The Birch Patio… another great reason to visit the Devonian Botanical Garden

07 Saturday Sep 2013

Posted by Delena Rose in Devonian Botanical Garden, restaurants

Tags

al fresco, Alberta cafe, cafe, cappuccino, coffee, Devonian Botanical Garden, Elm Cafe, kaitas, patio, pickle soup, recommended restaurant, summer dining, The Birch Patio

One of my favorite cafes in Edmonton is Elm Cafe, located on 100, 10140 117 Street. I usually order a large cappuccino and either sit indoors, enjoying the ambience of the tiny cafe and the current art hanging on the walls; or I sit outdoors on their equally tiny patio to take in the weather and changing seasons while sipping the best cappuccino I have ever tasted.

You can imagine how happy I was to visit the Devonian Botanical Garden (DBG) last spring and find that Nate Box of Elm Café had opened The Birch Patio.

The Birch Patio offers a unique and tasty menu of al fresco treats and showcases many local producers, including fresh produce grown right there at the gardens. The menu changes daily and is inspired by the seasons. The Birch Patio also offers a selection of beer, wine and seasonal libations.

On my visit in May, I had the kaitas sandwich and the pickle soup; both were very tasty. Last month, I simply had a cappuccino and a gourmet cookie (double chocolate).

If you’ve taken in any of the DBG’s date nights (June-August) this past spring and summer, then you would have had the opportunity to experience one of The Birch Patio’s themed dinner menus and activities, including long-table dinners, country fair, summer in Paris, seniors’ night and summer dances.

The DBG closes its doors for the season after October 14^th so be sure to stop in even if only for lunch or a mid-day snack in a beautiful location. It will be well worth the drive!

Click here to go to The Birch Patio’s website. (They offer catering!)

Click here to go to the Elm Cafe’s website. (They offer catering!)

Click here to go the the Devonian Botanical Garden’s website.

The Birch Patio Hours

May 1-31 11 am – 3 pm weekdays  10 am – 5 pm on weekends

June 1 – Sept. 2  10 am – 6 pm daily and Date Night Thursdays until dusk

Sept. 3 – Sept. 30 11 am – 3 pm weekdays  10 am – 5 pm on weekends

Oct. 1 – Oct. 14 (Thursday – Sunday only) 10 am – 3 pm

the ECOcafe at the Village on Pigeon Lake

09 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by Delena Rose in buy local, eco-living, Pigeon Lake

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

cafe, eco-friendly dining, ECOcafe, local foods, Pigeon Lake, restaurant, supporting local rural farmers

If you enjoy delicious high quality food and are committed to supporting local foods and “independent local farmers who share our vision about the environment and the philosophy of eating healthy safe foods” then I highly recommend the ECOcafe.~Delena

Residents of Pigeon Lake, Alberta and the surrounding area are extremely lucky to have the ECOcafe in our neighborhood. The ECOcafe has been offering a unique and ethically-conscious dining experience since it opened its doors in 1997. Believing in “Food as Community”, this locally-owned restaurant is committed to serving naturally-raised foods and promoting local rural sustainability. Each of the items on their menu is a wholesome and tasty adventure and also includes a wide variety of choices for vegetarians.

The ECOcafe also offers items to buy and enjoy at home, including breads, desserts, and meat and fruit pies. Below are pictures I took this afternoon of their famous Elk Pie that I bought frozen a few weeks ago and then baked at home today for lunch.

The ECOcafe has been featured in many newspapers, magazines and even on television. Click here to find out more. Aside of the delicious food, another thing that impresses me and inspires my loyal patronage is the ECOcafe’s commitment to the community. According to their website:

The ECOcafé has worked with University students participating in mentorship’s and internships, as well as school lunch programs, cooking classes, complimentary yoga classes, speaking engagements, volunteer programs, fundraising and a host of other programs, directly and indirectly.

Even when the cottagers and tourists have left at the end of summer, there always seems to be something exciting going on at the café throughout the entire year. For example, there are monthly wine tastings, ‘open-mike’ nights, and on the first Saturday of every month they feature the cuisine of another country. Sunday mornings showcase an Eggs Benedict brunch, on Monday afternoons you can get an Intuitive Reading, and if you enjoy seafood, be sure to pop in on Friday evening for the Chef’s fabulous seafood creation. There are also special one-of-a-kind gatherings, such as last month’s Conversations with Marg.

Here is a picture of the restaurant as seen on their website:

I love dining at the ECOcafe. Not only have I met some great new friends there but I feel good supporting a local business that in turn supports my local community in many different ways. I always leave feeling nourished, both in body and in spirit. ~Delena

Located in the Village on Pigeon Lake, Alberta. Click here for a map and directions.

For Your Unique Dining Experience
Contact ECOcafe At:
#10 Village Drive, R.R.#2
Westerose, Alberta
T0C 2V0
Rest. 780.586.2627
Office 780.586.2623
Fax 780.586.2625
info@ECOcafepigeonlake.ca

Regular hours

8 am-8 pm Sunday through Thursday

8 am-9 pm Friday through Saturday

Summer hours

8 am-9 pm Sunday through Thursday

8 am-10 am Friday through Saturday