Cafes and Bakeries Archives - THE BAKING SKILLET

Mamie Clafoutis – Montreal

September 8, 2016 6 Comments

Ok, so on my first trip to Montreal, I had to try a Montreal bagel, a smoked meat sandwich, a French bakery café and basically lots of food. How many trips would it take to check off all the good restaurants and eateries? We had time for one bakery café. The magic word was ‘croissant’, since we had slotted the café for breakfast. After a good amount of research, I decided to try Mamie Clafoutis. They have a few locations around the city. Don’t turn your nose up! It is all baked fresh in an adjoining kitchen and yes the croissants are buttery and flaky and oh so rich! Pure delight – the pistachio croissant @_mamieclafoutis #montreal . . . #latebreakfast #frenchpastry #patisserie #cafe #croissant #mamieclafoutis #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #huffposttaste #foodstagram #instapic #foodporn #latergram #indulgence #travel #mtlfood #mtlmoments #eeeeeats #thebakingskillet A photo posted by Thebakingskillet (@thebakingskillet) on Aug 24, 2016 at 10:36am PDT Name and Location – Mamie Clafoutis, 2660 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal. Great for – Freshly baked French pastry – you can peep into the kitchen. ‘real butter croissant’ breakfast. Popular treats – the Pistachio Croissant, The pain au chocolat called “Oh mon dieu” filled with chocolate ganache, the […]

Cafes and Bakeries

Slickers – Prince Edward County

August 21, 2016 No Comments

You know how some places / hangouts become institutions in certain places. Slickers is one of those. You don’t have to believe me. You can read up all the reviews on Tripadvisor, Yelp, other blogs. Or you can simply make a trip, line up in a fast moving queue, get into a crammed little ice cream parlor, quickly sample several delicious flavors, decide you like them all then randomly pick one, get out of the crowded nook, go sit on a bright red Muskoka chair and enjoy your pick. Then believe. Us big town folks, we have had our mile-high ice creams at Sweet Jesus, we have tasted the whacky flavors, wrapped in waffles, wrapped in churros and what not! But, sometimes you just want an old-style cone of single serve (or make it double) hand churned, smooth, rich lusciousness. You don’t have to visit Prince Edward County for the ice cream! Go visit the small local vineyards, which are pretty, take tours of cellars, sample lots of wine and then trust me the ice cream will taste even better. Some great Vineyards to check out – Karlo Estates, The Grange and Rosehall Run. Name and Location – Slickers County Ice Cream, 271 […]

Cafes and Bakeries

Forno Cultura – Italian Bakery

July 23, 2016 No Comments

Peep in through the long rectangular glass window and your interest may be piqued by either the many people lining up at the counter or the glass counter itself, filled with Italian goodies. Forno Cultura has been around for a while, it is not an “on trend dessert place”. It is where you go if you crave for the classics. Or maybe to taste a bit of nostalgia when you are reminiscing that trip to Italy. Who else is in Thursday mode?? We all deserve treats for making it to #almosttheendoftheweek @fornocultura A photo posted by Thebakingskillet (@thebakingskillet) on Jun 23, 2016 at 6:03am PDT Name and Location – King and Bathurst –occupies the ground floor/basement beneath WVRST Great for – true Italian desserts, freshly baked bread, a quick Italian lunch What the experts say – “Forno Cultura is one of the city’s most essential food shops, a must-try on any Toronto food tour, run by one of its most naturally talented bakers” – The Globe and Mail Popular treats – Almond Cannoli, Biscotti, pistachio cookies, the breads I am totally digging the – The high ceiling, the industrial basement look, the variety of baked goods, the breads (must pick […]

Cafes and Bakeries

Maman – Bakery Café, Toronto

June 17, 2016 No Comments

Sitting on the sunny patio at a rustic wooden table decorated with dainty white flowers in glass jars, nibbling on a piece of pistachio cake, one can, just for a few moments, easily forget that they are still in the heart of the buzzing Financial District. We got to the café at around 9am, and only a handful of croissants and pain au chocolats were left! But they soon got fresh batches so we got lucky! Name and Location – Maman, First Canadian Place (mezzanine floor) Great for – summer brunches, elegant take-outs, a very French breakfast of Croissant and coffee What has been said – “aspires to be an idyllic escape from the Financial District’s proverbial rat race without ever leaving the PATH” – BlogTo. The group of owners, which also includes a Michelin star chef Armand Arnal, has another branch located in Manhattan. I read that it has the same rustic French appeal. Popular treats – cocktails at twilight, lunch salads and the chocolate chip cookie. I am totally digging the – the rustic wooden tables, the patio and the pistachio cake – going back for more! The ‘Meh’ – The coffee, the service (maybe they were just too […]