Street Eats – thefriendlygiraffe

Cafe de Olla: A Sweet and Spicy Mexican Delight!

August 14, 2015August 14, 2015by Arden Jobling-HeyLeave a Comment

Have you craved Mexican? I mean really craved it? Like lick the salt from your tongue, feel the beans in your tummy kind of crave it? Well, I have! Last night, despite a sincere dislike for all things Tequila, I was craving Margaritas, or at least the idea of an icy cold Margarita on a patio in the midst of Canadian summer heat.

I had the perfect excuse for a night in the city since a friend from Hamburg was visiting and we knew it would likely be years until we met again (okay definitely not years, but many months at the very least). So, five of us got together and plopped ourselves down at Milagros, a tasty little cantina in Queen West, one of the Toronto’s hotspots.

Despite having the best of intentions to follow my taste buds, I backed right put of my strawberry Margarita and settled on a glass of sangria and a slurp of my companions’ Micheladas; beer mixed with chili, lime, Worcester sauce and hot sauce. That was one of the strangest things to got my lips in a long time, but truth be told, it was like a Mexican Caesar, and was pretty much delicious.

We kick-started our meal with a scrumptious serving of nachos and guacamole. After washing that down with a refreshing Corona, I ordered myself a Tinga tostada and two tacos (Hongos con Quesa) filled with a type of feta cheese that was grilled to perfection!

The highlight of my meal however came after our food was cleared away. Since I was the designated driver, I opted in for a caffeine-inspired pick me up to carry me the 40 minutes back to the burbs. I’m not a coffee drinker my nature, so I thought I’d spice things up (literally) and order a Café de Olla, a delicious cup of coffee served with cinnamon and molasses. Topped with a dollop of milk, it was surprising flavourful and proved a sweet – and spicy – way to end the perfect night.

Heading to Milagros? Give it a try! It’s a Mexican delight you won’t find anywhere else.

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5 Delicious (and Thirst Quenching) Ways to Enjoy Boston

March 15, 2015by Arden Jobling-HeyLeave a Comment

This winter, I had the pleasure of visiting Boston for the very first time, and wasn’t at all disappointed. While the reason for the visit was a wedding that was held at the Petit Robert Bistro ( a charming restaurant that I would certainly recommend for both the ambiance and the deliciously catered spread they offered following the ceremony) we also had time to saunter around the city and explore the many flavours of Bostonian cuisine.

Finding innovative ways to escape the cold, my husband and I sought sanctuary in coffee shops and other eateries around town, and as a result, discovered some (by no means all) pretty delicious ways to enjoy Boston. Here they are:

Max Brenner

From the minute you walk into Max Brenner until you finally sample a heavenly cup of cocoa-based goodness, it’s impossible not to get lost in the luscious smell of chocolate circulating throughout the cafe. When you first sit down, the menu seems endless, filled with both food and drink that are slathered in oodles of all types of chocolate.

Since we were buying our time until lunch, my husband and I decided to limit our order to whopping cups of delicious dark and milk hot chocolates. Both were luxurious, but the dark chocolate was absolutely to die for. The best part? The cute little hug mugs they use to serve warm drinks; the perfect wrap-around size to warm your hands up on a cold day and make you feel right at home.

Eastern Standard

Come one, come all! Eastern Standard offers what are, hands down, the best cocktails in Boston. We had the opportunity to visit twice over the course of three days and each time we left wanting to try just one more of their creatively concocted seasonal cocktails. What I loved about Eastern Standard was that it served as both a watering hole both for the upwardly elite and the grounded hipster. With room to dine and a bar that is packed, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect cocktail, whatever your taste.

The best part? The list of late night snacks they write on the mirror directly behind the bar. It’s such a great way to let people know what’s on the menu and I can only assume… it’s frikkin’ delicious. Continue reading “5 Delicious (and Thirst Quenching) Ways to Enjoy Boston” →

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Rapid Review: Cafe Berlin, Washington D.C

January 14, 2015by Arden Jobling-HeyLeave a Comment

Schmeckt gut. Schmeckt SEHR gut.

On a recent weekend getaway to Washington D.C, my husband and I decided to get a little nostalgic and test out Cafe Berlin. We hadn’t had good schnitzel in a while and decided to take advantage of the good weather, the beautiful patio and the twinkling lights that brought a little Europe back into our lives. It turned out to be the best decision we made all weekend.

Schnitzel. Beer. Schlager Musik. Ja!

In addition to sipping on some truly delicious beer (I was even able to order a Radler – the German version of a Shandy – without getting a questioning stare in return), I was able to nibble on Obatzda und Bretzen, my all-time favourite beer-garden treat! As it turns out, in Cafe Berlin, in the middle of Washington, I was in Bavarian heaven – without giving up a week’s worth of holiday.

The Huehner Schnitzel was fabulous. The atmosphere romantic. The Schlager Musik? Well, it felt just like home away from home. Fun for those with a bit of German running through their blood, connoisseurs of Bavarian culture or die-hard fans of the Die deutsche Fußballnationalmannschaft, Cafe Berlin certainly will always hit the spot.