Canadian Fare that will captivate you

In the bustling, busy neighborhood it was named after - Richmond Station has pushed the level of Canadian cuisine to new heights using seasonal ingredients, quality products from local farmers and the best chefs around.

I was very fortunate to experience Richmond Station's tasting menu for my birthday. My brother and I had reserved the chef's table seating in advance - which directly faced the kitchen's open window. It was a nice treat to see the process behind the meal. We had also booked the Chef’s Tasting Menu, which changes every two weeks, and opted-in for the beverage pairing package as well.

I will say I was immediately delighted we took advantage and added the beverage pairing - as the sommelier, Linda, was just a joy to listen to. She spoke at eagerly in great lengths about the wine pairing we were about to enjoy, and how it meshed with the upcoming course. I was very thrilled to learn, and her enthusiasm only added to my own.

The actual tasing menu was truly an experience, and I adored how lavish yet casual it seemed. My favorite offerings that evening was easily the Selection of Canapes, Charcoal Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass and the Dry-Aged Penokean Hills Beef. The Canapes were such a fun selection, and a great way to lead into the meal. I was obsessed with the initial presentation, but I was shocked at the amazing tastes that followed. The Sea Bass was also amazing, and I was forever back in forth between the softness of the fish - and the crispness of the grilled skin. The dry-aged beef was memorable and delicious, but it was also paired with the best milk buns I have ever tried.

Richmond Station was an experience I would love to delve into again, and it truly made for a memorable birthday dinner.

The best aesthetic Afternoon Tea in Toronto

I have finally come to the age where long nights out with alcohol are no longer fruitful, and just leave me crumpled up like a dirty napkin for days after. To celebrate my 30th birthday, I decided to take a sharp turn into what I consider luxurious adulthood, and booked the prettiest Afternoon Tea experience I could find.

The Shangri-La Hotel has a beautiful lounge, where they offer only the best selection of foods and drinks to their guests. Their Afternoon Tea experience is very special due to their remarkable lounge, filled with iconic clothes and decor, but also for the ever-changing themes of their Afternoon Tea collections. Their current experience was a must-try, a Cirque Du Soleil theme, in partnership for their show KOOZA. I was informed that the savories and pastries were designed with the acts of the show in mind, which I thought was so fun and unique.

When I arrived for my reservation, my eyes instantly lit-up once I realized I was sitting right next to the Guo Pei gown that Rihanna had worn to the 2015 Met Gala. It was a great surprise that instantly won me over. Once seated our server, Al, introduced himself and our upcoming courses. He also instantly won me over. He patiently explained every course of our experience and was so light-hearted and kind. His presence definitely elevated our experience, and I really appreciate his efforts for that.

When it comes to the actual experience, it was wonderful. As we sat and drank our complimentary prosecco, we were given a selection of tea to choose from. I chose the house special, the Shangri-La Signature Blend black Tea, and enjoyed all 8 cups I drank of it. From there, Al brought out this adorable little 3-tier serving stand filled with goodies. The first platform had an array of mystery desserts only named by their color for a sweet surprise. The second platform had a lovely arrangement of savory pastries, mimicking elements of the KOOZA show. The final tier has Shangri-La’s signature scones, and the best god damn butter I have ever tried. Out of all the savories and pastries offered in this experience, my favorites were The Wheel of Death (soft egg with truffle and chive) and the sweet mystery boxes, White and Gold. The final pastry was easily the grand finale, named the The Silk Ribbon Entremet. It was made with KOOZA’s silk ribbon act in mind, and its bright color and flavor steals the show. I also had a cute little birthday candle on mine, to remind me that I am no longer young nor youthful. It's a simple gesture, but it made me feel very special.

I cannot wait to see what the next upcoming Afternoon Tea theme will be, as I think this would be a great experience for an upcoming Mother's Day, birthday or bridal shower.

Get trashed on Tequila & Tacos in Kensington Market

It’s practically summer, and we all know the that the peak of nice, summery Saturdays is for uncontrollable drinking. I found myself in the midst of Kensington Market, where I found the perfect place for a drink or five, El Rey Mezcal Bar.

