S A M S H I M I: Toronto

Showing posts with label Toronto. Show all posts

Saturday, 27 August 2016

Fugo :: Cookie Monster Ice Cream!

Bar Bucca :: Back Home Lunch!

Sunday, 28 February 2016

Neo Coffee Bar :: Waiting for Departure

Kyoto Matcha Latte (~$6 with tax)

I've been meaning to visit NEO COFFEE BAR for quite some time and finally had a chance to do so when I was downtown exceptionally early for my flight back to Chicago. While my visit was a very quick detour to the airport, I did enjoy my time there and would definitely return. I absolutely adore matcha green tea lattes and it's no secret that it's my staple order for Starbucks (ask my fellow team mates at my office!). However, NEO COFFEE BAR does matcha lattes traditionally. It's not some sweetened powder that's prepackaged and mixed such that one or two scoops added to steamed milk and it's good (like Starbucks) but the baristas here take their time to make a quality matcha latte by properly whisking the Kyoto matcha powder with the bamboo matcha whisk and slowly steaming the milk to the correct temperature. The Kyoto Matcha Latte was very smooth and didn't have any matcha powder clumps. I look forward in returning to try it again, along with the cafe's assortment of sandwiches and Japanese inspired desserts.

NEO COFFEE BAR

Unit 100-161 Frederick Street

Toronto ON M5A 4P3

647.348.8811

website

Friday, 26 February 2016

The Lockhart :: Harry Potter Themed GNO

Tea For Two ($26)

5 oz peach vodka – lime juice, agave, tonic, lime garnish/peach bitter

(raspberry, chamomile or black tea base)

Ludo’s Debt ($9)

lemon infused Gin, lillet blanc (aperitif), aperol, lemon twist (3 oz)

The Captain Picard ($9)

earl grey infused (bombay) gin, agave, lime, tonic (2 oz)

Befuddlement Draft ($32)

gin, vodka, peach schnapps, blue curacao, cherry brandy, triple sec, ginger-ale (8 oz)

The Lockhart

1479 Dundas St West

Toronto, ON M6J 1Y8

647.748.4434

website

Jamie's Italian Yorkdale :: GNO Dinner with Tiffany, Taylor, and Nina

Jamie's Mojito ($9.95)

bacardi superior rum, martini bianco, fresh mint, lime & sugar, topped with prosecco (2.5oz)

Ginger Mojito ($4.95)

mint leaves, lime, sugar syrup & ginger beer

Cured Meats ($11.95/person)

fennel salami, pistachio mortadella, prosciutto & schiacciata piccante served with mini buffalo mozzarella, pecorino & chilli jam, a selection of pickles, olives & crunchy slaw

Prosciutto & Pear Salad ($14.95)

with pecorino, honey, arugula, herbs & toasted pine nuts

Arancini Margherita ($8.50)

stuffed risotto rice balls with pickled piri piri chillies, mozzarella, spicy arrabbiata sauce & parmigiano reggiano

Fresh Crab Spaghetti ($19.95)

with garlic, capers, chilli, fennel, parsley, anchovies, lemon & olive oil

Proscuitto & Arugula ($18.95)

sicilian tomato base, San Daniele prosciutto, arugula & Parmigiano Reggiano

Amalfi Lemon Meringue Cheesecake ($9.25)

velvety mascarpone & lemon cheesecake topped with Italian meringue, served with lemon curd & seasonal fruit compote

Jamie's Italian

Yorkdale Shopping Centre

3401 Dufferin Street, off Allen Road, near 401 Entrance through north parking lot

416.23.7450

website

Sunday, 25 May 2014

Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill :: Distillery District with Memie and Gordon

Golden Yukon Fries ($8)

Shucker's Dozen ($36)

Pure Spirits Oyster House & Grill

17 Tank House Lane

Toronto, ON M5A 3C4

website

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Event Alert :: Winterlicious Menus are Posted!

Hello!

To all my fellow Toronto foodies, I would like to remind you that Winterlicious will be coming up in the new year (can't believe that there's only 16 days left in 2013!).

