LG knows that Life’s Good, and that’s why they are bringing the Life's Good FilmFest to the people. This lighthearted FilmFest overcomes all boundaries, exposing a world of possibilities through filmmaker’s passion and inspiration from around the globe.
With four categories to choose from, including: animation, narrative, fashion/music and sports, opportunities are endless.
At no charge, LG will showcase uplifting, HD short films and videos in public spaces, encouraging us all to take a moment to embrace the simple things that make life good every day!
The most creative and inspiring filmmaker will receive a grand prize of $100,000 and LG will invite the public to enjoy winning short films at no cost.
Short films, free smiles. Life’s Good!
Please go to www.lgfilmfest.com for more details, or e-mail submissions@lgfilmfest.com if you have any questions!
StheF
Calling All Filmmakers!!
The Lobster Trap
...And be sure that you do not get this confused with the mainstream chain, because The Lobster Trap, winner of the Best in Town Gold Award 2008, located at 1962 Avenue Road, five blocks south of Hwy. 401, is anything but corporate.
This small, comfortable, casual, family-owned restaurant has been in the same location for over 40 years and welcomes returning diners and families of north Toronto who are looking for an honest-to-goodness, full, hearty lobster meal at a reasonable price. Lobsters are flown in fresh from the Maritimes, ranging from 1lb to 4lbs, but that's not all the menu includes. Open for dinner seven days a week from 5:00pm, The Lobster Trap offers other high quality seafood, filet mignon and rack of lamb - something for every taste bud.
I started off with my personal favourite appetizer, the escargots. Served on a piping hot plate, the luscious escargots come dripping in a rich garlic sauce, perfect for sopping up with a delicious garlic bun, served hot for the table.
A friend of mine had the New England Clam Chowder, a delicious hearty, chunky soup with plenty of clam and vegetables. Also a perfect opportunity for dunking one of the mouthwatering garlic buns into.
Then came time for the pièce de resistance - the lobster. Ready with our bibs on, crackers in hand, we were good to go!
I didn't get a chance to take a picture of our lobsters because we dug in so quickly, but luckily the owner of the restaurant, Otto (pictured below), was more than happy to lend a helping hand in my food critique endeavors and came out with two lobsters for me to snap photos of.
The lobster was absolutely delicious, as usual. With the option of having your lobster broiled or steamed, you are served a lobster of your choice, filled with succulent, tender meat, as well as a dish of melted butter over a flame and a couple lemons for taste.
If you find yourself craving a heavenly lobster dish, head up to The Lobster Trap. The service is impeccable, the atmosphere is comfortable and friendly, and you are sure to be pleased with each and every visit to this charming restaurant. Not only are the prices reasonable, but you receive 10% of your receipt back in Lobster Trap dollars to be used on your next visit!
See you there!
Party Size: 4
Price Range: $30-45/person
Visit Again?: Of course!!
Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5 (quick & totally friendly)
Atmosphere: 5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Supermarket
I had read about this restaurant and heard good things, so we decided to head over to Kensington Market to check it out. Supermarket, located at 268 Augusta Avenue, just south of College, combines the laid back atmosphere of Kensington Market, Asian-inspired cooking from neighbouring China town and an eclectic mix of people to cook up a casual but delicious dining experience.
After long deliberation on the menu, which offers up a variety of different tastes and flavours under two categories, small or large plates, including organic mixed baby greens served with a miso-passionfruit guava vinaigrette ($5.95) and grilled jerk pork with mixed greens and a spicy scotch bonnet pepper dip ($10.95), we came to the decision to order two small dishes and two large dishes.
First came the sweet potato chips spiced with chipotle & sea salt served with chipotle mayo ($4.95), which we devoured in seconds. It was a great way to whet our starving appetites and kept our mouths watering for more.
