Shoutout to my homegirl, Jo

April 18, 2017March 18, 2021 / toumemoir / 5 Comments

The battle of blue vanilla scones vs strawberry cheesecake buns

Blue vanilla scones for two

Matcha scones — the biggest scones I ever did meet

A visit to Ottawa, Little Jo Berry’s, March/April 2017

No matter where I am in the world — even after relocating to a different city — I always seem to find my way back to my hometown in Ottawa, to Little Jo Berry’s for Jo’s scrumptious vegan treats. Because maybe, just maybe, home is where the tummy is.

I’d mentioned Jo’s before — everything she bakes at her vegan bakery is sprinkled with funk, dedication, and passion. And while I’m not vegan myself, time and time again I’d somersault a mile for her scones, especially my beloved matcha, and, just recently, the blue vanilla, as she makes the most divine scones in the world — so much so, that I’d choose them over their non-vegan counterparts any day. (I’ve eaten a great many scones in my time; in fact, I’ve become a walking scone with four limbs.) They’re melt-in-your-mouth soft, with a moist crumble on the inside and the ideal level of sweetness.

When living in Ottawa, it was tradition for me to pre-order scones from Jo, enjoy one on site with a cuppa coffee on the morning of pick-up, and then bring the box home to my family. Little moments like these — bringing treats home to loved ones and sharing laughs with my favourite local baristas — have long been associated with feelings of home for me. That’s why, returning to my happy places — my long-time sacred nests of fond memories and solace — when visiting Ottawa, and recreating such moments, is always a heartwarming feat.

Being back at Little Jo Berry’s recently, where eternal friendships were birthed, and seeing M — stunning as always in her casual yet sleek and sophisticated outfit, fit for a powerful feminine woman of the modern era — and her bright blue, oceanic eyes and warm smile that can set any room ablaze, and seeing Jo — her unicorn hair, a sassy palette of dancing shades of blue, pink, and purple — and hearing her roaring lioness laughter, meant that I was once again at my happy place.

As with any other day I find myself back in Ottawa, and at the same old memorable places, I knew and understood: Nothing in life was promising, yet there was the heart’s forever-companion, named Trust, that would always stand at the same street corner, under the same moon, waiting patiently for one’s return. That was home.

Where unicorns go

September 13, 2016March 18, 2021 / toumemoir / Leave a comment

Little Jo Berry’s @ 1305 Wellington St West, Ottawa, ON

Now that I’ve mentioned SBB, I must introduce Little Jo Berry’s, too; otherwise, my heart will break, because this newly opened local vegan cafe/bakery is my all-time favourite go-to spot for an afternoon coffee and treat, and I think it deserves all the love in the world.

Inviting and cute-as-a-button, this charming shop looks, feels, and tastes like home sweet home. With classic comfort treats like pop tarts and twinkies (even the names are music to my ears) baked with a vegan twist, I mean, how stinkin’ magical. Whenever I come here, I always feel as if I’m coming home to Grandma’s for baked goodies and hugs.

(Psst, SBB and Little Jo Berry’s are only a two-minute walk from each other, and they’re pals!)

No scones today, unfortunately, but check out some of these kewl vegan sweets!

The first time I visited Little Jo Berry’s, I encountered my twin flame. No, it wasn’t a karmic or a soulmate connection; it was a twin flame connection. Not with a human being either, but with a food item. Friends, I met the oh-so-sweet, divine love of mine: the matcha green tea scone.

I’m weak in the knees for scones and green tea desserts, and when the two dance the bachata together, golly gee, do I ever feel the electric current sizzling down my spine. Suffice it to say, that matcha scone was the best scone I’d ever had in my twenty-five years of je ne sais quoi existence — and it was vegan, too. Matcha or not, whatever the flavour, their scones are ace.

Updated, Feb 2017: The matcha scones I’d ordered back in December (which would be a few months after this post)! These scones are a hit and miss – as rare as a blue moon – so I ordered them ahead of time, and shared them with my loved ones. One’s missing from the box, of course.

