By Tanya Batson-Savage, Staff ReporterEating Out
THERE IS nothing like pastry and coffee in the afternoon. Actually, there is nothing like pastry any time of the day. Guided by this life-affirming philosophy, a visit was paid to Suzie's Daily Bread in the Orchid Village Plaza, Barbican Road. For those less familiar with the territory, it is that little area on the backside of Liguanea, which is becoming a mini-Mecca of food establishments, what with The Guilt Trip also in the Orchid Village and Burger King across the road.
Since the arrival of Suzie's to what used to only be The Daily Bread, the piazza before the shop has been transformed into a sidewalk cafe. So, how is a mere mortal expected to resist the temptation of pastry a la mode? The café allows you to either take-out or dine-out.
INTRIGUING SELECTION
A walk into the small store can be an educational process for those of us less used to the finer types of pastry and breads, since the store includes an intriguing selection. Beware, however, the contents often cost at least an arm and a leg, but after tasting them the sacrifice does not seem so great.
Interestingly, the café allows you to dive into the wonderful pleasures of high calorie-bearing delights or you can choose to stay on the healthier side of the fence, or even straddle it.
The café offers a salad bar and a sandwich bar. For the sandwiches, one can choose to have it on pita (plain or whole wheat) or sourdough bread. The ingredients (in this case smoked marlin, mustard, cream cheese, tomatoes and lettuce) are all rolled into the pita bread to create a marriage of true flavours. The sandwich bar also offers chicken, ham and smoked turkey selections and you get to choose the toppings.
If the tiramisu and cheese cake squares are anything to go by, then the pastry at Suzie's is a bit of heaven. The most eloquent phrase to describe them is 'Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm, hmmmm, hmmm!'
LIGHT MEAL
Along with the sandwiches and pastry, ready-made meals such as rice and chicken (also including pine nuts and minced beef) are also available. The chicken and rice combination, creating something like a paella, makes for a light meal, though it is very skimpy on the chicken.
Caffeine is available through cappuccinos, espresso, and café lattes. The coffee is decent, but the prices charged, especially if you want it flavoured or topped with whipped cream, get the adrenalin going. The hot chocolate, which tastes no better than instant chocolate, leaves a lot to be desired, even with the whipped cream.
Even so, Suzie's Daily Bread is a place to take the palate out for a little treat.
