Domani

I love the way fate can lead to new adventures. Nadia and I go back a long way when we were working colleagues. I like to think we were both excellent teachers and on the cutting edge of new ideas. We certainly do have a lot of great stories to tell. We hadn’t met for a long time and were looking forward to a reunion. We had planned a Summerlicious evening at Boho Bistro just up the street

When I arrived promptly at the appointed hour I was told by the beautiful manager that there were air conditioning problems and the hood over the cooking stove was mal functioning. There was actually smoke coming out the front of the restaurant and they were forced to close for the evening. Quite frankly I loved the ambiance and the charming proprietor and manager but I have had 5 Summerlicious meals in one week and one more lemon tart was weighing heavily in my brain and in my waist. When I heard the restaurant was closing for the night I thought this is providence.

Nadia knows Roncesvalles very well. She grew up on this street. We walked down the street and within a few blocks we found Domani. No problem without a reservation. We were greeted by a very handsome Theo and the sound of great taped jazz. We knew we were on to something good here. I was so grateful I didn’t need to have another 3 course meal.

I opted for 2 of the very appealing appetizers. The Hearts of Romaine Lettuce with Caesar dressing was perfect. The leaves were crisp and fresh. Pickled garlic was on the side. Sun–dried tomatoes and shaved Parmesan Cheese greatly added to the flavor. ($7.50) I loved every bite. It was just what I wanted. The second appetizer was one of the best I have ever eaten. Scottish Smoked Salmon with Potato Latke was served with arugula and an avocado sour cream sauce.($10.50) The structure was magnificent. The potato latke was perfectly flavored and cooked. Mounds of smoked salmon were on top of the delicious avocado sour cream. Crisp arugula topped the pyramid..This was so delicious. Freshly sliced Tomato and Bocconcini is served with basil and shallot dressing.($9.50) Steamed PEI Mussels with Red Curry are served with fresh tomato and chives in a coconut broth with chardonnay wine, roasted garlic, fresh herbs and scallions. In addition white wine, lemon, fresh tomato and fresh herbs grace this plate.($10.95)

Nadia ordered the Fresh Whole Wheat Fettuccini with pan seared scallops, black tiger shrimp, asparagus, roasted red pepper, garlic and pesto. ($16.95) She insisted I try a bit. We both agreed that this was a wondrous tasting experience. Wow!

Sicilian Style Gnocchi are served with Portobello mushrooms, oven dried tomatoes, baby spinach and Gorgonzola cream.($14.95)

We watched the guests at a different table enjoying one of the featured Pizzas. Black Marinated chicken is also topped with pesto, fresh herbs, sun dried tomato paste and goat’s cheese.($15.50) Roasted Rack of Lamb with a grainy mustard crust is served with garlic mashed potatoes, vegetables and port reduction.($23.95) Oven Roasted Tilapia is served with a mango miso drizzle and served on a bed of prawns with baby bok choy and red mini potatoes.($23.95)

It was great to be with Nadia. It was such fun to discover this gourmet dining spot. We loved it all

Rawlicious

like new experiences. I have had 4 unbelievable gourmet meals in the past week as part of Summerlicious. When my dear friend suggested Rawlicious for a Saturday treat I thought a simple vegetarian meal would be in order. This was a little more (or less) than I expected. I should have been warned by the name.

This restaurant features raw food. This living food café features organic vegan food. IT was most educational and interesting to speak with our server. She explained that the raw food aids digestion and told us that hot food, dairy and carbohydrates are bad for the digestive system. We were told that food is our fuel and we should have access to clean chemical free nutrition. Nothing is cooked above 118 degrees so that you get all of the finest enzymes and minerals.

The place is adorable. One of the owners is obviously an artist. Paintings hang everywhere. Two small rooms have tables of a variety of heights and chairs with many cushions for your comfort. We ate out in the small garden. IT was very charming and soothing to the eye.

A variety of drinks is available. Smoothies are all $6.00. Tropical Green features spinach, kale, parsley, celery and romaine. Raspberry Beret is a combination banana, orange and raspberry. Other juice drinks offer a variety of healthy potions.

I ordered a Caesar Salad. Romaine lettuce is tossed a Caesar dressing with pine nut parmesan.($7.00) My friend ordered a Wrap served in a collard green. A seasoned Nut Loaf was served with basil pesto, tomato slices, red onion, shredded lettuce and pine nut sauce engulfed in the collard green.

Entrees are served and they looked tempting but I had to remind myself that they are served at room temperature. Zucchetti Pasta offers spirals of zucchini with a choice of a rawlicious sauce.(e.g. tomato marinara sauce; basil pesto or alfredo sauce.)

Dessert offers cookies and treats. They are not baked. Healthy ingredients are formed together. They are put in a dehydrator and look like traditional cookies.]

It was certainly a new experience but I have to state that I like my food heated. I also have a need for dairy products. I can appreciate the fact that all natural organic products are good for the digestive tract. I guess I am just not such a purist. I like my treats. I like variety and I found this food to be very limiting. It certainly was a new experience.

The fun began when we took a walk after lunch. I am not familiar with the junction area. I had the feeling that this area is about to burst into an ‘up and coming neighborhood.’ The gourmet Ice cream and chocolate shop was fantastic. The ambiance was very aesthetic and the product looked very enticing. A wonderful coffee shop is situated across the road It was packed. Apparently they have the most expensive coffee machine and water filtering system in town.

Trappers

I am beginning to feel like a butterball. This was my 4^th Summerlicious experience within a week. That means 3 course meals with rich fattening delicious desserts.(Prices vary from $25.00. $35.00 or $45.00) Trappers is $35.00 for 3 courses.

