Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coffee. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 25, 2019
Friday, November 9, 2018
Brunch at BRU (11965 Jasper Ave.)
Brunching at BRU with a build my own plate of medium poached eggs, smoked salmon, and beef sausage. That was one of the best beef sausages I have ever had - well done and perfectly seasoned without being greasy. The eggs were done perfectly. With fruit and toast rounding out the plate, I didn’t miss potatoes at all. To drink is the “Little Buddy” with a macchiato, extra shot of espresso on the side, and water. Great way to start my Saturday.
Vegan Iced Coffee at Padmanadi (10740 101 Street)
Happiness is a vegan iced coffee. This is like poetry in a picture of a beverage.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Lunch at Share at the Westin
A colleague and I were staffing a table at a conference recently at the Westin Hotel. We decided to lunch at Share, the hotel's restaurant, for convenience's sake. We had missed breakfast, but were able to take advantage of the fixed price lunch menu, which included coffee, a main, and a dessert for only $15.
To start, we decided to share an order of corn fritters. Crispy and slightly sweet, the warm maple vinaigrette went well with them, as did the guacamole, which was a surprise. An interesting flavour profile, but it worked in a Southern kind of way.
To start, we decided to share an order of corn fritters. Crispy and slightly sweet, the warm maple vinaigrette went well with them, as did the guacamole, which was a surprise. An interesting flavour profile, but it worked in a Southern kind of way.
We both had the avocado toast three ways, which led to jokes about why this meant we would never have nice things. Jokes aside, the finger-sized toasts were piled high with avocado, as well as three different toppings - smoked salmon (my favourite), caramelized onions (with feta, that I held), and tomato with balsamic dressing. A heaping pile of arugula was on the side.
Our dessert was the creme brûlée, topped with some fruit and garnished with a small biscotti. The top was perfectly crispy and not burned. It was a great end to a great meal.
Sweet Corn Muffin at District Cafe and Bakery
I love corn bread and muffins, and not just as sides to soups and barbecue. A good corn muffin should be able to hold its own, the the sweet corn muffin I had recently at District Cafe and Bakery hit the spot. It was sweet, crunchy on top, and full of corn.
Just Desserts: Mixed Berry Frangipane Cake at Block 1912
Saturday afternoons at Block 1912 are precious, when I have a moment to catch my breath. This past weekend I paired a mixed berry frangipane cake with my cappuccino. The cake had a crispy bottom, with a moist centre layered with fruit. Of course, the top was covered with fresh fruit. The result was not too heavy and very satisfying (and delicious).
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Just Desserts: Nutella Creme Brulee at Block 1912
Block 1912 is a regular haunt of mine on Saturdays. I had a craving for dessert, so headed here for espresso and a Nutella creme brulee. I was tempted to try one, even though I have never been a huge creme brulee fan, after seeing an episode of the Baker Sisters where the women visit Block 1912 and owner Jorel shows how it is made (on the show, it is referred to as "hazelnut chocolate creme brulee, likely because of the fact Nutella is a trade name and this was not a commercial for it). First of all, I love Nutella, so the creamy, chocolatey filling was decadent and rich to my tastebuds. The use of caramel on top worked so well because it hardened into candy. As pointed out on the show, sugar is generally used in this dessert, which ends up getting a burned taste that I personally find sickening. However, this dessert was perfection and I am already craving more.
