Pistachio Perfection at Patisserie La Cigogne... say that ten times fast

Frankly, I for one always thought anything French was pretentious and completely out of my league.  Not so at Patisserie La Cigogne (Bayview and Davisville) where the bright and umbrella-sheltered patio beckons you into a sandy, warm colored room showcasing exquisite Alsace-inspired French fare including quiches, tourtieres, croque en bouche and diabetic-inducing-coma desserts.  Erin and I went around 11:30ish in the morning on a Monday (if you're wondering why on earth I have all this time on my hands, I am, mon ami, un professeur, don't hate).  Ordering an Alsatian quiche lunch and a baguette with butter and jam (resembling the crack variety of Twisted Fork in the Vancouver reviews) we were served outside.  Consistently light with hearty notes of bacon and ham encrusted in heaven's recipe for pastry dough, a steal of a deal at $8.95.  One could only finish with a sharing of a pain au chocolat (shmancy way of saying "chocolate croissant") and a piece of pistachio flan layered with pistachio caramel crunchy goodness and pistacchio mousse garnished with burgundy-painted dark chocolate and white chocolate straw.  Many, many desserts to choose from and one cannot deny the artisan feel to these very beautiful creations.  Oh la la! Eat your heart out Julia Child, bon appetit!

Alsatian Quiche and Greens

Baguette with Jam and Butter

Now the desserts selection can get pretty intimidating, there is a "pina colada" inspired creation where the actual coconut mousse cake is in the shape of a cocktail drink glass complete with white chocolate straw, candied berried as garnish and a shortbread star-shaped cookie evoking the beach-like cocktail feel?!  Fantastique!

Pain au Chocolate.. flaky goodness hiding a milky surprise

Pistachio Patisserie with its translation: "Cake, I love you"!

Patisserie La Cigogne, je vous aime!  http://www.patisserielacigogne.com/

Relaxing at the Cafe Mirage

Why not? Since the Cucina Manila's in-house desserts weren't available... we drove to Cafe Mirage (Kennedy Road and Hwy 401) for some dessert. One of three establishments in the franchise (the others out west and midtown on Yonge), the menu boasts offerings for breakfast, lunch, dinner, selected coffees, teas and... drumroll please... DESSERT. We settled for the East vs. West ($10), a waffle (could be served on a crepe) covered with ice cream, seasonal fresh fruit, whipped cream and chocolate and strawberry drizzle... but wait, we're still hungry... why not have a Jamocha Almond Fudge Cake? Imagine the famous Baskin Robbins ice cream flavour in cake form, mocha meringue layered with mocha-chocolate cookie topped with oozing fudge and chocolate shavings ($6). Open late until 1am (or later at times)... enjoy the savoury or the sweet at this Scarborough hot spot.  Be warned, service here is spotty at best.

Bride talk at Brass Taps Pizza Pub...

Thursday evening saw a reunion of sorts; my girlfriend Bride-to-be has arrived from London, UK with a ring on her finger! After a second round of bridal dress shopping, B2B, myself and Ginger caught up over cheap pints, nachos and a tandoori chicken wrap ($7.95) Check it out at Brass Taps Pub at Danforth and Logan. The evening was topped off with some wine and pastries from Europa Fine Pastries and Bakery at Danforth and Pape, the best Portuguese flaky parcels of goodness in the city.