Tag Archives: chocolate

Thoughtful Mother’s Day Ideas Exuding Appreciation

Gifts From the Heart

This Mother’s Day is an opportunity to express your gratitude to the women in your life by giving them gifts that can ease and enhance their daily lives. Whether it’s your mother, grandmother, spouse or any other maternal influence, you can show her your appreciation and thoughtfulness in so many interesting ways. Let these Mother’s Day gift suggestions spark ideas for finding the ideal gesture of thanks for the woman who has impacted your life in meaningful ways.

Whiskey for Mom!

Keeper’s Heart Whiskey x Cocoa Dolce Truffle Set (https://keepers-heart-whiskey.square.site/)
This Mother’s Day, add a touch of sophistication and indulgence to the holiday by spoiling the Mom in your life with this unique and unforgettable gift: The Keeper’s Heart Whiskey and Cocoa Dolce Truffle Set by Keeper’s Heart Whiskey. After all, no gift thrills quite like chocolate. These special treats are unique from traditional truffles because they are imbued with “spirit.” To create this tasty fusion, Cocoa Dolce’s rich and velvety chocolates are infused with Keeper’s Heart award-winning whiskey, helping to create an alluring combination of mouth-watering flavors that are sure to delight the senses and warm the heart. Keeper’s Heart Whiskey brings together Irish and American traditions, pairing the Irish whiskey’s notes of baking spice with the American whiskey’s sweetness to create a completely unique tasting experience. 

Each truffle box contains a variety of chocolates, including the Keeper’s Heart (54 percent bittersweet chocolate ganache enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with Keeper’s Heart Whiskey artwork); the Manhattan (milk chocolate ganache infused with Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey, orange and a touch of cherry); Old Fashioned (Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey and Angostura bitters in a bittersweet shell topped with orange zest); and the Whiskey (Keeper’s Heart Irish Whiskey infused in a 54 percent bittersweet shell). The set’s final four flavors feature Champagne (Spanish Brut Cava in a bittersweet ganache rolled in sparkle sugar), Espresso Martini (espresso-infused caramel with a semi-sweet Kahlua chocolate ganache), Grey Salt Caramel (vanilla bean caramel enrobed in 54 percent chocolate, sprinkled with artisan salt) and Peach Cobbler (Peach ganache layered with cinnamon streusel in a white chocolate shell). With this wide variety of cocktail-inspired flavors, the Keeper’s Heart Whiskey x Cocoa Dolce Truffle Set will tempt even the most discerning of palates.

11-Quart Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven by Midea (https://www.costco.com/)
Moms are already master multi-taskers—why not help them up their game this Mother’s Day?

The 11-Quart Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven by Midea is a culinary marvel that combines functionality, space efficiency and smart convenience to elevate users’ at-home cooking experience. The device’s upper compartment boasts a spacious six-quart air frying basket, while the lower area functions as a five-quart traditional toaster oven, offering versatility and adaptability with 10 different cooking programs. Now, home chefs can effortlessly prepare two fully independent meals, or a main dish and a side within the same, space-saving appliance that only takes up two-thirds of the counter room. When cooking in both areas at the same time, Midea’s Sync Finish feature ensures that both cooking zones align to complete your dishes simultaneously.

How, you ask? The 11-Quart Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven’s Rapid Air Circulation Technology guarantees precision and coordination that provides fast and consistent cooking in both zones, along with see-through windows that also allow users to keep an eye on cooking without opening the door. The high-tech appliance even includes Wi-Fi connectivity linking to the SmartHome app where owners can program cooking settings, monitor progress, get alerts when your meal is ready, activate voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant and remotely access the air fryer’s features. With more than 50 pre-programmed smart recipes, mom’s meal preparation routine just got a heck of a lot easier.

