Schnitzel HUB on Yonge

Can you name a few popular Eastern European dishes? I can. Schnitzel, beef goulash, bratwurst, cabbage rolls, perogies, blinis, beef stroganoff, borscht and vodka (yes I said vodka) It's certainly not an impressive list, especially coming from a self-proclaimed "foodie" but what's even worse is that I've had very little experience eating any of those dishes. I think unless your family is from Eastern Europe, it's safe to say that most Torontonians have very little exposure to Eastern European cuisine in general. Aside from the perogi, where we have a handful of popular downtown restaurants (i.e. The Saint tavern and Richmond Station) serving their take on the Polish dumpling, it's not an easy feat to find traditional or modern twists on Eastern European classics. So, does that mean we have to make a trip to Australia, Hungry or the Czech Republic for some wiener schnitzel? Nope. All you gotta do is venture north of Bloor to Yonge and St. Clair. You can do it, guys.

Aside from my meal at Hungarian restaurant Country Style on Bloor Street more than three years ago, Schnitzel HUB (Facebook: Schnitzel HUB, Twitter: @Schnitzel_HUB) is most likely the only Eastern European restaurant I've been to since then. I know, it's sad but did you know, my Country Style post is the third most popular post of all time on my blog? Amazing.

With its first location in Thornhill, owners Yan and Rita Khalfon opened their second Schnitzel HUB at 1415 Yonge Street in November of last year. I visited the new midtown bistro during the Christmas holidays.

Café Boulud Dinner Series with Tyler Shedden and Carl Heinrich

For Café Boulud's third Guest Chef dinner in its #CBDinnerSeries, chef Tyler Shedden (@tylershedden) teamed up with chef Carl Heinrich (@chefheinrich) of Richmond Station (@richmondstn). Together the two chefs presented a six-course Vancouver island inspired dinner.

(Photo by @cafebouludto)

Each course was paired with Café Boulud's Wine Director Drew Walker's selections.

Below is a recap of the collaboration dinner. Can you guess which chef prepared which course?

CHARCUTERIE

Duck Liver Pate, Strawberry-Rhubarb Chutney, Pain Perdu

Capicolla

Veal Piedmontaise Salami

Pate en Croute, Sweetbreads & Morels

Saucisson Sec au Patis

Foie Gras Terrine, Huckleberries

Blue Moountain Brut NV, Okanagan

CHAR-GRILLED SPOT PRAWNS

Liquorice Root, Nori Cracker, Porcini Mushroom, Dashi

Momo Kawa Junmai Ginjo, Oregon

Habits Gastropub: Upscale Pub Fare in Little Portugal

Gastropub. Have you ever wondered what the term means? Or where it comes from? It should be somewhat obvious that "gastropub" is derived from the words "gastronomy" and "pub". Digging deeper (which just means googling and clicking on Wikipedia on my part) the word "gastropub" actually originated in the UK in the late 20th century. Traditionally British pubs were merely drinking establishments with little emphasis placed on serving food. If pubs served meals they were usually basic cold dishes such as a ploughman's lunch (i.e. cheese, chutney and bread). The term "gastropub" was coined in 1991 when David Eyre and Mike Belben took over The Eagle pub in Clerkenwell, London, where the duo specialized in serving high-quality food. From then on the concept of a restaurant in a pub reinvigorated both pub culture and British dining. 

When Michelle Genttner and Luis Martins opened Habits Gastropub (Twitter: @HabitsGastropub, Facebook: Habits Gastropub) in the summer of 2012, their vision was to provide the 'next step' in pub-going in the city. With a weekly changing menu that focuses on using the freshest ingredients and as much local as possible, Habits Gastropub elevates 'comfort food' by taking the things you know and love and giving it a little extra; a "sophisticated" update, so to speak.

Partners in both business and in life, Genttner manages the front of house while Martins has adopted the role of head chef at this cozy neighourhood gastropub.