I stopped in for just a quick bite while sauntering around but figured- hey! It’s 12pm somewhere and my life is in shambles, why not a drink? When I came up to El Rey I couldn’t help but notice their beautiful patio, perfect for letting you glimpse and glare at all the colorful characters in Kensington Market. I had the option to sit on the patio or sit indoors, and I preferred to sit indoors so I wouldn’t melt.

When I got my hands on a menu, I realized that this may not be the place for me. Since my first sip of alcohol, tequila has been my archrival. Not in a cute way, but in a ‘this drink has ruined my night far too many times’ kind of way. I should have guessed by the bar name that tequila was the only choice, but I am obviously not that smart.

I ended up ordering their cocktail called ‘Not, Not a Daquiri’ hoping it would indeed, be a daquiri. While it wasn’t a daquiri (again, not so smart over here) it was actually the best tequila cocktail I have ever had. It almost made me forgive my traumatic tequila past. I was shocked and amazed, so much so that I ordered another and realized I should probably eat. I added on the Shrimp Tacos and Birria Quesadillas, and they were straight up amazing. The Shrimp from the tacos was so light and crispy, literally the perfect fry. The Birria was dripping in that tasty and rich consommé, just delicious.

They say the ‘happy accidents are the most memorable’ however I usually think ‘that’s a quote for when you fuck up’. Yet in this case I was very delighted to accidentally stumble upon this tequila haven. I am glad El Rey could mend my broken relationship with tequila, if only they can do the same with my family..

Enjoy Aperitivo & Appetizers on King West

Located in the heart of the Fashion District, Oretta is a widely popular traditional Italian restaurant. So popular, in fact, that they have opened a second location in Midtown. Well known for their art deco style decor and their modern plating on classic Italian dishes, they have quickly become a Toronto hot spot.

My best friend had booked us the reservation at Oretta. This was the first time I would be meeting her new boyfriend, and she knew that the classier the restaurant is, the less likely I will say something rude or snarky. So, I arrived early to try and make a decent impression on my potential new friend (after all, her boyfriend may be entwined in my life for god knows how long) only to realize that my best friend and her new beau will be 20 minutes late. Oh, joy.

Now knowing I will be talking to myself and staring aimlessly on my phone for the next little bit, I decided to order a drink. I have never heard of an aperitivo before, but supposedly it’s a common Italian tradition of drinking before a meal to build up an appetite. I’m not one for traditions, but when it involves drinking at a discounted price - I am there!

After learning that tidbit and becoming an aficionado of aperitivo and all things Italian, I binged on $6 prosecco’s. Not too long after my third prosecco, my friend and her new beau had finally arrived. I’ll skip the gossip and focus on the meal, but what matters is that I wish them all the best in their everlasting, holy matrimony. We ordered the Burrata Pizza, Bucatini Alla Carbonara and the Pappardelle Alla Bolognese to split and share amongst ourselves. I am purely obsessed with the burrata that was on the pizza, just so creamy and fresh. It was a nice contrast to the acidic tomato sauce. The bucatini was also too good for words, the rich egg yolk mixed with the carbonara is truly delicious. We also grabbed a few more glasses of prosecco before aperitivo hour was over - because who can pass on $6 prosecco?

I would definitely recommend taking advantage of Oretta’s Aperitivo menu, which is only available Monday - Friday from 4pm to 7pm. I’d also recommend drinking by yourself when your anxious in public, while waiting on friends.

AYCE Sushi, now on the Patio!

Hidden away in the back of a plaza on Mississauga Rd, you will find the All You Can Eat experience available again on a charming patio!

Wind Japanese and Thai combines elegance and AYCE service for probably one of the best meals you can enjoy. They also offer more than your usual sushi selection, including an array of Thai dishes and freshly grilled teppanyaki and meat selection. I’ve visited many times before and loved their tasteful interior decor, but I’m glad to find this also extends to their modest patio. While we are currently in Stage 2 of Ontario’s reopening guidelines, Wind Japanese and Thai complied and brought their fantastic service and food to outdoor dining.

