The Gabardine

I finally made my way to The Gabardine (@thegabardine) last month since I was craving for some indulgent comfort food. It's not a typical restaurant you'll expect to find in the Financial district and it also just so happen to be within 3-5 mins walking distant from Eaton Centre which is perfect for a shopaholic like me (^_^)

We arrived there at around 8:30pm on a Friday night and still manage to get a table without reservation (lucky us). I have only manage to snap one picture of the interior since the waitress advice me not to but feel free to take picture of the food.

 Fielding Estate Winery 2011Rock File Pinot Gris

As usual we love supporting local and not only was it tasty but super affordable. I made a mental note to visit this winery one day :)

Ploughman's Lunch $19

We decided to share this and although it's not the fest terrine/pate I had, it was pretty good and I especially enjoy their pairing of the jelly/compote and fruits

Let's go to the Ex !

After my DF overdose last year (see post here), we are back to CNE  (Canadian National Exhibition)(@LetsGoToTheEX) for more but this time around it was just the 2 of us, so we didn't get to try as much :(
I actually won my tickets from a Food Network contest after buying mine which I gifted to a girlfriend to go with her cute baby boy (^_^)

I have always gone to CNE during the day but it was super hot this past Saturday, so we decided to head there at around 5:00pm... i got to enjoy the sun but also got to see how beautiful it is when it's all light up at nigh.

That's the first thing we saw when we enter through the Princess Gate: IÖGO

Have wanted to try their yogurt since it launched.

Love both of them :)

This past weekend, on top of the regular food building, there was also a ribfest and the  

Food Truck Frenzy (moment like this, I wish I have more than one stomach)

 fidel gastro (@fidelgastros) newly open food truck #Priscilla

Viva la revolucion !!! #rebelwithoutakitchen 

By the time we got there, one of the three sandwich was already sold out :(

Goody's Diner

I wanted to try Goody's Diner (Twitter: @GoodysDiner) forever but their hours are just not very convenient being only open on weekdays til 7pm but this year, they extended are open on Saturday as well..... so a few Saturday ago, we finally made our way there since we were craving for some greasy food after a night of drinking (hangover) =P

It's located among warehouses and you can easily miss it if you don't look carefully since it really doesn't look like a restaurant on the outside.

Daily specials available and although on a late Saturday afternoon, the place was mostly pack

(can't imagine what it's like on the weekdays)



Their Specialty Burger

Regular Menu

Farmer John $14.00 w/ Sweet Potato Fries

~ cheddar, havarti, potato cakes, strip bacon, a sunny side up egg, onion rings

and French toast the inside of their sesame bun

This was epic and I resisted the urge to use fork and knife but go all in messy with my hands.

Many people did ask me how I manage to eat it after tweeting and Instagram-ing it... what I did is hold it firmly and try to squeeze it a bit flatter and took one bit of the top half and another of the bottom half then chew so I get a bit of everything (^_^)

The patties here are made well done but it wasn't dry at all, definitely a greasy goodness that we were looking for that day and anything just taste better top with an egg but the running yolk did add to the mess (not a pretty sight) =P

I normally don't eat that much fries and intended to save room for the burger but it was so crispy (some sort of batter) and moist in the inside that we end up eating most of our fries (O_o)"

Death Valley's Little Brother [Waterloo]

This past Saturday, we venture to St Jacob's Farmers Market (post coming up) and while driving around town after, we notice this coffee shop and decided we need another coffee for our long drive home. The street was rather empty and this is the one spot that's rather packed....

DVLB stands for Death Valley's Little Brother (Twitter: @dvlb_espresso), first impression was nothing special on the outside.  But boy was I wrong once I step in the coffee shop 

(and yeah... not technically just a coffee shop)

They have Espresso, Drip Coffee...

 

loose leaves tea...

 and tada Whisky

DVLP is a craft espresso & whisky bar and it imeddiately win Ben over.

He ordered the Jura Single Malt Scotch Whisky which the barista/bartender recommended and told him not to add water or ice since it will ruin the flavor but instead just add 2-3 drops of water which will help bring out the flavor and aroma. Who knew a few drop of water will make a difference, we both definitely learn something new :)

He loved it so much that it's on our LCBO to buy list now and according to him a deal at $64 a bottle

They have a graph to help you order the Whisky to your taste which was rather thoughtful and cute with all the color code (^_^)

 

My Cappuccino seems boring in comparison... Love the coffee/espresso itself but didn't like the sprinkle of chocolate powder on top which made it sweet since I don't like sugar/sweet in my latte or cappuccino :( Remind me to ask him not to do that although it looked really pretty.

What I like the most here was the decor ♥♥♥

Took this with Instagram (kiki_bff),

the scene and lighting look so romantic as if it came right out of a movie scene ♥

Verdict :

Love this place, I will defietly be back to Waterloo....

and as I mention on my last post here, will have to go to Nick & Nat's Uptown 21 anyway.

All-Stars in the Vineyard @ Rosewood Winery

Went to the All-Stars in the Vineyard at Rosewood Estate Winery (@Rosewoodwine) this past Sunday where we got to stroll, savor food prepared by four all-star chefs and sip Rosewood award winning/unreleased wine. This was the first time the winery features 4 chefs at the same time and at a non-sit down dinner. The event was at $85pp with wine pairing and $50 without which is a rather good deal.

The 4 featured chefs / restaurants are Ortolan (@0RT0LAN), Torito Tapas Bar (@ToritoTapas), Nick & Nat's Uptown 21 (@NNUptown21) and Top Chef Canada Season 2 winner Carl Heinrich (@ChefHeinrich) yet to be open restaurant Richmond Station (@richmondstn).

Since we were a few minutes late, a small crowd already started to form at the first station (closer to the main building), the staff suggested that we start at the furthest station.

The winery was so picturesque that you can't help but to relax and given the weather can't be better.

Richmond Station

Craft Beerfest

After the Epic Toronto Beerfest (post here) 2 weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited back to the Craft Beer Festival at Roundhouse Park this past weekend. This is a much smaller scale beer festival in comparison but it has a much more manageble and a more intimate crowd since not as much people know about it.

No admission fees needed, all you need is to purchase their glass and be able to get in on both days. Tokens at $1 each are needed for the beer Sampling; $1 for half glass (the vendors are normally more than generous and you usually get more then 3/4 cup) and $2 for full glass.

Come Rain or Shine, it shows you how Toronto love beer (^_^)

There was only a light drizzle when we got there at around 2pm which it quickly stopped and the place quickly pack up 

Choo Choo Train

It was rainy all weekend long and it's time to pull out my trusty $10 Tretorn rain boots (from here)

The problem with a bright red rain boot is to find something cute to match and I went for a more muted dress and a classic denim jacket ;)

Campagnolo

I think I pass by Campagnolo (@Campagnolo_) a few times before I knew what restaurant it was since they don't have a distinct signage, but it's always pack come dinner time (^_^)

What a nice place to set up a dinner date to met the girls from Birds of a Feather, Min (@cinna_min) who I met once before and Jennifer (@_jellofer_). But only Jennifer end up being able to make it, which I so glad to finally meet (^_^)

 Love the warm rustic warm atmosphere

Chef Craig Harding, thanks for the big smile (^_^)

Limone $11

~ Lemon Infused Vodka, Basil Syrup, Lemon

Heard their cocktails are really good and I just couldn't resist to order one and this was so delicious. Look simple but it was packed with flavor, love it's not too sweet with intense basil and lemon. 

So Good !!!