Buca

Buca has been on my list of places to go since it opened back in 2009.  Finally I had the opportunity to visit Rob Gentile’s now infamous and still wildly popular restaurant in the heart of King West.  Between raving co-workers and friends and a few mixed reviews, I was excited to finally get the chance to make my own opinion on this traditional Italian resto.

Buca is located in the back alley way just east of Portland next to Mexican restaurant Valdez (the old Cheval and an AWESOME spot for tequila!).  Upon entering, you are taken down a slightly winding staircase and enveloped with brick walls, dark wood dim lighting and the smell of all things delicious.  I found out that it was old 19^th century boiler room which would explain the simple and clean décor and setting.

 

We were a little early for our reservation so we parked ourselves at the bar which is in the front foyer (best way to describe it) and proceeded to order the only Prosecco based cocktail.  Obviously amazing and delicious.  Our party arrived and we were seated and started to pour over the endless options on the menu.  We all decided to share the Salumi Di Buca (meat plate) and asked if the chef could select the options.  We also shared the Nodini (warm bread knots in olive oil, rosemary, garlic and sea salt).  I wasn’t a huge fan of the meat plate, to be honest I’ve had better and the bread knots could have been softer but they were still a great small dish to share with the table.

 AC and I shared the Prosciutto pizza and I think my most favourite part was that it came with scissors to cut!  Again, I feel like it wasn’t the best pizza I’ve had but definitely nothing wrong with it.

 

 

The BEST part of the entire meal was by far the dessert.  The tiramisu was to die for.  I may or may not have wanted to bathe in it.  Three of us shared it and from the first spoonful the only thing we kept saying was “Oh my god!”

 

Overall, Buca was an okay experience.  Its highly possible that I didn’t order the right things so I would definitely give it another shot.  There’s a duck egg pasta that View The Vibe wrote about which sounds and looks amazing!  http://viewthevibe.com/toronto-restaurants-buca-on-king-west/

The place is beautiful and really nice for small groups or a one on one.  I will need to go back if only for that tiramisu.

Till Next time!

Buca
604 King Street West
www.buca.ca

Gusto 101 is Gusto!

Living and working on College Street can sometimes spoil you when it comes to Italian food because there are just SO many options.  I have however quickly discovered that as many options as there are, the actual quality doesn’t always measure up.  It seems that as delicious as the food at some of the places here is it can also feel heavy, bulk-made and sometimes hastily prepared without much attention to the nuances of spices and flavors that bring Italian food to life.

Gusto 101 (which literally means “tasty” in Italian) opened its doors earlier this year by transforming an old auto garage into and open concept, industrial-style feast for both the eyes and the tummy.  The owner has already made her mark and built her reputation off the success of her previous venture Café Nervosa in Yorkville (which I still have to try).  I started hearing rumblings of this place on various different newsletters and blogs and instantly had to add it to my list of places to try.  Judging that the place is always packed to the point where people are spilling outside I was excited to see if the food would live up to the hype.  

The atmosphere is exactly that of what you want for the bustling King West location – loud, busy, crowded with the noise from their open kitchen battling over the conversations from small groups, dates and after work drink seekers.  It’s hard to get reservations for any seating after 6ish so the trick is to get their early.  When you are lucky enough to get a table you are greeted by very friendly and knowledgeable wait-staff who know the menu, know their wines and have stepped into the new age of technology by taking your order on i-Phones.  Love. 

On this sunny Thursday evening we found ourselves in the back corner table ready to indulge!  We ordered our drinks and then promptly decided on appetizers.  They have a great selection of wines and also have their own winery in their basement.  House Wine for only $1 an oz – which is clearly why it was sold out on this visit of ours L  You can also book out the wine cellar in their basement for private group engagements – definitely  need to keep that in mind!

 Fresh Ricotta Bruschette (herbs, maldon sea salt, house made focaccia) and Arancini (rice wild mushrooms, fontina and tomato sauce)

Ever since I first had Arancini at Enoteca Sociale its actually become one of my most favourite appetizers.  Rice stuffed in a deep friend breaded ball?  SIGN ME UP.  The Gusto version was nothing less and literally made me not want to share!  But they do come two in a serving so it’s perfect to split.  The ricotta that came with the bruschetta was maybe the freshest, softest and fluffiest ricotta I’ve ever had, just perfect with the their focaccia and when that ran out, we used our bread basket!

On to the mains!

