Camerini

Camerini Ristorante 709 Mt Pleasant Rd. 416 483 6784

This was love at first sight. I felt as if I was in Italy. The yellow wall made me think of sunshine and brightness. The opposite mirrored wall gives a feeling of space to a small quaint restaurant. The large vase of sunflowers on the counter made me remember the fields of fresh sunflowers so popular in Italy.

I tell my friend Yolanda she is my scout because she seeks out new restaurants and suggests where we should dine. I thank her for this delightful choice. She has been here many times. I noticed that most of the patrons were regulars because they all greeted and kissed the chef on the way in and out. It was the middle of the week and the restaurant was pleasantly filled. The chef works the kitchen. His charming son works as a server. He does it so well. There are only 10 tables and this makes for an intimate atmosphere.

I noticed the table of antipasti in the front window. Grilled red peppers, eggplant and vegetables whetted my appetite when I arrived. Bottles of fine olive oil infused with twigs of oregano are on each table.

As soon as I entered I was presented with a plate of fresh broscheta. Yummy! Yolanda and I wanted to have some good wine and a lite dinner. This was no problem. The menu offers many choices and you can dine on an appetizer or a full course meal.

Yolanda is a Calamari lover. I wasn’t surprised at her choice of the Grilled Calamari finished in a vinaigrette sauce.($8.95) She claims it is the best in town. On her last visit she enjoyed the Mussels Marinara.($7.75)

I almost reached to the next table to sample the two salads they seemed to be enjoying. The Caprese Salad offers a plate of sliced tomatoes topped with boccocini cheese topped with a basil olive oil dressing.($6.95) The Arugula and Radicchio Salad is finished with a balsamic vinaigrette and goats cheese.($8.25)

I ordered the pasta special. Penne with Sauteed Vegetables was served in a delicious olive oil garlic sauce. Carrots, cauliflower and sautéed spinach were perfectly cooked and so tasty.($15.95)

Linguine Gamberetti offers homemade noodles and baby shrimp sautéed in olive oil, chile peppers, arugula, julienne peppers and mixed herbs.($!7.95) Fettuccine Boscajola is a pasta dish with mixed wild mushrooms finished in a luxurious cream sauce.($15.95)

Risotto lovers have 2 choices. Funghi Risotto is prepared with Arborio rice and mushrooms in a red wines sauce. ($18.95)

Grigliaia Gamberoni is just one of the Pesce selections. Grilled tiger shrimp are finished in balsamic vinaigrette with fine herbs.($19.95) I think that will be my selection for my next visit.

Meat and chicken fans will not be disappointed. There is variety in the preparation and numerous choices in each section of the menu. Prices are reasonable and the service exceptionally good.

We were charmed by the chef as we prepared to leave. He told us about his travels and we had a great discussion about Italian Gelato. It was like visiting with friends.

Thanks Yolanda for your excellent choice and thanks to Camerini for excellent food in a lovely atmosphere.

Side Car

Side Car Bar and Grill 577 College St 416 536 7000

I can’t stop myself from returning to this perfect restaurant. Perfection is very difficult to achieve but this evening 5 people all declared that every bite was fantastic.

My grandson Alex just graduated from the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto. He won a very substantial cash prize as the top student in the music faculty. That accomplishment merited a fine celebratory dinner. Usually I consult with Alex as to where we should go for dinner. On this occasion I announced that I had a special place in mind. Alex’s parent’s and his adorable girlfriend Val joined us.

College St has such energy. This part of College St is my favorite part of town. I love going to the Royal Cinema. I like walking on the street and looking in all the boutiques and restaurants. My preferred seat in Side Car is at the window. All the windows were opened and we were able to feel the summer breeze and watch the action on the street. This restaurant is always filled but on this evening the crowds kept coming. The back patio seats 50 people. The bar was crowded and others were waiting for a table. The patio is quiet and charming. Small fir trees have been strategically planted to give privacy and greenery.

During the week a $25.00 3 course menu is offered. The food is exquisite. The service is warm and friendly. Alex was our server and we were so appreciative of his attention and fine service.

The Tomato Soup was fresh and smooth. Four of the guests enjoyed this option. I tasted it and remarked on the burst of flavor. I opted for the Caesar Salad with fresh parmesan cheese. The greens were crisp and the vinaigrette brought out the flavor of the greens.

The Fresh Salmon is truly the best in town. The portion is very generous. The salmon is crusted with herbs and so delicate in flavor. I don’t know how the chef manages to perfectly prepare the salmon every time. Three of us enjoyed this dish and we all agreed that it was outstanding. I should mention that this is the third time I have enjoyed this dish and the quality and flavor remain constant. My daughter-in-law ordered her favorite Steak Frites. The steak was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The frites are hand cut and freshly prepared.

Val ordered a dish that I want to try next time. Fettucine is served with Giant Shrimps and served in a shrimp broth.

All five of us were enchanted with Side Car and thrilled with the exceptional quality of the food.

Dessert was a Flourless Chocolate Cake. It was creamy, chocolaty and deliciously rich. Pure ecstasy! The whipped cream on the side was flavored with hazelnuts and liqueur.

The regular menu offers so many varied choices. There is something for everyone. The presentation is artistic and the taste delectable.

I am ‘over the top’ in loving this place. I could dine here every evening and be content. It is the winning restaurant on this College Street strip. There are countless restaurants but non compare to this place.