I had dropped by Wind Japanese and Thai during the weekend for their lunch menu. I had arrived shortly after opening around 12pm, and managed to be seated without a reservation and no wait time. I will say though that when I was leaving, I could see multiple parties waiting for a spot on the patio- so arrive early if you want to be seated quickly! The AYCE Lunch menu is set at $27.99, and while it doesn’t have the full variety as the dinner menu- it is still a step above most AYCE restaurants. During my meal I ordered multiple rounds of Surf Clam Sushi, Salmon Sushi, Butterfish Sushi and Snapper Sushi. Their fish selection tasted very fresh and was thoroughly enjoyed. I also ordered their Chicken Teppanyaki, Grilled Seafood with Cheese, Fried Wontons and Green Thai Curry. The variety of the dishes is what really sells Wind Japanese and Thai to me, I love being able to enjoy endless sushi and have a few Thai dishes as well.

Over all I am really impressed that Wind Japanese and Thai is still offering their All You Can Eat service on their patio, as most restaurants have either gotten rid of that service or are still only offering take-out. It was a real joy to sit down eat to my heart’s content,

Mississauga Fav now offering Outdoor Dining

Tucked away in the once busy and booming Courtneypark plaza, is one of Mississauga’s most beloved restaurants- now open with outdoor seating!

Twin Fish Thai Cuisine is a family owned award-winning restaurant, that has been making it’s mark across Mississauga. Since their original opening they have even expanded to a second location in Etobicoke. Despite everything that the pandemic has thrown at the restaurant industry, Twin Fish has prevailed and adapted. Which is why Twin Fish has a newly added patio to accommodate the current Ontario Reopening Plan’s rules.

The new patio is decently sized and well-covered with tents, to protect you from either rain or shine. Their seating layout allows for 7-8 groups, with room for some large parties as well. The staff is the same friendly faces from over a year ago when the pandemic first started, and it was lovely to be able to catch up with them again. Twin Fish is filled with wonderful personalities, who truly care about the food they provide and the service they are giving. After the pleasantries I already knew exactly what I was going to order, lol. I absolutely adore their South Thai Lamb Curry, featuring a delectable lamb shank and their thick massaman curry. It has been my go-to dish since 2018, and I find it hard to stray from such a good dish lol. We also ordered their Thai Chilli Chicken, and a couple of Thai Iced Teas. The dishes at Twin Fish are almost always bordering on perfection. Between the clean plating, delicious flavors and top-level service, it’s hard to find any fault. I am really just overjoyed to be eating at Twin Fish again. I did order take-out from them throughout the pandemic but nothing beats a freshly made meal enjoyed on the spot.

If you’re trying to support local businesses as we come out of this lockdown, I would highly recommend visiting Twin Fish Thai Cuisine!

Stunning Cakes from Lakeshore Toronto

Located off Lakeshore Boulevard East in the midst of Toronto, you will find a small shop selling the most enchanting cakes and pastries of your dreams.

Delysées Luxury Desserts is a small pick-up only patisserie, but good God the desserts they make are simply heavenly. Featuring an array of full-size cakes, pastries, eclairs and macarons- they offer beautiful creations that are simply an order away.

I was looking for a stunning but delicious cake for my 28th Birthday, and through a recommendation I have found Delysées Luxury Desserts. Once I found out that they have an app to order from, I downloaded it immediately and I got to say it was the ordering process made for a millennial, lol. On their app they have a full list of their desserts, and the dates and times available for delivery or pick-up. I scheduled my pick-up and went with the most dazzling cake I could find, which was their Wildberry Cake. This is the newest summer cake- filled with Madagascar Vanilla mousse and a mix of Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry & Blackberry. Topped off with Raspberry Macarons, it’s divine in both taste and design.

