High School Graduation

...Not mine! My lovely cousin (basically sister - we've lived next door to each other since we were babies!) Jessie experienced an important and huge milestone in her life on Friday, June 19. She graduated grade twelve from Greenwood College School on the honour role, with her Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. She looked absolutely gorgeous in (my) pale yellow Betsey Johnson dress with small white stitched polkadots.
We all met at Pallucci for a pre-ceremony lunch and endless photo shoot before walking down the hill to the school to watch Jessie stride across the stage and receive her high school diploma.
Sitting in Greenwood's gym, I felt a simultaneous surge of excitement, pride, nostalgia, butterflies and some sadness. Excitement for Jessie to finally be done with high school and moving on to bigger and better things; pride for being related to such an amazing girl - woman! - who graduated with amazing grades and a prominent future; nostalgia for my own high school experience; yet some sadness because, though I did graduate from high school and received my diploma, I unfortunately and sadly did not attend my graduation ceremony.

Watching Jessie sitting up on that stage, my emotions were at an all-time high. Thankfully, before the ceremony commenced, a woman walked around with a cardboard box full of kleenex packages - I used a full pack!
The ceremony was incredibly long - we were there from 2.30pm - 5.30pm (holy cow), but every chance I got, the waterworks would turn on like a switch. As Jessie walked to the left of the stage, getting ready to have her name called, on cue, I burst into tears (not quietly, embarrassingly enough!).
And then her name was called. My mom and I let out some woop's and woo-hoo's while the tears poured out of my eyes. I couldn't help it. I didn't even get to hear what her advisor had to say about her because my sobs were more or less drowning him out!
Despite the incredible length of the ceremony, it was beautiful.
I am so proud of you, Jess! You're a beautiful, talented, intelligent girl who's going places, without a doubt.

Here's to the next chapter!

StheF

Pallucci

This past Friday, June 19, my cousin (may as well be my sister), Jessie, graduated high school at Greenwood College School. Before the ceremony, our family, as well as Jessie's friend and her mother, went for lunch at Pallucci, a small restaurant just north of Davisville on the east side of Mount Pleasant @ 523 Mount Pleasant Road.
As with The Keg Mansion, I have passed by Pallucci several times, yet have never even thought to go in for a meal. It's a very narrow, subtle restaurant, mingling with other restaurants and bars along the Mt. Pleasant strip between Davisville and Eglinton. Inside, the decor is very fresh. By fresh, I mean it felt very airy, light and comfortable. There was what looked like a blue, red and steel colour scheme, with many tables lined along a bench, as well as small tables lined against the wall with blue sofa chairs (according to their website, the most popular seating choice).
When we were seated, we were promptly served with plates of sweet potato fries, with a balsamic reduction drizzle on top and a roasted garlic aiolli to dip them in:
As well as plates of the fries without the balsamic reduction drizzle, as it was a bit bitter:
Because there were so many of us (13 people), there was a pre-selected prix fixe menu that we were able to choose from. For the appetizer course, we had the option to choose from grilled calamari with sun dried tomatoes, red onion on a bed of baby arugula tossed with a warm balsamic reduction; mixed organic greens tossed with a light wild berry vinaigrette; or a gazpacho soup. I had the organic greens salad, which was really good.
Saul had the grilled calamari, which created an unmistakable fishy aroma in the air (almost sickening), but I was told it was delicious.
Charlie, being a picky salad eater (i.e.: will only eat caesar salad), ordered a caesar salad, which he (typically) devoured in seconds! But I was quick to get in a photo before he inhaled it.
Then came the main courses. We had the option of choosing from a maple glazed Atlantic salmon served with roasted potato and fresh daily vegetables; linguine a olio with black tiger shrimp, brocolli and chili peppers; veal parmigiano served with roasted potatoes and fresh daily vegetables; or gnocchi with fresh vegetable and tomato sauce. I had the gnocchi, which was totally scrumptious, but totally filling, as gnocchi normally is.
My mom and Charlie had the veal, which looked so delicious! I almost regretted my gnocchi decision - almost.
My Auntie Annie had the salmon, which also looked great and apparently tasted just as great as it looked.
As you can probably tell, I am only reporting on the meals of the people who were sitting around me. At the other end of the table, I'm sure there were different dishes being devoured.

As usual, nobody had room for the desserts: chocolate raspberry tartufo; shortbread lemon tart with blueberry coulis; or biscotti with fresh berries.

Me with Charlie, Jessie and Saul

A great restaurant for a large lunch party or one-on-one quiet dinner. Reservations aren't necessary for lunch (although it was a Friday), but a good idea for dinner or large lunch party.

Party Size: 13
Price Range: $25-$35/person
Visit Again?: Yes
Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5 (Fabulous service! Totally hospitable!)
Atmosphere: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5

StheF