Dessert Trends

Dessert Trends & Bistro 154 Harbord St 416 916 8155 Dessert Trends was always a favorite bistro. They closed for many months for a major renovation. It was always an attractive airy pleasant spot with superb food. I couldn’t wait to see what changes have been made. Wow! The renovation is unbelievable. It now features, marble walls, the most exotic light fixture, banquettes and a total new look. It is spectacular. Donald Duong is the chef/proprietor, He is a master baker. In fact he won an Olympics contest for his fantastic baking. Three of his masterpiece wedding cakes are on display when you enter the restaurant. A counter of the most beautiful tantalizing pastries grabbed your attention when you entered. The counter has now shifted to the side but believe me you cannot miss the display of those magnificent creative pastries. Donald does a large catering business and his pastries are famous at many elite functions in town. My faulty memory prevents me naming our beautiful server this evening. She was so sweet and attentive. She also is exquisitely beautiful. Her Italian Scandinavian heritage shows. She added much charm to an already spectacular place. The Prix Fixe menu is the best value in town. For $25.00 you can make a selection from many choices for a 3 course dinner. Daily Soup or Mushroom Soup are featured. I have tasted that creamy full flavored mushroom soup. Amazing. A House Selection of greens and vinaigrette is another option. Seafood or Vegetable Rolls is the other choice for the first course. Mushroom Papardelle is full flavored and a popular choice for the Prix Fixe. Bistro Sirloin Burger or Moules Friites are the other selections for the main course. Dessert is a must at this establishment. Chocolate Banana Pudding with Caramel Gelato, Chocolate Truffle Cake, Crème Brule or Two Scoops of House Made Gelato are the dessert choices. Three ladies were dining here on this evening. Every table was filled but it was not noisy. The Bistro Sirloin Burger is served on a brioche bun with onion jam, house pickles and frites. The meat was of top quality and the flavor was excellent. It was a very generous serving. A tasty gourmet treat.($14.00) One guest was not too hungry and ordered the Onion Soup.($8.00) It was a meal. The melted cheese on top was plentiful. Apparently the flavor was superb. It was a large portion. The Seared Ahi Tuna Nicoise was my choice. Potato, egg, olives, anchovies, French beans and champagne vinaigrette made this a dish I will long remember.($26.00) There was so much tuna and it melted in my mouth. I enjoyed every mouthful and can’t wait to go back for more. Someone at another table ordered the Rack of Lamb.($28.00) A rosemary crust, blueberry red wine demi, and roasted vegetables made this picture perfect dish. It was a vision of culinary artistry, Dessert Trends is a must visit. The food is extraordinary. Apparently the upstairs is about to open with a flourish. Afternoon tea and light lunches will be available. My return is not a maybe. I loved the place before but it has risen to a perfect. 10.

Glow

Glow 7 Marie Labatte Rd Shops At Don Mills 905 479 2402 The Shops at Don Mills are all high end. It is no wonder that this arty fine food restaurant chose to be situated there. It truly does glow in many ways. The décor is creative and’ glowing.’ Large green glass sculptures stand on a high counter. The ceiling also has a gallery look to it. It is all quite grand. The outside patio was perfect on this wonderful day. I was so impressed with the menu. Rose Reisman inspired the healthy tasty selections showcasing lighter, balanced food selections. Anne is a dear life long friend. We have been childhood friends since birth and continue to enjoy our outings to reminisce on all the wonderful fun times we enjoyed together. There isn’t wasn’t enough time to catch up on all our activities. I had a difficult time making a selection because everything seemed so appealing. Vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free items are available. Before we even ordered, a plate of delicious multigrain bread arrived at the table. Scoops of pureed beet, caramelized onion and squash were so tasty we finished it all before even making a food selection. My first thought was to have the Quesadillas.($14.00) They are stuffed with sautéed mushrooms, red and yellow peppers, pesto and goat cheese in a whole wheat tortilla and served with light sour cream and fresh tomato salsa The Crab Cakes are spiced with a tahini sauce.($12.00) My friend ordered the large Caesar Salad.($11.00) Crisp romaine hearts with flatbread crisps, roasted garlic, reggiano parmesan cheese and an eggless Caesar dressing made for a magnificent lunch. ($11.00) I chose the small size ($8.00) but added a side of Grilled Shrimp ($8.00) We both expressed delight at the fresh tasting salad. We also agreed that they were the best shrimp either of us had ever had. The shrimp were large and had a wonderful barbecue flavor. Glow’s gluten free section will appeal to many. A Grilled Cheese Panini ($15.00) is stuffed with a marinated Portobello mushroom, roasted red peppers, grilled zucchini, arugula, goat cheese & mozzarella, with a light pesto aioli on a grilled gluten free bead served with a side Glow salad. ($15.00) I have already decided that the 5 Grain Veggie Burger will be my choice on my next visit. It is served with tahini sauce and edamame charred corn salad.($14.00) All sandwiches are served with a Glow salad. A daily Omelette is also served with a Glow Salad and multigrain bread.($15.00) Teriyaki Salmon is baked with a teriyaki-hoisin glaze and served with edamame & charred corn salad.($24.00) Pastas and Stir Frys are also listed on this tantalizing menu. I was most impressed with the selections offered for the Week End Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays form 10:30 -2:0pm Early diners can enjoy an all inclusive dinner for $15.00 Monday – Friday from 4:30- 6:00pm The Desserts must be mentioned. A selection of Mini Indulgences in individual dessert shooters is brought to the table.($3.00) I loved the Biscotti. Great Food! Finish off your experience with a little shopping in the fine shops.