Chicken and Mushroom Pot Pie at District Café
An organizational meeting brought me to District Café a couple of weeks ago. I figured that in addition to coffee, I may as well have lunch. I had a chicken and mushroom pot pie, which was extremely fresh because the baker had just made another batch. While the size did not seem large, it was deceptively dense (but in a good way). The flaky, buttery crust enrobed the chicken and mushroom filling, with a side salad to lighten things up. This is comfort food at its best.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Smoked Salmon Biscuit Sandwich at Lock Stock Coffee
I discovered Lock Stock Coffee while on Jasper Avenue looking for a place to grab a cup of coffee and maybe a quick bite, on a Saturday afternoon. Thanks to the signage, I headed down, looked at the small menu, and ordered an Americano and one of the biscuit sandwiches. My Americano was brought to me first, and it was very good. Deep, rich flavour. The sandwich had lox, arugula, pickled scallions, and dill cream cheese on an herb and cheddar biscuit. I normally don't like cream cheese, so if it is flavoured it had better taste strongly from the flavour - and indeed it did. The richness of the cream cheese paired perfectly with the fresh lox and bitterness of the arugula. I also normally don't go for cheese biscuits, but this one was so fresh and flaky, with little crispy hints of cheddar. I thought at first $8.50 was a lot to pay for a small sandwich, but it was deceptively rich and filling. The staff were very friendly and I liked the vibe of the place. I am definitely coming back!
Monday, July 3, 2017
Bubble Tea at Gong Cha
I love bubble tea - I got hooked on it from hanging out in Chinatown. So, when a bubble tea place opened up on my favourite block on Whyte Avenue, I was very happy. Gong Cha features a variety of bubble teas, coffees, and other drinks in Taiwanese style. Most of the drinks are tea or coffee-based - there isn't the fresh fruit variety found at other places - with a few seasonal or very regional ingredients (red beans, grass jelly, winter melon). The focus here is on the toppings, from the traditional sago balls to pudding to milk foam. You pick your flavour and topping(s), as well as how much ice and sugar you want. Most drinks come in two sizes, and range $5-$6. The drinks are made to order, cold, and refreshing. Hot drinks are also available. I like basic coffee and tea milk, and love that you can choose black tea or Earl Grey. I have a feeling I will work my way through the menu over the summer.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Just Desserts: Mars Bar Square at Block 1912
It was a rare Saturday afternoon off and to myself, so I headed to Block 1912 for coffee and dessert. I had a Mars Bar Square, which surprised me with its crispy lightness. It was a Rice Crispy square made to taste like a Mars bar, and it really did. The rice bits had been covered in a sweet coating resembling caramel and nougat, and the top was drizzled with chocolate and caramel. Very sweet, but not too heavy. To drink I had a Vietnamese coffee, which is more like a sweet iced latte here. The tiny bit of condensed milk sinks to the bottom, with lots of milk on top and fresh espresso (as opposed to the slow drip over condensed milk like you get in Vietnamese restaurants).
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Just Desserts: Savarin Cake at La Mademoiselle
A friend of mine is absolutely in love with La Mademoiselle Marvelous Pastries and Cafe, and treated me to coffee and dessert there a few weeks ago. After trying it for myself, I can see why he is enamoured with the place. First of all, the Americano I had was incredible, and I could not get over how adorable the cup and spoon were. My Savarin cake was the best rum cake I have ever had, moist and soaking with boozy flavour. The cream in the middle and on top added a richness that almost overcame me. This was definitely a splurge of decadence that is well worth seeking the place out.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Coffee Break: Chai Latte at Credo
When I visit Credo Coffee, I usually order a coffee or latte. However, when my stomach is not cooperating, tea is a better option. Last week, I had a chai latte at Credo for the first time. It was very smooth, creamy, and warm - very comforting. The spicy tea flavour was not terribly strong - it read more like black tea with a but of an extra bite - but it was still a very pleasant drink.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Coffee Break: Granola and Yogurt at Credo
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Just Desserts: Berry White Chocolate Scone at Leva
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Just Desserts: Tiramisu at Leva Cafe
As my meeting at Leva Cafe continued, I needed more coffee and a dessert. I ordered another Americano, and finally tried the tiramisu in a cup. The top layer was like a heavy whipped topping, with a rich, cream cheese underneath. The bottom layer, my favourite, was liquor-soaked cake. It was not heavy, but still rich. The coffee helped cut the sweetness. This is not something I would order every day, but is definitely another one of Leva's excellent desserts.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Coffee Break: Cappuccino at Chiantis
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Just Desserts: Pumpkin Mousse Cake at Block 1912
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