Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc

19 May

I had my good friend Erin over to sample this bottle from Durbanville Hills a few weeks ago. Random coincidence: my family booked a trip to South Africa for November and Erin has traveled extensively through the region. We chatted South African vineyards and safari’s (what a fantastic mix…France has nothing on you!)

This Sauvignon Blanc boasts seamlessly layered flavours ranging from tropical fruit to fig, lime, guava and gooseberry, leading up to a crisp finish. Pale green in colour, this wine is a combination of fruit flavours and green pepper with a crisp acidity and full mouth-feel. On the nose, it boasts a delightful combination of papaya, grapefruit, lime and winter melon with green fig and prickly pear flavours coming to the surface as the wine changes temperature.

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315. Pizzeria Via Mercanti

18 May

My birthday was on April 3rd and like many of you will have guessed I spent the entire day eating. First stop was lunch at Aria followed by bar snacks and cocktails at Toca Bar at the Ritz Carlton. After Mike and I had finished up at the Ritz we walked to Kensington Market to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Pizzeria Via Mercanti.

My birthday restaurant itinerary has revealed a noble truth: that you don’t have to be at the finest, most expensive restaurant in the city to maximize the pleasures on your palate. Mercanti’s humble offerings showcase Italian pleasantries in the heart of Toronto’s favorite bohemian market.

We shared a pizza which came right out of their piping hot wood burning oven a la Naples. Mike was keen to order an entire plate of fried mushrooms which may seem a bit extravagant but in many ways an essential homage to umami. We chit chatted about our hopes and dreams whilst swigging local beer and carefully tearing at each pizza slice. The real winner was the prosciutto wrapped fagottino. My lord, the most beautiful birthday presents are wrapped in cured pork! Happy 27th birthday to me! You can now find Pizzeria Via Mercanti on my Toronto’s Top Restaurant List.

We enjoyed:

Margherittona Pizza

fior di latte, prosciutto crudo, fresh parmesan

Funghi Trifolati

sauteed mixed mushrooms

Fagottino Dinparma

parmigiano cream wrapped in prosciutto


Pizzeria Via Mercanti on Urbanspoon

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314. Toca Bar at the Ritz Carlton Toronto

16 May

My birthday was on April 3rd and like many of you will have guessed I spent the entire day eating. First stop was lunch at Aria. I then met Mike at 6:30pm for celebratory drinks and munchies at Toca Bar, Toronto’s Ritz Carlton. I had wanted to pop in for a drink here for some time. Mike and I actually came to visit in the winter but he felt so deflated when he realized the bar was on the main floor and not on some stunning rooftop patio. Toronto really does lack a rooftop patio culture. Some of the favorites I have visited are Kuala Lumpur’s stunning Trader Hotel and Seoul’s Hamilton Hotel which hosts notorious summer pool parties.

The wee Toca Bar patio which sits hidden off Wellington Street does have a delightful view of Roy Thompson Hall but for a 5 Star property the experience was a bit mute. I thought the service was exemplary but found the staff’s casual uniforms to be a bit off putting. I’m looking forward to visiting the Shangri-la when it opens in August. Asian hospitality will be giving the cities luxury properties a wake up call.

We enjoyed:

Bar Mix Trio

potato chips, candied bacon, fried capers

La Pomme Quebecoise

calvados, pineapple puree, tabacco syrup, cava

Brunch at Tiffanys

bitter beach infused cointreau, sparkling wine


TOCA on Urbanspoon

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313. Aria

14 May

My birthday was on April 3rd and like many of you will have guessed I spent the entire day eating. First stop was lunch with Erin at Aria. The restaurant is located directly beside the Air Canada Centre and was recently ranked by Toronto Life as one of Toronto’s Best New Restaurants 2012. I was excited to start my birthday off with a bit of refined elegance. I had expectations that the ambiance, food, drink, decorum and service would be top notch.

I arrived with a smile and sat atop a comfy bench overlooking the wooden sculpture and balloon like chandeliers which fill the space. The food for the most part was fantastic. Most definitely munch your way through their pastas as they are made in house and executed perfectly. We were also over the moon with our mid day booze rush courtesy of our two creative cocktails.

I was however put off by a few things. Our server was mute and glum throughout service, acting as if he had just been sentenced by some judge to work community service at our table. He placed a carafe of water at the table when I first arrived (which I had to pour myself) and did not refill it until 90 minutes into our lunch. He brought dried out lime wedges to the table filled with pits which were haphazardly dumped on a plate.

Erin and I have both worked in the hospitality industry for years and were just so taken aback by the clear lack of service and attention to detail. Looking beyond our dehydration and citrus pit filled crystal glasses, the kitchen is putting out honest Italian comfort food with a bartender who most certainly knows how to spike the punch.

