Angela Aiello is a true city girl with country roots. Growing up in the Niagara region with an Italian family heritage, and a booming wine industry in her backyard, she was destined to become a wine entrepreneur, and lover of all things gourmet. She got her start in the wine industry at 16 years old, at a prestigious Niagara winery restaurant. Working her way up from a table busser to a top server, she learned the value of hard work, and the art of wine and food.
After completing her degree in Business Communications at Brock University, Angela moved to Toronto to pursue her interest in media and marketing/communications, but coming from a strong entrepreneurial background, she always knew she wanted to start her own business. It started out as a personal hobby - blogging about wine - but as more people began to subscribe to her blog, she realized she was on to something great. She joined forces with Paxton Allewell, a friend and former wine industry colleague, and using a quirky play on her last name, the iYellow Wine Club was born.
You've got $10 to buy lunch - where do you go?
Sprout (15 St Clair Avenue West), where they have the best rare beef pho in the city hands down.
The budget's unlimited, someone else is paying and the choice is yours - where do you pick for dinner?
I’ve been dying for a dinner at Nyood (1096 Queen Street West), One (116 Yorkville Avenue), Marben (488 Wellington Street) and the CN Tower’s 360 (301 Front Street West).
Tell us some of the food shops you frequent when buying groceries to cook for yourself.
If I have time, I like to head to Roncesvalles for my veg, herbs and fruits, but I live such a fast paced life that I usually go to Metro in Liberty Village (100 Lynn Williams Street), Price Chopper on Queen West (22 Northcote Avenue), or St. Clair Market (12 St Clair Avenue East) because they are close and convenient.
When ordering in for a quiet night at home, what's your favourite place for take-out or delivery?
I have 4 rotating favourites: One of a Kind Pasta (746 Queen Street West), Gino’s Pizza (802 College Street & other locations), Little India (255 Queen Street West), and Sushi Island (571 College Street).
Oh, no, relatives are coming to Toronto from out of town - where do you take them?
The patio at The Drake (1150 Queen Street West) for brunch, and Pizzeria Libretto (221 Ossington Avenue) for dinner.
Your favourite place to grab a couple of drinks and hang out where everybody knows your name?
The Kitchen (1186 Queen Street West) is my local hangout, but I am still searching for a really great bar to drink great wine at that is decently priced, with a wicked sunshine topped patio, and of course that is in my 'hood.
What's coming up?
The next big event for iYellow Wine Club is a VIA Rail Wine Country Tour on Saturday, September 12th. Check our website for more information and to sign up for exclusive invites to other wine events.
