Four beauties and a beast of a roll at Casa Sushi

Inside Casa Sushi c/o Sylvia

When something like, "Beauty and the Beast roll" pops out from the confines of what looks to be a regular sushi menu, you know you're in for a creative and inspired treat.  Take that and a mini-reunion of sorts as Lauren, Jasmin, Sylvia and I (the ESL girlz.. pardon the politically incorrect pun) had dinner at the newly opened Casa Sushi (Logan and Danforth).  Gorging on a fried white fish, avocado and cucumber roll topped with salmon, ebi (yes, sweet eel) and avocado with a dollop of pink mayo... a thing of beauty and of beastly size ($7.50).  So, why not continue on and pretend it's an all you can eat buffet with katsu don (battered pork chop, chopped and refried in scrambled eggs... cholesterol meds in tow) on a bed of rice and curry shrimp (panko encrusted shrimp served with a spicy, lemongrass coconut based curry soup and side of rice.  The maki combo with eighteen pieces of tuna maki and california roll rounded out the feast while the Sapporo beer helped to wash it down.  Cheers to a Monday night out!

Suonomo Salad.. sweet seaweed

Lauren's Sapporo ($8)

My Sapporo ($5)

Katsu Don ($7.50)

Curry Shrimp

Maki Combination: Tuna, Salmon and California Roll

Close-up #1 of the front of the Beauty

Close up #2.... sooo beautiful....mmmm...

No, these are not on the menu.

A Destiny date...

Inside Destiny!

Too full of tummy trouble, I was disappointed to pass on an invitation to Bachata dance lessons last Wednesday.  My stomach has oft been a casualty of this blog and today went on strike by refusing to keep things down and in (forgive me, too much information). So, why not try a new tea place then?  Ta-da, enter Destiny at the every-increasing Asian mega-complexes north of Steeles of which I am excited to try.  Accompanied by Anne, through the deceivingly simple storefront we were ushered into a large, futuristic banquet hall-sized "tea shop slash chinese tapas slash dessert" resto.  From Rude Jude's days in T.O. the second floor that looks down on the long fluorescent orange bar-like table in the middle is reserved for VIPs... needless to say, we sat on the first floor.

One of the many modern light fixtures at Destiny... Don't the lights kind of look like tapioca balls?

I settled on a large ginger tea with tapioca balls of course while Anne enjoyed a mango black milk tea ($4 each) with tapioca as well.  I found the best medicine was a long overdue catch-up with a good friend to calm the stomach and the spirit.  Cheers!

Pistachio Perfection at Patisserie La Cigogne... say that ten times fast

Frankly, I for one always thought anything French was pretentious and completely out of my league.  Not so at Patisserie La Cigogne (Bayview and Davisville) where the bright and umbrella-sheltered patio beckons you into a sandy, warm colored room showcasing exquisite Alsace-inspired French fare including quiches, tourtieres, croque en bouche and diabetic-inducing-coma desserts.  Erin and I went around 11:30ish in the morning on a Monday (if you're wondering why on earth I have all this time on my hands, I am, mon ami, un professeur, don't hate).  Ordering an Alsatian quiche lunch and a baguette with butter and jam (resembling the crack variety of Twisted Fork in the Vancouver reviews) we were served outside.  Consistently light with hearty notes of bacon and ham encrusted in heaven's recipe for pastry dough, a steal of a deal at $8.95.  One could only finish with a sharing of a pain au chocolat (shmancy way of saying "chocolate croissant") and a piece of pistachio flan layered with pistachio caramel crunchy goodness and pistacchio mousse garnished with burgundy-painted dark chocolate and white chocolate straw.  Many, many desserts to choose from and one cannot deny the artisan feel to these very beautiful creations.  Oh la la! Eat your heart out Julia Child, bon appetit!

Alsatian Quiche and Greens

Baguette with Jam and Butter

Now the desserts selection can get pretty intimidating, there is a "pina colada" inspired creation where the actual coconut mousse cake is in the shape of a cocktail drink glass complete with white chocolate straw, candied berried as garnish and a shortbread star-shaped cookie evoking the beach-like cocktail feel?!  Fantastique!

Pain au Chocolate.. flaky goodness hiding a milky surprise

Pistachio Patisserie with its translation: "Cake, I love you"!

Patisserie La Cigogne, je vous aime!  http://www.patisserielacigogne.com/

Perfect Dim Sum... hmmmm

Siao Mao and Steamed Squid

So amongst the many Dim Sum restos available to us in South Central Scarborough, I manage to take Rude Jude with Pogi and Lola to our Old Faithful last Saturday at Perfect Chinese Restaurant (4386 Sheppard Ave. E West of Brimley Rd.). This place is open 24/7 and on weekend mornings we are treated to the push-cart Dim Sum variety. There is nothing like trying to decipher amongst the hawkings of vendors and the tens of varieties of dumplings that come your way. Since moving to Vancouver, Rude Jude has developped a rather distinguishing taste for Dim Sum and disapproves of our fresh from the freezer siao mai, har gow and chicken feet. If you're open at 3:30 in the morning to extinguish my fiery burn for steamed buns, then you're not too bad in my books! Saturday mornings dim sum offerings before 11am are $1.70 Check it out here: http://www.perfectchineserestaurant.com/index.php for online ordering... Can your Vancouver Dim Sum do that?!

