Crispy Roll Japanese Restaurant

I had a huge craving for street food tonight.  Like dirty onion rings and a street dog.  But, depsite my cravings, I find it really hard to turn down sushi when it’s offered.  This is not my usual Japanese place, but I liked it a lot - enough, even, to go out of my way to come back there.  Humbletastes that I am, I am particular with my service.  And the service here was amazing.  The waiters were all very friendly and efficient.  Efficiency is key, people!  And though they were busy, they served us quickly and were attentive, but not overly so that you feel crowded.  My order was the terriyaki Salmon Bento Box which came with (in addition to the obvious, terriyaki salmon,) shrimp and vegetable tempura, spring rolls, mixed vegetables and california rolls.

As much as that was, when I saw the Green Dragon Spider Roll, I had to have them and convinced boyfriend that he wanted them too, so we could share.  His order was Chicken Katsu with vegetables.  That + he eats everything with spicy mayo.

See’s Candies

(Photo by Artie Osit)

Boyfriend’s dad brought me back some chocolate from California.  DEMOLISHED within the night.  This particular kind were the Nuts and Chews.  Most were a combination of caramel and nut + some other unknown ingredient.  The simpler ones tasted the best to me, but all were pretty good.  Although nuts (especially when combined with dark chocolate) aren’t usually my first choice, the fact that these were gone so quickly kind of goes against all my initial hesitation.  There was one, however, that I had to spit out… Pretty sure it had some rum in it and it was just so not-my-thing.  Another one I had tasted like a high class, miniature Snickers bar, which is completely my thing.  Sooo good.  

Check them out! See’s Candies

Blood Pressure Bust

Now, this is dessert from my gramp’s birthday which was spent at Mandarin Buffet.  As much as I like the food there, I find that it tends to be anticlimactic since my dessert experience is always sub-par.  But, I was pleasantly surprised when I had these strawberries.  I thought they’d be sour and the chocolate, not rich, but I was wayyy off.  Definitely very, very good.  The chocolate was just the right richness and sweetness to compliment the strawberries, yum!  And man, that tiramisu is as good as it looks.  I would’ve had more but they were starting to talk about taking everyone’s blood pressure as soon as we got home so I didn’t want to push my luck.

Oh, P.S.  There was cheesecake too, but I was a little over eager so there isn’t a picture.  It was also very good, and I appreciate having the option to add my own fruit toppings (or not add them at all).  It was a little hard though… Likely, still a little frozen.

P.P.S.  Boyfriend’s dad is back with his fancy camera.  Goodbye phone/digicam pics! Ha :)

Once Upon a Potluck

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away called the Annex, some friends gathered for a feast.  These friends trekked from near and far, journeying through the sweltering heat, enduring all things for the anticipation of the subsistence that they awaited.  Hunger and Tiredness tore at them each step of the way, but they resigned that nothing would stop them.  Many had to venture out of the journey’s path, needing to collect supplies that would enable them to finish.  At times, the tempting allure of the easiness and effortlessness of marketplaces and merchants threatened to pull them away and distract them indefinitely, but they remained faithful to their cause, knowing it was of a higher calling.  Finally, as they all staggered in, they awed at the table set before them.  The silverware and china, sparkled in the sun and the smell of the food filled the air.  It was then, they knew that despite Hunger and Tiredness’ relentless tortures, they had banished them finally from their sight, and conquered over them.  And, as some wiped away tears of gratefulness, the friends sat down to enjoy their beautiful feast.

The End.

Far Niente

Do you ever notice how the fancier the restaurant, the smaller the portion?  If you’re looking for a nice meal, one not fit for Lilliputians per se, then you should check out the food at Far Niente.  The restaurant is located in Toronto’s financial district at Bay & Wellington, which adds to the character of the restaurant’s dressier feel.  The food was great, and although I’ve read some reviews on mediocre service, I would have to strongly disagree.  I found the service to be appropriately friendly, courteous and we were served fairly quickly.  I can’t remember the name of what I ordered, probably because the server just mentioned it rather than it being on the menu, but I do remember it was lamb and very, very good.  However, of Boyfriend’s pasta dish, I’m almost 85% sure that it is called Seafood Tagliatelle but am 100% sure that it was delish!

Happy Face Apples

I carved a dozen of these little happy and angry faces for the Bobbing for Apples section of a food race game.  Happy faces were significantly easier to carve for some reason.  The angry faces didn’t turn out too well at first, but they eventually got better.   I think carving the apples at all was a mistake though, since it made it easier for people to bite into.  Oh well! (© 2010 bleujunkie)

Sex and the City