Singing the praises of the bakery at La Grotta

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This article was published 22/02/2016 (3837 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Is tomorrow Friday? Is tomorrow Saturday?

If the answer is ‘yes’ to either of these questions, then there is a mission to accomplish the following day. And it must be accomplished between 9 and 11 a.m. to get the desired results. Any later and disappointment might occur.

The mission? To buy raisin scones baked on these two days.

Of course I’m talking about the bakery at La Grotta Mediterranean Market in Piazza De Nardi at the corner of Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue.

We seldom miss buying a dozen of the scones every week, which may vary slightly from one baking to the next. Dark raisins. Plump golden ones. A combination. It doesn’t matter. The scones are delicious.

When you get home, settle in for a treat. Retrieve one of the fat scones from the paper bag. Slice it in half. Slather the halves with butter or margarine. Or if you’re feeling really self-indulgent, add some jam. My favourite is double apricot, although I usually eat the scones without.

As the week progresses, if the scones are becoming slightly dry even in a container or plastic bag, just heat them briefly in the microwave once buttered.

It’s not only raisin scones that draw us to the La Grotta bakery. Sometimes we add a few cheese scones or some of the various types of buns. As well, we’ve bought loaves of scrumptious breads such as challa, focaccia, fergasa, crusty white, raisin, and ciabatta.

If you want a decadent cake or cheesecake, then this is the place to shop. The decorating alone is a feast for the eyes.

Pastries, cookies, tortes and slices also beckon to be taken home.

Often when we leave the bakery section we browse the grocery aisles with its gourmet and other items. A favourite purchase is a jar of Gloria baby dill pickles, Polish-style with fresh garlic and dill. We haven’t had a dinner or lunch guest yet who could resist eating at least one, and often more of these small, crunchy delights.

From time to time a chunk of Jarlsberg from the huge cheese selection makes its way into our basket.

An array of meats, fish, fresh produce, gelato, prepared meals, serving dishes, wine, greeting cards and orchids tempt customers as well. My orchid from two years ago has decided it’s time to bloom again.

But in the end, for me it’s the weekly raisin scones that are my comfort food.

Jeannette Timmerman is a community correspondent for Richmond West.