Nao Obrigado Cajú!

Translation: No thank you Caju restaurant.  Okay, so this will be crass.  No restaurant should ever impose a 17% gratuity that is ALREADY included in your bill.  This leads to mishaps, irresponsibility and a pretentious attitude from servers that frankly should all dress the same in a uniform with bow ties and wrist-length white gloves with this gratuity.  Instead we are greeted by hipster black clothed servers who look as if Edward Scissorhands was their coiffeuse.  Attempting the Summerlicious menu for  $25, chef Mario Cassini promises a "contemporary offering of Brazilian culture and gourmet food" at Cajú (922 Queen St. W at Shaw).  If what this means is adding cassava in all its shapes and forms whether ground, deep-fried or coarsely chopped to generalized South American food, then he has succeeded.  The restaurant is open and inviting in its Jatoba cherry wood decor from Brazil, but don't be fooled... we were with the fresh and fantastic appetizers: Coconut-milk and curry soup, gazpacho and greens with passion fruit dressing and pumpkin seeds were sure to announce the fantastic.  Nope.  Nada.  The cassava gnocchi with heart palms, tomatoes and greens was bland and too dense that not even fresh ground pepper could not unite the mismatched flavours.  The paella was served dry leaving the diner parched and heavily relying on our bottle of Italian Frulili Pinot Grigio to tickle the tastebuds.  The chorizo and pork tenderloin dish was successful as its saltiness was supported by the deep-fried cassava bed on which it was served.  The desserts managed to salvage any hope in Summerlicious dining with its rich chocoloate mousse, passion fruit and mango mousse and lemon tart.  Mysteriously the coulis that was used in each of the dish manages to resemble and taste exactly the same.....  Enjoyable minus the atrocious service.  Did I mention the service was bad?  No really, it was bad.  You get the picture...
Website: http://www.caju.ca/

Bread plate to start off.  The three morsels of heaven are Cheese cassava buns.  Dangerously addictive.

Sweet pepper, tomato, ginger with coconut milk soup.  Super starter.

Cold gazpacho soup.  So fresh there was an imagined hint of watermelon...

Organic Greens with mango and pumpkin in a passion fruit dressing.. fantabulously frothing at the mouth.

House-made cassava gnocchi (dense and bland), rapini (really absent), heart and palm (bizarrely sour), cherry tomatoes, parmesan (lacking)...bleh

Beautifully presented but dry, dry, dry: Fish and shrimp saffron rice (Paella style... liars...)

Too bad the photo does not do it justice: Grilled pork tenderloin and choriço, tomato salsa, cassava chips and balsalmic drizzle... mwah!  Fantastic.

A trio of saving grace: (left to right) dark chocolate fondant, passion fruit mousse, lemon tart square with mixed berry coulis (that just so happens to be on EVERY dessert... just like how balsamic vinegar was on two of the main dishes... variety people!)

All in all, due to the company, a fun and fancy dinner out.  Enjoy the cassava-induced coma on your way home diners!

Girls, Giggles and Good Beer at Allen's

Enjoying the early evening sun at Allen's (143 Danforth Ave. East of Broadview) on what has been voted by NOW magazine as the best place to enjoy a burger on the East Side (in their East vs West issue il y a longtemps).  Surrounded by sultry ladies we enjoyed our pick of beers from its 107+ list of bottled, draught and belgian.  Viji's curries, Organic Greens and Shrimp and a round of Allen's burgers cooked medium to well using Cumbrae Meats that are all naturally raised and hormone and additive-free (mains range from $10.25-$25 and include steak and other contemporary Irish Pub Fare) satisfied the palates.  The burgers are served alone and a little pricey as its condiments were a quarter each, literally.  Lettuce and Tomato were headings on our receipt at 25 cents a leaf/slice... (insert eyebrow raise here).  However, although a spacious patio, little is to be said for the curt service and frank "double sitttings" where the client is reminded of 2.5 hour time limits.  Thankfully it was a lazy Monday where we managed to eek out our hold on our table of 6 a little past 9pm without death stares from the wait staff.  Girls, gossip and good beer... bring on round 2!  Website at: http://www.allens.to/allens/

