Sorrel

Sorrel 84 Yorkville Ave 416 926 1919

I was thrilled when I first discovered this fine French restaurant. My dinner was a gourmet treat. I wanted to go back for lunch to see if I experienced the same high standards in this special restaurant in Yorkville. It is a mere few months in running and obviously has been discovered.

I like the ambiance. It definitely has the feeling of being in a real bistro in France. The stone walls help give that authentic feeling. Tasteful paintings decorate some of the walls. Giant mirrors hang from the interior walls. I like the fact that the tables are well spaced. I have found the atmosphere tranquil and calm. The Frank Sinatra and other 50’s music put me ‘in the mood’ I have found the service superb at all levels.

The food is magic. I am thrilled that lunch is so affordable. The $20.00 Prix-Fixe Menu is such a great value offering the finest of French food. There are choices in appetizer and entrée. The regular menu is always available.

My dining partner ordered the special soup of the day. Artichcke and Navy Bean Soup It looked so tantalizing in the nicely shaped white bowl. It was creamy, hot and delicious. All the dishes were white but of irregular shapes to make for a creative presentation

I started with the Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese. Cherry tomatoes, egg and lemon vinaigrette complimented the fresh greens and dabs of cheese. It was a large portion. My dining companion opted for the same Spinach Salad as her second curse. The restaurant was generous enough to make it a larger portion.

I chose the Seared Pacific Salmon as the entrée. It is not easy to cook fish to perfection. If it is underdone or overcooked the fish is not enjoyable. A very generous portion of salmon was so flavorful and perfectly cooked. It rested on a bed of sautéed rapini on a fish shaped white platter. Meyer lemon and olive oil flavor made this an outstanding dish. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite.

Penne Pasta with smoked salmon, scallions and capers was an additional choice. It is served with a rose sauce.

Chicken Milanese is the third option for the Prix-Fixe Menu. The chicken is prepared with

shallots, parsley butter, green beans and mashed potatoes.

This was lunch and I ate more than I should have. I was tempted with the desserts but will save myself for my next visit. Flourless Chocolate Cake and Crème Brulee are always favorites.

This is a complete dining experience. You can always work off a delicious meal with a stroll through Yorkville. I definitely want to return to this restaurant.

Winnebago Man

Winnebago Man

I trust the TIFF Bell Lightbox so much I went o see this film without any knowledge what it was about. I simply don’t know why there aren’t more people attending the outstanding films presented in this luxurious new facility. It has become my second home.

To my pleasant surprise I discovered this documentary film had won awards at 5 film festivals. It was the winner of the audience top 10 award at Hot Docs, 2009.

Jack Rebney made an industrial commercial for Winnebago. He is a blustery foul mouthed man. He was so crude that he became a comedic icon. Someone posted the commercial on U tube. Advertisers, producers and directors made copious copies and it became a coveted treasure to have a copy of this swearing cursing man.

Ben Steinbauer, a filmmaker, wanted to find Jack Rebney and make a documentary about the commercial and how Jack Rebney felt about it many years later. It was quite humorous to see the reaction when Ben showed the video to a date, his grandmother and to his film class.

Jack Rebney became known as the angriest man in the world.

Ben couldn’t locate Jack anywhere. Finally he was discovered living in a cabin in the middle of the woods at the top of a mountain in California. He lived alone with his dog. He was beginning to go blind and he did everything for himself. He wasn’t even aware of how famous he had become.

I think the audience was expecting the same blustery language from Jack when he was interviewed many years later. He seemed to like Ben and spent a lot of time with him being interviewed. He was calm and rational. We learn that at one time Jack was a highly paid journalist for a TV station. He left in frustration when the journalists began to analyze the news and make comments. He saw himself as a reporter of the news. He gave up his career for a principle. I cannot print the comment he made about Bush, Cheney and Rowe. They were all officials of the government when the film was made.

Jack did have one good friend, Keith He becomes part of the documentary telling us facts about Jack. We also see their positive interaction.

Jack’s condition deteriorated and he became disoriented. He became completely blind but continued to live in his cabin. He said,” Now I am crotchety and helpless.”

Ben continues to visit Jack and to film the episodes. Jack states that he always says what is on his mind and he takes pride in that.

I am not used to hearing so much offensive language. It just became funny. At the same time Jack does state that he felt humiliated when he saw his actions.

I was fascinated with the film because I met an interesting person I had never heard of. He was such a character and it was fascinating to see how a one time commercial became an icon. I also found it fascinating to see the kind of person he became,

Carlos

Carlos

I think I deserve a medal for sitting so long. The film began at 12:15 p.m. and I left the theatre at 6:15 p.m. There were two 15 minute intermissions. In three words I can sum up this extra long film: killing, smoking and sex. I didn’t even close my eyes for a minute. I was riveted to the screen and fully enjoyed this historical drama about the revolutionist known as Carlos. The film is a French production that originally was produced for television and was shown in three parts

You certainly get a bird’s eye view of the world as the master terrorist goes from country to country to do his dirty work. He travels in Germany, England, France, Amsterdam, Yemen, Syria, Hungary, Lebanon and Libya. Libya and Syria were very helpful to him in purchasing arms and giving him sanction.

