Hanoi 3 Seasons

Hanoi 3 Seasons 88 Gerrard St 416 463 9940

Five ladies went for dinner after the opera. I am not familiar with the Broadview area restaurants so was delighted to be introduced to the best Vietnamese dining spot. It is a family owned restaurant. Our young server could be a movie star as she is so beautiful. She also was sweet, patient and very charming. The place was busy on a Saturday evening but it was never loud. They also did a mammoth take out business.

The table shared the Sauteed Spicy Baby Clams served with crispy rice crackers.($7.00) The portions for everything were enormous. The food was presented in short time and the flavors were fantastic. Everything was so fresh and tasty. This economical menu would satisfy any budget.

I opted for a Tofu and Lemon Grass prepared with coconut milk.($8.50) It was served in a large bowl with vermicelli. A spring toll was included. The vegetables were lightly sautéed and so crisp and fresh. It was a fantastic dish.

The table also shared several orders. The Chicken and Lemon Grass with vermicelli was a big hit.($8.50) Mussels, shrimp, Squid, Crab, Fish Ball and Bok Choy were a winning combination.($8.50)

Spicy Beef Sate and Garlic Chicken with Bok Choy were also enjoyed.

The Mixed vegetables and Tofu Rice Noodle Soup was calling out to me.($7.50) That will be for my next visit. There are several House Specialty Noodle Soups. The Spicy Shrimp with Lemon Grass and Tamarind is a popular dish.($8.50) Spicy Shrimp. Crab, Mussels, Squid, Fish Ball with Tamarind is offered at $8.50.

Several appetizers would make for a light snack or lunch. Deep Fried Spring Rolls are prepared with taro, yellow beans, carrot and noodle stuffing.($3.00) Crispy Mimi Shrimps are served with a lotus shoot/ carrot salad.($5.00)

Fruit Smoothies are a big winner at this restaurant. A variety of vegetables and fruits are available. Du Du (papaya) and Dau Tay (strawberry) are only a few of the many suggestions. The smoothies are $3.00

The table also shared three of the popular Ice Creams, Black Sesame, Green Tea and Ginger.($3.00)

We were all thrilled with our choices. The food was very special. It is such a colorful part of town. The grocery stores remain open late into the evening. There are many Vietnamese restaurants on the block. We certainly chose the best. You can afford to bring the whole family at these prices. The place is clean and welcoming.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre

I had a difficult decision to make. I am going to the opera on Saturday and Reel Talk on Sunday. I am leaving for Florence and Tel Aviv on Tuesday. That meant I could only see one film on Friday. Several good films opened on this day and I was in a quandary. I am currently reading the classic The Mayor of Casterbridge so I opted to stick with the classics and see Jane Eyre, this old favorite story by Charlotte Bronte. I was so pleased with my choice.

The cinematography is noteworthy. The dark grey tones throughout the film set the mood. The cold old stone mansions of the day and the barren windswept terrain add to the mood.

The beginning of the film takes us back and forth from Jane’s earlier days living with her wicked stepmother to the abusive orphanage where she was sent. In one instance she was punished and made to stand on a stool for a whole day without food or water. Her only solace was sketching.

We see Jane as a strong willful child who feels free to speak her mind. After graduating from the orphanage she takes a job as the governess to a delightful young child at the estate of the strange Mr. Rochester. He comes and goes from the estate and appears ruthless and difficult. She is never afraid and feels free to tell him the truth.

Jane thrives at this position. Mr. Rochester takes note of her talent and really begins to see her as a person when she saves him from a fire.

There are secrets at this old mansion and we soon learn what is going on. This is a melodramatic story that has lasted over time. It is a love story and a story of endurance.

Jane faces so many trials throughout her years and she seems to get stronger with each challenge.

The cinematography is superb. Mia Wasikowska is wonderful in her role as Jane. I delighted to see Judy Dench play the part of Mrs. Fairfax, the household manager.

The classics have remained great stories for a reason. I was transported into that era and enjoyed it all.

