...also known as our downtown store.>....yaaAAAWWWwwwnnnn...<
I need a coffee.
4/26/11
4/24/11
The Story of Gnome...
This is Mr. Gnome. No one gnomes the trouble he's seen. ...or been in!Mr. Gnome started his residence here @ our downtown Red Rocket Coffee location late last november. He suddenly went missing a coupla weeks ago...to my dismay might I add.
Even though he was red, fuzzy, and kinda creepy when he lurked behind our ZuZu plant (he has been known to wear a Christopher Walken mask which just ups the creepy factor) he grew on me.
Like a barnacle.
Well, he's back now all the wiser for exploring the world out there beyond our glass walls.
We know this because he now wears glasses...a fairly somewhat new development for him.
We have posted, on the window, photos of some of his adventures on the mean streets of Toronto.
Come in and check them out.
Toast a coffee to his name...for he is MR. GNOME!
The Red Fuzzy Gnome of ADVENTURE!
This is Hamburger...
...he is a nine week old pugle (half pug, half beagle) and has the attention span of a chipmunk on four doppio espressos. Rung extra long.
The guy just won't stand still!
But I did manage to take a pic or two.
He's a regular at our Verve location @ 154 Wellesley East.
...and he's a cutie! We LOVE him!
Thanks to the owner who allowed me to take the pics for the blog!
4/23/11
Boo Radley...supercat!
It's kind of weird that most of us at Red Rocket Coffee are cat people. We talk about our cats, force others to look at photos of our cats and make friends with the neighbourhood cats (Monster & Willy, most notably).
I'm certainly no exception to this rule. Last summer, we adopted a fuzzy, crazy Russian Blue kitten. Her name is Boo Radley, but we call her Boo for short. She is not your average cat, and let me tell you why...she's toilet trained (really...no litter) and she can walk on her hind legs. SUPERCAT! Reminds me a bit of this fabulous fella - without the helmet & cape, of course.
"Remember this, kids, it is very important. Even if your Mommy makes you a superhero costume, do not attempt to do any of these things, especially flying. Because you cannot do it. You do not have super powers. Because there is only one Super Grover. And that is me."4/22/11
Easter Macaroony goodness...
4/21/11
Just so you don't think we're all about bacon...
While it's true that all good things come in three (or at least I say it's true), and I'm waiting to do another post about Bacon Jam, it's good to mind that we are Red Rocket "COFFEE" and not Red Rocket Bacon.
And to this effect I present to you one of our fabulous Rocketeers, Natalie.
...and this is one of her Easter Lattes...bunny and all!
Go Go Gadget Natalie!
4/20/11
If a picture can say a thousand words...
...the first 499 would be "candied"...
The second 499 would be "BACON!"
The extra two words would be reserved for intermittent whines due to the fact that this is indeed only a picture and not the real thing.
But lucky you!
I have posted the recipe
below!
First you will need:
- 1/2 lb thick sliced natural bacon (maple flavour preferred)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, rounded (and by "rounded" I mean closer to 1/2 a cup)
- 1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (this is the nutritious quotient of this recipe)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- a good health plan
Mix all your dry ingredients together.
Coat bacon slices in sugar mixture.
When I say coat I mean coat well. The kind of coating that will not only give your dentist a conniption but will also make the sugar faery cringe.
There is no thing as "too much".
Lovingly lay bacon strips on a cookie sheet lined with a wire rack.
Admire them.
Imagine a moonlit walk along the beach with bacon in both hands...and a cigarette after.
Sprinkle any remaining sugar mixture over the bacon...it can only make it better.
Bake in a 375 F oven for 15 minutes or so...you know, to your liking.
...and just like a cold shower, some shrinkage may occur.
Let cool slightly and serve.
Some good suggestions:
- wrapped around a water chestnut
- embracing a filet mignon or sea scallop
- burger, anyone? ...dijon and swiss...or stilton?
- sliced over a salad (arugula, pecans, cranberries, balsamic & olive oil?)
- diced over ice cream
- in a brownie!
- as is...just use your fingers
HEY! Who's picking at the Bacon?!?
Oh, that Pam...just can't wait for that bacony goodness...
...and below is Bonnie, one of our loyal regulars, eagerly waiting for a tender morsel...
But will we share?
Mwahahaha...
What is Jonny eating and approving of?
Check in tomorrow to find out!
I might even have a recipe for you....
