Sitting smack dab in the middle of Alberta, Edmonton might not be your first choice as a dining destination in Canada. But here in the City of Champions the lengthy list of diverse dining options rivals that of our long winter.
Once in a while I find myself craving something to satiate my sweet tooth. The toughest decision is not whether or not to give in to the temptation, but rather where I want to go to find that afternoon pick-me-up. It does not matter if I am in class or in the middle of an outfit shoot for my blog, there are places I will go out of my way to visit. Let me show you them!
DUCHESS BAKE SHOP
124 Street is a district home to some of the best restaurants, boutiques, and art galleries. Here is where you will find Duchess Bake Shop, a patisserie dedicated to serving only the best pastries. All the baked goods are made in house daily from scratch using the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. Patrons eagerly line up at any time of day just to get some of the beautiful treats housed inside of the glass display cases. Although Duchess is well known for their macarons, it is the flaky pastries and cakes that always capture my attention - see the picture at the top of the post!
Some of my favourites include the Brioche Pepin, a mix of vanilla bean pastry cream and milk chocolate folded between buttery brioche dough. Or we can get a little sweeter and order the Paris Brest, or the Macaron Gateau of the month. For March it is L’amour, which features fresh raspberries with lychees, lychee buttercream, housemade raspberry jam and rose ganache. But if chocolate is your thing, The Duke has got you covered. Every bite of the chocolate cake layered with salted caramel and whipped chocolate ganache is worth the caloric guilt.
T.H.I.S. PLACE
The clocks have sprung forward and spring is right around the corner, or so I hope! That means summer is not too far away, but the homemade popsicles at T.H.I.S Place are anything but seasonal. To be Happy Is Simple is their motto, and they stay true to their philosophy by making a majority of their menu items from scratch with the freshest ingredients. Their housemade all-natural fruit popsicles have gained quite the following, and I will admit that I am partial to their Vietnamese iced coffee flavour. Other flavours offered include traditional mango and coconut, or strawberry basil, durian, or sweet corn for those that are more adventurous.
Do you lick or bite into your popsicles? Regardless, your first taste will tell you that the popsicle is made in house. The texture is different from a store-bought treat and knowing that I’m eating a delicious, all-natural popsicle free of preservatives is what makes me happy.
BLISS BAKED GOODS
Dairy free, nut free, and Kosher… add all that together and what does it get you? A specialty bakery in Edmonton! You heard correctly, Bliss Baked Goods has achieved the ability to make delicious pastries that accommodate a variety of dietary restrictions. They can even cater to the vegan crowd.
Of all the pastries they make, the Cinnamon and Sugar Donut is the best doughnut I’ve had in the city. Made with sourdough, this sweet treat is baked before being coated in cinnamon and sugar. The process may sound simple, but the result is absolutely amazing. They are so incredibly light and fluffy, and not oily like their counterparts you may find elsewhere. Bliss may be Edmonton’s smallest bakery, but it sure does leave a big impression after that first bite.
Restaurant Roundup - Edmonton's Sweetest Treats was written by Andrea Chan. A born and raised Edmontonian, Andrea Chan has been eating her way around the city since 2010. Growing up, food played a central role in her family life, where sharing of daily experiences and family bonding occurred over meal time. As a result, Andrea has been taking on the calories, capturing the flavours, and sharing her experiences on her blog at Little Miss Andrea. Healthcare professional by day, food and fashion obsessed at all other times, follow her big adventures on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram.
You can unsubscribe any time!
Oh man… now I feel a trip to 124 St coming up 🙂
Great article, Andrea!
I never get out of Duchess without spending over 100 dollars – I just buy boxes for my mom and gal friends. Cannot resist and don’t get there that often. Every single item is delectable. Yes, I have tried every single item.
Another favourite, not here, is Dauphine’s which used to be called the Queen of Tarts. She makes incredible French Tarts. To-die-for French Tarts.
The Bon Ton Bakery is another famous local stomping ground. Obviously, I like to bake and therefore keep my nose to the trend ground at our local spots, too!
🙂
V