I’ve just returned from the Stop’s Night Market and I’m oh so happy and oh so full. I kept hearing the same remarks over and over again from food vendors and participants – “this is my favourite event of the year”. They are so right!!

The Stop really does put on a well organized and very-tasty event!! Line ups are minimal, food portions are generous, the venue is central, and the atmosphere rocks. There is a reason why this event sells out in minutes.

When you arrive, they give you the coolest plate. Thumbs up to whoever thought of this idea. Here’s a photo of @Abbeyskitchen (on the right) and I …with our cool plates.

Then the fun started as I ate my way thu the Stop’s Night Market. 

There’s no shortage of tasty food at this event….

Special mention to a few vendors:

a) Neal Brothers – who served chicken that was coated in their new line of potato chips. I can’t wait to try this with fish or tofu! (stay tuned).

B) This Saigon Sub by Hey Meatball – there was so much flavour in here that it wasn’t funny

C) The Mustard Spatzle by WhippoorWill Restaurant and Tavern was freakin’ unbelievable. I love the creativity of this dish – I mean, it’s not every day that you see small bits of pretzels in your food! #texture #complex

Congratulations once again to The Stop for organizing such a fantastic fundraiser.

For more information about The Stop please visit their website so you can read more about the important work that they do.

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Sadly August is right around the corner, which means summer is almost over. However for the “foodie” in me is delighted that it’s August. Here’s a few  events that have top priority in my calendar.

1. The Canadian National Exhibition (Aug 16, 2013 to Sept 2, 2013), 210 Princes’ Blvd, Toronto.

I’m a fan of all things in moderation. Can you tell?

Here’s a list of what’s new!! I have a feeling I will be hanging out at Spread and RYC Bar.

• Freshly Squeezed – Fresh juices and smoothies
• GR Yogurt Fresh – Greek style yogurt with your choice of toppings
• Spread – Everything Nutella – from fries, spring rolls (#onmylist)
• Harvey’s – 100% Canadian since 1959 – It’s a Beautiful Thing
• Hula Girl – Serving specialty coffees, espressos, infused sodas, pastries
• Ku Khan – Mongolian Grill cuisine
• Philthy Phil Philadelphia – Cheese steak sandwiches and salads
• RYC Bar – Rice pudding in assorted flavours (#onmylist)
• Yogurty’s Froyo – Self-serve frozen yogurts

Back by popular demand are:
• Bacon Nation, Epic Burgers, Just Cone It, Wild Child Kitchen, Dutch Frites, Far East
Taco, Baked & Loaded, Deep Fried Shop, PULL’D, Big Apple Fritter, Kernels, Sweetness
Bakery, Northwest Fudge Factory, Taqueria Burrito Bar, Thyme & Olives, Kala’s (#onmylistagain)

2. TORONTO POUTINEFEST

This event has my name written all over it and is being organized by the good people at Joylister.

Mark this date in your calendar: Thursday Aug 22nd, 2013, from 5 to 10 pm at the Beer Academy!  Something tells me this event is going to be POPULAR and will sell out quickly. Make sure you sign up for Joylister now. Not joking this event is going to sell out. (you heard it here first). The night will include Poutine from Poutini’s, Lou Dawgs and Great Burger Kitchen.

True Story: I was the second customer at Poutini’s on their opening day.  The guy in the photo was the first customer.

3. RAMEN RUNOFF

This is event is being held at the Harbourfront Centre (Aug 9 to 11).  For $10 you get to sample a variety of ramen. Sounds good to me!! I love the stuff.

Cheesy Ramen from Kinton Ramen

4. A POP UP CHOCOLATE DINNER...hosted by Abbey’s Kitchen 

This sounds amaaazzziiing. For more information please click here.

5. WILD BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

This festival takes place on Sunday Aug 25, 2013 at Evergreen Brickworks from 11 am to 3 pm.  You will be able to enjoy  a Wild Blueberry Pie Bake off, musical entertainment, a gardening workshop and more. Bring it on!!!

As you can see, my stomach is going to be very busy!!!

Hope you enjoy the month of August as much as I’m going to enjoy it.

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I went to Rock Lobster Food Co. on Ossington back in the winter and was totally blown away by their epic Rock Lobster Caesars. I had read that a second location had opened on Queen W and knew that I wanted to go check it out (like a good foodie) Once I read Abbey’s Kitchen blog post about the Queen W. location,  I knew that I wanted to visit sooner than later.

