NYE @ Bier Markt - Shops at Don Mills

Ever since Bier Markt at Shops at Don Mills was opened, I was tempted to try it out due to the many many types/kinds of beer served and it is interesting how each item on the menu has its own pairing with one or more beer.  My friends and I decided to go for their $99 NYE dinner with four courses for our last meal in 2011.

For appetizers, we ordered the Yukon Potato and Shrimp Bisque.  I enjoyed the soup because it was thick and tasty, and there were actually a few pieces of lobster floating around.  Cider Cured Salmon was the other appetizer we ordered.  This wasn't as appetizing as the bisque because it tasted more health and it was too simple.

The second dish was the Intermezzo served with a slice of grapefruit and crushed ice made with some alcoholic beverage.  It was somewhat unique between the appetizer and the main course.

 For main dishes, the "Belgian Cut" Striploin  was chosen.  The steak was tender and the portion was actually great enormous.  However, the Chilean Sea Bass was petite when compared to the steak.

Last but not least was our desserts.  We tried both the Double Chocolate Fudge Cake and the Lemon Tart.  The lemon tart was actually better because it wasn't as original.  Also, as one can imagine the chocolate cake was way too sweet and fatten.

Just before the countdown, we all got a glass of champagne as well.  Overall, dinner was satisfying and we will be back for the Cheeses Fondue in the future along with the beer pairing suggested.

Bluestone Bistro

Would have never notice Bluestone Bistro if I didn't buy my first ever 'Deal' online because the restaurant is literally hidden in one of the plazas on Highway 7 between Warden and Kennedy.  I purchased the $20 for $40 of food at Bluestone Bistro a few months ago, but finally had the urge to pull out all the deals I got online and go 'chew' them down. 

The environment in Bluestone Bistro is warm and welcoming because the restaurant was designed to serve casual family and friends gatherings and also for private functions.

Sum sum and I ordered two dishes to share for the night.  Sum chose one of the dish under Chef's Feature Plates, 'Chicken Marsala'.  It was served with wild mushrooms, mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus.  I found this dish pretty salty but the overall taste was excellent.  The Marsala wine was strong enough that we actually tasted it.

I selected a pasta from the menu.  'Frutti de Mare', it contained gnocchi, lobster, shrimps, sherry, tomato and tarragon served in a tomato cream sauce.  Compared to the chicken, the pasta was cooked with less seasoning and the taste was more mild..  This was my first time (I think) having gnocchi (small, thick, soft dumplings), and I love it.

Overall, 'to.live.my.life' gives a rating of 7.5 out of 10 to Bluestone Bistro because the overall expereince was just in the 'meeting the expectations' standards with nothing overly unexpected.

North 44 (Summerlicious)

Finally have time to sit down to write this long overdue blog about my first Summerlicious meal from a month ago at North 44.  Out of the many restaurants on the Summerlicious list, my friends selected this fancier and more popular restuarat located in midtown Toronto, North 44.  High standards from the food and the environment were somewhat expected. 

The restaurant was well designed and romantic.  I sat for more than half an hour waiting for 2 others to come, so Miss.A Wong and I had a lot of their bread which was pretty good and soft.

For appetizer, I ordered Steak Tartare with fried capers, grainy mustard and fresh country toast.  The portion was small but I never had Steak Tartare before, so it felt funny and new but I enjoyed it.

One of my friend got a vegetarian appetizer, Minted Sweet Pea Ravioli with crushed pecans, brown butter and sage. I tried a little bit and the taste of mint felt very freshing.

For main, I ordered the Roasted Chicken supreme with spinach risotto, heriloom carrots and nautral jus.  Surprisingly, this dish was actually very filling because of the risotto, and the piece of chicken was considerably huge.  However, I have to admit that the chicken is a little dry.  I want to make risotto now after trying this dish out!

My friend ordered a 6oz Steak with Ontario asparagus and roasted potatoes.  I think this was the best main course dish out of the three from the Summerlicious menu.  The steak was very tender and the portion was just right.

One of my other friend ordered the Pan Seared Halibut with tempura onion rings, bok choy and miso sauce. 

The best part  of the dinner is again desset.  I ordered the Banana Strudel with Chocolate Ice Cream & Sponge Toffee.  I only give complements to desserts, but truthfully, the sponge toffee was very delicious. 

