Alamar

Alamar

Don’t walk. Run as quickly as possible to see this beautiful outstanding film. It has already won awards at 4 different film festivals. There is no violence. There are no loud noises. There is no anger. There is pure love of a father and son.

Apparently the mother and father had fallen in love on the beaches of this remote part of Mexico. For a while it was ideal. The child was born and both parents loved the child.

After a while the couple realizes that they are from different worlds and the mother goes back to Rome with her son. The picture shows the reunion of the father and son when the young boy returns for a summer visit.

It is a joyous reunion. I kept thinking he was going to have to give up this very basic existence and return to Rome. What a culture shock. That could have been sad but you know that the son had the most wonderful life experience possible

The father was a product of his environment. His hair was long. His body was thin and taut. He survived meagerly on the fish and lived in a very basic hut that was built on stilts in the water.

The father is so tender and loving. He teaches the boy how to survive in that environment. They go deep into the water and spear fish. They become friends with a white bird, Blanquita. They live off of the fish they catch. The grandfather, father and son all sleep in the one room shack. You see them most of the time in bathing attire. He teaches his son about the flora and fauna. He teaches him how to live in this environment and how to appreciate everything.

The cinematography was spiritual. The only color in the film seemed to come from the crystal clear water. Every camera angle and every frame was a work of art.

I was thrilled to read that the actors are a real father and son.

Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio is a documentary film maker. This is his first feature film. It is as if you are watching a documentary. Rubio wrote, directed, photographed and edited this wonderful film. It was so refreshing to be able to enjoy a film that was spiritually beautiful and aesthetically beautiful.

The film is currently playing at my favorite place in town, the TIFF Bell Lightbox. It was so exciting to see how busy the place was. Crowds were visiting the Tim Burton Art Exhibit. There seemed to be lectures and other events going on. Check the schedule. Some weekends include free activities for the family.

Alex Goodman

Alex Goodman upcoming jazz events

Alex is so excited about the following upcoming events. He is bringing two jazz musicians from Montreal to join him for a weekend of the finest jazz. Rick Rosato is now playing in New York as well as Montreal. Simon Millard is well known in the Montreal jazz scene. You are invited to join this outstanding group at these events .The evening will feature original music.

Friday March 11

Pero Lounge

812 Bloor St West

9:00p.m.- midnight

Alex Goodman guitar

Simon Millard trumpet

Rick Rosato bass

Ethan Ardelli drums

Menu features Ethiopian food

Sunday March 13^th

Ten Feet Tall

1381 Danforth

Greenwood subway stop

416 778 7333

3:30 – 6:30

Menu includes brunch, appetizers and especially known for their yam fries

Alex Goodman guitar

Simon Millard trumpet

Rick Rosato bass

Hope to see you there.

Cravings

Cravings 3393 Yonge St 416 322 2200

This is without doubt the best value in town. The restaurant is beautifully appointed. The white pristine tablecloths make you feel as if you are dining in style. The menu is superb. I have eaten here for both lunch and dinner and have always been so pleased. The place was completely filled. No wonder. The Asian food is so fresh and tasty.

I love getting together with my family. We all love great dining and look forward to chatting about our everyday events. We love this restaurant because there is so much choice and we all love the food. It is really outstanding at a very reasonable price.

Several orders of the Tom Yum Soup were shared.($6.00) The Thai style lemongrass flavored soup was combined with shrimps, tomatoes, beans, button mushrooms and cilantro .It was a good start. My son was thrilled to see the Soft Shell Crab on the menu. ($!0.00)He thought it was amazing. It was deep fried and served with spicy basil dip. The Chicken Curry ($11.00) was excellent. It was served with rice.

My daughter-in-law noticed a dish at the next table that appealed to her. She ordered the General Tao Chicken. ($11.00) It was as tasty as it looked. Battered chicken is deep fried and then stir fried with a spicy sweet star anise flavored sauce. The Pad Thai is prepared with Thai styled noodles, chicken and shrimp in tamarind fish sauce topped with chopped peanuts.($12.00) I have a favorite Udon Soup with Tempura ($11.00) A large bowl is filled with a vegetarian broth. There is an abundance of noodles and vegetables. A side dish of 6 pieces of the most delicious tempura is part of the meal. The tempura is crispy and not at all greasy. Two large shrimp and 4 pieces of vegetables are perfectly prepared.

There is so much variety. Noodle or rice dishes are available.

You can order a few appetizers for a lighter meal or a variety of dishes to share with the table. Sashimi and Sushi are freshly prepared.

Take out is always available. I find it so pleasant to enjoy a fine meal in these surroundings. The food arrives fresh and hot. It was a great way to enjoy a family outing. Nobody had any work to do and we could enjoy every morsel and every word of conversation.

A Wake

A Wake

This film comes close to being a good film. I understand that much of the dialog was written by the cast. Maybe that is the problem. Some of the acting was a trifle ’over the top.’

