The oven scars on her forearms tell the story: Eleanor Chow is an experienced pastry chef. Years ago, at the age of 19, her career began at Joe Fortes. A slew of impressive employers followed, including CinCin, La Rua, and Lumiere.
Today, when she鈥檚 not caring for her 21-month-old daughter, you鈥檒l find this successful entrepreneur running the show at one of聽聽finest artisan bakeries,聽. In the world of pastry, Ellie Chow is living the sweet life. And what makes it even more fabulous is that she lives in the 鈥榟ood.
鈥淚 love this area. It鈥檚 so close to everything and it鈥檚 surrounded by small businesses. There are no big companies around here,鈥� Ellie explained as we sat chatting in the back of her bustling bakery.
Which other independently-owned, neighbouring companies do Ellie鈥檚 well-respected taste buds frequent on a regular basis? Here are five drinks and bites that she highly recommends you try out in.
What to eat: The Rice & Omelette
Ellie says: 鈥淚t鈥檚 just an egg with turnip, but it鈥檚 absolutely phenomenal. They have an ever-changing menu, but I get the simple things because that鈥檚 what鈥檚 awesome. The marinated eggplant and the crispy tofu are also great.鈥�
What to sip: a Chino Margarita
Ellie says: 鈥淚 also order Negronis, although they鈥檙e not on the menu. They鈥檒l make it anyways.鈥�
What to eat: Frog鈥檚 Legs
Ellie says:听鈥淭hey鈥檙e great, and the mussels are good. And ohhh, the lamb tajine. And the steak鈥he steak is always amazing.聽The food is just amazing.鈥�
What to sip: Any cocktail, any wine
Ellie says: 鈥淭he cocktails聽here are amazing. Don鈥檛 ask me which one because they鈥檙e always changing. A main reason I go here is for the wine. Jason Yamasaki is the wine director and every time I go, I look at him and say, 鈥淚 just want something delicious,鈥� and he brings me exactly what I want, every single time. Their wine program is phenomenal.鈥�
What to eat: Foie Gras Poutine, Hazelnuts, Smoked Olives, Deep Fried Smelt
Ellie says:听鈥�Their food is always heavy and meat-centric so I don鈥檛 eat there as often as my figure allows.鈥�
What to sip: a 鈥淪lurpee鈥�
Ellie says: 鈥淚鈥檒l always go to Wildebeest and sit at the bar, upstairs.聽I love their slushee machine.鈥�
What to eat: The Roti
Ellie says:听鈥淚 love their chicken roti. It鈥檚 so simple and full of flavour. I also love their seafood roti. Those two are a tie, depending on the day.鈥�
What to sip:聽Dark and Stormy and the Coconut Jambi
Ellie says: 鈥淭hey鈥檙e so refreshing and just so good. And Calabash is聽open late 鈥� they鈥檙e always bumping.聽The vibe is just so awesome and these guys really go for it.鈥�
What to eat: Steak Diane
Ellie says: 鈥淚 love their Steak Diane and I adore their bread basket. It鈥檚 fantastic with different brioches. Half are pastry and some are bacon-y and fishy.鈥�
What to sip: Anything from Shaun and Lin at the bar
Ellie says: 鈥淪haun and Lin at the bar are just amazing, as are Paul (the GM) and his crew.鈥�
聽is located on Powell Street in Railtown, part of the Strathcona Village neighbourhood. For more information on Strathcona Village, head to 945 East Hastings or visit聽聽to register. For more updates on other local gems,聽follow the hashtag #StrathconaVillage online.
Contest Details
And, it鈥檚 time for contest #4! A $100 gift certificate to Cadeaux Bakery is up for grabs.
To enter...
1. Post an image to Instagram (or tag an old shot) with the hashtag #StrathconaVillage
2. Tell us what you love about the Gastown, Chinatown and/or Railtown neighbourhoods.
And congrats to last week鈥檚 winner, @Melanie_Bowen!
We鈥檙e giving away a $100 gift certificate each week for the next two weeks, so stay tuned to my Instagram account (@erinireland) for updates. The next winner will be announced on Friday, October 10th. Good luck!
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