Muskoka Brewery's 20th Birthday Bash [Event]

Muskoka Brewery (@MuskokaBrewery) celebrated their 20th Birthday at the Evergreen Brickwork last month and invited a bunch of Ontario Craft Breweries to celebrate. Each brewery bought with them a special "birthday brew".

Muskoka Brewery (@MuskokaBrewery)

Love the Mad Tom mask, too cute and work great as a fan on that hot day.

Love the Kirby's Kolsch with the peach flavor and the sour Saucy Piegeon which ran out and too slow to get a second.

Henderson Brewing (@Hendersonbeerco)
~ Tamarind Chili Ale (4.2%)
This infused Blonde Ale was our favorite that night, def have seconds and thirds. Love the slight sourness of the tamarind just with a touch of spice.

Manantler Craft Brewing (@manantler)
~ Sane Tim Belgium Saison (5%)

Left Field Brewery (@LFbrewery)
~ Cranberry Saison

Indie Alehouse (@indiealehouse)
~ "Shallow Waters" Raspberry Lemongrass Saison (4%)

Wellington Brewery (@WellingtonBrew)

~ Rhubarb Saison

Redline Brewhouse (@rlbrewhouse)

Flying Monkey (@FlyingMonkeys)

~ Mojito Wit (lime & mint Belgian Witbier) & 12 Minutes to Destiny (Hibiscus Pale Lager 4.1%)

Their Hibiscu Lager have always been one of my favorite but this time the Mojito Wit was super refreshing for this especially hot day.

Great Lakes Beer (@GreatLakesBeer)

~ Raspberry Saison (3.5%)

The Beer Experience 2016 [CONTEST]

I'm giving away ONE PAIR of tickets to 

The Beer Experience!

About:

If you consider yourself a sophisticated beer lover who appreciates the time and effort that goes into creating the perfect brew, this experience is for you. It’s an experience for the distinguished beer drinker. From craft beers to boutique beers, cooking with beer and beer cocktails this is the Ultimate Beer Experience.

Each brewery has either brewed something totally unique specifically for this event, or they are bringing you a brand new brew that hasn't hit the shelves yet! Beer is our focus at this event, but we'll have a couple of other choices for you. If you like to change things up, plus The Berkeley Church will wow us again with delectable bites from their talented kitchen. Can't forget to mention there will also be live music from some great local talent. 

Location:

Berkeley Church/Field House

315 Queen St E, Toronto

 Date & Time:

Thursday September 15, 2016 from 6pm to 11pm

Ticket Details:  

$25 in advance (Include 5 Sample vouchers) & $35 at the door

Get your tickets here ASAP

*** This giveaway only include admission tickets and not drink vouchers****

Good Luck!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lasa by Lamesa [Filipino]

Lasa by Lamesa (@lasabylamesa) located on St.Clair West has a more casual traditional style compare to the original Lamesa which is more upscale and delicate version of Filipino Food.

I have been a big fan of Lamesa since they first open (see post here, here and here) and I was excited to try their new spot and it didn't disappoint. Love the casual bright space!!!

You'll need to order and pay at the counter first, they will bring your dishes over when it's ready.

Lechon Kawali $10

~ fried crispy pork belly w/ pickled papaya and carrot slaw

Make sure to get the chili garlic soy and vinegar dipping sauce to lighten up the otherwise heavy piece of meat. Love the super crispy skin and wish it was slightly fatter since the meat was kinda on the dry side.

Campo Viejo Winery [Longrono - Spain]

I actually won part of my Spain Trip from Campo Viejo (@campoviejowines) #LiveUncorked picture contest on Instagram and one of the highlight was getting a personal tour of the winery.

As we drove up to the winery, we can't help but be amaze at how big the vineyard is but guess what, that's only part of it since Campo Viejo have vineyards all over the area and they also buy from small local growers. No wonder they are one of the biggest wine exporter in the world.

Love how they are promoting through art and it's so colorful which make you feel happy just looking at them, here's something quoted from their website :

Campo Viejo inspires a life that’s more colourful and invites everyone to Live Uncorked. This is why we enjoy working with Okuda & Remed, two acknowledged urban artists with a distinctive style, to capture the expressiveness of Campo Viejo wines through urban art.

