Food

Food: Beautiful Swiss Sweets

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One of the things that I love most about my blog is that I have a space to celebrate the talents of amazing people I know. Years ago I worked with Odise in Switzerland but it was only recently that I learned about her amazing talent for cookie and cake design. I love Odise’s work because of her simple design aesthetic and the obvious care she takes in creating her sweets.

cookies, cakes and photos by Odise Mattle

Odise is based in Switzerland so of course it’s a bit of a challenge for me to get a hold of her LoveCake creations. For now, the photos will have to do!

Thanks Odise for sending these photos my way. I’ve been excited to share your work ever since I saw the first photo!

Travel: Boston

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I know I’ve already posted a lot from my trip to Boston a couple of months ago (here, here, and here) but I can’t help but post more! I hope you enjoy this series!

A very delicious sandwich with such fresh ingredients! Delicious. From The Italian Cafe in the Financial District. (And yes – I did love the fact that there was a white Mini Cooper right outside the window!)

Logo of Black Ink – a sweet stationery shop in Beacon Hill.

Cheers.

Chanel on Newbury Street.

Harvard in white.

While I don’t love cannoli, I had to give the famous ones at Mike’s Pastry a try. Sweet!

Many thanks to Lisa F. for all her Boston travel advice! Much appreciated!

Photos by Jordana.

Life is sweet

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I’m so excited about the new reader-submitted white sightings arriving to White Cabana!

To help kick things off, today I’m taking you inside Life is Sweet, one of my favourite shops in my neighbourhood known as The Beaches in Toronto. (I know, I know, I keep taking you to cupcakeries… but they’re irresistible!)

Life is Sweet shored up on The Beach (as it is also called) in 2007, just when I came, too. Located at the eastern end of Queen Street East where it’s quieter and devoid of the heavy coast town signage that suggests that the surf’s up on Lake Ontario, I instantly fell in love with this little shop and her sweet owner. I really need to get her name (she has wavy brown hair, brown eyes and has a pretty smile- and her photo is up on the wall)- and these days her mom is working at the shop, too.

Life is Sweet is a quaint little shop that makes you want to go in, this pic from BlogTO

Life is Sweet has been there for me over the years. I’ve now been in The Beach for nearly five years and I have served many a mini cupcake along the way. I recently picked up some minis for a friend’s visit- they’re just a perfect two-bite size so you can try a few flavours without feeling like a glutton going for two regular-sized ones (although that’s perfectly okay at my place).

My favourite flavour on the menu is the lemon cupcake- it even has lemon custard in the centre (mini ones too!). I’m also a huge fan of the white chocolate, toffee, coconut, and I know some peeps who really like the Earl Grey- spiced cake with orange icing.

Inside the shop you’ll find lots of pretty white things- perfect for that ‘oh-you’re-so-thoughtful’ gift. I love everything and yet I always buy here for others; I’ve given a gorgeous locally-made apron covered in artichokes and a fun set of dinner napkins for a certain white design blogger…

Here’s what caught my eye yesterday as I wandered in for a sweet treat:

Why not add some bling to that cake plate? So fun and festive!

I really like this dish- great for sauces, nuts, after-dinner mints, you name it

I’m in love with these soy candles from a local candle gal, Amy,

who I met a few years ago at a arts & crafts fair. Amy’s Place candles are on Facebook here

My cupcake haul from yesterday- at no cost since I had no change

and the owner couldn’t break a $20!  And then I realized when

I got home that the owner snuck in an extra cupcake for me. Aw <3

The Friday Five: Table Settings

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I don’t know about you but I love a beautifully set table. I think my appreciation of table settings may have started when I was a 16 year old exchange student in France. In the family that I lived with it was the responsibility of the youngest son to set the table each evening. I think he was 9 years old at the time and I remember being surprised at how he took such care in setting each place. The cutlery was where it was supposed to be and each family member had a designated cloth napkin which he would arrange thoughtfully at each place. (I’m pretty sure when I was 9, I didn’t care much about how the table was set – even though it was one of my chores too.)

While I can’t say that my own table is perfectly set for each meal, I can say that I love setting a pretty table to welcome guests. The four table settings featured today are beautiful because, while they do differ, they are all inviting, well-presented, and – best of all – they are simple enough to recreate in my own home! The last image of a table setting how-to (for anyone who still can’t figure out the salad fork from the meat fork) completes today’s Friday Five.

via From Me To You

via Black Eiffel

via Pinterest

via Ritzy Bee

via Say Yes to Hoboken

More table setting ideas here, here, and here.

