Look Local – Celebrating Community
Author

Team Writer

Browsing
Arts & Events

 Taste of Burlington Fall Prix-Fixe Program

No Comments

Enjoy Burlington’s delicious food scene with prix-fixe dining options during the Taste of Burlington Fall Program. Dine-in, Patio, and Take-out options are available.

 

Tourism Burlington is proud to announce that the Taste of Burlington Fall Program, presented by PV&V Insurance, is running October 4-24. With 29 participating eateries and restaurants, you can guarantee you’ll be well-fed from a wide variety of menu options. Lunch and dinner choices, dine-in, outdoor patio, and Take out options; the program provides it all.

To make it easier to view menus, enter to win prizes, and receive returning offers from restaurants, Taste of Burlington is once again using a free mobile passport that patrons can sign up for on the Taste of Burlington website. There’s no app to download; it is a web-based program – you simply sign up. When you use the passport to check-in at restaurants, you are entered to win weekly gift card giveaways as well as the grand prize draw of a $500 gift card to the Taste restaurant of your choice. 

New this year are Live Music Wednesdays during the program, sponsored by Sound of Music Festival. Each Wednesday from 7-9 pm will feature a live music performance at one of the Taste restaurants. October 6 will be at The Port House, October 13 at District Kitchen & Bar, and October 20 at The Dickens.

Kelly Harris, Marketing Specialist at Tourism Burlington and Coordinator of the Taste of Burlington says “Several new restaurants are joining the fall program and we are glad to have them join. Our restaurants are safe and ready to welcome you and appreciate your ongoing support after the past 18 months.”

Taste of Burlington started with just 12 restaurants in 2008 and has steadily grown since and runs in February/March and October each year. Burlington has been established as a dining destination in the GTA with the variety and uniqueness of a large city combined with the accessibility and service of a small town.

Burlington has something to offer every taste from casual fine dining and intimate bistros to pubs, fast food, and specialty shops. The Taste of Burlington program encourages diners to try something new at one of the city’s many dining establishments. 

A full list of participating businesses can be found at https://tasteofburlington.ca/prix-fixe-program/

For more information on the 2021 Fall Taste of Burlington Prix-Fixe program, please visit tasteofburlington.ca, or contact Kelly Harris at 905-634-5594 / kelly.harris@burlington.ca

Keep Reading
By
Arts & Events

Falling in Love With Bala – The Bala Cranberry Festival

No Comments

Every year, cottagers anxiously await the official opening of summer: Victoria Day Weekend. And as soon as the calendar strikes May 24th, cars packed with coolers, pillows, and fishing rods make their way down Highway 400 toward the land of the “Muskokas”.

Muskoka is a collection of wonderful towns that together make up the most popular cottage country area in Ontario. With over 1,600 lakes, thousands of acres of green forest, and lots of great restaurants and places to stay, it’s no wonder everyone wants to be there.

But after every last smore, campfire song, and cannonball off the dock has been had, as lake temperatures drop and leaves start to change colour, cottagers prepare for the unofficial closing: The Bala Cranberry Festival.

The Town of Bala – often referred to as the Heart of Muskoka – is a picturesque small town where Lake Muskoka empties into Moon River. The Town itself is Canada’s smallest incorporated town with a population of approximately 370 year-round residents. But throughout the summer and into the festival weekend, this small town sees anywhere from 5,000 to 15,000 people.

Besides being Canada’s smallest town, Bala is home to the largest cranberry marsh in Ontario (the Johnston Cranberry Marsh) and known as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario. And what should one do when famous for cranberries? Throw an epic festival around it.

Every year since 1984, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Bala hosts their annual (and world famous) Cranberry  Festival. Every year except for 2020, of course. However, in previous years, when the festival rolled around, the town would explode with music, events, and food – and the theme through it all: cranberries. And this year, the cranberries are back!

“After a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the board of directors is eager to bring the festival back to its fervent and loyal following,” their Facebook page reads.

