Sip & Sizzle 2015 [Niagara-on-the-Lake]

I am so glad to be back to Sip & Sizzle (@NiagaraWine) for the second year which took place every weekend in May. As usual, love the passport event like this where I get to discover some local wines (see my post from last year here). This year we only went for the day and we definetly broke our our record and visited 19 wineries out of the 25 participating.

 Southbrook Vineyards (@SouthbrookWine)

Whimsy Anniversary

~ paired w/ Meatballs in saffron-almond sauce

Southbrook tends to be our first stop every time we are in NOTL and w wanted to start our day with a tasting since I got some tasting passes from pass events. We end up tasting most of wines and my favorite is still the 2004 Poetica Chardonnay which I already have in my collection, I end up buying the 1/2 bottle of 2012 Triomphe Cabernet Franc which had such a ripe fruit flavor to it.

The tasting started off strong with a fortified at 15.9% made from NOTL grown Chardonnay harvested in 2001 &2002 then fortified with neutral grain spirit followed by extended natural ageing. This is the first time I had fortified wine and although strong, it was extremely aromatic with a very earthy fig honey aroma and not much acidity.

Trius Winery at Hillebrand (@TriusWines)  

2013 Trius Riesling

~ paired w/ Jerk Pork Sausage

Couldn't resist, bought another Magnum 2012 Trius Red and kind of regretted of not buying a reg bottle to drink it now. Also bought their 2013 Showcase Outlier Gewurztraminer which won Gold at this year Ontario Wine Awards which was very delicate yet complex at the same time. It has a richness and depth of flavor that you can't find in previous years, not too sweet with a touch of welcome bitterness.

 PondView Estate Winery (@pondviewwinery)

2012 PondView Unoaked Chardonnay

~ paired w/ Chilled beef brisket salad w/ cucumber, carrots & radish on Belgian endive w/ a creamy Chardonnay dressing

Love the dish and the wine but not together, the wine tasted rather bitter after a bite.

 Reif Estate Winery (@Reifwinery) 

2013 Gamay Cabernet

~ paired w/ Charred tomato & melon gazpacho shooter topped with sheep's feta

Def need to try to replicate this shooter at home, wish this was pair with a lighter refreshing white instead that matches the dish.

$50 Elephant & Castle Gift Card [Contest]

 Elephant & Castle (@elephantcastle) is launching a brand new summer menu and I've got a $50 gift card to giveaway to one lucky reader/follower!

With 12 locations across North America including 2 in Toronto, both very convenient located and it's hard to resit the $5 pint special from Sunday to Thursday from 11am-3pm.

While they still have their regular menu, here's a look of their special summer menu.

Spicy Tempura Shrimp $13

~ light tempura batter, sauced w/ a spicy chili aioli & garnished with togarashi seasoning

 Mediterranean Chicken Wrap $13.50

~ shawarma style grilled chicken breast served in a garlic naan bread w/ lemon feta spread, lettuce, onion, tomato, banana pepper, pickle, chopped parsley and tzatziki + a side

 Steamed Mussels $14.50

~ a full pound of mussels,s teamed in a light beer cream sauce w/ garlic, onion, chilis, lemon juice and bread on the side

 Honey Dijon Salmon Salad $15.50

~ oven roasted, honey Dijon marinated 6oz salmon filet, romaine, arugula, radishes, cucumber, onion and sundried tomatoes tossed in a creamy Parmesan vinaigrette, topped w/ shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts

Giveaway!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!!!

THR & Co. [Brunch]

We just happens to be in the area and was looking for a place for lunch 2 Sundays ago and we notice THR & Co. (@THRandCo) have their cute patio open, so we went in without hesitation since it was a nice sunny day and I know it's going to be good (see my previous post here)

Cornbread & Jam
This was fresh, moist and yummy! Good on it own but even better with their homemade jam.

French Press Coffee

Shrimp & Soft-Cooked Cornmeal Grits $15

~ poached egg, Andouille sausage, Sofrito & crispy shallot
I ordered this and definitely think I made the best choice, the sauce was perfectly hearty yet not too heavy with the grit, love how they use shrimp instead of other meat which make it more refreshing for the patio weather.
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Au Pied de Cochon [Montreal - 2015]

On my recent trip to Montreal with Dad and friends, of course I have to bring them to the most popular restaurant in Montreal, Au Pied de Cochon (see my last post from 2012 here)

Yummy warm freshly made baguette, can't beat that ♥

They have one of the most extensive wine list I've seen in a restaurant of that size.

Foie Gras Cromesquis $4.00/2pcs

I still remember these from last time and it was such a yummy intense burst of goodness! I still have no idea why no other restaurants have something like this. Warning: be patient and wait for it to cool down a bit before eating it in one bite.

The Best of Campagnolo 2010-2015 ~ u-feast Event

I was lucky enough to be invited to u-feast (@u_feast) 2nd event at Campagnolo (@Campagnolo_) for their 5 year annivairsary dinner where 50 lucky diners get to eat some of Chef Craig Harding's very best dishes. With the growing list of restaurants to try, I have been meaning to come back to Campagnolo since I first came back in 2012 (see post here) but never found the time.... Recently name as one of Canada's Top 100 Best Restaurants, I was excited to be back. After 3 years since my last meal here, I still remember the dishes I had and that's a good sign since it mean I like it / very memorable given how much I eat out.

 U-Feast is a brand new event company planning off-menu dinning experience where you get to meet new people that are just as passionate about food. I have experience many interesting conversation during communal dinning event like these where you get to sit to strangers, you may make a few friends along the way.

Housemade Baguette & Gougeres

 Great start with their yummy warm freshly baked bread, just as good as I remember it and the gougeres aka cheese puffs were so light and delicious. Knowing how much I love bread,  I could have been totally satisfied munching just on these the whole night.

 

 Warm Olives

Beef Tartare

~ 60 day aged w/ truffle sauce & brioche

  

Thoroughbred Food & Drink [Canadian]

Heard so many amazing thing about Thoroughbred Food & Drink (@ThoroughbredTO)
 that I have no idea why it took me so long to pay them a visit.

Bought to us by Chef Ariel Coplan previously George & Splendido which are two of my fav restaurants, I do have high expectations and let's just say I wasn't disappointed.

With a long bar thought the first floor of the narrow space with a DJ table at the end, we were quickly escorted upstairs to a more casual dinning area.

Burrata $13

~ Ramps, Beets, Watermelon Radish

Delicious, refreshing and pretty, love the simplicity of the dish but wish there was a tad more of that burrata. 

Kung Pao Cauliflower $11

~ Cashews, Cilantro, Chili

Deep fried and coated with spicy sweet sauce topped with crunchy nuts, this was just simply AMAZING!!!

Big Crow [BBQ/Canadian]

 I finally made it to Big Crow (@bigcrowbbq) this past Sunday for brunch. Located just behind Rose and Son, it's very easy to miss. No idea what took me so long since I have been fan of Anthony Rose other 2 restaurants (here & here)

The weather was so nice and sunny, wished they had their rooftop open. Love the semi open space with the long communal picnic tables, I was surprise the kitchen was rather small and open where you can see all the meat being grilled.

Cowboy Coffee $10

Strong French Press style coffee in my fave Le Creuset color ♥

 Fried Egg Toastada $14

~ guacamole, charred mushroom & black bean salsa, pepitas & queso

When ordering, we were recommended this since the other two dishes was heavy meat one and we were told that it's a rather popular new addition to their menu. Let just say it tasted as good as it look, very light and flavorful, didn't even miss the meat here. Perfect for vegetarian at a BBQ with friends