Posted by Greg Clow in in the papers, news and media on July 31, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Here's today's round-up of food news and reviews from the Saturday papers...
The Reviews
- In the Toronto Star, Amy Pataki is happy with the starters, pastas and desserts at Enoteca Sociale, but she's not so hot on the mains and the spotty service.
- In the Globe & Mail, Chris Johns checks out another recently opened enoteca, Quanto Basta, where the atmosphere is lovely and the food is fine, but the presentation leaves a lot to be desired. (Not yet online.)
- In the National Post, Gina Mallet gives an almost perfect score to Pangaea, where she especially loves the housemade cheese and charcuterie created by chef de cuisine Derek Bendig.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on July 31, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Food Day 2010
various locations
various times
various prices
Food Day is a national celebration of restaurateurs, suppliers, growers, farmers and citizens joining together to show the world the depth and breadth of Canada as a culinary nation. Join us the 8th annual coast-to-coast-to-coast event, heralding our regional diversity, culinary creativity and world-renowned reputation for throwing an amazing party!
[more info]
Foodprint Toronto
Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street
12:30 PM to 5:00 PM
free
Foodprint Toronto is the second in a series of international conversations about food and the city. With the Toronto Board of Health having just formally adopted a new city-wide food strategy, the timing is perfect for a truly cross-disciplinary discussion that explores the past, present, and future of food and the city. From the fight for street food to the transportation infrastructure of the Ontario Food Terminal, and from the evolution of school meals to the challenge of scaling up urban agriculture, panelists will explore the forces that shape Toronto’s food and speculate on how to feed Toronto in the future. See link below for the program schedule and full list of panelists.
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in lucky dip, news and media, on the web on July 30, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Alcohol drowns the pain of sorrow... and arthritis. Preliminary studies show pain-relief can be had from arthritis symptoms with moderate drinking. [Globe and Mail]
While we're supposed to be eating less salt, it's hard when some of it is just so cool. [Food Trotter]
You can't win for losing - all those calcium supplements you take to prevent osteoporosis might actually be putting you at a higher risk for a heart attack. [Toronto Sun]
Alison Fryer of The Cookbook Store talks book signings with Sarah B. Hood. [National Post: Posted Toronto]
Mapping out our food geography - a preview of tomorrow's FoodPrints seminar. [Toronto Star]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in beverages, wine on July 30, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Everybody's Mad Men crazy this week, and so are we, even when it comes to wine. It probably wasn't intentional but this past Tuesday's class at the iYellow Wine School had striking parallels to two of Mad Men's leading ladies. With a focus on full-figured reds and graceful whites, it's hard not to offer up comparisons to the characters of Joan and Betty.
Led by sommelier Taylor Thompson, enthusiastic wine students filled the lovely back patio at cafe Taste to try a variety of Ontario wines that were either graceful or full-figured.
The cool and graceful whites included a Trius Brut from Hillebrand Estates Winery, a chardonnay from Flatrock Cellars and a barrel fermented chardonnay from Henry of Pelham. Thompson explained the different processes used for the two chardonnays, explaining how the barrel fermentation created an oaky flavour with notes of honey and a creaminess in the second wine compared to the minerality and buttery flavour of the first.
Reds can be graceful too, though, and a pair of Pinot Noirs from Cave Spring Cellars and Lailey Vineyard Winery were the next to be sampled. The Cave Spring pinot noir was bright and full of strawberry notes, very light in colour whereas the Lailey pinot was darker, with a nose of over-ripe fruit, and an earthy acidity. But on Mad Men, graceful Betty is known for her cold demeanour and to my palate, pinot noir tends to leave me a bit cold as well.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on July 30, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Island Soul
Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West
free admission
Harbourfront Centre showcases Caribbean music, food, art and culture. These distinct local Caribbean cultures transmitted through music, food and art brought Canada, United States and England closer to the Caribbean. The 2010 Island Soul will bridge these worlds to capture the local to global exploration of these art forms. (Continues to August 2nd.)
[more info]
Scarborough Ribfest
Thompson Memorial Park, Lawrence Avenue and Brimley Road
Fri & Sun: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM - Mon: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
free admission
Annual ribfest featuring some of the best ribbers from around North America, and live entertainment for the whole family. (Continues to August 2nd.)