Habits features Ontario craft beers on tap and strives to maintain a local focus by constantly adding VQA wines to their list. Their cocktails also feature house-infused liquors. Fun fact: Habits houses the third largest collection of whiskey at any bar in the city (which explains its elaborate bar).

Azure Restaurant & Bar (2013 Winterlicious)

What? Where did the time go? It seemed like just yesterday that I had my Summerlicious dinner at Azure Restaurant & Bar. Is it just me or do you also believe that the rate at which time passes becomes faster as one ages? It's really the only logical explanation! However, this theory seems to be flawed 'cause when I look back at my Summerlicious post it feels so long ago - summer itself seems so bloody long ago. It was July at the time and it was still bright out at 7pm...and get this guys: it was actually hot outside. HOT. OUTSIDE. Do you even remember how that feels like? Because with the ice storm, the polar vortex and all this damn snow I kid you not but I'm forgetting how it feels like to sweat.

*I apologize for the rant. I just came back from shoveling the driveway*

Meh, I guess what I really want to say is this: It's Winterlicious time again (Twitter: @LiciousTO, Facebook: LiciousTO)! From January 31 to February 13, foodies can explore and enjoy 3-course prix-fixe meals at over 200 restaurants in the city. It's a great opportunity to discover diverse cuisine in a variety of local restaurants (especially if you're on a budget!) A side note: It seems like Interac has replaced American Express as the official sponsor of Licious which means advance booking for AE card holders will no longer be available.

Anyhoo thanks to InterContinental Toronto Centre (Twitter: @ICTorontoCentre, Facebook: InterContinental Toronto Centre) I was once again invited to have dinner at Azure (#winterliciousatazure). If you're looking for photos of the restaurant please visit my Summerlicious post because I only took one photo this time...and it's this one:

Do you see a face? So cute, right?! This was the actual view from my seat; I couldn't help looking at "the face" from time to time and then catch myself smiling! Oh such simple pleasures (I'm such a dork).

One of the best things at Azure is their bread basket! I want it all but MUST RESIST.

For Winterlicious, Azure is featuring a 3-course lunch at $25 and a 3-course dinner at $45 (you can view their Winterlicious menu here). Their 3-course dinner for two people looks something like this:

APPETIZER

MAPLE WHISKY CURED ORGANIC SALMON

Mint yogurt, candied pecans, Ontario beets, crostini

If I wasn't made aware that the salmon was cured with maple whisky I wouldn't have picked up on the subtle flavour. I liked the mint yogurt in this dish; the fresh, peppermint flavour of the mint and the sourness of the yogurt worked really well with the salmon and beets. 

Destingo: Casual Italian on Queen West

Opened six months ago in July, Destingo currently occupies the former Pavillion space on 741 Queen St. W. (FYI the furniture store has now been relocated to 42 Gladstone Ave). Open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, this new Italian eatery means business! For breakfast expect to find homemade muffins, eggs, bacon, pancakes, omelettes, eggs benny, etc. whereas for lunch and dinner the menu turns casual Italian with salads, pastas, pizzas and meat and seafood mains. 

The shades of grey, deep brown, rustic green and the overall decor at Destingo (Twitter: @destingoTO, Facebook: Destingo) reminds me of an Italian villa 

I like Destingo's large and roomy bar but definitely not a fan of those flatscreens.

East End Dinner Club

The East End Dinner Club is a new Dinner Club created for the purpose of showcasing and supporting the vibrant dining community in Toronto's East End. Spawned partially from Globe and Mail's food critic Chris Nuttall-Smith's negative perception on restaurants in the east end / Leslieville (i.e. from CNS: "It was excellent for Leslieville. But for the rest of the city, just good, and only by a thread" , the East End Dinner Club strives to serve their neighbourhood by bringing to light their many memorable destinations and local talents. 

Consisting of a collaborative group of restaurants, business owners and chefs, the East End Dinner Club (@EastEndDinners) hosted its inaugural "East SideTill We Die" dinner on Monday, April 29th at Skin + Bones (@skinandbonesTO). For $100 per person, guests were treated to a six course dinner prepared by six different chefs alongside wine / cocktail pairings.