Picking-up this cake was easy, and the packaging was pretty and strong as my cake didn’t move an inch when driving it home from Toronto to Brampton. Once opened and served, it was almost a shame to cut such a pretty cake lol. In the end it was worth it though because it was just delicious! I am such a fan of mousse cakes with their smooth taste and finishing, and it was just perfect. You could really grasp all the different flavors of berries, which balanced well with the vanilla. It was such a light cake, I couldn’t have been more impressed.

I’m already attempting to make up occasions to try another of Delysées’s creations, after trying this cake I feel like I have to go back and try more!

Drive-In AYCE Sushi in Brampton

Located on north side of Bramalea City Centre, you will find one of the newest restaurants innovations during Ontario’s province-wide lockdown.

August 8 and their new Drive-In All You Can Eat service is a marvel with our current lockdown restrictions. They are currently letting you book a reservation online to dine in your vehicle in their parking lot, as you order unlimited dishes from your very own smartphone. I was thoroughly impressed with the whole process from start to finish.
After making a appointment online and parking in their lot, I went inside to confirm that I had arrived and pointed out where we parked and paid ahead for our meal. It's $36.99 per person, not including tax and automatic gratuity. I will say that price is a steal to be able to enjoy mass amounts of good food! Once paid you are texted a link and password to order, and now begins your two hour time slot for AYCE.

You can order 10 items at a time and I would recommend ordering similar items together as it'll be faster to prepare (e.g. I ordered all fried foods together in one order, all Teppanyaki and meats in the next.) During our dinner my favourite orders were the Torched Sushi selection August 8 offers like salmon, snapper and butterfish- as well as the freshly grilled Short Ribs and Chicken Skewers. I would say we received our orders faster than expected, especially during the usual dinner rush (Probably 5-10min after sending the order).

I will say this experience was the best I've had in the last 8 months, it was a creative solution to Ontario's lockdown. I felt safe, and I was thrilled to enjoy the great foods I love in large numbers like I used too. I definitely took advantage of their torched sushi, as it's never the same when ordering take-out.
I hope Ontario will be loosening restrictions soon, but August 8 has an amazing alternative in the meantime!

Cutest Patisserie in North York

Located in a small shopping center near Yonge and Shepard in North York, it’s the classiest little patisserie you will ever see.

1675 Patisserie is styled like a high-class French-style pastry shop, and offers espresso drinks, fresh tea from real tea leaves and some of the most unique pastries.

I had found 1675 Patisserie by just googling ‘desserts near me’ when I was in the area, and I was pleasantly surprised. They are decorated lavishly, from the ceiling and lighting to tabletop décor, marbled floors and beautiful wall art. They had definitely put in 110% into getting the perfect ambience and vibe for their café. Literally once dine-in is available again I will be taking advantage of their perfect, Instagram-able interior.

I had picked a handful of desserts to take home, but my favorite was their specialty Aubepine Pastry. The unique shape is what drove me to it, like the little hearts are just too cute. I was also told it was their chef’s specialty, as it’s made from Hawthorn Berries which I was told are difficult to enjoy in most dishes due to it’s bitter & tart taste. Paired up with a Jacode Biscuit, White Chocolate Cream and Mascarpone Whip- it’s literally a little taste of elegance.

My only regret is that I wish I tried their lattes as well, but that can always be saved for next time 🙂

Brown Sugar Boba in the GTA

Located in the Parkways West Shopping Centre (and now even in Square One!) is some of the highest quality bubble tea in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Alley is a bubble tea café chain that specializes in quality ingredients and timely processes to ensure the best taste. They make their own sugar cane syrup using all natural sugar canes, and their method of boiling can take up to 8 hours. They also make their tapioca from scratch (Called ‘Deerioca’) by making the dough, than kneading it and rolling it by hand.

I was invited to the grand opening of The Alley’s Parkway West location, where they showed us their timely process in making such delicious bubble tea. I am obsessed with their Deerioca Puff drink, filled with their brown sugar tapioca and topped off with their mousse foam. Not only is it sooo pretty to look at, but the sugary tapioca is a delicious contrast to the fresh milk.