The film covers 20 years in the life of Carlos formerly known as Ilich. The part is played superbly by Edgar Ramirez. I don’t know how he gained and lost weight for the different scenes.

Carlos was a world revolutionary fighting for the Palestinian cause. He was against all the imperialist countries. He bought arms in one country and then smuggled them into another. He killed his enemy without mercy. In December 1975 he stormed an OPEC conference in Vienna and took all the members as hostages. He sorted out the attending members as to friends, neutral or enemies of his cause. Many people were slaughtered during the event. He demanded and was given a plane to fly to Algeria. He took many of the terrified hostages with him. He wanted to go to Baghdad but the plane was not equipped. I couldn’t help but wonder how they were able to get a pilot and co-pilot to take on the task of flying that plane. The terrorists all had weapons and it was extremely dangerous.

He shot at an EL EL plane on a tarmac with a long armed weapon. At one time he declared,” Weapons are an extension of my body.”

He went into hiding in Yemen. He grew a beard and gained some weight. He was told that he had become a famous star known the around the world.

He negotiates with the KGB and the Stasi in East Germany. He makes deals and meets the top leaders in the countries where he is negotiating.

Always he is seen with a drink of whiskey and a cigarette. Everybody in the cast smoked continuously throughout the film. I felt as if I was physically in danger from the second hand smoke. He always had a different woman at his side. The women seemed to swoon for him. He was an attractive man.

Carlos told one of his women that he knew he would be killed one day. Actually he is in a jail in France for the rest of his life.

He had so many women and he certainly enjoyed being with them. There are two full nude scenes in the picture.

His downfall began as the communist countries began to wane in power. The Stasi was destroyed when the Berlin wall came down. Countries refused to shelter him and he was running out of places to hide. His ex-wife gave information on his whereabouts and he was kidnapped and taken back to France to face charges of murder.

At the end of the film you are told what happened to all the members of his gang. This is a most compelling story. Come prepared to sit for a long time. Bring snacks.

Emmet Ray

Emmet Ray 924 College St 416 792 44 97

The Ray Emmet presents a totally new concept in Toronto. It offers casual dining and features over 40 types of whiskey. Of course other drinks are always available. They feature jazz music. What a total concept. Come for a drink or enjoy a snack or dinner.

If you are looking for something to do on Halloween, Sunday October 31 I am recommending the Emmet Ray featuring the Alex Goodman Quartet playing jazz.

Alex Goodman guitar

Luis Deniz sax

Mark Cashion bass

TBA drums

The quartet will play jazz from 9:00 p.m -10:00 p.m.

A jazz session will follow until midnight.

Hand out treats to the kids and then head down to College St where all the fun begins.

Via Norte

Via Norte 938 College St ( at Dovercourt) 647 348 1116 [A1]

Absolutely memorable and fantastic! The Portuguese community now has a new superb gourmet restaurant. The walls are a soft color and the paintings really enhance the space. It has a welcoming Mediterranean spirit with a lot of positive energy.

Gabriel, the manager does a fine job in greeting all the guests and making them feel welcome. He is a great source of information about the wine and food He will explain how the dish is prepared and recommend a good wine from various areas of Portugal.

Owner and Chef, Jose Alves, is a creative talented chef. It was surprising to learn that he began his career as a 13 year old in Portugal. He has cooked at some of the finest restaurants in town. No wonder the popular dishes from Portugal are so well prepared. Start out with the popular soup, Caldo Verde. Fish lovers will enjoy the Cataplana. Various fish and shrimp are prepared in a copper pot with tomatoes and herbs. Grilled Salted Cod and Grilled Whole Seabream are regulars on the menu.

Mdaniel@bridal,caeat eaters will enjoy the ‘Bitoque’ US Prime Steak with the fried egg on top. Three types of sausages are prepared at Via Norte. Even the desserts are made in house. The chef recommends the Pear Tart and White Chocolate Flan.

The crusty Portuguese bread and the black olives are a great beginning to every meal. The olives are actually from Morocco but spiced in the restaurant.

Gabriel and Chef Alves have the right combination to make this restaurant a winner

This restaurant is very busy at lunch. Do make a reservation. There are specials every day. The chef actually goes to the market daily to pick out the freshest produce, fish and meat.

This is a winner. The atmosphere is welcoming. The food is outstanding. This may be the newest ‘kid on the block’ but it is certainly one of the best.