I was excited to hear about their plans to open a special bar upstairs. It will feature cocktails from the 20’s. It sounds like a novel concept and I can’t wait for it to open.

I am so proud of Alex’s musical accomplishments. His jazz compositions are fantastic. I also want to praise Bill and Casey, the co-owners who work magic at Side Car. I wish them well in their future endeavors.

Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky

Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky

What an artistic presentation of a fascinating story! Coco Chanel was a successful couturiere from France in the 1900’s. You just have to walk on fashionable Bloor St to the Chanel boutique to know that her designs are still very prominent in the fashion world. I was completely intrigued with her input in household design. Her estate was furnished with black and white classic lines in the wallpaper, furniture, dishes and accessories. Her fashions in the film were so delightful to the eye. Of course all of that was enhanced by Coco’s portrayal by the very gorgeous Anna Mouglalis who has actually been a model of Chanel clothing. She does an excellent job as the tough, business woman who took what she wanted. At all times it was a feast for the eyes. I didn’t realize to what extent Chanel made an impact on society. She chose to wear short hair when that was not the norm. She freed women from that dreaded corset. Her Chanel #5 is still a perfume to be enjoyed by many women. She had quite a career and was a fascinating woman.

Igor Stravinsky is known for his amazing musical compositions. The Rite of Spring was first performed in Paris in 1913. It almost produced a riot. The patrons yelled out obscenities and stormed out of the performance. Coco Chanel was in attendance at the time. She sat there stoically with a smile on her face. Stravinsky went on to become a composer of great repute.

Chanel invites Stravinsky, his wife and children to live in her villa so that he could compose his music without any restraints.

Chanel is fascinated with Stravinsky and it is safe to say she seduced him. There are several beautiful nude scenes of the couple making love. It is always pleasant to view two beautiful bodies entwined.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Stravinsky’s ill wife. She is well aware what is going on and does leave eventually.

The film is a vision for the eyes. The estate is magnificent and I took upon myself the challenge of finding all the Chanel designs shown throughout the film. The camera lingers on the faces and you feel the emotion and see the beauty of the characters. The acting is excellent.

I totally enjoyed this creative presentation.

Sounds like a Revolution

Sounds Like A Revolution

The Royal Cinema continues to show the best art films in town. The theatre is in the midst of my favorite part of town. I love to walk to the cinema. I was aware that just a few blocks away the police were in full force with all the trauma of the G20. Children were enjoying gelato cones in the street. Restaurant patios were filled with diners. One bar was blasting the World Soccer game in Spanish. There was such energy on the street.

I had no idea what this film was about and found it very ironical that the theme had to do with music being used to change society. How appropriate with all the G20 antics happening at this very moment.

I was fascinated with the topic. The two young producers were in attendance. It took them over 7 years to produce. It is really a piece of historical relevance.

In a day when protestors wee being arrested in large numbers it was fascinating to listen to the musicians talking about using music to promote change. The timing of the film is during the Bush era but the message is universal.

This artistic film uses animation, news footage and artists in performance to give the message.

In the past I have had a negative image of punk singers. Several are interviewed. They speak of the very issues that the G20 is discussing today. They talk about poverty, the environment and corporate domination. Much discussion is given to the Iraqi war and Bush’s legacy. I listened to the words of their songs and gained a new appreciation for their message in song form.

One singer states, “If you are only armed with a guitar that is what you fight with.” It was amazing to see the large crowds relating positively to the musicians. We are reminded that in the last election in the United States large numbers of youth came out to vote because they had the feeling that change was about to come. Much of the promotion for the election came through young musicians.

We were reminded of the price the Dixie Chicks paid when they dared to speak out against Bush. Their career suffered immensely. Other musicians told the audience that their music could not be played on the radio or TV because the corporate companies wouldn’t dare to play their ant government music.

The fight for change came from the words in their songs. The musicians stated that their songs are not party music but rather trying to give a message that would encourage young people to get involved and make change.

Pete Seager was one of the first to sing protest music and his music became part of the Civil Rights movement. Neil Young wrote a song, Ohio that told of the horrors of the Kent State tragedy.

The musicians stated that if the media doesn’t tell the whole truth they see it as their mission to state what is happening through their music,

I was fascinated to see how the big box stores also control what music is sold and played.

This was an amazing film produced by two very young women. They were both in attendance. One young musician, Justin Sane was also in attendance. He sang two new songs for the audience and participated in the discussion.

Apparently the film does play on Super Chanel. I think every young student should have the opportunity of seeing this film. It is empowering to the young. I found it educational and very interesting.

Journey from Zanskar

Journey From Zanskar

What an emotional amazing documentary! I admit that I had never head of Zanskar. It is nestled beside Tibet in the northernmost part of India. It is one of the most isolated regions in the Himalayas. It is one of the last places on earth where original Tibetan Buddhist way of life exists. The people are so poor. There is no running water and no electricity. There is no school or hospital. The language and culture are dying out.

The Dalai Lama instructed two monks to take 17 children from Zanskar to be educated in their language and to preserve their culture. Manali was thousands of miles away.

The documentary traces the rough voyage taken by the two monks and the families of the 17 children.

