My mother is a bacon connoisseur

Special thanks to C for taking this pic

My mother loves bacon.  No, wait - that's probably an understatement.  My mother LOOOOVES and ADOOORES bacon.  About 9 months ago, my mother and I went to Beijing, staying at the World China Hotel.

I have to say, breakfast was always good, and there really is something to please every palate.  You want congee for breakfast?  Sure.  An omelette with cheese, mushrooms and peppers? Sure, whatever you want - the chef is standing there waiting for your order. Watching your waistline?  Porridge, oatmeal, whole wheat toast, fruit, yogurt...all of that was available. And, if for some really, really, strange and warped reason you felt like having salmon sashimi for breakfast, that was available too.  

With such a large selection of food, you would've thought potatoes, eggs and bacon would be available.  And well, it was.  Just not the way my mother and I imagined.  Because, while we were in Beijing (which is, approximately a 15 hour flight away), they had the audacity to serve TURKEY bacon.

Personally, I was fine with the bacon.  It was kind of chewy, but still, it tasted like bacon.  But to my mother? It was BLASPHEMY.  How could a five-star hotel NOT have proper bacon?  My poor mother...every day, she would go back to see if the kitchen was serving pork bacon.  Every single day, she'd be disappointed.  

But, the funny thing was, as much as she complained about it, she would have the turkey bacon every day and then critique it.  Thinking back, it was similar to a wine connoisseur tasting rating a bottle of wine.

But the experience (if it taught me anything) is that we Canadians really are spoiled by the quality of bacon produced here. If you want bacon at home? Sure, make it.  It's pretty messy, but worth it.  (If I'm REALLY desperate for bacon, I'll throw it into the oven and bake it - it helps with the fat content...kinda...)

Don't feel like cooking?  Head over to Cora's or the Sunset Grill.  Or any other local greasy spoon.  My point is, good quality bacon is accessible anywhere in Canada. And not just regular pork belly bacon strips.  There's back bacon, peameal bacon, (and after some research), slab bacon and cottage bacon. (I'm pretty sure I'm leaving some out.)  

To be frank, we're pretty spoiled when it comes to bacon. Given the selection we have here, I guess it does explain why one of the very first meals we had out after getting home was at Cora's. Can you guess what my mother ordered?

Butter tarts are good for the soul

I love butter tarts.  What's not to love? Oooey-gooey, sticky goodness, with a flaky buttery shell and crunchy maple pecans (apologies to all the butter tart purists reading this). To me, butter tarts are perfect.  But I'll only indulge on certain occasions.  Like when it's been a particularly stressful day (rarely do I crave a butter tart on a good day).

There's something about a butter tart that demands my full attention. Maybe it's because the flaky crust will break apart and leave a long trail of crumbs, or the sticky filling will drip onto my shirt as I take that first bite.  A butter tart is so rich, so complex to make and so difficult to eat, that it needs time and respect to properly enjoy.

By focusing solely on the butter tart in front of me, any worries or stress are temporarily shelved.  It gives me a few minutes to re-focus and re-group and hopefully, gain a different perspective on whatever is bothering me.  Butter tarts are sweet, calming and comforting.  Butter tarts help soothe the soul, or at the very least, this blogger's soul.

Did I have a butter tart today?  Yes.  Do I plan to have a butter tart tomorrow?  Absolutely not.

Crema Coffee Co. at Yonge/Bloor serves a mean butter tart.

Butter tart rating: satisfaction level, 10; guilt level, 7.  Okay...maybe the guilt level is closer to a 4.

High Tea at the Windsor Arms

A girlfriend and I recently had high tea at the Tea Room inside the Windsor Arms Hotel.  There's something so refined and ladylike about high tea.  While we didn't discuss what to wear, we both showed up in teatime outfits - summer dresses for a sunny afternoon of tea.

The Tea Room is beautifully decorated, the atmosphere was just the perfect amount of "stuffy" (and I'm the first to admit that "stuffy" once in awhile can actually be fun).  The tea room has something for everyone - strong teas for tea aficionados and lighter ones for the part-time tea drinker.  I'm a tea lover and went with a strong tea selection: Russian Caravan.  A blend of China black tea, Lapsang Souchong and bergamot tea leaves, the tea was a treat before it even reached the tongue.  The smell was similar to a smoldering camp fire in the summer - strong, calm and comforting.  The taste was even better - I actually swirled the tea in my mouth like wine before I swallowed it.  It was slightly bitter, but also smoky, reminding me of cassis.  It was perfect.

While tea is a main part of the experience, so are the sweet and savoury treats.  From warm scones with fresh devon cream and strawberry preserves, to the beautifully made finger sandwiches, there was something to suit every palate.  For me, it was the summer berries with fresh whipped cream.

Oh, and let's not forget about the wide array of old-fashioned tea-time hats, which can be worn with a $5 donation. Don't forget to bring your camera!

But the best part of it all?  The conversation.  Unlike other meals (which I tend to eat on the run), high tea is meant to be a slow and leisurely experience.  Which is absolutely perfect for catching up with a good friend.

Restaurant rating: Definitely worth an extra hour or two at the gym.

Brunching with little ones

I live in the suburbs, so finding a decent place for brunch can be a bit difficult.  Enter Chez Cora. Totally geared towards family, Chez Cora is great for taking the little ones.  I took my two little cousins recently (and again this morning), and they love the experience.  The food is fairly good, and the service isn't bad - the most important thing for me (in this case) was for my cousins to enjoy the experience.

Chez Cora has a good kids menu and lots of (relatively) healthy options. From bacon and eggs, to fruit platters to crepes and waffles (even oatmeal for those of us watching our waist lines), there are lots of options.  Plus, the kids get to leave with balloons.  What's not to like when you're looking for an easy weekend family brunch?

Restaurant rating: Definitely worth an extra hour or two at the gym.