LAUNCH | A Taste of FELIX LA at Gusto 101's Private Wine Cellar

Last week felt like real Canadian winter in Toronto: snowy, slushy and dreadful. Thankfully I had a memorable dinner in the Private Wine Cellar at Gusto 101 - one of my favourite Italian restaurants in the city. The Prosecco, wines and of course the food left me and my tastebuds so satisfied that the cold was the last thing on my mind for the rest of the week.

REVIEW | Cafeteria

[Guest Writer: Jonathan L.]

For my first food blogging experience, I head over to a pre-opening at Cafeteria by Playa Cabana with Monica from the Food Sisterhood. The newest addition to the Mas Playas group is located on College and Dovercourt, an area with many up-and-coming restaurants.  We are seated at a table with fellow bloggers, Laney & Nick from Best of Toronto, Jess from Where Jess Ate, and Jess' fiance, Mike. While he refuses to contribute to her blog, he has at least put a sufficiently sizeable ring on her finger to warrant a few perks (ha ha).

 

REVIEW | Sunday Brunch & Cocktails at FIGO

Lazy Sundays are one of my favourite things but if there's something I would get up & try to look decent for, it's brunch. Especially if the restaurant is as stylishly elegant as FIGO is.  This pretty spot is located in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district, so if you live in the area, I'm quite jealous!

LAUNCH | Toronto's popular Japanese izakaya rebranded as Kinka Izakaya

Guu Izakaya has been in Toronto quite a while now and Torontonians are probably used to being greeted by the servers' "irashaimase" every time they enter the restaurant. All three locations have been rebranded as Kinka Izakaya as of late but fear not, as they're still serving their signature dishes, and being attentive as ever. I haven't been for a few months and for this visit, I got to taste all my usual favourites and then some.

LAUNCH | Café Boulud

Same great location, attentive service, and a beautiful hotel you enter through called the Four Seasons. So, what's different about the newly renovated Cafe Boulud? For one, it's the newly designed space that is modern and cozy;  another is a wide range of new menu items that is traditionally French but with influences that Chef Daniel Boulud soaked in from cooking and dining around the world in different cultures.

  

LAUNCH | Mighty Angus Burger for Mighty Mcdonald's Canada

Fast food is called fast food for a reason, it's in and out for those who are on the go or have no time. Don't let that fool you though, there is nothing fast about the time it takes for a new item to make it onto Mcdonald's Canada permanent menu as we learned when we attended the Mighty Angus Open Kitchen Flavour Session. 

LAUNCH |Blinco's Crepes & Coffee

I'm a big fan of crepes, especially savoury crepes! When I heard about Blinco's Crepes & Coffee opening just a few blocks away from me, I couldn't wait to try it out.  Blinco's had its grand opening just yesterday so it's really new to the neighbourhood. If you're in Etobicoke like myself, this may become your new crepe spot.

LAUNCH | Rexfords Lifestyle - healthy, hearty & delicious gourmet meal subscription

Many of you have probably heard of or seen meal subscription services popping up in Toronto (Uber Eats, anyone?) We've tried services before that delivers ingredients so we can make our own meal but haven't experiences a service that delivers pre-cooked meals that we simply heat up and enjoy - this is exactly what Rexfords Lifestyle offers.

LAUNCH | Buonanotte Supper Club

We were treated to a special tasting of a Summer Menu at Ristorante Buonanotte in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district.  It is actually located in a quiet street off John St, and Wellington St., which is why I've never heard or seen it, even though I wok 5 minutes away.  I didn't really know what to expect for dinner as I did some research beforehand and there were a lot of disappointing reviews about this place.  But, I went with an open mind as it would be my first time dining there!