Boss Defrost Kitchen Appliance (https://www.bossdefrost.com/)
Is your Mom a boss in the kitchen? Boost her culinary efficiency this Mother’s Day with the Boss Defrost device. This innovative and portable gadget allows users to defrost frozen meats and vegetables without running up the utility bill. In fact, Boss Defrost is changing the landscape of kitchens nationwide helping owners to save time, water and money, while also being kinder to the environment. The brand is the first and only to address this common issue by recirculating water instead of having it go down the drain, slashing water waste by an exceptional 98.5 percent. Now, rather than having to keep an eye on the running water’s temperature during daily food prep, Boss Defrost’s plug-and-play design was created for the appliance to be submerged underwater and run efficiently for extended durations with no installation cost. Its compact size enables customers to station the device nearly anywhere throughout a kitchen, and only requires a GFCI outlet to operate. Boss Defrost’s solutions strive to transform the food industry and empower households, restaurants and businesses alike to make a tangible impact in reducing water waste and embracing environmentally responsible practices.

Personalized Wine Selections Courtesy of the ‘VinoVoss’ Virtual Sommelier by BetterAI (www.VinoVoss.com)
For those moms who always look forward to wine-o’clock, it’s important she has a varietal she’s sure to fancy. But, the process of discovering and selecting the perfect bottle of wine for Mom based on her exacting preferences—or any celebratory occasion—can be overwhelming. That’s why BetterAI, a data technology company elevating the world of wine through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), has launched the world’s most comprehensive and intuitive wine search engine and recommendation system: “VinoVoss.” This revolutionary AI-driven, web-based platform makes it easier than ever for all wine enthusiasts—from novices to connoisseurs—to find the perfect wine for any occasion. Acting as a virtual wine sommelier, the VinoVoss semantic search and recommendation system harnesses the power of AI to provide personalized wine recommendations, catering to the unique preferences of each customer.

The system has numerous capabilities, including allowing users to search for wines by grape variety, region or price; get personalized wines based on taste preferences; compare wines to find a perfect match for a meal; track their own wine collection and create a wish list; search for organic wines and more. Wine Discovery categories allow easy exploration by wine color and type, top occasions (like gift-giving or fine dining), unique picks (like celebrity or sommelier selections or rare collectables) and a fun “Surprise Me!” option. Of course, users can browse by varietals like popular, classic and emerging grapes and popular styles like fruity or bold. A “Regions” category is also handy for those who prefer geographic appellation-based sorting or even Terrior parameters like volcanic, coastal and high altitude.

The real fun is asking VinoVoss human, conversation-style questions or providing prompts, like “What is the best wine from Chile?”; “I’m looking for a red wine that’s good with steak”; “I’m craving a bold, full-bodied red wine”; or “What Bordeaux do celebrities like that goes with pork?” The VinoVoss search engine is a powerful and streamlined tool helping users build knowledge and shop, sip and savor with more confidence than ever before.

Florida Gastro-Travel Experience


Dining Experience at BellaBrava by 2BHospitality (https://2bhospitality.com/)
Instead of a product, consider gifting Mom a special memory this year with a Florida-bound gastro-travel dining experience at BellaBrava. 2BHospitality, which operates two dining brands in the Tampa Bay area, recently expanded the BellaBrava New World Trattoria with a third location in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. Renowned for its Tuscan flavors and contemporary atmosphere, BellaBrava offers a distinctive dining experience with its selection of fresh pizzas and calzones made with locally sourced ingredients baked in the restaurant’s Woodstone ovens. Alongside traditional Italian fare, the restaurant’s expansive menu also includes gluten-friendly, vegetarian and vegan options. The eatery likes to give back to its people and causes it cares about, too, allowing patrons to purchase a round of beers for kitchen staff or an unseasoned burger patty for pets.

In addition, $2 from each sale is donated to Southeastern Guide Dogs. 2BHospitality plans to open an additional Stillwaters Tavern location, which is known for its American Scratch cooking and regional craft beers. Established in 2005, the parent company focuses on the guest experience working through its team members and food to deliver the top-notch service to its guests.

