Around The Country

Begin your day with breakfast at L’Auberge de France. Though they offer an authentic French dining experience, you’re actually after their French toast. The origins of this fried eggy bread may not be in Canada, but you can’t get much more Canadian than the maple syrup you will be drowning the dish in. 

After breakfast, head over to the Belleville Public Library where you can find books by various Canadian authors such as Robert Munsch, L.M. Montgomery, André Alexis, Lawrence Hill, Kelley Armstrong, and Lynsay Sands. Check out the Meyer’s Creek Trilogy by  Connie Brummel Crook for a fictionalized take on Canadian history. If you don’t mind ebooks, you can also find digital titles authoured Marie Landry who was born and raised in Belleville!

It’s best to leave the library before a growling stomach starts disturbing the bibliophiles. Your next stop should be at Crepe Escape. You can get a delicious Oh Canada crepe of strawberries and whipped cream or a Maple and Fruit crepe with strawberries, banana, whipped cream, and maple syrup. If you prefer something a little more savoury than sweet, try their All-Day Breakfast crepe with eggs, cheese, and your choice of bacon, ham, or sausage and maple syrup.

A full stomach is best for an afternoon of shopping. Thomas Esteves has some maple leaf jewellery as well as many paintings of local scenery. You can also check out Happy Buddha for other Canadian décor, Ontario-made Green Beaver soaps and deodorants, plus moose or bear “droppings” (a.k.a. chocolate-covered almonds and cashews).

If you’re looking for an afternoon snack, you still have your pick of places to go. Sweet Retreat has delicious maple syrup marshmallows and Gourmet Diem has a maple bacon butter tart. If you want something a little more filling, try Kate’s Kitchen Shop for Mabel’s Bagels – locally made Montreal-style bagels. Don’t forget to pop into Obi’s Kitchen if you want to grab a bottle (or ten) of maple syrup. There, you can have your pick of flavours from a Whisky Barrel Aged maple syrup to a chipotle infused maple syrup. There are also other Canadian-themed delights like maple sugar, maple butter, maple jam, maple mustard, maple BBQ sauce, maple cinnamon waffle mix, and more.

Feeling like being active? Pick up some hockey equipment at Stephen’s Licence Bicycle and Hobbies or stop by the Brake Room and check out their bike gear over a cup of coffee (better make it a double double). Make sure you leave enough time to stop for dinner at the Export Grill or Smokin’ 116 Bistro, who both round out the Canadian experience with some poutine (yum)!