Like the name says...I love Baguettes and all other kind of Breads....

As the title of my blog indicates, I am fond of butterscotch and love baguettes – to be more general bread. Nothing is more comforting to me than a fresh, straight out of the oven bread. I am constantly searching for the perfect bread…whether it be a recipe or something I can buy at a store. If you follow me on twitter, you will know that I rave about SanRemo Bakery & Café (374 Royal York Road). If you are in the area, you must visit them. SanRemo uses the finest ingredients and traditional methods to create and offer a diverse selection of Italian breads, fine foods, and desserts. SanRemo has something for everyone, for me – it is their bread.

Recently, I came across Tartine Bakery & Café in San Francisco while doing some research online. Pastry chef Elisabeth Prueitt and her husband, renowed baker Chad Robertson, are the co-owenrs of Tartine Bakery and Bar Tartine. There’s no question they have a passion for what they do. If you are ever in the Mission District in San Francisco and crave something sweet or savoury (or a bit of both), be sure to visit Tartine – I know I will.

Their books, Tartine and Tartine Bakery, are filled with glorious photos, recipes and the pure love for what they do.

You can find them here:

600 Guerrero Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

415 487 2600

www.tartinebakery.com 

In CHEESE we Trust! CHEESEWERKS Tasting Event @ Knead Bakery!

I want to thank Kevin and Tom from Cheesewerks, as well as Heather and her team from Knead Bakery! Thanks for the delicious opportunity to sample some of the up coming tasty menu items of the future Cheesewerks! Here are the photos from the event that was very well attended by fellow Tweeters, Social Network Junkies and Facebook followers.

 

The evening was filled with lots of fun, tasty food and a very special opportunity to meet and greet with the ambassadors leading the charge to bring designer grilled cheese sandwiches to Toronto! In grilled cheese we trust! I look forward to bigger and better ideas from the leaders to push the envelope of artisan cheese, locally produced breads, ingredients with a story and that little something extra. Cheesewerks will be opening soon!

Here are some photos taken from the event. Take a look at what you missed. They will be conducting more Monday night Tasting Events, so don’t miss out again. Check out the Cheesewerks Facebook Fan Page for more information. While you are there, you might as well "LIKE" them as I am certain you will!

Kevin, one half of the dynamic duo behind CHEESEWERKS

Tom the second half of the dynamic duo behind CHEESEWERKS

Cherry-wood smoked Pulled Pork with Black River Pepper Jack Mozzarella with Chipotle Beer BBQ Sauce sandwich! OMG!

A tasting of Brownies from Knead Bakery, heavenly bites of yummy goodness!

The cheese-mobile!

Just a detail shot of the lovely goodies from Knead Bakery. Contact their website for hours of operation.

Cheesewerks

56 Bathurst Street,

Toronto, ON M5V 2P7

416-CHEDDAR

www.cheesewerks.com

Knead Bakery

283 Scarborough Road,
Toronto, ON M4E 3M9
416-518-4569

www.kneadbakery.com

Foodies Flock to the Market!

St. Lawrence Market – One of my favourite places in the world!

On any given day, rain or shine, one of Toronto’s favourite food market opens its doors early in the morning to those hungry for fresh produce and tasty treats. Why do I visit? I love strolling the laneways, visiting the specialty vendors to see what unique and delicious ingredients are being offered to the thousands of people that visit the St. Lawrence Market each and every day except Sunday and Monday when they are closed.

A bit of what's local around the market in the heart of the city of Toronto!

If you like food, you have to visit the market…it’s filled with great seafood, meat, cheese and beautiful vegetables. Specialty stores fill every nook and corner of this vast and historic building that once was Toronto’s first city hall, police station No.1, a city council office and Toronto’s first food market. Today, the building is home to an art gallery, culinary classrooms, but it is mostly dedicated to the food purveyors that sell some of the most beautiful fruit, vegetables seafood and meats that you can find anywhere. The range of food items far exceeds anything you’ll find in your local grocery store. Some of food sold at the St. Lawrence Market borders on the exotic and luxurious. One of Toronto’s only caviar boutique and truffle houses makes its home here. Ostrich, bison, kangaroo, boar and monstrous scallops are but a few of the foodie porn treats that you can pick up here. It is not unusual to find yourself in the company of local chefs who often visit the market to pick up fresh ingredients for their menu. 