And the owner, Jo? Besides the fact that she’s a versatile and talented baker, a gift from the gods of glutton, she’s supah awesome and darn adorable. Picture a little lady with dorky glasses, snazzy blue hair, a museum of funky tattoos, and a cheerful and expressive nature that could magically transform your insipid ol’ day into a sweet lullaby. I really think there ought to be a cartoon character of her, because if you’ve met her, you’d know what I mean. Her cute game is real.

Yummy choco PB pop tart and twinkie. Tables had block letters, paper, and colouring pencils for visitors to unleash their inner creativity.

I wasn’t craving anything sweet today, but I decided to return to my happy place anyway, and finally try Jo’s infamous pop tart and twinkie (these call for three thumbs up). Of course being here solidified that communal and homey feeling; besides sharing some exciting news with Jo, I also engaged in a brief exchange with a fellow customer about, of all things, PB. Who would’ve known it was PB day?

“Eat PB today,” she reminded me and smiled as I walked out the door.

And so I knew.

SBB’s adopted child

September 7, 2016March 18, 2021 / toumemoir / Leave a comment

Strawberry Blonde Bakery @ 114B Grange Avenue, Ottawa, ON

Open daily 8:30am-6:00pm

Yes, I was once SBB’s adopted child. I say “adopted” because that’s the literal word I used when I wrote a spontaneous email outlining my deep-rooted passion for baking — which in retrospect sounded more like a creepy declaration of love — to star owners, J and C, in my desperate hopes of landing a volunteering position there, once upon a blue moon ago. And Reader, adopt me they did.

I’m still deeply grateful that these lovely ladies and E, the manager at the time, took a chance on me. I didn’t have a baking background or any baking credentials whatsoever; I just had my word and my puppy dog eyes that reflected a desire so real and deep, that they felt it too. The best gift was their belief in me, and seeing how passionate I was and how eager I was to learn, they welcomed me into their quaint little bakery with open arms.

During what little time I’d spent with my SBB family, I was given the opportunity to bake all sorts of desserts, with E and my co-workers to help lead the way. Bakery life was no walk in the park, I realized — as with any job, it requires hard work, discipline, commitment, time-management, and the will to succeed — but at the end of the day, being able to create scrumptious treats and to exercise my creativity in a fun and creative environment, with creative and inspiring people, was the cherry on top.

Fast forward to today.

Would I still want to pursue a career in the baking industry? Probably not. Indeed, there goes my wild, passionate dream. But what I can say with certainty is that I’m glad I pursued different interests after graduating from university, and took a chance on the callings of my heart. That’s the only way I could’ve discovered uncharted avenues within myself: by doing things and taking chances, no matter how absurd. And sometimes, what I think I want, isn’t what I truly want; and my soul, the wisest of the wise, knows, and I trust its wisdom.

I didn’t mention it yet, but dear vegans and gluten-free people, this is a vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free bakery! The best of its kind in Ottawa, I dare say. Not because I’m biased, but because the mother whale in me has already been around town sampling treats from all walks of life, and this bakery here is a keeper. Plus, as a non-vegan and non-gluten-free nutty, if I purposely come here for desserts, then you know what’s crackin’. Try their cinnamon buns, please and thank you.

Like a faithful child returning to its parents’ arms, today I went back for another visit. I’ve always wanted to try their blueberry lavender scones because they sound so exotic and I enjoy trying unique flavours; and luckily for me, they were on today’s menu. (I’m a young woman with old lady tendencies — I love tea and scones; in fact, scones are the highlight of my existence.)

Their blueberry lavender scone was kickass. I died and went to heaven, then came back down because I heard a human voice, which smacked me upside the head. “Is it good?” a lady walked up to me and asked, as I was sitting outside enjoying my scone, on cloud-9. “REALLY good,” I said. So good, I returned a few hours later to buy the vanilla peach scone to take home.

They raised me well, and as their long, lost adopted child, even if I’m chasing my tail in circles, I shall never wander far, and will always find my way back to my roots.