Have a wonderful weekend! I hope you enjoy a delicious meal or two!

20 Below: Breakfast at The Bag Lady

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One of my most favourite things to do in London is to have breakfast with friends at The Bag Lady. The colourful kitschy decor always entertains me, the servers are always smiling, and the food is delicious (try the peanut butter cookies – yum!). The plates at The Bag Lady are always mismatched but on one of my last visits I noticed that a collection of white serving pieces formed on our table. I couldn’t resist snapping a photo.

Breakfast at The Bag Lady, price varies but it’s always less than $20

So if you’re ever in London (Ontario), be sure to stop by for a bite to eat at The Bag Lady. Better yet – let me know you’re coming and I’ll meet you there!

Cupcakes on the east side

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Jordana and I are just step-in-step this week!

You’ll recall that earlier this week Jordana featured the quaint cupcake shop Sweet in Boston. Meanwhile, here in Toronto I was snapping pics at Desmond & Beatrice, a cute cupcake bakery in the ever-hip Leslieville neighbourhood.

I had the pleasure of sampling the salted caramel and red velvet cupcakes (not shown.. should have taken the pics *before* eating) – the red velvet’s cream cheese frosting took the cake and declared that cupcake a winner!

And, folks, I’m very fussy when it comes to frosting so just so you know, you can trust me here that these are worth the calories, uh huh. (And Desmond & Beatrice also offers icing shots– for real!! Apparently kids love ’em.. and I really like that idea, myself.)

Q: Are cupcakes the new black? white?- there are cupcake shops popping up everywhere!

The blueberry lemon at Desmond & Beatrice- as if that even matters. Just look at these perfect concoctions.

The Vanilla Latte cupcakes

The Easter-topped Very Vanilla cupcakes

Food: Sweet Cupcakes in Boston

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Although lovely Sweet cupcake shop was right around the corner from the hotel I stayed at in Boston, I didn’t have a chance to actually ever make a purchase. I took a few pictures of the white (and pink) shop as I passed by early one morning but I regret not going back to treat myself.

Has anyone tasted the cupcakes from this Boston cupcake chain?

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Beautiful Books

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Yes – we all know I’m a sucker for books. I’ve got books in every room in my apartment (and I’ve actually read most of them too!) and I just love them all (if that doesn’t sound like an academic, I don’t know what does). I’ve been browsing the bookstores often lately and there are some really gorgeous, high-quality books currently on the market. Publishers like Taschen and Phaidon produce just beautifully clean books and I always get so much pleasure reading them – and then looking at them stacked up on a table or bookshelf. The five books featured here have easily grabbed my attention – because they’re white, yes – but also because they provide so much inspiration.

The Art of French Baking, $31

Eleven Madison Park: A Cookbook, $36; photo by Paula Forbes

The Family Meal: Home Cooking with Ferran Adria, $23

A Taxonomy of Office Chairs, $45

D & AD 2011, $59.99

Art & Food: 'wichcraft

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Has anyone been to ‘wichcraft in NYC?

On my last visit to the city this summer my sister and I each had the BLT and it was delicious (although we thought it should have come on a bigger plate and cut in half). Unfortunately I don’t have a photo of the BLT, but I do have a photo of the fun piece of art that hung at the top of the stairs (at the Flatiron location if I remember correctly).

art at ‘wichcraft, photo by Jordana

A 24-cup muffin tin. Does one of these really exist?

A head start on Halloween

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Okay, so I just can’t resist featuring a few Halloween things event though we’re 12 days away from the big scary night.

(I’m telling myself that you’ll need today’s cookie cutters ahead of time in order to arrive on the scene armed with themed treats.)

Behold- Halloween-shaped cookie cutters ($2.50 – $3.95 at Crate & Barrel), a fun spatula ($9.95), and a really tempting recipe for lemon and rosemary shortbread cookies (to bake with your new cutters!).