Winterlicious 2014 is taking place from January 31st to February 13th. Reservations will start on January 16th, 2014. I am hoping to check out a few restaurants such as Bent, ONE, Wish, Bloke & 4th, Grace and a few others.

For those who are not familiar with Winterlicious and are living or visiting Toronto between January 31st - February 13th, it is a Toronto-wide event where some of Toronto's top restaurants offer a three-course prix fixe menu for either lunch or dinner. This provides an opportunity for foodies, especially students like myself, try restaurants that they are interested in at a more affordable price. This event happens twice a year as Summerlicious & Winterlicious!

In the past I have tried the following participating restaurants (not necessarily during Summer/Winterlicious) and included a brief review of each. Restaurants which I have reviewed or have photos for have been linked:

Annona Restaurant - Great! Savoury & consistently well done. Highly Recommended
Auberge du Pommier - Always a hit and popular. Great French cuisine. Highly Recommended
Biff's Bistro - Great oysters & has an unique menu item - horse meat! Recommended
Big Daddy's Bourbon Street Bistro & Oyster Bar - Great Happy Hour Specials & good price! Recommended
Bodega - Nice decor. Average food.
Bymark - Lovely decor & was the set of Suits. Loved the lobster poutine! Great food! Highly Recommended
Ciao Wine Bar - Generous portions & great food! Loved the lobster pasta. Highly Recommended
Coppi Ristorante - Quite tasty food & been multiple times - though I've gotten sick after eating here during Summerlicious and have yet returned.
Creme Brasserie - Tried it during the Groupon special. Lovely French cuisine!
Drake Hotel - Great food though small portions. There's a cute photobooth too!
Fred's Not Here - Winterlicious menu was average.
HUSH - Great restaurant - amazing portions, wide range of comfort foods, & offers make-your-own-s'mores right at your table complete with a fireplace (went during regular time). Highly Recommend
Jump - Great restaurant - but not during the Summerlicious rush.
La Societe - Quite pricey on a daily basis, great beef tartare! Recommended
Luma - Went here for Valentine's Day. Fish was heavenly. Oysters were amazing. Highly Recommended!
Matahari Bar & Grill - Good Food. Coworkers enjoyed it. I didn't care for it as much.
Momofuku Daisho - Went opening week. Didn't enjoy it. Nothing stood out - average. Overpriced alcoholic drinks. Went again for the second time this year - still quite average. Portions are on smaller side.
MoRoCo Chocolat - Favourite brunch, high tea, & dessert place. Great macarons! Highly Recommended!
Moxie's Grill & Bar - Good franchise! Good restaurant to try.
North 44 - Amazing food. Highly Recommended!
Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill - Standard O&B Quality. Highly Recommended!
Pangaea - Love love love their dessert. Highly Recommended!
Ruth's Chris Steak House - Great steak house! Uses a lot of butter.
Sassafraz - Consistent restaurant & great location. Recommended
Southern Accent - Amazing and delicious food. Super flavourful and fun environment. Highly recommended!
Smith - Poor selection of food, smaller portions (upside not too expensive), and terrible service. Not Recommended.
Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill - Amazing oysters & dessert! Highly Recommended!
The Fifth Grill and Terrace - Amazing meal & lovely decor! Went for Winterlicious! Fun night club too (met my best Australian friends there)! Highly Recommended!
Tundra - Went a long long long long long time ago. Recommend it but I don't really remember distinct details other than I left happy.
Wildfire Steakhouse & Wine Bar - Amazing seafood (especially lobster tails) and steak! Highly Highly Recommended!
Windsor Arms Hotel - I've always gone for their breakfast/brunch buffets - delicious food.

Click here to see a list of all participating restaurants and for more information

Bon Appétit!
-- samshimi xx

PS: Windsor Arms Hotel and Ruelo is having a Groupon for afternoon tea for a limited time! Click here (WAH) or here (R) to view and much appreciated if you use my referral link here to purchase them (though not necessary).