Gelato in Edmonton

Finally hot enough-
allow me to cut and paste from one of my readers

Have some more for you
1] Pinocchio's on about 160 st. and about 132ave. Yeah I know it is in the industrial area but they have a big space now. Good

I understand they have also reopened by Italian Centre downtown- my original sin!!

2] exquisite chocolates, you know were, not a good place to go to cause of the chocolate running interference except that may not be so bad together.

Yeah- tried this one- good but very creamy-- almost like ice cream-- instead of the icey texture.

3] Bueno Gelato at 12325 -102 ave. again, chocolate next door, is there a connection going on here?
This one is not bad
There is a place on 109 and just south of the river I have to try and then Italian Centre again---
Pinocchios- I think- I will pass on Exquisite Chocolates- good but not my style of Gelato.

I think a gelato tour is in mind!

Rose's

This often humble and considered a poor cousin of the often thought whites and reds-- there are many great roses out there.... perfect for summer sipping!

Perrier Jouet bell Epoque Brut Rose Champagne! 17 stars- for price alone! (upwards of $300.00)
Yes, this is fantastic- I was lucky enough to taste this a few years ago and it made an impression- pink champagne is fantastic- not the cheap Mateus Rose we experienced as children!

Imagine sipping fresh dew from a young rose petal ..........
PS- the following website is a delite-- worth the extra time they ask of us!
http://www.perrier-jouet.com/#/en/http://

Henry of Pelham Cuvee Chathrine Brute Rose---scrumptious! (around $45.00 still pricey but it will make your taste buds giggle while your bank balance does the same)


St. Tropez carte Nire Rose ( around $20.00)
Nice- just don't follow after a Henry of Pelham-- serve this alone and your guests will be happy.

Then the rest- well in this economy we all have to budget- but after chatting about the above
Yellowtail bubbles and Sutter Home white Zinfandel-- can be found at someone else's table.
In my opinion they are the taste we all expect from a blush or rose--- and that -in my humble opinion is not what I want at my table.

Repurposing, Ikea and thrift shopping

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/your-thoughts-on-the-ethics-of-shopping-cheap-089653#commentshttp://

This article could not of come at a better time. While I love browsing the web and the magazines I am addicted to, I have always had a belief that we should buy and re-purpose our things.

I was raised to believe you buy 'slightly' better quality items that have long term use that you can afford- but the catch is these items are be used for the rest of your life. These items are the items your children inherit.

Well made furniture, china ( if you are not lucky enough to inherit some) silverware, crystal never seems to last long in our family so perhaps a cheap on this.

My home is a collection of hand-me-downs, second hand and a few investment pieces I have purchased.

Often, a client will want a new look- and I worked this way before it became 'chic'. I always went through what they had, what they liked and what we could move from one room to another, what we could refinish and recover. In the past my style ethics were considered odd by some.
People had a misconception that 'decorators' just wanted to spend all their money and put a 'stamp' of professionally decorated house on theirs.

I do not believe in this 'overly stylized' concept. A home should reflect the people that live in it- not the decorator. The home should have elements that have been gathered over the years, objects of 'heart' rather than just art objects.

Decor is like style- just because you have masses of money does not mean you have style.
Style is making a look your own not following the masses.

Interested in your opinions

I have been a bad girl!

Weeks ago now- I went to a wonderful FUNdraiser- put on by the Junior League of Edmonton!
One of my friends did suggest to me "Why would you want to go to a stuffy event like that with all the stuffy pretentious women?"
Well, first of all I was invited by a friend- and all he did was start to mention the restaurants that would be there and I cut him off "YES"
Secondly- it must of been a bad night- no stuffy women were there!
It was fantastic
We walked from station to station and sampled the best food and wine--- so now my run down.
Sorry, I try not to say bad things on this blog about anyplace here- so some will get higher ratings than others -but it was all good.
Of course I can't say anything about the food with pork or mushrooms as I don't eat those 'things'.
But here goes on what I did eat and my stars- remember just my stars.

The Blue Pear

I love this place- the sample menus are always the perfect size and I can eat all 5 or 7 courses.
Once even tried the mushroom soup as it was a broth based concoction and it was terrific.
However at this tasting- I have no stars-- so the food was good just not spectacular

Botanica

Bison sliders- good- but only tried the meat not the bun.

