A Day in the County… Via the City

Yesterday, I was cordially invited to “an exclusive culinary tour of Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties” at The Field House at Berkeley Church.

I was particularly delighted for this opportunity, especially because I don’t drive – how nice to have everyone come into the city! – and because I had a feeling that these quaint towns would showcase some truly incredible products.

Tables were set with everyone’s homemade goodies and the purveyors were on hand to talk about the process, ingredients, etc.

Upon entering the room, I was warmly greeted by Gary Fischer, who offered me a glass of his refreshing Carrick Wine Rose.  Carrick Wines is the first winery and cidery in Bruce County, producing wines with local, pesticide-free produce. Their store is located in a century farm house.

Next, I met Rebecca Mills, the Chef of Delicious Dishes, a caterer who does weddings, dinner parties and other affairs. Though we just met, we talked as if we’d known one another for ages. I tried her Pheasant Pies, which were moist and the best pheasant anything I’ve ever had. She gets them at a few nearby farms, so they are not only local, but extremely fresh. A great excuse to plan an upcoming party, don’t you think?

Before I fell for their honey, I fell for Gail and Guy Anderson of Lazy J Ranch Honey Products. They welcomed me like I was the cousin they’d never met.  Aside from their warm hospitality, their honey (I had the Clover) is one of the best I’ve ever tasted. You can’t get it in stores here, but they might ship it to you. Restaurant owners and chefs, if you’re looking for a great honey (they sell raw, creamed, all kinds), I’d recommend these guys. And despite being a staunch city girl in my LBD and high-heeled boots, they offered to tool me around the counties, showing me all of the wonderful people and places. I hope it’s okay, but I’m going to call you Aunt Gail and Uncle Guy from now on…

Owner and Chef of Rocky Raccoon Café , Robin Pradhan made me divine, succulent Bison that had been marinating for 24 hours. He and his wife Shelley follow the 100-mile diet philosophy and use local producers to create their phenomenal menu items.

And when I got home, I was thrilled to find deer or elk pepperoni (it wasn’t marked but thoroughly delightful), a jar of Lazy J Ranch honey, a bottle of Meredith’s Ginger Syrup (can’t wait to try it – what do you suggest I do with it?) and a bag of fresh Ontario Red Prince Apples in my press kit.

What a memorable day.  Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome and for the stunning fare.

I’ll be up to see you all again soon. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate spring.

Oh what a night – anniversary dinner at Briscola

It can be hard to take me out for dinner.

If it’s a neighbourhood joint, family run with a napkin dispenser and plastic tablecloths, I’ll be happy. It’s when you get to the finer joints that it’s difficult.

Being a restaurant reviewer, I have either:

- been to the place

- given one of the owner’s other places a bad review

- know something about it that will affect our dinner

Or it’s completely out of our price range.

So celebrating any occasion out at a “nice” restaurant can be a challenge for me and my fella. So for our anniversary dinner last night, I chose a bunch of new places neither of us had been yet and let him make the decision.

Because I eat and critique for a living, I decided not to look at the menus too closely or decide in advance what I was going to have. I didn’t look around the website to get a feel for the place or read this history of the owner and chef as I normally would. Normally, I’m the go-to person, the girl friends email or call to ask for recommendations of places to go, so it was nice to let go and be in the dark for once.

We got dressed – me in a tight fitting grey wool dress, he in a pair of jeans with black long sleeve tee – and made our way down to three-week old restaurant, Briscola, on College Street.

Owner Taufik was there, serving as host and party thrower extrodinaire. E-Talk’s Tanya Kim strode in with bouncy tresses and Chanel purse. Because it’s new, it had that feeling of the place to be on a Saturday night. Not something my fella and I are about, but it was nice to be somewhere brand new (I usually wait a couple of months before I review a new resto, so I’m not one of those people dying to be the first one in).

We got the window seat, which allowed for a romantic meal while still enjoying the excited voices and laughter from the bar and tables in the back.

The Salumiere plate was a nice starter, but the Deep-Fried Olives with orange and parsley are not to be missed. We shared a small Spaghetti Pommodoro that was fresh and vibrant and I tucked into a voluptuous Osso Bucco Classico, while Mr. Right has breaded veal. That’s all I’ll say because this is not a review, but simply a sharing of my experience.

That’s why you won’t find any pictures of our meal. Or what I would have added or taken away. I wanted this dinner to be about the 9 years my fella and I have shared, about the love that has developed and flourished and about all the opportunities that lie ahead for us.

A meal is about the food, yes, but it is about the things said in between bites too.

It’s also about whom you meet – I met a guy coming up from the bathroom, who in 2 minutes told me what he did for a living and introduced me to his friends in the back (we work in the same field). In between courses, our server Jamie told us about his life back in the Bahamas, his studies at school and his chocolate lab puppy that he raised and sent back home.

I’m going to remember this night forever. I have the images burned on my brain, so no need for pictures or notes about the basil or kale.

That’s what I love most about food – the memories it creates that you carry with you for the rest of your life.

I say e11even is one of Toronto’s top new restaurants

As a restaurant critic, I’ve had a lot of opportunities to have tremendous meals. And while I’ve had some great experiences, not every restaurant lives up to the hype.

E11even Restaurant is one of the few that far exceeds it.

e11even looks swank, but so do a lot of restaurants. It is huge, but then again, so many restaurants are taking on larger spaces.

It could be seen as too corporate or men’s club-y, but lucky for us, it’s neither.

So already you’re thinking, well, then the food can’t be superb. How could it? It’s just asking too much.

But everything from the apps to the mains are staggeringly good  – and do not leave without having the Garden of Eden, a cucumber-based drink made with Hendrick’s Gin (pictured below).

I think that their menu can be divided into 2 categories – clean, light eating or comfort food dishes. In the light section, check out the House Smoked Salmon, Tuna Tartare and Crab Cake (pictured below).

What you can’t tell from these pictures is how incredibly fresh and satisfying everything is. You will be oohing and ahhing your whole way through the meal, like I did.

For heartier dishes, try the awe-inspiring Kobe Meatball.

Or the Cheeseburger.

And the Baby Back Ribs? Unbelievably juicy. Slurp.

One of the best concepts for dessert is this one with its just-out-of-the-oven goodness, Cookies and Milk.

But if that’s not your thing, there’s so much more to choose from. What about Key Lime Pie, Peanut Butter Mousse or Sorbet?

I liked the food so much that this past week, I took my 4 Food Book Clubs there on Monday and Tuesday night. Executive Chef Robert Bartley and his team put out consistently stellar dishes in portions that never disappoint.

Oh, and that’s just the beginning! I haven’t even told you about the decor, open kitchen, Tokyo toilets or iPad wine lists…

Yes, e11even really does have it all. I think it’s one of our city’s best, so book now (make a reservation as they are hugely busy!).