The 2021 edition will be smaller to help organizers comply with health regulations. However, festival organizers say all details depend on what’s to come in the following weeks and how Public Health moves forward. “As details become available, they will be posted on our social media page and website,” festival organizers confirm. Adding, “Although the festival will be scaled down, organizers are looking to re-establish the event as one of the premier arts and crafts festivals in Ontario. This year’s event will be for the enthusiast of epicurean delights, quality arts, and affection for local and Canadian made.”

Along with the festival, Bala and surrounding towns, Gravenhurst and Minett, have stunning sights, incredible restaurants, and cozy accommodations. Both the JW Marriot Rosseau Muskoka in Minett and Marriott Residence Inn in Gravenhurst have a resort-like feel with beautiful lake views.

Dock of the Bay is a casual restaurant on Lake Muskoka a stone’s throw from the Marriott Residence – offering seafood, steak, and pasta with a lake-top deck. It’s especially romantic for couples staying in the area. In town, there’s Sawdust City Saloon. Among the adult-friendly beer taps, you’ll find a family-friendly food menu (and if you’re lucky, the outdoor food truck and ice-stream truck will still be in season).

In Muskoka Lakes, you can find Clear Lake Brewing Co., just a hop-skip-and-jump down from the festival at the corner of Hwy 169 and Southwood Road. They have a restaurant on-site, bonfire, and live music.

Also, let’s not forget all the small shops in these little towns. Shops who have been hit by the pandemic just like our beloved locals have. Explore, shop small, and bring home a piece of Bala.

The 2021 Bala Cranberry Festival will take place the weekend after Thanksgiving – October 15th to 17th.

Keep Reading
By
Articles

Oh My Gourd – Eating Through The World of Squash

No Comments

Gourds – which are actually a fruit and not a vegetable – are one of the earliest known domesticated plants, with evidence of their use dating back to 13,000 BC.  They’ve been used throughout history, not just as a source of food, but as tools and musical instruments, including percussion, wind, and string. Ancient Egyptians found them especially useful to store and carry water. Who knew a gourd could have so many different uses?

The fruit itself comes from the Cucurbitaceae family (also called the Cucurbits or gourd family). There are about 965 different species of gourd and 95 genera. Humans make the most use of the Cucurbita, which includes squash, pumpkin, zucchini, and some other gourds.

Bottle gourds have a hard shell and their Latin name is Lagenaria Siceraria, meaning drinking vessel (which was their main purpose centuries ago).  Surprisingly, they’re so durable, they can last for years, making them even more useful. 

Ornamental gourds are used for decoration, as the name would suggest, and have a softer shell.  They come in different textures and shapes to make them attractive and generally only last one season.

Sponge gourds look like sponges from the sea and when dried, their shell can be scraped off, exposing the inner fiber which can be used as a sponge or loofah.

Snake gourds are a member of the pumpkin family but have seeds like their relatives: watermelons.  They are not too tasty and should be eaten when young.

Cooking with gourds can be really fun as there are so many different types and they are so versatile. 

Stuffed squash is the most perfect meal for fall, and fills the house with the most tempting aromas.  Fillings can vary from a hearty option of sausage, mushroom, barley, onion, and cheese, with a hint of fresh oregano, or use leftover roasted chicken with some grilled vegetables, feta cheese, and brown rice. A real comfort food option is stuffing a squash with bread, cheese, and bacon. 

Keeping recipes vegetarian with gourds is simple and delicious. Dried cranberries, mushrooms, broad beans, and pecan nuts make a flavourful stuffing for squash. If you have a lot of time on your hands, the Squashducken is a fun new trend.  A squash…stuffed inside of a squash…stuffed inside a squash, flavoured with any sauce or pesto you choose.  A hazelnut basil pesto would suit this dish perfectly.  Or keep things simple and marinate a par-cooked gourd in lime, then stuff it with cottage cheese, chili, and chopped tomatoes and bake it in the oven. 