Cafe de Ville- one of my favorite restaurants
menu was a goat cheese lobster mushroom tart -I passed- but I am sure it was terrific- mushrooms again

I must point out here I also do not eat wheat products so my opportunities are limited.

Characters

Do not remember the food menu but the 2005 Tinhorn Creek Vineyards from Oliver BC-- (been there great little place!) 2005 Oldfield Merlot got 3 stars and some scribbles- so highly recommend it if you like Merlots


Culinas (Highlands)

This is a new restaurant for Culina-- and the original on 99 street on the southside is amazing!
Small intimate place- yummy food! This new venture is at the old "Bacon"-- and while not been to the new place the food they presented was worth mentioning!
Lamb Koftas with eggplant and dill horseradish!

Flavours Modern Bistro

sorry cannot remember- and no stars or scribbles

Harvest Room

Ahhhh- what a place- the decor alone while a touch intimidating for some is divine for me!
Ham duck confit- so I passed.
But the Quail's Gate Estate Winery 2007 Chardonnay did get a star!
Ah- you still must go- for a special occasion this place will not make a wrong step!

Leva

Menu a fresh petal sorbet with black pansy syrup= lovely but I would serve this as a palate cleanser between courses- just very delicate and not to be confused with a dessert, in my humble opinion.

The Domaine Pinnacle 2005 Sparkling Ice Cider is a for sure try!

Lux Steakhouse

Shepards pie with watago beef- a touch dry for me-- fine meat like this is best served and appreciated in a different dish I think.

Cedar Creek Estate Winery 2008 Pinot Gris was a two star though!

Madison's Grill

I must confess I have never been here- but this was the allstar winner- hands down!
The pairing of the menu with the wine was beyond superb!
Menu- spring creek natural Beef flank with goat cheese and the wine was a Mission Hill Estate 2006 Family Estate Reserve Shiraz!
The winner! 5 stars and many scribbles

Mexico Lindo

Menu Chicken Pibil-- matched with some Alley Kat Brewing Company Ale or Lager ( I did not taste the beer but my friend was pleasantly surprised by the Full Moon Pale Ale)
3 starsfor the chicken

Suede Lounge

Surprised me here- with Alpaca! Gosh I thought that was just for clothes! I did not realize what I was eating until I tasted it- and was so surprised by this sweet meat! Aghh then I felt bad!
Amazing- you should all try this meat- sorry but it really is good!

Kerstins Chocolates

Lovely mousse in a chocolate cup.
I always love chocolate- but need to check this place out a bit more.

En Sante Organic Orchard and winery

Sorry but these all tasted like children's bubbly ciders- not my cup of vino.

So that is all- except if you want terrific herbs check out Morinville Greenhouse/West Country Herbs-- ahhhh to die for!

Dishwashers!

Ah you know I covet- coveted a Miele dishwasher. Well, after shopping (it really is becoming a pain to soak and rewash most of dishes.....



Bosch- scored high-- but had a bad wine rack-- then again do we not mostly hand wash our wine glasses? However we know it is quiet.... then the surprise!



Kitchenaid- stainless steel, stainless inside- better wine rack- the guy said it is on the same 'noise scale' as the Bosch and the Miele-- and higher priced then the Bosch! Who knew?

Ah- I can't find good images on the net- so will have to go back and take some pics- for the record though Bosch has the consumers best rating-- and Kitchenaid -well comprimes itself on it's webpage about the sound- hmmm! My brother has a Kitchenaid- and does not seem so impressed-- so maybe it shall be the Bosch after all!

I will simply keep washing my wine glasses by hand.



So, I still don't know- and I want to finish off the master bed-room with new drapes- and am thinking of doing the 'designer thing' meaning sometimes it is the look rather than the practicality and price of things that win us over-- I want a certain fabric for the shower curtain in the main bath--- at $180 a yard. Then it needs to be lined and custom sewed!



I will take pictures of some of the fabric I am looking at for the drapes - most likely a simple white silk- so not too exciting! Also- get to the wholesalers for another look at the 'silly' but fabulous fabric for the shower curtain!



Again, it is all about save and splurge-- and I did splurge on my 'marble over-sized tile floors installed on a diangle" and saved on the counters, sinks and taps (What a deal on the taps) Yes, I will send pics- but remember the standard issue shower curtain will take away from the look- and you will understand then why the 'splurge' on the shower curtain will make all the difference.