Isshin Ramen [Japanese]

Open by the same people of the popular Kingyo Izakaya, Isshin Ramen (@ramenisshin) sound promising. Ben being the ramen fanatic thathe is have been wanting to try them out even before it opens. So this past Saturday after a cold outdoor event, we decided to head there to warm up with a bowl of ramen.

I have to say this is a rather good location , away from all the other ramen shops on Dandas. They do not have a sign up yet when we went and we basically parked right in front of it without noticing it.

There's not much to talk about decor wise, very basic with the open kitchen by the front and a dragon mural along one side of the wall.

At Isshin Ramen, they have a total of 8 ramen to choose from including 2 vegetarian options.

Japatine $5.20

~ Fresh cut fries topped with fresh mozzarella, Japanese curry gravy, seaweed & green onions

Love the name, the presentation and it look great on picture but it lack all the yummy sloppy goodness of a poutine. As you can see, it's rather dry with barely any gravy that I couldn't really taste the curry flavor. Also wish there was more cheese.

Tonkotsu Shio "Sesame" Ramen $8.95

~ Pure tonkotsu broth seasoned with a blend of natural salts, topped with sesame seed, bamboo shoots, black wood ear mushrooms, marinated soft boiled egg, slow braised pork belly cha-shu, green onions & thin wavy noodles.

I wouldn't say it was bad but there was nothing outstanding compare to the other ramen places. The noodle had a slight soapy taste while the broth was good, it was not amazing. Love the motar & pestle sesame which was definitely fun to grind up and it does change the flavor of the broth in a very subtle way, that's why we were encourage to add it half way through.

The Queen and Beaver [Feasting Menu]

I have been to The Queen and Beaver Public House (@QueenBeaverPub) a couple of times now (see old post here) and this time around, there was 12 of us this time so we decided to try out their Feasting menu (see their menu here, contact them for details since menu may varies).

Innis & Gunn Scotch Barrel Aged 13oz (Scotland) $8.95

McAuslan Cream Ale (Quebec) $7.25

Durham Brewery Black Katt Stout (Ontario) $7.25

 Venison Cobbler w/ Cheddar Scones 

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Roast Bison

We order 6 portion each at $360 total ($30pp), both are from their feasting menu with a minimum of 5-6 order per dish.

This Venison Cobbler was hearty and delicious but totally wish it came with some sort of carb or bread to mop the sauce.

Sake Bar Kushi [Japanese]

I have been meaning to try Sake Bar Kushi (also known as Kushi Izakaya) since they first opened but never made it due to it's not so ideal location. Last weekend, I was so lucky to be invited to try their new and improved menu and I was more than thrilled to oblige.

As we walk in, we immediately felt in love with all the wooden booths and the long communal table in the middle with the sake bottles as dividers. The booths really gave dinner some privacy and the whole place was pretty quite unlike most izakaya.

Always love izakaya menu, love the square format. Here's the sake list and there's quite a bit of variety with different price point. Quite a few of my faves available.

Spinach Gomaae

~ blanched spinach w/ sesame sauce

Love how this had just the perfect amount of sauce/dressing and it was light a not overly salty. I must have tried so many places where it's drenched in overly salty sauce.This was perfect.

 Ebi Mayo

~ Deep Fried prawn served with mustard mayo sauce

Tasty but wish it was the whole shrimp with the shell still on. It's way more tastier.

 Draft Sake Shiboritate 180ml

Personally not my fave sake, will def choose something else

 Pork Belly & Chicken Leg Skewers 

~ one each w/ sea salt & terriyaki sauce

Have to say that we were both disappointed with these skewers, it was rather dry and bland. The one with the terriyaki sauce was a bit better since it gave them a bit of moisture and flavors.

Kodako Karaage

~ Deep Fried Baby Octopus served w/ chilli mayo

Love this, wish more restaurant would served these. Nothing better than deep fried dishes while drinking (^_^) Perfectly crispy thin batter with perfectly tender baby octopus.