I am still a sucker for a Canadian film. They need all the help they can get. The idea was quite creative. A theatre director is dying. He requests that his wife arrange a special wake. The members of his theatre group are to do a reading of the play, Hamlet. Apparently they never did produce that play. The reading is to be filmed and played at his memorial. I kind of like the idea,

The cast all gathers at the widow’s home and the shenanigans begin. There is a lot of sleeping around. There are arguments over who had affairs with the dead director. There are arguments over who is going to stay in which room.

As the film progresses we begin to see the characters develop and we get to know them better.

I do question if they needed to film in the bathroom. Is it irony or silliness that the director’s son arrives unsuspected? He becomes the director of the film. I almost laughed out loud when one of the characters has sex with this young son. You could say it was not believable.

The credits state that it was filmed in Cambridge. I loved the big country home. The cinematography of the winter covered countryside was beautiful. I must say it was a total contrast to the activity taking place in the house.

There is a theatrical surprising ending.

Some good Canadian talent performs in the film. Nicholas Campbell and Martha Burns should stick to Stratford.

The film was chosen as best feature at the Carmel Arts and Film Festival and best film at the Female Eye Film Festival in Toronto. All that proves is that someone has a different point of view than I do.

Fiermosca Trattoria

Fiermosca Trattoria 36A Prince Arthur Ave 416 323 0636

I had planned to spend a quiet evening at home. Lately there has been too much spending and too much eating out. When my neighbor called to say she needed a break from the book she is writing I quickly changed my mind. We both agreed that a short walk to Fiermosca would be ideal. We have dined there before and it is a guaranteed gourmet experience.

Public Relations Manager, Mennie Manangan, always has a gracious smile when she greets the guests. She moves about the tables to make sure that everything is to your liking. She is as charming as her name.

I have dined at this location in every restaurant that proceeded Fiermosca. In the past there was Spanish, French and Chinese cuisine on the premises. For many years now Fiermosca has been providing the finest cuisine at this spot. I also frequented Fiermosca when they were on Avenue Rd near Bloor. I remember the great backyard garden with the twinkling lights. It was even then a place to gather for fine food.

Broschetta, on a pizza like crust, with fresh tomato chunks and garlic was placed before us. That didn’t last long. A basket of fine bread followed.

We both shared the Insalata Mista ($10.00). It was a most generous portion divided in the kitchen. Fresh romaine and radicchio were tossed with tomatoes and fine virgin oil with white vinegar. It was refreshing and delicious

My dinner companion told me she had dreamt about having Spaghetti with Clams. Would you believe it was on the menu? The Spaghetti Alle Vingole ($22.00) was prepared with fresh Manila clams, olive oil, white wine and garlic. She was so pleased and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love Swordfish and nobody else serves it in town. It is a firm fish and ever so tasty. It was prepared Sicilian Style in a light tomato wine broth. There were dried black olives and eggplant on the dish. I considered it a good size serving. A side dish appeared with the most delicious perfectly prepared vegetables. I dipped the veggies in the sauce because it was too good to leave on my plate.($34.00)

The menu is varied and offers selections prepared in different ways.

Pasta for 2 offers Linguine Fiermosca. a dish prepared with linguine, lobster, crab, mussels, squid, and clams with tomato or white wine base. ($74.00)

Obviously that would be for a special occasion. For every night dining Penne Tre Funghi offers a pasta dish with porcini, champignon, and Portobello mushrooms in a tomato sauce.($!6.00)

Carne lovers might opt for the Agnello Alla Griglia($32.00) or the Costata di Vitello Alla Griglia.($42.00)

Mennie told us that the giant shrimp are a house specialty. Gamberoni Al Pernod are sautéed with onions and Pernod wine and served with an assortment of vegetables.($35.00)

Daily specialties are listed on the wall.

We should have stopped after the main course. An order of Tiramisu and the special Caramel Dessert really completed the evening. What a fine evening from beginning to end!

L'Espresso Bar Mercurio

L’Espresso Bar Mercurio 321 Bloor St. West 416 585 2233

It was a freezing cold day. How nice to walk two blocks to this neighborhood popular spot. The subway also stops at the corner. L’Espresso is a large restaurant but it is divided in such a way that you feel comfy. Guaranteed you will meet someone you know. I always do.

At lunch you order your food at the counter and the food is delivered to your table. It is all prepared fresh and the food always is tasty and nicely presented. I like the fact that this is a family business. On this occasion nona (grandmother) was busy looking after the table of young children in the private room. Owner Joe was observed overseeing everything. Sometimes his charming sister, Theresa, is bustling around. This family knows the restaurant business and they do it so well. When they are not supervising at L’Espresso they are busy at the Bar Mercurio across the road.

When you enter the restaurant you check off your order from a printed list. The food is prepared and delivered to you. While ordering, do take a minute to look at the pastry counter. I drool thinking about it. My favorite is always biscotti. The shortbread and chocolate cookies come second best. It is a great place to pick up croissants or pastries for take out.

