Posted by Sheryl Kirby in on the shelf, prepared foods, products on September 2, 2010 at 2:00 pm
It seems I've been remiss in keeping you all up to date on the great food finds I've come across lately. Apologies, because I shouldn't have been keeping this stuff to myself. Like these fabulous waffles from the folks at Monckton Organic Farms and Bakery. These folks grow and grind their own grains and then turn it into breads, bagels, cookies, muffins and scones that they sell at a variety of local markets including Liberty Village, Green Barns and Trinity-Bellwoods. The waffles are $5 for a bag of 3, come in whole wheat, spelt and occasionally blueberry and need only a few minutes in the oven to warm up and get crisp and tasty. We've been eating them all summer with a changing variety of berries.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on September 2, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Global Roots Garden Open House
The Stop Community Food Centre, Wychwood Barns (Barn #5), 601 Christie Street
5:30 PM
free
The Stop's Global Roots Garden is thriving! Join coordinator Liz Curran for a free tour of the garden where you'll meet the senior and youth gardeners tending the plots and enjoy some tasty snacks. As well, youth from CultureLink's Summer Theatre program will be performing scenes from their original play at 7:30 pm.
[more info]
CNE Ribfest 2010
Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place
11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
free with CNE admission
Back by popular demand, a succulent rib fest takes over Bandshell Park during the CNE. Ribbers from everywhere won't want to miss this fabulous feast as a multitude of rib masters compete to win best rib recipe. (Continues to September 6th.)
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in chef profile, stirring the pot on September 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Jesse Vallins is a native of Toronto and has spent the last 12 years working in some of the city's best restaurants. He has spent the last four years as the chef at Trevor Kitchen and Bar (38 Wellington Street East).
What inspired you to become a chef?
For as long as I can remember I've fallen asleep and woken up thinking about food. I love eating and sharing food with people and the experience of restaurants. I don't care if it's Canoe (66 Wellington Street West) or a dive in Chinatown, all restaurants are as much about experience as eating. I've always loved that and wanted to be a part of it.
What is your favourite dish at the restaurant where you cook and why?
The bacon and tomato salad with avocado ranch and crispy shallots. I love it because it's got a great mix of different flavours and textures that really work together...and it's absolutely lousy with bacon.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on September 1, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
CNE Ribfest 2010
Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place
11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
free with CNE admission
Back by popular demand, a succulent rib fest takes over Bandshell Park during the CNE. Ribbers from everywhere won't want to miss this fabulous feast as a multitude of rib masters compete to win best rib recipe. (Continues to September 6th.)
[more info]
Canadian National Exhibition 2010
Exhibition Place
10:00 AM to midnight (10:00 PM on Labour Day)
various prices - see website for details
The Canadian National Exhibition is the largest annual fair in Canada and the fourth largest in North America, attracting approximately 1.3 million visitors each year. The CNE's roots are in agriculture and this continues to be a strong component of the Fair which features a working farm and the Horse Show. Other attractions include two midways, the Food building, live music and entertainment, and much more. This year will also feature live cooking demonstrations by chefs Anthony Rose (Aug. 26), Lynn Crawford (Aug. 27), Michael Smith (Aug. 28), Rob Rainford (Aug. 29), Anna Olson (Sept. 3), Massimo Capra (Sept. 4) and Rose Reisman (Sept. 5). (Continues to September 6th.)
[more info]
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Posted by Greg Clow in beer, beverages on August 31, 2010 at 12:00 pm
It's not often that we beer writers praise the large multinational breweries, but when we do, it's often in reference to their ability to produce remarkably consistent products. Much as McDonald's endeavors to have their Big Mac taste the same no matter where you are in the world, so too do the macrobreweries attempt to have every bottle of each of their brands taste exactly the same as every other bottle of the same brand no matter where or when it was brewed. And while it's easy to joke that it shouldn't be hard to do this since they all taste like water anyway, in reality it's quite difficult to reach such a level of consistency in huge batches of beer that are brewed in multiple and distant locations.
Consistency is also a goal aimed for by most small brewers, but this consistency is often judged in terms of a general level of quality rather than specific aromas or flavours. Because just as the characteristics of a fine wine will vary from vintage to vintage, changes in a craft beer from batch to batch are generally accepted by brewers and drinkers alike as being part and parcel of the craft brewing process.