I have also visited The Alley’s new Square One location (which is conveniently even closer to me lol) and my favorite drinks I have ordered there are the Snow Velvet Earl Grey Tea and their Royal No.9 Milk Tea. The Earl Grey brewed tea is flavorful and I love the mousse foam it’s topped with, and I was pleasantly surprised by the soft blueberry tones in the Royal No.9 milk tea.

The Alley is quickly expanding to many locations across the GTA, and it’s easy to see why when despite being a chain café they never let quality falter. I hope to see more locations soon, especially in Brampton!

For Buttercream Lovers in Brampton

In the heart of Downtown Brampton on Queen St E, is the most magical Pastry and Tea Shop.

Opened in 2011, MacaronZ has been a staple of Brampton’s Small Business scene. They have appeared in Brampton’s Farmers Markets, The Taste of Brampton Festival and numerous articles by the Brampton Guardian and The Bramptonist.

As a Brampton local, I have picked up hundreds of macarons from them throughout the years, for special occasions and for pick-me-ups, and they never disappoint. The small staff in the eatery are friendly, sweet and make your macaron or doughnut selection easy. They also have a lovely Tea Salon, which hosts lovely-looking afternoon tea with various savory and sweet snacks. The Tea Salon has closed since the beginning of Covid-19, but they do offer their Afternoon Tea kits in a box if you still need that decadent brunch in your life.

During the pandemic I haven’t been frequenting MacaronZ as much (mainly due to myself avoiding the extra commute) but when my boyfriend’s birthday rolled around I knew exactly where to get his cake!

I ordered the Vanilla Buttercream frosting on a decadent Chocolate cake base, and it was heavenly! My boyfriend isn’t one for extravagancies so I did my best to control myself with the decorations, topping it simply with two cookies n’ cream macarons and a white chocolate birthday topper.

But let’s talk about the taste! I was so happy with the melt-in-your-mouth buttercream. I am usually so hesitant with frosting as I am not a fan of the grocer store style super sugary diabetic frosting, but this buttercream frosting is on a another level with their soft and ‘appropriately’ sweet frosting. The chocolate cake base was just spongey enough, with soft earthy flavors mixed with the naturally sweet chocolate. Together the cake was marvelous, and the toppings were just more than cute but also delicious.

I’m a little heartbroken that I have to wait until June for a new excuse to buy a birthday cake, but I will probably take advantage of their new delivery services through their website and UberEats ❤

The Best Bibimbap in Aurora

Located In Aurora off Bayview Ave, I shocked to find a lively decorated Korean BBQ restaurant with some classic entrees to boot!

3000 Miles Korean BBQ Restaurant is in a bustling plaza next to a T&T supermarket, and when you walk inside it doesn’t seem like the kind of restaurant in a grocery store plaza. Decorated to the nine’s, this Korean eatery feature a large screen TV above a stylish bar, with many large tables for big groups wanting KBBQ, or you can find yourself in a quiet booth with sliding doors to have a more intimate meal if you desire.

I went for lunch, so we decided to skip a large and heavy meat set to grill- and decided on some classic entrees. We agreed on the Bulgogi Bibimbap, Spicy Tteokbokki and Half & Half Wings. The Bibimbap was beautifully made, perfectly seasoned and have even more meat than expected! Usually it’s an equal assortment of the veggies, rice and protein- but I am not complaining about have some extra beef in there! My favorite was for sure to Tteokbokki, soft rice cakes slathered in that magnificent spicy and sweet sauce! I usually prefer it topped with mozzarella cheese, but honestly it was good I couldn’t care less this time lol. The half and half wings we’re good, and there was A LOT. It’s expected for about $25 worth of wings, but I am just glad we were overwhelmed by the quantity and not disappointed (it also made for a great after-dinner snack lol).

I do not frequent Aurora too often, really I had only visited due to a specialty appointment- but I may be back in the area again just to stop by here again.

Freshest Katsu in Toronto

Located on Bloor St W off of Bathurst St, you will find the best katsu in all of Toronto.