And, for the record, I haven’t tried this recipe (yet) but my default amazing go-to recipe for rosemary shortbread is here (I’m thinking that I may just add a few spoonfuls of lemon zest to my tried & true):

20 Below: Cupcake Wrappers

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This weekend at Michael’s, I picked up these sweet polka dot cupcake wrappers. Almost too pretty to use, don’t you think?

cupcake wrappers, $3.49, Michael’s

I know I should have used them for cupcakes but instead I opted to make banana muffins (recipe adapted from here):

Ingredients:

1 cup spelt flour
1 cup flax seeds
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 bananas, mashed
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Add muffin liners to muffin tin.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, flax seed, baking soda & salt.
3. In another bowl, beat together the bananas and oil. Add the brown sugar & egg and beat until completely combined.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and combine until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.
5. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins. Bake 15-20 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring muffins onto a cooling rack.

Photo by Jordana.

Books: Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter

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The fabulous and thoughtful Johanne gave me Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook, My Father’s Daughter.

In trying to achieve my 2011 cooking goal I’ve been attempting some of the recipes.
Well – let me tell you – I am SO enjoying this cookbook!  It’s not much of a surprise that I’m working through the book in a backward kind of way – I’m starting with the dessert section first. Smart, right?

In recent weeks I made the “healthy” brownies, the thumbprint cookies, blueberry muffins, healthier blueberry muffins and the peanut butter cookies. Two thumbs up for everything so far.

The Friday Five: Food

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I just love when food – desserts especially – are beautifully presented. These five sweets look delicious and are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

by Coco Cake

via Tokketok

Souvlaki for the Soul – Flickr

meringue stack with strawberries, Gourmet Traveller

Lemon coconut cupcakes, Tartelette

Is there any baking on your weekend agenda?

Fredericton, NB: Food & Flowers

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Did you know New Brunswick is the only constitutionally bilingual province in Canada? Oui, oui! Fredericton is the capital of the province and has a population of almost 86,000 (city centre).

bilingual street sign in Fredericton

The downtown core has a few good pubs  along with a couple of fine dining restaurants. After a few days of pub food at  Snooty Fox and Dolan’s, a friend and I went to The Blue Door which was a nice treat. I had the gorgonzola tenderloin (yummy!) and she had the yellow thai vegetable curry (which was full of creamy white goodness).

The Blue Door, Fredericton

vegetable curry at The Blue Door, Fredericton

Although I was surprised to learn that there was no Starbucks downtown, on the recommendation of several people, on one afternoon I stopped in at Jonnie Java Roasters & Espresso Bar (in the Paradise Imports store) for some freshly roasted coffee. Although people told me “it was the best coffee”, I was a little skeptical. I have a thing for coffee, you may remember (read more here, here and here). Well, to my surprise, it was amazing! So amazing, in fact, that I had two cups of coffee – an espresso and a cappuccino – along with a delicious oat cake made with love by a group of ladies down the road. The coffee – and the people I met at Jonnie Java – definitely made my day!

A heart just for me!

coffee + oat cake = a delicious snack

Flowers were in full bloom last week in Fredericton and the lilacs – both white and purple – really caught my attention. So pretty!

Read more about Fredericton at Tourism Fredericton.

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Eataly

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Eataly New York: We sell what we cook. We cook what we sell.

After several years of planning, Oscar Farinetti, Mario Batali, and Lidia and Joe Bastianich partnered together to open Eataly in Manhattan in August 2010. Eataly is a space to shop for, to eat and to learn about delicious Italian food. According to the Eataly manifesto, food unites us all, brings us all together, and the source of the greatest joy is what happens around the dinner table. Indeed.

If you have already paid a visit to this immense food emporium, then you will have wandered around in amazement. Only steps from the Flatiron building, Eataly is an incredible source of authentic Italian food products and it encourages a very lively atmosphere (kind of reminds me of loud family dinners, actually). Although I found many of the products to be  over-priced, Eataly remains one of the few places, if not the only one, to carry such a variety of true Italian eats!

Today I am sharing with you five photos from Eataly that my mom and I took on one of our most recent visits to NYC. For us, and hopefully for you, these photos are great reminders of Italy.

aqua minerale naturale (water)

Orzata was always a summer treat when I was a kid. It has a very distinct sweet taste.

Bialetti. No other espresso maker will do.

Mmm…chocolate torrone. The best ever.

How lucky are those New Yorkers who get to experience Eataly on a regular basis?

Photos by Jordana and FG. Pasta photo courtesy of Eataly.