My friend ordered the Summer Peach Upside down Cake with sour cream ice cream.  This one was actually the dessert that the waiter recommeneded and said it is currently the most popular one in the resturant.  However, my friend thought it wasn't too special because the cake was just a slice of very ordinary sponge cake.

'To.live.my.life' rates North 44 with a 8/10 based on the fancy decor and high quality of food.  However, the portions were small probably due to the fact it was for Summerlicious.  I will love to go back to try out their other dishes, but the prices are pretty high for a normal casual person like me :p

Oliver & Bonacini @ Bayview Village (Summerlicious)

My third 'Summerlicious' meal was a very casual one at Oliver & Bonacini located at Bayview Village.  It was my bi-weekly lunch gathering with one of my bestest, Mr. LCS, we had a great chat and a delicious lunch that Sunday afternoon.  We made a reservation for 11:30am but when I got there it was fully packed.  I have never been to this O&B and was not surprised that many were just there for a relaxing Sunday brunch or lunch.  We both had an urge to just order brunch but at the end we went with their Summerlicous menu.

For appetizer, I ordered the Crispy Chicken & Ginger Dumplings dipped in maple scallion soya sauce, and LCS got the O&B Cobb Salad served with iceberg lettuce, avocado, bacon, boiled egg and Roquefort. Nothing too special or exciting with both of our appetizers.

I wasn't expecting too much after our appetizers, but the main course and the dessert did surprised me. We both got the Cajun Shrimp Quesadilla served with white kidney beans, cheddar and sour cream. It was delicious and tasty  The whole dish seemed very healthy!

For dessert, we both got the same thing again, we ordered theChocolate Marquise milk chocolate torte with hazelnut praline crunch.  It wasn't too special but desserts are always good!

Thanks to LCS for lunch!  This was a $15 Summerlicious lunch, which was perfect for a casual lunch catch-up.  We were drooling over brunches that others were having.  Some day I will go for brunch atOliver & Bonacini for sure.   'To.live.my.life' rates this meal with a 8/10 considering the quality and quantity of the food, and also the price.

c5 Restaurant (Summerlicious)

My second 'Summerlicous' meal of the year is at 'c5 Restaurant' located at the pinnacle of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum.  I would of missed out if it wasn't one of the Summerlicious restaurants. c5 Restaurant is at the fifth floor of ROM with stunning rooftop views, the environment in both the lounge and the restaurant are perfect. 

Miss. S. So and I changed our reservation back and forth between lunch and dinner, but at the end we did lunch because the Summerlicious menu were almost the same for both.  Lunch is just $25, while dinner is $45.  I love all three courses I chose, the quality and quantity were excellent considering it is a Summerlicious meal overall.

For appetizer, I orderedAlbacore Tuna served in Mango & mint salad, soy reduction.  The piece of tuna is huge since it is just an appetizer.  The mango gives it very refreshing taste.

Miss. So's appetizer :Air cured Coppa served with crostini, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic, pecorino, summer seedlings

For main course, I ordered Pork Shoulder and it was served with Polenta, chorizo cacciatore, pine nuts, olives & baby spinach.  I have never had such a large quantity served to me in a 'licious' main course.  The pork was tendered and the sauce was very tasty.

The other main course was Lake Erie Whitefish served in smoked tomato vinaigrette, ontario asparagus, green beans, and pattypan squash. I tried a small piece of the fish but it wasn't as tasty and mouth-watering as my pork.  Nevertheless, the quantity was again very big and the quality was excellent.

Next, my favourite part of the meal is of course dessert, I ordered the Chocolate Mousse Cakeserved with aerated milk chocolate, chocolate snow, caramelized white chocolate,and vanilla tuile. The cake was soft and not too sweet. I like how it is served with different sauces because each bite of the cake dipped in different sauce gives a different taste and feeling.

Miss. So ordered Panna Cotta with caramel, and sea salt brittle. The caramel in the middle was too sweet, but the fact that this is a dessert is alright to me.

Thanks to Miss. S.So for recommending 'c5 Restaurant' to me.  I really did enjoy this meal and I can say that it is one of the best 'licous' meal I have ever had.  The environment was great, the food quality and quantity were excellent considering its price and the fact that it was a 'lcious' meal.  'To.live.my.life' will rate c5 Restaurant with a 9/10.