At one point it was impossible to cross a mountain pass. The yaks and horses refused to go. The children were not dressed to sustain the below zero temperatures. I saw several children with bare hands. The adults walked on what looked like soft moccasins. They barely had food to eat. The conditions were impossible and finally they had to turn back and chart a new route. They reached altitudes of 17,000 feet.

When the children could not go any further the monks found an old bus with no heating. It was so cold I could feel it in my bones through the screen.

When the children arrived they were given the first warm shower they had ever experienced and proper food. It was heart wrenching when the children had to say goodbye to their parents.

It is now 5 years since the children have been away from their families. The parents cannot afford to visit or have their children return home. The plan is for the children to stay 15 years.

Over dinner Estelle and I continued to discuss the issues presented in this amazing film. Would it not have been better to have used the money to help the people in Zanskar? How could 17 young children be expected to go home after 15 years and maintain the culture and the language and if so at what price?

In a Q& A following the film it was pointed out that the Canadian residential schools tried to take the culture away from the students. In this case the great sacrifice of the children and their families was intended to preserve the culture.

It was difficult to see the living conditions of the people living in Zanskar. It was even more difficult to watch these young children being taken to another place thousands of miles away. The conditions of travel were horrendous.

This film is only available from June 18-20^th at the Revue cinema. What an incredible experience!

Winter's Bone

You will be chilled to the bone watching this Sundance winner. I saw it at a preview many months ago but remember the emotion I felt while watching.

The cinematography is superb. The locale is the backwoods in hillbilly Missouri. Probably no one you know has been in this territory and the film makes you feel as if you are right in the middle of all the action.

The acting is superb. The young actress Jennifer Lawrence who plays the part of 17 year old Ree is a star beyond belief. There are several issues as a central theme and you will want to discuss them for hours following this film.

Ree is a 17 year old girl with a lot of responsibility. She lives in a shack in the woods with her 2 siblings and depressed mother. She always has a sullen look about her and no wonder. I can almost smell her musky unwashed clothes. I can also feel the love and care she has for her family. The father is a distiller of meth. He is on the run from a charge for distilling the drug and has posted the shack as bond for his trial. The family is threatened with losing what little they possess.

Ree is determined to find her father. She has such a load to bear and yet is so determined.

Her kin are frightening people living in the area. The uncle totes a big gun and has nothing to do with her. The women support their men and are threatening to Ree in many ways. There are several very unsettling scenes.

This is a film of survival. In an area where the men reign supreme it was wonderful to see the emergence of Ree as a strong female character.

This is a story of drugs, loyalty and family feuds. The poor living conditions are so clearly portrayed. I have never been to the Ozarks but after the film I felt as if I had been there. I didn’t like the place but learned a great deal from the experience.

This is definitely an award winning film. I am impressed that the director Debra Granik was able to get into this culture in such a believable way. Apparently she is actually from the east coast and claims to be from an upper-middle class family.

Domani Restaurant and Wine Bar

Domani Restaurant and Wine Bar 335 Roncesvalles Ave

416 516 2147

My friend Estelle and I went to the Revue Cinema to see a documentary. I remembered one other time being in this neighborhood and discovering this wonderful Italian restaurant. We had so much to discuss about the film and wanted to enjoy a quiet delicious dinner.

We were greeted so warmly by David with such a lovely smile .David has the most amazing memory. He even remembered the table I sat at when I first came to the restaurant a few years ago. We chose the front of the restaurant to enjoy the last rays of the sunshine pouring in the window. It also was very quiet at the front.

I like the menu because there are many choices that please me. Estelle and I decided to share two items. We thoroughly enjoyed the Warm Goat cheese Salad. It was exceptional. Fresh arugula was on the plate topped with a roasted piece of red pepper. The most delicious crispy potato pancake was placed on the pepper topped with a mound of creamy goat cheese and chopped pistachio nuts. Pear jam was on the side of the plate.($9.50) Every bite was savored and we wished we had each ordered a full salad.

I asked David for the most popular choices on the menu. He claims that Steamed PEI Mussels Red Curry, fresh tomato and chives served in a coconut broth is the big winner.($10.95) Other sauces are also available for this dish. The Grilled Spice Rubbed Calamari with tomato Cajun salsa and balsamic vinegar is also popular.($9.50) I was tempted with the Scottish Smoked Salmon with Potato Latke served on lettuce leaves with avocado sour cream.($10.50)

We opted to share an 11” thin crust pizza for a second course. We were delighted that it was already cut in half and plated for our enjoyment. I have never tasted such a crispy thin crust. I loved every crumb. We chose the Pizza with Black Olive Paste, Artichokes, Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini, Fresh Tomatoes and Goat Cheese.($14.95) It was exceptional and we were delighted. The Grilled Shrimp Pizza with Calamari, Scallops, red onion, shitake mushrooms with tomato sauce and feta cheese was also tempting.($16.95)

I recall having pasta on my previous visit. Penne with Wild Mushrooms, kalamata olives, smoked jalapenos, fresh herbs, roasted garlic and tomato sauce sounded very tempting.($!3.50) Sicilian Style Gnocchi with Portabello Mushrooms, oven dried tomatoes, baby spinach and Gorgonzola cream is a big favorite of the patrons.)$14.95)

Main Courses also offer a variety of more substantial plates. Oven Roasted Tilapia with a mango drizzle is served with prawns on a bed of baby bok choy and red mini potatoes.($23.95) Roasted Rack of Lamb is served with a grainy mustard crust with goat cheese mashed potatoes, vegetables and port reduction.($23.95)

I was impressed with the number of items on the menu. This was my second visit to this restaurant. I remember being elated after the first experience. Once again we both found the food to be exceptional.

