Seeing as I’m a social media consultant, I spend a lot of time working in a coffee shop rather than working from my apartment. There are two things that are important to me when selecting a coffee shop – free parking and good coffee.
Nine Bars meets both requirements! Thanks to my friend, I discovered a side street with free parking. (WOOT). Also, I need to thank BlogTO for bringing this new coffee shop to my attention!!
The space is totally inviting with lots of exposed brick and gorgeous furniture. Clearly someone has an eye for detail.
Even the menu is displayed in a unique manner. You can tell that there was a lot of thought going into planning this cafe!! ps there’s also sandwiches and croissants from LaBamboche!
My friend described the coffee as velvety, smooth and without any bitterness. I couldn’t agree with him more. He also said it was the best coffee he had outside of Rome.! Not to mention that BlogTO also said it was a perfect cup of coffee!
On a side note, the owner took the time to chat with us and it was clearly evident that he has a passion for coffee and loves people! A great combo for owning a coffee shop.
I can’t wait to organize a Coffice Tweet Up here! Stay tuned for details.
For more information:
Nine Bars – 46 St. Clair Ave West – www.9bars.ca – 647 831 5958
Twitter: @9barsto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/9barsto
Out of nowhere…I’m noticing a lot of Cauliflower recipes. I strongly believe that Cauliflower is the new Kale!! I’ve noticed on Facebook this week, not just one cauliflower recipe but two.
For some reason, I’m wired to try new recipes..so I did. I liked the fact that I didn’t have to chop anything AND it was uber healthy. Not to mention pretty too!
Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
SPICY WHOLE ROASTED CAULIFLOWER (from www.purewow.com)
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 head cauliflower
1½ cups plain Greek yogurt
1 lime, zested and juiced
2 tablespoons chile powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400° and lightly grease a small baking sheet with vegetable oil. Set aside.
2. Trim the base of the cauliflower to remove any green leaves and the woody stem.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt with the lime zest and juice, chile powder, cumin, garlic powder, curry powder, salt and pepper. NOTE: I used Nando’s PERI-PERI as I’m in love with this sauce plus I think most of my spices are stale!
4. Dunk the cauliflower into the bowl and use a brush or your hands to shmeer the marinade over its surface. I had so much fun with this step. When I was finished having fun, I sprinkled spice from Jaswant’s Kitchen for additional colour #smartmove.
5. Place the cauliflower on the prepared baking sheet and roast until the surface is dry and lightly browned, 30 to 40 minutes. The marinade will make a crust on the surface of the cauliflower.
6. Let the cauliflower cool for 10 minutes before cutting it into wedges. This would make a great side dish with a piece of salmon, non?
FINAL RESULT:
Happy Cooking!!
Cauliflower, Healthy, Jaswant's Kitchen, kale, Nando's, PERI-PERI, Purewow, Recipe, salmon
Back in November I was invited by the workshop leaders of Love Thy Carrot, to attend a Healthy Desserts Cooking Workshop. I should mention that it also said that “all workshops are dairy free, gluten free and sugar free.
I was intrigued seeing as my desserts are all about butter, sugar and flour. Repeat – all about butter, sugar and flour!! OK…throw in some chocolate too!!
How did I meet Love Thy Carrot? Well I was introduced to Love Thy Carrot by The Bumpercrop a few years ago and have been following her blog for at least a year. I was delighted to hear that she branched out and was teaching workshops too! The workshops are taught by Marla – who is passionate about leading a healthier lifestyle and Karen, who is a graduate of the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.
During the class we learned how to make an amazing Black Bean Brownie – which I will definitely be making again. That’s how good it was!
We also learned how to make Chia Pudding with a Maple Glazed Coconut Crunch.
Plus we learned how to make Buckwheat Pancakes with Caramelized Pears. These pancakes are way healthier than the pancakes that I make with regular flour!!
The workshop was informal but informative and included a wonderful handout at the end of the class so that I could go home and recreate these amazing dishes. Not to mention that Marla took the time to talk to us about her favorite kitchen appliances and motivated me to go purchase a Vegetable Spiralizer. (which I’m loving). I also loved that she included the basic essentials regarding what a healthy pantry should include!! (note to self: pick up agave)
Upcoming workshops include: One Pot Winners to Warm the Winter Soul (Wednesday, February 5, 6:30PM – 8:30PM and Thursday, February 27, 11am -1:30PM
and Vegan Comfort Food (Feb 13 from 11 to 1:30 pm). Note: Each workshop costs $80.
Please don’t forgot to check out Love Thy Carrots amazing blog as well. I’m a huge fan of her photography and her content!
For more information:
Love Thy Carrot,
Email: marla@simplexity.ca
Twitter: @LoveThyCarrot
Black Bean Brownies, blog, Buckwheat pancakes, Canadian School of Nutrition, Chia Pudding, cooking, Healthy, Love Thy Carrot, The Bumpercrop, workshops
ActivitiesJanuary 24th, 2014
If you go to my apartment you will find food magazines but if you go to my parents’ condo you will find fashion and decor magazines!! Therefore, one could say that I was brought up with an appreciation for interior design. I can still remember my mom searching high and low for “grey” towels back in the 1980’s – well before grey was a popular colour!!