Via Norte is a large premise. It is suitable for small or large parties and various types of functions. The menu is varied and offers many choices to suit all tastes.

Nowhere Boy

Nowhere Boy

I think I am losing my mind. I was interested in seeing this film. I love the Beatles music and know very little about the life of John Lenin .The Beatles are historical in the music world and it is always fascinating to find out the background of someone famous.

Halfway through the film I felt I had already seen it. I recognized some of the scenes. I came home and checked my Film Festival notes. It wasn’t there. Perhaps I saw a preview but it was weird seeing a film I recognized but couldn’t recall having seen.

We first meet young John as a teenager at school. He is always in trouble with the head master. In fact it was the headmaster who told John that he ‘would go nowhere.’ At first I thought he was living with his parents. I soon learned that the woman was his Aunt Mimi. She was always stern and doer in her look. I sensed she really cared for John but didn’t overtly show it. The man of the house was Uncle George. John and George had such a good time together. No wonder John was heart broken when his uncle suddenly died. John hugs Aunt Minnie after George’s death and she brushes John aside and says,”Let’s not be silly.”

A young buddy helps John to find his mother, Julia, who it seems only lives across a big field. She is a very attractive woman but extremely child like and silly. She has had mental problems in the past and is living with her caring husband and two adorable daughters. She is actually Aunt Minnie’s sister but the two have nothing to do with one another.

John builds up a relationship with his mother, Julia and she encourages him to do whatever he wants and accepts his bad behavior at school. She actually flirts with John and acts inappropriately for a mother. She does encourage him with his music. She loves music and likes to sing. Julia’s husband doesn’t like the relationship.

John is pulled between the loyalty for Aunt Mimi and his need to be with his mother.

John is interested in music and starts a rock and roll band. At one point Aunt Mimi sells his guitar because he was suspended from school. Later she becomes more congenial and is proud of John.

This is a good story of a young man growing up and trying to find himself. He is torn between wanting to be with his real mother and appreciating all that his Aunt Mimi did to bring him up.

We are never told that the small rock and roll group goes on to greatness. The film deals with the teen age years of John Lenin. Aaron Johnson does a great job in the role of John Lenin. Kristin Scott-Thomas is also great as the stern Aunt Mimi. Anne Marie Duff plays Julia, the mother. The cast all performs well.

It is a touching story. All viewers are aware of the great success of John Lenin as an adult. Probably very few knew anything about him as a young lad.

Score: A Hockey Musical

Score: A Hockey Musical

I can’t believe this was the opening film for TIFF. It is not up to the standards of the Film Festival.

It is definitely Canadiana. What could be more Canadian than a hockey game played in Canada especially one set to music? I did love seeing all the scenes set in Toronto.

The film opens with the singing of Oh Canada and we see shots of young kids playing hockey in a variety of places; the street, stadiums, outdoor rinks and backyards. This was my favorite scene in the film. The children in the audience seemed to love it. I was entertained but that doesn’t make this a good film.

Farley, a 17 year old youth, has been home schooled. His parents are pacifists. Farley loves to skate on the outdoor rink and plays hockey in a pick up type of atmosphere. He is discovered as a hockey player with a lot of potential and is sent to Brampton to play with the team. I loved the line when he states, to his parents,” I’m going to Brampton not to Bosnia.” He has never played any team sports before. The players were all so different from anything he had encountered. In his first game he scored 4 goals and 2 assists. Violence is everywhere. Farley refuses to fight and just takes the taunts and the punches. He is an amazing hockey player and the team needs him. An agent gets him contracts for high paying commercials.

The media play up the fact that he won’t fight and that is just not the way to play hockey. His team ostracizes him. His parents are disgusted with the roughness of the game and want him to quit. Farley states the he thought he had it all but then everything was in doubt.

While all the hockey nonsense takes place we see the platonic relationship between Farley and his next door neighbor, Eve. She really is adorable. They have been best friends forever. She is an aspiring cello player. She really is in love with Farley but dares not tell him for fear of breaking up a good sibling like relationship.

It is a bit like a Bollywood film in that songs break out at all times. But then this is a musical. It seems strange to see hockey players singing and dancing on the ice.

The central issue is whether violence is necessary to hockey. At one point Farley leaves the team because he has been so badgered by the players and the coach. His parents also didn’t want him to play.

Girlfriend Eve helps him to see the light. He really does want to play hockey and goes about convincing the team and the coach that violence is not necessary. Team action is the way to win.

I do have to admit that it must have been difficult to find a young man who can sing, act and skate. Young Noah Reid has the challenge of playing Farley and he is a talented young man. Olivia Newton –John plays the role of the mother. She probably is the best singer of all the cast. The father is played by Marc Jordan. He is not a singer and is very weak, in my opinion. Walter Gretsky does have a walk on role and he is delightful.

Maybe I have just seen too many really good films lately and this pals in comparison.