Roncsvalles Ave is an interesting street. The newly renovated Revue Cinema is currently showing great films. It was fun to stroll on the street and look at the boutique shops.

Estelle and I saw an outstanding documentary. We enjoyed discussing it over fine food in this restaurant. It reminded me of our fantastic 2 weeks together in Tuscany I know I will be back again in the future.

The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo

I have resisted seeing this Swedish film for over a month. I kept hoping that if I waited long enough it would go away. Many friends have scolded me for not seeing the film and many have enjoyed the book with the same name. I guess it was meant to be because I set out on a beautiful summer day to see this often violent film. During the viewing I wanted to walk out many times. The interesting thing is that when the film was over I realized I had seen an excellent piece of work. The acting was superb. The story was gripping from beginning to end. If you enjoy a thriller/ suspense you will be in for quite a ride. The graphic scenes of torture and death were horrible to watch and there were a few too many for my delicate system. The cinematography is spectacular. The shot of the Swedish countryside in various seasons is breathtaking and helps to create the mood.

I do need to rave about the young star, Noomi Rapace. She plays the role of Lisbeth Salander, a computer hacker. She has nose and facial piercings. She wears dark and heavy eye make up. She is a waif of a child in build but so powerful. When called upon she could beat up anybody and punches and kicks her way to success. She always looks sad and forlorn and the camera catches her eyes and facial expression. It is very powerful. Apparently she won a Swedish Oscar for her role.

The handsome Michael Nyquist plays the role of journalist, Mikael Blomkvist. He is waiting to serve a term in jail for libeling a powerful business man.

Mikael is called upon by Henrik Vanger to solve a mystery in his family. His beloved niece Harriet had gone missing over 40 years ago.

Lisbeth had been employed earlier to do a computer check on the journalist. She is convinced he is innocent of his charge. Mikael and Lisbeth come together to solve the mystery of 5 dead women and the disappearance of Harriet. The trail takes them to various villages in the area. They begin to unravel the mystery of the murders that is marked with biblical references.

The murders were all violent and we do see pictures that offend the senses. We witness brutal rapes (1 female and the other male) and other torture. I was also fascinated with the tie to Nazism during the war.

I enjoyed watching them unravel the secret codes in order to solve the murders. They also were looking for clues to the missing Harriet.

I wanted to take a large sigh of relief when it was all over. I did enjoy watching the character of Lisbett unravel. She was one complicated young lady and as the film progressed we begin to understand more about her.

I took a long walk home in order to digest all that I had witnessed. The film was difficult at times but all in all I realized that I had seen a powerful well executed piece of work.

Now I urge you go quickly because the film has been showing for a long time and certainly will conclude in the near future.

Sidecar

Side Car 577 College St 416 536 7000

Annette and Estelle are very special friends of long standing. Annette and I go back to our high school days. Both were celebrating birthdays and in my opinion nothing was too good for either of them. Annette had mentioned that she was unfamiliar with my favorite street in the city, College at Clinton. I knew just the place to celebrate their birthdays. Side Car is the busiest restaurant on the street (and also the best) I know because I always check out all the restaurants on this busy block. Every second shop is a restaurant. There is such vitality on the street. It is a must to take a stroll either before or after dinner and get in the spirit of the street.

During the week Side Car offers a $25.00 Prix Fixe. It is phenomenal value and the food is outstanding. At the risk of using too many superlatives I have to state that every bite was perfect and totally satisfying to the palate.

We began the evening with champagne and appetizers at my place. We overate there and then continued to eat everything placed before us. When food is that good you just go for it and worry about the dieting the next day.

Two soups were being offered on this evening. Annette was delighted with the Mushroom Soup. I could tell it was creamy and even the aroma was tantalizing. Annette expressed delight with the full flavor. It was a very generous portion. Estelle enjoyed the Gazpacho. It also was very creamy and thick. We were off to a good start. I was very pleased with the Caesar Salad with parmesan shavings and garlic crouton. I asked our excellent server to skip the double smoked bacon and he was very accommodating and gracious. In fact he did an excellent job throughout the evening. Good service adds so much to fine food and aesthetic plating. We had it all.

Casey is the manager of this outstanding restaurant. He has the finesse to make the patrons feel welcome. He also keeps the place flowing and the food is amazing. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting partner Bill but perhaps on my next visit.

All three of us chose the Atlantic Salmon for our main curse. It had such a ‘wow’ factor. The portion was huge. It was so perfectly prepared that I didn’t even need a knife. The salmon had a honey mustard glaze and was sitting on a bed of Swiss chard over a Beurre Blanc sauce. I think this was the best I have ever tasted.

I was tempted to order the Fettuccini with black tiger shrimps in a tarragon shrimp broth. Crispy Oven Roasted Chicken was also available with garlic seasoned mashed potatoes, asparagus and a red onion vinaigrette. Steak Frites were the other item listed on this special menu. The menu changes often.

The main menu has so many tantalizing dishes to offer. On my last visit a friend ordered the Mushroom Risotto. It was amazing.