Veggie Wash by Beaumont Products (https://www.veggie-wash.com/)
Fresh fruits and vegetables are delicious, but the rain-resistant agricultural chemicals, dirt and residues from over-handling and waxes found on them … not so much. Despite typical practices, washing with water, alone, is not enough to clean effectively. Get mom’s vegetables cleaner this spring with Veggie Wash, a certified vegan, Kosher, natural produce wash formulated with vegetable-derived, non-GMO ingredients. Veggie Wash breaks down the water-resistant wax on produce to cleanse contaminants, dirt, pesticides, bacteria and residues quickly and easily. It creates no aftertaste—just leaving the delicious, natural flavor of fruits and vegetables. Simply spray produce with Veggie Wash before cutting, rub for 20 to 30 seconds and then rinse and dry.

For soft, leafy produce such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and strawberries, the brand recommends soaking and swishing them in Veggie Wash for 30 seconds before rinsing and drying. Veggie Wash has been committed to cleaner produce since 1998 and is available in original or organic washes via a spray or soaker. Veggie Wash Organic is certified in accordance with USDA NOP standards by Oregon Tilth, a leading certifier, educator and advocate for organic agriculture and products since 1974. By washing produce with Veggie Wash, produce lovers can have the confidence that they are getting a great clean on what they eat.

Ryan Wayne Deluxe Hair Care Kit (https://ryanwaynehaircare.com/)
This Mother’s Day, give Mom the gift of glam with the special Ryan Wayne Deluxe Haircare Kit from the Ryan Wayne Salon. Healthy hair is at the heart of this bundle, which includes a bevy of products meant to keep her and her hair looking and feeling the very best. The comprehensive kit comes with everything needed to achieve that perfect style, including Ryan Wayne Salon’s signature Diamond Purple Sapphire Shampoo and Conditioner to keep hair moisturized without adding weight and the Diamond Ametrine Detangling Primer, which provides heat protection and easily detangles knots.

Also packed in the set, the Diamond Brilliance Heat Styling Spray nourishes and revitalizes the hair shaft and speeds up drying time, while the brand’s Diamond Crystal Structure Primer is specially formulated with glacier water to reduce the effects of heat damage. The frizz-eliminating Diamond Luster Oil also shields hair from heat and harmful rays, and the Purple Sapphire Mask rebuilds damaged hair so it can regain softness and body. Finally, rounding out this power-packed gift, Ryan Wayne Salon’s Polisher Anti-Frizz Control Crème provides users with a strong, lasting hold while still keeping hair virtually weightless. Bottom line: this is the perfect package to show Mom you really (hair) care.

Pure Brazilian’s Hair Care Products (https://purebrazilian.com/)
Help Mom tame those locks this spring with Pure Brazilian’s slate of elite hair care products—all aimed at de-frizzing customers’ hair from shampoo to styling. The brand’s Anti-Frizz Shampoo & Conditioner Duo is a powerful pair that features a sodium-chloride free shampoo and moisture-rich conditioner for a manageable and frizz-free result. Formulated with keratin, vital nutrients and cocoa seed butter, this gentle, daily shampoo leaves your hair shiny and healthy. The Pure Brazilian set also features a daily conditioner that includes vital nutrients, keratin and bamboo to create luxurious softness and shine.

Next in the collection, the Anti-Frizz Daily Leave-In Serum is designed to be used before blow-drying and styling, coating the hair with nutrients and keratin to lock in moisture. This grade-A product is lightweight, leaves locks bouncy and shiny and contains rich amino acids that prevent split ends. Even more, it’s also color-safe, prevents frizz and offers excellent UVA/UVB protection. Pure Brazilian’s Silk Smoothing Balm rounds out the treatment with its salon-perfect finish. Made with keratin, hydrolyzed silk and coconut oil, the smoothing balm controls and softens unruly hair and features a heat- and humidity-resistant formula that leaves hair feeling light and sleek. The company recommends customers use this product regularly before styling for fast-drying, more manageable hair with fewer tangles, less frizz, better hold and smoothness that lasts. Formulated and manufactured in Brazil, Pure Brazilian offers the best hair smoothing system on the market. Its products feature an easy-to-apply formula, give radiant shine, eliminate frizz and improve hair health by protecting and strengthening the cuticle. These hair essentials have a special formulation of minimal chemicals to give maximum results, while keeping its line small and simple.