Panini are favorites at this establishment. The Vegetarian Club Panino offers bocconcini, zucchini, spinach and roasted red peppers in an artisan baguette.($10.75) It is gluten free. The New Crab Salad Fougasse Panino is filled with crab salad, sweet peppers, scallions and Boston lettuce marinated in lemon aioli on an olive bread.($12.95) Seafood Tortilla is a popular choice with roasted red pepper tortilla stuffed with crab. Shrimp, avocado. julienne tomato, and aioli, with an olive oil tomato dressing.($10.95) The Angus Burger is topped with tomato, lettuce and onions. It is served in an artisan ciabatta bun with side aioli. It is also gluten free.($10.95)

The Salads are a work of art and so tasty to the palate. I can feel so virtuous dining on healthy gourmet food.

My friend ordered the new L’Espresso Salad with Tuscan beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, ciabatta croutons and feta cheese in a citrus olive oil dressing.($11.95) I enjoyed the Nicoise Salad served with Italian tuna, Yukon potatoes, tomatoes, dried black olives, green beans, organic eggs and drizzled with a citrus olive oil dressing.($12.95) The greens were so crisp. The beans were perfectly prepared. I love this salad.

Soup and Chef’s Special are listed daily. Try to save room for a pastry. (or two) This is a very popular place for the university crowd. It is always filled but never too noisy. In the summer the enormous patio is bustling with good energy. I like the positive vibration and I love the food. It is a great brunch lunch spot.

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids

I continue to punish myself and pretend that the film might be better than the reviews suggest. I know all the great films have been released for this year so I would even settle for second best. This film should be on a C or D list. Don’t waste your time.

Ed Helms plays the part of Tim Lippe. He is an insipid insurance salesman. He doesn’t drink and leads a very sheltered life. He is having an affair with a former teacher. I guess that does count as being alive in the real word.

He is sent to Cedar Rapids for an insurance conference. He is also hoping to pick up the big trophy for his boss who has to attend his daughter’s wedding. (Wouldn’t he have known in advance when the wedding was? Wouldn’t he have known in advance when the annual conference was taking place?

He rooms with two other men. At first he is startled to discover that his room mate is a black American but soon finds out that he is a ‘good guy.’ The other room mate is coarse, crude, obnoxious and a pain in the neck.

A young female insurance worker who also is attending the conference wants a vacation from her family. She turns out to be quite a wild one. She gets Tim to drink, take drugs and swim in his underwear in the pool. Quite a transformation!

Tim finds out things about the company that he doesn’t like and he also realizes that he has behaved badly.

I have been to conferences and know that bad behavior is often the game so that wasn’t surprising. People will often act in a way that is totally contradictory to their normal behavior. Tim does discover himself and has a bit of fun getting there.

The question is will you have a bit of fun watching?

Provence Delices

Provence Delices 12 Amelia St. 416 924 9901

Authentic French! Outstanding food! I just enjoyed the best omelet ever. That may sound like nothing. There are so few ingredients in an omelet. However it is tricky to keep the omelet moist and fluffy. This was perfection.

I invited my cousin out for lunch. She enjoys French food. (Who Doesn’t?) This was spectacular. Provence is on a side street looking out on quaint houses in Cabbagetown. It is quiet and serene. The restaurant has the feel of a charming inn. It is bright and cheery.

We forgot our diets and indulged in the Luncheon Prix Fixe for $25.00. Every bite was magic and every morsel was demolished.

The crusty baguette was warm and delicious. We ate so much bread and still managed to enjoy all the food. My cousin started with an Artichoke Soup. It was a generous portion. The soup was creamy and so flavorful. There was no cream in the dish even though it had a creamy texture. I chose the Du Puy Lentil Salad. It was so beautifully presented topped with watercress gently sprinkled with vinaigrette. I was pretending I was in Provence France and had nowhere to go. We spent quite a few hours savoring our delicious lunch.

My cousin ordered the House Authentic Toulouse Pork Sausages with frites and Dijon. I had the perfect Cheese Omelet with the best frites I have ever tasted. The omelet was filled with melted cheese. Every time I thought of the calories I was consuming I ate more.

Crème Brulee was the dessert offered for the Prix Fixe. Yummy says it all. My cousin winked her eyes and sweetly asked for the Marquise au Chocolat. I didn’t know how I was going to get out the door but was already thinking what I would have on a return visit.

I was tempted with the Roasted Beets and Celeriac Remoulade Salad.($11.95) On a former visit I enjoyed the Atlantic Salmon marinated with orange and star anise and served with Coho salmon caviar on a tartine of Ezekial bread with frisee salad.($14.95) Steamed Mussels are prepared in white wine, cream and served with petites lardoons and frites.($19.95) Mustard Flank Steak Frites is a specialty of the house.($!8.95) Calf’s Liver is sautéed with onions and served with those delicious frites and a frisee salad.

