I"M BACK!

It's been a LONG time since my last post, but that's because I've been out of town. I have been in the Greek Islands and Turkey for the past three weeks, so my access to the internet was minimal.

Prepare yourself for many posts to come!

Ciao for now,
StheF

Mildred's Temple Kitchen

Last week, my mom took me & a friend for a truly remarkable Sunday brunch at Mildred's Temple Kitchen @ 85 Hanna Avenue in the blossoming, yuppy-filled Liberty Village.

I had heard good things about this popular brunch spot, so I was pretty excited to eat there. We tried to call ahead and make a reservation for 12:45pm for three, but unfortunately we were told that tables are given on a first come, first served basis. When we arrived, we were informed it would be a half hour wait for a table, but to give the hostess our name. (The restaurant was completely cleared out by 2:00pm, so if you feel like getting a little extra sleep on a Sunday morning, it may be wise if you plan on eating brunch here!)

We decided to walk around for a bit and check out the cute little plaza that this restaurant is tucked away in. We killed some time in West Elm, which is essentially a more upscale Ikea for the condo dwellers in the area.

When we returned, we were seated at a small booth table in the back of the restaurant.
Upon looking at the menu, I soon realized that my brunch decision would be a VERY hard one. Literally everything on the menu looked absolutely divine. Eventually we settled for buttermilk biscuits with butter and black current jam for starters, which were indescribably amazing.

For the main course, I had "Veda's Choice", which was two poached eggs on croissant with smoked salmon, béarnaise & crispy oven roasted potatoes.
My mom had "Mrs. Beiderhofs pancakes", which were blueberry buttermilk pancakes doused in Lanark county maple syrup and whipped cream.
Needless to say, everything was amazing. I CANNOT wait to go back and try everything else on the menu because not only is the food fantastically delicious, it is incredibly reasonably priced at approximately twelve dollars a dish.

Cheers to Mildred!

Party Size: 3
Price Range: $12-20/person
Visit Again?: Definitely.
Food: 5/5
Service: 3/5 (it's pretty busy at brunch time, so service is kind of slow.)
Atmosphere: 5/5
OVERALL: 4/5

Calling All Filmmakers!!

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

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!

Stay tuned, kids.

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:

Street Haven is "...a place to heal, a place to grow and a place to live independently, in accordance with what each individual woman is ready to handle and in recognition of the varied potential of each woman."

Street Haven welcomes all types of women - and that includes transsexuals. Basically, anyone who identifies themself as a woman is warmly invited into the open doors of Street Haven. However, I was really disheartened to hear that their drop-in centre is in the process of being closed down due to lack of funding. The drop-in centre is a place where women, not necessarily the women that reside in Street Haven facilities, can freely come in and get a meal, join in on activities or seek help. Cutting this essential part of Street Haven is truly unfortunate.

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.

StheF