My jazz playing grandson was leaving on his big Western tour. He has arranged this month long gig and was very excited planning to play in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. I offered to take him for dinner and then to the airport. I needed to choose a restaurant near the 401. Trappers seemed like the perfect location and Alex was delighted. I check every menu before booking for Summerlicious. They are all listed on the website. Summerlicius does end on July 19^th but the regular menu has all the items listed for this special event. Trappers did have many choices on their Summerlicius menu, more than most other restaurants.

He thoroughly enjoyed the Baked Goat Cheese and Portobello Mushroom appetizer. It was flavored with a raspberry flavored dressing. I opted for the Trapper’s Summerlicious Salad. Baby spinach and organic greens were mixed with poached pears, barbecued apples, caramelized pecans with honey mustard pomegranate vinaigrette. I could hardly finish all the salad but Alex has a great appetite and was able to eat both his appetizer as well as some of mine.

The Soup of the day was Chilled Tomato with orange and fresh basil with smoked gruyere cheese. Jump Fried Escargot was served on eggplant with gorgonzola cheese and a basil sauce.

Alex enjoyed his main course of Charcoal Broiled Tandoori Chicken with a maple balsamic reduction. He said it was excellent. Acadian Baked Red Snapper was served with a citrus coriander puree blanc and a mango pineapple salsa. Meat lovers would have chosen the Charcoal Broiled Black Angus Striploin Steak or perhaps the Charcoal Broiled Spring Lamb.

I ordered the Angel Hair Pasta tossed with grilled Portobello mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, sun dried tomatoes and topped with basil, virgin olive oil and gratinee of Asia go cheese. It was the first ‘dud’ I have had in all of Summerlicious. The cheese was too rich and the rest of the dish was flavorless. Once again Alex was able to finish all of his dish as well as mine.

During Summerlicius I always have a dessert and have never left a crumb. My waist is crying out to me at this point. Alex loved the Chocolate Truffle Cake. It was dense and a generous portion. I ordered the Double Lemon Tart. The crust was shortbread and the lemony custard was very tangy. I do admit I shoved the whipped cream topping to the side. How virtuous of me!

I am glad that Summerlicious comes only once a year. I eat far too much but I do enjoy the wealth of offerings in this gourmet city. I have one more dining experience tonight which is the last night of Summerlicious.

Now I can count the months until Winterlicious comes. In the meantime I am going on a diet.

(500) Days of Summer

Refreshing! Delightful!

This film was a big hit at the Sundance Film Festival. It is a perfect summer delight. The characters are so real and genuine. It is a boy meets girl story with an unexpected ending.

The story covers 500 days of the relationship between Tom and Summer. Sometimes the days follow a linear pattern. Sometimes the script goes back to a former day. It isn’t confusing. It is delightful.

Sometimes the story is told by a narrator. Initially we see pictures of the two main characters as babies and young children. It was such great fun.

Tom was an aspiring architect but gave it up to be a writer for a greeting card company. There is a lot of humor amongst the staff about the writings for greeting cards.

Tom is immediately smitten with the darling Summer when she comes to work as the assistant to the boss. She states at the beginning that she is not interested in having a boyfriend. She is cool and adorable. She is also very refreshing. She was so funny when she freely sang out at a karaoke bar. It was even more hysterical when she repeatedly shouted out the word ‘penis’ while the couple was enjoying a summer day in the park.

As the days pass they become friendlier. They have such fun together.

Whenever they break up it is his younger sister who seems to be the philosopher and the soother of shattered nerves. The sister tells Tom him that all her girlfriends are in love with him.

At one point the boss calls Tom into his office to ask what is wrong with him. Tom expects to be fired. The boss tells him that his sadness over the upset of Summer should be translated into writing suitable words for the Sympathy section of the greeting cards.

The relationship has on and off moments. When Tom is with Summer he is happy and content. When she leaves him he goes ‘over the edge.’

The ending is not a typical American ending but I found it very satisfying.

Bistro Tournesol

Once a year the four ladies meet for a dinner. We always look forward to the occasion and do a lot of research to find the right spot. Unfortunately Sybil chose to spend the day with her husband in Stratford. We understood but really missed her. Annette and Bea took my advice that Bistro Tournesol was the perfect choice for us. I had dined here a few weeks previously and couldn’t wait for another occasion to come back.

Philip Lewicki is one of the owners and he works the front of the house. He is handsome, charming and extremely efficient. No wonder this restaurant is such a success. Craig Lockhart is the chef and he deserves a medal of honor for his outstanding creative skill. I hope to meet Mel Bryan, the other owner, on my next visit.

The food is exquisite from beginning to end. I can’t remember eating so much for a long time but wasn’t willing to give up one morsel. Every bite was perfect. It was outstanding.

This is Summerlicious time and we were offered 3 courses for $25.00. This is the bargain of the century considering the quality and presentation of the food.

Bea, Annette and I opted for the Smoked Salmon and Smoked Tuna appetizer. It was wondrous. The perfectly prepared fish was nestled on a bed of chiffonade of cabbage. Tournesol Mixed Salad with sunflower seeds in a strawberry–black pepper vinaigrette was another choice. East Coast Crab and Fish Cake is served with chiffonade of Napa cabbage.

I remembered the Planked Salmon from my last visit and loved it so much I wanted to enjoy it all over again. This delicious moist salmon is served to each guest on a small cedar plank. Perfectly cooked vegetables graced the plate. We didn’t need it but we all devoured the bowl of Scrumptious French fries.

Bea chose the Confit of Duck. We enquired as to the meaning of confit and were told it means the food product cooked with its own juices. The duck was enjoyed. Penne Pasta with BBQ Chicken, Mushrooms, Zucchini and Fresh Tomato was the other option for this evening. Vegetarian Pasta option is available.