The frites are really magnificent. You might not want to know that they are double fried in the traditional French way. They are also matchstick in shape so become very crispy when fried.

Elie Benchitrit is the chef and owner. He is delighted to discuss the menu with the patrons. He offers cooking classes on Monday evenings. There is a maximum of 7 people for each class. There is 1 session each Monday evening.

I started my lunch with an interesting luncheon guest. I finished the luncheon satisfied with the wonderful flavors and the charming atmosphere.

Small Town Murder Songs

Small Town Murder Songs

I love praising Canadian films. There seem to be more and more. I congratulate Director Ed Gass-Donnelly on this film. It has already been featured in several film festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival. I really loved the music. It was almost like being at a revival meeting. It was loud and joyous with a religious fervor.

The film is set in Western Ontario in Mennonite country. I did see Palmerston and Listowel mentioned in the credits.

A murder has been committed. A nude female was discovered in a field. Who did it? The local policeman, Walter, aptly played by Peter Stormare tries to solve his first murder. He is an interesting man. Throughout the film we get an impression of his past life. He was an angry man and had done things for which he was sorry. At the beginning of the film we see him being baptized in a pool. He became a changed man committed to doing good and being in a relationship.

He has an idea who committed the murder and he goes about trying to get a confession. The problem is that the suspected murderer is living with his ex girlfriend. Some of these antics are not too believable. The policeman is such an antithesis to the suspected murderer who looks a bit like his vicious dog. He is unkempt and badly in need of a wash and shave.

I liked the film. The music was such an important part of the film. I liked the contrast between the Mennonite folk living peacefully in the area and the angry mean suspected murderer. I liked the contrast between Walter’s new live in girlfriend and his former tough beautiful lady friend now living with the suspected murderer. Jill Hennessy plays Walter’s former girl friend.

The actors do a fine job. Jackie Burroughs was hardly recognizable as she played the part of an elderly Mennonite woman. Her acting is always superb. I do question the attempt to make her teeth look old. It looked as if they put brown play dough on her mouth. I couldn’t distinguish the teeth and had to look down or I would have laughed out loud.

I wondered why the audience seemed to all be so young. I certainly stood out. It must have been the premier performance and all the friends of the crew and actors were in attendance. I was fortunate to hear the Q & A following the film. I did not join them for a beer in the nearby local tavern.

It seems as if the whole film was based on a song which then was developed into this film. One viewer questioned the character of the policeman. The director said that he couldn’t comment because he feels that the audience should have the right to see the characters as they choose. Individual interpretation was great with him. I liked his casual light hearted manner. He stated,” Editing is fixing my bad direction.” I even liked the film.

China House

China House 925 Eglinton Ave 416 781 9121

This was a nostalgic evening. I remember taking my three children to China House for Sunday evening treats. We lived only a few blocks away. My eldest son even had a special birthday party in the party room. So many memories! It was my son’s birthday and he had the choice of any place in town. I was surprised and delighted when he decided on China House. On Thursday evenings they feature outstanding jazz groups. On this particular evening we were thrilled with the musicians.

The food always was delicious and we were all so delighted with our choices. The beauty of Chinese food is that you can share and everybody gets to taste many dishes. We all a agreed that the food was of superior taste. The service was wonderful. We had a great birthday celebration.

A large bowl of Hot and Sour Soup ($9.95) was shared amongst 4 people. It was very flavorful and quickly demolished. The Barbecued Pork Slices ($10.95) were my son’s favorite as a child. He claims they are still every bit as delicious. The family enjoyed the plum sauce and hot mustard that really enhanced the flavor of the pork.

We each ordered a favorite dish and then shared it all. The Kung Pao Shrimps in Chili sauce were fantastic.($14.95) The shrimp were moist and tender and very flavorful. They were also enormous in size. The Broccoli and Pea Pods were my favorite. I didn’t know that vegetables could be so flavorful. Everybody was very impressed. The Honey Garlic Chicken Balls were a good choice to balance the flavor of our other dishes.($12.95) The Fried Rice with Chicken ($9.95) and Steamed Brown Rice ($2.95) were so necessary to balance the flavors and absorb the juices of all the sauces.

The menu is extensive. The service was superb. We so enjoyed our memories from the past as well as the evening’s present offerings.

Family dinners are offered at a special price for 2-5 people. Vegetarians have a lengthy list of choices. Meat, seafood and chicken options are plentiful. Everything is served hot and all the dishes were so flavorful. While chatting with the owner, Jonathon Wise, I learned some very interesting food facts. All the chicken is white meat. There are no trans fats used in preparation. The establishment is 100% peanut free. No MSG is used in the cooking. Bravo to the chef and management for being so health conscious.