Our dessert was Flourless Chocolate Torte. Two triangle dense sections of scrumptious decadent chocolate were artfully placed on the plate with a raspberry swirl and scoop of whipping cream. Too delicious to even put into words.

Our evening was complete. Estelle and Annette enjoyed their birthday treats and I had the benefit of their company as well as a superb feast.

The Desert Rose Cafe

The Desert Rose Café 130 Metcalfe St, Elora Ont

519 846 0433

I went to Elora to spend the weekend with my dear cousin Arlene. We always have so much fun. It was a splendid time shopping in St Jacobs and looking around the charming town of Elora. My mother and all her family were raised in the next door neighborhood of Salem and I spent many of my summers in the area. This was a true homecoming.

Elora today is a fashionable town. The Mill is an exclusive place to stay. Some of the bed and breakfasts are in gorgeous old homes. The river winds its way along the back of little stone boutique shops. The Elora Festival brings many tourists to the wonderful area.

Arlene is one magnificent chef. A delicious lunch was enjoyed in her charming condo. She knew just the place for us to go for dinner. Resa is the chef and owner of this café. She has been in the business for 30 years. Make sure you step into the kitchen or say hello when you visit. She hardly looks as if she has been working that long. I would have guessed that she was in the movies. She claims she learned the art of cooking from her mother and grandmother.

The place was quite full on a Saturday evening but was never noisy. Resa is noted for doing a lot of catering in the region. The menu states” the best ethnic vegetarian food from a small town café.”

This is a great place to stop for a light meal or snack. Smoked Salmon Spirals are prepared with smoked salmon. capers, cream cheese, fresh dill and onion.($7.50)

Soup of the Day can be served with bread and cheese ($6.50) or with a half sandwich.($7.50)

Arlene and I decided to share 2 different dishes. The Salad Nicoise was our first choice.($8.50) Artichoke hearts, green beans, tuna, tomato and olives were served on a bed of mixed greens with an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. It was delicious and ever so fresh.

I had been craving a Felafel since my return from Israel. I hardly expected to find one in the small town of Elora. The Felafel was fantastic. The pita was stuffed with pan fried spiced chick pea patties. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, sprouts and tahini-yogurt sauce were all part of this tasty combo.

Moussaka was also tempting. It was a meatless variation of the Greek classic. Roasted eggplant is layered with tomato mushroom sauce and a creamy béchamel topping. A side salad is also served with this choice.($13.75)

I was watching a patron enjoying his Avocado Supreme. A hot open-faced sandwich is prepared with rye bread. Tomato, avocado, and tuna are covered with melted cheese and alfalfa sprouts. With a side salad the plate is offered at $12.50.

The service was pleasant and efficient. It was such a warm feeling to be enjoying good food in this historic old town.

We even indulged in some home made Tiramisu. Delicious. The Butter Tarts were also calling out to us but enough is enough.

It is a pleasant day trip to Elora. It is much more fun to stay over and take advantage of all the sites around. The Elora Gorge is wondrous. The little shops are charming and unique. It was so fascinating to chat with Resa and then to enjoy the results of her fine cooking. You can even buy a present of Resa’s cookbook with all the recipes.

I hope my cousin Arlene invites me back gain because I had such a great weekend.

Agora

I had a few hours of discretion this afternoon before heading to the ballet. I will be in Elora for the weekend so decided to use my time to see a movie in the neighborhood. This is the time of year when you have to search far and wide to see a decent film. Following the Toronto Film Festival in September the new worthwhile films begin to be distributed.

This story is most compelling. The film itself left much to be desired.

The story begins in 391 AD in the library in Alexandria. Hypatia ( Rachel Weisz) is a pagan philosopher and astronomer. She teaches the slaves and constantly questions the workings of the world. This would have been sufficient for a compelling story.

The Christians are trying to take over and convert the pagans. This makes for some terrible bloody clashes. Thousands of the Christians bombard the library and take over. The Jews also present a problem for the Christians.

Everybody seems to be fighting one another. It just becomes too much and even gets confusing at times.

Hypatia was a kind intelligent teacher. Two of her slaves are fond of her and try to help her when the political problems are overwhelming. I almost left when I heard her tormentors talk about skinning her alive. As it was she was stoned to death.

The most fascinating part was the prologue that stated that her studies was discovered 1200 years later in the 17^th century and she became known as a wise and knowledgeable astronomer and philosopher. I think I would have preferred just to read about it.

The market scenes were well filmed. I liked to see the crowded streets with casts of thousands. It is always fascinating to look at the costumes of the day. Rachel Weisz plays her part convincingly but all of that was not enough to make this an excellent film.

Frank's Kitchen

Frank’s Kitchen 588 College St 416 516 5861

Not only is Frank a handsome sexy looking man, he is a master chef. Every bite was picture perfect and a delight for the palate. Elaine and I have eaten at this establishment during the last few owners. It was always good food but nothing could compare to the high standards and quality cuisine with this latest owner in his new restaurant.

College St near Clinton is my favorite area of town. I love the Royal Cinema and the Red Pegasus( a delightful gift shop just west of the cinema) The restaurant supply store on the south side of College and Clinton is a junky store filled with wondrous cooking and kitchen items. It is a must to visit. There are many restaurants on College St in this area. We had such a good time walking on the street and comparing menus and clientele. I think this food was the best I have tasted in a long while.

