In many ways, I envy the crew’s handler, Tabor, and his ability to get in a good day’s work – without ever having to change out of his pyjamas. It’s one of the perks of a freelance career, especially one that affords a comfy home office and the convenience of interstellar communications.
Happy Easter! Sadly, I couldn’t join my family in Montreal for our annual feast due to my tight production schedule. Happily, I was able to do the next best thing: join someone else’s family for a feast.
And that someone was Dark Matter Consulting Producer Ivon Bartok who kindly invited Akemi and me to a tasty banquet with his mother, sister, several guests, and sticky toffee pudding! Sarah Bartok, Ivon’s sister, was visiting from Montreal where she is the co-host of the city’s most popular radio show (read all about her here: http://www.thebeat925.ca/an/sarah-bartok-1060.html). She was kind enough to bring me back a jar of Au Pied de Cochon Tomato Jam! A taste of home.
My other home.
We kicked things off with two tourtieres (meat pies), one from local Toronto gourmet shop Pusatieri’s, the other from one of my all-time favorite restaurants Au Pied de Cochon. The former was good but the latter was outstanding.
Then, it was on to the main course: perfectly cooked roast lamb chops, mashed and baked potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, roasted parsnips, and brussel sprouts.
And, for dessert: individual sticky toffee puddings, a flourless chocolate cake, and a lemon pie so tart I think I may have sprained a salivary gland eating it. All delicious.
Many thanks to my new adopted family, the Bartoks: mom, brother Ivon, and sister Sarah. I’m moving in this weekend!
Stay tuned! You’ll finally get a sneak peek at Dark Matter this week when SyFy releases our very first teaser trailer. #BecauseWe’reDangerous
David be so pimpin!
I know I generally just lurk, but I am excited to see the teaser! I love seeing all the pre-production stuff too, but it will be nice to see that it’s not just an elaborate hoax!
Wow – food looks and sounds delish! I think this might be the first feast you’ve posted that I would eat in its entirety. Did I spell that right? I’m tired. I’ve been very busy lately, and when I do get a chance to sit down at the ‘puter I mostly just play solitaire. Some posting on FB, but mostly…solitaire. I’m not very social lately…not sure why. Well…here… I think it’s because I’m eager to see Dark Matter but I don’t want too many spoilers (and by spoilers I mean everything from sets to actors’ attire). I want it all to be fresh and exciting when it finally airs. And I want surprises. Some of those surprises have already been spoiled, so I’m being a bit cautious when I read the blog.
And I am really, really tired…so before I get rambling I’m just gonna shut up and call it a night. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….
das
Surprise, surprise, I had lamb shanks for Easter lunch. I discovered lamb is not my favorite.
Remember how I said I was tired and was going to go to bed? Remember? Well, I made the mistake of checking e-mail before turning in, found out that my neighbor (whose house I maintain for her while she’s away) is coming home tomorrow, and I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to thoroughly clean it since it was last occupied, about 3 weeks ago. Laundry was done, and the kitchen clean, but I had to do the bathrooms (3!) and touch up a few things. So, at the godawful hour of 1 am I trudged over there and started scrubbing toilets. What fun for me. 😛 I had my glasses on, which basically means I’m blind (I can see much better with contacts, esp. in low light), so I’ll have to go back in the morning to check everything over because I know I missed stuff. And now I’m WIDE awake!
Anyone else need a toilet cleaned? 😛
das
ROFLMAO … inviting you as a guest is really a challenge knowing you are going to post all the food pictures! Looks fantastic. Happy Easter.
Looks like a fine spread of food!
I went to the Mother in Law’s for Easter lunch. Roast chicken with all the trimmings. I made a chocolate meringue pie (think lemon meringue pie but with chocolate pastry, chocolate filling and chocolate meringue on top) for dessert. It was my first time making it and it was OK but I felt the filling set a bit too hard. I would probably try for a wobblier custard type filling next time.
I have a couple of tubs of cream left over that need to be used so I suspect I’ll have to make some ice cream today. I’m thinking white chocolate and vanilla!
And I’m going to try smoking some chicken breasts for dinner. I’ve never smoked anything before so it could be a disaster!
I actually have listened to Sarah’s radio show over the Internet. She’s very entertaining.
Food looks incredible as always. They are a lovely family and how handsome does Ivon look? Just missing a photo of yourself and Akemi.
OK so how are everyone’s brackets? I got up early yesterday morning to watch Duke impressively win to reach the Championship game. Unfortunately I have to work tomorrow so I won’t be able to watch it live.
Hope everyone had a lovely Easter. I caught up with family and friends and got some personal training in.
Early start tomorrow so I better get myself organised.
Cheers, Chev
*poke-poke-pokity-POKE!*
Joey must be sleeping in today…
das
That was so nice of Ivon and his family. The food looks so yummy too! I hope your mom wasn’t too upset.
Lovely feast, I am drooling. I spent a lot of Easter Day in bed; just felt crappy overall. Hubby made smothered tamales for us, and the neighbor sent over grilled steak (very thin), and chicken, and a bacon bean dish, and rice, and salsa verde. All homemade and very fresh. She is a terrific cook and they have family cookouts often, and always share.
Great food pictures Joe, it almost looks like an art the way they’re laid out.
Very belated Happy Easter. If you were to put a wig on Ivon that looked like his sister’s hair, you might think they are twins. I was wondering if she was still a radio host, so I guess that answers my question.