Dash Kitchen
236 Danforth Avenue
416-463-DASH

What’s sexier than a man who can cook? How about three men who can cook. Dan Thompson, Bernie MacMillan and André Wikkerink will heat up any kitchen, but it’s not just the eye candy that keeps me going back to Dash; the fresh and delicious gourmet food is also quite fetching.

Four years ago, these ex-execs were looking for a career change. “Maybe we were each having a mini mid-life crisis,” laughs Thompson. Coming from the corporate world, these guys know what it’s like to work all day, hit the gym and rush home to whip together a quick meal. “Dash is for people who appreciate what they eat, but don’t have the time or desire to prepare meals,” Thompson explains.

Continue reading A Dash Through The Kitchen »

I grew up on Lebanese food.

I’m not Lebanese. But growing up in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, I might as well have been. The Island has, for its population, a sizable Lebanese community. A lot of the merchants on the Island are Lebanese, one of Charlottetown’s city councilors is, and PEI has now had two premiers of Lebanese decent.

My grandmother’s bridge parties consisted of her and five Lebanese ladies.

Now, the how and the why so many people from that area of the world ended up on PEI remains a mystery to me (although I’m pretty sure there is a book or two explaining it), all I know is I love Lebanese food. Not Israeli, Syrian, Cypriot or whatever. No, it’s Lebanese I love. One of the best restaurants in Charlottetown is Lebanese, Cedar’s Eatery, and I grew up eating there and eventually ended up running their upstairs bar.

I shit falafel.

Ever since leaving the Island to come to Toronto we have yet to find a restaurant, Middle Eastern in general, Lebanese specifically (but you knew that already), that has yet to match the wonder that is Cedar’s.

Continue reading In Search of the Perfect Hommous »

As the weather warms, many choose to celebrate the season of fun in the sun and outdoors by taking their meals outside. Portable and delicious, the sandwich is an excellent food choice for such outings. My search for an ideal balance between a wheat-based shell and its glorious fillings has resulted in many noteworthy finds that would make any man (or woman) swoon. Sample any of the treats below for complete satisfaction.

The tender and moist slow roasted beef brisket ($6.50) takes 5 days to prepare at Black Camel (Rosedale Location: 4 Crescent Road). Choose to pair it with the house made Black Camel BBQ sauce, and/or any additional toppings (i.e. roasted sweet red peppers) for an extra $0.75.

Continue reading Which ‘wich? »

Per Se Foods
563 Queen Street West
416-594-0303

Ilene Fattore spent last Thursday trying to recover from the big Queen West fire.

The fire that wiped out most of a city block indirectly affected businesses further along the strip as far as Augusta. The hydro was out, freezers were off, food had to go. So the staff at Per Se Foods spent the day taking care of stock and refilling the ready-to-go counter from scratch. “We just opened up and every hour we’re closed counts,” Ilene said.

Continue reading Not that Per Se »

Viva Tastings
409 College Street
416-506-0054

“This is a different kind of place,” says Karen Viva-Haynes. “You come in here to slow down. Get a glass of wine, walk around the store and just breathe, which we all need to do.”

“Here” is Viva Tastings, which a year ago supplanted Quizno’s on a College Street corner lot, bringing a refined palate and innovative mind to the outer reaches of Kensington. This is the storefront that represents a stall that’s been in St. Lawrence Market for the past six years or so.

Continue reading A Foodist At The Top Of Her Game »

Nasr Foods
1996 Lawrence Avenue East
416-757-1611

Last week, overcome with hunger, I traveled to the Mid-East. During my sojourn in that troubled area, I gorged myself on sheep cheese, fresh dates and halvah. My plump, manicured fingers snatched Turkish Delight from a tray. Satiated, I reclined languidly as I partook of a water pipe.

Of course, when I refer to the mid-East, I am referring to the mid-East of the G.T.A.. This area - Lawrence between Pharmacy and Warden - has emerged as a sort of Arab Strip or Little Lebanon, awaiting discovery by the falafel-craving foodies of downtown Toronto.

Continue reading Arabia Scarberia »

Freshman’s Food Boutique
627 Mount Pleasant Road
416-484-0040

Are you a Toronto foodie too tired to slave over a stove after a day spent slaving in your cubicle? Are you unwilling to provide take-out pizza or rotisserie chicken for your clamouring family? Well, in uptown Toronto, Freshman’s Food Boutique offers gourmet prepared foods for those with a discriminating palate but a busy schedule. Here the weary but hungry gourmet can take out and take home Kafta Tajine or Lamb Dijon.

Stew Cohen, the affable owner of Freshman’s, moved to Toronto from New York five years ago. In Manhattan, where he worked as a financial planner, Cohen was accustomed to bringing home meals from top-notch prepared food places like Dean and Deluca and Yura and Company.

Continue reading Prepared to a Different Level »

Kozlik’s Canadian Mustard
92 Front Street East
416-361-9788

It happens every time. I think my husband is right behind me at the St. Lawrence Market, and I chatter away, planning the best route through the crowds and stalls. Invariably, I turn around and he’s not there. I’ve come to expect this, and make my way over to Kozlik’s Canadian Mustard. Sure enough, he’s part of the eager crowd, dipping pretzels and hot, fried cubes of toothpick speared peameal bacon into a wide assortment of ramekins filled with flavoured mustards. I join in, and soon the sampling becomes a postscript to breakfast or a prequel to lunch.

Continue reading Dipping Into Mustard at the St. Lawrence Market »