Chiado

Chiado                         864 College St W                        416 538 1910

Perfection is an easy word to spell but difficult to achieve. My dining partner and I just had the most spectacular dining experience. The business card for Chiado has ‘Fine Dining’ written under the name. I would change that to ‘finest dining.’

From the moment we entered this elegant establishment we found everything worked perfectly.

We were so warmly greeted and it just got better after that. We admired the lovely small pottery vases holding exotic flowers. Jeannette was our server. She was much more than that. She is also the potter who created those charming vases that are on every table. She also made the oil and vinegar dishes and salt shakers. She was an expert on the wines.  We loved the Portuguese wine she recommended. Extra points go to Jeannette for suggesting a flavorful wine that was not the most expensive.

We were attending our first Summerlicious experience for this season. I am afraid that nothing will top this experience. Four courses are served at lunch for $25.00. The plates used were of a variety of shapes. The presentation of the food was picture perfect. The food was served hot and the flavor was like fireworks on the palate. Each bite was a gourmet delight. We both agreed that this experience will be impossible to beat.

Fresh Cheese is served with a reduction of balsamic and honey w/rosemary. It is a soft Portuguese cheese and a lovely starter.

My friend opted for the Grilled Sardines with lemon, garlic and extra virgin oil. She felt she should try Portuguese dishes because this is what they do best. She stated that these were the best she has ever sampled.

I savored the Pureed Asparagus Soup. There was no cream added. The soup was hot and creamy with an abundance of flavor.

We noticed beautiful Mixed Seasonal Greens being presented at the next table.

Lobster and Shrimp Bisque is a popular choice. On my next visit I have already decided to have the Goat Cheese, Eggplant, Portabella Mushroom with champagne vinaigrette. I am already salivating.

Two courses down and two more to go. What a happy day!

The Filet of Golden Seabream was served with a warm salad of green beans, red beets and roasted sweet peppers. My Grilled Filet of Atlantic Salmon was crusted with fine herbs, peppercorns and marine salt. It was so moist and flavorful. The vegetables were crisp and perfectly cooked. Both of our plates were so attractive we hesitated to start eating. The Terrine of Salt Cod is served with wilted spinach, small shrimp and a red wine sauce. I am sure the other items mentioned on the menu were all delicious.

The Dry Fruit Tart and the Chocolate Sour Cream Cake were great choices on our part. Even the Cappuccino was superb.

We both licked our lips and thanked the staff for this outstanding experience. It isn’t often one encounters perfection.

To Rome with Love

To Rome With Love

Woody Allen is at his best in this film. If you are a Woody Allen fan you will love all of the antics and nonsense. I had such fun and caught myself laughing out loud many times. All the common elements of a Woody Allen film are present. Woody Allen plays a character that is very much like him. The misguided romances and the philosophical statements about life and death are present. His wife in the film is a psychiatrist. Some of the action is so silly but I just thought it was such fun. Several stories are enacted concurrently.

If you like the city of Rome you will be delighted with the background scenes. Woody Allen plays the part of Jerry. He is unhappily retired from producing operas and wishes he was back at work .His wife tells him he equates retirement with death. He and his wife travel to Rome to meet their daughter’s new fiancée and his parents. Michelangelo is the boyfriend. Right from the start there is conflict with the politics and philosophy of the boyfriend. Jerry calls him a communist. He states,” I don’t believe in sharing. I don’t even share a bathroom.”

His parents provide much humor. The father is an undertaker. He sings magnificently in the shower. Jerry thinks he has a glorious career ahead singing opera. The problem is he can only sing comfortably in the shower. It is absolutely hysterical to see this man on stage singing opera. At all his performances a shower cabin is wheeled onstage and the singer scrubs himself and showers as he gloriously sings the arias. Ridiculous but very funny.

I think Allen is a genius. He has woven three other plots into this film.

A young Italian couple comes to Rome on their honeymoon. They plan to meet with his relatives and to possibly take a job in Rome. The wife goes out looking for a hairdresser. She gets lost. By mistake a prostitute (Penelope Cruz) arrives at his door. She is in a seductive short dress. The relatives arrive at the same time and he has to pretend she is his wife. The relatives are overly conservative. Penelope Cruz is dressed to play her part of a prostitute. The wife is lost in Rome and wanders on a movie set. She is enamored with a leading man who happens to be portly and bald. He invites her back to his hotel.

There is a lot of romping around.

Roberto Benigni plays the role of a plain little man totally overlooked by society. The word ’nebbish’ comes to mind. He suddenly becomes famous and all the TV shows want to interview him. He is chased by the paparazzi. He has nothing to say but overnight he becomes a hero. It lasts for a short time and then a new hero is discovered. Poor Leopoldo (Benigni) is back again being overlooked by everyone. Bgnigni is a real character actor. He is very funny. His plain dull appearance works in his favor in this role. He is amazing.