We all ordered the Lemon Curd Tart. Each plate contained a large fresh, perfectly crusted, lemony lemon tart. I didn’t know anything could taste this good. Fresh preserves decorated the plate. We didn’t miss a crumb. Tomorrow we could worry about dieting. With food this exquisite we were bound to enjoy every bite and every minute. Bittersweet Belgium Chocolate Mousse with white chocolate shavings and almond biscotti was very tempting. The third option was a Fruit Crumble with Madagascar Vanilla Ice Cream. The Summerlicious menu offers several choices in each category. The regular menu is still available. The food here is creative, perfectly prepared and absolutely delicious.

I adore meeting with my dear friends and I certainly loved our choice of this fine dining restaurant.

Seraphine

This is an outstanding film based on the life of French artist, Seraphine de Senlis. She lived in Senlis France. When we first meet her she is in her 40’s. The time is before World War 1. She is a cleaner in a large house. She is unkempt. She shuffles along. She washes the linens in a river and delivers the clean laundry to households in the area. She scrubs the floor with such intensity you can feel the energy. She likes to climb trees and after work hours she paints. She feels inspired by her religion.

A German art collector comes to stay at the house. He discovers her painting and tries to sell them. When she has a little money to spend she rents larger quarters and spends an enormous amount of money on furnishings. She also buys herself a bridal gown.

The war breaks out and her mentor returns to Germany. He is unable to sell her paintings

Seraphine goes mad. She wears her wedding gown and walks through the streets distributing her household silver to the houses in the neighborhood. She is taken away to an asylum. She does not do well in these conditions.

Her mentor does arrange for her to have some better care but the film tells us that she died in the asylum.

The acting is fantastic. Yolande Moreau portrays to perfection this troubled woman. No wonder she won an award in France for her acting. Ulrich Tukur plays the art collector, Wilhelm Uhde. He also is outstanding.

The cinematography is magnificent. It often is like looking at a piece of art. The film captures the magnificence of the countryside. The camera allows us to get into the soul of the characters. The colors are often muted using soft tones. There is not a lot of color in this film. The colors that are used portray the emotions so well.

The film won many awards in France and deserves much credit. An amazing film.

Valentino: The Last Emperor

was enthralled with this documentary about the legendary fashion designer Valentino. What a character! For 45 years he dominated the fashion scene with his haute couture. His gowns were ravishing. The ultra thin models carried off his creations with flair and pizzazz. Valentinio was especially known for his red gowns. They were spectacular like a work of art.

We really get to know Valentino and his side kick, assistant, lover and partner, Giancarlo. Giancarlo certainly had to put up with a lot of mood and attitude from his boss. Valentino was haughty, egocentric and so talented.

Valentino states,” I know what women want. They want to be beautiful.” We certainly become familiar with his five little dogs who go everywhere with him.

We see him designing one of his famous gowns. A nude model stands in front of him and he drapes the fabric around her to form the shape. The top seamstress takes notes. All the gowns are completely stitched by hand.

Valentino tells us that as a child he was enthralled by movie stars. It was fun to spot many movie stars of today attending his shows. Jennifer Anniston and Gwyneth Paltrow are known to be his client

Much of the film deals with the plans and the execution of his 45^th retrospective. A large museum in Paris was the location. Hundreds of the famous dresses are hung on the walls. It is spiritual and so dramatic. A final show at the Beaux Arts in Paris shows his modern designs. The place is made to look like a dessert with paper mache sand dunes. The ground is covered with semolina to look like sand. The dramatic models appear behind the sand dunes and it is all so exciting.

At the end of the film statements on the screen give further data about Valentino. This film took me to a world I could never know. I loved being there.

Corner House

Thank you Summerlicious. It allows me to attend some of the finest restaurants in the city at an affordable price. For $35.00 you are offered a 3 course meal of exquisite quality. It only is available until July 18. After that the excellent regular menu takes over. I have to confess that I have tried to get a reservation at Corner House for 2 years now during the Winterlicious and Summerlicious programs. They were always filled. This year I phoned at 10:00 am the first day you could book for Summerlcious. I did my homework. I went on the internet and checked the menus of every restaurant listed in the Summerlciious Program. This was the best.

Corner House is a charming house. The small interior rooms give you a warm feeling of dining at home. The outside terrace offers gracious dining under the trees. The place is elegant and charming. The food is one of the best in town.

It was my sister’s birthday and it had to be a special dinner. My sister, a special friend and I arrived promptly at the restaurant. By the time we left there was actually a long line waiting to come in. Our server was excellent. She was knowledgeable and attentive throughout dinner.

Corner House offers more choices than other restaurant participating in Summerlicious. My sister chose the Organic Arugula Salad. It featured endive, candied pecans, gorgonzola cheese pear and champagne vinaigrette. It was presented in a large oval shaped bowl. Doreen declared it a great winner. Her friend opted for the Chilled Cucumber Soup with chili oil, croutons and toasted Hazelnut. I had the Charred Black Tiger Shrimp with Provencal herb-garlic butter. I do not have words sufficient to describe the gourmet experience. This was the best possible. This was an appetizer and yet there were many shrimp perfectly cooked. Light watercress garnished the top. I couldn’t have been more satisfied. What a winner! Our only problem was in making a choice. There were so many tempting options.