Winemaking and art have a lot in common. Just like urban artists who use city streets and spray paints to express their vision of a ‘life more colourful’, our winemakers use Rioja as their canvas and the Tempranillo grape as their brush to create wines which are full of character and authenticity.

Campo Viejo winemakers and Remed & Okuda are bringing ‘Live Uncorked’ to the streets of major cities around the world with a series of #StreetsOfColour events, which invite people to enjoy the artistry of our wines and the live creation of urban artwork.

Restaurante Kokotxa [San Sebastian - Spain]

Restaurante Kokotxa is a 1-Michelin star helm by chef Dani Lopez and Estela Velasco where they incorporate Chinese and Japanese elements to Spanish dishes. The name Kokotxa or Cococha in Spanish is a typical dish made from the bottom of the chin of hake in Basque Country.

They offer a 7 courses Market Menu €62pp for a 9 courses Tasting Menu €82pp and a small A-la-Carte menu. That's probably one of the best deal for a Michelin star restaurant, I was fortunate to read about it after being unsuccessful in making reservation for Mugaritz and Arzak for our San Sebastian 2 day stay. When we went, we had the tasting menu and an additional dish that I wanted to try. 

(price changes depending on the seasonal menu) 

We didn't take photo of the space but it's really very basic/contemporary with not much of a decor.

Amphora de Cobija del Pobre, Bierzo Mencia 2012

We are frankly not familiar with Spanish wine since there's barely any selection available here in Toronto, so again we asked our waiter to recommend a bottle that would go well with our Tasting Menu. This was amazing and goes well with both the red meat and the seafood, totally easy drinking

Right off the bad you can see the Japanese influence her with the plating, love the one bite snack.

Scalops Ceviche

~ baked sweet potato

Love all the bright colors, perfect for Spring time (we were there in May)

Scaddabush [Scarborough - Italian]

Scaddabush (@scaddabush) recently open it's 4th location at Scarborough and I was invited for a Media dinner, I was very curious about the food of this new chain restaurant. It was located just outside of Scarborough Town Center which is very convenient both by car or transit.

It was a family style meal prepared by Executive Chef Steve Silvestro and we were joined by volunteers from the Bluff Food Bank, the charity that's supported by sales of Scaddabush's house made "Charity Bread".

Charity Bread (Original $4.25 / Spicy $4.75 / 3-Cheese $5.25)

Did you know the sales of their "Charity Bread" at each location support a local charity of the area and their net proceeds all go to the charity. Delicious and for a great cause, no excuse needed to order all 3 flavors (^_<) 

They also have a Mozzarella Bar where they make fresh mozzarella to order.

Naked $12.98

~ w/ extra virgin olive oil, focaccia crostini, San Marzano tomato jam, sea salt

Love the tomato jam with the mozzeralla

Bomba Burrata $15.98

~ infused w/ cream, served w/ spicy roasted tomato and chili ragu, fresh basil, double-smoked bacon, extra virgin olive oil, shili flakes, focaccia crostini

This was my favorite since the heat of the skillet kept the cheese soft for longer and love the flavorful spicy sauce with the half melted cheese.

Platito Filipino Soul Food [Brunch - Filipino]

As soon as I saw an Instagram picture of Platito Filipino Soul Food (@platitotoronto) purple waffle, I want to come try.

Bok Bok Chicken & Ube Waffle $16

~ Fried Chicken + Purple Yam Waffles

Love the super soft moist texture of the ube waffle although kinda wish it was a tad more crispy on the outside... It was really delicious with the crispy fried chicken and even yummier with the Maple Butter, just try to get a bit of everything in each bite.

Tosilog $13

~ Sweet Pork + Garlic Fried Rice + Two Fried Eggs

Love the garlic rice but thought the pork was just plain sweet and somewhat lack some other flavor... maybe serve with a spicy fish sauce for dipping on the side?!?

Calamansi Shandy Cocktails $7

Rather plain both in presentation and taste.

Verdict:

Love the waffle and chicken and will definetly be back for it.

And would need to come back to try the Ube icecream w/ Ube Waffle

Maybe come back for dinner to try other items from the menu, especially the tapas style dishes.