When I heard my mom was arriving from Ottawa on the 7 pm bus, I mentioned to her that we would be enjoying some Lobster Love for dinner. She was just as eager as I was to head to Rock Lobster Food Co. on Queen W.

Here’s a picture of  us with those epic Rock Lobster Caesars.

Cheers!

The menu includes many other delicious sounding cocktails but I can’t stop ordering the Rock Lobster Caesar.  There’s a part of me that really wants to try the other cocktails and another part of me that just wants to have this lobster caesar each time I visit!! #firstworldproblems

We ordered:

Peel and Eat Shrimp – which were plump, fresh, meaty and served COLD. I’m thrilled I ordered this dish.

We also shared the Lobster Poutine (Nova Scotia Lobster, hand cut fries, Quebec Curds and Lobster Bisque Gravy). I love poutine so this was not hard for me to enjoy!!

Naturally, we ordered  the Lobster Roll as well (Nova Scotia Lobster, Yukon chips and McClure’s Pickle). I will describe this in one word: YUMMY.

Now that I’ve shared with you what we ate I would like to talk about the space. To begin with – it’s a much bigger space than their  Ossington  location. This is great news for those of us who aren’t fond of line ups!!

Here’s a photo of the space (kudos to the designer).

 What appealed to me (besides the food and the cocktails) was the fact that we could take advantage of the summer and sit on the outside patio. Again, whoever designed the space thought of every little detail.

As for the service: our waitress Renee was completely charming and was super friendly and attentive too. She had the type of energy you would like to see in every waitress that serves you.

I’m sure I will be returning to try: more cocktails and the Steam Whistle Steampot. Who want’s to join me?

For more information:

Rock Lobster Food Co

Twitter: @rocklobsterfood

Instagram: Rocklobsterfoodco

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rocklobsterfoodco

118 Ossington Ave, Toronto 416 533 1800

538 Queen St. West Toronto  416 203 6623

ps please note that each location has different hours and different menus too.

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This event sounds right up my alley. Here’s why:

a) I’m a fan of the Neal Brothers (see previous blog post)

b) I’m a fan of Dillon’s (see previous blog post)

c) the price is right ($10 online or $15 at the door)

d) it supports a great charity (My Food Way)

e) the event combines food, chefs, music, and a fun competition!

I chatted with Abbey who told me she was eager to host a food event that involved a competition as well as supporting a charity.  The Neal Brothers got involved too as they thought it would be a great fit with their 25th anniversary. The rest is history.

For tickets and further info about this exciting event,  please visit their facebook page http://goo.gl/pSBCM

Hope to see you there!

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This week, I received an invitation from a fellow food blogger, the hungry cat,  asking me if I would like to attend a TUM event called “Sips ‘N Nibbles”. I had never been to a TUM event so I quickly accepted the invitation.

The invitation stated that the event would include 10 of TUMS top vendors and would include live music by the St. Royals, as well a cocktail. The invite also said “dressed to impress”. (eek – only worried for 2 minutes what I was going to wear) . As for the location: Steam Whistle Brewery.

I guess I should take a second and explain what TUM is all about!  Basically it’s a social food network that allows the opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase to the public, their (tasty) creations.

Ok back to the food!

Participating vendors included: La Carnita, Fidel Gastro, Rock Lobster, Babi & Co, ESE, Neptuno Oysters, Hot Bunzz, Laura Slack Chocolate, Bite Me Bakery, Little Tomato Catering and more.

Here’s a few photos to help you understand how happy my taste buds were!

PS. If you want to learn more about future TUM events…check out their facebook page:  www.facebook.com/TOundrgroundmkt

My favorite vendor was definitely from Hot Bunzz: Port soaked porcini mushrooms, baby portobello, San Marzano tomato and fennel, with balsamic glazed parsnip parmesan and kissed with black truffle. #happy #happy #happy. I had been introduced to Hot Hozz at the Interior Design Shows opening party and can’t wait to find them again at future events!!

My favorite drink was the gin and tonic from Dillons Distillers that just opened up in Beamsville two months ago. I am not a gin drinker AT ALL – but something tells me I will be having more gin and tonics in my life from now on. Can’t wait to tour their distillery in the Spring.

Congratulations to Abbey’s Kitchen and TUM for a well organized event. I was super impressed.

For more information about future TUM events, follow them on facebook: www.facebook.com/TOundrgroundmkt.com

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