Jesse Eisenberg plays the part of Jack, an architectural student. He lives in Rome with his girlfriend, Sally. Sally announces that her friend, Monica has just left a relationship and is coming to visit. Ellen Page is an upcoming starlet. She is fantastic in her role of Monica. She becomes a little temptress and is very explicit in her talk about her past sexual encounters.

Alec Baldwin obviously loved his role as a famous architect. He becomes a mythical friend to Jack. He advises him and warns him about his actions. His role is  like the storyteller. He keeps popping up in the middle of scenes to advise Jack.

I think the film is so creative. Woody Allen has not lost his touch.

Flamenco

Flamenco

A brilliant masterpiece! Unfortunately I saw the last performance at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. I don’t usually go to films at 9:30 p.m. but this a film worth viewing at any hour. I can still hear that infectious music in my head and the visual image of the dancers was stupendous. Apparently it may come back in August. Watch for it. 

It was better than being at a concert because the dancers and musicians are in your face. The beat of the music is haunting. Much of the sound comes from tapping the fingers, clapping or snapping the fingers. The film opens to a set of life style portraits of Spanish dancers. Those pictures become the background for many of the dances.

The first dance was a rumba. It is so sensuous. The singers and guitar player added so much to the emotion.

In Alegria the clicking of the heels was amazing. The body gestures are severe and dramatic. The dancer had an austere look on her face.

The guitar was played in almost all the pieces. At times I had the feeling the musician was making love to the guitar. It was so beautiful in every sense.

A double piano presentation was spectacular. The two men communicated in music and also in facial looks.

The dances varied and so did the dancers. It was amazing to see an ‘older’ woman dance with such emotion and precision. She was slightly bulbous and not attractive in a Hollywood sense. Yet, when she danced she became beautiful and her dancing was amazing. It was lovely to see dancers of all ages performing.

The March Processional was haunting. All the dancers were covered in black veils and long black attire. There was a simple background and the whirling black costumes made for a dramatic impact.

This is an amazing film. The cinematography captures it all. The music and dance combine for a memorable performance.

Headhunters

Headhunters

I should be too ashamed to even write about this film. It was a hot day and I was not sure I wanted to watch 5 Broken Cameras. I flatter myself that I can see both sides of the Palestinian problem but I feared I would get too overheated in the politics. However I went to the film and sat down in auditorium 7.

I wondered why they were speaking Norwegian and thought it was a preview that didn’t seem to end. I never saw a title on the screen.

At first I was rather intrigued.

Roger was a handsome man. He played the part of a very successful headhunter. He had an exceptionally beautiful wife and a modern exquisite home. He valued his lifestyle and lived beyond his means. In business he was ruthless and tough.

Afterhours he robbed famous paintings and left behind copies. He was very good at this.

A very handsome man, Clas Greve arrives from Amsterdam and plans to move into his inherited apartment in Oslo. Roger offers him a lucrative job.

It was all very intriguing to this point. The trouble then began. It seems as if Clas Greve had been trained in terrorist methods. Roger sets out to steal a very famous painting from Greve’s apartment. Big mistake.

Roger has an affair. Greve has an affair with Roger’s wife. I can handle that kind of trouble.

Greve sets out to destroy Roger. There are dog attacks and shootings. There are car chases and overturned cars. It is all a bloody mess.

At one point Greve is closing in on Roger with an attack dog. Roger hides out in the outhouse. He has no choice but to jump into the pit and breathe through an empty toilet paper roll. When he emerged I could smell him right through the screen. It was horrible.

Roger survives so many shootings, dog bites and accidents.

The film ended ‘happily’ and I still did not know the name of the picture. I had to ask the ticket seller for the name of the film in auditorium 7.

I guess headhunters can be interpreted in two ways. Roger worked for a headhunting agency that employed high powered executives. He also was being hunted for stealing the paintings and for several murders

Apparently the film was based on a best selling thriller from 2008.

The best part was when the ticket seller took pity on me and gave me 2 passes for the theatre.

Campagnolo

Campagnolo                     832 Dundas St West                416 364 4782

When I read that Campagnolo was one of the best restaurants in the city I knew I was headed in that direction. The restaurant is located on the corner of Euclid and Dundas. The patio expects to receive a liquor license immediately. The place has only been open for a year and a half but has already made its mark on the culinary map of this city.

As far as décor there are no prizes. All the merited attention goes to the service and outstanding food.

