Fancy Beer

Whenever I think about fancy, imported beer, I automatically think of this Mad Men episode where Don Draper et al are trying to market Heineken as a "fancy beer".  They place it in all the suburban supermarkets and hope to lure housewives to the product.  Don's idea is to position it as being imported and avant-garde and hope that they take the bait.  Later in the week, his wife hosts this dinner party where she features a menu from around the world - including "imported German beer" for the guests.  Of course, all of Don's guests are also coworkers and they think that he's put her up to the international menu.  Don is astounded 'cause he hasn't heard a thing of the menu of that night and his guests realize the guise isn't actually that, they all chuckle at how his marketing has really effectively worked on his own wife.  He really is that good.  But, I digress. 

I would like to use this post to point out a new fancy, imported beer that will be sure to become a household name in the years to come.  

I had the pleasure of stumbling across Estrella Damm earlier this year in its home of Barcelona.  I wasn't really looking for a new beer but this one was everywhere.  There is nothing outstanding about it, but when in Spain... 


So upon returning home, I was interested to find Estrella Damm at the Toronto Gourmet Wine and Food Expo.  I had a little again but was a little more fixed in on the one I hadn't seen before - Estrella Inedit.  Now, this is where I feel that I probably am just as gullible as Don's wife, Betty (or not!).  I really can't tell you if one beer is much better than the other but I'm drawn in by the marketing of it.  There really isn't anything like it.  The Inedit is actually supposed to be darker, spicier and perfect for food pairing.  It is apparently the first beer to actually be made specifically for food pairing and table service, by a chef.  Not only that, it is served in this perfect looking wine bottle that I just had to go get, just to set on the table next to some smoked ribs I made.  As my personality would have it, I hold wine bottle up to the man working at the LCBO and explain that it is actually beer and I start a conversation with the women in line behind me - we're all impressed.  Estrella has the marketing down pat, just like Don Draper would've done.  

It is priced for a litre at $6.95 at the LCBO and is available at a large selection of stores but not all.  I have found it in Brooklin, but you may want to search out the inventory of your local store on the LCBO website.  
 

If you are looking for something a little different this holiday - for a fancy beer - something international to spice up your menu, this is it.  It is decadent.  And fancy.  I think. 

Christmas Cookies

In the really short period of time that I've lived in Brooklin, the local bakery - aptly named Brooklin Bakery - has changed ownership three times.  Even though it has been in Brooklin for decades, there was a period of time where I avoided it completely.  The last thing that I ever hope to see in a small-town bakery is mass produced baked goods.  Thankfully, the provisions and ownership has changed again and I am happy to have visited the bakery more in the past few months than I have in the past few years.  Maybe I've visted too much, maybe I should take cue from the free shortbread they gave me this morning.  But, without it, I would not have my inspiration for this update for you.

'Tis the season to be invited to way too many potlucks, parties and opportunities at the office for ridiculous amounts of sugar.  It is sometimes hard to know what to bring where, again avoiding mass produced items.  So, let me tell you about chocolate shortbread.  Have you tried it before?  I had never even heard of it until today.  There it was - small and sweet and drizzled with white, this dark chocolately cookie is simply too decadent to ignore this season.  I wish I had taken a photo of it, but I finished it off so quickly that I didn't have time to even think about it. 

I've had my fair share of different kinds of cookies and pastries but this one is new to me, you will enjoy it too.  You will also bring something 'new' to the table if you are in need of a decadent treat.  They are sold for $3.49 per half-dozen.  Or, you can opt for the regular Christmas cookies and shortbread, a little smaller in size, priced at $1.99 per half-dozen.  Either way, with the price of Walker's Shortbread, I guarantee these cookies are a steal and far more unique.  This is not to mention the fresh pies, bread and croissants on offering (the BEST cheese croissants that I've found within kilometers) - the Brooklin Bakery is back and more decadent than ever!

The Basic Burger

One thing that has never been lacking in Durham are burgers.  Plain, old, homemade, greasy burgers.  They seem to be everywhere.  Starr Burger usually comes up in burger-related conversations, and another place called Pete's Big Bite, Wimpy's in Whitby is a familiar one.  The Rainbow in Oshawa is an oldie but goodie too, their burgers are huge and each venue seems to be reasonably good!  There is also a new place in Ajax, operated under the New York Fries chain, called South Street Burger Co. which has an abundance of cheeses and toppings, with the New York Fries selection of fries to accompany them.  There really isn't a void for a good place, franchised or not.  This is where it comes down to quality and value.

My favourite for a quality burger at a great value is Shake, Rabble and Roll.  It is a new place that has been only open for a year or less on Dundas St. in Whitby.  It is in an old familiar location under completely new ownership that has great classic car nights in the summer.  They have a few types of burgers that are all homemade including one with cheese and bacon baked right in - but I prefer and would recommend the original burger with those toppings on top.  If you feel like something extra, they have some Greek platters as well, with a full Kawartha Dairy bar right onsite.  The service (as far as fast food places go) merit a little wait but it is due to the fresh food they are preparing for you, right to order.  You will see them start it right when you order, and the staff are lovely people!  I often drop in, in the evening for one of their combos featuring a burger, pop and poutine.  It is less than $10 and I can guarantee that it actually feeds two people.  My husband, who has no problem polishing off a Big Mac Meal, will agree.  When I don't feel like sharing, the poutine is large enough for me when I'm not so much in the burger mood.  Yep, I have a burger mood. 

It also stands out with its atmosphere and comfort - I've visited in the summer with my dog and sat at the picnic tables outside and settled into a booth for an evening of greasy food and laughter with girlfriends, it really is whatever you want it to be.  The owners have done a great job with the retro-diner decor (complete with Elvis and Marilyn) and the food is really quite decadent!  Maybe decadent in a greasy, fat-filled way, but definitely decadent!  What more can you be looking for in a burger joint?  What it all comes down to is the fact that the prices are amazing, the portions are gigantic and the atmosphere is one that I want to linger in.  This burger joint stands out, apart from the abundance of similiar sounding places you will find in Durham.  Next time you feel like a burger with a little extra, enjoy Shake, Rabble and Roll.