We enjoyed (* notes my favorites):

Aria Cocktail

beefeater 24, cointreau, prosecco, lemon juice, simple syrup

Aperol Spritz *

aperol, prosecco, sparkling water, citrus

La Waldorf Rivisitata

romaine, radicchio, celery, apple, toasted walnuts, smoked chicken, creamy parmigiano dressing

Mozzarella di Bufala

roasted garlic and eggplant puree, oven roasted cherry tomatoes, basil and green onion swirls

Tagliatelle*

chanterelle mushrooms, gorgonzola cream, toasted walnuts, sage

Cavatelli *

duck ragout, mascarpone

Aria on Urbanspoon

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Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling

12 May

Alicia came by my apartment to have a visit as she was in a town from her now native London UK. She works as Assistant Editor at the acclaimed Food and Travel Magazine so thought it was fitting I take a picture of her with her bottled gift. She drinks a lot of wine for work but mostly bottles from Europe so thought it was cute that she brought a home grown Niagara for us to share. We both went to high school together in Oakville so we caught up on our lives and reminisced over the familiar Canadian terroir which sloshed in our glasses.

The wine is pale lemon, almost platinum in colour with aromas of pear, spice, lemon rind, mineral and a floral element. Off-dry and fairly fruity, but also immediately freshened up with sharp acidity. Lots of citrus and mineral tones at play too. Mosel style meets a warm Ontario vintage.

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312. Medieval Times

11 May

I was a bit frantic. I had just booked return flights to Europe for a 5 week press trip and suddenly realized when looking at my calendar that I would not be home for Mothers Day. Checking my dates I realized I’d be in Moscow and certainly couldn’t post flowers or a card in time for her to receive them. My family has always been keen on sharing experiences together rather than unwrapping gifts so I started brainstorming Toronto based experiences that would be fun to enjoy as a family together in late April before I departed.

Medieval Times has been wowing Toronto audiences since 1993. I of course grew up in Oakville so was familiar with the commercials on TV and had met many friends who had enjoyed the experience with their families. I thought it would be a great way to experience what I never had the opportunity to as a child.

We showed up at the Castle on a Thursday evening at 7pm (located inside the Exhibition Grounds on Dufferin Street). As soon as we arrived we had  black and white coloured crowns plopped atop our heads and a family picture was taken with the King and Princess. We then walked into The Hall of Arms, inspired by 11th century European-style castle architecture and design. It is here where you can purchase knick knacks (read: swords and other Medieval gear) as well as cocktails and beer. Royal trumpeters announce the call to the feast, summoning guests to take their seats in the arena. It was really funny to see everyone wearing multi-coloured crowns. Medieval Times is an attraction for just about anyone. I noticed the excited faces of families, large groups of friends, school groups, dates (love was in the air) and our favorite seniors citizens (I saw the most adorable elderly woman with a crown on her head clutching her purse and being rolled to her seat in a wheelchair by her husband. Cute!)

Once inside, guests are greeted by King Phillipe and Princess Leonore, who invite them to share in a regal banquet and cheer for their own Knight of the Realm- designated by six colour “zones” of seating (we were black and white) which represent six authentic regions of Medieval Spain. My family was seated in the front row and we all quickly checked out the menu which was printed on the inside of our napkins:

Garlic Bread

Tomato Bisque

Roasted Chicken

Spare Rib

Her-Roasted Potatoes

Pastry of the Castle

The Marketing/PR for Medieval Times had coordinated a “Mothers Day Experience” which included a scroll that featured a beautifully written poem which we gave to my mother. Medieval Times adds this great touch to make the Mothers Day celebration extra special.

We ordered a few cocktails (Pina Colada and Daiquiri) just before the show started. During the performance we were served our meal, starting with garlic bread and tomato soup and then onto our mains which included the opportunity for everyone to eat ribs and half chicken with their hands! I think this may be the only Toronto based establishment where eating an entire half chicken with your hands is encouraged! Portions are generous and are fitting for the Medieval theme of the evening.

The show features a selection of Medieval competitions on horse back as well as a proper joust (which made me cringe, oy the clash of splintered wood, hold your heart!) Guests are encouraged to cheer for one of six “Knights of the Realm,” named after historic regions of Medieval Spain.  My sister was given a lovely ribbon by one of the studly knights which read, “Queen of Love and Beauty”  which I stole from her (it now hangs in my bathroom).

Medieval Times is a really fun spot to enjoy dinner and a show with a group of friends or family. The show is delightfully corny (all of the actors speak in proper old English as do the servers). The crowd screams as knights fight to the death…all while you rip succulent chicken off the bone. Greasy hands have never been so entertained and delighted.


Medieval Times on Urbanspoon

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Steamwhistle Brewery Tour

9 May

Steamwhistle Brewery is located a stones throw from two of Toronto’s architectural icons: The Rogers Centre and CN Tower. I actually experienced the Steamwshistle tour years ago for my 19th birthday and was looking forward to refreshing and rejogging my memory.

A few weeks ago I had a friend visiting Toronto for the first time and thought the brewery tour would be a great way to showcase an interesting bit of Toronto’s history. Helen had arrived from Barcelona the previous afternoon and we spent that evening together checking out spectacular views of the city from the CN Tower.

The following afternoon we met at the brewery and spent the next hour or so on a tour which showcased the history of the building, the brewery and their brew. It wasn’t until we arrived that Helen advised me that she wasn’t a fan of beer. She did however come out of the experience with a new found appreciation and knowledge of the process. Helen’s experience is actually a great example of how a brewery tour, even for those who aren’t beer enthusiasts can be a highlight for any culinary itinerary.

Fun fact: The brewery only brews one beer, their Steamwhistle Pils. Also be sure to check out their Oktoberfest celebration in the Fall. They put on a seriously fun party!

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