pastries galore

I am finally almost hungry again. It only took five days... I'm sure you can guess what happened. Yes, I ate multiple pastries on Saturday, and they were so very good, that I did the same thing on Sunday.

Now, this has happened before, but at least I was pregnant. All I can say now is that Yann's pastries are just that ridiculously delicious.

If you live in Calgary, or anywhere nearby, I highly recommend making an immediate visit to Yann's Haute Patisserie in Mission. Not only is it family owned and run, but the family also lives right above the bakery. How cool is that! Do note that this never happens in Calgary....


I've been Yann's probably a bit more than sparingly. I've adored every morsel. I've never had anything from Yann's that was less than exceptional. I particularly love their chocolate croissants, which are perfectly flaky, but they don't explode into a million crumbs and make a gigantic mess. They also contain enough chocolate to bring your taste buds to a satisfactory high.

I also adore their skinny baguettes, and yes I know, and they know that pastry shops don't typically carry baguettes, but there was such an overwhelming demand for them, I think they just couldn't refuse. I can't say I've ever done anything with one of them except rip off the pieces and devour it as quickly as possible. With or without butter. They are good enough to make your gums bleed, as a proper baguette should, but also still tender enough to melt away into nothingness. Divine.


My new favourite, and we're talking to-die-for, I would walk a hundred miles for in freezing rain for, are Yann's chocolate hazelnut donuts. Like an Italian bomboloni; a stuffed donut. I am not normally a donut seeker, but I cannot overstate enough, just how absurdly good these are. In one bite, the outer section immediately gives way to a succulent center, chock-full of chocolate-hazelnut pastry cream. I surely could eat a dozen of these in one sitting, if given the opportunity, and hopefully one day I will. It is good to have dreams, is it not?

If you haven't indulged enough yet for the holidays, Yann's will surely help you out.
Add Post To: | | | | | | | | |

caffe chiaroscuro and piazza della signoria

I am not really so sure why it has taken me to write this, other than the fact that I have been searching through photos, hoping, praying that somewhere I would find a photo of my favourite cornetto di cioccolatta, or chocolate-filled-croissant. But sadly, somehow, I don't have even a single photo! Alas, I guess I'll have to go back to Florence take a photo of one of the world's best chocolate croissants -- I think it's a great excuse, no? The cornetto in question had an orange-flavoured pastry, and was dusted in cocoa. It was flaky, but not so flaky that it explodes into little bits. The outer shell was lovely in and of itself. But the dark chocolate pudding-like inside, was so very scrumptious, that it had me thoroughly disappointed with virtually every other cornetti on the trip! Honestly though, right now, I would happily nibble at any other cornetti di ciocolatta. However, Caffè Chiaroscuro is particularly fantastic, and it does stand out in my mind as somewhere I will love to return to, time and again. You see, nearly everyday of our month-long adventure in Italy consisted of a daily trip to the "bar", for breakfast. An Italian "bar" is like a local gathering place, to grab a quick bite to eat, and probably more likely for a daily cappuccino in the morning, or a caffè - an espresso anytime thereafter. It's like a little ritual to be repeated over and over, and it is but a fleeting moment, but you want it to last for much, much longer. Cappuccino & bomboloni, an apricot jam-filled donut. Perfection. At Chiaroscuro, you can order at the bar counter, or for table service in the back. Chiaroscuro is a bit unusual serving specialty coffee drinks, special blends, and loose leaf teas, as well as the usual cappuccini and espresso. But I like the classics best. It is also possible to enjoy an evening aperitivo. We returned to Caffè Chiaroscuro, several days out of our nine mornings in Florence. I think I am in withdrawal.... After the morning coffee, it is fantastic to soak in the delights of Piazza della Signoria, a real world sculpture garden. Michelangelo's David is housed in the Accademia, but he was originally intended to inspire Florentine's in this spot. This is a copy, but it I cherish the opportunity to see the original place for which great art was intended, especially since it can be a rare event. Please don't think this is just a naked statue of some guy with curly hair. If you look carefully, you can see Michelangelo's vast knowledge and understanding of the body. It is extremely remarkable, but even the smallest details are given attention. The veins on David's right forearm are easily visible and quite prevalent, just as it is when your own hand hangs down at your side; when an arm is up, the veins are no longer plumped with blood, and the veins of David's left hand have receded into his skin. Pure genius. Caffè Chiaroscuro Via del Corso, 36/r Firenze, Italia Tel: 055 214247
Add Post To: | | | | | | | | |