Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Truffles
Truffles @ Four Seasons Hotel never disappoints. I forgot we already went there last year but the menu was different and the food still good. For appetizer - Roasted Cauliflower Veloute, Marcona Almonds, with a touch of Curry Chantilly..this was made just right..nice and warm and the grounded almonds added a nice nutty touch. For the main, Saffron Glazed Salmon, Chorizo, Mussel Orzo, with Smoked Tomato Jus. Nothing too spectacular here...but at least it didn't have any fishy smell to it..which is always a plus! Smoke Tomato Jus was a little salty and took away from the taste a bit, but still good. Portions were reasonable. For dessert, Blood Orange Cheesecake with Dark Chocolate Sorbet...mmmm...I love my cheesecake! Topped off with a dark chocolate sorbet...even better!! Overall, it was a good meal - 8/10. Ambiance was nice, servers were nice, all and all a nice dinner with friends.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Calphalone Culinary Centre - Winterlicious 2007
New to me this year was the cooking demo at Calphalone. Apparently they've had this before during Winterlicious, but I never paid attention to it. For $60 you get to watch a cooking demo of a complete 3-course meal..and of course, taste the food too..that's the best part!
For the first course, we had a pear puree soup with crisp carmelized lentils. This was one of the best soups I've tasted in a while! Something unique and different, but very flavourful and delicious. For the main course, we had roated dijon mustard crusted beef tenderloin with horseradish mashed potatoes and grilled root veggies. Mmmm...tenderloin was nicely cooked and soo moist and juicy. Root veggies of carrots, white turnip and celery root added a nice side to the dish. Horseradish mashed potatoes was nicely done with just a hint of horseradish. I'll definitely try to make this at my next dinner party! Hopefully it'll taste the same too =)
For dessert, we made Maple Creme Brulee...mmm...I love creme brulee...it's probably sooo unhealthy, but oh soo good! This is definitely going into my recipe book as a favorite dessert! Can't wait to try out the recipe!
Overall, the food was good...small portions of course, since it's only a demo, but enough to leave you satisfied....at least, I was! Chef Ian was entertaining and overall experience was good. I'd definitely go again next year if they have a different menu. To top it off, we got a nice 3-piece Calphalone cooking utensil set..worth $27 (?)..so the $60 cost for the demo wasn't too bad. It's not a hands-on class, but it's just as good watching someone else cooking you a meal and getting to eat it too..then screwing things up yourself and it not tasting how it should =)
Can't wait to have my own kitchen...it's gonna be decked out in Calphalone cookware, utensils, knifes, I want it all!
For the first course, we had a pear puree soup with crisp carmelized lentils. This was one of the best soups I've tasted in a while! Something unique and different, but very flavourful and delicious. For the main course, we had roated dijon mustard crusted beef tenderloin with horseradish mashed potatoes and grilled root veggies. Mmmm...tenderloin was nicely cooked and soo moist and juicy. Root veggies of carrots, white turnip and celery root added a nice side to the dish. Horseradish mashed potatoes was nicely done with just a hint of horseradish. I'll definitely try to make this at my next dinner party! Hopefully it'll taste the same too =)
For dessert, we made Maple Creme Brulee...mmm...I love creme brulee...it's probably sooo unhealthy, but oh soo good! This is definitely going into my recipe book as a favorite dessert! Can't wait to try out the recipe!
Overall, the food was good...small portions of course, since it's only a demo, but enough to leave you satisfied....at least, I was! Chef Ian was entertaining and overall experience was good. I'd definitely go again next year if they have a different menu. To top it off, we got a nice 3-piece Calphalone cooking utensil set..worth $27 (?)..so the $60 cost for the demo wasn't too bad. It's not a hands-on class, but it's just as good watching someone else cooking you a meal and getting to eat it too..then screwing things up yourself and it not tasting how it should =)
Can't wait to have my own kitchen...it's gonna be decked out in Calphalone cookware, utensils, knifes, I want it all!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Toula
Located on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbor Hotel in downtown Toronto, we kicked off Winterlicious 2007 at Toula. Jeff tried making reservations there last year...but confused it with Le Mezzin (on the first floor of the hotel)...so we finally got it right this year.
I was pretty disappointed with the food and quality of food. Appetizer was good (jumbo shrimp wrapped in procciutto (?))..but there was only two shrimps..so just enough to get the taste buds going. For main dish, I ordered the Salmon originally. It was a small 1-inch thick piece of salmon on a bed of risotto. Had a fishy smell to it..which good, fresh cooked salmon should not! Jeff ordered the rack of lamb, which had a very game taste and he didn't like at all, so we switched dishes..I didn't mind the game-ness of the lamb too much. Lamb was covered in a gravy-like sauce, so it took away from the taste a bit. Wasn't too impressed though, since the dish tasted like something that was prepared in the morning and quickly re-heated for dinner. For dessert I had the apple strudle with a chocolate glaze. Once again, disappointed! Dessert did not taste fresh at all...almost like a store-bought pastry taken out of the fridge and sliced up.
For $45 (after tax & tip - w/o the wine) it was definitely not worth it...and if the quality of the Winterlicious menu is the same as the everyday menu, I'd definitely not go back.
The restaurant ambiance and view did make up for the taste-less food. Being on the 38th floor, we had a beautiful view overlooking the city...kodak moment type pictures! =) If you don't want to go up to the 360 at the CN Tower, the view from Toula is still an option. Although the restaurant does not rotate like the 360, you can still enjoy a nice view and if you really want to see the city, just walk around the restaurant =) A nice place if you want to go for drinks.
Overall rating: 5/10 (wine and appetizer was still good..but main and dessert...probably never again).
I was pretty disappointed with the food and quality of food. Appetizer was good (jumbo shrimp wrapped in procciutto (?))..but there was only two shrimps..so just enough to get the taste buds going. For main dish, I ordered the Salmon originally. It was a small 1-inch thick piece of salmon on a bed of risotto. Had a fishy smell to it..which good, fresh cooked salmon should not! Jeff ordered the rack of lamb, which had a very game taste and he didn't like at all, so we switched dishes..I didn't mind the game-ness of the lamb too much. Lamb was covered in a gravy-like sauce, so it took away from the taste a bit. Wasn't too impressed though, since the dish tasted like something that was prepared in the morning and quickly re-heated for dinner. For dessert I had the apple strudle with a chocolate glaze. Once again, disappointed! Dessert did not taste fresh at all...almost like a store-bought pastry taken out of the fridge and sliced up.
For $45 (after tax & tip - w/o the wine) it was definitely not worth it...and if the quality of the Winterlicious menu is the same as the everyday menu, I'd definitely not go back.
The restaurant ambiance and view did make up for the taste-less food. Being on the 38th floor, we had a beautiful view overlooking the city...kodak moment type pictures! =) If you don't want to go up to the 360 at the CN Tower, the view from Toula is still an option. Although the restaurant does not rotate like the 360, you can still enjoy a nice view and if you really want to see the city, just walk around the restaurant =) A nice place if you want to go for drinks.
Overall rating: 5/10 (wine and appetizer was still good..but main and dessert...probably never again).
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