Union Square

Union Square

I knew the bubble was about to break. I had such an exceptional week with Summerlicious and good films. Fortunately I had a pass for this movie or I would really be upset. It is so annoying when a good idea is poorly represented. I usually enjoy films about family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. Not so this time.

Lucy arrives at her sister’s apartment. She has been dumped by a married boyfriend and is totally upset. She wears ridiculous clothes and looks like a whore.

Her sister is totally the opposite. She has a charming young boyfriend. They don’t smoke or drink and eat only healthy food. Basically their life is quite dull.

Lucy upsets everything. We learn why the sisters had not communicated in a long time. We learn more about their mother who played a major role in their type of personality.

Both characters change as the film develops but I didn’t really care about either of them.

Bistro Tournesol

Bistro Tournesol                406 Dupont St                  416 921 7766

Forgive me for starting with the dessert. The Zesty Lemon Tart is without doubt the best in the world. I have dined here on many occasions and always salivate at the thought of this perfect pastry. On this occasion I asked for the lemon tart first. Wisely and with good humor it was suggested that I should earn it and save it for the last.

Each year at Sumerlicious I have the fun of selecting a restaurant for four dear long standing friends. I won’t tell you how many years we go back. We love to get together to discuss old and new times. I knew Bistro Tournesol was going to be my choice this year. It is the best value in own. During Summerlicious July 6-22 Bistro Tournesol offers 3 unbelievable gourmet courses for $25.00

During the year I consider it good value to dine here for 2 courses at $29.99. Take advantage of this Summerlicious special. Bistro Tournesol is always great value and exceptional food.

Philip is the charmer at the front of the house. He makes each person feel as if they are a private guest. Mel works the bar and does much of the administration. Let’s not forget Craig. He is the tireless creative masterful chef. This place never fails. The food is sublime.

Three of the women had the East Coast Crab and Fish Cake served with a fresh Knappa slaw. It melted in my mouth. We ‘oohed’ and ‘ahhed’ our way through this first course. The fourth diner chose the Tournesol Greens with sunflower seeds and tasty shallot vinaigrette.

We all remembered the Salmon from our last visit. Each portion is served on a miniature plank. The Cedar Planked Grilled Salmon is tender and flavorful. The side sauce had a taste of mustard which enhanced the already perfectly prepared salmon. The grilled zucchini slice and perfectly cooked baby asparagus made for a picture perfect dish and a gourmet delight.

I am running out of superlatives. It was a masterful meal. One of the diners opted for the Ballotine of Chicken dish. The chicken was stuffed with mushrooms, leeks, basil and natural jus. Another winner.

You guessed the ending. All four of us enjoyed a Zesty Lemon Tart. They were even better this time. I have eaten lemon arts all over the world. Trust me. These are the best. the Chocolate Callebaut Cake with white chocolate shavings was tempting but I am not fickle when it comes to dessert at Bistro Tournesol.

Plan to go before Summerlicious ends. You must have a reservation. The restaurant was completely packed for 2 seatings. The restaurant closes for a well deserved holiday in August. If you miss this round make sure it is on your wish list for a fall outing.

Sassafraz

Sassafraz                    100  Cumberland Ave                       416 964 2222

Summerlicious is a wonderful opportunity to try great food at different restaurants. I wanted a place close to home. I was taking my grandson out for a gourmet lunch.

Sassafraz is a jewel in the Yorkville area. The outside patios are always full. I was pleased we were ushered inside. The interior room is elegant and bright. The tables are very well spaced. The skylights and white walls make for a warm ambiance. I am especially fond of the tables at the back close to the waterfall and the wall of lush green plants. It is really quite spectacular.

Thank you Jams for outstanding service. The Summerlicious program offers 3 courses for $25.00 for lunch. The dinner is $45.00.

 My grandson began with the Vichyssoise. It was served with lobster and truffle essence. I thought it was a large portion. This is a rich thick soup. It was totally enjoyed and completely finished. I loved the Spinach Salad with roasted beets and parsnip chips. The violet mustard maple vinaigrette was flavorful and enhanced the fresh taste of the greens. The other choice on the prix-fixe is a Cucumber Strawberry Arugula Salad served with pink peppercorn honey vinaigrette with crisp prosciutto.

The server recommended the Roasted Chicken for my grandson. It was prepared with double smoked bacon, red onion, quinoa, braised leeks and a natural jus. He found it to be moist and very tasty.

I love to try Salmon in different restaurants. It is good to compare. The grilled Atlantic Salmon was moist and delicious. I loved the lemon caper orzo. Green beans and a blood orange emulsion completed this gourmet feast.

Pappardelle with roasted tomatoes, artichokes, goat cheese and basil pesto is a vegetarian option that sounded very tempting.

