Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

restaurant review

Disney Fantasy: Date Night at Sea

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Today, I’m here to lay to rest any notion that a vacation with Disney Cruise Line is for kids, only.

Adults can unwind at Quiet Cove, an adult-exclusive pool, offering tranquil solitude, ocean breezes and spectacular views. At night, you can delight in live music, cabaret shows, dance parties, karaoke and more at venues that cater exclusively to adults when the sun sets. You can even treat yourself to rejuvenating spa therapies, get a makeover or enjoy an invigorating workout – all in scenic, modern facilities.

And, you can savor fine, elegant French-inspired cuisine at Remy.
DSC_2469aCheers, husband! You make 40 look good. Our date night on board the Disney Fantasy was everything we were hoping for: time alone to reconnect as a couple, a chance to engage in uninterrupted adult conversation, and of course, the opportunity to savour the finest French fare.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that our meal at Remy was the best of our lives.

There are several factors that led to our enjoyment. First, and most importantly, was the knowledge that our children were well looked after, well entertained, and well into forgetting we existed! At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, our boys were immersed in character-driven performances, special storytelling sessions, larger-than-life playgrounds and cool interactive activities. Is it any wonder they were more than happy to give us space for a few hours?

And, knowing that they were in the trusted hands of Disney cast members went a long way to help us relax and enjoy the moment. No fighting traffic, no checking our watches. The boys were a phone call away, and we were in seventh heaven. …

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Dining Out: Mont Tremblant Edition

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I’ve been holding out on you guys.

You see, for the past little while, I’ve had these gorgeous food photos on my phone, just waiting to be shared. But life is hectic, and this summer has been one for the books. So, they’ve just been sitting here, buried in a folder, begging to see the light of day.

And no one puts Poutine in a folder.
IMG_3100The sinfully delicious concoction above – a must-do when in Quebec – can be found at La Forge Bistro-Bar Mont Tremblant, THE place to have an après-ski drink or a delicious seasonal meal on the terrace overlooking Place St-Bernard. I opted for the Classique (cheese and gravy) because I’m a traditionalist at heart, but you can just as easily indulge in Saucisse fumée tout bœuf C.A.B. (smoked C.A.B. all-beef sausage), Viande hachée et oignons caramélisés (ground beef and caramelized onions) or Bœuf effiloché (house smoked beef brisket, pepper sauce, onion rings and fried pickles)….

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Mississauga: Your NEW Hot Spot is HERE.

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My husband insisted on the title of this post. Mostly, because he’s been calling random friends, colleagues and acquaintances left and right, using this exact phrase:

“I’m down for drinks but only if we’re going to Bier Markt Square One. Dude! The Bier Markt is in ‘Sauga now! It’s the newest hot spot. Meet you in 20??”

Okay, so *maybe* he doesn’t use those exact words. And *maybe* the only reason I’m poking fun at him is because since Bier Markt opened its Mississauga location, I’ve seen less and less of him. Truthfully, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think he preferred beers from around the world, signature gastropub fare and gorgeous bar chicks over staying home and folding laundry with me. Huh.

Bier Markt Square One Friends and Family Event.Nevertheless, I shall take responsibility for his introduction to the city’s newest hot spot, as I was once again treated to Executive Chef Michael Cipollo’s culinary genius at a recent visit to the resto-pub. I want to find something I don’t love about this joint – if only to provide a complete and debatable critique – but the truth is, I can’t. Every element, from carefully orchestrated contempo-chic decor to game-day friendly outdoor televisions, simply works. Actually, it does better than just work – it elevates Bier Markt to the best option any time of day, or season, for residents west of Toronto.

At Bier Markt Square One, they have invented a new religion: Charcuterie. Unique to this location is the Chef’s Charcuterie Bar, which is tucked away in plain sight, offering guests a semi-private “chef’s table experience” while seated in the charcuterie kitchen. A market-style menu boasts the age of the salt-cured, brined and smoked delicacies, promising patrons “a delightful smorgasbord”. …

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Cafe Boulud: A Feast for the Senses

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One of the wonderful things about Toronto is the wealth of dining options. Every cuisine, every taste, every whim and fancy is catered to, with varying degrees of punch and panache. From food trucks to street meat; fine dining to fusion fare, Toronto offers diners the best the world has to offer, amidst a vibrant, trendsetting city backdrop.