Doreen and her friend enjoyed the Crackling Oven Roasted Cornish Hen. It was served on a warm summer vegetable salad with mint and ginger yogurt sauce. They were so satisfied with their choice. Once again I declared my dish the best choice. Cheese Ravioli with stewed tomato sauce, grilled eggplant and zucchini was served with pine nuts, arugula and basil pesto. Fantastic. I had considered the Seared Atlantic Halibut with shrimp, corn salsa and harvest vegetables. My guests had considered the Whole Roasted Black Angus Striploin with fingerling potatoes, field mushrooms and market vegetables. We were scoring perfect and still had dessert to savor.

Doreen loved the Praline & Valronha Chocolate Tart. with hazelnut crunch. Her friend loved the Lemon Mousse with fresh raspberries. I scored with the Ontario Farmed Rhubarb Crumble served with natural strawberry sauce and vanilla bean ice cream.

The portions were all very generous. This was one of the best meals I have enjoyed in a long while. I hope Doreen enjoyed her birthday dinner and all the evidence pointed in that direction.

What an evening. I want to go back today and do it all over again.

Excellent! Fantastic! A Gourmet Experience!

Il Divo

This has been an Italian weekend. The films Valentino and Il Divo have focused on Italian heroes. The only things missing were a limone gelati and an Italian lover.

Andreotti was the Italian Prime Minister for many terms. I recall vividly the emergency during the Aldo Moro murder. He was Andreotti’s opponent. I was in Italy at the time and I remember the day his body was discovered in a car trunk. Andreotti has been accused of many murders and connections with the mafia.

The film is dark and sometimes confusing. I couldn’t keep all the characters straight. They flash on the screen and you are told this one was murdered and that one committed suicide. I couldn’t keep it all straight in my mind. In the end it didn’t matter because the character of Andreotti was clearly defined. He was powerful. He was dangerous.

He was a most austere sullen man. His shoulders were always up to his neck. He never smiled and always had a stern look on his face. He is a classic case of ‘power corrupts.’

He was brought to trial many times and accused of a variety of horrid deeds. He always managed to get off.

It was no wonder he had many nicknames such as ‘Sphinx’ ‘Black Pope’ and ‘Il Divo’

The mood is bleak and dark at all times. There was a lot of shooting and many questionable suicides. I did love seeing the grandeur of the political buildings. At one time Andreotti states,” One cannot be too careful of the company he keeps.”

Unlike the present President there was no suggestion of young women. His wife seemed to be so much like him. She also was stern and sullen in appearance but seemed to care for him. One scene shows a party with many guests wildly dancing. Andreotti and his wife sat sullenly in chairs and watched. What a contrast.

It was an excellent film allowing the viewer to get a better understanding of a controversial character in charge for many years.

Empty Nest

his is an outstanding film by Argentinean director Daniel Burman. I was so pleased I was with a friend because we needed to talk about the film for a long time after the film. My friend had one interpretation and I had another. Reading reviews I saw another interpretation.

Part of the film is the reality of a family in Argentina facing the empty nester reality. Part of the film is the thinking process of the father facing the reality of the empty nest. What is reality and what is his imagination will be your challenge. A delightful section of the film is complete absurdity but absolute delight. Leonardo has a creative mind and these creative scenes add to the total positive experience

Leonardo is the handsome father who is an author. He always carries his red book of notes for his new writings. His relationship with his wife is polite but strained.

Martha is the beautiful wife. She had left her studies to support her husband and wants to go back to school. We see her attending university and becoming quite a party girl. Is this how her husband fantasizes her life or was it reality?

The daughter has left home and lives in Israel. Her husband is also an author who has written a book called Empty Nest. The parents got to Israel to visit. I loved this portion and thoroughly enjoyed the cinematography showing the magnificence of the Israeli terrain.

My friend and I discussed forever if the daughter really did live in Israel or once again it was all in the father’s head.

I guess it doesn’t really matter how you interpret it. The filming is outstanding. The quality of the performances is amazing. The story leaves you thinking.

This film is playing at the Royal Cinema. It has become my favorite art theatre in town. All the films are of the finest quality. You can almost attend any film and be guaranteed that you will have a fine film experience. The seats are comfortable. The old cinema has been totally restored. During the day it is used for film editing. For this reason the cinema is only open in the evening or during the weekend. The films do not play continuously. The film may only play once each evening and only is shown for a week or so.

The Royal Cinema is at College and Clinton in the midst of the Little Italy part of town. Countless excellent restaurants are on College St.

Make it an evening. My favorite restaurants in this part are La Forchetta, Capitol and Langostino all within a few seconds walk from the theatre. A Gelato and bakery is on College St just east of the theatre. Yesterday I had a lemon gelato that was as fine as anything in Italy.

A Psychic has an office over a store across the road. We decided to have some fun and explore this psychic. Unfortunately the door was locked so we were left with the wonderful film experience and a delicious gelato.

Eight Wine Bar

I always look forward to Summerlicious because I discover new restaurants and great food. The varied restaurants charge $25.00, $35.00 or $45.00 for a 3 course prix fixe menu. The restaurants and all the menus are listed in the web site. Go to www.Summerlicious Toronto 2009.

I had never heard of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. It is a small boutique hotel at 8 Colborne St near Yonge St. What a charming little spot. At the end of the first floor there is a delightful bar and a small very smashing restaurant. I only discovered it because it was listed on the Summerlicious Program and I liked the menu. This was a real find. Colborne St is a small street running between Yonge St and Church St 1 block north of King St. There are several very up scale restaurants on this small street. It actually was very funny when Elaine and I entered a restaurant on Colborne St thinking it was where we were heading. The charming, very elegant man at the desk asked about our reservation. At that time we discovered that we were in Colborne Lane at 45 Colborne. We chatted for a while and discovered they offer a tasting menu. It is pricy but we intend to return to this spot in the near future.