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in lucky dip, news and media, on the web on July 29, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Bacchus Roti is a mainstay of Toronto's Caribbean dining scene, and a Parkdale landmark. Unless you walk into the espresso bar next door by mistake. Plus some other island-inspired restaurants to check out this Caribana weekend. [NOW]
A report by Health Canada indicates that food manufacturers must be prepared to drastically cut salt in their products. But will the government do anything to enforce it? And how will it apply to restaurants? [Globe and Mail] [National Post]
As a general rule, there should be no WTF moments when eating dinner. Seems there are still kinks to work out at Blue Plate. [Eye]
Beet it. Great things to do with tasty beets. [Kawartha Ecological Growers]
Move over dead squirrel, the Dutch are still reigning supreme in the (okay, now it's getting kind of stupid) contest for the beer with the highest alcohol content. [Toronto Sun]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in events upcoming on July 29, 2010 at 12:00 pm
It's not a holiday you'll find on any calendar (yet). For most people, it may slip right under their radar. But hopefully they'll celebrate Food Day without even realizing it.
This Saturday, July 31st, Canada celebrates Food Day, a day dedicated to the farmers, fishers, food producers and chefs across the country.
Originally created by food writer and activist Anita Stewart in 2003, the event was called "The World's Longest BBQ" as Stewart drummed up support for the then-suffering beef industry hit by sanctions because of BSE-tainted meat. Opinions of the beef industry aside (Hey! Don't feed cows other cows, yo!), while the BBQ caught on in some circles, it wasn't exactly welcoming or appealing to everyone, leaving vegetarians, Hindus and BBQ-less apartment and condo dwellers out of luck.
Revamped this year as Food Day, complete with a website detailing events, and with a place where people can share their experiences, Stewart aims to include everyone from coast to coast to coast. The BBQ theme is still prevalent, but the idea is to prepare a meal out of Canadian ingredients. Or at the very least, eat a meal made out of Canadian ingredients.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on July 29, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Hart House Craft Beer Festival & Summer BBQ
Hart House Courtyard, 7 Hart House Circle
7:00 PM to 12:00 midnight
$35 adult/$25 student - tickets available at www.uofttix.ca
Hart House will once again play host to the ultimate summer event. Sample some of the best craft brewed ales and lagers that Canada has to offer while relaxing in one of Toronto’s most impressive and historic settings. Hart House Chef Marco Tucci will provide guests with an assortment of savory barbecue nibbles while CIUT 89.5 DJs spin and broadcast live from the courtyard patio. Ticket price includes 8 beer samples (additional beer sample tickets may be purchased on site), complimentary BBQ nibbles and live entertainment.
[more info]
Taste and Learn: Wines of Australia
Globe Bistro, 124 Danforth Avenue
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
$25 - call 416.466.2000 to reserve
With over 60 wine regions in Australia and the understanding of what variety grows best where, the Australian wine industry has matured into a vastly diverse spectrum of wines: from simple patio quaffers, to elegant and sophisticated food-friendly wines. Join us in learning about their exciting and diverse wine regions that are producing some of the best wines in the world. Tickets include tasting wines and a selection of Globe canapes featuring local ingredients.
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in lucky dip, news and media, on the web on July 28, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Foodies, start your engines. Apparently there's a better mango out there than the Indian alphonso. Squabbling on Chowhound will commence in 3... 2...1... [Toronto Star]
How to eat dairy products if you're lactose intolerant. Best method - eat less, your body doesn't need cow's milk. [Globe and Mail]
A recap of the good stuff at yesterday's Sick Kids farmers market reveals that the first apples of the season (those super sour ones that make great pies) are ready to go. [The Cookbook Store Blog]
Chef Mark Picone knows his peaches. [Toronto Sun]
Slow Food Toronto are looking for volunteers to help out with this year's Picnic at the Brickworks on October 3rd. [Slow Food Toronto]
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Posted by Greg Clow in tasting t.o. on July 28, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Based out of Toronto, comedian/food enthusiast Jeffrey Danson travels across North America performing stand-up and eating at select restaurants in effort to raise awareness towards laughter and the idea that tasting and cherishing food is more important than just consuming it.
While gaining a growing reputation as a respected food writer, Jeffrey has started to venture out into food styling, along with involvement in a family-based importing/exporting business. "I’ve mastered the art of eating at a restaurant," he says, "and it’s time I take what I’ve learned to please people’s eyes. Fine food has fueled me to learn more about the process of what happens from the source to the table."
Where do you head when you need something cheap & cheerful for lunch?
A couple places come to my food-filled mind when asked this simple yet difficult question.
Café Doria (1094 Yonge Street) has a great patio and is perfect for a light Italian lunch or casual dinner. The sandwiches, lasagnas, salads, crispy pizzas, authentic espressos and coffees make Italy seem close. However, the Rosedale moms don’t compare to the Italian bellas that run the streets in Italy.