Hair Oil from Thicc Organics (https://www.thiccorganics.com/)
Is Mom’s hair in need of some more intensive TLC? Whether you, or those in your life, suffer from hair loss or desire thicker, longer locks this year, Thicc Organics’ Hair Oil is sustainably hand-blended to stimulate hair follicles. Made with clean and organic ingredients, this scientifically-backed product is powered by plants and is ideal for women of all hair types, but it’s also made for men, too! Thicc Organics’ small-batch process ensures that the ingredients stay nutrient-dense—featuring an impressive eight ingredients that are all proven to reduce hair loss, including caffeine, pumpkin seed oil and rosemary oil. Other organic and powerful oils found in each bottle are peppermint, argan, tea tree, lavender, among other ingredients. Customers have even seen results as early as one month after use. The brand recommends users combine the natural hair growth oil with its hair roller and scalp brush for lock bliss all year long. Committed to its mission, each Thicc Organics product stimulates the hair follicles, increasing blood flow and leading to healthier, thicker hair.

Microcurrent Delivering Face Mask


The Jet Plus Microcurrent Facial Dual Mask from Franz Skincare (
https://franzskincareusa.com/)
For Moms who are beauty devotees, a great get is the Jet Plus Microcurrent Facial Dual Mask. This  lightweight, fast-absorbing option can be used before makeup application or for quick hydration anytime. Perfect for a quick boost while traveling, skin reset before a big event or even to rejuvenate if you’ve had too little sleep, this product is clinically proven to tighten and tone skin in just 20 minutes. Franz Skincare uses its Tissue X microcurrent technology to effectively target puffiness, wrinkles and fine lines, while also reducing the appearance of pores, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation and redness. It’s perfect for priming skin before applying makeup, a quick boost while traveling, a skin reset before a big event, or even to rejuvenate if you’ve had too little sleep.  

The Jet Plus Microcurrent Facial Mask is an express skin revival that smooths, hydrates, and de-puffs, lifts, firms, and tightens, reduces the look of pores, soothes sunburns and decreases acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, and redness. Its Tissue X microcurrent technology is clinically proven to tighten and tone skin while targeting puffiness, wrinkles, and fine lines. In just 20 minutes, you will feel the glow! Each order of the Jet Plus Microcurrent Facial Dual Mask includes two treatment sets: Two Enriching (wet) Face Masks; two Empowering (dry) Face Masks; and two Boosting Essences. Together, this express skin revival treatment works to boost collagen production and lock in moisture for a firmer, youthful result. Franz Skincare fuses innovative research across dermatology, pharmacy, life science and engineering to create treatments that penetrate deep inside the skin— where true reconstruction and regeneration occurs.

A cool mini PC

The ‘Access’ Alder Lake Portable Processor from Azulle (https://shop.azulle.com/)
A great way to boost Mom’s work productivity this year is with the Access Alder Lake Portable Processor. Featuring the latest 12th Gen Intel Core Processors and a customizable operating system, Azulle’s top-selling mini PC stick’s single-chip design provides a unique combination of power, efficiency and high performance. With 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of eMMC memory, Mom can easily speed up data access and handle demanding tasks in a distraction-free work environment. The Access Alder Lake Portable Processor even utilizes passive cooling technology—helping to create a silent operation leading to enhanced focus. Owners need only use the USB-C port to connect two monitors and enjoy media in 4K at 30FPS. The plug-and-play device also allows users to have their preferred operating system and software, so it can be easily integrated into any existing workflow. The result: Users can stay connected without interruptions or delays and enjoy a stress-free experience thanks to the tool’s seamless compatibility with a wide range of peripherals, like printers and monitors. 