Eight Wine Bar is a pleasant atmosphere. We enjoyed watching the young folk arrive throughout the evening. We didn’t care that we were the senior contingency especially as the food arrived. We knew we were in for a gourmet experience.

The 3 courses were $35.00 and well worth it. Elaine started with the Cold Pea Soup with mint. The color was so fresh and green and was topped with a dollop of crème fraise. I opted for the Green Salad. Once again I knew the freshest and best quality greens were used in the preparation. The salad was tasty and thoroughly enjoyed.

We both opted for the Halibut choice as the entrée. The fish was very thick and cooked to perfection. The small pieces of gnocchi were so delicious. This was an exquisite dish beautifully plated. We were also tempted by the Eggplant Lasagna. A third meat offering was possible.

I don’t usually have dessert but during Summerlicious I go crazy. The Strawberry Shortcake offered a plate of pound cake topped with preserved strawberries and whipped cream. Calories Calories Calories. Oh well we walked back home after such a great meal. Elaine opted for the Fruit Sorbet graced with biscotti.

It was such fun to discover a new place and to enjoy such exquisite food. I marveled at the servers who carried all the food from the kitchen down below. Have you ever tried to carry three plates on your arm and walk up the stairs? I watched them all evening doing this so gracefully.

It was such fun to walk by all the restaurants in the area and see where the action is. We were even offered free vodka at the Pravda Bar on Wellington St. The Book store at Church and Front is always open late. We spent some time browsing and then headed home feeling satisfied after a perfectly delightful evening.

Public Enemies

I’m ashamed of myself but I confess that sometimes I like to root for the bad guy, especially if he looks like Johnny Depp. Our history of the Wild West contains many stories of notorious bank robbers. I don’t think I would have liked to have lived in those days but I love the stories. John Dillinger who was public enemy number 1 for many years is aptly portrayed by Johnny Depp. He is the best part of a violent film. Dillinger was magnificent at robbing banks. He was put in jail many times and often was able to make a creative escape.

He sees a beautiful lady at a supper club and immediately falls for her. The relationship and love affair is a happy part of the story. Marion Cotillard plays the beautiful moll.

The main part of the film is the plotting by a tough cop who is determined to get Dillinger and bring him down. As this is history I won’t be ruing the ending of a historical period. I almost wish I could change it.

When the shootouts occur it sounds like the 24^th of May in the midst of the fireworks. Parts of the cat and mouse game were fascinating. Dillinger was a master of escape.

The film was too bloody and too noisy for my taste. I found myself looking at my watch and hoping it would end soon so I could go home and have a glass of wine.

At the end of the film they give you information about the real life of the girlfriend. I always find true life stories interesting. This was quite a colorful time in American history.

Langolino Wine Bar and Grill

My grandson Alex has just returned home from playing jazz in Calgary. I was pleased to hear that it all went well and I wanted so much to see him. I suggested a place on Clinton St that is just north of College on the west side of the street. I didn’t know the name or anything about the food. I have walked by this restaurant on many occasions on my way to the Royal Cinema. I had to find out what it was all about. It is such fun to discover a new restaurant. The outdoor patio is always filled and I like the fact that it looks out on Clinton St not the bustling College St.

What a discovery! The menu claims to use locally grown vegetables whenever possible. The meat is from Ontario. The food was outstanding. Apparently this has been a family run business since 1994.

We ordered a Bruschetta to start. The fresh tomatoes and garlic were so tasty on the crusty hard bread.($5.00) We shared a Langolino Salad.($8.00) The mixed greens were so fresh. The tomatoes tasted as if they had just been harvested. The vinaigrette was tangy and not overpowering. We demolished every leaf in no time.

Alex ordered Fettucini Alfredo With Chicken.($15.00) Alex had already demolished a basket of bread, bruschetta, more than half a salad and then his pasta plate. He kept telling me how good it all was. I was thrilled with my Linguini With Shrimp.($16.00) The shrimp were enormous and in the shell. The pasta was al dente and had that home made taste. Tomatoes and mushrooms were infused in the dish. I enjoyed every morsel.

There are many Pasta dishes featuring various types of pasta and assorted sauces.

I was tempted by the Grilled Salmon but will save that for next time. Several meat dishes were also offered. Seafood can be ordered from the antipasti section or as an entrée.

We had no room for dessert but were tempted by the Crème Brule. We watched the folks at the next table enjoying what looked like a Cheese Platter. The construction was so artistic and I almost reached out for a bite.

I love the ‘Little Italy’ area in Toronto and am amazed at the numerous wondrous restaurants. Langolino is amazing. I love the outdoor patio. We were treated so well. When rain threatened a large awning was lowered and we continued to dine in style. The service was very efficient but with a smile and pleasant atmosphere. I totally enjoyed the company.

I’m so glad I had a chance to see Alex. He had to rush off for a gig at the Toronto Jazz Festival. I hope we can do it again soon before he heads out for his next Western Tour. He obviously enjoyed his dinner. Not only did I enjoy the food I had the pleasure of dining with Alex.

Away We Go

What a refreshing delightful film. The characters are not beautiful. They are not even successful. They are ‘down home people’ and I loved them. Burt and Verona are a happy married couple. She is pregnant. I loved it when he promised her he would love her even if she was enormous and couldn’t lose the baby fat. They feel that they are not successful and head out on a trip to discover themselves.

They visit former friends and some hilarious moments occur. One visit introduces us to friends who are a very unusual ‘hippy family’. The parents and children seem to spend most of their time in an enormous bed. They don’t believe in strollers because the wife states that you are pushing your child away when you push a stroller. Not knowing about the stroller theory poor Burt and Verona buy a red stroller for their host’s children. It is a riotous scene.