The White Ramekin

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I have no idea what I would use a ramekin for in the kitchen (anyone?). On my jewelry counter, on the other hand, I could see this being filled with my rings.

Perlee white ramekin, $36, Gearys

Friday Five: New Orleans Food & Flowers

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If you’ve been following me on Twitter then you already know that I was in New Orleans last week. I’m looking forward to sharing some of my photos with you over the next little while. Today it’s all about some of the food and flowers that I came across in this über-lively city.

Flowers in the French Quarter, New Orleans

Beignets (ben-yay) at Cafe du Monde, New Orleans

A popcorn snack at Hermes bar, New Orleans

Photos by Jordana

The Friday Five: Teapots

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I’ve got a major work weekend ahead of me and when I’m working from home I normally have a pot of tea on the go. This weekend I can guarantee I’ll be drinking more than one pot of tea!

Halo teapot, $79.95, Crate & Barrel

teapot, $54, Ten Thousand Villages

Design House Stockholm teapot, $70, CSN

Normann Copenhagen teapot, $200, CSN

Le Creuset teapot, $24.95, CSN


Although I do love making chai tea, my most favourite tea comes from H̩diard in Paris. Loose leaf teas in cute little red tins Рperfect!

The Friday Five: Egg Cups

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Egg cups…perfect for the weekend brunch you plan on hosting…

RSVP egg cup set, $21, Amazon

Hunslet egg cups, 10GBP, Ben Pentreath

double egg cup, 6.25GBP, Heal’s

vintage egg cups, $24 (set of four), All Things White

Cico egg cup, $20, Alessi

or for a super mini floral arrangement, or for a safe spot to store your earrings.

Oh, and if you need an egg cup with a little more colour, let me know what you think of this one.

Toronto: Nadège

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Just before the new year arrived, Johanne and I had a little pre-2011 celebration at Nadège. It was delicious and so very white! Nadège is beautiful, pristine and a breath of French goodness on Toronto’s Queen St. West. The pastries are edible pieces of art and if you sit at the back of the café you can watch the bakers at work. We did…and we were amazed at the macaron Christmas trees!

photo by Jordana

If you’re in Toronto and have a craving for gorgeous French sweets, Nadège is the place for you!

Bon appetit!

Introducing 20 Below

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Welcome to a new feature on White Cabana: 20 Below.

Each week on 20 Below, I will post a white-hot item under $20. I hope this regular column will be inspiring for those who want to bring in a bit of white into their lives but aren’t quite ready to commit to living completely in white. And for all of you who already love white, I hope this feature will be another happy part of your day! Alright, so let’s get this started!

OXO digital thermometer, $19.95

Perfect for the chef in your family, this OXO meat thermometer gives accurate readings, a clear digital readout and it’s easy as a touch of button.

p.s. Many thanks to Kate for inspiring the title of this feature. I miss your old column.

What Katie Ate

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I really feel like I’m the last person to find out about What Katie Ate, a most amazing food blog based in Australia and written by the talented Katie Quinn Davies. The recipes are delicious as can be and they are complimented by beautiful photographs. This is one site that shouldn’t be missed.


Most recently, What Katie Ate published an absolutely gorgeous Christmas magazine (free for all of us to read!). It features beautiful menus, delicious recipes, and a food tour around Sydney, New York and elsewhere. Drizzled in are giveaways, gift ideas, and plenty of chocolate goodness! This issue should definitely be on your Christmas reading list!

We do love coffee art here on White Cabana and what would go well with coffee? Nutella cookies, I’d say. (My sister is probably drooling right now.)

If cranberries are more your thing – maybe you’d like to try out these macadamia beauties.

In addition to recipes, What Katie Ate featured a few chocolate shops in this issue and took us on a tour of some beautiful food stores and restaurants. Yum! Yum!

I just love how polenta is on this list of cupboard items. I thought only my family ate polenta.

Honestly – the 495 pages in this issue are stunning and well worth your time. Let me know what you think!

Happy cooking. Happy baking. Happy eating!

All images courtesy of What Katie Ate.