Mr.Tonkatsu is a small chain of restaurants, with 3 locations across Toronto and North York. With a variety classic tonkatsu and even offering chicken katsu, their breading is legendary for it’s crisp and fresh taste.

I have never been a big fan of fried foods, however when it comes it katsu that’s all off the table lol. It could be because the meat is pressed thinly making it more crisp rather than oily, but good god I love it.

Mr.Tonkatsu is easily my favorite of the limited restaurants offering katsu in the Greater Toronto Area. At first I couldn’t really place what tasted better about it, just that it simply was. On my last visit I was inquiring about their cooking process and if they do anything differently, and the staff gladly told me of their unique dedication to the breadcrumb and how it changes the texture of the katsu. They bake their own bread daily, and use that in their breading process to make sure that freshness is they key element with their food.

I am a big fan of their classic Pork Loin Tonkatsu Set, served with shredded cabbage, miso soup, steamed rice and homemade tonkatsu sauce. You can never really go wrong with such a savory meal, so classic is where it’s at. I will also shoutout their Pork Loin with Cheese Katsu Curry, because that is a guilty pleasure I would partake daily if I could, lol. Their curry is always heavenly rich, and the cheese imbedded inside the tonkatsu is a dream come true. The pickled radish and shredded cabbage sides are such palate savers, and they offer a nice cool contrast in-between the bites of the hot katsu.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I would also like to mention that they have rocked the take-out packaging games! Anything fried usually gets soggy quickly in a sealed container, but Mr.Tonkatsu has got you by putting small holes in the lid of their take-out boxes to endure your katsu stay crispy until meal time.

Somali Mediterranean Fusion makes its way to Mississauga

Located in the bustling Courtney Park Plaza off of Hurontario. you will find this flavorful and unique restaurant.

Xawaash is the epitome of the greatness of fusion food and it’s flavors. Their dishes are made with the purpose of sharing traditional Somali cooking with those who are not yet familiar, but still satisfying and inspiring nostalgia for those who are. With a strong Mediterranean influence as well, other dishes showcase that fusion of tastes and ideas.

I frequently visited their original location in Etobicoke, so I was thrilled to find out Xawaash was coming to Mississauga. I used to try something new one every visit- and I was never disappointed, but now I am obsessed with their Goat and Lamb Platters. Pictured here is their Goat Platter with Jeweled Rice, from my last dine-in visit. It is just beyond delicious! I’ve had both Goat and Lamb and they are both seasoned similarly, and you can tell they have both been cooked and marinated for long periods of time. Goat is still my favorite with it’s tender, fall off the bone meat. Plated with their Jeweled Rice topped off with fried cranberries, it’s a dish to remember.

Now I have tried numerous dishes from Xawaash so if Goat or Lamb isn’t really your thing- I would recommend their Chicken Mandi with Rice, Xawaash Bowl with Beef Suqaar (plus the fixin’s of rice, hummus, mbogga, ful mudammas and salad) or their Chicken Adana Wrap with Lentil Soup.

This is one of the best things about Xawaash, they have so many dishes to choose from and their quality never falters. I am confident to say ‘Try Anything!’ off their menu because I know it will be better than good!

Hakka-Chinese Restaurant comes to Brampton

Located off Hurontario St just before Steeles Ave, you will find the newest location of a beloved Hakka-Chinese eatery.

Chilli Chicken House (or CCH for short) was originally one of the best Hakka-Chinese restaurants you could find in Mississauga. Recently they opened their second location in Brampton, and are now dominating the competition with their legendary fare.

I was obsessed with the Mississauga location for years, as they did just justice by their name and really rocked the classic (and my favorite) Chilli Chicken with Gravy. Once I was aware of the Brampton location was delighted! My fav now even closer to home. I had the pleasure of dining in once before Covid-19 came around and shut down the fun of dine-in, but I have been enjoying their take-out since.

Pictured here is their famed Chill Chicken with Gravy, with Egg Fried Rice and Garlic Beef in the background. Honestly Chilli Chicken is my go-to dish. It may seem a little unadventurous, but I love it so much it feels like a shame every time I don’t order it, lol. Other dishes I have tried and I would highly recommend are Bombay Chicken, Kung Pao Shrimp, Manchurian Gobi and their Thai Fried Rice.