The evening's wines were all generously donated by Profile Wine Group, The Vine - Robert Groh Agency, and Norman Hardie.

Mark Bolduc from The Vine.

 All proceeds raised at the dinner supports FoodShare's School Grown Project and Field to Table Schools to bring vegetable gardens to two local schools and employ high school students in agricultural jobs. 

Justin Nadeau and Kate German from FoodShare (@FoodShareTO).

Chefs getting ready (L to R):

Jesse Chingcuangco - Skin and Bones (@skinandbonesTO)

Sean Simons - Goods and Provisions (@GoodsandProvis) / The Comrade (@ComradeToronto)

Dan Patano - Glas (@glaswinebar)

John Sinopoli - Table 17 (@table17) / Ascari Enoteca (@AscariEnoteca)

Deron Engbers - The Curzon (@TheCurzon) / Timeless Food (@timelessfoodto)

Edulis Restaurant

After taking over Niagara Street Cafe's space in the spring of 2012, husband and wife team Michael Caballo and Tobey Nemeth opened Edulis (Twitter: @EdulisToronto, Facebook: Edulis Restaurant). The name Edulis, which means edible and also porcini mushrooms in Latin ("boletus edulis"), pays tribute to chef / owner Michael Caballo's passion for wild foods, mushroom foraging, and influences from his Spanish heritage. With years of experience under his belt in kitchens all over Canada and Europe, him and his wife Tobey Nemeth's (formerly the chef de cuisine at Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar) goal for Edulis, according to their website, is to "combine the warmth and approachability of a classic European bistro with our passion for the forests and farms of southern Ontario" while providing guests "the pleasure of enjoying a gathering around the table to share authentic dishes and to be greeted like a friend; conviviality, feasting, celebrating the craft and tradition of cooking, honesty, and spectacular ingredients".

Within a year's time, chef Caballo's French and Spanish influenced cooking, combined with the restaurant's vision and philosophy, has won the hearts of many; Edulis was named the #1 Best New Restaurant in Canada for 2012 from EnRoute Magazine, as well as being listed as one of Canada's 50 Best Restaurants from Macleans Magazine. 

My friends and I went to Edulis two Fridays ago. We opted for the $50 Carte Blanche menu. We also added a couple of truffle dishes along the way as well as a cheese board at the end.

RED FIFE BOULE

LIGHTLY SMOKED HERRING "A L'HUILE"

Served with dijon potatoes

Café Boulud's Tasting Menu

Located at the new Four Seasons (@FSToronto) on 60 Yorkville Ave., chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud opened Café Boulud in the prestigious hotel early October of this year. With Café Boulud restaurants in both New York and Palm Beach, Daniel Boulud's third restaurant of the same name is his first Toronto venture. In case you are not aware, Daniel Boulud has seven other restaurants in New York other than Café Boulud, including DANIEL, a three Michelin star restaurant, as well as restaurants in Miami, London, Beijing and Singapore.

I went with three friends for dinner at Café Boulud (@CafeBouludTO) several weeks ago. Because the four of us are pretty much on the same page when it comes to what we like to eat, where we like to eat, and most importantly, how we like to eat, we all agreed that having Café Boulud's tasting menu with wine pairing was the way to go. In case you didn't know already, I absolutely adore tasting menus because I usually want to try everything.

Café Boulud is on the second floor at the Four Seasons above dbar, a bar and lounge which offers a more casual food menu (also part of the Boulud empire). Café Boulud has a very open, loft-like feel with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlooks Yorkville Avenue and Bay Street.

Everything we had in our tasting menu that night can be found in Café Boulud's prix-fixe menu. Their menu is divided into four sections or "culinary muses": La Tradition (traditional French cuisine), Le Saison (seasonal delicacies), Le Potager (the vegetable garden) and Le Voyage (flavours of world cuisine). 