What an addition to have jazz. Some of the top groups in the city will be featured here. Just call to get a booking. The house was filled on this evening and everybody seemed to be delighted. You can order on line. Delivery is available. Even my fortune cookie promised good tidings.

Pangaea

Pangaea 1221 Bay Street 416 920 2323

Lunch was so fantastic last week that I had to return for dinner. Several times a year the ‘four ladies’ go out for dinner. We love Winterlicious and look forward to great food and stimulating conversation.

Pangaea was our choice because of its central location and reputation as one of the finest gourmet spots in town.

Everything works so well. I like the warm greeting. Owner, Peter, does a masterful job in making every guest feel important. The servers are excellent. They look after your every whim. The food arrives in good time but you are never rushed. The servers are knowledgeable about the ingredients and flexible with the menu. Chef Martin prepares his internationally inspired dishes using local ingredients. He is a master chef. I marvel that four people are served their different dishes at the same time. The food is hot and it all happens perfectly. I wish I could manage that skill at home. The noise level is also very acceptable.

This is Winterlicious so we enjoyed the 3 course offerings for $35.00 Even the recommended wine is offered at a special Winterlicious price.

The Pear Endive Salad was my choice last week at lunch. Two of the dining companions took my recommendation and enjoyed the salad. The small pears are roasted and the sweetness comes out in the baking. Fresh watercress adds a balance of flavor to the taste buds. Stilton cheese and toasted walnuts compliment a wonderful starter. Two of the diners opted for the Butternut Squash Soup with apple puree. The spiced cider foam on top was absolutely delightful. The soup was hot and at the right consistency. Sometimes a squash soup can be too thick and sometimes too sweet. We loved the texture and the flavor was wonderful

We tried various entrees. The Slow Braised Lamb Shank was enjoyed. The Farm To Table offers the tastiest vegetable plate. It was my choice last week at lunch. Each vegetable was full flavored. The baked pearl onions exploded in flavor. Two of us opted for the Mahi Mahi. It was offered in saffron shellfish chowder with bacon, clams, mussels, shrimp, and fennel and green onions.

We asked if we could possibly have the fish with some vegetables. The fish was moist and flavorful. Perfectly cooked. The vegetables were so enjoyed.

You have to have dessert at Winterlicious no matter how full you may be. Three of the diners opted for the Maple Pecan Tart They loved the taste and were thankful that it was tasty but not too sweet. It was served with macerated dried fruits and Bourbon whipped cream. I remembered the Callibaut Hot Chocolate offering from last week. The best orange almond biscotti was part of the presentation. I asked if I could just have biscotti. Three of those delicious treats were presented. You guessed it. I ate all three.

Four good friends had a great reunion. We also had a fabulous dining experience.

This truly is one of the fine gourmet spots in town.

The regular menu is always available offering great choices perfectly prepared I would love to visit the kitchen one day to watch the master chef at work. There are two private rooms for groups or special occasions. This is a guaranteed treat.

Nixon in China

Nixon In China Met opera in HD

I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this opera. The music is different. The lyrics are different. As it progressed I was happy that I came. I like to expand my horizons. Nixon In China gave an interesting historical background to Nixon’s trip to China.

This was the first opera written by John Adams. The man is brilliant. He also conducted the Met on this occasion. A few years ago we were privileged to see his production of Doctor Atomic.

Nixon In China is a Peter Sellars production. The man has to be seen to be believed. He was introduced during the first intermission. Sellars was wearing a flamboyant shirt and two long strings of beads. His hair gave a disheveled look but I have a feeling the high coifed hair was crafted to look that way. He is so artistic. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with this creative man.

The main soloists looked so much like Pat and Richard Nixon.

The set designer was interviewed during intermission. A lot of research went into the production in order to be historically correct. We saw photos from the actual state dinner.

The dance scenes are absolutely spectacular and worth the price of admission.

I wasn’t thrilled with James Maddalena who sang the part of Richard Nixon. He seemed to be talking a lot in a singing way. Perhaps that was intentional. Janis Kelly looked so much like Pat and gave a wonderful dramatic performance.

The choreography was sensational. For me it was the best part of the opera. The chorus was powerful. The third act was the strongest part of the opera. It was dramatic and very touching. It also gave an insight into the other main characters of both the Chinese and American governments.

The encore production will be on March 12.

I am now looking forward to the Feb 26 presentation of Iphigenie En Tauride. I maintain that the Met operas are the best value for a cultural experience. The interviews before the opera and during intermission are fascinating. You also see previews of some of the operas in the coming months. The Met Opera allows us to experience the finest talent in the world and the most wonderful productions. It is no wonder all the performances are sold out well in advance. You can sometimes pick up a seat for an encore production but even then it is wise to book your reserved seat in advance.

Go to www.cineplex,com/events for more information

The Fighter

The Fighter

That could not have been me watching the championship fighting and cheering for Micky Ward. I hate boxing. I have resisted watching this film. I knew I would be sitting there with my hands over my eyes (which I did).