Stocking stuffers for the foodie

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by Johanne

White stocking stuffers for the DIY foodie:

Beaded napkin rings, $30 for a set of 4 at Urban Barn

Peppermint hot chocolate and handcrafted marshmellows set, $32.50 at Williams Sonoma

Personalized apron, $29 at Williams Sonoma

Stainless steel moose corkscrew, $30 at Urban Barn

Koi glass tumblers, $24 at Urban Barn

Cookie jar, $14.95 at Crate & Barrel

Classic Century sauce boat, $47.95 at Crate & Barrel

Milk frother, $19.95 at Crate & Barrel

Microwave egg boiler, $4.49 at Kitchen Stuff Plus

Stainless steel pierogi maker, $8.99 at Kitchen Stuff Plus

Handmade cocktail picks, $0.99 for a set of three at Kitchen Stuff Plus

Mini lettuce spinner, $24.95 at Crate & Barrel

Matryoshka measuring spoons, $8 at Urban Outfitters

Lace dish, $6 at Urban Outfitters

Monogrammed soap set, $29 at Pottery Barn

Images courtesy of Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Urban Barn, Urban Outfitters, and Kitchen Stuff Plus.

Heart of Goodness

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Last week I wrote about my love of coffee. Turns out that Johanne (Fashion in Motion editor and White Cabana contributor) has a talent for making hearts in her latte! Who knew?

Made with love: I spy a heart!

p.s. I know – the cup/saucer combo is pretty cool too!
p.p.s. Johanne swears this is an easy DIY. Perhaps we can convince her to share the step-by-step how-to!

Photo by Johanne.

The Friday Five: Coffee

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Ahh…coffee. I love the smell, the taste and the look. I love the feeling of drinking a coffee at my local café. I love meeting a friend and catching up on gossip at a new café or sitting alone on a patio with a cup in hand and watching the world go by.

I’m a fan of any kind of coffee…my choice usually depends on the time of day, the occasion and the café. I like a latte or cappuccino in the morning or as a mid-morning break. I enjoy a nice espresso after a good meal or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

And yes – sometimes the coffee I drink is so special, it deserves a photo! I’m happy to welcome you to today’s caffeine-filled Friday Five!

1. I was in Ascoli with my aunt, uncle and father. We stopped in at Caffe Meletti before hitting the farmer’s market. The Barista wrote me a special message in my little espresso. Sweet, right?

An espresso in Ascoli, Italy

2. I was in Gstaad with my good friend Shannon. Going to Early Beck easily became an afternoon routine for us. We shared many laughs and gossiped for hours.

A cappuccino & croissant in Gstaad, Switzerland

3. On one of my trips to Paris, I stopped in at a restaurant near the Palais Royale to write postcards and get re-energized!

An espresso and tarte in Paris, France

4. I’ll never forget the morning adventure my good friend Boba and I had in Montreal. It was pouring rain outside but we were determined to have breakfast at La Croissanterie Figaro, which came highly recommended by a friend. Even though we were exhausted after a busy work week in Montreal, we stuck it out and we were rewarded with a beautiful breakfast and a couple of delicious cappuccinos.

A cappuccino with a mountain of foam in Montreal, Quebec

5. I was on a 5-day vacation with Shannon (yes, the same friend) in Budapest and we stopped in for a coffee and strudel at the First Studel House of Pest. Our food and drinks were delish!

Latte at the First Strudel House of Pest, Budapest

How about you? What are your coffee drinking routines or memories?

Photos by Jordana.

The Friday Five: Cakes

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I’m going to my friends’ wedding tomorrow and I’m so happy to celebrate! In honour of their special day, today’s Friday Five is all about cakes. Yum!

via sweet Paul

via The Social Secretary

The Chrysanthemum via Martha Stewart

via Real Simple

via InStyle

Congrats Michelle & Bill!

Images courtesy of InStyle, Martha Stewart Weddings, Real Simple, Sweet Paul Magazine, The Social Secretary.

The Friday Five: Birthday Edition

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Happy Friday! I hope you’re all looking forward to a most fabulous weekend. I’ll be celebrating my birthday (yay!) in Paris (extra yay!) so you can imagine how excited I am feeling right now. Before I head out, here’s a very white birthday edition of the Friday Five.

A champagne toast via Real Simple

A big oui for brie and baguettes via This is Glamorous

Cake to share with friends and family via Real Simple

Make a wish upon a star, Moravian Stars, $13.50, Upon A Fold

Gift tags, set of 3, $3, Venerate

 

Oh – and please don’t forget to enter the CSN giveaway! Today is the final day to enter. More details can be found here.

 Images courtesy of Real Simple, This is Glamorous, Upon a Fold,Venerate.

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