Sylvia was our superb server. She recommended the proper wine and was totally knowledgeable about the food. It was her wining smile and friendliness that won us over. She continued throughout the dinner to check on our satisfaction. The satisfaction level went off the chart. The charming couple beside us added to our complete enjoyment. We enjoyed conversing with them and comparing restaurants, travel and politics within a short time.

The daily menu is not extensive. I applaud a restaurant that prepares each item to perfection and doesn’t try to do too much. This way there is control over freshness and the quality of the dishes. This is especially important when the menu changes frequently.

There is a charge for bread but it is so worth it. The house made Baguette and Gougeres ($4.00) were served warm and absolutely mouth watering delicious.

I love dining with my good friend S. She adores good food, loves to try new dishes and is a lot of fun.

We decided to share a salad. The Ontario Beefsteak Tomato Baby Green Salad was outstanding. It included red beets and pistachio vinaigrette. The tomatoes were flavorful. The mound of greens was peppery, fresh and flavorful. I couldn’t believe we were so excited about a salad.

Many of the patrons seemed to be sharing several of the appetizers.

Braised Shortrib Bitterballen is served with horseradish mustard ($12.00)

Octupus Carpaccio with Peperonata is prepared with a black olive sauce.($13.00)

The Fresh Burrata Cheese with Roasted Grapes and toasted bread seemed to be popular at the next table.($14.00) They also enjoyed the Roasted Bone Marrow with Oxtail and plum marmalade.($13.00) I was tempted with the Radish, Cauliflower and Grilled Peach Salad with Monforte ash rind brie and hazelnuts.($12.00)

My dining companion ordered the Spinach Fettucine Primavera with summer squash, cured tomatoes and asparagus.($18.00) I tasted it and agreed the flavors were superb. The pasta was perfectly al dente and the vegetables were still had a touch of crispness.

My House Made Spaghetti All’Amatriciana was excellent. I asked for it spicy and the chef (without even knowing me) added a hot touch to my perfection.($18.00)

Steelhead Trout with smoked cauliflower puree and rapini was the featured fish on this day.($28.00) Grilled Quail ‘Saltimbocca’ with gorgonzola stuffed figs and gnocchi was a special for this evening.($28.00)

A reservation is definitely recommended. In fact for a weekend appointment you are advised to book well in advance. This is a busy gourmet dining spot. Plan to order several dishes. Many of the dishes are appetizer size and are great to share.  That way you can enjoy a variety of food. The menu is creative. The preparation of the food is exquisite. No wonder it was so highly rated. We concur.

Take This Waltz

Take This Waltz

I have been anxiously awaiting this latest Sarah Polley film. What a talent! She wrote and directed this film. It is very good but certainly has some flaws. The cast of Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen help make this a worthwhile cinematic experience.

There is indeed a lot of humor but underlying it all is sadness. Michelle Williams plays the part of Margot, an immature young wife. She is supposed to be a writer for park brochures. We do see her on one working experience writing about a historical park. We never see her writing again. She is married to Lou. He is writing a cookbook on chicken recipes. It is one strange relationship. They hug and cuddle and play silly games. On the surface they seem like a loving couple and enjoy being with the extended family. Underneath there is a lack of deep personal contact.

At one point she states,” I don’t like being in between things.” That line is the key to the central plot.

By chance Margot meets Daniel. By coincidence he  lives a few doors away. They are immediately attracted to one another. Daniel is an artist and pulls a rickshaw to make extra money. He falls for Margot and she feels herself being pulled in his direction.

This is the strength of the film. It is believable that Margot and Lou thought they had a great relationship. It was obvious at their anniversary celebration something was wrong. They have nothing to say to one another.

When she meets the very attractive Daniel she begins to see what is lacking in her life. I found this part of the film to be very powerful. The most impressive dramatic part is when Daniel and Margot are having some food at a café. He seduces her verbally and tells her what he would like to do to her.

The film takes place in Toronto. I loved seeing all the different parts of town. You will recognize Kensington Market, the beaches and the Toronto skyline. I loved getting inside the small house shared by Margot and Lou. It was supposed to be in the Queen and Dufferin area. The cinematography was excellent. The cameras would linger on a face and you cold feel the emotion inside.

Sarah Silverman plays the part of Margot’s sister-in-law. She is a recovering alcoholic. She goes off the wagon at the end of the film. Her character does not add to the story and I didn’t find her acting to be solid.

The film needs some editing. It could have ended much sooner.                     

I like the fact I was left wondering what happened.  Margot and Daniel are so smitten with one another. I had the feeling that after a time that ‘hot blooded action’ had simmered down. There is just a suggestion but that part is not developed.

Michelle Williams is a gifted actor. I kept thinking that she had just played the part of Marilyn Monroe. In this film she has the look of a teenager. Her actions are often silly and immature.