The North Building - Local Growers, Butchers Selling their goods

 The market is housed in two buildings: North and South. The north building is opened on Saturday and features smaller local farmers and their produce. It’s a great place to pick up locally grown vegetables. The south building is the main building and is opened throughout the week. The majority of the larger purveyors of meat and vegetables are located here and compete against each other for your business.

The South Building - Buzzing with patrons shopping. Good eats and great food!

The market is not only a good for picking up great food to take home, you’ll also find delicious meals to enjoy while you shop the market. Every time I visit, I have to visit the legendary Carousel Bakery for a peameal bacon sandwich. So simple, yet so delicious! Carousel Bakery piles on the Canadian peamla bacon on a fresh Kaiser bun topped as you choose. Sauces range from nasal clearing horseradish to honey mustard and everything in between. For me, I love the hot horseradish and a bit of honey mustard to balance the flavours. Business is brisk all the time and seating space is limited. I must have at least one, yeah I said at least ONE. This sandwich is so popular that people from all over come to experience this local specialty. Celebrity photos and letters of appreciation are posted on the wall. Chef Emeril, Dan Aykroyd and Catherine Zeta Jones are just a few celebrities that have come to visit and sang its praises.

The famous PEAMEAL BACON sandwich on a fresh country bun! I love love love it! I know you will too!

If you are ever in Toronto, ON and you are a devoted foodie like me, you must visit St. Lawrence Market.  There is something for everyone who loves food. Located in central downtown Toronto, there are many other attractions nearby. The St. Lawrence Market is just one place that makes me love Toronto for its food culture.

St. Lawrence Market

Building North and South

92- 95 Front Street East
Toronto, ON M5E 1C3
(416) 392-7120

www.stlawrencemarket.com

I love the market...here are some more photos!

You can get the best quality meat, locally sourced even the Kangaroo.

Cheese, cheese and more cheese! Everything from the standards to local small producers! Love it!

Cooking demonstrations and yes sample tastings!

Small locally produced goodies, I love this horseradish mustard! Goes great with sausage on a bun!

Restaurant rapidfire! Quick reviews for fastfood!

Caldense Bakery

Home of the “Nata” Custard Tart!

Well in one of my fuzzy brain moments that I sometimes have after being deprived of sustenance for hours. I stumbled into one of my little secret foodie joints…Caldense Bakery! Not more than 5 minutes from where I work. I discovered this bakery a little while ago...now…lucky for you I am willing to share!

The bakery is attached to a Portuguese grocery store named, Tavora (I will review in a future post). It is filled with ex-pats looking for that special taste that reminds them of home. Upon entering, you are greeted with the amazing smell of pastries, fresh bread and chicken roasting in piri piri sauce.  I think to myself, this is definitely my kind of place!  I have had the roasted chicken with salad before and it was delish! However, today I wish to share with you what has to be one of the best grilled chicken sandwiches that I have had the pleasure to eat! Imagine lemon marinated roasted chicken breast, lettuce, tomato and mayo on a fresh soft baked bun! So simple and oh so yummy! People who know me know that I am not a huge fan of chicken sandwiches…especially without mayo.  Why? Well, the chicken breast always seems to be dry, overcooked and without flavour. This one is different! The chicken breast was served warm, fresh and moist.  Clearly, they know how to make a great sandwich and it is easily one of the very best that I have had – excellent!

I also treated myself to two of their pastries – I do share!  They have a large selection of fresh bake pastries…all baked in house, all so tempting! It was very difficult to choose only just one…so I didn’t! Today I chose a sfoliatelle “lobster tail” and a lemony jelly filled doughnut in honor of one of my favourite days…National Doughnut Day!

If I had any advice…it would be to ask for a small side of piri piri sauce with the sandwich it would be fantastic!

Caldense Bakery

1030 Dundas Street East,

Mississauga, ON

L4Y 2B8

Open 7 days a week

www.caldensebakery.ca