Restaurant Review: Green Bean Cafe - Downtown Windsor Star Location

The Green Bean Cafe has been open in Windsor since 2009 at its first location in the basement of University Community Church, right beside the University of Windsor. Ben and Michelle Davidson are the owners and visionaries behind the student-friendly cafe. As a pastor and a nurse, they may seem unlikely restaurateurs, but the quaint, community-based and lively atmosphere that they have created proves this wrong. That is why I was really excited to hear that they were opening a new location in Downtown Windsor, right in the new Windsor Star Building.

In recent years, downtown Windsor has become host to several new restaurants and eateries that encourage Windsorites to make the drive down to enjoy a meal. The new Green Bean Cafe, otherwise known as the Windsor Star News Cafe is no exception. Located right on the corner of University Avenue and Ouellette, the new Windsor Star Building is hard to miss, but few have discovered the coffee scented treasure on the third floor. I've been looking forward to writing this review for a little while now. I happen to have a personal connection to the lovely Green Bean Cafe - my sister works there! 

But besides that, I am always excited when local people open small businesses that promote homegrown ingredients and enrich the community. My husband and I have popped by on a few occasions and have enjoyed each visit. So without further ado, here's the review!

 Green Bean Cafe - Windsor Star News Cafe

300 Ouellette Ave. - 3rd Floor, Windsor ON

Website: www.greenbeancoffee.ca

Facebook  . Follow on Twitter . Yelp

When you drive up, here's what to look for:

The entrance is on Ouellette Avenue just up those stairs or you can take the elevator up to the 3rd floor.

This is the staircase that leads you up to the third floor, 

just follow the smell of fresh coffee.

At the top of the stairs is the beautiful handcrafted sign, you're almost there.

Around the corner, you'll find some historical pieces from the newspaper press of days gone by. 

The dining area has an urban feel, but the food counter speaks of homemade goodies and the welcome of friends.

Friendly staff Sharon and Naomi, ready to take your order! You can't miss the surroundings of freshly made cakes, muffins and brownies. The menu boasts options for all food preferences including our vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free friends. And if you feel like a drink, you've come to the right place for organic and fair trade beverages. You'll find loose leaf teas, fresh coffee, hot and cold espresso drinks, Italian sodas and more! 

If that wasn't enough, our favorite place to sit in this warmer weather is on one of their outdoor balconies. Its the perfect place to read the paper, have some breakfast and chat with a friend.

You're looking at a fresh cinnamon raisin bagel from local bakery 

The Earnest Bagel Company paired with a cinnamon latte. Yummy!

This is a local favourite: The Ham and Cheese Panini. Its made on fresh panini bread from Blak's Bakery with ham, melted cheddar cheese, mayo and apple slices. 

The wrap you see above is the CBC wrap which contains chicken, mozzarella cheese, bacon and cranberry, with a little lettuce for fresh crunch.

Readers, I encourage you to round up some friends and head down for a light breakfast, coffee date, or delicious lunch. Maybe sit on the balcony, read the newspaper or do some work on your laptop. Either way, The Green Bean Cafe is worth a visit, if only to encourage local businesses to keep up the good work! Be sure to check the website for hours and events such as the popular open mic nights.

Welcome Green Bean Cafe to our Downtown, I'll see you soon!

Spring Things Edition: Home Decor, Vintage Stores and Thrifty Shopping!

As I've mentioned in the past, I don't spend all of my time in the kitchen. My first love has always been fashion, decor and all things beautiful. So once again, I'm stepping out of the kitchen and into the rest of my home....come with me!

Every year, when the snow starts to melt and the sun feels warm again, I get Spring Fever! I begin to take away all the winter decor, and replace it with things that are lighter, brighter and airy. So here's a collection of what I've been daydreaming of as I get ready for a season of warmer weather in our new house!

Oh Ranunculus!! Where have you been all my life? This year, I have discovered these beautiful blooms. And although they are rather difficult to find in stores, I am determined to have a bouquet of them in my home this spring! I may just have to explore a farmer's market or two. Aren't they just lovely?

I have a similar wreath now hanging on my backdoor. The soft yellow colour sings to me of spring, and so I'll be sure to have some yellow accents around the house this year. 

Welcome Target! The popular American store has made its way across our borders, and just opened a few short weeks ago in our local mall. Once the crowds have subsided and the shelves have been restocked (it was a mad-house on opening week), I've had the chance to browse its aisles. This Target brand in particular: Threshold has captured my attention. Doesn't that print ad look great? I love the Tiffany blue/aqua colour that is popular this season. Here are more lovelies that they carry:

 

 (all photos taken from Target.com)

I can't wait to get back to Antique and Vintage store exploring. Some of my favorites in Windsor are:

The Vintage House- A beautiful store owned by Lorian Taylor filled with all things vintage from furniture to clothing and decor. Every time I drive by, I'm drawn to the lovely display in the front window. Its where I bought the wreath (similar to above) and where my Husband found an adorable side table for me as a Christmas present this year. Find her on Facebook or take a drive to 4667 Wyandotte Street E. in Pillette Village.

