[North York] Han Ba Tang

Location Review
4862 Yonge St
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 5 46-8218

Just when you thought the Yonge and Sheppard area in North York already had enough Korean restaurants, along comes Han Ba Tang (@han_ba_tang), the newest addition to the block. With a name that translates from its native language as "one full round", Han Ban Tang's restaurant owner aims to combine her decade long experience in authentic Korean cuisine, with modern culinary ideas. She refers to her cuisine as "young fusion Korean" and maintains a menu which she constantly revises in hopes to inspire appreciation of the Korean cuisine from a younger population. Young or old, Han Ba Tang's deep background story, warm hospitality, innovative dishes, and original drink menu will easily win over many a crowd.

Han Ba Tang

[Toronto] Smith

Location Review
533 Church Street
Toronto, Ontario
(416)926-2501
Website

Unassuming from the outside, this Church Street establishment is well known by locals for its brunch. When you enter Smith (@SmithToronto), you almost forget that this is Toronto. It is quaint and cozy, and felt like an elusive secret spot for only those in the know. But judging by the number of people who were already seated when we arrived, as well as the abundant 3 floors of seating, this most likely was not the case.

Everything about this restaurant feels intimate. The warm oak fixtures, candle lit ambience, freshly cut flowers, porcelain plates, and elegantly aged silverware; almost makes you feel like missed putting up some sort of white picket fence outside. Despite this, Smiths was unintimidating, relaxed, and perfect for the cordial catch-up brunch I was about to have.

Smith

[Toronto] Smoque N' Bones

Location Review
869 Queen St W
Toronto, Ontario
(647) 341-5730
Website

A little while back, I stopped by Smoque N' Bones (@SmoqueNBones) for dinner. At the time it was the new kid on Toronto's Queen West block, and was owner Alex Rad's initiating establishment. Prior to picking up the kitchen knife, Rad was a corporate finance professional. But make no mistake, this is no amateur spot. Smoque N' Bones set out to be an authentic Southern smokehouse, and it definitely delivers it well.

Smoque N' Bones

[Giveaway] 2014 Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival

The annual Steam Whistle (@SteamWhistle) Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival is back! One of my favourite boozy events each year, the 2-day event gathers an allstar list of Ontario microbreweries allowing festival-goes to sample a variety of independent beers. Did I mention there will also be food trucks on site?

[Toronto] Little Sister Indonesian Food Bar

Location Review
2031 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 488-2031
Website

For such a multicultural city like Toronto, there is much to be desired when it comes to Indonesian food. Enter Little Sister Indonesian Food Bar (@LittleSisterTO). This newly opened eatery located in Midtown is a modern eatery serving up a menu created by Dutch-native chef Michael van den Winkel. Having cooked Dutch-Indo cuisine his entire life, you can be sure he's included all his favourite authentic dishes on the list.

Little Sister

[Event] Ontario Oyster Festival 2014

You know we're deep in the heart of summer when there are too many festivals happening and not enough time to attend them all. Hopefully not to get lost among all the summer buzz is the upcoming Oyster Festival. Aside from combining pretty much the two best things on the planet (Come on, oysters and beer!!), all proceeds of the festival's ticket sales goes to Environmental Defense - a charity with a worthy cause. Notably, their Blue Flag Canada initiative is an international program striving for safer, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly beaches and marinas.

The 2014 Oyster Festival, hosted by Rodney's Oyster House.

THE DETAILS
What: The 26th Oyster Festival
When: July 20th, 2014, 2-10pm
Where: Rodney's Oyster House (469 King St W, Toronto)
How: Admission is $32, or $40 at the door (Purchase tickets HERE.)

[Toronto] The Forth

Location Review
629 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 465-2629
Website

Aptly named after it's location in Greektown Danforth, The Forth (@TheForthTO) is a new comer on the block, opening April earlier this year. Unlike its peers of close proximity, it is anything but a Greek restaurant, headed up by Brassaii's former executive chef Chris Kalisperas (@ChrisKalisperas). With a contemporary Canadian menu, inventative cocktail list, and a beautiful 8,000 square feet, multi-level dining area (yes there's an elevator!), The Forth is one that will impress all the senses.

The Bar