Another gem that I like to frequent is The Grilled Cheese (66 1/2 Nassau Avenue) in Kensington Market. Ever since lunch hours with the Flinstones and the Jetsons, grilled cheese has been a go-to at lunch. Funky staff making the best grilled cheese in the city serve the golden sandwiches to foodies like me who don’t know how to grow up. All I can say is get the classic with bacon. You won’t regret it.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on July 28, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Sip, Celebrate & Support Scotiabank Aids Walk for Life
Tequila Bookworm, 512 Queen Street West
8:00 PM
$5 - see link below for RSVP details
iYellow Wine Club, The Schiralli Agency, and Santa Margherita Wines present a tasting event in support of Scotiabank Aids Walk for Life. Admission includes 2 samples of wine (Santa Margherita Prosecco & Pinot Grigio), food & live music, with additional drink tickets available for purchase.
[more info]
Longo’s Free Flicks 2010: In the Mood for Love
SIRIUS Stage at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay East
9:00 PM
free
Harbourfront Centre welcomes back its popular outdoor Free Flicks film series. This year’s theme is food, presented in partnership with Longo’s, and these culinary-based films are sure the keep the public coming back for more. This week's film: In the Mood for Love, directed by Wong Kar-Wai, explores the relationship between two married neighbours whose spouses are having an affair. Food plays a central role in the film and helps to carry the narrative through its most simple dishes (lonely noodle) as well as the more elaborate dinners with the elderly neighbours who nurture the couples through food.
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in lucky dip, news and media, on the web on July 27, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Chefs are moving beyond the restaurant kitchen to create their own lines of food products and in some cases, even their own retail stores. [Globe and Mail]
We shall call it "a cup of Peg". Margaret Atwood has her own blend of fair-trade organic coffee, available at Balzac's with a portion of the profits going to bird sanctuaries. [Toronto Life: The Dish]
Ian Brown hits Saskatchewan for a Chinese breakfast with Lutherans. [Globe and Mail]
A reminder about the Slow Food-inspired Italian dinner series at George that happens on the last Friday of every month. Next month's menu (August 27th) looks mighty fine. [Slow Food Toronto]
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Posted by Greg Clow in beer, beverages on July 27, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Anytime my obsessive interest in beer comes up in discussion with someone not previously aware of my supposed "expertise" in the area, two things are generally asked of me. One is what beer is "the best" or "my favourite", and the other is how many different beers I've tried.
The first of these I usually deflect by listing the many variables (the season, the weather, food pairings, etc.) that I take into account when selecting a beer. The second is easier to answer: based on adding up the number of beers I've ticked on RateBeer, plus the backlog of several notebooks I've got filled with tasting notes that aren't yet entered, the current tally is running close to 3000.
This latter answer is usually qualified with an explanation that for many of those, I only had a sample, sometimes as small as an ounce or two. Which isn't to say that I don't prefer having larger samples of the beers I try. Working through a dozen Dixie Cup sized samples of new beers at a tasting or festival can be fun, but so is spending an evening drinking a pint or three of an old (or new) favourite.
In fact, it can be argued quite validly that many beers are best enjoyed in full servings versus blink-and-you'll-miss-it samples. Based on recent experience, I'm pretty confident in saying that Boneshaker IPA from Toronto's own Amsterdam Brewery is one of them.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on July 27, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
iYellow Wine School: Full Figured & Graceful
Cafe Taste, 1330 Queen Street West
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
$35 - see website for enrollment details
A special weeknight edition of iYellow Wine School's "VQ'EH! 100% Local" series of courses focussed on Ontario VQA wines. "Full Figured & Graceful" will feature some sexy full-bodied reds, elegant and graceful Chardonnays, and more, all paired with food.
[more info]
DINNERS
Cowbell Farmers Night: Purdy Fisheries and Everspring Farms
Cowbell Restaurant, 1564 Queen Street West
7:00 PM
$150 plus tax & tip - call (416) 849-1095 to reserve
Cowbell farmers nights are truly unique evenings where Chef Mark Cutrara will create a five course menu using ingredients from his favourite farms. The menu will also feature a wine pairing from an Ontario winery. Our farmers will be present for the dinner so come and break bread with farmers, neighbours and new friends at our communal table. This month: fish from Purdy Fisheries, duck from Everspring Farms, and wine from The Grange of Prince Edward County.
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in lucky dip, news and media, on the web on July 26, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Wouldn't it be lovely to sit on a restaurant patio and have dinner without someone else's dirty habit ruining your meal? [OpenFile]
Kids bouncing off the walls? You might want to cut down on their intake of energy drinks, which contain far too much caffeine for kids. [Globe and Mail]
He didn't mean anything by it! Chef Scott Conant talks to Lauren Wilson about the new Scarpetta and the letter he can't live down. [BlogTO]
In season, right now - peaches and blueberries. And more peaches. [Kitchen Vixen] [Toronto Tasting Notes]
How do you like them apples? Checking out the little green ones (and red and yellow ones) in Grey County. [Gremolata]
Eye candy and a belly full at Yuzu. [Toronto Life: The Dish]
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