“Located at the exquisite flagship Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, Café Boulud serves a menu inspired by Chef Daniel Boulud’s French roots, inflected with international flavors. Dishes are timeless and expertly executed by Boulud’s talented team of chefs, from the signature Potato Wrapped Sea Bass over leeks and pommes purée to a hearty Slow-Roasted Veal Shank for Two. Downstairs from the café is dbar, the lively bar and lounge serving an array of bar-friendly faire, extensive wine list and unique mixed cocktails.” – Cafe Boulud Toronto

Recently, my husband and I had the fortune of dining at Cafe Boulud, where we experienced a celebration of delectable French cuisine. While I teased photos of our selections via Twitter and Instagram, here is a tribute to our meal from beginning to end.

NOVA SCOTIA LOBSTER SALAD
iceberg lettuce, marinated quail’s egg, cucumber
avocado cream, marie rose

Cafe Boulud TorontoThe plump, delicately poached lobster meat is complemented beautifully with a creamy, refreshingly bright sauce. As soon as the dish starts to border on over-indulgent, a sharp, acidic bite of marinated quail’s egg restores the palette’s equilibrium and balances the richness of the dish. …

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The Mighty Meatball

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What is it about a Straight-Up Meatball from Scaddabush that makes me weak in the knees? Topped with garlic chips, melted cheese and perfectly julienned basil; dotted with extra virgin olive oil and placed over a toasted focaccia crostini. Unable to control my craving any longer, I visited the restaurant earlier this week.

Scaddabush MeatballFrom Scaddabush: We love meatballs. And the secret to making them? Our special Sunday sauce. The kind that Nonna would slow cook at the start of the week. Each day we prepare a sauce just like that, adding bits of Parmesan and pancetta for flavour. Our half-pound meatballs are made with Certified Angus Beef, ricotta cheese and parsley, marinated with garlic, black pepper, porcini mushrooms and olive oil. Then it’s into our sauce to be simmered to absolute perfection. Choose between classic or pepperoni and mozzarella-stuffed. Nonna would approve.

Alas, only two locations in Canada at the moment – Square One and Yonge & Gerrard. If you happen to be in the Greater Toronto Area, I do recommend you pop in for the most unforgettable meatball you’ll ever have.

A Bit of Everything: Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar

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It is fitting that “scaddabush” is Italian slang for “a bit of everything”. Anyone who has taken part in an Italian feast knows that the best meals are often the result of bringing together “a little of this and a little of that”… and our recent visit to Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar reflected this sensibility perfectly.

GTA patrons will remember its predecessor – Alice Fazooli’s – as a fixture on the corner of Rathburn Rd and Duke of York Blvd in Mississauga. Strategically located right across the street from Square One, the largest mall in Ontario, I participated in many a “drinks-on-the-patio” kind of night at Fazooli’s throughout my twenties. And so it was with an equal mix of nostalgia and curiosity that I consented to check out the all-new Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar.

Our reservations were for 6:30pm on a Saturday night, so the decidedly dimmed down “date-night” ambiance didn’t really bother me, except that it made taking photos inside nearly impossible! Alas, armed with only my iPhone, I didn’t think to compensate with an external flash. Lesson learned.

We were promptly seated and our very personable waiter enthusiastically recommended the two signature appetizers: Fresh Mozzarella and the Meatballs.

The mozzarella is made fresh daily, in-house, between 5pm and 9pm. Served NAKED ($9.88): extra-virgin olive oil, focaccia crostini, San Marzano tomato jam, sea salt; PINGUE PROSCIUTTO ($15.98): focaccia crostini, fig jam, extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt; or THE SPADUCH ($10.29): focaccia crostini, garlic, anchovies, lemon caper butter sauce. We are prosciutto lovers and opted for the Pingue Prosciutto without hesitation.