The device is ideal for digital signage, IoT, POS systems, remote work and more. Azulle is a leading manufacturer of mini PCs and sticks, and is dedicated to developing and introducing practical innovation for homes and businesses. What began as a small team creating a single product, Azulle is now a large family of unique and talented people driven to create quality technological solutions for all industries and lifestyles.

Can’t go wrong with cute.

Ecokins Plush Toy Animals from Wild Republic (https://shop.wildrepublic.com/)
This Mother’s Day, spend some quality “Mommy and Me” play time in a way that also celebrates the environment with adorable, plush Ecokins from Wild Republic. Soft and cuddly from head to tail, you would never know these toys are made from 100 percent recycled water bottles. What’s more, Ecokins are a great way to foster curiosity about wildlife and educate owners about the wonders of nature. Made completely out of recycled materials certified by Global Recycled Standards (GRS), Ecokins exceed the requirements set by SCSIA (USA) and EN71 (EU) for both safety standards and specifications. Tags are made from post-consumer recycled materials, printed in soy ink and attached with cotton string. All pieces have embroidered eyes and nose, are free of beads and constructed to stand up to hours of playtime. Available in multiple sizes, designs, prices and styles, the options are nearly endless—perfect to meet the unique needs of your loved one. Whether a magical adventure unwinding with a unicorn, climbing with a koala, palling around with a panda or getting into some monkey business with an orangutan, there’s an Ecokins for everyone.

Midea’s 2-in-1 Turbo Heater + Fan (https://www.walmart.com/)
Mom deserves to feel comfortable at home every day of the year. And with Midea’s 2-in-1 Turbo Heater + Fan—now she can. This versatile device seamlessly provides efficient heating and cooling modes and offers owners customized airflow and temperature control for all four seasons. Its built-in digital thermostat ensures precision in temperature adjustments, allowing users to easily create their ideal level of coziness. Designed for user-friendly operation, Midea’s 2-in-1 Turbo Heater + Fan features intuitive controls and a lightweight build for efficient mobility. Plus, its manual tilt function enables you to adjust the airflow direction within a 75-degree range to optimize vortex air circulation and direct the heat or cool air precisely where needed for a tailored experience. Safety is a priority for Midea, with  the company incorporating a special feature in the device that protects it from overheating. Help your loved one ditch the need for both a heater and fan and embrace the future of home climate control in a single, sleek device.

A WiFi Dehumidifier

Midea’s 20-Pint Cube Smart WiFi Dehumidifier (https://www.walmart.com/)
Gift Mom the convenience and efficiency of in-home comfort with Midea’s 20-Pint Cube Smart WiFi Dehumidifier. This revolutionary device isn’t just an appliance—it’s a lifestyle enhancer designed for the modern consumer with its unique lift-and-twist design that offers unparalleled flexibility. The Cube covers up to 2,000 square feet of space and boasts a water tank capacity three-times larger than standard dehumidifiers, significantly reducing the need for frequent emptying. This means longer, uninterrupted operation for owners with minimal hassle. When transformed into its compact form, the dehumidifier provides a smaller footprint—ideal for space-saving storage. Simply remove the water tank and place the optional drain hose over a drain or sink for continuous, set-it and- forget-it-operation. This feature is perfect for urban homes, blending efficiency with a decluttered living environment. Even more, the appliance offers smartphone connectivity through the SmartHome app and is a smart, stylish solution for contemporary living spaces. For The Silo, Merilee Kern, MBA

Helsinki’s Growing Reputation As World Class Food City

For many people, the first things that come to mind when asked about Helsinki are its northern location, the happiest people in the world, and functional design.

