Wednesday, July 11, 2007
eko jewelry
Looking for sophisticated, stylish, extraordinary jewelry? You must check out eko on Queen St. W in downtown Toronto. The store has recently been redesigned. Its slick museum-like layout makes it easy for guests to walk the entire perimeter of the store admiring the small pieces of art. All of the pieces are by amazing designers such as Alexis Bittar, Dana Kellin, Jeanne Payer and Anthony Nak (to name a few!).
Yesterday, I picked up a pair of super-duper Alexis Bittar lucite hoop earrings. It was difficult to choose between white or blue lucite. The blue was almost electric and looked amazing against dark hair. However, when it came down to crunch time I chose the white pair!
P.S. They're hoping to receive a new Alexis Bittar shipment next month.
Monday, July 9, 2007
farm fresh dining in port dalhousie
Port Dalhousie is home to the world's greatest frozen yogurt, bars that allow underage drinking and a fabulous new restaurant called Treadwell. We had the most delicious meal a few nights ago. J enjoyed a smoked trout appetizer that was complete with cavier and a quail's egg and I had a savoury carmelized onion tart topped with pecans. Our main courses were equally delicious...beef short rib and pickeral. Both included chanterelle mushrooms on the side. For dessert, it was a Canadian-focused cheese plate and a fresh raspberry tart.
The most important part of Treadwell was the farm to cuisine theory. Most, if not all, of the menu items were designed around a local element. For example, the pickeral was from Lake Erie, the raspberries were from Whitty Farms and the beef was from Cumbrae Farms.
The wine list is compiled of mostly Niagara wines. It's an extensive and awesome list. We talked to the Sommelier/Owner and decided to order wine by the glass so that we could properly complement the meal. Wines at our table included a Thirteenth Street Brut, Charles Baker @ Stratus Reisling, 2005 Daniel Lenko Merlot, Mountain Road Winery Chardonnay and two very special glass of Daniel Lenko Late Harvest Vidal.
If you're ever in the area, be sure to make a reservation. You'll be guarenteed a wonderful meal with fantastic wines and view of the water.
The most important part of Treadwell was the farm to cuisine theory. Most, if not all, of the menu items were designed around a local element. For example, the pickeral was from Lake Erie, the raspberries were from Whitty Farms and the beef was from Cumbrae Farms.
The wine list is compiled of mostly Niagara wines. It's an extensive and awesome list. We talked to the Sommelier/Owner and decided to order wine by the glass so that we could properly complement the meal. Wines at our table included a Thirteenth Street Brut, Charles Baker @ Stratus Reisling, 2005 Daniel Lenko Merlot, Mountain Road Winery Chardonnay and two very special glass of Daniel Lenko Late Harvest Vidal.
If you're ever in the area, be sure to make a reservation. You'll be guarenteed a wonderful meal with fantastic wines and view of the water.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
giddy up
Research indicates that our favourite musician, Mr. Ben Harper, is planning a small venue tour. Who wants to go where?
ldv
Last night was a whole lotta fun. We went to a little restaurant in Detroit called La Dolce Vita. LDV was in a sketchy neighbourhood off Woodward near McNichols. But once we valeted the car and got a prime table on the patio, it was absolutely enchanting. The food is nothing to write home about but the wine and the company were perfect. And, the ceasar salad (made table side) was the second-best ceasar salad that I've ever had. The Blue Mermaid still takes the cake. Apparently, the best night to go is Tuesday because of a DJ named John. Apparently, "they" were right. We had a great time and we'll definitely return.
Monday, July 2, 2007
easy saturday night summer meal...
Ingredients:
half a bag of organic brown rice penne
half a bag of fresh peas (find in the produce section of Zehrs)
container of grape tomatoes
lean prosciutto (omit if you're a veg or kosher)
2 tablespoons of chopped garlic
olive oil
parmesean cheese
handful of fresh chopped basil
What to do:
- Follow the instructions below while the pasta is boiling for approximately 10 minutes
- Heat oil in large pan on medium-high
- Add the garlic
- Let sizzle for a few moments
- Add grape tomatoes
- Stir around and cook for about 5 minutes
- Add the peas
- Stir around
- Add the prosciutto
- Stir around
- When ready remove pasta and rinse in cold water
- Put pasta and tomato mixture in a large bowl
- Toss with grated parmesean cheese and top with fresh basil
Serves 2 hungry people or 4 not-so-hungry people.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
who knew that sales were so much fun?!?!
