Sunday, April 11, 2010
REVIEW: Local Kitchen and Wine Bar Toronto
That Local Kitchen and Wine Bar made it into Toronto Life's top 10 best new restaurants list proves again just how misconstrued its view of this city's goings-on and culinary world actually is.
While the food at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar is quite palpable to one's sense of smell, the food just doesn't match up to what one perceives and what the palate expects upon walking in.
We started off with a house made anchovie, perfectly cured in a tangy, acidic vinegar and olive oil base. By far, the highlight of the night, served on a crostini with a sprig of thyme. We then moved on to a N'Duja Crostini (a Calabrian sausage whose name derives from the famous Andouille sausage) served with a side of Caccio Cavallo cheese. The sausage was reminiscent of chorizo but with a bit more kick and the cheese was quite mild in flavour as one would expect with most sheep's milk cheeses. Quite good, but nothing extraordinary. As the level of noise increased and our conversation became more muddled, our entrees arrived. First up was the pork belly with lentils, roasted parsnip and topped with a quail egg. While it was tasty, it was rather ordinary and the pork belly was not as tender as I would have liked. Next in line was the Arctic Char with roasted brussel sprouts and Guanciale (a bit like pancetta but stronger in flavour). Again, tasty but uninspiring.
Since Local Kitchen & Wine Bar specializes in house made salumi and pastas, it's fair to say this review may not represent what the restaurant is known for. On the other hand, if you're looking to be inspired by innovative flavours and cooking, this probably isn't the place to go.
Dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine $150 with tax and tip. www.localkitchen.ca
Pork Belly, lentils, roasted parsnip, quail egg
Arctic Char, roasted brussel sprouts, guanciale
While the food at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar is quite palpable to one's sense of smell, the food just doesn't match up to what one perceives and what the palate expects upon walking in.
We started off with a house made anchovie, perfectly cured in a tangy, acidic vinegar and olive oil base. By far, the highlight of the night, served on a crostini with a sprig of thyme. We then moved on to a N'Duja Crostini (a Calabrian sausage whose name derives from the famous Andouille sausage) served with a side of Caccio Cavallo cheese. The sausage was reminiscent of chorizo but with a bit more kick and the cheese was quite mild in flavour as one would expect with most sheep's milk cheeses. Quite good, but nothing extraordinary. As the level of noise increased and our conversation became more muddled, our entrees arrived. First up was the pork belly with lentils, roasted parsnip and topped with a quail egg. While it was tasty, it was rather ordinary and the pork belly was not as tender as I would have liked. Next in line was the Arctic Char with roasted brussel sprouts and Guanciale (a bit like pancetta but stronger in flavour). Again, tasty but uninspiring.
Since Local Kitchen & Wine Bar specializes in house made salumi and pastas, it's fair to say this review may not represent what the restaurant is known for. On the other hand, if you're looking to be inspired by innovative flavours and cooking, this probably isn't the place to go.
Dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine $150 with tax and tip. www.localkitchen.ca
Pork Belly, lentils, roasted parsnip, quail egg
Arctic Char, roasted brussel sprouts, guanciale
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
REVIEW: The Cupcake Shoppe Toronto
Delve into decadence at the Cupcake Shoppe in Toronto, a great place to splurge on some super rich, super creamy, and highly addictive cupcakes (oh ya, forgot to mention they are also zit inducing, artery clogging, and bodyfat enhancing as well).
Upon first glance at this trendy boutiqueeee-bakery, which is oh so common in this particular area of town, one might cringe at the possibility of having to deal with bitchy, old Rosedale-ites, but I figured, what the hell, it's worth the risk. Made fresh on the premises everyday with wholesome "real" ingredients (it's a rarity!), these cupcakes might just live up to all the hype around them. Molten softness cake makes for a really delicate feeling in the mouth, complimented by a rich butter cream topping that tastes more like butter than cream, I must hand out. Flavours vary from day to day with some standards, but be sure to try the prizetaker, the caramel cupcake. Simply incredible.
The Cupcake Shoppe is located at 2417 Yonge Street. www.thecupcakeshoppe.ca
Mindfuckingly incredible...
I love steel drums and I love the movie "Naisu no mori" also known in English as "Funky Forest". Below is a clip of a song along with a choreographed dance sequence from the film.
If you're feeling trippy, be sure to rent "Funky Forest" and prepare yourself for maximum perplexion!
If you're feeling trippy, be sure to rent "Funky Forest" and prepare yourself for maximum perplexion!
REVIEW: Dumpling House in Toronto
While a lot us enjoy our dumplings at dim sum on a lazy hungover Sunday, some of us can't resist this culinary staple and bust out for the deliciousness of a grease fest during the week. If you're one of these people that likes dumplings whenever, wherever, or even all the time 24/7, then keep reading.
Dumpling house on Spadina Avenue in Toronto's Chinatown serves up delicious dumplings available in two configurations: steamed or fried. Fillings range from lamb, pork and shrimp, vegetarian and seafood. The fried are really fantastic and the steamed, well, they're OK (kinda mushy and not that tasty, actually).
Other dishes that deserve mention are: hot and sour soup (one of the best in Chinatown), bean curd and cucumber salad, shanghai noodles and eggplant in spicy garlic sauce.
Prices range from $3-$9. Dinner for 2 with tax and tip $20.
Dumpling house is located at 328 Spadina Avenue, north of Dundas Street.
Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce
Hot and Sour Soup
Dumpling house on Spadina Avenue in Toronto's Chinatown serves up delicious dumplings available in two configurations: steamed or fried. Fillings range from lamb, pork and shrimp, vegetarian and seafood. The fried are really fantastic and the steamed, well, they're OK (kinda mushy and not that tasty, actually).
Other dishes that deserve mention are: hot and sour soup (one of the best in Chinatown), bean curd and cucumber salad, shanghai noodles and eggplant in spicy garlic sauce.
Prices range from $3-$9. Dinner for 2 with tax and tip $20.
Dumpling house is located at 328 Spadina Avenue, north of Dundas Street.
Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings
Eggplant in Spicy Garlic Sauce
Hot and Sour Soup
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Jaheim
Heard this great re-work of De La Soul's "Ring Ring Ring" on Powertraxx from Charlotte, North Carolina last night.
Here's Jaheim's "Ain't Leavin Without You" w. Jadakiss
Here's Jaheim's "Ain't Leavin Without You" w. Jadakiss
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