The Finnish capital’s high-quality and unique food culture, on the other hand, has remained a well-kept secret and often pleasantly surprises visitors to the city. In Helsinki, one can find numerous innovative restaurants, the oldest market halls in the Nordic region, the Teurastamo centre of urban and culinary culture, distilleries, microbreweries and other craft companies, such as bakeries and chocolate producers.

“The strengths of Helsinki’s food culture are its versatility, personality and a certain kind of uniqueness that combines local flavours and cultural influences from both East and West with a bold and innovative approach. The level of Helsinki’s top restaurants is illustrated by the fact that one restaurant has been awarded two Michelin stars and five with one Michelin star,” says Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director at the City of Helsinki.

Helsinki wants to focus even more strongly on food tourism

Helsinki is currently implementing its Helsinki Tourism and Events Programme 2022–2026. The programme highlights the city’s vibrant urban culture with its events, visitors and restaurants as a key strategic priority for promoting the city’s vitality and wellbeing. Internationally, food has become an important appeal factor for tourism in recent years.

Restaurants play a key role in the vitality of cities. The restaurants in Helsinki have enormous and partly untapped potential, which can be used together with partners to develop the city as an attractive destination providing wonderful experiences for visitors. Helsinki will highlight the best aspects of the city as a food travel destination at the Matka Nordic Travel Fair this month by setting up Helsinki Food Court in cooperation with Food Camp Finland and Messukeskus.

The Matka Nordic Travel Fair in Helsinki is the largest tourism industry event in Northern Europe. In connection with the travel fair, Helsinki will also launch its own food culture strategy work. The aim is to make Helsinki a world-class food city of interest.

Finnjävel brings traditional Finnish dishes into the 21st century and to London               

One of the advocates of Helsinki’s developing restaurant and food culture is Timo Linnamäki, restaurateur and Chairman of the Board of Muru Dining, which operates several restaurants in Helsinki. Representing Muru Group at the travel fair will be the restaurant Pastis, which focuses on rustic French cuisine and a casual atmosphere, as well as attentive and individual service.

“So much is happening in Helsinki’s restaurant scene at the moment, the range of offerings continues to expand, and there are real gems offering unique experiences throughout the city. Muru Group’s restaurants are a good example of their versatility – our taste worlds vary from the French cuisine at Pastis and the fish and seafood dishes at Sue Ellen to the Italian cuisine at Fiasco and the pure Finnish flavours at Finnjävel.”

Restaurant food Michelin star

Photo: Finnjävel

Finnjävel originally began as a temporary pop-up restaurant but has since established its operations and gained its first Michelin star in 2021. In the same year, Finnjävel received the acclaimed Service Award for the best service in the Nordic countries.

“The concept of the restaurant is to serve the best Nordic flavours and to bring traditional Finnish dishes that are reminiscent of your grandma’s cooking into the 2020s with a new, innovative approach. We strongly believe in Helsinki’s potential as a restaurant city at the international level, and we will be promoting this message by opening Finnjäveli’s pop-up restaurant at COMO The Halkin Hotel in the Belgravia district of London from 21 March to 1 April 2023. The pop-up will also present the Helsinki Distilling Company and Finnish Gin. Our aim is to offer a unique food experience that attracts international interest in Finnish food culture, producers and ingredients and inspires people to travel to the source to experience more,” says Timo Linnamäki. For the Silo, Leena Karppinen.

Featured image: Tuukka Koski/ Koski Syväri, MyHelsinki Material Bank

Paris (Ontario!) for the Holidays

That’s Paris, Ontario. This lovely town of about 12,000 is an easy hour and a half hour drive from Niagara. It was amalgamated in 1999 to the County of Brant but the locals don’t like to admit to it. It’s named for the nearby deposits of gypsum used to make plaster of Paris. It is referred to as, “the cobblestone capital of Canada” because of the towns large number of aged cobblestone homes.

An example of one of the historical cobblestone homes found in Paris.