Fanny Chadwick's

Fanny Chadwick’s 268 Howland Ave. 416 944 1606

I wish I had known Fanny Chadwick. Apparently she was an author, loved parties and was a personality living in the Annex. Proprietors Lianne and Sarah pay homage to this colorful neighborhood figure. They deserve much credit for this enterprising endeavor. The premises were formerly a Chinese restaurant. I have watched the renovations taking place since last year. I kept going by to see what was going to be in this out of the way spot. It is on the corner of Howland Ave. and Dupont. Pictures of the original old restaurant are hung near the front entrance. The inside has been completely gutted and made to feel comfortable and stylish. I was fascinated with the shelves of home made preserves that are used as garnishes. The ketchup is made in house.

My friend told me that the pickled beans were noteworthy. As we left the restaurant we overheard a young gentleman sitting by the door exclaim,” This is the best club sandwich I have ever eaten.” He certainly seemed to be devouring it with pleasure as he read his book, Proust. The restaurant has only been open for 3 weeks. What fun to discover a new spot!

Andrew was our server. He knew all about the food items and was very helpful. He is what a good server should be. He attends to the patrons and makes sure that all is well. He listens to concerns and makes good suggestions .I liked the fact that he so enjoys what he does and he does it very well.

I was craving a Grilled Cheese Sandwich.($8.00) It was served on sourdough bread. The filling was creamy, rich and delicious. I could taste the delicious pommery mustard that blended so well with the cheese flavor. The home made ketchup was sinful and perfect. There was a generous portion of a side salad. The greens were fresh and crisp. I could have chosen frites or soup.

My companion opted for the house cured Gravlax. It was served with pretzel bread, cucumber and those fantastic pickled beans.($10.00) This is a real gourmet treat.

Salads are popular at lunch or as an appetizer at dinner. Fanny’s Warm Winter Salad offers roasted vegetables, blue cheese, sherry walnut vinaigrette.($10.00) The Mixed Greens are prepared with a pommery-poppyseed thousand island or fresh herb dressing.($6.00)

I was tempted with the Mac and Cheese and will come back for that stomach filling dish. The touch of whipped cream suggested I postpone that selection until my waistline diminishes somewhat.

At dinner the Mains are varied.

Leg Of Lamb is served with seasonal vegetables, leek and potato mash and lamb jus.($18.00) A Beef Burger was being presented to another patron. It was plated so beautifully and served with house ketchup, mustard, mayo, cheese, jus, veggies and pickles. Hand cut fries and salad are part of this favorite combination. It is available at lunch and dinner.($16.00) I dare you to eat it all.

Pan-Seared Fish and Chips is not a battered fish. The rainbow trout filet is crispy and served with those delicious hand cut fries, house slaw and house tartar.($!6.00) The Corned Beef and Cabbage is prepared with seasonal cabbage, pierogi and pommery mustard.($20.00)

I hope that pepper will be made available on the table or ground at the table by the server. A pleasant lunch and a welcome new neighbor.

Creme Brasserie

Crème Brasserie 162 Cumberland St. 416 962 7363

Several times a friend suggested this fantastic place. I should have listened sooner. Crème is the ‘cream of the crop’ in fine dining. The location is charming as it is tucked away in a courtyard running between Cumberland and Yorkville. The outdoor patio is great in the summer. The décor inside is elegant and in exquisite taste. When my dining partner and I entered we were fascinated by the large group of people having a fun time. It was bizarre because the ladies were dressed as if they were going to the prom. The men looked as if they were going to a baseball game. One thing is for sure. They were having fun. We inquired of our server who told us they were a music group that had just finished taping. They had been in the restaurant since lunch and it was now well into the dinner hour. We enjoyed their spirit but also were pleased with the quiet and peaceful atmosphere once they left.

Serge was our server for the evening. He is a gallant Parisian who knows the fine art of pleasing patrons. He enhanced our dining experience.

Ricardo Sousa opened this place last summer and brings years of experience to the restaurant business. Ricardo Roque is the masterful chef that produces the exquisite food.