At the same time I have to admit that the acting is superb. Micky Ward ( MarkWahlberg) went on to win championship boxing bouts against all odds.

His brother Dicky (Christian Bale) had aspirations to be a champ. He didn’t make it but was coaching his younger brother Mickie. Dickie obviously had suffered from punches to the head. He was missing teeth. He was on drugs. He had shaky leg syndrome. You wouldn’t call him a gentleman.

Dicky and Micky had a slew of sisters. They were really a piece of work. Costumes and makeup must have had fun with these characters. The mother was the manager. She wore tight clothes and had a mouth like a sewer. Actually the family was quite a riot.

Dicky goes to jail and Micky takes up with a different trainer. The film largely deals with the interpersonal relationships in the family. That part is fascinating.

Micky falls for the cute young girl working at the bar. The part is played by Amy Adams. She really is superb with her accent and trashy mouth.

I have to admire the story because it is true. Everybody loves a story where the underdog rises to the surface as a winner. At the end of the film the real brothers briefly appear on the screen. At the recent SAG awards Christian Bale accepted his prize as best supporting actor. The real Dickie Ward came up on stage and looked like he didn’t ever want to leave.

The film is up for several Oscars and we will just have to wait and see if it winds anything. It is an excellent film but there some heavy duty boxing scenes.

Amaya 1701 Bayview Ave. 416 322 3270 Amaya is a high end superb Indian food restaurant. My family loves this spicy aromatic food. We decided to meet during Winterlicious to enjoy a 3 course meal for $25.00. What fantastic value! The decor is attractive and upscale. The service was outstanding. We enjoyed every morsel. We had such a good time that we didn’t notice the long line waiting to be seated at a table. We do apologize to them. The Pakoras were crispy and flavorful. Two rather large pieces were a great appetizer. The two sauces were outstanding. My son opted for the Tilapia Fish Appetizer. Two large portions were crispy and served with a delectable sauce. The Butter Chicken was wonderful. My Vegetable Curry was filled with tasty vegetables prepared in a wondrous curry. The Large Shrimp were giant size and a perfect dish. We also enjoyed our desserts. The Marshmallow Ice Cream was so delicious. I enjoyed the Carrot Toffee Pudding topped with ice cream. During the week express lunch combos are recommended. Jai Combo offers a seafood curry, pilaf basmati and naan bread,($8.99) Double Trouble presents two meat curries, pilaf basmati and naan bread.($8.99) Monday and Tuesday evenings dinner specials are $39.95 for 2 or $79.95 for 4 people. There are also meal deals offered throughout the week. Amaya Thalli offers an appetizer of vegetable pakoras, 1 chicken or Meat Curry, 1 vegetable curry and a basmati rice and a plain Naan for $29.99 Of course the regular menu is always available. Chicken Biryani is served with basmatic rice cooked with chicken spices.($12.99) Masala Lime Lamb offers a tender lamb cooked in coconut lime curry.($12.99)the Amaya Prawns are prepared with peppers, onions in a green mango curry.($12.99) Prawn Biryani is serve with basmati rice.($12.99)Vegetarians are always fortunate to have many options. My favorite is Saag Paneer. Baby spinach is pureed ands served with cubes of Indian cheese.($10.99) Dal Makhani is a black lentil dish cooked with butter, garlic and ginger.($8.99) Indian food is so aromatic. The seasoning is so flavorful. It is a myth that the food is very spicy. It can be made hot if you desire but it is not necessary. I was a great family visit. We were all thrilled with the fantastic food. The long line waiting to get in said it all.

Biutiful

Biutiful

I will not be surprised if this film wins an Oscar as the best foreign film .I would applaud if Javier Bardem won an Oscar as the best actor. He is beyond amazing. This is a dark film mainly shown in black, grey and white tones. Javier Bardem always reminds me of Humphrey Bogart. He has that rugged look. It is not handsome but he becomes so appealing. He is an outstanding actor. The cinematography is excellent. Sometimes the camera lingers on his craggy face. You see every pore and every nuance in his face. The director was masterful. I read that Bardem thinks director Inarritu is one of the great directors. Bardem claims that he knows where to put the camera. He knows how to hold silence. He also claims that he knows how to use music to the befit of the film. He also knows how to cut the film. All of this is so evident in this great film. It is one of the best I’ve seen this year.

We are taken in the backstreets of Barcelona that no tourist ever gets to see. Bardem plays the part of Uxbal a middle man between the slave workers in the factories producing copies of purses and the illegal workers selling them on the street.

I have been to Barcelona and have seen the countless numbers of illegal immigrants (from Africa) selling the purses on the sidewalk.

The Chinese workers in the factory also had a horrible tale to tell. They slept on the floor at the back of the factory. They were crowded and lived in the worst conditions possible.

