This time last year, Montreal was in the deep-freeze, festooned with flurries, its streets and sidewalks treacherous with ice and snow. This year, it's more like this - Blues skies, green lawns, and oh so warm. I'll never complain about global warming again. Well, last year mom declared it would be the last time she…
December 23, 2015: Dinner at LeBremner!
It's a Christmas holiday tradition. I let my sister know when I'm coming into town and she books a bunch of dinners at some of Montreal's best restaurants. Last night, we kicked things off with a tremendous meal at LeBremner in Old Montreal. The place is owned by celebrity Executive Chef Chuck Hughes with Top Chef…
December 6, 2015: The fictional food of my youth I always wanted to try!
SCOOBY SNACKS I know, they're dog treats - but not just any old dog treats. Given the way they set Scooby off every time he was offered one, they must have been super-tasty. Also addictive. Yeah, who are we kidding. They were probably laced with some illicit substances as well. But no doubt delicious illicit…
November 28, 2015: Dinner at Parcae!
On the recommendation of Montreal radio personality Sarah Bartok (http://www.thebeat925.ca/an/sarah-bartok-1060.html - P.S.: I know her brother!), Akemi and I checked out one of the latest entries on the Toronto restaurant scene: Parcae. Tucked away in the Templar Hotel, it's a sexy, dimly lit place offering up "globally inspired, locally-sourced" cuisine. The plates are delightfully creative. Chefs Danny…
November 22, 2015: Dim sum and dogs!
Recently, someone lamented the fact that I haven't posted food porn or dog pics for quite a while. Lately, it's been nothing but Dark Matter this, Dark Matter that. So, tonight, I'm going old school with this throwback entry. Pictured above, Akemi shows off her new sweater purchase at dim sum. After coming across the food-themed instagram account…
October 9, 2015: Things I have to eat before I leave Vancouver!
I've got roughly four days before I leave for Toronto - four days, but a lot of food to cover. These are the things I have to eat before I go... A porchetta sandwich from Meat & Bread. The Dirty Burger from upstairs Campagnolo. The Peaceful beef roll from Peaceful Restaurant. The salmon oshi sushi from…
September 25, 2015: Foodly developments!
My sis and Daisy are in town for the week and, of course, whenever we get together, it's all about the food. Like this kouign-amman they brought me from Montreal's Patisserie au Kouign Amann. Or mom's Russian teacakes (aka Mexican wedding cookies). Or mom's home made biscotti, perfect for Akemi who is a huge fan of dry…
September 22, 2015: The Devil’s snack!
Throughout my life, I've been fairly consistent in listing the three things I don't eat. They are, in no particular order: popcorn, candied fruit, and Shepherd's Pie. In the case of Shepherd's Pie, it's a bit bewildering as I do enjoy its ingredients separately - ground beef, mashed potatoes, corn - but there's something about…
August 15, 2015: Japan’s culinary marvels…I’ll be missing!
Well, this marks the first year in over a decade that I won't be visiting Japan. 🙁 Here are some of the new or limited-time-only culinary marvels I'll be missing... The Aka Samurai Burger! You have a choice of fried chicken or a beef patty served with lettuce, tomato and "red" cheese served in a…
August 9, 2015: My 1-Day Juice Cleanse Diary!
Akemi is in Osaka, visiting family, until Wednesday which has given me the opportunity to do things I wouldn't normally do when she's around. Clubbing? Boozing? Gambling? More like watching four movies in a single day, reading five books simultaneously, and doing a 1-day juice cleanse. Life on the edge, right? And, yes, you read…
May 18, 2015: Jelly…
Thanks to everyone who took the time to offer well wishes and words of support for my gal Jelly. She seems to be back to her old sleepy/hungry/cantankerous self. Sadly, however, this rebound will be short-lived. According to her latest rest results, she's suffering from an antibiotic resistant infection that has spread through her intestines…
April 25, 2015: Toronto’s Most Overrated Restaurants! And a few that live up to the hype!
Let me save you the trouble... 6. Montecito Not bad, but not particularly good either. 5. Wahlburgers Three different visits yielded three thoroughly underwhelming, overpriced burgers. 4. Momofuku Uninspired Asian inspired fare. Why would you serve fried chicken with caviar? And "because you can" isn't a good answer. 3. Ruby Watchco With the exception of…
April 22, 2015: From vampire to zombie on less than two hours!
If yesterday's late night insomnia gave me the taste of the vampire life, today's sleep-deprived shambling no doubt approximated the daily travails of your average zombie. It started promisingly enough with dinner at Wilbur's Mexicana where I was joined by my long-time nemesis and occasional writing partner, Tara Yelland. The Wilbur in Wilbur's Mexciana is…
April 19, 2015: Akemi’s birthday weekend! The pictorial play by play!
This weekend, we celebrated Akemi's birthday in the traditional way with a couples massage, sushi, and the annual purchasing of the sunglasses to replace the lost sunglasses I purchased the previous year. Back at it tomorrow as production continues on Dark Matter's first season. Our final day of episode #110 with our stunt coordinator John Stead at…
February 26, 2015: Top 15 Strange But Familiar Fast Food Menu Items I’d Like To Try!
Whenever I visit a foreign country, I always like to check out the local fast food eateries for a taste of the strange yet familiar. For instance, last time I was in Japan, I went to McDonalds and had a hamburger - but not your run-of-the-mill hamburger. I had a Kuro Burger: a beef patty…