Seven Lives Tacos-y-Mariscos [Mexican]

So much hype around this small taco place in Kensington Market that I finally made it there on Saturday Canada Day Long weekend. I knew that Seven Lives (@SevenLivesTO) is a tiny place but didn't expected it to be that small... there was less than 10 seats available and frankly I really don't mind eating outside during the summer but what about the colder days which by the way is more than half the year?! Definitely bad for business, but apart from the tiny space I got nothing to complain...

Love the counter here with the tiny open kitchen

 $4 to $5 per taco which is pretty standard but then, they have huge portion compare to the other places.

Warning, their hot is really hot ♥

 Ceviche $7

~ seafood of the day

There was a mix of shrimp, fish and octopus ceviche sitting on top of a thick layer of guacamole on top of a crispy tostada. Love the bright pink pickled onions on top and the green guacamole peeking through. Apart from the presentation, we also loves how it's not overly marinated (tart) that you can actually taste the original flavors.

Make your own Mimosa Bar [Recipe]

Last month 3 of us (aka the Bridesmaids) put together a Bridal Shower for the special Bride-to-be and we decided on a hightea theme.

I was responsible of making mini hand sandwiches and drinks.

For drinks I decided to throw together a "Make your own Mimosa" Bar and here's what I did

Make your own Mimosa Bar

I bought the 3 bottles (here) and the champagne glasses (here) from Ikea.

I took some Washi Tape and made the flag stirrer w/ the wood coffee stir stick I pickup at work.

(stick the washi tape back to back and cut out the triangle shape to form the flag)

I also made a small signshowing guess the steps to making their Mimosa

What you need:

~ Any Juices (I choose Tropical, Orange and a homemade Raspberry Tea)

~ Champagne/Sparkling Wine (the Rose Sparkling was the girls favorite)

~ some Garnishes (I choose strawberry, mint, lemon, blueberry)

 

Try to keep the Champ[agne/Sparkling Wine chilled in an ice buckets since no one like a warm mimosa.

I also made some Ice Passion fruit Lemonade for non-alcohol drinkers, I basically just made some Starbucks passion fruit tea and added lemonade to it.

This was the first time I used paper straw which look so pretty but I realize that after a while it does melt after sitting in the drink.... so I would advice to put the straw in a cute jar on the side and guest can get their own straw when picking up their drink.

Casey's Bar & Grill [GIVEAWAY -Closed]

Frankly I have never been to Casey's Bar & Grill (@CaseysBarGrill) before, but I was surprise that they contacted me and ask me to try out their new Cider Cocktail. As soon as I agree, they kindly send me a $50 Gift Card (^_^)

Beer Can Cocktails, love the can shape glasses

2 out of 3 of these have Somersby Apple Cider in it.

 Mojito being my fave summer cocktail, so it's obvious I choose the Strawberry Cider Mojito.

It arrives in the exact same cute glass as shown but I was a bit disappointed that it didn't have much mint at all in it. So I would say that it's not really a Mojito but it was a rather sweet and refreshing cocktail. I can see a lot of girls liking this :)

Running Errands [OOTD]

What do you wear to run errands?!

I typically wear a short and a tee... I bought this dress on sale to wear as a pj but end up liking it so much since it's so comfy. 

My friend was on the search for pair of TOMS recently on our shopping trip and she was so surprise when I told her I had one... she said that it was so not me, it def isn't but it so comfy and I do wear it once a while.

Outfit :

Jacket & Necklace - H&M ; Dress - Old Navy; Bag - Coach; Shoes - TOMS at Little Burgundy

The Farmhouse Tavern

This post was way overdue, we went to Farmhouse Tavern (@FARMHOUSEtavern) back in April and it was amazing with huge portion... so huge that we end up packing some leftover home which is a first for us.

I tried quite a few times to get a reservation.... so make sure to make your reservation, do not drop-by, they take reservation via test which is very convenient (no unanswered phone).

 Arriving on a Sunday at 6:30, the place was already packed and buzzing.

We were seated on the side of the restaurant with the open kitchen and it does get quite hot given it's only April, can't imagine when it's summer. But love the darker lighting here so that the bright open kitchen take center stage.

Love the decor throughout the restaurant with a vintage stove as shelf and the barn door mounted on the wall to slide around the blackboard menu (easy change from day to night menu)
.

 Pretty simple menu, yet I wish to order everything and had a tough time ordering =P

They don't really have paper menu and with the minimal descriptions of each dish, we basically have to ask our server what's what.

The Stop's Night Market 2013 - Day 1 [EVENT]

On June 18th and 19th, The Stop Community Food Centre (@TheStopCFC) transformed the back alley of Honest Eds into a pop up Night Market, complete with hand crafted vendor booths. It was my favorite food event last summer and probably the most talk about as well which resulted into a sold out event in two hours. My computer wasn't working quick enough, so my dream of getting tickets for both night was quickly crushed but good think I was offer a one day media pass (^_^)

 This year event more than $80,000 have been raised. This year's 2 day event will feature over 60 chefs and 35 one-of-a-kind food carts created by local designers.

The Stop Community Food Centre works to increase access to food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequality. From it's origins as one of Canada's first food banks, The Stop has blossomed into a thriving community hub where neighbors participate in a broad range of programs that provide healthy food, foster social connections, build food skills and promote engagement in civic issues. Underlying all of The Stop's effort is the belief that food is a basic human right (learn more here)

What I love about this event is that, as soon as you walk through that alley you are instantly transported into another world with the promise of a magical fun night.

This year, I though the designers certainly work a lot harder coming up with even more creative and beautiful booths using mostly reclaimed materials.  A few of my fave booths includes Woodlot, Brockton General, Gusto 101 and Rose & Sons.

I was there for Night#1 and it feature 32 chefs/food vendors with a lot of returning veterans and with so many booths, we tried to hit up as many of them as possible. It was impossible to fit everything in one tummy, so I was glad that I share most of the dishes with my partner in crime Yvonne (@th3hungrycat). 

Watermelon Mojito [Recipe]

I got ask about recipe post form the pictures I Instagram/tweet but the problem is, I don't really have a specific measurement for anything I made. I just have the ingredients and taste as I go. So this is my first attempt at a easy cocktail recipe post (^_^)

Ingredients :

8 oz Light Rum or Tequila

3 cups watermelon cubes

 15-20 Mint Leaves

2 tbsp sugar

juice of 1-1/2 limes

1) Blend watermelon cubes until smooth. Add Rum/Tequila and 1/2 cup of ice (I wanted a more concentrated version, so I just blended my cold watermelon without the ice)

2) In a small pitcher, combine mint leaves (add more if you like it extra minty like I do), sugar and lime juice.. Using a mojito smasher or a wooden spoon, muddle the ingredients to release the oils from the mint leaves (tip: easier if you tear it up 1st).

3) Mix the 2 together and taste to see if you need to add more of anything to your test. Want more mint, just squeeze more in or not strong enough, add more booze ;)

4) Add ice to glass

5) I like to add some watermelon cubes to mine and garnish with mint sprigs or even lime wheel.

P.S: You can add some club soda for a more fizzy drinks or just sub the ice and Rum w/ Sparkling Wine.

Variation: You can also sub the watermelon with cucumber which is just as refreshing.