Grazie

Grazie Ristorante 2373 Yonge St 416 488 0822 I adore my dinner and lunch experiences with my grandson, Alex. Grazie was his suggestion and I was happy to comply. At dinner he proudly announced to me he had received a scholarship for the next two years for his Master’s Program at the Manhattan School of Music. A bitter sweet celebration. I will miss him and our outings but know that a future great jazz player will be the result. Joseph is the front end man who greeted us and made sure we were happy with our table. This is a busy restaurant. At lunch you can make a reservation. In the evening you take your chances. This is a large restaurant and always fully booked. The patrons just kept coming in. Yet, we immediately got a table and we were never rushed. It was friendly service and it was obvious that others were also enjoying the total package. One room has large art works on the wall. The other room features mirrors for a dramatic effect. I don’t even mind sitting at the large bar for lunch or dinner. It also was full. The Bruschetta was amazing.($6.00) My only complaint was we ate too much. The crisp toast was a great platform for the freshly cut tomatoes. I could taste fine olive oil, garlic and herbs. Delicious. We knew we couldn’t manage a salad as well as pasta. We salivated over the beautiful bowls of fresh salad being served to other patrons. On my last visit I did enjoy a tasty salad for lunch. The Baked Goat Cheese Salad is a combination of goat cheese, roasted red pepper, grilled eggplant wrapped in phyllo with fresh arugula enhanced with sherry vinaigrette. ($12.00) We both decided on Pasta this evening. Alex chose the Penza.($16.00) Penne was prepared al dente and mixed with vodka, pancetta, green onions and chili pepper. The portion was enormous but there was no difficulty in finishing everything The Teramo is prepared with spaghetti, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, parsley and olive oil.($15.00) I ordered Quattro Stagioni.($14.00) The mixed vegetables in the rigatoni were tossed in a most delicious lightly flavored sauce. There was just enough to flavor the food and not overwhelm it. The food was served piping hot. This made me very happy. It is difficult to keep pasta hot. I enjoyed it so much. The portion was enormous. Thankfully Alex helped me to finish it all. Tomato Sauce, Creamy Tomato Sauce, Extra Virgin Oil and Garlic and Cream Sauce are choices available to compliment a variety of pastas. We admired the Pizza being demolished at the next table. We actually set out to have a pizza but then changed our mind. The Giardina is prepared with plum tomatoes, mozzarella, eggplant, zucchini, fresh peppers and ricotta cheese.($14.00) Elena is a popular selection with tomato sauce, mozzarella, grilled chicken, goat cheese and spinach.($18.00) Secondi Piatti offers four choices of main courses. Grilled Salmon is served with new potatoes and an arugula salad with black olives and capers.($21.00) There is a bustling energy in the air. The crowds keep coming. Service is pleasant and the food is exceptional. The prices are affordable. It was a happy dining experience.