Gourds can also be peeled and chopped and used for a variety of delicious dishes.  Curries, soups, and chili are all options; it is merely the flavouring that is altered to create an interesting authentic dish. 

Curried butternut soup, laced with coconut cream is a firm fall favourite.  For a hearty dish that will feed the whole family, whip up a pumpkin, beef, and black bean chili with a generous squeeze of fresh lime.

Chopped squash roasted in the oven with olive oil, a hint of sugar, and cinnamon is one of life’s simple pleasures and more complicated recipes are not always better than this simple choice.  There are so many ideas for including squash into a meal – like kale and butternut frittata, or pumpkin cannelloni with burnt sage butter, or even pumpkin loaf.

Using pumpkin for appetizers is not always the most natural choice, but it is such a versatile vegetable and can transform any canapé or app. Pumpkin deviled eggs, with a sweet and smoky sauce is a great take on the 1950’s staple, or try a smoky pumpkin hummus as another appetizer with walnut bread or pita.  Crostini topped with grilled pumpkin and arugula pesto is healthy and fresh and can be served as a snack or for a light lunch. 

A decadent side dish using gourds is a great accompaniment. 

Try pumpkin walnut bread pudding with sage, or for a twist on a traditional dish, creamy pumpkin scalloped potatoes.  Baked parmesan pumpkin fries are an exotic way to serve a classic pub favourite, yet healthier, as well as adding some colour to the meal.

There are endless ways of making the simple gourd a glamourous addition to the fall table and getting everyone into the season’s mood.   

And if you’re on the hunt to try some fun fall flavours around town, restaurants are incorporating gourds into a variety of their dishes. Try:

Keep Reading
By
Arts & Events

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce launches campaign to support local businesses

No Comments

The Oakville Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is excited to announce the launch of a “Love Local” campaign in Oakville. The campaign aims to help boost the economic recovery for local businesses, with the goal of encouraging the community to continue to support local through a mix of activations, contests, and marketing.

The logo has been brought to life into a 15-foot x 6-foot high public art installation, moving around the town of Oakville over the coming months. The OCC will also be giving away branded limited edition sweatshirts, toques and totes at pop-up events and in partnership with local businesses.

The OCC have also launched a video series with local celebrity, Chris Mei, highlighting what Oakvillians love about the Town, and the businesses that call this place home. Follow @oakvillechamber on Instagram or Facebook to tune in and follow along – plus find out when and where they will be giving away swag! Every business and vendor associated with the development of this campaign is a local, Oakville company.

To find a directory of local businesses you can support, visit OakvilleChamber.com

To see a list of businesses within a specific BIA, visit:

To stay up to date on events, tours and tourism, go to visitoakville.com

For more information on this campaign, visit oakvillechamber.com/love-local

Keep Reading
By
Arts & Events

Oakvillegreen and MOM2MOM BIZ Partner to Plant Trees at Oakville’s Woodgate Woods Park

No Comments

The Oakvillegreen Conservation Association treeplanting event in collaboration with MOM2MOM BIZ® Women Entrepreneur Network is taking place on Saturday, September 18th 2021 from 10 am to 12 pm at Woodgate Woods Park.

Thanks to donations from the MOM2MOM BIZ® members, over 250 native trees were purchased to be planted during the event. The aim of this event is to enhance the McCraney Creek natural ecosystem while connecting the local community with nature. Planting trees is one of the local actions we can take to combat climate change, increase our urban forest canopy, protect our watersheds and improve local biodiversity.

“Engaging the public in our efforts is extremely important, and we’re grateful to MOM2MOM BIZ® members for their hands-on participation at Woodgate Woods.” said Beatriz Gomez, Oakvillegreen’s Program Director. “This type of group action is a wonderful commitment to our community, helping to support healthy urban forests in Oakville”.

Since their founding over 20 years ago, Oakvillegreen has planted 35,500 native trees in partnership with 12,500 community volunteers, including youth, seniors, corporate and community groups.

