... Susie's Bakery and Coffee Bar?

The place feels so much like home, customers know each other by name. That's the cosy feeling at Susie's Bakery and Coffee Bar, a popular participant in the Gleaner-sponsored Restaurant Week. So who else to talk to than 'chief cook and bottle washer' Susie Hanna.

How long have you been involved in the food-service industry?

I feel like I've been at Susie's Bakery, and in the food service industry, all my life! We have been operating for almost 17 years, 15 years as Susie's Bakery & Coffee Bar in Southdale Plaza. It is just something that evolved out of my children's birthday parties, my love of baking, and even from as early as prep school, when I used to bake and make sauces, and sell them to my family, to earn pocket money.

What about Restaurant Week do you most enjoy?

We all at Susie's get very excited about Restaurant Week. We try and do it following a 'theme'. It's not just going out to dinner. We cook the part, dress the part, and try and take the customer with us on the adventure. We enjoy the break from the normal routine. Even though we all work harder and longer hours, it's fun.

This year we are hosting a western theme and we are having live music most nights, and playing western DVDs at the bar, and best of all, a mouth-watering menu. By the way, if guests 'dress up' in western wear for RW. They will win a gift certificate, to come back to eat at Susie's Bakery and Coffee Bar.

Do you bake/cook at home?

These days I hardly cook or bake at home, I say, "Why should I, when I can go to 'Susie's'?

What's your favourite dish/creation to prepare?

I love to do new and different cakes, especially cheesecakes.