Asian Legend

Asian Legend 418 Dundas St. W 416 977 3909 I don’t often dine in a restaurant that is part of a chain. I was surprised to discover that Asian Legend is also situated in Scarborough, Markham, Thornhill, St Catherines and other spots in Toronto. Check the web at www.asianlegend.ca This was my second visit to this great Chinese restaurant. It is clean and bright. It is airy and the service is remarkable. Best of all I find the food to be outstanding. It is my favorite spot for Chinese food. Four cousins were out for dinner to catch up on our busy lives. We each have different food likes and dislikes. That is what makes this so perfect. Everybody had a choice and we shared it all. It is a great way to sample a variety of foods. The Szechuan Style Hot & Sour Soup was just the right thing for a rainy cold evening. (I like the fact you can order a small, medium or large bowl. The small bowl ($4.95) seemed to be endless and we all enjoyed it so much. There are ten different soups from which to choose. The Steamed Shrimp Dumplings were hot, fragrant and very tasty. (5 for $6.95) The Kung Pao Chicken ($10.95) was devoured by the meat eaters. Nothing was left. I would consider that as a testament to the fine taste. They also raved about the Onion PC Roll.($5.95) My request was for the Sautéed Green Beans in a garlic sauce.($10.95) I remembered how delicious it was from my last visit. The beans were crisp and perfectly cooked. The flavor of the sauce was perfect to add to our Steamed Rice. Imagine getting excited about green beans? One of the diners requested an eggplant dish. Braised Eggplant in Chili & Garlic Sauce was a winning combination.($9.95) I could eat that every day of the week. The menu is so varied and numerous items are all numbered. It makes it so easy to place your order. The food all tasted fresh. The service was amazing. The price was economical. The number of Noodle Dishes and Rice Dishes are numerous. Casserole choices are popular. Seafood, Chicken, Beef and Pork each have many choices. It is fun to come with a crowd and enjoy a sampling of all the categories. It was good the first time. It was even better the second time. I know I will return soon.

Tenemus Papa

Tenemus Papa We Have A Pope Absolutely delightful! Creative! Imaginative! Good fun! Nanni Moretti must have had such a good time in directing this unusual film. It is a somber beginning as a Pope is laid to rest. The crowds are numerous outside the Vatican. The large numbers of cardinals have assembled to choose a new Pope. The music is somber and the cardinals are serene. The custom is for the cardinals to be secluded until a new Pope is named. I didn’t even know the names of the cardinals but the tension rises as the votes are counted. The ritual behind the selection was fascinating. I enjoyed the whole process. Many a cardinal shows his deep thoughts and we hear the inner mind begging not to be chosen. The excitement builds as the black smoke comes from the Vatican and finally white smoke appears and the bells ring. The people are jubilant. The problem is that the new Pope has a melt down. He can’t face the crowds and goes into a state of depression. At one point he yells out,” Can’t you make me vanish? Let me go away.” A psychoanalyst is called in to help. It is quite humorous but at the same time the rituals and the possible thoughts of the varied cardinals was believable. The psychoanalyst organizes a volley ball game to keep their minds from the serious situation. You can just imagine how funny it was to watch the cardinals playing volleyball. I adored seeing the inside of the Vatican. The long halls and magnificent rooms were wonderful to see. The people wait patiently outside the Vatican for the Pope to appear. Days go by and nothing happens. A Swiss guard is asked to flutter the drapes and make a shadow behind the curtains as if the Pope is in residence. He is given copious quantities of wine and an abundance of good food to perform this act. Meanwhile the Pope has left the Vatican and is roaming around the city in search of his true inner self. He attends the theatre and goes into shops. He talks to people on the transit. He is making up his mind what to do. It is sad but also funny. You may be surprised by the ending. The music was wonderful. The acting was superb. How refreshing.