Burt and Verona go to visit Burt’s parents. The parents are thrilled that Verona is pregnant but they are more excited that they are fulfilling a life dream and moving to Belgium in June even though the baby is expected in July.

Verona meets with her sister. There is a delightful tender moment when Verona and her sister climb into a tub in a plumbing store and have a meaningful conversation with one another.

The film is filled with incidents and actions that are tender and delightful. Verona is concerned that the baby’s heart beat is not strong enough. Burt tries to get her excited to raise the heart beat. In the train he yells out at her and then measures the baby’s heart beat in front of everyone.

It may sound silly but the acting is so believable that you are taken in with this unlikely couple. Maya Rudolph from Saturday Night Live is so perfect as Verona.

Sam Mendes is the director and deserves a lot of credit for daring to bring this darling film to the screen.

Whatever Works

You either love or hate Woody Allen. I admit that some of his films in the past few years have not been up to his earlier standards. However, I felt that this film transformed me back to his earlier great films. I think the man is a creative genius. He is bit nuts and certainly a hypochondriac. I figure that if a film can make you laugh it is a good film. I was totally delighted with all the corn and silliness.

Larry David plays the part of Boris Yellnikoff, a middle aged, genius who is a hypochondriac. It certainly seemed to me to be a character playing Woody Allen himself. Boris rants and raves about life.(mostly raves) No wonder his wife left him. He teaches chess to the local kids. He insults the kids and their mothers.

He has two friends with whom he meets. They like to ‘chew the fat’ in a philosophical way.

Boris lives in a walk up apartment. To say it is awful is an understatement. The sink is filthy and nothing about it is appealing. One night a beautiful young southern miss knocks on his door. She begs for food and then asks to stay for a few nights until she can find herself.

She helps him to become more likeable and the two actually marry.

The antics start when her mother arrives from the south looking for her daughter. It becomes totally absurd as she becomes a photographer and moves in with Boris’s two friends. The father’s arrival brings up topics of infidelity and homosexuality.

Talking about the action sounds bizarre. I found it delightful. Woody Allen filmed most of the scenes in the old section of New York City. I felt I was on a tour and loved every minute of it.

Some of the jokes were so old and probably silly the first time they were told but it seemed to work for me.

At times Boris steps out of the scene and talks into the camera to give the audience some detail or funny comment.

To me this was the old Woody Allen back again and I enjoyed it all.

My Sister's Keeper

I’m sure I lost at least 5 pounds from crying. I knew it was a tear jerker but was determined to have a stiff upper lip. I really tried. Who needs all that weeping and to think I had to pay for it.

The acting is an unqualified success. The story is powerful. It is just too much emotion to have to handle in a film.

Cameron Diaz plays the part of Mom in the Fitzgerald Family. Dad is a fireman and very devoted to his family. There are three children. At an early age it was discovered that Kate, the eldest daughter, has leukemia. Mom quits her job as a lawyer to be constantly available to meet the demanding needs of Kate. The brother has his own problems but the parents don’t seem to have enough time or strength to sufficiently help him.

The youngest daughter, Anna, is brilliantly played by Abigail Breslin. I think she is the finest young actress to come along in many years. She is only 13 years old but plays the part of an 11 year old in this film. Anna was actually conceived with the plan and hope that she could be of genetic benefit in helping her ailing sister. Since she was a baby she was forced into medical tests and operations to help her sister.

Anna decides that she has had enough of all this medical treatment. She wants her own life and seeks out a lawyer to help her.

The lawyer is well played by Alec Baldwin. The case comes before the court. The judge is played by one of my favorite actors, Joan Cusack. Just to add to the turmoil we are told of the emotional problem faced by the judge. It just doesn’t stop pulling on the heart strings.

This is a high powered cast and all perform well. The emotional pull just becomes too much.

The mother becomes so focused on Kate and doesn’t see anything else. The family begins to disintegrate. We watch Kate getting more ill. If that isn’t bad enough Kate meets an attractive young man also suffering from cancer. They become quite an item. This aspect of the story was a little unbelievable as we see the young couple all dressed to go to a prom. The boyfriend dies soon after leaving Kate distraught.

I won’t tell the ending in case you decide to invest in the Kleenex Company and go to see the film.

Toyko Sonata

This film was an award winner at last year’s Cannes Film Festival. For the first two thirds of the film I was entranced. The characters felt real and I could relate to the story even though there was a cultural divide.

We meet a middle class Japanese family living a typical good life. The father was an executive and when he came home he expected his dinner to be served to him. The wife was sweet, attentive and did all the chores in an uncomplaining way.

Things begin to break down when the father loses his job to downsizing. He is too proud to tell his family. Each morning he dresses in business attire and heads out with his portfolio and goes to the library or tries to find an appropriate job. He has lunch at a free handout place on the street. He finally resorts to taking a job cleaning washrooms and halls in a plaza. The work is demeaning and my heart broke for him.

At the same time trouble brews with the children. One son goes off to join the army. The other son chooses to spend his lunch money for piano lessons. His father had forbid him to take the lessons. The father becomes more agitated and abusive physically to the younger son.

Up to this point it was an excellent believable story very well executed.

The house is robbed and the thief takes the wife as a hostage. In my opinion the film falls from that point. The thief and the wife go off in a stolen car. She is apparently a hostage. I suppose the actions were a metaphor for her breaking away from the traditional family. It didn’t sit well with me because it wasn’t believable and destroyed the power of the first part of the film. At times it felt as if the later actions were a dream and I questioned if the wife was imagining it all.

The positive ending was just too easy. There was a lot of learning from every member of the family but I wish the later part of the film had been different.