...but only if you're good.
4/19/11
Red Rocket Coffee seeks BAKER for good time...
Through this hallowed red door awaits your adventure.
Well...a baking adventure at least.
We're looking for someone to join our Red Rocket kitchen team. The position to be filled...very, very soon... is that of BAKER. The lucky applicant who gets chosen for this prestigious job (it's actually a pretty fun) will be working from our Leslieville location 4 to 5 days a week with a start time of 5:30am (that's in the morning).
The ideal candidate will have:
- Ability to follow a recipe and measure ingredients accurately
- Attentiveness to detail
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to follow instructions
- Ability to work as a team member
- Knowledge of safe food handling procedures. Food Handler Certification will be considered an asset
- Ability to lift 20kg
- Ability to stand for extended periods of time
The ideal candidate wil also have the following qualities:
- Great attitude and pleasant demeanour
- Takes initiative
- Creative
- Punctual & Responsible
Please send your resume and availability to liakoo@yahoo.com indicating the job title in the subject heading.
For more info, you can contact Liako (that's me) @ 647 889 2338.
Thank you to all applicants in advance, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
4/18/11
A quick word about our Old Skool Cheese Danishes...
... * YUM * ...
No but really...
I've just received my new iPad2 (christened "Dave"...my MacBook's moniker is "the Hal 2000") so you'll be subjected to lots of pics in the next little while.
So these are Red Rocket Coffee's cheese Danishes. We bake them fresh every frikkin day and brought to you all squishy and still warm by 7am.
Squishy in the good way...like how an old skool Danish should be.
I hear they're pretty good with coffee.
4/17/11
Red Rocket Coffee's rock climbing team!
Ok, so we're not really a team yet since there's only 2 of us, and sometimes Sharon, but you've gotta start somewhere, right?
Mel and I have been working our technique for the past few months at our favourite gym, Joe Rockhead's in Liberty Village. I know it's been a good workout when my arms are so weak and sore I can't even open the pickle jar for my post-workout snack! No, not just pickles... pickles on a burger. Oh, baby!
4/16/11
...because bacon is the new bacon...
OK...I'll admit it,
I was in a cranky mood the other day.
I was busy working away in the kitchen making macaroons and testing some new techniques for banana bread and making Red Rocket buttons and trying out some baklava recipe I found somewhere and generally getting in our baker's way making a mess of things when in whirls Pam (and I mean in a way that would make a tornado look tame) with the idea of mixing brownies with bacon, cayenne, and maple.
A challenge when you take texture and flavour layering and balance into consideration.
Interesting...
The evolution of this idea has been going on for some time now. It started off with crushed pretzels in chocolate chip cookies. Then it moved to crushed pretzels in fudge brownies which then morphed to caramel & pretzel & brownie.
So far, so good.
THEN...
Pam's idea of salted caramel & bacon brownies...which you see before you.
Almost bang on in the first try (we're good at what we do) but it may need a 2nd or 3rd generation to perfect...just because we're freaks when it comes to texture and flavour distribution.
Sweet. Smokey. Spicy. Salty. Sassy & Special.
Will you ever see these in our pastry window?
...maybe...
But I can tell you I was no longer cranky after making them.
4/15/11
4/14/11
It's our birthday!
It's hard to believe that four years ago today, we opened the doors to our Leslieville location. It's been quite the journey, and look where we are now! The first location was so successful that we decided to open a downtown shop, which will be turning 1 this Saturday, April 16th.
Drop by either location to share in the festivities...special treats and Red Rocket swag await you!
And by special treats, I mean macaroons, and by swag, I mean buttons. Drop in for some goodies, and leave a little bit happier!
4/12/11
Macaroon Madness!
That crazy Liako...makin' macaroons makes him loony! Or should I say loonier than usual?In preparation for our stores' respective brithdays, Likao's been busy mixing, scooping, decorating and baking macaroons to give away...for free!
Join us at our Leslieville location, 1402B Queen St. E., on April 14th to celebrate our 4th birthday. Or, you can drop by our downtown location, 154 Wellesley St. E., on April 16th to give us a high five for a successful first year.
While you're there, pick up one of our super-fabulous Red Rocket Coffee buttons, and wear it proudly for all to see. We're giving those away for free too...really. But just on our birthday.
Represent, yo!
Peace out.
By the way, we don't really stick macaroons in our eyes and then serve them. Or do we...???
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