I was glad I went with a friend because we found ourselves discussing the film during dinner. I was happy just watching Luke Kirby playing the part of Daniel. What a sexy young man!

Flo's Diner

Flo’s Diner                     70 Yorkville Ave.                    416 961 4333

This authentic 50’s style diner has a lot to offer. On a hot evening we were delighted to dine on the outdoor patio. It is on the second floor overlooking busy Yorkville Ave. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers great comfort food. The prices are affordable and the place is family friendly. I have had brunch here on a weekend and it is very busy. They do close at 8:0pm so on this Friday evening it was quiet and peaceful. The service was superb.

It s the best Veggie Burger ($8.00) I have ever had. Two diners both felt like a burger on this evening. The soy patty was moist and flavorful. We had the choice of a pita bun or a sesame bun. A dill pickle, tomato and lettuce were on the bun. Of course mustard and ketchup were available. It was such a healthy portion and we loved every bite. We had a choice of coleslaw, salad or fries. The salads were crisp and tasty. Several additional items for the hamburgers are available at a reasonable price. We opted for a portion of Caramelized Onions.($1.50) I wanted to return the next day for another one. It was a cheap, delicious feast.

All Day Breakfast is available from 7:30 am until closing. Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Onion are always on the menu.($10.00) The menu is extensive and many egg dishes are available. My two favorite comfort food dishes of Macaroni and Cheese and a Grilled Cheese Sandwich were very tempting. I will choose those after taking a lengthy exercise class.

3 Egg Omelettes are a popular choice. There are many different fillings listed on the menu. Spinach, Mushroom and Cheddar Omelette tempts me.($10.50)

Caramelized Onion, Feta Cheese and Mushrooms also is worth another trip back to Flo’s.($11.00)

Salads are always tempting on a hot evening. Salad Nicoise is a favorite of mine. Grilled salmon is served with the traditional potato, tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts and green beans.($14.00)

Sandwiches are served with a choice of salad or fries. The Grilled Portobello is served with roasted tomato and mozzarella on foccacia bread.($10.00)

Grilled Salmon is served with potatoes and vegetables.($14.00)

We had such difficulty in making a choice because so many dishes sounded tempting.  Delicious food is served no matter what time of day.

It did bring back a lot of memories of the 50’s diners. What fun to step back in the past with the ambiance but have a today great food experience.

Dark Horse

Dark Horse

It was July 1 and I wanted to enjoy the total day. I walked to the AGO to take in the Picasso exhibit. I then walked to TIFF to catch this film about which I knew nothing. I was too early so I stopped at the David Pecaut Square to watch the Canadian Chinese Assoc. gearing up for a dragon parade. What fun!

This film is truly a dark horse and it wins in the end. It is a comic tragedy. I had a smile on my face during many scenes but underlying the total film is a dark pathetic story.

Adam is an overweight ‘teddy bear like’ man. He is pathetic. He lives with his parents. Mia Farrow and Christopher Walken play the roles of his parents. They are superb. The father is stern, doer and abusive verbally to his son who works for him. The mother babies her son as if he is a small child. I laughed at them through clenched teeth.

Adam wants to find success and true love. He meets a young lady, Miranda, at a wedding. She is obviously depressed and on drugs. A loser would be an apt description. He tells her he loves her and wants to marry her. She doesn’t love him but thinks he will provide security. Her parents are as strange as Adam’s family.

It is truly a laugh when the parents meet. They have nothing to say to one another and talk incessantly about the busy road they travelled in order to get to the meeting.

 It seems everything Adam tries is a failure. His bedroom is noteworthy. The wallpaper is a series of big red circles. I was nauseous looking at it even for a few minutes. He collected toys of various kinds. How he ever afforded the big yellow Hummer I can’t imagine.

Adam has a brother who is a successful doctor in California. The two brothers have absolutely nothing in common and argue over the phone when they speak.

A further problem arises when Miranda confesses she has a form of hepatitis that could be contagious.         

Much humor is provided by the father’s secretary. She is a hard working woman who goes to extra lengths to help Adam. She completes some of his assignments and helps him solve problems. You have the feeling that she is attracted to him.

At times it is hard to separate the fact and fiction. I had to wonder if it was something that Adam imagined or it was a real episode. The secretary keeps popping up in various scenes as if she is partly the story teller and also fulfilling Adam’s desires. She invites Adam into her home and we see a totally different picture of the secretary. It was all very refreshing and delightful.

The last part of the film takes an unexpected turn and then when I thought it had all concluded it takes another turn to really throw the viewer off base.

The film is written and directed by Todd Solondz. He is a very creative person. Adam may have been a dark horse in his family. This film is no dark horse. It is imaginative. emotional and well worth viewing.