Inspired by his favourite treat, the Cookie Monster creates poems about his beloved cookies.

At the new Inglewood bakery Cookie Mama, the prose turns to music with nearly two dozen types of cookies, each inspired by a classic tune.

Our favourites include Sweetest Taboo (sunflower and sesame seeds, oatmeal, wheat germ and coconut), Good Vibrations (dark chocolate and Skor chips) and the gluten-free Cocomo, a coconut macaroon with chocolate drizzle ($2.50 each). There are also egg-, dairy- and butter-free cookie options and cupcakes such as the Rocket Man (cookies and cream with chocolate oreo butter cream icing, $3 each).

“On-nom-nom-nom.”

Cookie Mama, 1420 Ninth Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-266-5431, www.cookiemamacalgary.com

The fantasy of opening up one’s very own quaint bistro or cute café can all too often come crashing down when reality sets in.

Celebrity chef and restaurant consultant David Adjey comes to the rescue in his new show The Opener, debuting tonight on the Food Network.

Each episode sees the charming, and surprisingly calm, Adjey (pictured) working with rookie restaurateurs just days before their grand openings.

The result is a fascinating look into how much goes into opening a restaurant and how little some dreamers really know before jumping in.

We think we'll stick with making reservations.

Tuesdays at 9 p.m., Food Network Canada, www.foodnetwork.ca

If you find yourself trolling the frozen food section comparing the lesser of the two evils (thin crust pizza vs. low fat fettuccine alfredo), it's time to walk away.

Instead, head to Meez Fast Home Cuisine for a menu of made-from-scratch, ready-to-serve meals including gluten-free and vegetarian options. Paris-trained Global TV Saturday's Chef Judy Wood creates meals such as spicy curry chicken noodle soup ($7.50 for 500ml), chicken, broccoli and rice bake (from $8.95, pictured) and chicken chili (from $7.50) and stocks them in the store, ready to take away.

Meez Fast Home Cuisine, 11, 6449 Crowchild Trail SW,
 Calgary, 403-262-6333, and two other locations, www.meezcuisine.ca

When it’s your birthday, wedding day, or any celebration day for that matter, you can always have your cake and eat it too. 


At the new Itza Bakeshop you can also have almond croissants ($2.75), pain au chocolat ($2.75) and mini éclairs ($4).
The tiny bakery is located in the wedding mecca, a.k.a. 17th Avenue’s Devenish Building, but even if you’re not in the market for a three-tier work of art, go early for the fresh-baked pastries or pop in at lunch for a hearty quiche. 


Although the pastries are a tad more petite than other baked goods we’ve devoured, they make up for it with layer upon layer of flaky goodness.



Itza Bakeshop, 111, 908 17th Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-228-0044, www.itzabakeshop.com

We used to lump grocery shopping in the same category as cleaning: it’s just something you have to do. But at the new Sunterra Market, Keynote, picking up a few staples has become our favourite pastime.

Located in the booming Victoria Crossing hood, the 30,000-square-foot shop is a three-floor gourmet mecca.

On the main floor, grab a latte from the Market Café before picking out your produce, or stop in for a gelato before heading out. The second level includes a large communal space for cooking classes, including the 45-minute Lunch ’n’ Learn sessions, and on the top floor, take a seat for the made-to-order in-store meals by day, or seasonal menu by night paired with one of the 1,400 wines. There’s also a rooftop patio and outdoor grill.

Here’s to grocery lists.

Sunterra Market, Keynote, 200 12th Ave. SE, Calgary, 403-261-6772, www.sunterramarket.com

If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, does a glass of cider do the trick? We like to think so.

The sparkling ciders by Quebecois Cidrerie Michel Jodoin ($18.95) are this summer’s backyard bevy.

Refreshingly light, the ciders are a balance of tart and sweet with an easy finish, perfect as aperitifs or paired with anything from cheese to crepes.

Cidrerie tip: Add the sparkling cider to orange juice for a fresh take on a mimosa. Oh how we love them apples.

At J. Webb Wine Merchant, Glenmore Landing, 1600 90th Ave. SW,
 Calgary, 403-253-9463, www.jwebb.net   

A dimly lit lounge with an underground-club feel isn’t a novel concept, but throw in a trio of industry veterans, a weekly lineup of well-known DJs, and a menu of Japanese cuisine, and you’ve got a toast-worthy plan.