Agave Y Aguacate [Mexican]

After waiting forever for Agave y Agucate (@AgaveyAguacate) to re-open since they closed up in Kensington Market, they finally set shop at 35 Baldwin St. Have been a big fan of Chef Francisco Alejandri (@aguacave) and they have acquire even a stronger following after being feature and praised on Anthony Bourdain's Layover.

Nothing fancy decor wise except for this two-story Madonna graffiti and crystal decanter lights

Paloma $12

~ Trombra + Steigl Grapefruit Radler

Negra Modelo $6

Sopa Tarascan $7

~ Pinto Beans & Tomato Puree w/ ancho chile, cream, fried tortilla

Love the smokiness of the ancho chile and the tomato base just elevated the flavor even more.

We were told not to mix it up to get the layers of different texture and flavors, each ingredient seems to add depth and richness to the soup. The cubes of Queso Panela cheese was a great addition.

Recipe for Change ~ a FoodShare Event

Save the Date for Deliciousness

 

FoodShare Toronto (@FoodShareTO)  is a non-profit community organization whose vision is Good Healthy Food for All. Founded in 1985 to address hunger in Toronto communities, FoodShare takes a unique multifaceted and long-term approach to hunger and food issues. We work to empower individuals, families and communities through food-based initiatives, while advocating for the broader public policies needed to ensure that everyone has adequate access to sustainably produced, good healthy food.

On Thursday February 27, 2014, Toronto's St. Lawrence North Market will play host to  FoodShare's fifth annual RECIPE FOR CHANGE event, bringing with it a feast that is second to none in order to boost healthy food and food literacy in our schools.

I have been dying to attend the event since I saw so many good eats from last year event with over 30 top chefs from the GTA area plus 20 VAQ wines and 6 local beers for tasting. And at $125, the event is an amazing deal and a great opportunity to support FoodShare's work to create a healthy future.

Here are some of the Chefs that's participating that I am the most excited about :

(see complete list here)

Bertrand Alépée, The Tempered Chef (@TheTemperedChef)

SOMA Chocolate Makers (@somachocolate)

Derek Valleau, Pukka (@pukkatoronto)

John Sinopoli, Table 17 (@table17) /Ascari Enoteca (@AscariEnoteca)

Luis Valenzuela, Carmen (@carmensayz)

Matt Basile, Lisa Marie /Fidel Gastro (@fidelgastros

And the Beverages offerings :

(see complete list here)

 Black Oak Brewing Company (@blackoakbrewing)

Chateau des Charmes (@mbosc)

Crema Coffee Co. (@CremaTO)

Great Lakes Brewery (@greatlakesbeer)

Henry of Pelham (@speckbros)

Rosewood Estate Winery (@rosewoodwine)

Here are some more recent coverage of their work in schools that this event support as well :

 Eastdale Collegiate opens it's Roof to Urban Agriculture

 Teaches kids the basic of healthy "food literacy"

If you want it done right, cook it yourself

 Hurry, get you tickets here (^_^)

Jack Astor's Winter Fling Festival - Craft Beer [Event]

I have been invited to Jack Astor's (@Jack_Astors) for the preview of their "Winter Fling Festival" which is happening now until January 19th.  The festival is to encourage their customers to stray from their usual beers and have a fling with craft beers.

The beer featuring in Ontario location are:

Granville Island Lions Winter Ale (@itsgoodtobehere)

Muskoka Cream Ale (@MuskokaBrewery)

Mill St. Organic Lager & Tankhouse Ale (@MillStreetBrew)

Flying Monkey Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale (@FlyingMonkeys)

Nails - 2013 Holidays [NOTD]

I just can't stay away from glitter for the holidays, I just can't help it (^_^) And with all the pretty colors and texture that comes out during that time is another temptation. I try not to go as shiny as I tend to (see last year's post here)

Formula X For Sephora in Vroom (Metalic Rose Gold)

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Formula X For Sephora in Meteoric (Top Coat - black, white and rainbow Glitter)

Sephora by O.P.I in Charged It (copper gold)

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 American Apparel in Coney Island (pink)

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Formula X For Sephora in Demolition (Top Coat - blue, turquoise, lime and orange confetti)