I've never been much of a sales shopper but yesterday gave me a new perspective. I went to Sommerset Mall to get some anti-wrinkle cream (pathetic but preventative!) and stumbled upon the last of Neiman Marcus' summer sale. WOW! I tried on a slew of items from Theory, Nanette Lepore, Milly and more. But I left with three fabulous purchases from the MARC by Marc Jacobs collection. It was very fun. Everything was marked down plus you got an extra 25% off. The best part about my new garments is that they're freaking cool. My favourite item is this dress that has a prairie-kinda feel to it. It will look great with brown leather wedges or maybe even brown boots in the fall. Not sure where I'm going to wear it, but I'm gonna wear it a lot!
happy birthday canada!
Funny, we spent Canada Day mornng in Michigan. We went to Marni & Josh's place to pick up our new peice of artwork. We bought a peice by Peter Max while on the Caribbean Princess. Anyway, it was a pleasant morning in Pleasant Ridge.
The most fun was having breakfast with Josh at a wonderful diner called Toast. Highly enjoyable. It's very important to order the Cinnamon Toast Crunch as your appetizer. Very important.
Tonight we're off to the J's parent's house for dinner. We're bring the salad. Fresh peas are in season so I'm going to thrown them in with some fresh mint from the garden.
How domestic am I going to get?
The most fun was having breakfast with Josh at a wonderful diner called Toast. Highly enjoyable. It's very important to order the Cinnamon Toast Crunch as your appetizer. Very important.
Tonight we're off to the J's parent's house for dinner. We're bring the salad. Fresh peas are in season so I'm going to thrown them in with some fresh mint from the garden.
How domestic am I going to get?
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
summer vacation reflections
Thinking a lot about summer vacations. J and I have done some amazing trips:
On our first summer getaway, we headed to Chicago. We stayed at the W Lakeshore and spent the weekend shopping and eating (of course!). It's a great two night trip if you're looking for a U.S. city besides NYC.
The following year was Portugal. We opted to spend the majority of our trip in Lisbon and Madeira. Our hotel in Lisbon ( www.solardosmouros.pt) was an extraordinary place. It was small, artist-focused and at the top of a hill. It was incredibly clean and offered a hot, strong cafe latte every morning. Most importantly, you really got a feel for the local culture. Madeira was absolutely lush and gorgeous. Our accomodations were quite formal at the Casa Velha (www.casa-velha.com) but what else can you expect on a honeymoon? Before we landed in Madeira we travelled to a small island, also off the coast of Africa, called Porto Santo. It was dreadful. Our hotel stank, the weather was crummy and it was ugly. The best thing on Porto Santo was a hole-in-the-wall local restaurant that served skewered beef. Those meals were delicious...really yummy...some of the best beef, we've ever had...but it couldn't make up for the rest of the island.
Next summer trip, was probably my second favourite. We went to a dude ranch...a luxury dude ranch but still a dude ranch! I'm hopping that H and I will take my mom there for her 60th birthday. Paws Up (www.pawsup.com) was fantastic. We went horseback riding and rafting down the Blackfoot River. It's so fantastic that, on our rafting trip, we stopped on the side of the river for lunch. Lunch included filet mignon, grilled chicken breasts, an assortment of salad and homemade carrot cake with marscapone cream icing. um, hello?!? It was awesome. And, the cabins rocked! Even J was happy in Big Sky country.
Last year's vacation was the most life changing. We spent almost two weeks in and around Vancouver Island. Our first stop was in Victoria and then we drove up the island to Tofino. The drive was amazing and enlightening. However, my favourite part of our time in B.C. was on Salt Spring Island. We stayed on an organic farm with the Abelman family. We learned about everything from composting toilets to Waldorf education. The Saturday market was a real treat! I think about going back to Salt Spring Island everyday. We finished our B.C. vacation in Vancouver. Food highlights include Vij's Restaurant and Lumiere. Look them up and let your mouth start watering!
This year, we'll spend a few days in Michigan with Marni and Josh. We spent all our "summer trip" funds on art while travelling on the Caribbean Princess with my family.
happy travels!
P.S. You must must must try the Asparagus and Potato Salad recipe (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070623.WAVERMAN23/TPStory/?query=lucy+waverman). Even the mother-in-law was happy!