The other main course is Pork Tenderloin with roasted garlic, sweet potato mash, and asparagus with a sweet apple cider glaze.

The Chocolate Brownie with a brandied cherry was tempting for dessert. I opted for the Gotham City Cheese exclusive to Sassafraz. A small firm flavorful cheese was served with flatbread and an assortment of dried fruits. I found it so satisfying after eating two full courses.

The Banana Cream Tart with toasted coconut and mango sherbet was a big winner in the dessert department.

We were so happily full. The ambiance is charming. The service was superb and we totally enjoyed our dining experience in this exquisite restaurant.

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Magnificent!  Creative! Oscar Noteworthy!

You will be haunted by this exquisite film long after it is over. Quevenzhane Wallis was only 5 she was discovered and asked to play the part of the young child. She was almost like a wild child with survival skills. She loved the animals and birds and would cuddle up to the birds as if they were part of her. She was left mainly on her own to survive. She and her father lived in the worst poverty in shacks in Louisiana. The poverty was startling. A few simple folk (mainly alcoholics) lived in squalor in this low lying land. Off in the distance can be seen the high electrical towers. The dam divided the two sides. We are constantly warned that a storm is coming and it will wreak havoc in this area.

Hushpuppy, as she was called, lives with her alcoholic father. You have the sense he cares about her but never shows it. He does curse and slap her a few times. The two never change their clothes throughout the film. She wears underpants and a dirty T shirt. Most of the time she wears white rubber boots which are necessary to walk through the ‘muck’. Wild pigs and chickens roam freely. Cooking is more than primitive. Sometimes her dad goes off and she is actually on her own for days. She meagerly gets by. She often calls out to her mother and talks with her. We never actually find out what happened to the mother. Apparently she was a beautiful woman but left the home scene.

At one angry moment she says to her dad,” I hope you die. After you die I will go your grave and eat birthday cake all by myself.”

The storm comes and the water rises. The people are asked to leave. They refuse. They gather together in a shed and make a party. There is a lot of drinking and eating crabs and shrimp.

The destruction is horrific. I constantly had Katrina in mind as I watched the devastation. At one point they are forced to evacuate. Her father is discovered to be very ill and hospitalized. These people could not live in the shelter. It is hard to understand because it was clean and they were well looked after. They sneak away and go back to their destroyed shacks.

Throughout the film we see wild beasts running cross the terrain. It added a folk like quality and mystical aspects to the story It is fun to speculate what the film maker really intended. I immediately thought of the Maurice Sendak children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are.

I felt as if the wild animals were symbolic of   the wild life these folk were living in this poor terrain. It added a folk like quality and mystical aspect to the story.

The young girl was so unbelievably great in this film. Her pouting looks and gestures were right on. Dwight Henry plays the part of her father. Apparently he is a baker and has also never acted. Amazing performances!

I saw the father and daughter characters interviewed on TV. She is now a few years older and a very self assured precocious young lady. Henry is a gentle handsome man. He was so dirty in the film that it was hard to see his features. What fun to see these two attractive people dialoging together in a TV interview.

This is an amazing story of struggle. The added touch of fantasy adds to the total picture. I definitely see Academy Awards looking in this direction.

Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview

Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview

This documentary was a rare opportunity to learn more about the wizard, Steve Jobs. The tape from 1995 was found after his death. It has a short run at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema. I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes back again.

I was totally fascinated with his resume. He worked at Apple, then at Next. He sold Next to Apple. His knowledge of computers was amazing. His technological inventions have truly changed the world.

He started to work with computers when he was only 11 years old. He reminded us of the enormous bulky computers of the day. They were complicated to program and very difficult to use. He actually was hired by Hewitt Packer at the age of 12. There was no doubt this man was a genius. He was offered a full time job with the company.

He was around 15 when he met Steve Wozniak who was five years older. Jobs had such respect and admiration for this man. They worked together for years,

He went on to discuss the many inventions and creations. Many were hard to understand and he spoke of them as if it was nothing.

He had tremendous self confidence and thought nothing of calling famous people to ask them questions.

He feels that everyone should learn about computers and programming. He sees it as a liberal art.

He openly discussed the millions of dollars that he earned. At the same time he stated that he didn’t work for the money. He claims he never sold his stock and money didn’t mean anything to him.

He praised the Apple for its graphic capability He didn’t hesitate to tell you who he disliked and why. He felt that Microsoft had no spirit and was very pedestrian.

Job found web building exciting. He stated that the web will be the defining social moment of the new generation. He said,” The computer is the most awesome tool ever invented.”

What a genius. We don’t learn much of Steve Job as a person other than his intelligence and capability. Other books give us a better picture of the total person with all his flaws. It was fascinating to watch him prepare mentally to answer a question. He thought a long time before speaking.