Cally's Teas

Cally's Teas new shop has been open since the beginning of April and it is a delightful addition to the list of options of where to go for a tea or coffee break in the city. A moment talking with Cally and you understand why the room is full of bright colours.

The new space boasts not only many loose teas to choose from (my best guess would be that there are close to 100 choices) but also merchandise such as mugs, tea pots, stationary and chocolate!

I have decided to call this the Great Wall of Teas:

The two side walls are covered in beautiful wallpaper (shades of turquoise) while the back wall of the cafe space is bright fuschia.

The cafe area is small, but in a cosy, not cramped, kind of way. You can choose any type of tea you'd like and they steep it for you and serve it in a tea pot ready to be poured. There is a lovely selection of fresh baking including delicious scones and brioche that are served with jam and heavy cream. They have expanded the menu to include cucumber sandwiches, dippy eggs with bread soldiers, beans on toast, welsh rarebit, salad, and savory quiches and bread puddings. Cally grew up in England and is inspired by the feel of a village rather than the big city. I have enjoyed many high teas and I have to say that it is nice to sit back and feel comfortable, rather than all prim and proper.

The spread they set before us on Mother's Day was splendid. My favourite treat had to be the simple scones with strawberry jam and heavy cream as well as the cucumber sandwiches. I recommend the Windsor Castle tea for a perfect cup of tea (if you enjoy black teas that is). I recommend paying a visit to Cally's Teas soon, whether for a light snack (you can order just scones or brioche and tea) or something more. They update their facebook account regularly with special event info and menu changes: https://www.facebook.com/callys.tea

Zinc

On a sunny winter evening I enjoyed my first meal at Zinc. A beautifully set table with a great view were a great start to the evening.

My friend and I both ordered a "bite size" starter and main. We were happy to be treated to lovely fresh mini scones with creamy whipped butter before our orders arrived.

Our bites then arrived, beautifully plated together on two small plates. As an appetizer I ordered the Warm Onion Tarte Tatin:
Upside-down puff pastry tart with caramelized onions, "Paddy‟s‟ cheese, port reduction, and dressed organic leaves. It was good, but not what I was expecting. The beef entree I had was delicious. Served with creamy potatoes as well as some squash I was left wanting more.. next time I will go with the full sized main.

After each having two bite sized dishes we were both satisfied but decided we needed to try dessert as well and ordered the Callebeaut Chocolate Mascarpone Tarte with
Champagne Sorbet and Honey Marinated Berries to share.

It was lovely. Great ambience, service and of course the food was amazing. I am planning to return for a special occasion in the near future.

too much time on my hands

For the last two months I have been far less busy than the three months prior.. one job instead of two will do that. However I have neglected this! I even went to Calgary in January for a weekend and enjoyed a lot of great of food and coffee too - visiting Kawa Espresso Bar and Boxwood for the first time and returning to Farm and Jelly Modern Doughnuts both for the second time.
I've enjoyed meals here in Edmonton at my usual haunts - Corso32, Culina Muttart and Millcreek, MRKT, Battista's Calzones.. I also visited Highlands Kitchen on Sunday for brunch. The new owners have reintroduced weekend brunch and while I wasn't quite happy with my menu selection (baked eggs), I am pleased that they are offering brunch again.
With a dinner at Corso32 scheduled for next week as well as the hope of finally visiting Zinc, I hope to write again soon. Until then, eat and drink blissfully!

tis the season

Over the past month I have been accumulating Christmas gifts for loved ones. My quest began at the Royal Bison Craft Show where I was able to cross my sister off the list with the purchase of a unique shirt from Fridget Apparel. I also found an adorable shirt for my friends little one with the phrase "spread jam not war" on it.

Over the next weeks I made a few purchases at some chain stores but was ultimately trying to make my purchases at local stores, markets and craft shows. I stopped in at Kerstin's Chocolates on customer appreciation night and purchased several luxurious chocolate bars for the chocolate lovers on my list - and one for me too! I popped into Carbon Environmental Boutique on 104th and purchased a funky bowl made from recycled paper for one friend and a handbound notebook covered with a map of Japan for another. I picked up some apple jelly from Duchess Bakeshop for family to enjoy.

I was able to cross several people off my list after a visit to the Downtown Farmers Market, and a few more after visiting the Hand Made Mafia (although I admit I shopped more for myself there than for anyone else!) At the market I was able to find delicious fudge (Fudgalicious) that tastes almost like grandma's, roasted peanuts for my grandpa to enjoy and newget from The Newget Company in a couple of flavours I thought family would enjoy. At Handmade Mafia I purchased a beautiful spoon rest from a local potter as well as cute bookmarks with picture from Dr. Seuss and Richard Scarry books.