Terroni

Terroni 1095 Yonge St 416 504 1992 This is the hottest new spot in town. I recall when the Terroni on Adelaide first opened the crowds were lined up outside. The management of this firm has done it all right. The décor has to be seen to be appreciated. It is modern ‘cool’ with great artistic flare. Everything is well appointed. The downstairs is always busy and the patio is a choice spot for summer dining. No reservations are taken for the downstairs. I love the upstairs because you can reserve. The tables were well spaced and we felt comfortable and private. The décor is warm, trendy and delightful. Kim was our lovely server. What a smile and such a beautiful face! She was patient and helpful and so charming. It adds a lot to the total experience when the server does a superb job. It is so obvious that the staff is well trained. Three women were out for a late lunch. Two of us opted for the Nizzarada. The arugola was crisp and fresh. I love the peppery taste that was balanced with the potatoes, tuna, eggs, red onion, tomatoes, olives, green beans and anchovies.($11.95) It was all served in a delightful Italian pottery bowl. Every bite was enjoyed. The portion was generous. All the salads are prepared with extra virgin olive oil. We dipped some of the bread into a dish of this exotic olive oil. The flavor burst on the palate. Apparently the olive oil is imported from Italy. Outstanding! It can be purchased from the restaurant. Do check out the products for sale at the entrance level. The Calamari Alla Griglia was served with mixed greens and fresh tomatoes. ($13.95) Our guest used superlatives to describe the flavor. All the Primi Pasta is prepared with fresh pasta made in house daily with eggs and Italian flour. There is no taste like good fresh made Italian pasta. It has a different flavor and texture and is so delicious. Pappardelle Alla Iosa features homemade spicy sausage, button and oyster mushrooms, peas, parmigiano and extra-virgin olive oil.($16.95) The Spaghetti in Canna a Mare is prepared with fresh clams and mussels, calamari, scallops, and tiger shrimp. The light tomato sauce is not served with parmigiano cheese because it is believed that the delicate flavors of the shellfish should be served only with a tomato sauce. ($16.95) Gnocchi Alla Simi is pasta prepared with a tomato sauce, fresh ricotta, basil and parmigiano. ($16.95) The Pizze are noteworthy. Natalina is prepared with tomato, mozzarella, roasted red pepper, hot calabrese salame, garlic and onions.($$!5.95) Pizza Cosi is a popular choice with tomato, fresh porcini mushrooms, mozzarella, fontina and prosciutto di parma.($18.95) There are a multitude of choices. The Specialita Del Giorno is printed on a separate menu. On this day the Pesce Spada Pistacchiato was a pan seared swordfish encrusted in pistachios and served with agrodolce salad.($20.95) Straccetti al Balsamico offers thinly sliced beef tenderloin, pan seared with aged balsamic, roasted potatoes, arugola and cherry tomatoes.($20.95) Make sure you save room for dessert. We devoured a Plate of Assorted Biscotti as well as sharing a Hot Flourless Chocolate Cake. All were delicious but the cake was the best I have ever eaten. This is a winning combination of great food and fabulous service.

Spencer's on the Waterfront

Spencer’s On the Waterfront 1340 Lakeshore Road, Burlington 905 633 7494 www.spencers.ca Burlington is a charming town. The waterfront is lovely and widely used. Spencer’s is a large modern glass building overlooking the lake. It was the perfect spot for my sister and me to honor our brother’s special birthday. He and his partner live in St Catherines. Burlington was a half way spot to drive to celebrate the occasion. Thanks to my neighbor who highly recommended this spot that was unknown to me. She was so right with the accolades. It was a lovely drive and I would do it again. The rewards at the end were noteworthy. Sunday is Champagne Brunch time. We had no knowledge of the food, the menu or the cost. Brunch is $43.00 per person. Not expensive considering the quality and the quantity of the food. All the drinks are included. Champagne, Kir Royale and Mimosas are non stop. It was great entertainment to watch some of the people enjoying vast quantities of beverage and food. Various stations for the buffet are placed around the large airy room. One station features main course items. There were numerous choices. Eggs Benedict, Lamb and Pasta were just a few of the featured main portions. There was so much else I didn’t even stop at this station. Enormous Crab Legs were in a large bowl. My favorite was the large bowl of giant Pesto Shrimp. Quinoa Salad was exceptional. I even enjoyed Potato Salad. I usually pass on it The Maple Smoked Salmon and little marinated pieces of Herring were so tasty. The station outside on the patio featured Crepes and Waffles. It was obvious that was a popular choice. Breads and a selection of Cheese were of the finest quality. The Desserts were exceptional and too numerous to even mention. Dare I confess I enjoyed a Lemon Tart, Brownie and Bread Pudding? The others at the table equally indulged. My sister declared the Banana Chocolate Cake a winner. My brother’s partner liked the Fruit Crumble. I wanted to take a bite from my brother’s Butter Tart. We ate as if there was no tomorrow. After indulging sufficiently our delightful server, Geoff brought a slice of Chocolate Mousse Cake with a candle. He had overheard us congratulating our brother on his birthday. Geoff was a delightful charming young man with a wining smile. He was attentive and efficient. The place was fully booked but we always felt that he gave us attention as if we were the only patrons in the place. That young man is going to go far. The food was of exceptional quality. Everything was delicious and plentiful. This is an ideal place for a special occasion. The window seat was fantastic for overlooking the water and all the activities on the beach. The young musician entertained all the guests with jazz on his keyboard and I loved his singing. Lunches are served from Monday until Saturday from 11: 30 am. Dinners begin at 4:30 pm. How lucky we were to celebrate our brother’s birthday together! What a great location! What fabulous total experience!