Seeing as I’m a fan of interior decor, it’s a natural fit for me to visit the Interior Design Show. I can’t stop snapping photos while wandering thru the aisles. Talk about “Eye Candy”.
Gorgeous, Right?
See what I mean?
I actually went to a media preview AND the opening party. #smartmove.
See that bike on the bottom right? WANT. It’s way more affordable than the bike I want to buy. LOL. Seriously I’m in love with this bike and can easily see it in my apartment as a conversation piece.
For more information:
Interior Design Show, Metro Convention Centre, 255 Front St, Toronto
Saturday Jan 25, 2014 from 10 am to 7 pm
Sunday Jan 26, 2014 from 10 am to 6 pm.
Twitter; @IDSToronto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idstoronto
Please welcome Walter – who is Canada’s first premium, all natural craft Caesar mix. They only use real, high-quality ingredients, prepared in small batches and packaged in glass……right here in Canada.
I think that alone deserves a huge round of applause. As you can see from this photo, my mom and I are huge fans of a good quality Caesar!
Other interesting facts: Walter was launched in 2013 by two childhood friends in Vancouver B.C. and the recipe was developed for over a year . There’s NO MSG, No artificial colours or flavours, and there’s no high fructose corn syrup in this product.
I was all too happy to enjoy a Walter Caesar while watching the Australian Open and I was all too happy to share it with two friends. Both friends knew instantly that I served them a quality product.
Where can you find Walter? At select B.C and Ontario grocers, specialty food and gift shops, restaurants and bars. For a complete list, please visit WalterCaesar.com/find-us.
Cheers!
For more information:
Walter Caesar, 1 604 908 0994, info@watercaesar.com
Twitter: @WalterCaesar
Instagram: @WalterCaesar
Disclosure: Walter All Natural Craft Caesar was provided to me, however all opinions are my own.
All Natural, Australian Open, caesar, Canada, Ingredients, quality, Vancouver, Walter
Nando’s has been around since 1987 and has a huge presence outside of Canada. They have seven locations in Ontario (with two of those locations being in Ottawa and continue to expand!. Yet – for some reason I had never heard of Nando’s before. This has now changed!!
I was invited to the opening of Nando’s downtown location (832 Bay St) on Friday and accepted this invitation even though I really don’t eat a lot of chicken. Well guess what? I ate EVERYTHING that night. In fact I even had two sliders..that’s how juicy the chicken was.
The Nando’s at 832 Bay St. is located in a huge heritage building. Think – massive ceilings….Think…original stunning columns. Their design team did a fabulous job to reflect this brands South African roots (the first restaurant was opened in a suburb of Johannesburg).
photo credit: @joallore
That night I experienced: hummus with pita, (drizzled with PERI PERI Drizzle) roasted red pepper dip, PERI-PERI Sliders, PERI PERI Fries, PERI PERI Chicken, and Chicken Skewers. I was in chicken heaven!! (and PERI- PERI heaven too). Of course I had to try the carrot cake but it’s the chicken and the PERI-PERI that steal the show here.
Not only am I a fan of Nando’s Chicken but I’m also a fan of their clever marketing.
Note: Pili Pili is the Swahili word for the African Bird’s Eye chilli. Nando’s calls it PERI PERI and it truly is what makes their chicken so special. I will end this blog post with something I read on their brochure: The Result is ultimate PERI-fection!!
For more information:
Nando’s 832 B ay St. Toronto (416) 925 8888
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NandosCanada
Twitter: @NandosPeriPeri
Bay St, chicken, downtown, Johannesburg, Nando's, Ontario, PERI-PERI, restaurant, sliders, Toronto
Seeing as I’m a HUGE fan of anything related to Cheese – it was a no brainer for me to check out a new grilled cheese & mac ‘n cheese restaurant that is opening up in the Junction. I was pretty lucky to be invited to visit Cut the Cheese, as their soft launch is officially on Saturday Jan 18th at 4:00 pm (till 2:30 am!).
Don’t you just love the name of this restaurant and the cow on this sign?
As for the menu: (this will expand….but initially this is what they are starting off with). Plus there’s sides – like coleslaw, cheese coins, tomato soup and fries!!
First I took a few lactose pills and then I sampled 2 grilled cheese sandwiches and one mac’n cheese.
Top Left: Cartel, Top Right: Beet-it-Up, Bottom Photo: Southern Comfort Mac n’ Cheese. What would I order again – all of them!! However if I had to pick a favourite it would have to be the Beet – it – Up. What a wicked combination of ingredients (beets, smoked gouda, portobello mushrooms and dried tomatoes).
What really impressed me, was that everything is made in-house: the pickles, the ROOT BEER ketchup and more. Not to mention, they offer gluten free bread and have wicked sense of marketing.