Located in the downstairs of the Devenish building, Concept Bar and Lounge is the newest incarnation of the historic space with its exposed brick walls, dark wood accents and long bar.

Stop-in for a post-work drink and sushi (provided by adjoining restaurant Fujiyama) and stay for the monthly art show by Calgary artists (a canvas of a gun-toting Kate Moss is currently up) and DJ Rice’s Thursday night set.

We’re full of bright ideas.

Concept Bar and Lounge, 908 17th Ave. SW, Lower Level, Calgary, 403-228-1006, www.conceptlounge.ca

We’re no strangers to eating breakfast like kings (or should we say queens) but with Dairy Lane’s new evening hours, eating dinner like a pauper is impossible. 

Now open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., the beloved breakfast haunt has introduced a burger and wine menu. Start off with the Local Sharing Plate (market price) that includes a selection of cheeses, meats, pickles and condiments, all from Calgary-area farmers and suppliers.

The Pesto and Gruyere Veggie Burger ($14) is grilled to perfection with basil pesto and Sylvan Star Gruyère while the Peppered Pork Burger ($15) is made from locally raised spiced ground pork, topped with banana peppers, Sylvan Star Peppered Gouda and sweet pepper mayo. Pair it with a glass of Cedar Creek Pinot Gris or one of the many other Canadian wines.

And if you can’t stray from your brekkie fave, the breakfast menu is also available at night.

Dairy Lane, 319 19th St. NW, Calgary, 403-283-2497, www.dairylanecafe.ca

We scoured our cities (all in the name of research, of course) for divine wines. Uncork these fantastic summer sippers just in time for patio season.

Sarah Bancroft, Editor-in-chief
If you love aromatic whites like I do, make it your Mission to score the very first Viognier released by Mission Hill Family Estate (only 1,000 cases were produced). With a gorgeous scent of orange blossom and a peachy palate, it's like summer in a bottle. $18.99 at www.missionhillwinery.com

Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor
On behest of a server at The Corner Suite I tried Domaine Uby’s Colombard-Ugni Blanc, a refreshing, citrusy French white and was wildly surprised by both the taste and the price tag. $11.99 at www.bcliquorstores.com

Malwina Gudowska, Calgary editor
Cannonball’s label reminds us of spending summers at the lake and catapulting off the dock into the cold water. The Cabernet Sauvignon’s big, bold taste is also perfectly paired with anything from the grill. $29 at Bin 905 Wine and Spirits, 2311 Fourth St. SW, Calgary, 403-261-1600, www.bin905.com

Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor (English edition)
Produced at Tawse’s organic gravity-flow winery, Robyn’s Block Chardonnay 2006 will have us chirping for joy all season long. $47.25 at SAQ Signature, 677 Ste-Catherine W., Montreal, 514-282-9445, www.saq.com

Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor (French edition)
We can’t miss this white from South Africa: Viognier Rustenberg Brampton Coastal Region 2007. Its delicate peach and orange peel scents are perfect with grilled veggies with ginger, fish brochettes on the grill or with a shrimp sauté. Cheers to summer pleasures. $17.50 at www.saq.com

Julie Whelan, Toronto guest editor
Still hooked on Pinot Gris? Our latest fave is from Bodega J&F Lurton. It’s a lovely, dangerously easy-drinking white that tastes like a fortune but rings in at a bargain. $10.95 at www.lcbo.com

We can’t always count on Mother Nature for a heat wave but at least the inaugural Calgary Latin Wave: A Showcase of New Latin American Cinema is sure to spice things up.

The three-day festival starts tonight and includes the Argentinian comedy El Nido Vacio (Empty Nest) about the challenges of a long-term relationship and Oscar-winning crime drama El Secreto de Sus Ojos (The Secret in Their Eyes) directed by Juan José Campanella, who has spent the last handful of years directing episodes of Law and Order, House and 30 Rock. 

June 11-13 at the Uptown Stage and Screen, 612 Eighth Ave. SW, Calgary, 403-265-0120, www.calgarylatinwave.com