Then came the first of our large dishes: braised oxtail and beef shank with lemongrass topped with Thai basil ($10.50). I had never tried oxtail before - the idea of eating the tail of an ox gave me the shivers - but after having a taste of this dish, I can assure you that oxtail is a tender, juicy, flavourful meat. (I apologize for the picture [or lack thereof], we were so hungry and dove into the dishes too quickly before realizing we hadn't taken a picture)
Then came the chicken & shrimp pad thai, which consisted of rice noodles, sprouts bok choy, carrots, egg, chicken & shrimp (of course), peanuts and cilantro ($10.95). You can specify when you order whether you want it to be mild, medium or spicy. I am a big fan of pad thai - when it is done right. That being said, I have to give kudos to Supermarket for making this a dish that will beckon me for repeat visits to this trendy resto lounge. (Once again, I apologize for the [minimal] picture)
Lastly, our order of sui mai, steamed dim-sum style shrimp & scallop dumplings with sesame soy dip ($7.95), arrived. We were pretty full already, but managed to taste a couple. I have to say that this is a dish I could have done without. The dumplings are open-faced and come stuffed to the brim with shrimp and scallop, making it difficult to pick them up with the provided chopsticks - not to mention the dumplings are incredibly sticky and hold on for dear life to the basket they come served in. The scallops and shrimp were rubbery and tasted as if they had been steamed for far too long. Suffice to say, I do not recommend this dish on any trip to Supermarket.
I would return to Supermarket, as long as I can skip out on the sui mai!
Party Size: 2
Price Range: $15-25/person
Visit Again?: Yes
Food: 3/5
Service: 2/5 (very slow - a little too laid back)
Atmosphere: 4/5 (a little dark)
OVERALL: 4/5
StheF
Cora Pizza
If you're feeling a bit peckish, whether it's the middle of the day or the middle of the night, try this tasty - and did I mention CHEAP - pizza spot! I can assure you it is no Pizza Pizza, or any cardboard, rubber-cheese, fast food-type pizzeria - and that is a damn good thing.
Cora Pizza, located at 658 Spadina Avenue, just north of Harbord on the west side, is open until 4 am EVERY day of the week and serves up a mean pizza to cure any hungry, growling stomach. Order one slice and you will be served almost half the pizza for a minimal $4.00 flat.
I had a slice of the Margherita pizza (cheese, tomato & basil), which I split with a friend because I simply could not finish an entire slice to myself.
The crust is thin and light, the cheese is plentiful and the dipping sauce (75 cents) is unnecessary (proof of a good pizza).
Party Size: 2
Price Range: $4/person
Visit Again?: Yes
Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Atmosphere: 2/5 (close to no seating, not a place you'd want to hang around in, but more of a grab-and-go)
OVERALL: 4/5
Marinella
I realize it has been over a week now since my last posting - my most sincere apologies!
Last Friday, I went for a tasty dinner with a friend in Toronto's 'Little Italy' on College at Marinella @ 640 College Street.
After popping into several Italian restaurants along College and peering at menus, looking for something that stood out, we finally stumbled upon this charming restaurant. Drawn by its good looks, seemingly delicious menu and a tag line that assured simply Italian, we patiently sat at the bar, waiting for a seat on the packed patio.
To start, we shared the Antipasto Calabrese, which consisted of an array of homemade prosciuttino and soppressata, parmiggiano reggiano and crotonese cheeses served along with homemade crusty bread and olives in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Needless to say, this appetizer was absolutely mouthwatering.
For the main dish, my friend had the Pappardelle Giovanni - homemade sausage, miniature homemade meatballs and a hearty tomato sauce topped with reggiano cheese, and served on a fresh bed of pasta.
I had the Calabrese pizza - homemade soppressata, roasted peppers, black olives and chili peppers (I had it without the roasted peppers). Truly a delightful pizza.
Party Size: 2
Price Range: $40-50/person
Visit Again?: Yes
Food: 5/5
Service: 2/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
A Little Behind..
I realize I haven't posted anything for a week now. I promise I have a LOT of stuff to post about, so get excited. I should have everything up by tomorrow afternoon! I've been playing catch-up with my e-mails and everything else that I've let slide for this past week, so I haven't had a chance to write up anything for you all to read. Sorry!
On Another Note...
People on the TTC can be so damn ignorant!!!
Is it NOT the worst thing IN THE WORLD when you're about to exit the train or the bus, but the impatient arseholes (pardon my Français) waiting on the other side of the doors barge in and practically accost you? It drives me MAD!!