Without further ado, lets start with the bread basket. Café Boulud's bread basket is probably one of the most addictive bread basket I've ever had. Actually, no, let me rephrase that...it is probably the most addictive bread basket with the most addictive BUTTER I've ever had. A bit embarrassed to admit this but I think we went through three bread baskets that night (one of my friends actually continued to have bread after finishing his main course haha).

Country Style Hungarian Restaurant

When my friend Richard told me he wanted to have dinner at Country Style, I thought he wanted coffee and donuts for dinner. For real? Little did I know, Country Style is a Hungarian restaurant on Bloor Street West in the Annex. Once I found out that this particular Country Style does not serve donuts but rather Hungarian cuisine, I was really excited since I have never had Hungarian food before (maybe I have come across it in one way or another but for sure not in a Hungarian restaurant). Before we went, Richard also told me about the "meat platter" there. That got me very intrigued.


Country Style has a diner style decor with red and white checkered tablecloth, vinyl chairs, and wood paneling. Nothing fancy for sure but still very comfortable.

I usually don't post such big pictures of menus but since Country Style doesn't have a website, here it is.

The 5 of us - Richard, Robin, Mack, Diana and I - slowly nibbled on the bread as we chatted.

Cherry Soup ($4.75) - This was not on the menu but somehow Richard knew to order this =) The soup was served slightly chilled but not cold. Very refreshing for a hot summer's day. 

Breaded Cheese ($9.95)

Lucien

Voted as One of Canada's Top Ten Best New Restaurant in 2008 by enRoute magazine and the Best New Restaurant in 2008 by Toronto Life Magazine, Lucien is quite impressive on paper. Although it has been almost three and a half years since then and a lot of things can change during this time, Lucien remained on my list of places to try in the city because I wanted to see what the hype was about...back in 2008. I say it this way because I'm not sure if it's just me but I feel like Lucien has fallen off the grid somewhat. I never hear anybody talk about Lucien anymore...like ever. People know it's still there but the restaurant itself is just so...quiet.


Lucien was certainly really quiet, literally, when my boyfriend and I went about a month ago on a Saturday night around 6:30pm. Given, Buskerfest was going on right outside the restaurant so I'm sure that detered some diners as a lot of the streets were closed off. There were only 2-3 tables when we arrived.

The restaurant is long with the bar taking up most of the space on the right with seating on the left and the kitchen at the back. The large mirror at the bar tries to open up the narrow space. The dark brown wooden floor, bar stools, chairs and tables, with deep dark red curtains and black screen was just all a bit too gloomy for me (I tend to like cozy places). I don't like wooden floors at a restaurant either but that's just me.

The pretty chandeliers gave the room a bit more warmth.

Lucien has a tasting menu but it was a bit too pricey for us, especially because we weren't there for a special occasion.

Brioche and bread sticks. I like the variety.

APPETIZER

Bincho Grilled Octopus - fingerling potato, house-made chroizo, pimento, arugula, olive ($17) - I thought it was really unique and pretty with the octopus sliced so thinly at the bottom as I've never seen octopus presented this way before. The overall dish is very light in terms of flavours, if anything the only really savoury thing on the dish was the chorizo but it was still good since I could really taste the actual octopus.

See how Chef Scot Woods of Lucien prepares this appetizer. 

Calphalon: Couples Cooking Italian

One of my Christmas presents from my boyfriend last year was a couples cooking class at Calphalon. I thought it was so thoughtful! With my love for food and cooking, and being able to cook with my boyfriend and learning new recipes together, it was the perfect present. I've heard good things about the classes at Calphalon even before getting this present so I knew the class would be so much fun. Thanks again babe for such a wonderful present =) 


(note: I suggested to my boyfriend recently that we should do one of these cooking classes at least once every year from now on ^_^).


The classroom. We were the first couple to arrive. The guy there is probably bbm'ing his wife.

We chose a station in the front row (there were rows in total).

The classroom assistant, Sasha, gave us two bowls of pasta while we wait for the class to start.