Frank makes all the bread daily. Three types of delicious bread were presented with two tasting tapenades. I plead guilty. Elaine and I ate the large quantity of bread because every bite was so pleasurable.

We shared an Arugula Salad with shaved Parmesan, roasted pear and candied nuts in a lemon vinaigrette.($8.00) The peppery fresh arugula was a delightful contrast to the subtle vinaigrette. The candied pecans were like a dessert. I wanted a whole plate of them.

We were delightfully surprised when the amuse bouche arrived .Small shot glasses were filled with a pureed Soup of Cucumber and Avocado. A small quail’s egg was placed on a cocktail spoon beside it. Outstanding! The soup was creamy, flavorful and tantalizing.

As if that wasn’t enough, another cocktail spoon with a taste of Lemon Sorbet with a touch of Basil. Remarkable

We were tempted to order the White Asparagus Salad with Forest Mushrooms in truffled vinaigrette.($!3.00) Tuna Tartare is served with avocado in a lemon olive oil vinaigrette and with a watercress salad.

For the main course I thought about having the Lobster Ravioli in a fresh heirloom tomato and basil agliolio.($!9.00) The Porcini Risotto with truffled pecorino cheese was also beckoning.($17.00) Lamb Loin is served in a syrah reduction with a ratatouille and white bean puree.($27.00)

Chicken Supreme is prepared with artichoke hearts, garlic mash, honey mushrooms and rapini in a Gremmolata sauce.($20.00) Grilled Whole Lobster is prepared with a lemon butter sauce with chorizo fennel salad and sautéed spinach.($26.00)

Elaine and I were heading out to a film at the nearby Royal Cinema and didn’t want to be too full for fear of falling asleep. We asked Frank if it was possible to have a Vegetarian Plate. We had noticed the wonderful vegetables served with the other main courses. Thank you Frank for putting together a masterpiece of the best prepared vegetables. There was some ratatouille. Little spears of asparagus were perfectly cooked. The tiniest carrots I have ever seen were also the most flavorful I have ever tasted. Some rapini was also on the plate. We were joyous and marveled at every bite.

We dared not order one of the tempting desserts. Once gain a most pleasurable surprise awaited us. A small Truffle of 95% Chocolate was placed before us. Frank, how do you do it all? Frank bakes the bread, prepares the little offers of amuse bouchee, satisfies the patrons with the wonderful meals and also makes the truffles. A perfect evening!

Kites

I have never heard of two versions of the same movie playing at the same time. Kites opened a few weeks ago. Recently Kites:The Remix opened at a different theatre. It is the same film minus 50 minutes. I saw the original 2 hour 20 minute version. This film is also different from other Bollywood films. The story takes place in Las Vegas and Mexico. Most Bollywood films feature exotic costumes and lots of singing and dancing in the midst of dramatic action. Usually they take place in India.

Kites doesn’t have any of the big dance numbers usual in a Bollywood film. Some music is part of the story. It is a wild ride and I loved every minute. I even surprised myself because fast paced action with overturned cars, shooting and violence isn’t my ‘cup of tea.’

The two main stars were so gorgeous I would have been satisfied just watching them. and nothing more. I have never seen such clear haunting eyes as the magnificent Hrithik Roshan. He has a body that is also picture perfect. What a hunk!

J (Hrithik Roshan) is a Hindi petty fraudster. He marries illegal woman and charges them a lot of money.

It doesn’t make sense but he meets the lovely Gina. They enter a dance contest. That was really worth watching. What is ridiculous is that Gina is the daughter of a very wealthy Las Vegas mobster. He owns an enormous gambling casino. He and his goons torture and kill at will. Nobody can put anything over on them. Gina’s father takes to J and gives him money, a car and sanctions his relationship with his daughter.

Gina’s brother, Tony, is engaged and J is invited to the party. The family home is a castle beyond description and the interior has more gold than the any bank vault.

J begins to make eyes for Natasha, Joe’s fiancée. It turns out that J and Natasha were actually married.

Don’t question the reality of all this nonsense. I was so intrigued with the beautiful people and the splendor of their living.

It gets very exciting when J and Natasha take off. She chooses love over money. It is quite a ride. There are cop chases and overturned cars. People die. J and Natasha jump from a fast moving car onto a fast moving train. They rob banks and steal cars.

Tony is always behind them in a chase wanting his Natasha back.

To add to the complications Natasha is an illegal Mexican immigrant. She speaks Spanish. J speaks Hindi and English.

The filming is splendid. I loved the shots of the Mexican country. It was such a contrast to the Las Vegas splendor.

The action goes on forever. The ending is as melodramatic as the rest of the film. I don’t think this film is for everyone. I guess I was in the right mood. I had such a good time and didn’t even see the edited version. I do admit that if you plan to see Kites the edited version is the better idea.

Land

I will go to almost any film at the Royal Cinema. They offer the best in the film industry. The theatre is used as an editing house during the day. The ‘arty’ films presented are only available in the evening or on the weekend. This film was Canadian produced and was shown at the Hot Docs festival.

The film shows the ugly side of the land grab in Nicaragua by American resort owners. I was most interested in the history of this troubled Central American country. We are shown news clips and given a historical background of the revolutions and counter revolutions in recent history.

The film was a bit disjointed and sometimes hard to keep it all straight. I did find the camera work also a little shaky.