All of their dishes are delicious, and not a single on has disappointed me. But if you are visiting CCH for the first time, you must order the Chilli Chicken! Anytime a restaurant is named after their signature dish, it’s a must-try.

Fanciest AYCE Sushi in Markham

Located in First Markham Place Plaza, you will see some of grandest sushi and sashimi.

KaKa All You Can Eat brings the usual AYCE dining to a step above, offering special weekend selections, magnificent rolls and unique plating that will make you astonished for the price.

I never thought I would hear the words ‘gourmet’ and ‘all you can eat’ together in the same sentence. Like you don’t go to a buffet for quality, right? But KaKa offers sushi lovers a unique dining experience where you can literally have both.

With a fantastic selection of classic sushi and sashimi, oshizushi, aburi sushi and specialty appetizers like seared scallops, lamb skewers and takoyaki- KaKa is literally one of a kind.

I visited on the weekend for dinner service as I really wanted to try their limited weekend dinner menu. I had ordered a variety of torched sushi, the pressed oshizushi, LOTS of scallops and takoyaki, and their limited Golden Dust Roll. I thoroughly enjoyed all the sushi, it was all well prepared and plated beautifully. The Golden Dust Roll was literally a work of art. It’s a specialty torched scallop on rice, with a small piece of Uni than topped with Sturgeon Roe. And it’s even dusted with edible gold flakes! It was miraculous.

KaKa All You Can Eat was just a little more expensive than your usual neighborhood AYCE spot, but it was worth every penny. To be honest I was quite surprised it was only $35.99 per person for a weekend dinner.

Once the pandemic restrictions lighten up a bit, I am sure I will be back to take advantage of their dinner service.

A Trip to Damascus in the Heart of Mississauga

In Parkway West Shopping Plaza in Mississauga you will find this restaurant with the decor, ambience and food fit for Kings!

Roman Zaman Damascene Cuisine is a beautiful restaurant, literally inspired from Damascene Nobility. From the minute you walk in you can’t help but notice the gleaming copper accents, chandeliers and fountains. Despite the look of luxury, the staff are kind and down-to-earth and the kitchen has an clear acrylic cover so you can watch the kitchen staff make your dishes with peace of mind.

What really won me over at Roman Zaman’s was the quality and richness of their foods.

I tried their Fattet Hummos with Chicken Shawarma, Saj with Shameyah Cheese and Beef Sausage with Pomegranate Molasses. My top favorite was the Fattet Hummos with Chicken Shawarma, it was just mind-blowing good. I’ve never had such flavorful hummus the way they top it off with pomegranate and almonds adds such a contrast to the savory flavor, it’s purely amazing. I was okay with the Beef Sausage, I believe it may have been a blood sausage and it’s never really been my thing- however the pomegranate molasses it’s served with is again, just mind-blowing good. Last we have the Saj with Shameyah Cheese, which takes their freshly made oven-baked bread to a whole new level of delicious. I’ve never tried shameyah cheese before but now I am definitely hooked.

Overall Roman Zaman Damascene Cuisine is an experience in itself, the restaurant and it’s staff go above and beyond to make your meal enjoyable and comforting.

Baos, Bánh mì and Tacos all at one Toronto Hotspot

Located in numerous locations across Toronto, but favorably at Yonge and Gerrard, you will find the quick fast food hit that will blow your mind!

Banh Mi Boys started off in 2011 as a family-run establishment, focusing on quality, flavor and trying new things. In 2013 they had grown massively and opened a second location, followed by a third and fourth location is 2015 and 2017. Banh Mi Boys is still owned and operated by the same family, but their workforce has grown massively as they began to take the Toronto Food scene by force.

I will stop by a Banh Mi Boys every time I am in Toronto, and that’s hardly an exaggeration. Once of their best features is the variety of hand-held food on their menu, from a quick Bao or Taco to-go to a massive Banh Mi that will conquer all hunger.

