Travel June 20, 2018

The 7 Best Dessert Places in Seoul and Tokyo

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

1. Mr.Holmes Bakehouse – Korea

I cannot even tell you how much I loved this place! Not only was it a cute place to eat but the desserts are SO good. A bloggers dream basically, marble tables, white brick, and a neon sign backdrop. You can sit and have your dessert there and people watch. Because it’s on Gungham. Where all the rich folks chill, you’ll love people watching, with all the designer shiznit they’ll be wearing it’s practically a non-stop fashion show. I would’ve loved to stay but with two todds we had to bounce and get it all to go. Love the old school paper bag they put your goods in. Make sure you go earlier during the day because evenings you’ll find very few items left. We basically took everything they had left. All their cookies, croissants and some kind of cake. Everything was delicious and finished that night. We managed to save two cookies for the next day to savor. And one of our Todd’s, baby D, found it and demolished it. Definitely going back in a couple of years to Korea and will stop by this place again. Otherwise maybe check out their other location in Cali.

The 7 Best Dessert Places in Seoul and Tokyo

2. FLORESTA NATURE DOUGHNUTS – tokyo
Because they have the cutest doughnuts you’ll ever have.

3. Delice tart and Cafe – Ginza

This Cafe was actually one we just found out of the blue. I noticed it when we were coming out of the all-day breakfast place. You can read more about that breakfast place here. So Baby D kept asking for cake and we walk into this place and it’s best described to be like a cafe dollhouse. Super cute seating area. They have a dessert buffet style menu and then you can also purchase desserts on their own. The first time we went here we got a slice of tiramisu cake to go. They actually packed it in a pretty box with ice packs around it so it would stay fresh till eaten! A lot of places in Japan pride themselves on how fresh their food is and a lot of times won’t even allow for a “to go” option. We had to talk the places into it by telling them our hotel was next door or very close.

4. TOKYO DISNEYSEA LITTLE GREEN MEN DUMPLINGS

How cute are these alien dumplings from Toy Story! I found these guys on Instagram, saved it and when I got to Tokyo DisneySea I showed someone there the picture and they directed me to the store that was selling them. The outer layer is squishy like dumpling should be. And then the inside is filled with like a custard. One is chocolate, strawberry, and custard. The strawberry one was the worse. But that’s just my preference. Enjoy!

5. DOMINIQUE ANSEL BAKERY – TOKYO

I’ll let the below video do most of the explaining for this bakery:

6. REMICONE – SEOUL

They have cotton candy! Enough said. This place is so cute and I love the clean aesthetic. Also, the price is right!

7. LINE FRIENDS CAFE – SEOUL

You’ll see this store everywhere around Seoul but the cafe is a specific one. They’ve got the cutest merchandise and then treats to match:

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Food July 13, 2017

Cafe Cancan Toronto Review: No strollers allowed. [FOOD]

Cafe Cancan is a fairly new cafe that opened up on Harbord Street in Toronto. Harbord street is a nostalgic area for me because I went to high school near there. The night before going to Cafe Cancan I did some research about the place and went on to their website to do some light reading about the cafe, the owners and anything I needed to know before I went there.

I love the fact that this cafe is actually designed by Tiffany Pratt. I love her happy go lucky style and everything she touches with her sense of design is incredible!

If you decide to visit this place, keep in mind that parking is a little bit hard to find in this area. We were fortunate enough to find a spot in the residential area, a block from the cafe. I was so excited to check this place out I didn’t mind the walk, although it was really hot. So I got Baby Z cozy in her stroller and we were on our way! So anyways, we get to the cafe and the front view of this place is just so pretty! If you know me, I have this thing with coloured doors. And a pink one! I died. It’s so cute! Immediately I thought, photo opp!

There are a few steps to enter into the cafe, but that’s no problem with the jogger stroller I have.

As soon as we entered Cafe Cancan we were welcomed by a lady and I asked for a booth for two by the door so I can tuck my stroller away. She looked at me and said “Okay, just a second.” and walked away. A few minutes later..

another lady came over. She leaned forward and said “Sorry, there are no strollers allowed here.” You can imagine I was taken aback and baffled. I had never been to a place, no where in Toronto and even in all of our travels with our stroller (Italy, Mexico, Niagara Falls *lol*) did anyone ever say to me, no strollers allowed. I guess I was at a loss of words so I was just staring blank at her and my brother who was with me also didn’t know what to say either. Then, and I don’t know why I said this… “I guess I could just leave my stroller outside and try to watch it from this booth?” And she replied, “sure.” I walked outside, and then of course after baby brain stopped kicking in, I realized, no way. I’m not leaving my $1000 stroller outside!

