[Event] #CookingWithRosa @ 7 Numbers Restaurant

Location Review
516 Eglinton Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 322-5183
Website

A few Mondays ago, I was invited to attend a monthly cooking class at 7 Numbers Restaurant (@7_Numbers), hosted by chef and owner, Rosa Marinuzzi. How often do you get to cook with the chef of one of the city's favourite restaurants? Well, apparently you can do it once a month at 7 Numbers. Offered on the last Monday of every month, the $85 tuition fee includes an entire night of cooking, a massive family-style Italian feast, bottomless wine, and fine company. And if you have the luck that I did, you might get a free Italian-language lesson out of it too!

Cooking Class Menu

[Toronto] The Happy Hooker

Location Review
887 Dundas Street W
Toronto, Ontario
(416)603-4665
Website


If you did an internet search for "The Happy Hooker", you might get some pretty risqué search returns. Don't worry, today's restaurant review is more than suitable for work. Some time ago in February, I was invited to a media tasting at The Happy Hooker (@happyhookertdot). Captained by Attilio Pugliese (@attilio25), this affordable seafood haven opened just under a year ago, celebrating its one-year anniversary this Wednesday March 5. In celebration, the establishment has been offering many promotions this week, including FREE fish and chips on anniversary day. Definitely check out their Twitter and Facebook pages for more details!

Okay, now back to the food.

The Happy Hooker

[Toronto] Azure Restaurant and Bar

Location Review
225 Front Street West
Toronto, Ontario
(416)597-8142
Website

Continuing with the Winterlicious expeditions after a fantastic meal at King Street Social, I had the pleasure of dining at Azure Restaurant and Bar at The Intercontinental Hotel (@ICTorontoCentre) last week. This would not be my first time dining here; it was only a few months ago that I was sitting under their wall-to-ceiling glass canopy dining room, enjoying noteworthy cocktails and an inspired Summerlicious menu. With an empty stomach and a huge appetite, I had nothing but high hopes of once a gain being wow'd by their Winterlicious offerings.

Bread Basket

Azure Margarita ($12) -tequila, blue curaçao, fresh lime, blueberry purée

[Toronto] Reds Wine Tavern

Location Review
77 Adelaide Street West
First Canadian Place
Toronto, ON
Tel: (416) 862-7337
Menu

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of attending Vickie's birthday dinner (@kiki_BFF) at Reds Wine Tavern (@REDSWINETAVERN). Along with the company of 15 others, which included Justine (@foodigatorJ) and my boyfriend Rob, the restaurant crafted a pre-fixed menu for us. Normally I like having the flexibility of choosing my own dishes, but considering all the great things I heard about this newly renovated restaurant, I didn't mind it too much. And with the Executive Chef in the kitchen being Season 2 Top Chef Canada contestant, Ryan Gallagher (who by the way, was one I rooted for), I had some faith in the pre-set menu.

Reds Wine Tavern

[Boston] Atlantic Fish Company

Location Review
761 Boylston Street
Boston, MA, United States



Coming to boston for the first time, I had a couple of items on my bucketlist I wanted to accomplish. They're not all related to food of course (I'm not always a fatass!). But conveniently the one crossed off while I was at Atlantic Fish Company, is. More on that later.

This restaurant was recommended by my coworker, and I was lucky enough to get the very last 6 person table for the next 3 weeks (which resulted from a last minute cancellation). Yes you got that right THREE WEEKS! I think that is a testament to how great the food is. If you plan on visiting this restaurant make sure you book well in advance!

Atlantic Fish Company

[Vancouver] Shady Island Bar and Grill

Location Review
3800 Bayview Street
Richmond, British Columbia



Today's restaurant review is located in the historical village of Stevenston nearby Vancouver. The area has lots of little shops, and a boardwalk guiding you along the scenic fisherman's wharf. I was told if you wanted to get fish and chips in the greater vancouver area, Stevenston was the place to do it. Shady Island Bar and Grill, claims that they have "The Best Fish and Chips on the Boardwalk". Those were some powerful words that warranted a try. Taste test time!