When I arrived a few weeks ago to do Christmas shopping, I found a vibrant downtown tucked away in a wide valley. It was sheltered from big-box retailing and I soon learned chronic 21st century hurry-up ism wasn’t here either. The place reminded me of earlier times when I would walk the downtown of my own hometown. The pace was slow. It reinforced in my mind, how nice the world can be.
Parking is free along Grand River Street, the Main Street, and there’s lots of interesting stores to explore.

Always looking for a “sweet deal” I stumbled upon Chocolate Sensations Silo Direct Link to Chocoloate Sensations Website Like so many other shops in town, this delightful aromatic place is family owned by John and Sarah Chalmers. John said, “This business began as a humble home-based hobby in a family kitchen over 20 years ago. Today we do a thriving on site business and a large volume of catalogue sales”. Once inside chocolate enthusiasts will think they have died and went to chocolate heaven. I recommend before you leave take home some Christmas, Candy Cane Bark. Come on, you can afford to take out the belt a notch, after all it’s Christmas.

Sarah and John Chalmers inside their Chocolate Sensations shop.

Next door is a “cheesy place”. The Three Blind Mice Cheese Company Silo Direct Link to Three Blind Mice Cheese Company WebsiteOkay, I promise no more cheesy stuff. The owner, Lindsay Dawdy with an ear to ear smile said, “We only opened in June of this year and so far it’s been a runaway success. So much so, we’ve opened another store in Elora”. Believe it or not, this is a fun place. Step inside and see what I mean. Ask Lindsay to push the reset button on her 1951 Juke Box and you can hear one of your golden-oldies. Sticky Toffee and Wensleydale with Cranberry are the featured cheeses for the holidays.

Lindsay Dawdy, owner of Three Blind Mice Cheese Factory shows us one of her unusual cheeses

The Three Blind Mice Cheese Company storefront

Down the road is the John N Hall House of Quality Linens. This is an old-fashioned dry goods store. Their heavy front doors are the same ones customer’s have been pushing since the 1860’s. If you’re looking for a ladies embroided white cotton nightgown or fleece or flannelette blankets you’ve arrived.

The Brown Dog Coffee Shoppe Silo Direct Link to The Brown Dog Coffee Shoppe Website at 63 Grand River St. N. was so popular with the locals there must have been something to it. And there was.

For starters, everything is made from scratch and from what I observed servers worked at spoiling their customers. They roast their own coffee and they specialize in nostalgic hard to find sandwiches like the classic Monte Cristo. The Apple Waldorf Salad platter is a crowd pleaser. I loved their Deep Dish Corn Meal Crust Quiche and hand crafted Hot Apple Fritters. The apples were prepared in front of me using an 1800’s hand operated peeler. I washed the meal down with chocolate milk delivered to my table in an old-fashioned dairy bottle. In the warmer months you can eat on the second floor outdoor patio that overlooks the Grand River that flows through town.

I stopped in 'at the dog' for a meal washed down with chocolate milk delivered in a retro glass bottle

Before you leave Paris walk to the end of the town to the Williams Street Bridge and take a photograph of the back of these historic buildings that house these shops. It will be a keeper.

As I headed home I came across a group of people who were unloading Balsam Firs to be sold at their annual Christmas tree sale for St. James Anglican Church. It was a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. One of the parishioners Steve Howes, who had lived in the town for 45 years told me, “This is a small town with a lot of heart. People still treat each other with respect. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else”. That sums this town up nicely.

Christmas tree sale in support of St. James Anglican Church

How to get There
From Niagara take the QEW to Highway 403 towards Brantford. Cut off onto Highway 2 to Paris. GPS users can punch in 89 Grand River Street. North, Paris.

Since 1850 Ontario Parisians have been warmly welcoming visitors

Written and Photographed by George Bailey. George is a writer who has a unique way of finding ‘hidden gems’ and sharing his experience in words and pictures.