On our first summer getaway, we headed to Chicago. We stayed at the W Lakeshore and spent the weekend shopping and eating (of course!). It's a great two night trip if you're looking for a U.S. city besides NYC.
The following year was Portugal. We opted to spend the majority of our trip in Lisbon and Madeira. Our hotel in Lisbon ( www.solardosmouros.pt) was an extraordinary place. It was small, artist-focused and at the top of a hill. It was incredibly clean and offered a hot, strong cafe latte every morning. Most importantly, you really got a feel for the local culture. Madeira was absolutely lush and gorgeous. Our accomodations were quite formal at the Casa Velha (www.casa-velha.com) but what else can you expect on a honeymoon? Before we landed in Madeira we travelled to a small island, also off the coast of Africa, called Porto Santo. It was dreadful. Our hotel stank, the weather was crummy and it was ugly. The best thing on Porto Santo was a hole-in-the-wall local restaurant that served skewered beef. Those meals were delicious...really yummy...some of the best beef, we've ever had...but it couldn't make up for the rest of the island.
Next summer trip, was probably my second favourite. We went to a dude ranch...a luxury dude ranch but still a dude ranch! I'm hopping that H and I will take my mom there for her 60th birthday. Paws Up (www.pawsup.com) was fantastic. We went horseback riding and rafting down the Blackfoot River. It's so fantastic that, on our rafting trip, we stopped on the side of the river for lunch. Lunch included filet mignon, grilled chicken breasts, an assortment of salad and homemade carrot cake with marscapone cream icing. um, hello?!? It was awesome. And, the cabins rocked! Even J was happy in Big Sky country.
Last year's vacation was the most life changing. We spent almost two weeks in and around Vancouver Island. Our first stop was in Victoria and then we drove up the island to Tofino. The drive was amazing and enlightening. However, my favourite part of our time in B.C. was on Salt Spring Island. We stayed on an organic farm with the Abelman family. We learned about everything from composting toilets to Waldorf education. The Saturday market was a real treat! I think about going back to Salt Spring Island everyday. We finished our B.C. vacation in Vancouver. Food highlights include Vij's Restaurant and Lumiere. Look them up and let your mouth start watering!
This year, we'll spend a few days in Michigan with Marni and Josh. We spent all our "summer trip" funds on art while travelling on the Caribbean Princess with my family.
happy travels!
P.S. You must must must try the Asparagus and Potato Salad recipe (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070623.WAVERMAN23/TPStory/?query=lucy+waverman). Even the mother-in-law was happy!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
wicked veggies
I feel compelled to recommend Bonnie's Gazpacho. But I suggest that you use more hot sauce than recommended. It's not that spicy. Now, Lucy Waverman's potato and asparagus salad was OUT OF THIS WORLD. We didn't have chives so we used green onions. It was just devine and will definitely be a repeat on our summer menu.(http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20070623.WAVERMAN23/TPStory/?query=lucy+waverman)
You don't have to care but I'll tell you anyway
I'm always the first to tell anyone about my favourite things. And, most of those things involve food, fashion or other fun stuff (think travel, pets, community causes!).
Today as J and I get ready for an evening to celebrate his mom's 60-something birthday, I've tried a few new recipes. One was Bonnie Sterns Spicy Gazpacho from her Heart Smart cookbook and the other was a potato and asparagus salad that appeared in Lucy Waverman's column from Saturday's Globe and Mail (June 23). I'll critique them after dinner.
Before I forget, if you live in the Windsor area, be sure to head to Mamo Bistro(http://www.mamobistro.com/) ASAP to get a taste of fresh wild salmon. Ryan is preparing it on an Asian slaw with fingerling potatoes. mmm!
bye for now.
Today as J and I get ready for an evening to celebrate his mom's 60-something birthday, I've tried a few new recipes. One was Bonnie Sterns Spicy Gazpacho from her Heart Smart cookbook and the other was a potato and asparagus salad that appeared in Lucy Waverman's column from Saturday's Globe and Mail (June 23). I'll critique them after dinner.
Before I forget, if you live in the Windsor area, be sure to head to Mamo Bistro(http://www.mamobistro.com/) ASAP to get a taste of fresh wild salmon. Ryan is preparing it on an Asian slaw with fingerling potatoes. mmm!
bye for now.
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