My Bday @ Canoe

Canoe has been somewhat immortalized on the Toronto restaurant scene over the last number of years. Its reputation precedes itself, high expectations abound and rave reviews to set the bar continually higher. Yes, it can be said that there is a price to pay for this reputation, the view from the 54th floor of the TD Centre and a history of consistently standing out in the crowd.

Let there be no doubt, this place is a well oiled machine with a menu that is not only creative, but masterfully executed and delivered. True to its "Canadiana" roots, locally sourced ingredients take centre stage and flavour combinations and presentation are of extremely high standards. Service can be a little rushed and somewhat robotic, but LA always has a way of slowing things down subtly and allowing an experience like this to be enjoyed.

The tasting menu is artful in itself and the culinary team led by Anthony Welsh and John Horne certainly have no issues drawing inspiration from what this country has to offer. The Amuse Bouse tonight was a buttery delicious corn custard, dusted with black salt and accompanied by popcorn. What a delightful and playful way to get the tastebuds opened and the juices flowing!

The Raviolo was certainly one of the stars of this menu, extremely delicate and flawlessly executed. The organic egg yolk surrounded with bechamel and sealed and perfectly cooked pasta along with a taste of Spring Creek beef cheek was to die for. The tea smoked duck breast was also very nicely put together with wheatberries, foie gras and morels. The strawberry consomme that held the ginger panna cotta was exceptional. One of the most delightful things I have sipped on in some time. The complete tasting menu with wines is listed below.

Tonight was a very special night for me, a birthday dinner suggested and celebrated with LA, who would rather be on a patio somewhere, but sucks it up and goes along with my epicurean desires. It's amazing to be in a great space in your life as I am now, to be able to enjoy what your are passionate about and appreciate the moment. That is what I am so appreciative of.

TASTE CANOE
Amuse Bouche
Huf f Es ta t e s Blanc de Bl anc s
Pr inc e Edwa rd Count y Onta r i o VQA 2006

Iced Gre en Tomato Soup
Yarmouth Lobs t er , Ingersoll Ricotta & Bas i l .
Fi elding Es ta t e Wine r y Roc k Pi l e Pinot Gr i s
Lincoln Lake shore Onta r io VQA 2009

Schul tz Farm Organic Yolk Raviolo
Simmer ed Spr ing Creek Be ef
Spr ing Fava Beans & Aspa ragus
St r a tus Ma lbe c
Ni aga r a -On-The -La k e Onta r i o VQA 2007
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Int erme z zo
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Tea Smoked La Ferme Duc k Br eas t
Foie Gr as , Toas t ed Wheatber r i es
Rapini & More l s
Twent y Twent y Se v en Ce l l a r s Que ens ton Road Vine y a rd Pinot No i r

or

Organic Ocean Pa ci f ic Hal ibut
Spr ing Squash, Brus sel s Sprout s
. Norman Ha rdi e Count y Cha rd onna y
Pr inc e Edwa rd Count y Onta r i o VQA 2008

Wi ld Ginger Panna Cot ta
Bar r i e Hi l l Farms Strawbe r r ies
Pi stachio Cooki e
Ma l i voi r e Gewur z t r amine r I c ewine
Be ams v i l l e Bench Onta r io VQA 2008

Rawlicious

The night after our outrageously carnivorous feast at The Stockyards, tonight we ventured to the other extreme to Rawlicious, http://www.rawlicious.ca. Rawlicious is a totally raw, vegan cafe. LA has been a regular of late it seems and loves the casual atmosphere, especially dining in the back yard patio area.Joined by Monika and Michael for a much belated birthday celebration for them, we headed to this funky spot in the Junction, a part of town which has seen a lot of positive change in the last few years and this place fits in nicely as part of this rejuvenation. Even though is was a stifling hot night in the city, we decided to dine al fresco on the patio.

