Susie's Shortbreads' 2nd Birthday!

This past Saturday, I met up with a childhood friend of mine and her little one for a fun-filled trip to Susie's Shortbreads. Susie's, a local bakeshop that specializes in shortbreads, but has become renowned for their cupcakes, was celebrating its 2nd Birthday!

I remember opening day, 2 years ago, when my bestie and I stopped in to Susie's just after the first annual IncrEDIBLE Picnic at Garrison Grounds. On that particular visit, I tried the light, innocently sweet Strawberry Fields cupcake. Last year, for Susie's 1st Birthday, I ordered the delightful Swiss Alpes cupcake with a creamy chocolate buttercream and a chunk of Toblerone on top.

This year's Birthday, though, was by far the best. In addition to it being a beautiful sunny day, we decided to hang out on the grass, in the shade on Citadel Hill, let the little one run around and savour the sweetness both the cupcakes and the last days of summer. My choice this year was the Better than Butterfinger; a white cake studded with pieces of Crispy Crunch, and topped with a chocolate-peanut butter buttercream.

Better than Butterfinger

For me though, Nico, my friend's two-year old daughter was the best part. As we discussed her upcoming Birthday and my mind turned over the Birthday present possibilities, Nico ran around, squealing with delight, holding her mushed up, grass and dirt covered cupcake... With icing all over her dress, face and hands, I realized that life just doesn't get any sweeter than this.

little Nico :)

Darrell's Peanut Butter Burger

Back in March, when we were having some seriously good (global warming-induced) weather, I worked up an appetite running an arm's length of errands on Spring Garden Rd. I met up with a friend later on in the day, and since I felt as though I could consume my weight's worth in food, we decided to go to Darrell's for some tasty grub that left me weak in the knees. I decided on the famous Peanut Butter Burger. I mean c'mon; burger - good, peanut butter - good. As simple as that and I was sold. I also got a side of Darrell's seasoned potato wedges on the side.

The burger was pretty messy, and I used up a load of napkins, but it was worth it. The sweet, creamy PB mixing with the juicy meat was incredible. The seasoned fries had a touch of heat, and were crispy on the outside and soft within- just the way I like 'em! Paired up with a cold beer, this was the perfect meal to sate my appetite!

Next time though, I'm trying one of Darrel's famous milkshakes. My friend's chicken burger looked pretty damn good too!

Just look at that meat...and bacon...and melted cheese!

Now, look at that PB!!

Susie's Shortbread's 1st Anniversary

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Hey all! Next Saturday, August 29th, marks Susie Shortbread's 1 year anniversary. I've decided to start my day of right with MY idea of a 'Breakfast of Champions': cupcakes! Susie's Shortbreads opened a year ago this week- how time flies!

Here is the info on tomorrow's event. See their website for more information and my blog post from last summer about my Strawberry Fields cupcake!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! Our store is turning one year old!!

Please join us for our big Anniversary Celebration on Saturday August 29th (we open at 11am as usual) and enjoy:

1st 50 customers receive a FREE gift with purchase

FREE product samples all day (cookies, cupcakes, fudge, frosting shots, cheesecakes, truffles, milkshakes...rotating throughout the day)

Face Painting for the Kids (12-2pm)

Cupcake Bingo (if you are one of the lucky ones to choose a cupcake with a Susie's sticker on the bottom, you win that cupcake for FREE)

FREE GIVEAWAYS! We will have a stack of envelopes for random lucky recipients to win prizes such as:
1/2 Dozen Cupcakes each month for an entire year!
Single Cupcake each week for 6 months!
$5 or $10 gift certificates
Susie's merchandise (mugs, hats, shirts, etc)
25% off your current purchase
Boxed Cookies
Cup-a-cake Containers
Slabs of Fudge

Plus, we will have our newest member of the Susie's Team to introduce you to...our new Cupcake Mascot!! (She's not named yet...so that may be a contest to come soon too...)
So we hope you will all join us in celebrating our first anniversary! It's been an amazing year and we want to thank all of our customers for your incredible support over the past year! And just think...we've only just begun...

My subsequent journey to Susie's on Saturday morning lead me to believe that cupcakes were considered the 'Breakfast of Champions' by many other Haligonians. By the time we arrived by 11:30 am, there was a steady line snaking through the little shop. My treat of choice was the Swiss Alps; a vanilla cupcake w/ buttercream swirled with Toblerone pieces and a chunck of the bar on top. Mmm, mmm, good. Congrats to the team at Susie's Shortbreads o their 1 year anniversary! Keep up the GREAT work!

A simple snack at The Chickenburger

Yesterday, I went to the Chickenburger in Bedford for the very first time. I know, I know- I've gotten a lot of flack for having lived in Hali four years and not yet trying this institution's food, but there's a lot of eating to do around here! The Chickenburger opened in 1940, and quickly became a favorite to both Bedford residents and the rest of HRM. My friend even told me that his parents used to go on dates here!

I was filled with anticipation as I saw the line of traffic and throng of people both eating and patiently awaiting their orders. As was nice and sunny, we decided to sit outside on the picnic tables. Having never been inside, I still had to take a peek. I instantly found myself transported back to the 1950's, feeling like a character in an Archie comic! The setting too, was reminiscent of something one would see featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives on the Food Network.

As I stood in line, I could smell the fries, and see the beef burgers being grilled on the flattop. I was tempted to stray, as I love me a good cheeseburger, but no- I had come here for THE famous chicken burger, and I would not be deterred!

I decided on a regular chicken burger with a small vanilla milkshake. Though I've never really understood the appeal of pairing a milkshake with fast food, I thought this would be a fairly traditional order. Since the thought of this flavor combo always took me back to grade school when they used to give you milk with your pizza, I've always been a 'soda-with-my-fast-food' kind of girl. This combo though, was delicious. Something about the thick and foamy shake paired with the soft bun and tender chicken had me converted!

I have to say, this may draw a cry of horror fro some readers, but the burger itself was nothing to write home about. Yes, it was yummy, but essentially- it's just chunks of chicken on a bun. It was interesting to eat a "burger" with virtually no condiments. although I think I did detect a hint of butter on the bun, which I had absolutely no problem with...

We also got an order of onion rings to add to our snack...

I'll definitely make another visit to this place, if not just for the atmosphere. It was so nice to get out of the office and sit outside, but also to go back in time when life, and food was a little bit simpler. I might also take this rooster's advice and get a root beer float with my burger!