I was glad I was with a friend because we couldn’t stop chatting about it and trying to make sense of all the action.

Capitil Trattoria and Pizzeria

The ‘Little Italy’ section of College St. is a visitor’s delight. There is always action and a buzz on the street. There are countless restaurants and on a hot summer evening the front windows of the restaurants are removed and the tables are filled. People perambulate on the sidewalk and it is a European feeling to walk these few blocks. I have eaten at many of the restaurants in this section but had not been at Capitol before. I certainly had missed out. Elaine and I were heading for an early film at the Royal Cinema across the road. We decided to dine early. It is a good thing we did. The patio was almost completely filled by 5:30 p.m. When we came out of the movie there was a long line outside waiting to get into this restaurant.

I liked the menu. I liked the warm friendly feeling from Sophie, our server. There was so much from which to choose.

Elaine chose the Calamari Alla Grigila. ($10.00) Apparently they were outstanding. They were grilled with those fine black marks and served on a bed of greens. There was also the option of Calamari Fritti for the same price. .

I opted for the Shrimp In a Tomato Sauce.($11.00) This was an appetizer but 4 very large tiger shrimp, perfectly cooked were nested in a bed of the very best fresh tomato sauce. The only problem was that it was so good I was eating extra hard crusted bread to soak up that delicate sauce. Scrumptious!

We shared the Arugula Salad with orange sections and roasted walnuts. The arugula was fresh and crispy and so flavorful. It was lightly tossed with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing. We were two happy patrons.

The pizza section is extensive. On my next visit I plan to have the Tuna Pizza.($12.00) Olive oil, mozzarella, tuna roasted peppers and olives garnish this choice. Pesto Pizza features pesto sauce, mozzarella, artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes. ($12.00) There is something for everyone.

I was very tempted by the Fish of the Day. On this occasion it was Swordfish Tuscany Style and served with a variety of vegetables. ($22.00)

Meat lovers may me tempted by the Agnello All Griglia ($20.00) served with a mint sauce or the Vitello Alla Marsala ($18.00)

Seafood Lovers have several choices of fish. Salmone is grilled and served with a lemon and white wine butter sauce.($19.00)

Elaine and I were so pleased with this restaurant. The prices were more than fair. The service was so friendly and helpful. We loved every bite.

The restaurant was bustling with activity but was not noisy. The large patio is on the side of Clinton Street so you don’t feel you are eating on a busy street.

This was love at first sight. Set the table. I am coming back.

Grace Pasucci, you run a very fine restaurant. I felt as if I was back in fantastic Tuscany.

La Forchetta

I first discovered La Forchetta several years ago when I was taking my grandson Brad out for dinner. We walked along College St in ‘Little Italy’ to decide which restaurant we wanted to have dinner. We certainly made the correct choice. This vibrant part of the city is worth the visit. A variety of restaurants line the street. There are always a lot of people walking on the street, enjoying the restaurants and films at the Royal Cinema. There is a buzz and an energy that I like. I can actually remember the actual table and the menu we enjoyed that evening.

Last winter my ‘foodie’ friend Elaine and I were out for a Sunday dinner. I recalled my first experience and suggested we return. The place was filled and there was a high energy to the restaurant. Even more important the food was outstanding.

Elaine and I decided to have a re-visit to this restaurant to see if it was still as great as we remembered. We invited another friend to join us. We certainly made the right choice. The street was bustling on this hot evening. I enjoyed looking into all the restaurants on the street. Most had the front windows removed and the patrons were sitting outside enjoying the first taste of summer.

This is a first class restaurant. The food is traditional Italian fare but there is also an attempt to feature nouvelle continental fare. The finest of ingredients are used. The menu features a Dozen Classic Pastas from varied regions of Italy. Four Risottos are listed on the menu.

Part of the entertainment is to watch the platters of food delivered to the tables. The presentation is so artistic and creative. The fresh crusty bread was infused with fine quality olive oil and herbs. Fantastic doesn’t begin to state how great that was.

The Sicilian Rolls are a popular dish as an appetizer.($9.00) The rolls are stuffed with smoked mozzarella cheese and oregano infused olive oil. The dipping sauce is a chipotle Roma tomato base. Absolutely Yummy.

Steamed PEI Mussels are prepared with scallions and roasted garlic ($10.95)

My friends opted for Seafood Casserole. The large white bowl was filled with Mussels, calamari, fish, shrimp and scallops in a fragrant sauce. They slurped and ‘oohed and awed’ their way through the whole presentation.

I ordered the Planked Salmon. A delicious pesto sauce topped the perfectly cooked salmon. It was placed on a large bed of lentils, tomatoes and herbs.($23.00)

The menu includes an extensive presentation of seafood, meat and pastas all beautifully presented.

The desserts are well worth mentioning. Tiramisu is the best. When you read the ingredients you will know why it is so perfect. The magical concoction included strong brewed espresso, Marsala dessert wine, special rum, cognac and kahlua topped with semi sweet drizzle.($9.00) The Warm Twice Baked Chocolate Cake features a centre of warm chocolate ganache, topped with vanilla gelato and drizzled with Belgium white chocolate.($9.00)

Maple Crème Brulee is caramelized fresh custard infused with maple syrup ($8.00)

This is a winning combination featuring the finest cuisine in a warm friendly atmosphere.

The Proposal

I have to put this film in perspective. I knew it would not be a worth while viewing. It was a hot day and there was drilling going on in a renovation in my building. The noise was unbearable. I went across the road to Market Square for the 3:40 film. It was sold out. I returned at 6:40 and it was also sold out. These $4.00 film showings on a Tuesday are really popular. At this point it became a challenge so I returned on Wednesday and paid full price. What a waste.