During the final week before Christmas I visited Queen of Tarts for several small fruit cakes and pack of sables(shortbread) and holiday nuts. And finally, on Christmas Eve, I got some gingerbread cookies and pinwheels from Duchess Bakeshop.

Whew - it may have taken more energy then just a trip to the mall, but in the end I feel like my Christmas purchases actually effected our local economy and the people I know that own many of these small businesses.

local - belonging to or relating to

Local local local, it really counts. Recently I filled my day with all things local.
We started the day off at Duchess Bakeshop (http://duchessbakeshop.com) for breakfast. I enjoyed the Quiche Lorraine which was highlighted by creamy gruyere and wonderful, flaky pastry. I also treated myself to the chocolate raspberry brioche. Also very yummy. My friend enjoyed her favourite, the hearty Cheddar Pepper scone.

It was busy and our seats were surely going to be snapped up as soon as we left, so we headed on our way. Next stop was to be a Local Designers sale being hosted by Red Pony Consignment on 101 street and Whyte Avenue. But approaching Treestone Bakery on 99th street I decided to stop to get some bagels. Sadly they were already sold out of what I was seeking (it wasn't even noon!) but I picked up a loaf of bread instead.

Arriving at the sale we were greeted by familiar faces and browsed through the selection of handmade clothing and jewelry. I knew what I was looking for and after trying it on happily purchased it from Bridget of Fridget Apparel (http://iamfridget.blogspot.com/). Find her at the Royal Bison Craft Fair in 2 weeks or at another sale at Red Pony on December 10th and 11th.

After satisfying my need for a new piece of clothing we headed down Whyte Ave to see what else we could find - I was specifically hoping to find a miracle at Gravity Pope, but the highlight was turned out to be stumbling upon the new Greenwoods Bookstore space at 10309 Whyte Avenue (http://www.greenwoods.com). After browsing, making a purchase and placing a special order we continued on our way.

The last stop on our journey was Churchill Square to check out the Olde Time Fair. My sister wanted to get poutine from Drift Food Truck and we couldn't resist the roasted chicken and butternut squash sandwich. After enjoying our lunch we warmed up with some cranberry apple cider from Molly's Eats and perused the Farmer's Market. I picked up some veggies and my friend got tips on how to knit mittens. Maybe she'll make me a pair (hint hint..)

Well after all our travels we were tuckered out and headed back to my place for a macaron and cup of tea.. and after a few hours of down time and a stop at Credo for a cappucinno, it was off to a girls night gathering with treats from Duchess, Queen of Tarts, and even Corso32.

What a lovely, local day I had. And yes, this is in Edmonton. Aaah, it's really happening here at home where I belong.

every day

I haven't posted for awhile. You see I haven't really been anywhere new to me lately. I return to my favourite spots. I am a creature of habit.

Last weekend I did visit the "new" Highlands Kitchen - formerly Culina Highlands, formerly Bacon. Not a lot seems to have changed. I still enjoy the ambience and the food is still good enough for me to be sure I will return again. I had the Kalyna Platter, which came with 3 pyrohy, 1 sausage and lazy cabbage rolls. At first glance it seemed not a very large portion for $15, however I was very full as I polished off my final bite. Highlands focuses on quality over quantity, which in my opinion, is always a good idea.

Thanks friends - till next time, happy eating!

Summer in the city.. farmers market bruschetta

Thanks to my sister for contributing to this post.

On a sunny Saturday morning, my sister and I headed to the Downtown Farmers Market to pick up some fresh veggies and fruit, including the ingredients for bruschetta.

The essential ingredients:
tomatoes
garlic
basil
olive oil
baguette (we recommend baking fresh bread or picking a loaf up from a local bakery but in a pinch a grocery store baguette will do)

One of us thought grape tomatoes would be better and the other thought cocktail, so we got both. After collecting other goodies such as carrots, onions and a tasty coffee to fuel us for our cooking adventure, we walked back to my place.

We diced the tomatoes, keeping both kinds separate so we'd be able to compare the two varieties. After adding a small amount of olive oil to the bowls containing the tomatoes and finely chopped garlic and basil we heated the tomato mixture in a frying pan for just a bit. We prepared the baguette by slicing and buttering on one side and then toasting slightly in the oven. We then topped each piece with the tomatoes mixture.

We plated one kind first and tasted.. yum.. the first kind was very good. Very tasty. We proceeded to the second kind.. also very good. We both decided that the cocktail tomatoes worked the best. Bruschetta is a fairly simple and healthy snack and when all the ingredients are available locally it seems like a fantastic way to enjoy summer.