“Our members are women entrepreneurs and small business owners who are committed to helping their local communities. We are proud to take part in this event with Oakvillegreen, which will contribute to greening our Oakville community” added Bella Onay, Founder of MOM2MOM BIZ®.  “By coming together to plant trees, we’re taking local action to support urban nature and building community connections.”

Oakvillegreen Conservation Association (Oakvillegreen) is a non-partisan environmental charity that has been helping to protect and restore nature through community education and local action, since 2000. Their objectives are to reconnect people to nature, protect local water quality, increase climate resiliency, increase natural habitat and tree cover and improve local biodiversity. Each year, Oakvillegreen engages hundreds of volunteers in tree planting and invasive species removal events in Oakville parks and greenspace, in partnership with the Town of Oakville. Through direct engagement, and the promotion of nature-based climate solutions, Oakvillegreen is working to create a greener Oakville. www.oakvillegreen.org

Founded in 2017, MOM2MOM BIZ® is a business feature, referral and support network powered by women for women entrepreneurs and small business owners. As an entrepreneurial network, MOM2MOM BIZ® focuses on building community connections and enhancing collaborations while working towards personal and business growth. The network’s collective community initiatives bring small businesses together to support local causes.

www.mom2mombiz.ca

Keep Reading
By
Community

Mye 2 Wins ‘Best Sushi’ 2021 Talk of the Town Award

No Comments

Settle in for some seafood with our Best Sushi Talk of the Town Award-winner, Mye 2 Japanese Restaurant!

Well-known as one of Oakville’s finest sushi restaurants, Mye2 is the second of Oakville’s historic Mye establishments. This family of restaurants has been local since 1987 when Chef Motoaki Aoki was invited to open Oakville’s first Japanese restaurant upon invitation from then-Mayor Harry Barrett.

This location is currently open for distanced indoor dining, curbside pickup and delivery. You won’t want to miss out on this mouthwatering selection of Japanese cuisine, as well as a few special off-menu items.

Treat yourself to a night of fine dining with this local hidden gem.

Looking for some good quality sushi you can bring home with you? Try our Best Sushi runner-up, Choi’s Sushi!

This Kerr Village newcomer has all your favourites for affordable prices while offering combos, party platters and specialized menu items. Settle in for date night or buy for the whole family with this local takeout spot.

Indulge in the best all-you-can-eat experience at Best Sushi second runner-up, Yame Sushi!

This Kerr Village favourite offers all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner menus at an affordable price so you don’t have to miss out on any of your favourite dishes. Dine in at a distance or order out for some at-home fine dining and get your sushi fix with the help of this local hot spot.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted! We will be announcing our next category on September 1, 2021 over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2021 Talk of the Town Awards: Best Sushi

1. Mye 2 Japanese Restaurant

2. Choi’s Sushi

3. Yame Sushi

4. Spoon and Fork

5. Ami Sushi

Keep Reading
By
Articles

A Home That Says Hello – Boosting Curb Appeal

No Comments

 

There’s nothing like coming home to a place that, well, feels like home – and that all starts from the outside. Pulling into your driveway, you want your home to wrap you in a warm ‘welcome home’ hug. And unlike your bedroom or kitchen, the outside of your home is visible to everyone. Some paint, the right lighting, and a new garage door can make a huge impact on the look and feel of your home. But where do you start? 

Luckily, local businesses and experts have a wide range of resources and services available to help you upgrade your home’s exterior to match your perfect style (and become the envy of the neighbourhood).
 
Here are some tips for a curb-friendly facelift. 


Garage Doors

Just like interior design trends, outdoor living trends are everchanging. This year, trends have included simplistic contemporary designs while also adding a pop of individuality. Burlington’s Overhead Doors say that “Homeowners are continually choosing colours and design options that, help their homes stand out in the pack while also boosting their curb appeal.” 

