St-Jean Strawberry/BBQ Social Wrap-up

 fig. a:  street-level view

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

Yes, thank you so much for making our St-Jean event such a success!

It was a beautiful summer day (a real one!) and everything proceeded swimmingly.  We sold out of smoky NC-style chopped pork barbecue (two big shoulders' worth!) by about 3:00 PM.  We sold out of Savouré's delicious strawberry soda by about 4:00 PM.  And we sold our very last portion of strawberry shortcake at about 4:45 PM, just minutes before closing time.

Even better:  the wonderful folks at Mile End Community Mission were thrilled to get a sizeable (and completely unexpected) donation on Tuesday morning.  Happy St-Jean, indeed!

We saw a lot of old friends, and met a lot of new ones.  People ate inside, out on the steps, or took their portions to go.  One patron set a new Strawberry Social record:  one BBQ sandwich and four portions of strawberry shortcake!  We painted the fire hydrant strawberry red for the occasion.  We hired a little girl to ride back and forth on her scooter in a strawberry-red top.*  Even the CBC showed up to interview Michelle for the afternoon show.  It was perfect.  We couldn't have been happier with the results.

God bless Strawberry Shortcake and ole-time BBQ!

aj

* Michelle had demoed an awesome strawberry-themed outfit for herself a few days earlier,

 fig. b:  red on red on red...

but it ended up being a little too steamy for this particular get-up.  Too bad.

On the Horizon 1: The Return of Kaffeeklatsch!

 figs. a & b:  flower power + flour power

Yes, that's correct.

Kaffeeklatsch is back!  Now with Flower Power!

Years and years ago, the Monterey Pop Festival dedicated itself to "Music, Love, and Flowers."  This event might not feature the musical heroics of Janis, Jimi, and Ravi, but it will feature better food & drinks than Monterey Pop.  It will be more like Music, Love, Flowers, Pastries, and Coffee.  It'll be a Kaffee und Blumen Klatsch.

What's the occasion?  Well, Michelle is teaming up with her friend Caroline Boyce at Floralia, a Hemmingford-based, totally sustainable, flower farm, who regularly beautifies our city with her lovely arrangements.  Together they're producing an afternoon of flowers and friandises, including plenty of gorgeous blooms from Floralia, a flower-arranging workshop for all those who'd like a tutorial from Caroline herself, and a selection of Michelle's favourite springtime pastries, including rhubarb petits fours and a strawberry cream torte.  There will also be an assortment of artisanal sodas from Savouré and some savoury tarts, for those who'd like a light lunch before dessert and coffee.

Having trouble imagining it?  Well, it'll look something like this,

 fig. c:  blumen und kuchen

only better (if you can believe it), with more flowers, more coffee, and more of the treats you see in the photograph up top.

who:  Foodlab + Floralia
what:  Kaffee und Blumen Klatsch
where:  SAT, 1201 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal
when:  Saturday, June 15, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

If you'd like more information about Caroline's flower arranging workshop, send her an email at info@floralia.ca.

aj

J'ai Faim... J'ai soif!!

 fig. a:  Hi!  My name is Savouré

Hey!  It's nice out there.  You're out and about.  And you're probably starting to get hungry, right?  And maybe even a little thirsty...

Well, keep in mind that the Salon J'ai Faim is taking place this weekend, May 18 & 19th, in the basement of the Église Saint-Enfant-Jésus (5035 St-Dominique), at the corner of St-Joseph & St-Laurent.

You'll find many of our favourite Montreal food & drink people, including

Dispatch Coffee! 

Preservation Society!

and our latest coup de coeur...

Savouré Sodas & Preserves!!

I mean, who couldn't use a small-batch grapefruit & tarragon soda on a day like today?

Check 'em out!  These sodas are truly amazing.

There's a price of admission to get into the Salon, but if you're smart you can opt for a ticket that comes with some delicious amuse-gueules.

Oh, by the way:  the entertainment lasts from 11am - 6 pm both days.

am/km