We shared the Beetroot and Arugula Salad. ($14.00) Serge was kind enough to have the salad divided in the kitchen. The presentation was artful. The taste was so wonderful. The goat’s cheese and pine nuts added so much to the full flavor of the beets and peppery arugula. The salad was sprinkled with a fine pink grapefruit vinaigrette.

A Jumbo Lump Crab Cake is served with sweet chili sauce and micro greens.($15.00) Mussels Marinara offers a plate of steamed mussels, white wine, garlic, tomato and chilies.($14.00)

My friend was so pleased with her Grilled Fillet of Salmon. ($24.00) It was served with creamed spinach, roasted celery root, golden beets and green pea veloute.

The Rack of Lamb is crusted with cranberry and mustard. Savoyard potatoes and red current jus compliment the plate.($39.00)

I was thrilled with my Linguine With Shrimp.($17.00) The shrimp were flavorful. The pasta was al dente. Wiled spinach was infused in the portion served in a garlic white wine sauce. I licked my lips after every bite.

We were so tempted by the Three Course Dinner offered at $39.00. There were so many delicious sounding choices. We just couldn’t manage all that food on this evening but enjoyed reading the listed selections. I would have trouble choosing. I know for certain that the Sticky Toffee Pudding would have been my dessert selection. We were both so impressed with every aspect of this restaurant. The location is central but quiet. The service was impeccable. The food was exquisite and we were royally treated. Will I return to Crème. The answer is as soon as possible.

And Everything is Going Fine

And Everything Is Going Fine

The irony is that when I lived downtown I tended to come north to see films. Now that I have moved close to Bloor St I find myself heading to the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The reason is simple. They show the best of the best. I often attend a film without knowing what it is about. If it plays at Lightbox I know it is a great film. Such was the case with And Everything Is Going Fine. I hadn’t even heard of Spalding Gray. When I left I felt I had a clear picture of the total life of this interesting storyteller

Stephen Soderbergh directed this documentary using clips from many of his performances.

Spalding Gray performed on a stage usually sitting behind a small table with a glass of water. He would tell tales about his childhood, his sexual experiences and his life. He had a wonderful voice and a dramatic presentation.

I could picture the barn and the garden of his childhood. His family was noted for having serious anxiety. It seems as if his mother was constantly in a mental deteriorating state. His brother suffered from high anxiety .He tells of one incident when his brother was struggling for breath. He kept asking his mother,” When I die is it forever?”

The audience laughs throughout. Yet I was aware that our laughter is always because of a negative experience of Spalding Gray.

As a child he burnt his arm from placing it on a hot radiator, His mother calmly and quietly said,” Put soap on it dear and know the truth.”

He laughs about the conversation with his father on the 4^th hole of the golf course. Spalding was only 14 and his father was trying to discuss sex with him. He later reminds his father about this incident while they are being filmed.

He freely talks about his sex life. He had a homosexual experience as a youth. He later lived with Renee for several years. When she discovered he also was seeing another woman and she was pregnant the relationship ended. He then moved in with Kathy and proceeded to have several children with her. He seemed to be a loving father and the children are often portrayed as they romp and play outdoors.

I was fascinated with his performances often using audience members. He would call someone from the audience to sit with him on stage. He asked the person questions and it turned out to be very interesting.

He did perform in a few films. A few were pornographic.

He discovered that his mother was dead when he asked his father about his mother. His father replied, “She is gone” One could clearly conclude that this was an unusual family.

We see Spalding getting older through the various film clips. I found him to be a fascinating character. If someone else talked about their life as he does it probably would be boring. His life was so out of the norm and his presentation style was absorbing.

He was known as a poetic journalist. It was an unusual life. It was an unusual film.

West Meets West

West Meets West

This film has not yet opened but expect to see it in a few weeks. I saw it at a fund raising preview and highly recommend putting it on your list. It features the same cast as the film East Meets East.