While changing your garage door may seem like a daunting task, Overhead Doors has an app called ‘Garage Door Designer’. You can upload a photo of your home and customize your garage with just a touch of a button, making it easy to visualize your dream garage door. 


Front Doors + Brick Work

Current architectural trends favour modern contemporary home styles with lots of windows to let in natural light, and stone and wood accents. Glass doors are also growing in popularity for both the front door and the garage doors. Carriage house garage doors are always popular for their charm and character. 

You can always refresh the exterior of your home by refacing your brick or changing the siding. Exterior by Design in Oakville says stucco is always a popular option because of its “durability and resistance to the elements, plus it also has a multitude of design options.”

As for your front door, gone are the days of a double front entrance. A double front door on a house can make a home’s entrance seem dated. With the wide door frame opening, you can make a double front door into one door by installing a single front door with sidelights. The Door Centre in Burlington says, “A modern door can transform your entryway by
mixing up colours, shapes, and materials. Reclaimed materials like wood can be both rustic and unconventional, depending on how you choose to utilize them.” Not only will a new door update the look of your entrance, but the single door with sidelights allows natural light into the entryway as well.


Mixing and Matching Colours

The first – and arguably hardest – decision to make when planning the exterior look of your home is picking a paint colour. There are seemingly endless options to choose from. Should your paint match your brick? Or should you go bold and bright? 

Our local professionals recommend you make sure to pick a colour that matches or complements your brick or siding. You can’t go wrong with grey, beige, teal, or black. But it’s also on-trend to paint your front door with a pop of colour. Complementary colours work to give the façade of your home a classic and timeless look. But mixing in a bright front door or a pop of colour on windowsills or shutters can help to give your home a personal touch.

While current trends are a fun way to get inspired, you should always consider how long you plan on staying in your home and what finishes really speak to you. Curb appeal is one of the first things people see when it comes to purchasing a home – but if your home is going to be ‘home, sweet, home’ for the foreseeable future, it is more important to choose designs that you love rather than having to be ‘on trend’.  

Local Links

Overhead Door of Hamilton | Burlington, Burlington

overheaddoorburlington.ca

Exterior By Design, Oakville


exteriorbydesign.ca

The Door Centre, Burlington
thedoorcentre.ca

Keep Reading
By
Articles

Gear Up For Gold – With The Burloak Canoe Club

No Comments

Nestled on Navy Flats along the banks of Sixteen Mile Creek is the little club that could – the Burloak Canoe Club (founded in 1989).  However, Burloak’s story begins long before this official club was founded.  It actually dates back to 1958 when The Mohawk Canoe Club came to fruition in Burlington.  Formerly situated where Spencer Smith Park now lies, the Mohawk Club was started by Mike Moir, Bill Pitt and Bill Dinsmore under black and green racing colours.  In 1974, the Oakville Racing Club was founded by former Toronto Island paddler, Bill Collins, and Dorothy Jamison, under the colours of brown and white.  In 1989, the two clubs joined forces forming the Burloak Canoe Club, adopting a new set of official colours – solid black with a coloured badge on the front. And since then, the Burloak Canoe Club has gained a name for itself, lending a hand in developing the skills of some of the top paddlers in the world.  

Adam Oldershaw, Head Coach at the Burloak Canoe Club, recently coached 2021 Olympian Alanna Bray-Lougheed.  Oldershaw says, “I started coaching Alanna when she was 14 years old, and the most striking characteristic I’ve seen over the years is her willingness to do the work, even at that young age.  I think she was hesitant for many years to believe that she really could set her goals to be at the top, but I’ve had the good fortune to help her on that path to realizing that she can be among the very best and compete on the world stage”.  And while Alanna didn’t win a medal in the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics, she has made a name for herself in the sprint kayaker sport.  In 2019, she was pondering retirement, but earned a spot on the team for the Lima 2019 Pan Am Games, and found renewed focus and drive.  She raced to gold in the K-2 500m and helped the women’s K-4 500m team paddle to their third consecutive gold.