I am confident that this restaurant will be a welcome addition to the neighbourhood. Not to mention it’s going to appeal to many grilled cheese (and mac ‘n cheese” fans out there. Like me!!
Speaking of grilled cheese – did you know there is a Grilled Cheese Festival on Feb 28th? Click here for more details. PS Cut the Cheese is participating in this event! WOOT.
For more information:
Cut the Cheese – 2901 Dundas St. W, Toronto ON 416 901 7166
Twitter: @cutthecheeseTO
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cutthecheeseTO
Instagram: cutthecheeseTO
Hours: Closed On Mondays, Tues-Thurs 1130 am to 9 pm, Friday-Sat 11:30 am to 2:30 am, Sunday 11:30 am to 7 pm
Cut the Cheese, Gluten Free, Grilled Cheese, restaurant, Sandwiches, the Junction, Toronto
I had 10 people over for dinner last week. (3 adults and 7 kids). Seeing as there were so many kids, I decided to throw a Mexican Themed meal that would consist of:
- Salad in individual Tortilla Bowls
- Guacamole
I set up a buffet so that people could help themselves.
The table looked like this. Notice that on each plate is a Taco Bowl with their salad. This was a brilliant move as I had 10 less dishes to clear (and wash – err – stick in the dishwasher).
How did I make those taco bowls? Well…with the use of this pan that I bought in FEBRUARY 2013 at a Dollar Store in the States. Two questions I have for myself. ..a) Why didn’t I buy half a dozen b) Why did it take me 11 months to take USE this pan?
Can’t wait till my next “themed” meal. They really are a lot of fun to put together
I went on a Ramen Crawl last winter and guess what? My fascination for Ramen continues.
The lastest ramen restaurant I checked out just opened on Dec 29th. It’s called Isshin Ramen and is located at 421 College St.
The menu consists of: 8 different types of ramen (including TWO vegetarian options), 4 appetizers, 3 rice bowls and 3 desserts.
I asked the waitress to assist me in ordering and before I knew it I ordered the “Isshin “Spicy” Black Tan Tan Ramen”– Thick twisty noodles in a miso broth, topped with wok fried ground pork, spicy chives, bok choi, black sesame, pork belly, cha-shu and a home made chilli oil. Once again – I’m no expert but all 3 components really worked for me (the broth, the noodles and the toppings). It was DELICIOUS.
They encourage you to use the mortar and pestle to grind the black sesames and add it halfway through to enhance the experience. I was impressed with this added touch!!
I also had the chance to try “Crunchy Chicken Karaago” – crispy crunchy flavourful bits of chicken, deep fried to perfection and served with a garlic kupe mayo. Ate all three pieces even though I’m not such a huge fan of chicken and I was FULL.
The meal ended off with a Fresh Mango Pudding which is made in house daily with fresh mangoes. It was light and refreshing not to mention a perfect way to end the meal.
I read a review on BlogTo today that highly recommends the Isshin “Red Miso” Ramen. I have no doubt that I will be returning. Cant’ seem to get enough Ramen during the winter.
For More Information:
Isshin Ramen, 421 College St, Toronto, ON 416 367 4013
Twitter: @isshinramen
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ramenisshin
blogto, chicken, College St, mango, Ramen, ramen crawl, restaurant, Winter
When I saw this restaurant, the first thing that came out of my mouth was “what happend to my favourite furniture store”. You see, Destingo has replaced a furniture store that I use to check out. Not sure if I ever bought anything but I certainly did like this store.
When I told this to our charming waiter..he replied “well now we can become your favourite Italian restaurant”. Cute reply.
Here’s why I would recommend this restaurant:
Destingo offers their patrons SPACE. I love the fact that your table isn’t two inches from the table next to you!! Plus there’s an open kitchen for foodies like me who like to see the chefs in action (when I’m not eating…of course)
We tried a lot of food that was well executed, fresh and flavourful.
Top Left: Bruschetta, Top Right: Mussels in a wine sauce
Bottom Left: Grilled Calamari Bottom Right: Toasted Farro Salad ( a good choice – not something you see on a lot of menus)
I must say that the Grilled Calamari was the biggest calamari I’ve ever eaten. It was an appetizer but seriously it was the size of a main dish!! #tastystuff.
We continued eating (can you believe?).
On the left: Spaghetti Di Mare
Top Right: Seafood Alla Destingo Bottom Right: Veal Scallopini.
All these dishes were winners. Not joking.
The food was so good that we even made room for dessert.
Top: Panna Cotta, Bottom: Tiramisu
I can’t say enough about the warm friendly service either. Our waiter was friendly, attentive and knew his stuff!!
One last thing: As I was writing this blog post, I noticed that Destingo is participating in Winterlicious. Click here to see the menu that they are offering.
Many thanks to Destingo for reaching out to me to review this restaurant. I can’t wait to return.
For Further Information:
Destingo 741 Queen St. West, Toronto ON Tel: 647.748.3113
Twitter: @DestingoToronto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/destingotoronto
Instagram: DestingoToronto
Calamari, Destingo, Italian, Queen West, restaurant, Winterlicious