I started to think, forget it. I’m not staying here. Let’s just go home and eat whatever we can grab. But as we started walking back I thought, I shouldn’t change my plans because of one road block. I should find a way around it and do what I wanted to do. Why have this ruin my excitement to go there and enjoy the food and ambiance? So we walked back to the car, dropped off the stroller, I put a hat on Baby Z and we walked back in the heat.
It makes me sad to think that what if I was a new mom and this was my very first day coming out of my house and treating myself to a nice lunch with my little one and then to have them say to me “no strollers allowed.” I know for sure I’d go back to my car, go home and cry. Thinking perhaps moms shouldn’t go to cute places. Or maybe, baby and I don’t belong in a restaurant. But truth is, that’s ridiculous. And if a restaurant doesn’t allow strollers, then they should do their due diligence to write that on their website or by the door. Because I did mine by going on and checking to make sure it was a big enough facility. There was lots of space there for me to fold my stroller and tuck away. It wasn’t even busy the entire time I was there, there was a total of 3 tables being served and 2 people came in to get coffee to go. There’s also a decent long hallway to the patio in the back of the cafe.

We ordered burgers. I got the veggie burger and it came with a side of fries. I was really happy with the amount of avocado they used in this burger. I love avocado. It was nice. If I were to go back I would try something different as I wasn’t in love with it. It’s a messy burger so I cut mine in half. The soda was really good, but it’s $6. I’d love to go back for lattes and dessert.
The owners of the cafe were there and they were super nice. I didn’t mention what had happened. Would I recommend this place to others? Sure. Would I go again? Maybe. Only because the owners are nice, food was good and the place is so damn pretty!

P.S Later that same day we went to Lavelle and they were super accommodating. I folded up the stroller and put it against a wall that was pretty out of sight. Lavelle is a restaurant/lounge on a roof top on King St.

Have you ever gone somewhere and you felt not welcomed or discriminated?

Food March 6, 2016

Easy Alfredo with Peas by Chef Michael Allemeier #CatelliFamilies

Weekdays are generally a very busy time for families. Going to work, appointments and for the stay at home mommies or those on maternity leave, taking care of your little one(s). I get excited when I find a really good quick and easy recipe, and folks..this recipe by Chef Michael Allemeier is definitely one of those recipes! It’s almost time for me to go back to work and this recipe fell into my lap at the right time. Just when I started searching for more ideas and created my new board on Pinterest labeled “Week night dinner ideas“. I feel like I’ve exhausted all the usual dinners I make and really needed a reboot. If you totally get me right now, then check out that board after you’ve read through this recipe. 😉

You might have watched my snapchat videos of how I went on and on about #CatelliFamilies and what I used, so I’ll get straight to the point. Prep time for this recipe will be anywhere between 5-7 mins, cook time 15 mins woohoo! and will make 4 servings.

What you need

1 Pkg Catelli Smart® Spaghetti

375 mL	whipping cream
2 cups (500 mL)	peas, fresh (or frozen optional)
1 cup (250 mL)	shredded parmesan cheese
1/3 cup (80 mL)	green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 tsp (3 mL)	ground nutmeg
	Salt to taste

Instructions

	Add 4 litres of water to a pot and add 1 tbsp (15 mL) salt to water. Bring to a boil.
	Heat a large pot or frying pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot add cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 4 minutes to slightly thicken. Keep warm.
	Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Add peas to the hot cream and return to a simmer. Once pasta is cooked, drain well and add to the hot sauce.
	Add Parmesan cheese, nutmeg and sliced green onions and bring to a simmer. Adjust salt to taste and serve at once.

I never thought a simple Alfredo with peas would taste this good! My husband is a huge meat eater so I made some spicy ground chicken for him to mix in with this recipe. Chefs tip is to try adding mushroom and/or tomatoes. On that note, I think I’ll try to add zucchini next time! What will you make with your Catelli pasta? Use the hashtag #CatelliFamilies to share your awesome recipes.