The reasons for these differences are numerous, ranging from slight variations in the ingredients used, to intentional recipe tweaking on the part of the brewmaster. Sometimes the adjustments so subtle that they're barely noticed, while others change the beer to such a degree that those of us who take account of such things find ourselves giving the beer a full reassessment.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on August 31, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Roncylicious
various restaurants on Roncesvalles Avenue
various times
various prices
Roncylicious is a month-long celebration of the food culture of Roncesvalles Village. From August 3 to 31 you can enjoy terrific specials at participating restaurants. Also, we’re remembering those less fortunate than us with a month-long food drive - participating businesses will be giving a small discount in exchange for a food donation which will go to local food banks. (Final day.)
[more info]
CNE Ribfest 2010
Bandshell Park, Exhibition Place
11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
free with CNE admission
Back by popular demand, a succulent rib fest takes over Bandshell Park during the CNE. Ribbers from everywhere won't want to miss this fabulous feast as a multitude of rib masters compete to win best rib recipe. (Continues to September 6th.)
[more info]
Read More...
Posted by Greg Clow in television on August 30, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Food Network Canada is launching their fall season this week, and as usual, it's a hodge-podge of new shows that are quite similar to old shows, imported shows that anyone who uses BitTorrent has already seen, and new seasons of old favourites (or not-so-favourites, depending on your personal preferences).
The biggest launch of the season is The Opener, featuring chef David Adjey (above) helping first-time restaurateurs as they prepare to open for business - basically, it's Restaurant Makeover for places that aren't open yet. And if you can't wait for the Canadian version of mega-popular British show Come Dine With Me (coming soon on W Network), try the Food Network knock-off Dinner Party Wars.
Top Chef is back with a season set in Washington DC, airing here just as the original run in Bravo! in the US is about to finish, while those who haven't gotten sick of seeing Gordon Ramsay every week on his numerous Fox shows can look forward to the fifth series of The F-Word - assuming they haven't already downloaded it during it's run on the UK's Channel 4 in late 2009.
For details on all of the new and returning shows, read on...
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on August 30, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Holy Guacamole Smackdown
The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West
7:00 PM
free admission
86'D Mondays and Ivy Knight present a tasting of the finest guacamole ever made by chefs from Parts & Labour, The Drake Hotel, Enoteca Sociale, The Bellevue, C5 and Frida.
[more info]
Fresh: A Community Screening
Sorauren Park, 260 Sorauren Avenue
screening at 8:30 PM
$10 donation to the West End Food Co-op (WEFC)
Come celebrate the accomplishments of the sustainable food movement and join your friends, neighbours and community for a movie night under the stars. Following the weekly Sorauren Farmers Market, WEFC through the generous support of Bernardin will be screening "Fresh: The Movie" in Sorauren Park. Fresh "celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are reinventing our food system." Part of the Toronto Fresh Event Series.
[more info]
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Posted by Greg Clow in restaurant news on August 29, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Here's this week's round-up of the latest local food and restaurant news...
Openings:
- The eclectic trio of dining options at the Thompson Hotel will be completed this week with the opening of Japanese restaurant Wabora (59 Bathurst Street), an off-shoot of the popular same-named sushi restaurant in Bracebridge.
- Jennifer Rashleigh & Jeff Brown, owners of organic & fair trade chocolate shop Delight in the Junction, have snagged the spot next door and opened Junction Fromagerie (3042 Dundas Street West).
- A new location of 24-hour diner chain Fran's (6 Front Street East) is now open near Yonge and Front.
Closings:
- Agostino's (2497 Yonge Street), the latest venture from veteran chef/restaurateur Franco Agostino, has closed after just over a year of business.
Other News:
- Mrs. Amar Patel, founder and executive chef of the legendary Indian Rice Factory (414 Dupont Street), has sadly passed away.
If you have a scoop to share about the local food & restaurant scene, please let us know so we can include it in a future edition of T.O. Tidbits.
Posted by Sheryl Kirby in administrative, announcements on August 29, 2010 at 12:00 pm
A message from your cranky editor:
So, here's the thing... I am sick with scary mold allergies*. Have been for weeks, likely will be for weeks more. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in Toronto hoping summer will end right now with an early hard frost.
Why should you give a damn?
Because wanting to scratch my own eyes out 24/7 means less time for writing and editing. Plus leaving the confines of my AC-controlled environment to go out into the world where the mold spores are only happens if I'm feeling very, very brave.
So things here on TasteTO are going to be sporadic until I'm feeling better - because right now, cold compresses and naps are taking priority over writing anything. Greg's posts (daily event listings, weekly beer review, weekend news round-ups, etc.) will still run. Everything else will happen if/when I'm feeling up to it. Hopefully you won't notice much missing, but in case it happens, you'll know why.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.