This photo is from my last dine-in visit in the Summer 2019, but I have since grabbed and devoured their goods too many times to count. My go-to will always be their 5-Spice Pork Belly Bao, with a side of Kimchi Fries. It’s my definition of the perfect meal when it comes to size, variety of tastes and portability. I can’t get enough of the warm savory taste of the pork belly, contrasted with the slight sour taste of the pickled carrots and radish. Their baos make for perfect walk-and-eat lunches, or if you can’t multitask like me it’s an easy carry until you can find the closest park bench. If your appetite is a little grander for just one bao, I would recommend their Kalbi Beef Banh Mi for a meal that won’t leave you disappointed or looking for a snack after. As much as I love the fluffy, soft texture of their baos, the Banh mi baguette with it’s flaky perfection is a strong rival and make deciding a tough choice. They also offer their same classic flavors in tacos now as well, and while I’m not opposed to them, I just love their baos and Banh mi baguettes far too much to really give them a chance.

My only qualm is that I wish they would expand outside of Toronto. They are definitely worth the commute and travel, but I know they would flourish in any community they would move to.

Duck Chaufa available at Mississauga Gatropub

Located just off Hurontario and Eglinton Ave W is a seemingly small but bustling restaurant with unique dishes with flavors from around the world.

The Wilcox Gastropub is a one of a kind hybrid of a pub and restaurant, located inside a distinctive aged building that sets the tone for your entire experience.

I am frequent visitor of The Wilcox in the summer. They offer the best of snacks, small plates and drinks to really enjoy a warm summer evening with friends. With the current ongoing of Covid-19 and the Pandemic, I took advantage of Mississauga finally being open for outdoor Patio dining to enjoy my usual favorites.

We ordered the Duck Chaufa, Bone Marrow with Steak Tartare, and a couple of Wilcox Mule cocktails and a few Old Fashioned’s. The Bone Marrow with Steak Tartare is my ABSOLUTE favorite and I can’t stress it enough. It’s paired with freshly made sourdough bread, which has a perfect texture for scooping up the mouth-water fat in the bone marrow and pairing with the steak tartare. It’s seasoned perfectly, with the right amount of kick to give it the perfect taste on every bite. I also very much enjoyed the Duck Chaufa, with the thick pieces of bacon garnished throughout the rice and topped with a runny poached egg. Again, The Wilcox knows how to perfectly season their food, so every bite was delicious and elevated.

Once the restrictions are lighter, I would highly recommend dining-in at this establishment, as their unique building offers beautiful lighting in their almost ‘green-house’ like dining area. They really know how to make a meal, or even just a couple of small dishes, truly a classy experience.

Carbs & Cocktails in Oakville

Found in the Oakville Entertainment Centrum, you can get your hands some amazing comfort food that will ease any soul.

Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar is one of the few chain restaurants that I actually adore. I find with most chains that the quality and originality goes down, but that’s an entirely different story for the Scaddabush Restaurants.

Recently we enjoyed a lovely evening dinner on their patio (due to Covid-19 restrictions) and it was just the perfect meal. We had ordered the Roasted Mushroom and Truffle Gnocchi and their Sophia Pizza paired off with their Amaro Mule cocktail. The Gnocchi was thoroughly cooked, as it was soft and practically melted in your mouth. Plus the sauce was just fantastic, perfectly creamy with the fragrant truffle scents just mesmerizing me. The Sophia Pizza was also just a carb-filled wonder! It was larger than expected, and the specialty scissors they give you to cut the pizza is just so cute. The pizza is topped off with chicken, goat cheese, alfredo sauce, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, caramelized onions and basil oil- so literally my favorite toppings. I will admit by the end of this meal I was stuffed, feeling bloated and we didn’t even finish the whole pizza. I am willing to endure those feelings though when the first tastes just so good!

I am glad restrictions are light enough to enjoy such a good meal outside on a beautiful day, because this was a 10/10 evening in terms of food, company and ambience.