We are introduced to some of the Americans who purchased land and had high hopes of starting resorts. The problem is that many of the land titles were under dispute. After the last revolution the land had been seized and distributed to the people of Nicaragua. Later the original owners were claiming their land back.

There were so many problems. The poor people were living in dire conditions. The resort owners were robbing the land and giving little back in return.

One young man was most upset that the baseball field had been destroyed. I was interested to learn that later on he became the mayor of this part of the country. Many of the resort owners failed to complete their projects. The area was left in a mess with unfinished buildings.

The country is so beautiful. It was upsetting to see the land being torn up. Apparently the Americans were not good to the people and didn’t provide extras such as schools and hospitals.

At the Q and A after the film we were told that there are still disputes over the land. I found the topic very interesting.

Unfortunately the film is only playing for one week. Documentaries are often a great education. I did learn so much. I judge these films differently from the Hollywood style of film. If it is playing at the Royal Cinema I know there is value to the film.

Rural Roots Catering

Rural Roots Catering 76 Centennial Road Unit #3 Orangeville Ont

519 940 8831

www.ruralrootscatering.ca Info@ruralrootscatering.ca

I just came back from a wonderful weekend with my Book Club. The first weekend in June is always set aside for ‘the ladies’ to go to the two country homes in the area. 14 of us trekked up north for great companionship, a wonderful speaker, delicious food and great accommodations. We all felt as if we were at a spa.

We are all accomplished in the kitchen and used to do all the preparations ourselves. We achieved sanity in ‘our old age.’ The Saturday lunch and dinner is now catered. What a fabulous idea. Lunch was supposed to be out on the spacious grounds by the pool of our ‘Tuscany home in the area of Mulford Ontario. We assembled by the pool for drinks (Pimms with lemon soda, mint raspberries and cucumber) and fantastic appetizers. We moved inside for the lunch followed by our guest speaker and our last book for this season.

Rural Roots is situated in Orangeville and does a large catering business in the wider area. Chris Shoniker is a young man with a fine sense of food and gourmet artistry. The food was delivered to the lunch venue at one house and for the dinner at our second homestead.

We were mindful of calories and not wanting to overload at lunch time. Salads seemed to be the solution.

The Nicoise Salad was fresh and crisp. There was a plentiful portion for everyone.

We all loved the Greek Salad with the light flavorful red wine vinaigrette. The Lentil Salad was composed of green lentils, green onion, red and green grapes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper and toasted almonds tossed in light lemon vinaigrette. We did cheat a bit by indulging on Nancy Y’s best ever chocolate brownies. Yummy!

We all had such a wonderful visit and enjoyed both the speaker and the lunch. We reminded ourselves that in 2 hours we were heading over to the stone house for the dinner. This Book Club weekend is very special in many ways. The women are stimulating company and loads of fun.

We arrived at the stone house to find drinks and appetizers waiting for us. Half the guests stay at one house and are responsible for setting up the lunch. The second group stays at the stone house and does the arranging for the dinner.

The vegetarian guests enjoyed Fresh Atlantic Salmon. It had been lightly smoked on a plank. The carnivores told me they enjoyed their flavorful Beef Bourguignon. Beef sirloin, button mushrooms, shallots, and garlic were combined with fresh thyme and red wine. The last time I looked it was all gone so I guess that was a winning dish. The Grilled And Roasted Vegetable Composition was fantastic. You could taste the barbecue flavor but the vegetables were perfectly cooked.

We were all anticipating the Lemon Meringue Pie and Pots Of Chocolate. Nobody was disappointed.

Lunch was $17.34 per person. Dinner was $28.91.

I couldn’t believe the energy shown by everyone following the gourmet dinner. Sparkling conversation, karaoke and even dancing kept us all up and alert for many hours. I love these women and enjoyed spending such close time with them.

Catering takes the strain from the hostess. People in the wider Orangeville area should be delighted to have such an accomplished caterer in the area. If you are visiting someone in the Orangeville/Collingwood area you could arrange for a catered meal to be delivered. I can’t wait for next year. I hope to spend my time with more tantalizing food and the same wonderful women. In the meantime I better get started on the heavy reading list for next year’s Book Club.

Sex and the City

had a major fight with myself today. My head told me that this film would only irritate. I also felt it was an excessive materialistic film. Obviously my heart won out. Shame on me.

Excessive it was. I hate to think what the price tag was for the costumes and shoes. Halfway through this ridiculous film I began to relax. I think I even laughed in a few places. I realized that the four stars are probably laughing also. They were having fun and the excess was more a joke. It certainly was not reality.

Jessica Parker plays the part of Carrie Bradshaw. She is a well known author and a married woman. She and her husband have decided not to have children. They go through a brief rough spell when Carrie feels her husband is too much of a stay at home. She wants more sparkle in their relationship. Many women will relate when the husband bought her a TV for her birthday. She wanted jewellery.

Charlotte ( Kristin Davis) was married with two children. One child cried all the time Charlotte is overwhelmed with the two children even though she has a nanny. The nanny was a possible threat because she was gorgeous, well built and never wore a bra.

Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) is a lawyer who finally quits her job because of the way her male boss treats her.

That leaves Samantha (Kim Cattrall). She is a single woman obsessed with sex. She is overwhelmed with her hormones.

The four women meet constantly for meals and talk about their lives over drinks and food.

