by Therese de Grace
No control and so we wait day after day for the holy trinity of inspections that will lead us to a liquor license and more importantly to the magical key that will open Lola’s Commissary.

It is very hard to describe the plethora of emotions, if I wrote all of them down we would be looking at a ten page double spaced soliloquy of serial killer scribe riddled with profanity.

A few weeks ago when the insanity of waiting for the Godot Health Inspector hit an all time high I entered a state of mental consciousness that follows me even into my dream state.    

Questions like:  will we be good enough, will I ever have time to have sex again, will we get positive write ups, will anyone come, if I “Make” David Miller dinner will this process kick into high gear.

So, I have taken to walking 4k to work daily in order to clear my head and on my journey yesterday morning I stumbled across a shabby looking basement apartment that proudly displayed a sign in the window that said

“KOSHOW WORLD HEAD QUARTERS,” at first I snickered and then I realized these band dorks had the right idea.  We may be small but we are mighty, filled with passion, emotion and artistic integrity and we like us and know our patrons will too because we have put every last drop of our souls into Lola’s Commissary (World Headquarters). 

Hanging around and waiting does have its benefits; we have the best neighbours who have never begrudged us for all the racket, dust and cars we have brought to the Gaybourhood.  Yesterday afternoon one of the street’s oldest inhabitants told me that 40ish years ago Princess Anne used to visit Toronto and only ate in our building, how can you not want to charge forward after that comment.  I started to think about what Princess Anne would have ordered and decided upon our Cheesecake French Toast, I have included the receipe below.  

Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast

You will require the following ingredients

1 loaf of challah bread, thick slices
6 egg yolks
3 cups of 10% cream
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of Grand Marnier
2 tablespoons of water
1 tablespoon of maple syrup (plus extra)
3 cups of crumbled cheesecake
3 cups of sliced berries
Butter
Icing Sugar
Whipped Cream 

Method

In a mixing bowl whisk yolks, cream, vanilla, water and maple syrup. 

Divide the cheesecake into 4 loose mounds, nest each onto 4 slices of bread, secure that tops and lightly press together.  Heat a large skillet with a generous amount of butter (about 3 tablespoons).  While butter is heating dunk bread into egg mixture until well submerged and add to your pan.  Allow each side to cook for at least 3 minutes until golden brown, Repeat for remaining slices adding an additional tablespoon of butter per batch, garnish with whipped cream, berries, icing sugar and maple syrup. 

Note:  There is a fantastic Plain Jane Cheesecake recipe in the Bitchin’ Kitchen archives that is perfect for dessert……and French Toast a few days later!