For instance, at rush hour today, I was on the train, about to exit at Bloor. The train was clearly packed and Bloor is obviously a popular station to get off at. Of course, the ignorant morons of today's society somehow knew I was coming - an alarm must have gone off at Bloor at 5:30pm - and just as I was about to exit, stampeded at me and CARRIED ME ALONG TO THE NEXT STATION! Thanks guys! You made me late for an orientation at a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION! How does that make you feel?! Silly, I'm sure.
Sorry for the rant, but I'm sure there are some of you out there... Nodding your heads in agreement... A slow, soft tear trickling down your cheek because you relate so deeply to my biting frustration.
Over and out.
StheF
Something Worthwhile..
..And it's not even food!!
Today, I went to a volunteer orientation meeting at Street Haven, located at 87 Pembrooke Avenue (north of Dundas, west of Sherbourne), which is essentially an organization that provides shelter, food, activities and hope to women in need in Toronto. The women may have suffered, or still suffer from substance abuse, homelessness, mental health issues, etc. On their website, Street Haven's mission statement reads:
That being said, I am really excited to go in for my interview and join Street Haven's team of 130+ volunteers in helping those who need it, particularly, in this case, women.
StheFDinner and a Movie
I don't know about you, but I absolutely love to eat while I'm watching a movie. Whether I'm at the theatre, munching on popcorn, or sitting on my couch at home, I always enjoy having something to eat while I enjoy a movie. Go figure.
In my loner days, when I had nothing better to do on a Friday night than sit at home by myself and watch TV, I used to watch Dinner and a Movie on TBS. The hosts would present a movie to their TV audience, but their 'thing' was to introduce a recipe as well. During commercial breaks, the hosts would then cook the dinner, showing how it's done.
One day, I decided I would actually try out one of their recipes.
The movie was a hit from 1997, Batman & Robin, starring George Clooney as Batman and Arnold Schwarzenneger as Mr. Freeze, to name a few from the star-studded cast. The recipe paired with the movie was "Super-Hero Sandwiches."
What You Will Need:
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 sweet Vidalia onion, peeled and quartered
- 1 cup Spanish green olives
- 1 cup kalamata or black olives
- 1 stalk celery cut into matchstick sized pieces
- 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
- 2 tablespoons drained capers
- 1/2 cup olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)
- 1 table spoon red wine vinegar
- salt, pepper and cayenne to taste
- 3 Japanese eggplant, thinly sliced lengthwise
- 1 lb. thinly sliced raw turkey breast
- 4 oz. thinly sliced provolone
- 4 oz. thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
- 1 French or sourdough baguette, split lengthwise
1. Cut the top and bottom from bell pepper, pull out the core and cut open to create one large strip. Place pepper skin-side-up on a foil-lined cookie sheet and broil 2-3 inches from the flame until blackened and blistered, about 5 minutes.
2. Place the pepper strips in a paper bag until cool enough to handle, and then scrape off the skin under running water. Dice and scrape into a large mixing bowl.
3. Cut the onion into thick slices, brush with olive oil and broil until brown around the edges. Chop and add to the peppers.
4. Add the olives, celery, parsley, oregano, capers, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper to the onion and bell pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until use.
5. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Brush eggplant and turkey slices with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Sear eggplant for 2-3 minutes per side. Sear the turkey slices for about 1 minute on each side.
6. Pile the French loaf with layers of cheese, eggplant, and turkey. Heat in a 400F oven for 5 minutes, remove from oven and smother with olive salad. Then eat quickly before Gotham City gets into trouble.
Serves four.
I know it's a long process and a ton of ingredients, but TRUST me, it's worth it!! In fact, I'm going to try and make it again sometime this week and I'll take a picture for all you skeptics.
Now, go save the world, one sandwich at a time!
StheF
Recipe provided by TBS's Dinner & a Movie.
My Stuff
I just posted a whole bunch of poetry I wrote between grade twelve and now. I felt like getting them out there for you all to read and maybe, in turn, get some feedback from you.
All of my poetry is written from the heart. As I have written in previous postings, writing is my passion and always comes from deep within. Some of my poems are completely fictional, whereas some are based loosely on my life. I'll leave it up to you to decide which ones you think are to be read in my voice.
I hope you enjoy them, because poetry is something that I really put my everything into.
Happy reading :)
StheF