Lusting after Lolita's

Rude Jude arrived in Toronto after hosting me on vacay in Vancouver so wouldn't I take her out to one of my favourites along the Danforth?  Lolita's Lust (Logan and Danforth) provides rich and contemporary takes on classic Mediterranean fare.  The shabby chic ambiance created by vintage finds revarnished, jade green and porcelain chandeliers coupled with industrial hardware and lopsided glass shelves supporting a myriad of liqueur add to the quirky vibe.  Shunning the Summerlicious fare, we opted to try the Seafood platter ($26) comprised of grilled squid, octopus, raddichio toussled with olive oil and olives with steamed mussels in a marinara sauce served with crisp white pita and tapenade.  Mmmmmmmmm.  But wait, our hedonistic tendencies and anything to do with the word "lobster" made us try the lobster dumplings, rich lobster filling in asian dumpling style served on a sauteed mushroom salad ($11).  For a refreshing end, we enjoyed the caprese salad ($9) where the tomatoes were slightly grilled evoking its sweetness and that of the balsamic dressing.  The grand finale was a simple and deceitful little flourless cake that gorged out its richness ($7).  Topped off with a couple glasses of cab sauv... bon appétit!
Website at: http://www.lolitaslust.ca/

Bairrada Churrasqueira... a meaty mouthful!

Nestled on 1000 College Street just west of Dovercourt is a Portuguese barbecue house and restaurant featuring a spacious patio, friendly service and a promise of good, cheap food.  At Bairrada Churrasqueira, we were 5, Hot Tamale and Bella Reggaza in tow, seated at quaint picnic tables on a large spacious patio featuring a water feature; fountain and pond in the background of a sea of large picnic tables flanked with two large flat-screen TVs.  We decided on the Sangria to start (the red is fruity and goes down very smoothly at $18 a pitcher), and chomped on homemade bread with sweet chili paste on the house.  We feasted on fresh cheese, pickled olives and grilled red peppers with sausage, barbecue chicken, grilled beef steak, ribs, rice and potatoes a la parisienne.  Five fresh and fabulous ladies enjoying a Tuesday night!  No need for cosmos or sex in the city drama when you focus on the GRILLED sausage...

Gorgeous water feature from the raised patio we were seated at.

View of hungry eaters on the patio.  The table to the right enjoyed a "flaming sausage" much like the Greek saganaki display but with sausage cut for you by your server.

The appetizer: a part of the larger platter of the "Mistro" grilled calamari, sausage, fresh cheese, olives and grilled and pickled red peppers with the chili paste.  Hot!

The barbecue chicken ($10): crispy chicken skin and juicy meat seasoned and basted with the sweet, chili paste servedwith rice and potatoes.

The meat platter special ($10): a sampling of barbecued quail, beef ribs, beef steak and sausage served with rice and french fries.  Where are the vegetables.... who needs them!

Our portal to the world of barbecue....

On a side note, yours truly had to leave to attend to a coffee with a fantastic friend but the fine ladies I left shared for dessert a custard called, "Heavenly Cream" with cookie and cinnamon and a Chocolate Mousse, each at $3.50

Although I didn't partake in any Port tastings, the restaurant offers a wide-range of Porto to choose from. 

Cheap and cheerful with three locations to choose from.  For more info go to: http://www.bairrada.ca/home.html

22 restaurants in 12 days.....

After a roLICKING good time on the West Coast, it is time to say farewell to the fantastic FOODcation that this has been.  Many, many thanks to our fantastic hosts, we'll think of you as we're sweating off the pounds in the gym xp

Yes, you saw the title right, 22 restaurants in 12 days!  Here's a synopsis of the fun eats that have entertained and delighted my stay:

In Vancouver:

Moderne Burger http://www.moderneburger.com/
The Eatery http://www.theeatery.ca/
Twisted Fork Bistro http://www.twistedforkbistro.ca/
Sushi Town
Sala Thai http://www.salathai.ca/
Urban Fare http://www.urbanfare.com/
The Hub
O'Doul's http://www.odoulsrestaurant.com/
Dim Sum on 12th and Renfrew
Ebisu http://www.ebisu.ca/ebisu_robson/
Memphis Blues http://www.memphisbluesbbq.com/
Zakkushi http://www.zakkushi.com/
The Hub
Beard Papa's http://beardpapascanada.com/
Mondo Gelato Mondo Gelato on Robson click here
Japadog http://www.japadog.com/en/
Korean on Robson
Bao Chau The Spring Roll Special House Inc.
Casa de Gelato http://www.lacasagelato.com/

In Seattle:
Ivar's http://www.ivars.net/
Lowell's http://www.eatatlowells.com/
The Cheesecake Factory http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

Let the diet begin!  Atkins eat your heart out....

Refreshingly Fennel...

La Casa Gelato (Venables Street, Vancouver) houses a multitude of flavours, 200 some to be exact... which hit the spot for Hot Tamale as Fennel ice cream calmed her tummy down after a raucous romp at Dim Sum overload earlier this afternoon.  Home to such flavours as roasted garlic, cabernet sauvignon, fennel, jasmine, kulfi and blue cheese.. this is an experience not to be missed.  At $4.50 for a single and $6.50 for a double, join the owner and helpful staff for a free for-all of sample flavours.  On a hot, sunny Vancouver day nothing beats a gelato.

Hundreds to choose from......

Roasted Garlic, need I say more?

Hot Tamale is excited... I believe this was after tasting Spicy Mango...

Pre-buy the chip first!

Single scoop

Here is the casa full of its royal subjects.