Homestead on the Roof :: Labour Day Patio Dinner with Matt, Tristina, and Jess

Summer Panzenella ($10)

housemade sourdough, marinated tomatoes, smoked tropea onions, burrata, preserved kale, burnt leek vinaigrette

Suckling Pig Falafel ($12) 

compressed melon, dill yogurt, pickled jalapeno

Sweet Corn Agnolotti ($14)

chantrelles, roasted tomato jam, grilled squash, pecorino

Egyptian Spiced Mussels ($14)

sumac-infused apples, calvados, spiced pita, house baguette

Tamellini Soave, 2013 ($40/bottle)	Pappardelle ($16) beef short rib sugo, smoked green garlic, pickled ramp

Complimentary Desserts

peanut brittle, jelly, salted caramel, and chocolate cake

Photo of their garden!

Sign is outside, to go in you walk in to Roots Pizza and go into the back and up the stairs!

(Sort of speakeasy style but not really)

The rooftop was an amazing environment to enjoy a cute dinner with friends with a great glass of wine and amazing food. Highly recommend to check out this place when the weather is warm!

The only thing that took away from the entire experience was the service. Food service was great, but the hostess/reservations was where we had the problem. We got there at 7pm, expecting to wait. Hostess refused to let us go up to the bar while we waited for the table because they were "way too packed" and that waiting list for the meal was 2 hours - we would be seated by 9pm. She told us to walk around the block for the 2 hours and come back at around 8:50pm to be seated. Was a little skeptical and went on OpenTable while walking out and found a reservation for 7:30pm. Went back to the hostess to tell her we now had a reservation. She simply stated "oh you must have gotten lucky, someone must have just cancelled" and ushered us to walk upstairs. There was literally 4 people in the bar and 4 empty tables upstairs. My friends and I were appalled in how  "packed" it was. The restaurant did get busy at around 8/9pm but it was no excuse to refuse our entry to the upstairs bar at 7pm when the restaurant wasn't that busy. We ended up finishing our dinner at around 9pm. Long story short: make reservations.

Homestead on the Roof

1924 W Chicago Ave

Chicago 60622

773.332.2354

website

Moxies :: Post CFA Exam Celebrations

Tokyo Lemonade ($6.99 Saturday Special)

Calamari ($12)

with popcorn shrimp, crispy jalapenos, candied ginger, sriracha aioli & sweet chili sauce

Mosaic Dip ($13.75)

warm, with quebec goat cheese, mushrooms & fresh tomatoes + tortilla chips

Lobster & Prawn Linguine ($23.75)

grilled lobster & jumbo prawns in a rustic tomato sauce

Full Rack of Slow-Roasted Baby Back Ribs ($25.75)

1.5 lbs fall off the bone tender, served with our stuffed baked potato & seasonal vegetables

Moxie's Grill Bar

159 York Blvd

Richmond Hill, ON

905.764.9500

website

Ferrovia Ristorante :: Family Dinner with the Toms

Warm Mushroom Salad

baby arugula, charred onions, goat cheese, honey truffle balsamic dressing topped with a grilled flat bread

Sautéed Black Tiger Shrimp

in a sambuca sauce with baby arugula salad with shaved parmesan

Full Rack of Herb Crusted New Zealand Lamb

sauté rapini, roasted red peppers, potato gnocchi, pancetta, roast garlic, and a rosemary pan jus

*photo credits to Aaron

Slow Braised Lamb Shank

truffle parmesan mash potatoes, sauté green beans, and red wine lamb jus reduction

*photo credits to Zack

Caprese Salad

caprese, bocconcini, thin sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, shaved onions, cracked black pepper, and tomato sauce

Daily Risotto Special

Warm Banana Bread Pudding

Ferrovia Ristorante

7355 Bayview Ave

Markham, ON L3T5A6

website

Loui's Kouzina :: Greek-ing it Out!

Tzatziki ($5.25)

thick and creamy pressed yogurt blended with fresh cucumber and just the right amount of garlic

The tzatziki is delicious and the portion is generous. It is refreshing, light, yet addicting - beware, consuming this appetizer without caution may lead it become your actual entree. What's amazing that it also tastes great with the souvlaki or the complimentary garlic bread (not pictured - but delicious!) if you have any left when those arrive.

Fried Kalamari ($9.25)

lightly tossed in seasoned flour and fried

Loui's Fried Kalamari is fried - yet is light on the palette. The batter compliments the kalamari and does not weigh it down. Adding the dash of lemon - and this is delicious simple fried kalamari. No need for the bells and whistles, though it tastes great with tzatziki.

Pork Souvlaki & Lamb Souvlaki (Large; $13.95, $14.95)
large plates are served with Greek Salad, tzatziki, and a choice of two the following - fries, rice, roasted potatoes, and mixed vegetables

Both the souvlakis - pork and lamb - were average. Although both souvlakis were moist, they were on the slightly dry side of my personal preference scale. However, for any Greek dish - the star of the entree for myself are in the roasted potatoes - and Loui's Kouzina did not disappoint. Savory and doused in sauce - the potatoes hit the spot. Also my other favourite side, Greek salad, was delicious (as it is very rare that its done horribly wrong), but it could use more feta cheese and dressing.

Loui's Kouzina, although not a terribly small restaurant, is the theoretical "hole-in-the-wall" gem of Greek cuisine in Markham. However, I personally have not seen the restaurant teaming with customers or ever having a wait to be seated - the food is consistently delicious and tastes very authentic "home-kitchen" Greek. Although the simplicity of the food is enhanced by great execution and flavouring - the slow service may be the reason it has not reached its potential. If you are not dining in a rush and enjoy simple, but authentic, Greek food - Loui's Kouzina is right up your alley - and for a decent price.

Loui's Kouzina 

9255 Woodbine Ave 

Markham, ON L6C 1Y9‎