Hey, who is that throwing another shrimp on the barbie? Why, it's former Dark Matter line producer Norman Denver, host of the (soon to be) Annual Norman Denver Invitational Barbecue and Booze Fest. On the menu today: shrimp, steak, sausages, Chicken Adobo, corn, broccolini, assorted Italian pastries, and an 18-year-old scotch I didn't get around…
Very saddened to hear of Anthony Bourdain's passing. While I've never considered myself a "fan" of celebrities, he was one of the few Akemi and I genuinely loved for his honesty, cutting sense of humor, and the obvious empathy he had for others. Anthony always had a way with words. These are my favorite Anthony…
Sure, I enjoy Iberico pork and shaved Alba truffles on risotto as much as the next guy, but sometimes you want to take a break from the wagyu and o-toro and just enjoy the simpler things in life. Like Nutella. Or cabeza tacos. Or, as was the case over recent days, some fried chicken. I've…
Look, as a foodie, I'm the last person who is going to criticize someone's menu selections. If you want to shell out an extra $50 to top your scallops with Osetra caviar or spend $150 to finish that risotto with white truffle shavings, why not? Who am I to say anything? On my first trip…
P.S. I went back for the Candy Bar. They were already sold out. 🙁
Quick, get in! Next stop = Slumber Land! Hey, if you're thinking of making our dogs new outfits, Akemi offers up the following doggy measurements. I think she does a fairly good job of capturing Suji's trademark wide-eyed wonder, and Lulu's general furtiveness. Who feels like kaka for dinner? Pardon me? Happened across this sign…
While I may not be as busy as I was while Dark Matter was in production, I find myself surprisingly busy for someone without a show to run. Most of my days are spent reading comic books and reviewing anime...for work! In addition, I've got a little over a half dozen "things" percolating, from being…
"He ordered the souvlaki with hot sauce,"my friend informed me. "His nose bled all night!" "All night?" I was dubious. "All night!"she insisted. I suppose it was intended as a cautionary tale but the first thought that entered my mind was: "I've got to try that hot sauce." I've always been a fan of spicy.…
Now that I'm back home, it's time to hit up all of my favorite places and check in on many of my old friends. Like Marginni at Jack who gave me a new summer do, Hodie at Xoxolat who helped me stock up on Ecuador dark chocolate bars, and Darlene and co. at The Book Warehouse and…
When I head back to Vancouver in a couple of weeks, these are the Toronto treats I will miss most... The sushi omakase at Yasu Sushibar. The tacos at Campechano. The corn soup and veggie wrap combo at Ravi Soups. Scallops conserva in Galician sauce at Bar Raval. The grilled whole octopus at Bar Isabel.…
It was an even better turnout for Part 2 of our Toronto Dessert Tour that saw thirteen of us hit five different sweet, sweet spots... STOP #1 MOMOFUKU MILK BAR: cereal ice cream, cookies, crack pie. 190 University Avenue - noodlebar-toronto.momofuku.com Sampling: cereal soft serve, crack pie soft serve, crack pie, corn cookies, compost cookies, double…
Mission Objective: Hit five of Toronto's best dessert spots over the course of an afternoon. STOP #1 SUD FORNO: Italian pastries. Seven stalwart eaters joined me on this dessert op. Mean Jean Brophey starts things off with a double espresso. She would need the caffeine boost. On deck: Mini rhum babas, mini chocolate rhum babas,…
Today, the whole family headed over to Off Leash Studio where photographer Kevin Sarasom spent the better part of an hour snapping singles and group shots of our muttly crew. Lulu and Suji were naturals, sitting pretty, preening, and occasionally mugging for the camera while Bubba required a little more work to bring out his natural derpishness.…
Those I remembered to photograph anyway... Banh Mi Boys: Crispy squid taco, fried chicken bao, pork belly bao, and tofu taco. Le Gourmand: Chocolate chip cookie. Yasu Sushi Bar: Katsuo nigiri Yasu Sushi Bar: Tuna trio (otoro, chutoro, akami) La Banane: Liver & Onions (chicken liver mousse, cippiloini onions, hen of the woods mushrooms). La…
My third and final batch of hot sauce (habanero, shallots, garlic, salt, pepper, smoked Chilean merken pepper, organic apple puree, apple cider, honey, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar) is a lip-smacking (in both senses of the word) masterpiece. It's a scorcher...but delicious as well. A true culinary capsicum achievement. I don't know whether to…