Tango/Magpie Antique Shop- Next door to The Vintage House is this intriguing combination of two shops which carry a little bit of everything and then some. Owner, Sally Taylor, is exactly who you would imagine to
run a shop like this. She has a wealth of information about the history of our community and antiques in general. Sometimes I spend extra time browsing just so I can listen to her share a story with someone about an item she is passionate about. Find the store on Facebook or take a drive to 4661 Wyandotte Street E. in Pillette Village.

Timeless Treasures- Along the quaint strip of shops in Olde Walkerville is this consignment shop which carries mostly furniture and home decor items which are of the unique variety, some older and some new. Its a perfect place to drop into after a light lunch on the weekend, there's always something new to discover. Find the store on Facebook or take a drive down to 1747 Wyandotte Street E. 

Penny Jane's Vintage and More- Across the street and down from Timeless Treasures is this newer addition to the vintage scene in Windsor. Still in Olde Walkerville, this shop fits right into the area like it was always there. Penny Jane's carries more of the vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories variety that makes my heart pitter patter. I've found a beautiful bobble or two in the past that have made my dressy outfits one of a kind. Find the store on Facebook or drive on down to 1585 Wyandotte Street E.

Now I don't want to spoil an Essex county adventure post that is soon to come, but I can't leave out The Dusty Loft Antiques & Collectables in Amherstburg which is a barn full of rustic antiques that is so popular these days! Check them out on Facebook or take a scenic drive on to 5619 Concession Rd 5 North, Amherstburg. 

And here's a few little secrets of the savvy budget shopper who only has few dollars to spend on little bright pretties to make her home feel like spring:

-Buy small potted fresh flowers after popular holidays such as Easter and Mother's day. They are usually on clearance and since they are in soil, they will last longer and provide the pop of colour you need without breaking the bank on fresh bouquets. I found pale pink hydrangeas on clearance for 5 dollars after Easter that I placed in a lace-look ceramic pot (that I found sitting beside the dumpster at my apartment building looking so lonely-free for me!). Voila! Weeks of beauty on the cheap!

-Troll thrifty places like Value Village (one of my biggest secrets I like to call V V Boutique), Bibles for Missions and The Salvation Army for little items that only you see the value in. Some items I always look for are: one of a kind plates to display things on, china tea cups, unique vases, vintage looking furniture or picture frames (a little coat of bright paint is a cheap way to dress these up!) Here are some of my finds:

Cup from Timeless Treasures for under $5 and Plate from Vince's Furniture in Pilette Village for $1

Wine Rack (wine not included ha! ) for under $10 at V V Boutique

Bright purple side table for $4 at V V Boutique, I plan on painting it.

-Last but certainly not least is YARD SALES. Now this activity spills into the summer months as standing out in the rain with your belongings is not the brightest idea. But I would encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for those little signs on the front lawns of your neighbors or do what I do and hop into your car on a Saturday morning and drive to a nice neighborhood to see what people are trying to unload. SOME TIPS: in a minute you will figure out if the sale is to truly get rid of items (STAY)  or make a buck (LEAVE) (you want the people who are moving or downsizing or just updating and not emotionally attached to their Foreman Grill). Don't be afraid to ask for a deal. Lastly, bring lots of smaller change and bills, nothing is worse than asking for a bargain and then proceeding to ask the owner to break a $20. 

Well I truly could go on and on about all of these things that I love, but I'll just have to save something for a future post. So what about you? What gets you in the mood for spring? I'd love to hear from you! 

In the meantime I'll be daydreaming of warmer sunnier days (April showers..blah blah blah) and hoping you find some enjoyment in the things that I've shared. 

Happy Spring, Dear Reader!

Restaurant Review: The Willistead

Just this past December, ownership of Walkerville's Walkermolé changed over to Chef David Dimoglou.  Shortly thereafter, Walkermolé closed its doors for a new transformation into the recently opened restaurant, The Willistead. 

As I read news of the change and watched the space transform through pictures on their Facebook page, my curiosity grew.  Rustic finishes, hand painted signs, a cozier feel, changing menus....all sorts of things were taking shape as the days passed.  When I heard that they were opening their doors on March 1st, I had to see what it was all about.

The Willistead is slated to bring a change to the culinary scene in Windsor. Building on its roots of farm-to-table fare, Chef David's vision was to make dishes that are ever-changing and closer to what he would serve family and friends at home.  When we walked through the doors, we noticed the difference right away.  The bar was longer and filled, the tables were closer together, soft bench seating surrounded the dining area and staff were dressed like your friends.  The walls were covered with pickled produce, wooden crates, rustic decor and a picture frame collage depicted the new name "The Willistead" in the background.  I liked it already. 

(taken from the Facebook page)

By the time I stopped looking around to read the single page printed menu, I was already looking forward to the rest of the night. The food was sectioned into à la carte groupings of "Snacky Poos, Salada, Sandwiches, Main, Meat Bowls, and Veg". Prices were very reasonable, with the intent that you would order from a variety of sections. 