We first meet this interesting family in their row housing unit in Manchester. Father is from Pakistan. Mother is a warm loving English lady from Manchester. The main character is their son. He suffers at school because of his Pakistan connection. The ruffians at school put his head in the toilet and call him names. As a result he skips school all the time. He also is belligerent and very rude to his parents. The audience laughs and it is funny the way it is all portrayed. Underneath the surface it is very upsetting and the issues are so obvious. The mixed backgrounds added to the son’s confusion. The communication between the teenager and the parents brings up memories for any parent. The father decides to take him to Pakistan to meet his family so that he will better understand his heritage.

The film is very funny but underlying it all is a lot of sadness and pathos. Trying to combine two cultures is not as easy as it may seem.

The young boy is immediately a misfit in Pakistan as he wears his English tailored suit. He didn’t seem to take it off for at least half of the picture.

In Pakistan we discover that the father has a first wife. She hasn’t seen him for 30 years since he left for England. There are now grown children. My heart ached for the poor woman. One night she enters the room of her husband and tries to get into bed with him. Once again she is rejected.

The husband begins to realize the pain felt by this woman. She quietly goes about her work and looks after all his needs (except one) and never complains.

He builds her a better house and tries to cement relationships amongst his first family members. Slowly changes take place and understanding develops .the young English boy meets a friend. They share many interests. Eventually the English suit is set apart and the traditional Pakistani clothing is adapted. It actually looked so much more comfortable and was better suited for that parched sandy terrain.

What a surprise when the English wife and her best lady friend arrive for a visit. The friend is a caricature of a cockney lower class woman. She adds so much humor. The two wives eye each other with suspicion.

I found the film to be refreshing even though it was touching on some serious and often painful issues. Through the humor you get the message. It was a delightful and thought provoking. Do watch for the opening in late March.

Funkytown

Funkytown

I didn’t even know why I went to see this film other than there was nothing else playing. I had no idea what it was about and it was a pleasant surprise. It takes place in Montreal between the years 1976 and 1980.Disco is the rage and the Starlight Disco was the place to go to see the best performers of the day. Apparently the action is based on the actual ‘Limelight Disco’.

One of the main characters is Bastien Lavallee, the MC at the disco. He is big time. All the bright lights of the music world played at this club. People cheered him and he lived a fast life. His charming wife and adorable daughter rarely saw him. A large part of the film shows his rapid decline as he gets more involved with women and drugs. This was based on an actual person.

We see another seedy side of the Montreal scene. Jonathon is an openly gay reporter for Party Disco Dance. He shows us the seamy side of the gay world.

The film is built on many levels. The historical aspect alone is fascinating. We see news clips showing the Parti Quebecois on the news. It is the time of the referendum and the language law is in full force.

We also see the rise and fall of several of the characters. Drugs were part of the problem. The gay scene was very active. The histrionics and jealousy amongst the players caused havoc in many cases.

Gilles is a record producer who loaned money to his son to run the Starlight Disco. He is a controlling father and ruthless in business. The inter personal relations are very interesting. Gilles is also a playboy beyond belief. I was so surprised to see a change of character in Gilles with a satisfying ending.

There is English and French spoken in the film. I believe that this was truly representative of the time.

Other characters play significant roles. Adriana had been a successful model. She wanted to be a singer. At first she went off with Bastien and was responsible for turning him back on drugs. She then took up with the aged Gilles and he made her into a musical success. The fascinating part was that she couldn’t sing. Gilles actually used the voice of a gospel singer (without her permission) and Adriana mouthed the songs in a very dramatic way. Gilles pays a big price for his actions.

Mimi is facing hard times and Gilles won’t help her. She tried to get Gilles to promote her single record. He won’t touch it because it is in French. He also tells her she needs to lose weight.

I imagine these were interesting times in Montreal. The film also gave me a glimpse of the behind scenes of the music world. Discos, the recording business and music reporters are an unknown to me and I was transformed into a different space.

I didn’t like many of the characters. Some ended up tragically. At the end of the film you are informed about some of the characters. I think the film is well done and I found it fascinating.