But long before Alanna qualified to represent Team Canada in the Olympics, The Mohawk Canoe Club and The Oakville Racing Club had earned our two cities quite a reputation on the Olympic stage.  In 1984, Larry Cain became the first Canadian to win an Olympic canoeing title since Berlin in 1936, and Jack Chubaty followed in qualifying for the Olympic team in 1988. Then, came Adam van Koeverden and Adam’s brother, Mark Oldershaw.

Adam van Koeverden started paddling at only 13 years old, eventually winning four Olympic and eight world championship medals.  Mark Oldershaw entered his first Olympic games in 2008 in Beijing.  Mark had initially planned on entering the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.  However, in earlier years, a tumor was discovered in his right hand which was his prominent paddling hand.  This required two surgeries, damaging a nerve and causing him chronic pain.  It caused Mark to miss qualifying in 2004, but he successfully brought home a bronze medal in the 2012 summer Olympics. 

Burloak Canoe Club has also coached Brady Reardon who raced front paddler for Canada in Beijing in 2008.  Brady’s father, Jim Reardon, also raced in the same position in the 1972 Olympics.  Chris Pellini, another Burloak-er, raced in Beijing in 2008 and Gavin Maxwell raced in the 1996 Olympics.

There is so much history on the racers and the club itself that we can’t quite fit it all into one short story.  As a club that has earned more gold medals than any other Canadian Canoe Club in the last 30 years, the talent and history of its paddlers and coaches run deep with pride.  The club offers a first-class training program for close to 250 members of all ages and levels of experience, from novice to world champion, so there’s no saying who will be next to bring home a gold.

Keep Reading
By
Shop Local

Shop Local: Ready, Set, Accessorize!

No Comments

It’s time to get back to busy, as many of us are heading back to the office and back to school. We’ve pulled together a collection of stylish, one-of-a-kind, locally-sourced accessories that’ll have you looking chic and ready for this new season of change!

 

Holland Designs

Add a little pop of colour to your outfit with these gorgeous silk pouches, designed and made in Toronto by Holland Designs.

looklocal.ca || Toronto, ON

Pure Boutique

You’ll fall in love with these light and flowy linen scarves from Pure Boutique. In gorgeous neutral hues, they’ll complement any look, be it chic or casual.

pureboutique.ca || Burlington, ON

Campbell & Co

The ’90s are making a comeback! Add a fresh rotation of scrunchies to your collection with a playful pair from Waterdown’s Campbell & Co.

campbellcohome.com || Waterdown, ON

Lana’s Boutique

Stay chic and cool with a wide-brimmed sun hat as you’re out on the town – for work or for play, this hat will add that perfect finishing touch to your look!

lanasbronte.com || Oakville, ON

Figg Studio

Make a bold statement with chic earrings made and designed locally by Figg Studio! Handmade with polymer clay, each pair is incredibly unique and full of whimsy!

looklocal.ca || Toronto, ON

Shop Emie

Layer on the (self) love with a stunning necklace from Shop Emie. Made-to-order by local Ontario jewellers, Shop Emie pieces are crafted exclusively from precious metals and gemstones.

looklocal.ca || Toronto, ON

Brave Soles

Pairing sustainability with style, these trendy sandals will elevate any look! Crafted from ethically sourced and fairly traded leather, the ‘Linda’ is a simple, elegant slide that is able to dress up any outfit.

looklocal.ca || Toronto, ON

Keep Reading
By
Features

Mais Oui, Patisserie

No Comments

There is nothing quite like the tempting aromas that waft from a French patisserie or bakery: fresh butter, flaky croissants, and tempting baked goods. When traveling in France – an ideal hub for foodies – it is important to know your bakery terminology (especially if you’re looking for a crispy croissant). A boulangerie is a bakery that sells bread, while a patisserie is a bakery that sells pastries.