And for the meatball appetizer? Well, here’s what Scaddabush has to say about their meatballs –

“We love meatballs. And the secret to making them? Our special Sunday sauce. The kind that Nonna would slow cook at the start of the week. Each day we prepare a sauce just like that, adding bits of Parmesan and pancetta for flavour. Our half-pound meatballs are made with Certified Angus beef, ricotta cheese and parsley, marinated with garlic, black pepper, porcini mushrooms and olive oil. Then it’s into our sauce to be simmered to absolute perfection. Choose between classic or pepperoni and mozzarella-stuffed. Nonna would approve. We’re certain you will too.”

How could we not try one after an endorsement like that? We selected a Straight Up Classic Meatball and had high expectations. In addition to our apps, my husband ordered a glass of the Robert Mondavi Moscato, while I gleefully settled on a Lemon Rosemary Bellini.

Now it needs to be said; for all the time and care our server took to be warm, welcoming and informative, it seemed somewhat tainted by the parade of indifferent, hurried servers who dropped off our drinks and appetizers, and later, our mains and dessert. In fact, throughout our entire dining experience there seemed to be an excess of these servers milling around, often with a scowl or vacant look as they deposited orders on tables. It’s such a shame that they didn’t show the same pride in their work as our main server.

Regardless, my Bellini was divine and our appetizers arrived promptly – by Saturday evening standards, no less….

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They Came. They Tasted. They Savoured the Flavour.

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What is it about food posts that make my tummy rumble in defiance? I’m this close to sending the husband out for a Signature McWrap right now.

If you’re a loyal reader (my favourite kind!), you’ll know that two weeks ago, I hosted an intimate event with Anne Parks, Director of Menu Management, at a McDonald’s restaurant in Toronto. We enjoyed a picnic-style lunch, chatted menu inspiration and sampled the NEW Signature McWrap.

Now I could go on about how much I adore the tasty, generously-portioned, fresh and fully customizable McWrap, but why not see what my fellow social media friends had to say?

The verdict: two thumbs WAY up. In fact, I recently met up with Mara and Deborah at another event, and the conversation quickly turned to how much we enjoyed noshing on our Signature McWrap. Chatting about a McDonald’s menu item while sipping mojitos? You bet!

Highlights from the Signature McWrap picnic:

– Anne Parks. The amazing Anne Parks. Not only did she give us an inside glimpse into how she chooses menu items for McDonald’s Canada, but she stayed with us through the entire luncheon, chatted about food, answered countless questions, and even gave us tips and tricks for making good food great. She was informative, engaging, and truly an expert in her field. Kudos Anne!

– Life is about options. I think many attendees (including myself) were surprised at just how customizable the new Signature McWrap really is. Grilled or crispy; hold the mayo or tomatoes, a little more spicy sauce, a little less lettuce… truly, you can create a wrap that complements your health and lifestyle choices.

– A terrific value. The Signature McWrap is HUGE! To tell the truth, I finished about 60% and then quietly stashed the rest away for later. Make no mistake; for just $4.99, you are getting a MEAL. I suppose it’s the little things – the whole wheat tortilla has fibre which fills you up; the generous portion of chicken has the perfect meat-to-veggie ratio, and the fixin’s such as bacon, tortilla strips and/or other fresh produce go a long way to make the McWrap hearty….

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I Never Met a Pub I Didn’t Like

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When I was in my twenties, we had a birthday tradition – pulling a few pints at The Bier Markt, a downtown Toronto Belgian-inspired Brasserie. With over 100 beers from around the world to sample, great friends and good eats, what could be better?

A location in the west end of the city, I suppose.

You can say I whooped for joy when I heard that The Bier Markt was opening in Etobicoke. Located conveniently across the street from Sherway Gardens, it’s got three things going for it: a) the best selection of beer this side of the QEW; b) ample, free parking; and c) an unparalleled dining experience thanks to the culinary magic created by Executive Chef Michael Cipollo.

The Bier Markt says: “Although the Bier Markt may have been previously best known for its exotic beers, in recent years and under Chef Cipollo’s direction, the Bier Markt has become equally well-known for its cuisine and unique seasonal-menus including the annual Fondue, Shellfish, and Wild Game. The Bier Markt’s upscale, European-inspired cuisine combined with its extensive list of beer and wine offerings have established it as one of the city’s most popular dining destinations.”…

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