Here's what we had:

To start, we ordered the Arugula Salad with fennel, red onions and radish in a mustard vinaigrette.  It was crisp and fresh, but to be honest, a bit on the tart side.  But, it was a large portion and more than enough to share. 

                                                   

I ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich with Butter lettuce, Apple and Maple Mayo with a side of their Handcut Frites with Dill dipping sauce. It was delicious!  The fried chicken was crispy and flavourful, and all of the toppings created a balance of sweet and savory in my mouth.  Mmm!  The frites were a tad on the salty side but the plate was huge and the dipping sauce was really tasty (and I like dill). 

My hubby enjoyed Braised Beef on Orzo as his main dish.  It was very filling, the sauce had a tomato base, and the dish reminded me of a comfort food my grandmother would make.  Good for a cold winter's day.

Our sweet waitress, Mary Ellen, shared that the menu will change on a daily basis as decided by the chef and the fresh and seasonal local foods available to use.

Congrats to the staff on a wonderful opening night, I can appreciate that with everything new, comes growing pains, but to us it added to the charm. We had a good laugh as wandering servers bearing our food discovered that we were in fact, table 10! 

The culinary scene in Walkerville continues to amaze me, as it grows each year in vibrancy.  The Willistead is a welcome addition to the area, providing diners with a fresh menu, creative dishes, an urban and rustic environment with an atmosphere that takes you to a place all its own. 

So put on your nice jeans, get ready to listen to some good folk rock music and gather your friends to go and try The Willistead, Windsor's newest addition. Yum!

The Willistead

1840 Wyandotte St. East,

Windsor, ON

(519)253-8226

Married with Kitchen Must-Haves

Maybe you are new to the kitchen, or maybe you've made a resolution to be in the kitchen more often this year. Maybe you are looking for a gift for the cook in your life, but be careful, you don't want to look like the person who gifts a vacuum cleaner (wow thanks, I can't wait to clean more floors...). No matter what it is, I've always found it interesting to see what things I reach for most often in my kitchen and compare it to other cooks that I know. 

So I've decided to compile a list of my current Must-Have Kitchen Tools. This is not an exhaustive list and I've left out the little goodies like measuring cups and spoons, but you may find something you've never seen, or you may realize what you've always been missing when trying to fit your grilled cheese in one pan. Either way, I hope you find this list helpful. I'd also love to know what is your favorite thing in the kitchen, so please comment away! 

Hand Blender- having this hand blender is amazing. I received one as a gift from my hubby last Christmas. Its great for blending gravy, sauces and soups right in the pot as well as making the creamiest mashed potatoes around.

Meat Thermometer- This is your life saver, literally! A cook's worst nightmare is under-cooked meat and so an instant read thermometer, like this digital one, will help you to know whether your meat is safe to serve.  Many recipes will tell you the temperature that you should expect your dish to have, and if it doesn't, look up  a Meat and Poultry Temperature Guide.

Large Skillet- A large skillet is your friend when making those one dish meals like Shepherds Pie, Mac and Cheese, or they can fit several fried eggs, pieces of french toast or grilled cheese sandwiches side by side. I find myself reaching for it over and over again. Look for one with tall sides, a glass lid, two handles for easy carrying and a non-stick cooking surface.








Ramekins- These little friends give you some style in the kitchen. Everything looks better when its cute and small. Things I have made in a ramekin are: Creme Brulee, Chocolate Souffle, Corn Bread Muffins, Mini Chicken Pot Pies, Mini Shepherd's Pies,  Mini Fruit Crumbles (Apple, Peach, Berry). I have a small collection of different colored ones and some varying sizes. The most common size for many recipes is a 6 ounce ramekin, so if you plan on making precise desserts like soufflee's and creme brulee, I would recommend this size. 

Mixing Bowls- For the cooks and bakers out there, having a number of different sized mixing bowls is essential. I like these in particular because they come with grips on the bottom to ensure that when you are whisking those eggs into stiff peaks, you don't send the bowls flying into orbit. 

Crock Pot - If you are familiar with my blog, you will know that I have a few recipes which involve the crock pot. It is the working cook's best friend. I've used mine to roast chicken, cook ribs and make a pot roast. I've also used it to a cook whole potatoes for thanksgiving or used it to serve a large amount of hot apple cider for a party. The beauty of the modern crock pot is that it's not your grandmother's, they often come with digital dials, warming functions, timers and specific heat settings. Mine is a medium tech model, which provides me with high and low settings as well as timed options-and once the meal is done, it automatically goes to the warming function until I get home or until the meal is ready to serve. Amazing!

Santoku Knife-  This is the lesser known sister of the common chef's knife. These knives are a wonder and I have one small and one large. They are the ones that I use most often for their sharp blades and precision cutting just about everything. The slight grooves on the sides of the blade make it perfect for dicing any of your difficult foods but also a dream when slicing meats.

Assorted Spatulas- There is a spatula for every job in the kitchen and you need at least one of each. You never know when you need to scoop, scrape, flip, mix, lift or saute!