Shady Island Bar and Grill

[Vancouver] Kiriri Japanese Cuisine

Location Review
8780 Blundell Rd
Richmond, British Columbia



One of the many days during my Vancouver trip, my cousin Fiona took us all out to lunch near by her house at Kiriri Japanese Cuisine. From what I gather it's not a very well-known spot, but she loves it for it's authentic Japanese fare and fresh fish. But on top of that, she praised about a cute Kaiseki Set that is served there. At the time I had never had a Kaiseki before, so it was definitely a treat for me! :)

Kiriri Japanese Cuisine

Tasting Dinner at Noka

Location Review
513 Bloor Street W
Toronto, ON
(647) 351-1188


Probably due to it's proximity to University of Toronto, the Annex is saturated with countless budget friendly food establishments. I regret to say that I don't usually eat in this area, but just walking through that strip of Bloor, I couldn't help but notice how many Japanese restaurants there were. And just when you thought there were already way too many, another pops up. Situated between Menchies and Sushi on Bloor, is the newly opened Noka Japanese Cuisine & Sushi (@NokaToronto). They have lunch specials for as low as $5.95, how can you NOT come here?

[Toronto] Lucien

Location Review
36 Wellington Street East
Toronto, ON, M5E 1C7



I'd like to think I'm pretty honest about my reviews. I usually just say things as it is, so I'm going to come right out at the beginning of this post and express my dissatisfaction about this restaurant. In fact, If I had a list of most disappointing restaurant experiences, this one might be a chart topper.

The beginning of this story begins with a Groupon purchase. $60 of food from  Lucien (@LucienToronto) for $30. What an amazing deal! It has received praise from many recognized magazines saying that it is one of the best wine and dine restaurants in Toronto, so I snatched up the deal without even thinking twice.

[Toronto] Fin Izakaya

Location Review:
55 Eglinton Ave E
 Toronto, ON M4P1G8

MENU

Whenever I think about going to an izakaya, there really is only one place that consistently pops up in my head: Guu Izakaya. And so when someone suggested  Fin Izakaya (@FinIzakaya) in the Mount Pleasant area of Eglington as an alternative, I was delighted when I finally went with Carmen (@carmenhungry), Justine (@foodigatorJ), and Vickie (@kiki_BFF).

Banana Mafia Asian Street Market Party

So I'm a little behind on this post, but I figured a great event deserved at least a mention, even if it is a tad late. But hey, better late than never, right?

So this aforementioned great event is the inaugural Banana Mafia Asian Street Market. It's a bit of a mouthful to say , but the concept is simple. Five great chefs of the Asian culinary world: Chef Nick Liu (@Ninjachefnick) of GwaiLo, Chef Robbie Hojilla of Ursa, Chef Leemo Han (@Limohan) from Swish by Han and Oddseoul, Chef Jeff Claudio of Yours Truly (@YoursTruly229), and Chef Jonathan Poon of Chantecler (@chanteclerTO) gather at Toronto's Amsterdam Brewery with the objective to serve delicious dishes in a Singaporean night market inspired setting.

[Richmond Hill] Tomo Sushi

Location Review:
9625 Yonge Street
Richmond Hill, Ontario
(905)770-2129




Being an "uptown girl" from Richmond Hill, I always find myself struggling to find good spots to eat. There is one exception though, and that's Japanese cuisine. I find places north of Toronto like Gal's Sushi, Inakaya, Inaho Sushi, are easily better than many of the spots downtown. And now I'm happy to announce one more addition to the uptown list: Tomo Sushi!

[Toronto] Auberge du Pommier

Location Review:
4150 Yonge Street Toronto, Ontario

Auberge du Pommier

I have been to Auberge du Pommier on several ocassions, and have loved the experience every time! Belonging to the Oliver and Bonacini Restaurants family (along with Canoe, Jump, and LUMA,  to name a few), this French restaurant is located just north of york mills on Yonge Street. From the outside, the restaurant resembles a cozy little courtyard house complete with a garden, white picket fence, and a very charming cobblestone walkway. While it looks like a small on the outside, it is deceivingly spacious on the inside! The decor is simple and quaint with its neutral colour theme, fireplace, and stone walls. a romantic ambiance coupled with excellent food makes this the perfect date night spot!

