Category: Canada

Breakfast Delights

Trips to North America aren’t exactly a foodie wonderland apart from, in my opinion, breakfast! I like a good old English breakfast, but it pales into insignificance compare to the array or wonders you are offered in an American or, in this case, Canadian establishment.

It is a very good job I don’t live here because after two big breakfasts in two days, and with plans to cook waffles this morning, I’d be the size of a house if I stayed too long! The friends I’m visiting believe in seeking out a good independent rather than just hitting the chains (rejoice!), so breakfast-day one took us to the Olde Red Hen in Collingwood. Peameal bacon, a local speciality of thick-cut wet-cured pork loin, just had to be done, as did the home fries, deliciously fried with onion and peppers. For me the eggs always have to be over-easy as I can’t stand what a friend accurately (in my opinion) referred to as ‘egg snot’. There was a little cheese thrown into this dish too because… well, why not?!

Breakfast day two was at the puntastic Eggcitement Bistro in Meaford. We had an array of different breakfasts between us, each worthy of its own photograph! I fancied a bit of spice so went with the Mexican special, a delicious chorizo and tomato sauce wrapped inside a thin, crepe-like omelette. A very different style of home fry from the day before and a pile of delicious rye toast (which I liberally spread with peanut butter post-omelette) completed this delightful plate.

The husband had a Bacon Breakfast Sandwich – egg, bacon and cheese on an English muffin – with a side of house sausage because he could!

Friend one decided the idea of Burger Benedict was just too intriguing to resist and she wasn’t disappointed.

Friend two went all out and ordered the Eggcitement Sampler, which had some of almost everything, including pancake and French toast. He put a pretty impressive dent in the plate, leaving only a small amount of pancake and toast.

As I often, and very happily, find is the way in such establishments, free-flowing coffee served by super-friendly and obliging wait staff rounded off the meal. We all left very happy and VERY full!

A Little Canadian Road Trip

During visits to Canada I have discovered that every road trip, no matter how short, is best started with a trip to Tim Hortons. Now, I know I have Canadian friends who don’t like ‘Timmys’ but I also have friends all over the world who adore it. Personally I enjoy the fact it’s a successful home-grown Canadian brand, that it costs a fraction of the price of other coffee chains, and that it’s something of an institution here! Not only did today’s road trip start with a Tim Hortons coffee, but it also began with Timbits, essentially little donut holes that come in multiple flavours. We were a happy carful indeed!

As if starting the trip with these little sweet joys wasn’t enough, we also visited a brewery, one of my favourite things to do abroad. Creemore Springs Brewery, on the main street of the lovely Creemore village, allows each person to sample three taster pots without charge, rather a lovely treat I must say!

I chose to sample Lagered Ale, Lot 9 Pilsner, and the current ‘Batch’ beer – Cream Ale. The Lagered Ale, a crisp light bodied beer, was my favourite, although I thoroughly enjoyed the Batch too. Lot 9 had a slightly hoppy finish for my taste.

By the time we reached Collingwood, our final destination, night was drawing in and it was DEFINITELY cold! It’s supposed to be 10 degrees warmer tomorrow, which is difficult to believe, so I’ll enjoy looking at the snow for this evening.