaf and orange brulèe—both were divine, and we’ll certainly be back to taste rotating flavours like Earl Grey, organic matcha and chocolate with fresh berries. Liege waffles are available, too, studded with Belgian sugar crystals and topped with “adult Nutella”—a mix of cocoa, ground hazelnuts, and Baileys that’s veritably XXX-rated.

Great coffee and Bruce Springsteen on the radio rounds it out! —Adrienne Matei

Crackle Crème Gourmet Crème Brulèe, 245 Union St., Vancouver, 778-847-8533, http://cracklecreme.com