[Japan] Lunch @ Tsukiji Market

Location Review
Tsukiji Market

5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

The Tsukiji Market is one of Tokyo's popular tourist spot, as it is the largest wholesale food market in the world. It has a long history dating back to 1935 (if you are interested you can read it here), but essentially its a wholesale market where seafood and other supplies are auctioned off to authorized buyers (like restaurants), and immediate wholesalers (vendors at the market). Some of the restaurants that purchase the goods are situated right inside the market, serving fish purchased that very same day. Sashimi heaven! But more on that later.

Dinner at Nelson's House

a couple weekends ago, my brother-in-law Nelson's family invited us over for dinner. His family being from Taiwan, we were in for some traditional Taiwan and Shanghai influenced dishes! Not being Taiwanese myself, I probably don't have the right names for most of these dishes, but delicious none the less!

[Toronto] Guu Izakaya

Location Review:
398 Church Street
Toronto, Ontario
(Major Intersection: Church St. and Gerrard St. E)

MENU

Guu originated from our friends on the West coast of Canada, in British Columbia. With their bountiful fresh fish and lively atmosphere, they were able to create an izakaya so popular, that there are now two locations in Toronto. The name of the restaurant is supposed to resemble the sounds of a rumbling stomach, which is definitely how I recommend you should feel going into Guu. I've actually been here a couple times now, but never actually got around to posting up a review. After multiple visits, I've come to gather a lot of pictures, so hopefully you can bear through this visually long long post!

Peridot Resto Lounge

Review Location:
81 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario
(Major Intersection: Yonge and Bloor)

MENU

Despite what my blog says, my coworkers and I rarely go out for lunch. Even if we do, its usually a quick place. Today however, was a special ocassion so we took the time and went to a fancier place to fill our starving mid-day tummies. Peridot is right by my office in yorkville. I have been here on a couple of occasions. Usually we sit in the dining room, but because of the weather we opted for the rooftop patio.

[Las Vegas] Bamboo Pool

Review Location:
(Inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel)
3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, Nevada

One of  the days while I was in Las Vegas, we spent the entire first half of a day by the pool in the Cosmopolitan Hotel. The Bamboo Pool is a pretty interesting pool, as it's not on the ground floor like most others. It's located on the 14th floor, and is almost like a big balcony. Deep blue swimming pools, palm tress, sunny skies--I wish it didn't have to end!

While at the pool, we bought a cabana which had a minimum spending amount. With this quota we ordered some drinks, and figured we should have lunch while we were at it!

Fran's Restaurant

Location Review:
20 College Street
Toronto Ontario
(Major Intersection: Yonge St. and College St)

MENU

I had never heard of this place before, so I was shock to learn that this location has been around since 1940! With it's broadway-like lit up signs, and their "always open" hours (even on black out holidays!), Fran's might be one of those rare dinners left in Toronto. Seriously, when you first walk in, you feel like you've teleported back a couple decades. The decor looks like it hasn't changed one bit since it opened! I wouldn't have been surprised if there was a coin operated record player somewhere in the back. The servers were also noticably friendlier than a lot of restaurants I've been to. The one that served us was very outgoing, and the way she conversed with us almost made me feel like I was a regular. As tempted as I was to the all day breakfast menu, we opted to order something else for dinner.

[North York] Inakaya

Review Location:
126 Willowdale Avenue
North York, Ontario
(Major Intersection: Sheppard Ave E & Willowdale Ave)





While the name of this restaurant may not be familiar to many people, I've been hearing lots of buzz about it. In fact, now that I've eaten there, I realize how many pictures there are on Facebook of one their most popular rolls (rest assured I ordered this and took some nice pictures of it!).