Samantha is invited by a wealthy sheik to visit Abu Dhabi. She insists that her friends must come along. The four women fly first class and stay in an exotic hotel. They each have a private butler and a private car. They go the local markets, take camel rides and dine in an exotic way. At every turn they are sporting new costumes. Some are totally ridiculous but that is supposed to be part of the fun.

They get into trouble because they are not following the customs of the land. The sheik takes away his offer of the exclusive hotel. The ladies have to make a fast exit or pay $22,000.00 per day.

The girls all arrive home to find that what they had at home was more satisfactory.

The costumes are so bizarre and actually are a lot of fun. Some of the jokes were strained and silly.

The four girls attend the wedding of two gay friends. The wedding was hilarious and the best part of the film. A choir of young men was all dressed in white suits and wore silver top hats. The men were middle aged but their parents walked them down the aisle and gave them away. Liza Minelli had a walk on when she appeared at the wedding and sang. There were several small walk on parts for other famous actors.

I also enjoyed the scene that showed how the four girls became friends and what they looked like in the past. Their hair styles and plain clothes were quite a contrast to the ‘fancy ladies’ of the story.

I have heard that women like to go out for cocktails and then to this film for a night out. I guess that could be fun.

Baccanalia

When my grandson Brad asked me to drive back with him to Chicago I didn't need to think twice. 8 hours of driving with him was a pleasant thought and it was such a positive experience. My son and Daughter-in-law were so apologetic that they had a previous engagement for the Monday evening. Brad to the rescue again. He promised me a fine dinner in an enchanting street in downtown Chicago. I took the train from Highland Park and he met me at the downtown station. We walked 5 minutes to see his amazing condo right in the heart of the city. From there we drove to Bacchanalia. A GPS was essential. This is a hidden treasure in the downtown area of Chicago. Many of the shops feature signs in Spanish. South Oakley Street is not very large. There are 4 Italian restaurants almost side by side. My spies confirmed that Bacchanalia was the best. It is in an area that is partly residential and partly industrial. It feels as if the restaurant is on a side street. It certainly isn’t a busy downtown area. Guaranteed no visitor will stumble unexpectedly into this charming restaurant. Paula and Dan Pieri are the proprietors. The restaurant originally was run by the parents. Even to this day the mother plays an integral part. One evening the restaurant was running low on a tomato sauce and the mother was called to the rescue. The food was amazing. We were immediately served with a basket with a variety of breads. A few minutes later a plate of warm foccacia with a light tomato sauce arrived. It was impossible to show restraint. The quantity was gigantic.

It had been suggested to me that the Aioli Sauce was outstanding. I ordered the special pasta of the evening. Lingini with Giant Shrmps and Asparagus with that fantastic sauce. It was ambrosia to the palate. I couldn't stop eating it. Brad ordered the Seafood and Pasta.($21.95) Calamari shrimp and lobster were in a tomato sauce with the al dente linguine. Brad is a hearty eater. He couldn't even finish the plate. Lobster Ravioli is prepared with a vodka sauce. ($14.95) Maniccotti is priced at $11.95 and is a hearty delicious choice. Meat lovers will be happy with the Filet Mignon.($27.95) It is served with an abundance of fresh sautéed mushrooms. The Baby Back Ribs are smothered in BBQ sauce.($17.95) Bacchanalia is open 7 days a week. The service is so friendly and guaranteed you will find many tempting choices.

When in Chicago make your way to this little gem. It was outstanding and memorable. Brad is great company and I enjoyed a wonderful meal.

Check their website:bacchanaliainchicago.com

Ajami

This Palestinian/ Israeli film was a contender for best foreign film at last year’s

Oscars. I knew I had to see it. I loved the idea of collaboration with an Arab and Israeli. We need more of that on so many levels.

The film is not political and it doesn’t preach. It is, however one of the bleakest films I have ever seen. It is totally in black and white and so dreary that at times it was hard to view the image. I found it confusing at times and had trouble keeping the characters straight. I was often unsure who was an Arab and who was Israeli.

Maybe that was part intentional. The problems presented are universal problems. They are just more intense in this area of the world. Drugs are a central theme and various aspects were presented. Friendships between an Arab boy and a Christian girl could be a problem in any country.

Family issues were presented in different ways. The problems presented could be issues in any country but were definitely major issues in this Jaffa area of Israel. Jaffa is one of the oldest areas in Israel and was the beginning of the Tel Aviv area. Arabs, Jews and Christians live side by side in this area. There are always problems and many are represented in this film.

Apparently it took many years to produce this film. It was difficult to find the actors. The directors wanted it to authentic and hired many in the cast from actual jobs that were related to the part portrayed. For example the policeman had been an actual cop.

I did find the movie interesting. I felt emotionally involved with some of the problems presented. Who could not feel empathy for a young illegal immigrant who needs money to pay for his mother’s operation? A policeman is preoccupied in finding his missing brother. My heart broke for the young Christian girl who loved the Arab man. As a viewer you know it could never work. Not only was their cultural background different he also was involved in many dangerous issues. Her father defiantly intervened but it was still heart breaking. I didn’t have sympathy for the drug dealer and his personal problems.

The film is divided into chapters. We meet different characters who lives are somewhat interconnected throughout the film. (Very confusing at times)

The acting was well done. This is a first for directors Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani. They weren’t up to Oscar winning status on this film but perhaps in the future.