By Sasha Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: November 6, 2013
Monday – Saturday:
8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
32500 South Fraser Way,
Abbotsford
Prices: $6 – $8 for cheesecake
Three words: dreamy creamy cheesecake.
Afterthoughts makes—wait for it—70 kinds of cheesecake. They rotate the cakes, and they make them fresh in-store. So what’s your fantasy cheesecake? Afterthoughts probably has it.
I first went there with some friends. It was after 10 p.m., and we didn’t want to go to a pub or fast-food place. There aren’t a lot of small family-owned coffee shops open in the evening in Abbotsford. Afterthoughts is open until 11 p.m. almost every night of the week, and they get pretty busy.
I’ve been a cheesecake buff for a long time. Serious Eats, a New York-based food website, went hunting for the best cheesecake in NY. Their definition of a first-class cheesecake is a cake that’s “smooth and creamy, just sweet enough, with a hint of tartness. If there’s a crust, it adds something extra without overwhelming the taste of the cheesecake itself. And it’s rich enough to seem a bit decadent, without going down like a cement pour.”
I’m not from New York, but I agree. The biggest cheesecake risk is in the richness. If you can’t eat more than four bites, and it hits your stomach too hard, that makes a less than desirable cake. For me, part of the joy of cheesecake is how you feel after you’ve just finished a piece – that delicious satisfaction.
Afterthoughts knows what I mean. They strike the perfect balance of rich and light, of velvety cream and firm graham-cracker crust. It’s not every place I trust enough to take risks, but with Afterthoughts, I don’t mind trying new things. I usually go for fruit cheesecakes – the Cherry Vancouver was my first at Afterthoughts. But the chocolate bar cakes—Wunderbar, Snickers, and even Kit-Kat—are tasty and not as heavy as you’d think. For a seasonal choice, the pumpkin cheesecake is subtle in flavour and delicious.
Afterthoughts cakes are good enough to make me feel adventurous. Considering the prices of cheesecake, that’s saying quite a bit. I have to get my money’s worth, and I think Afterthoughts’ cheesecake is worth my money (and I’m very cheap). Around town, cheesecake prices don’t go lower than five dollars for a normal-size piece. Afterthoughts sells them for $6-8 a slice, depending on how elaborate it is. The slices aren’t huge, but they are plenty – I always split mine with whomever I’ve dragged along with me.
And let me tell you: Afterthoughts cheesecakes are creamy and dreamy, but that’s not all they offer. There are other types of cakes, as well as pies and other pastries.
I had their fruit pie turnover—apple-peach—and it was fantastic. If you love pie for the soft, fluffy pastry and sweet fruity filling, get the pie turnover. It’s the perfect pie pocket. These people know how to do pastry.
Where the food is good, the store matches. Walking in, Afterthoughts gives a good first impression. The windows are big, the seating area is bright, and the tables are clean – with fresh flowers on them for a pleasant touch. Afterthoughts has dodged the common pitfalls of coffee shops – the slightly-too-loud music, the uncomfortable seating, and the clunky, annoying coffee cups. It’s a nice place to sit, talk, and share a slice of cheesecake.
The staff aren’t friendly, but they are efficient and get the job done and I guess that’s what matters. Because cheesecake.
On the other hand… This may be a strange note, but every time I go to Afterthoughts, I’ve really noticed how considerate the other customers are. I don’t know if this is a fluke, or if Afterthoughts draws gentle and thoughtful people like a magnet… But customers keep their voices down, they say “excuse me” and smile, and they even put their spoons into the “dirty spoon” cup after stirring their coffee at the cream-and-sugar table (bet you don’t see that at Starbucks). Even conversations I eavesdrop on are just plain pleasant. I definitely overheard a Bible study group the other day.
So I recommend a visit – go try some cheesecake! Unless you’re a jerk. Don’t taint the good vibes Afterthoughts has going.