In some countries, using the word patisserie in the name of an establishment is a legally controlled title reserved for bakeries that employ a licensed pastry chef. A pastry chef has to have completed a lengthy training process, including an apprenticeship and a written exam.

The history of pastry making is often disputed. Many people claim it started with the 13th Century baker, Régnaut-Barbon, who rolled sweet patisseries similar to waffles called oublies.  Puff pastry or millefeuille was created in 1540 by Popelini. Others say the sweet treats came from Italy with Queen Marie de Medici, who introduced ice cream and macarons to France after marrying King Henri IV in 1600.  

But it was in 1686 when French café culture really started with the opening of the now-famous Le Procope, the first Parisian café that served coffee, chocolate, and ice cream. In the early 1800s, Marie-Antoine Carême popularized the millefeuille, the multilayered pastry filled with cream and custard and croquembouche, a caramel-enrobed tower of cream eclairs, now popular at weddings.

When visiting Paris, it’s worth stopping by various signature patisseries to try their specialties. 

Arnaud Delmontel is famous for its pain au chocolat, the traditional flaky pastry with a block of bittersweet chocolate rolled into its centre. The chocolate eclairs at Yann Couvreur are worth trying for a less traditional approach to patisserie.

For a French sensation without leaving our borders, try Patisserie D’or in Glen Abbey in Oakville. Their French pastry chef is always creating exotic cakes and pastries. Their croissants are light and flaky and come in a variety of excellent flavours including plain, chocolate, and almond, and their raisin danishes (pain au raisin) are amazing too. There is a wide selection of macarons, tarts, and French desserts. And at Christmas, they have a specialty millefeuille. It is worth visiting their Instagram page to see what is new and enticing.

Tradition de France on Lakeshore Road in Oakville has a heritage of French bakers and pastry chefs dating back to 1922. There is always a lineup outside this bakery – proof of its popularity and quality. Their range is extensive and inviting like Le Saint-Honoré in Paris. Try their vanilla puffs or éclairs with interesting flavours from peanut butter, raspberry chocolate, or Nutella. Or try the strawberry vanilla millefeuille which they are famous for. They also make a nostalgic swan cake, symbolic of the chef’s father. When the chef’s grandfather owned the bakery, it was his father’s favourite cake and was always served on Sunday. This choux pastry is filled with vanilla cream in the shape of a swan.  

Maison Delice on Kerr Street in Oakville offers bespoke baking for special occasions. They have an Eid cookie collection, and even did a special range of cookies in the shape of maple leaves and pyramids for a Canadian-Egyptian wedding. Try the savoury quiches filled with chicken and mushroom and made with puff pastry. The dramatic Saint Honoré cake is comprised of millefeuille and eclairs together in this signature cake, filled with cream and decorated with spun sugar.

Croissant Express Bakery on Lakeshore Road in downtown Oakville specializes, as the name suggests, in croissants. Choose between plain, almond, or chocolate, or indulge in one of many deliciously prepared meals. Don’t forget to pair your baked treats with a Nutella frappe on a hot day. They also produce cookies for special occasions. On Canada Day, they had a wide selection of patriotic cookies, and they baked dad-friendly cookies for Father’s Day. 

Saving Thyme in Burlington produces delicious French pastries thanks to Chef Alexandra’s expertise. She is famous for exquisite quiches with a creamy custard in a traditional pâte brisée, and delicious traditional fillings such as leek and Gruyere. She also makes macarons, croissants, choux pastry and tarts, and artisanal French bread such as brioche.

So – if a trip to France is not on the cards this year, don’t despair!  There are plenty of excellent options nearby to offer you armchair travel and exquisite indulgence.   

Local Links


Patisserie D’Or, Oakville || patisseriedor.com



Tradition de France, Oakville || @TraditionDeFranceOntario

Maison Delice, Oakville || @maisondelice

Croissant Express, Oakville || @CroissantExpressBakery

Saving Thyme, Burlington || Savingthyme.ca

Keep Reading
By