All this would make you think Uxbal is a bad person. His livelihood was not positive but he also had a warm heart. He was so loving and caring of his two children. He was strict in many ways hoping to teach them to be good people. He also was fun to be with. They lived in a very poor apartment. He didn’t have a lot of money for food. One day he encouraged the children to fantasize about the food they really wished they had while eating a bowl of cereal. HE tried to make their lives better. He showed compassion for his ex-wife who is an alcoholic and suffers from depressions. She wonders in and out of the picture.

Uxbal discovers he is dying of cancer and tries to keep going so he can leave his children cared for.

He always looks like he hasn’t washed and his clothes seem to hang on him in a disheveled manner. His face shows the strain of his existence.

This is a magnificent film extremely well done.

Woodlot

Woodlot 293 Palmerston Ave ( at College St) 647 342 6307

I tried three times to get a reservation at this hot spectacular spot. On my third effort I was told that there is a communal table that is available on a first come first serve basis.

I can’t remember when I had so much fun. By the way the food is exquisite and the servers are great. Crystal was attentive and charming all evening. We felt as if we knew her by the end of our dinner. Her smile could warm up any room. I had a chance to speak with the co-owner and chef, David Hamon. He looks like he is about 12 years old. He is adorable and charming and obviously very talented. He has had the finest experience working in top end restaurants. When he decided to open this restaurant with his best friend he knew what he wanted. He hand picked his total staff and it shows. It is like a family party. Everybody working here is fun and interesting. They work so well as a team. Jeff comes in at midnight to prepare that mouth watering bread.

The place looks like a movie set. It was the former home of a bar. The kitchen is exposed. Tall shelves hold many of the ingredients and you can hear the chatter from the workers in the kitchen. A large wood burning oven literally sits in the dining space and you watch the preparation of the gourmet mouth watering dishes. One beautiful large birch wood table sits in the middle of the floor on the main level. At least 10 people can sit comfortably. You do not need a reservation for this table. The reserved tables are upstairs. I am sure they are wonderful but I have no need to sit anywhere else than that communal table.

My friend, Elaine, and I love to try new places. We always have a lot of fun. This place exceeded our expectations. We immediately found ourselves in conversation with a delightful young couple of university students. By the end of the evening they were sharing our dessert and we helped them with theirs. At that point our total conversation was amongst four people not just two.

There is a completely separate vegetarian menu as well as one featuring meat dishes.

I started with the Caramelized Onion Soup.($8.00) It was prepared with gruyere cheese and caraway rye. I am still licking my lips. Oh my! That was so special.

Elaine started with the Winter Salad of Endive, Roots and Pear. The vegetables had been thinly sliced on a mandolin and stacked for a colorful presentation. The blue cheese, horseradish and pecans enhanced the flavor. It was a work of art and so pleasing to the palate.($11.00) I enjoyed that same salad as my second course.

Elaine enjoyed the Farm Fresh Egg Tagliatelle with fontina cheese and radicchio.($13.00 small; or $19.00 large) It was better than anything I had in Italy. The pasta is prepared on the premises. It was so perfectly cooked. The flavor was exquisite.

We asked our ‘new friends’ about their dinner choices. The young lady was dining on the Braised Tempeh Pie.($19.00) It is prepared with winter roots, cipollini onions and caramelized vegetable gravy. I already know I am coming back for this dish. The Roasted Tofu and Almond Gratin also captured my eye.($18.00) It is served with saffron cream, fregola, cauliflower and spinach.

Meat lovers are not left out. They have a menu of their own. Everybody dines happily here. Our desserts were equally fantastic .This is the newest hottest most delicious spot in town.

Grappa

Grappa 797 College St 416 535 3337

How can one restaurant service so many people in one night? How could I eat so much delicious food at one sitting? I think Grappa was the busiest place in town. The Winterlicious menu offering 3 courses for $25.00 is the best value in town. No wonder there was a large turnover and people standing in line at the door. There were many very large parties and the staff was able to cope well. Those young handsome Italian servers looked so smart in their white shirts and dark slacks. It was fascinating to watch them all scurrying round the room making sure that everything was just right. My water glass seemed to be filled every few minutes. There were so many attentive servers. They were bustling with activity the whole evening. I loved listening to the Italian words. This is an authentic Italian restaurant.

I love to dine with my grandson, Alex. I wanted to hear all about his upcoming auditions at the Julliard School of Music and The Manhattan School of Jazz. I wanted to tell him how great his performance was this past week .He is such wonderful company and I am so proud and delighted that we can spend time together.

The bread was of very high quality and the serving of hummus was delicious. I hope the other tables didn’t notice that we went through two baskets of bread. The Butternut Squash Soup with Leeks was creamy and flavorful. It also was very hot. I wasn’t planning my calories wisely when I quickly demolished the whole bowl. We had already enjoyed enough bread for the week. Mussels were also featured on this evening and many people seemed to be enjoying it. Classic Caesar Salad was another option.