Sandra Bullock is delightful and a good actor. Ryan Reynolds is so adorable and I didn’t even care about his acting although he played his part well. The problem is the story. It is predictable. It is silly. It is still entertaining and I wasn’t totally upset.

Sandra Bullock ( Miss Tate) is a big boss in a publishing company. She terrorizes all the employees. She is haughty and rude. Andrew played by Ryan Reynolds plays the role of her assistant. He does everything for her and acts like her wiping mat. His desire is to become an editor.

She is about to be deported back to Canada. Suddenly a flash goes on in Miss Tate’s head. She announces to Andrew’s shock that they are about to be married.

Andrew takes Miss Tate to Alaska to celebrate the 90th birthday of his grandmother. Grandmother is played by Betty White. There are a few giggles over the antics of grandmother. Betty White is quite delightful in this role.

Miss Tate meets the family and discovers that Andrew is from a very wealthy family. Plans go ahead for the wedding but at the last minute Miss Tate becomes moral and confesses the ploy of marrying Andrew for citizenship.

It is an American summer film so of course you can guess the ending. Some of the scenes are quite funny. The cast does try to do justice to a poor script. On a hot evening when you can’t sleep this might be the remedy.

Cheri

I adore period pieces. The grand mansions and the fine costumes are usually enough to make the film worthwhile. Michelle Pfeiffer is so exquisite. Her pale coloring and auburn hair were so beautiful with the soft green and colored costumes.

Michelle plays the part of Lea. She made all her money as a mistress to the grand men of European aristocracy.

One day she was lunching with a fellow courtesan, Charlotte. Charlotte is played by one of my favorite actors, Kathy Bates. She is magnificent in her part. She is certainly the comedy relief as she plays her part of a buffoon type madam.

Lea is introduced to Fred, a 19ish son of Charlotte. Both Lea and Fred are instantly smitten in spite of a considerable age difference. They toy with each other but basically have a deep affection for one another. They actually live together in harmony for six years.

Charlotte wants Fred to marry and arranges for him to meet the beautiful young daughter of a friend. Fred is torn between his love for Lea and the need to move forward in life in a good economic situation.

Fred tries to make the marriage work but he constantly thinks about Lea. Lea pretends to be getting along but constantly thinks back to her love of Fred.

They do meet again and you will have to see the film to find out how it ends. (Not as I expected

At times a narrator tells the story while we look on to the action. Director Stephen Frears has made other period films. I was intrigued by the problems faced with a younger man and an older woman. There was also conflict with Fred as he tried to fit in with a conventional life with his bride. There were a lot of emotions expressed throughout the film. I thought it was more than a piece of ‘fluff’.

Arowhon Pines

I love the month of June. Summer is beginning to shine in all its glory. It is also the time that my sister and I venture up to Algonquin Park to our favorite resort Arowhon Pines. The scenery is breathtaking. The tall pine trees and cool fresh lakes leave me breathless. At night the tranquility is only broken by the sound of loons and toads. I love it. On this trip we actually saw several moose enjoying the waters.

The varied cabins have a different number of private rooms with bathroom. A shared lounge with a fireplace is a great meeting place before dinner or in the evening. I love the fact that you are not over programmed. It is up to you to entertain yourself at your whim. Tennis courts and canoeing are so popular. The hikes through the woods are healthy and fun. The games room is also used in the evening for TV or films. We all loved the excursion on the flat boat that held 20 visitors.

Do come with an empty stomach and a great taste for fine food. At breakfast fresh muffins and home made bread are always tasty. The home made granola is worth the trip. Fresh fruit and a spread of meat and cheese greet you in the morning. The main course is ordered and delivered to your table. The Red Pepper and Leek Frittata was delicious. Poached Eggs and Strawberry Pancakes were also popular dishes at our table.

You better work up an appetite by swimming, boating or hiking because the lunch bell announces more great dining. Once again a buffet of Salads, Vegetables, Fruit and Cheese whet the appetite. On the weekend the buffet includes hot dishes such as Curried Lentils, Lasagna or Casseroles. During the week the lunch specials are offered and served at the table. Make sure you leave room for dessert. Words cannot describe the magnitude of the Cakes, Cookies, Pies and Sweet Treats. I couldn’t resist and had more than my fill of these home made scrumptious treats.

I was well aware that dinner hour was going to happen before my stomach was ready. But manage I did. The tables had little vases of wild flowers on the golden colored tablecloths. The room was aglow with atmosphere. The round fireplace in the middle of the dining hall is the most unique I have ever seen. The jazz and classical music certainly set the mood for the fine dinner.

A buffet provides more than enough for appetizer selection. It is hard to choose. Soup and a main course are to follow. One evening I enjoyed the Halibut dish. Others selected the Roast Beef special. The next evening Sea Bass was the fish dish. The Lamb Chops were beautifully plated and enjoyed by several at the table. I was thrilled with the Vegetarian Special consisting of root vegetables, tomato sauce and polenta. Delicious! Need you ask? Of course we all went back to the large harvest table covered with platters of sweets for our after dinner treats. I couldn’t stop eating the Cookies. The chocolate shortbread and peanut butter cookies were the best. The Raspberry pie was also scrumptious. My nephew was definitely into the Chocolate Cake. I don’t know how they do it all in the kitchen.

Write or phone for rates and more information. In the summer write to

Box 10 001 Algonquin Park Huntsville, Ontario P1H 2G5 phone:705 633 5661 or

fax :705 633 5795 Toll free access: 1 866 6633 5661

Winter information is available at:

297 Balliol St, Toronto, M4S 1C7 phone 416 483 4393 or fax :416 483 4429