To prepare food in this fashion requires a lot of effort, but the result here is both masterful and delicious.There is no wheat, no meat,no dairy or refined sugar in anything they serve. Nothing is cooked above 118F, so you get all of the finest enzymes, vitamins and minerals in their naturally delicious state. We enjoyed drinks of lemonade, ginger lemonade, a Lean Green juice(spinach, kale, celery and cucumber) and chocolate milkshake made with nutmilk. We started with appetizers of Nori rolls, Spring rolls and a Natcho platter. Next, LA and Monika each had a rawitch, which has loads of sprouts, veggies and guacamole on Onion bread. Michael and I ordered the Taco salad. It was extremely fresh and the usual mystery greasy meat mixture was replaced with a spicy nut mixture that was very very tasty and texturally similar.

Desserts were especially interesting, strawberry cheesecake, pecan pie and chocolate brownie. the cheesecake was the favorite, made cheese like by whipping cashews,coconut milk and flesh with strawberries. Very yummy.

It was a very relaxing and delicious meal in a wonderful setting. I can't wait to go back for the zuchetti pasta!

My new blog

ep·i·cu·re·an
adj.
1. Devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasure, especially to the enjoyment of good food and comfort.
2. Suited to the tastes of an epicure: an epicurean repast.
3. Epicurean Of or relating to Epicurus or Epicureanism.

After our recent vacation to the south of France and the fun I had with the blog "Red Bay goes to France", I have decided with much encouragement from LA, many friends and family to create a new blog to share my ongoing passion of food and beverages. I would certainly encourage and welcome any comments, feedback or suggestions.

Enjoy and Bon appetite!

Summer in the City

Friday evening at The Drake Hotel, http://thedrakehotel.ca/

Drinks on the patio, Sashimi salad, Heart shape sushi rolls. on a hot Friday night in the city, it just doesn't get any better. Well, it did, because after the Drake, we went to The Big Chill on Manning Ave. for killer ice cream cones, I had Pistachio Kulfi and LA had the Peanut butter and Chocolate, yum. The best I have had in Toronto (sorry Greg's)

The Jamieson's come for dinner on Saturday night. We had a blast. After a Saturday morning trip to Kensington market and The Spice Trader, http://thespicetrader.ca/ we enjoyed a "Tapas " style dinner:

- Sashimi of tuna, butterfish and salmon

- Buffalo Mozzarella Salad with red and yellow cherry tomatoes, basil, EVOO and creme de Balsalmic(that I bought recently in San Remo, Italy)

-Thai Spiced Scallops with Apricot Mango Salsa (I created this on the fly, see recipe below...it would go great with any fish as well!!)

- Greek Chicken skewers with tzatziki

- Teriyaki Beef skewers

- Cheese Plate

- Fruit cheesecake (thanks Jos and Dave)

Apricot Mango Salsa (makes approx. 1 cup)

3-4 small ripe Apricots, finely chopped

1/2 cup mango

1 tablespoons jalepeno pepper, finely chopped

1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped

1 small shallot, finely chopped

juice of one lime

fresh cilantro, finely chopped to taste

Sunday night at The Stockyards, http://thestockyeards.ca/

Wow! is all I can say about our dinner tonight at The Stockyards(check out the last pic above). After watching the Wimbledon final(way to go Rafa!) and an afternoon of shopping, we were hungry and LA was in the mood for meat(unfortunetly, I wasn't on the menu). After a quick surf, LA suggested this place, and I immediatly jumped on it after remembering a very positive review from Toronto Life.This BBQ Diner is the real deal all the way. We stolled in and took a seat at the counter across from the open kitchen. It was hot and the boys were working hard serving up mostly take out orders of smashed burgers, fried chicken, brisket, pulled pork and even a killer house smoked trout sandwich wrapped in pancetta. But a few nights a week, and Sunday is one of them, ribs are available from 5 p.m. and we were in business. LA and I shared a rack, fries, onion rings and coleslaw. The food was absolutely excellent and definetly the best BBQ in the GTA hands down.

Check them out and enjoy this place. The Sunday brunch menu looks especially inviting as well.