I was planning to have the Grilled Salmon but later changed my mind for the Linguine Campagna Portobello, cremini and oyster mushrooms. It was served in a very large white bowl. Leeks and broccoli were infused in the mixture and sprinkled with truffle essence. The sun-dried tomatoes enhanced the flavor of all the ingredients. It was a large portion.

Alex had the Penne Aromatico. It was prepared with smoked chicken, mixed vegetables, wine and veal jus. It was totally demolished in quick order. Enormous platters of Grilled Veal Chop and sirloin were being presented at the nearby tables. Needless to say you need a giant appetite to dine here. The food was beautifully presented and every bite was noteworthy. The portions were of grand size.

Alex enjoyed a Crème Brulee with fresh fruit on the side. Our server recommended the Tartuffo. It was flavorful but once again very filling. The Poached Pear with Chocolate Ice Cream was also promising.

We could barely move. The conversation was stimulating. The food was delicious. We felt we were in Rome dining in a high end restaurant.

Modra

Modra

An absolutely delightful film by Torontonian Ingrid Veninger. She wrote, directed and produced this charming film. It is currently paying at the Royal Cinema. The only problem is that the Royal is never open in the daytime and sometimes will have only one showing per evening of a specific film. It is worth the effort to attend.

Ingrid Veninger is from Slovakia. She remembered her trip back at the age of 17 to meet relatives she had not seen in many years.

Modra means blue and is the small town in Slovakia where Ingrid was born. It is nestled in the hills of magnificent country. She took a cast of 3 and used her own relatives as the characters in the film.

In this film her own daughter plays the role of 17 year old Lina. Lina is about to go to Modra for a week of vacation to meet her relatives. On the evening before her departure she talks a young school chum, Leko, to join her on the trip. While it is hard to believe that this could even have happened it made for a delightful story .It was also surprising that these conservative relatives allowed them to share a room even if they had separate beds.

Lina and Leko arrive at the charming town of Modra and are welcomed by the family. The old great aunt is in her late nineties. Good for her in being part of the film. Many of her family are musicians so we are treated to wonderful folk music. Some of the family greet her in traditional costume.

Lina and Leko are welcomed everywhere. Through their eyes we get to see the town and the neighboring city. We see the magnificent landscape.

The two youth bicker and chat with one another. It is touching. We feel for them when they argue. They are only seventeen. They are learning about love and communication.

Ingrid was in attendance to discuss the film following the show. She felt it was right that the two characters do not stay together as a team. She felt that rejection and splitting up are part of the lives of teenagers .The young stars were also in attendance.

I loved every part of the film. I enjoyed the view of Modra and the surrounding area. I enjoyed the interplay between the two teens. I loved all the family members. I felt as if I was along on the trip. The cinematography is great. The camera would often linger on the craggy face of a senior family member. The breathtaking countryside was also spectacular.

This film was so refreshing from the murder, drugs and terror I have watched in so many recent films.

Peter Pan Bistro

Peter Pan Bistro 373 Queen St West 416 593 0917

I have been a patron at Peter Pan for over 30 years. I remember it as one of the first converted old diners in Toronto. The old bar and the banquettes were kept but now there have been changes to give it an up to date feel. Artists and actors were often the servers. Wild paintings were on the wall. Today the fine paintings give it a more subdued look.

It also has more of an upscale look but the old bar and banquettes happily remain.

I love this restaurant because of the great food and friendly service. The food is always very flavorful and beautifully presented. There are always many options from which to choose. The bread is also noteworthy. It is economically friendly and I highly recommend this restaurant.

It is Winterlicious and I wanted to entertain a friend following a film downtown. What better place than this?

The Prix- Fixe menu offers three courses for$25.00

My friend started with the Black Bean Soup and cilantro cream. She thoroughly enjoyed it. In the past I have ordered their Warm Beet Salad with poached pear, chevre and spiced walnuts. Serving the beets warm brings out the flavor of the beets. The other ingredients complimented the dish. I loved that salad.

We both opted for the Herbed Grilled Salmon. It was served with a crispy round polenta ball and smoked tomato coulis. The crisp green beans were perfectly prepared. Wow! Fantastic.

I had considered the Risotto with butternut squash, pine nuts, truffle oil and shaved parmesan. The third option for the Winterlicious menu is Red Wine Demi Braised Pulled Lamb Shank served with roasted vegetables and crispy shallots.

Desserts have always been spectacular here. Tonight was no exception. We both enjoyed a Lemon Brulee. The Caramelized Bread Pudding with butterscotch sauce sounded so good but I will save that for next time. Tira Misu is the third option on this special menu.

Of course the regular menu is always available. There are numerous choices. The chef has a magical way of introducing herbs and spices to bring out the full flavor of the dishes.

It was not noisy and I consider that a big bonus point. We were able to discuss the film we had just viewed. Our server was so adorable and cheerful. More important she was efficient and helpful. This was a very positive dining experience.