Carpaccio du pesce spada

REVIEW | The One Eighty

If you're a Torontonian, there is no doubt that you know about Panorama - the lounge that was at the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre in Yorkville.  I've been there a few times and yes, although it has the fantastic views of Toronto and it's a romantic spot, the food offering was lacking and after just a couple of visits, I never went back.  To my excitement the venue has been reinvented as The One Eighty. What makes it different than its former venue? There's a bigger focus on the culinary experience, an elevated cocktail menu the space itself has been revamped to be both fun and luxe.

REVIEW | Levetto Restaurant - College St.

Levetto currently has 5 locations (soon to be 6) across Ontario and one thing is clear, if you're looking for great Italian food with affordable prices, Levetto is the place to go! If you want to find a location in downtown Toronto, you won't have to look far as they have recently opened up shop in Liberty Village and in Dufferin Grove on College Street. 

REVIEW | BarFish at BlowFish Restaurant

Just a few weeks ago, we blogged about the newly launched sake bar addition, Barfish at the BlowFish Restaurant situated in the hip King West neighbourhood. We raved (read about the launch here) about the delicious sake cocktails but this time around, it's all about the food, 'bout the food, 'bout the food - ha ha, see what I just did there? Keep reading to get your tastebuds tickled on some unique and creative Japanese fare!  

 

REVIEW | King Street Social at Hyatt on King

Winterlicious is back for 2015! We're still unsure of where we'll be dining (need to make reservations ASAP) but after the menu tasting at King Street Social, a restaurant inside the Hyatt on King Street, we strongly encourage you guys to check them out for this year.

Pan Roasted Ricotta and Baby Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast 

REVIEW | Città

Just 6 weeks ago, Città opened in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of CityPlace between Spadina Ave. and Bathurst St. on Fort York Blvd.  Nestled on the main floor of one of the many highrise buildings, this may just become the community's favourite brunch spot on the weekends or a lunch and dinner spot on weeknights!

REVIEW | CC Lounge & Supper Club

The first step inside the new CC Lounge & Supper Club on Yonge & Front will immediately draw your attention to their life-size gold-rimed birdcage, supple leather couches, wooden barrel tables and exposed brick wall - all meticulously designed to create the prohibition-era inspired atmosphere.  This Whisky specialty lounge provides guests a delicious menu full of comfort food as well as Whisky Tastings in their unique 'Whisky Tunnel.'

REVIEW | BarFish Cocktail & Lounge

Blowfish Restaurant & Sake Bar on King West has extended their space to launch BarFish, their new cocktail bar & lounge.  With tasty drink creations by resident award-winning mixologist Nishan Nepulangoda and BlowFish menu favourites, we can see this new addition quickly become a hot spot in the King West neighbourhood.

 

REVIEW | Schnitzel Hub

If vodka, Biergarten or Eastern European food means anything to you then Schnitzel Hub is the place you want to be. The diversity of cuisines has expanded in the St. Clair and Yonge area with Schnitzel Hub's second location. 

REVIEW | Ovest Cucina e Vineria

Ovest Cucina e Vineria, a cantina inspired Italian Kitchen has recently set roots in the ever growing King West District. With its wide pane windows, it definitely sparks interest to anyone walking by to take a peek inside to find out whats going on. Oh, and we forgot to mention, it's also a wine bar, meaning this might be the next go to place for anyone that wants to grab a drink during happy hour or on the weekend. 

LAUNCH | New menu & kitchen program with premium whisky at The Emmet Ray

Ever since its doors opened in December 2009 on College St., The Emmet Ray remains as comfortable and inviting as it was 5 years ago. While the atmosphere has stayed the same, they have recently launched a new menu and kitchen program which is sure to impress regulars and new diners.

LAUNCH | Esquinas De Argento Wines now available at LCBO - a taste of Buenos Aires!

The Argentinian wine brand, Bodega Argento has launched a new pair of wines called Esquinas De Argento this month! What better way to celebrate an Argentinian wine launch than with delicious food, Argentinian graffiti artist and a steady flow of the new wines?  That's just what we did at El Almacen located in the Queen West neighbourhood.