* [Please - no armchair medical advice. Yes, I've been seeing an allergist. Yes, I have meds - but the side effects of the meds are worse than the allergy symptoms, so I'm living between two flavours of miserable. Hoping to get an immunotherapy routine up and running soon.]
Image by the awesome Natalie Dee. Go check out her website and buy her stuff- it's cool.
Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on August 29, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Pedestrian Sundays
various streets in Kensington Market
12:00 noon to 7:00 PM (10:00 PM on North Augusta)
free
Pedestrian Sundays are a celebration of Community, Culture, and Ecology. Several streets in Kensington Market go car-free for the day, and we eat, dance, and play in the streets together, sowing the seeds of community. Pedestrian Sundays don't permanently change the streets, but they forever change the way you perceive them.
[more info]
Toronto Chinatown Festival 2010
Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street
Sat: 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM - Sun: 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM
free
The Toronto Chinatown Festival is an annual celebration of Canada’s diverse cultures and communities. Presented by the Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area, this fun-filled family event is free to the public. It attracts over 100,000 people over the weekend with its colourful display of multicultural entertainment, food, street market and community celebrations. (Final day.)
[more info]
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Posted by Greg Clow in in the papers, news and media on August 28, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Here's this week's round-up of all the food & drink news from the Saturday papers...
The Reviews
- In the Toronto Star, Amy Pataki discovers that despite having a name that translates to "hole-in-the-wall", La Bettola di Terroni is a fantastic addition to the ever-growing Terroni empire.
- In the Globe & Mail, Chris Johns finds the food at Crème Brasserie to be uninspired, and the service even worse - i.e. he's delivered the wrong dish 10 out of 10 times. (Not yet online.)
- In the National Post, Gina Mallet braves the wilds of Parkdale for a Friday night dinner at Parts & Labour, where the food is fine enough but the raucous "FauxBo" crowd makes it hard for her to enjoy it.
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Posted by Greg Clow in events upcoming on August 28, 2010 at 7:00 am
EVENTS
Live Green Toronto Festival 2010
Yonge-Dundas Square, corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets
free admission
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM - Sunday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
At Toronto's annual celebration of all things green, you can check out hundreds of green products and services to help you live green at home, work and on the road. Everything from bees, worms and bikes, to green fashions, renewable energy, local foods and more. (Continues to August 29th.)
[more info]
Toronto Chinatown Festival 2010
Spadina Avenue at Dundas Street
Sat: 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM - Sun: 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM
free
The Toronto Chinatown Festival is an annual celebration of Canada’s diverse cultures and communities. Presented by the Toronto Chinatown Business Improvement Area, this fun-filled family event is free to the public. It attracts over 100,000 people over the weekend with its colourful display of multicultural entertainment, food, street market and community celebrations. (Continues to August 29th.)
[more info]
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Posted by Sheryl Kirby in lucky dip, news and media, on the web on August 27, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Salt Wine Bar finds some loopholes around the zoning bylaws. Gotta say that I'm a bit annoyed/offended by the quote from wanna-be mayor Joe Pantalone, though. “I have no problem with people finding loopholes, if they’re good people,” says councillor Joe Pantalone, who spearheaded the moratorium. Given the crap Pantalone threw at J.P. Challet, who worked within the law to open his bistro on Harbord, this sort of reads that, if you're friends with Joey Pants, breaking the rules is okay. Not cool. [Toronto Star]
Behind the scenes at the Stadtlander dinner for Pakistan. [Good Food Revolution]
So what do vegans eat at camp outs when the marshmallows are made from scary things? Banana boats, of course. [National Post: The Appetizer]
Not so sweet - do you eat sweet potato fries because they're "healthy"? Think again. [Toronto Star]
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Posted by Jodi Lewchuk in farm to table, restaurant profile on August 27, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Executive Chef David Garcelon squints into the full sun of a hot August afternoon and nods towards a cluster of mini-towers on the rooftop of the Fairmont Royal York in downtown Toronto.
“They’re still a little agitated. We disturbed them yesterday with the first harvest of the season,” he says.
Garcelon is referring to the bees executing a frenetic dance around the six pale-green hives that comprise the apiary located atop the 14th floor of the 81-year-old historic hotel and the 142 pounds of light-coloured honey just extracted from its combs. Once they settle back into their playfully named homes (Royal Sweet, V.I.Bee Suite, Bee & Bee Suite, Comb Suite Comb, Stayin’-a-Hive Suite, and Honey Moon Suite), they’ll go back to work in order to produce a richly hued product that will be harvested in late September.
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