Spaghetti Chitarra alle Vongole (manila clams, white wine roasted tomatoes, toasted bread crumbs, pepperoncino), Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci (ricotta, spinach, tomato, smoked mozzarella di bufala), Fettucine ai Funghi (portobello, oyster mushroom, porcini, truffle paste, light cream) and Da Dee Pizza (sweet potatoes, cavolo nero, local fior di latte, spanish onions, pecorino, rosemary)

The spaghetti was not my cup of tea just because I’m not the biggest clam/mussels fan.  Just something about the texture but it LOOKED absolutely delicious.  So many textures and colors all in one plate.  The Ravioli was also nothing to write home about but still a great option if you’re looking for a vegetarian dish that’s simple.  My FAVOURITE pasta dish was by far the Fettuccine.  First of all, we all know my love for anything with cream and mushrooms so this was already a winner before it even got to the table.  It was full of flavor and each bite just melted in your mouth.  It doesn’t rival the mushroom pasta from Spuntini but it’s definitely up there.  The Da Dee pizza was an interesting choice.  We weren’t sure how the sweet potatoes and kale would work together but they actually created a perfect blend of bitter and sweet.  Not sure I’d go for it again but glad I tried it.

Looking at the menu now it looks like I’ve tried all the pastas that I would (and clearly have a favourite) but would love to try some of their pizzas.  The Funghi, Prosciutto and Salisicce are all on my list.  They also have some great salad options (starter and meal options) but who can go for a salad when there’s so many delicious options.

And Finally Dessert!

Being that we were 4 girls, there was really only one option – the Dessert Platter!

Dessert isn’t on their menu but from what I remember this included a caramel crème Brule, mini cinnabons, and mini chocolate cupcakes.  The Crème Brule was the clear winner of them all.

So all in all the food was sort of hit and miss.  You almost need to figure out what your favourite dish is and then not stray from it.  I found mine but feel excited that there are still some other options to try.  I’ll definitely be back seeing as Gusto 101 is so close to home, their open late Thursday-Saturday, have Brunch AND are opening their 90 seat roof top patio this summer!

Till Next time!

Address:  101 Portland Street (King and Portland)

Parking:  Plenty of street parking and lots

Price:  $$

Food:  7.5/10

Ambiance:  8/10

Service:  9/10

Toula Restaurant - Winterlicious

Its Friday Night, a long day of work is behind me and all I can look forward to is the second Winterlicious dinner I have planned with some of my favorite ladies of all time!

Off we were to Toula Restaurant located on the 38th floor of the Westin Harbour Castle hotel. This is probably one of the best views of the city because you have Lake Ontario on one side and the beautiful skyline on the other. Just perfect and breathtaking – reminds me of how beautiful this city can be at times. We were lucky to get one of the tables with a great view. The ambience otherwise gives the aura of fine dining with dim lighting, a large bar at the back and plush, inviting seating areas.

Toula is actually part of an Italian chain of restaurants under the Italian Toula Group which had its beginnings in Treviso, Italy near Venice in 1961. Needless to say one can expect some delicious and authentic fare in a beautiful setting. I was really excited for this meal because I had been to Toula a few years back for a Summerlicious lunch and it was by far one of the best meals I had not just due to the selection and choice but the food was so fresh and flavourful. We got to the restaurant to find that they were actually behind schedule so we ended up waiting for about 5-10 minutes which wasn’t a big deal because they have a nice little lobby area by the elevators where you can sit.

Upon getting seated and getting our drinks we decided on our meals and tried our best to sample everything on the menu given that there were 6 entree choices – very rare for a Winterlicious menu.

On the menu:

Appetizers:
Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp wrapped in Prosciutto di Parma, drizzle of Aged Balsamic Vinegar Reduction

Insalata Tricolore Caprese - Vine Ripped tomatoes, Fresh Imported Mozzarella di Buffala Cheese and Sliced Fresh Avocado, Finished With a light drizzle of Tuscan Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Mains:
Toula Classic AAA Rib Eye Steak with a Medley of Wild and Porcini Mushrooms in a Amarone Red Wine Reduction Served with Herbed Roasted Parisian Potatoes

Hand Made Tagliolini with Fresh P.E.I Lobster Meat Lightly Spiced Tomatoes Sauce topped with a Fresh P.E.I Lobster Tail

Oven Backed Chilean Sea Bass Fillet with "San Gimigniano" Saffron and Dill Cream Sauce Served on a bed of Lemon & Chive Carnaroli Risotto

Free Range Stone Pressed Oven Baked Cornish Hen "Alla Diavola" Topped with a Rosemary Pinot Grigio Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sauce. Served with Sauteed Spniach Alla Milanese with raisins & Toasted Pine Nuts

Dessert:
Famous Toula Homemade Fresh Tiramisu

Homemade Fresh Apple Strudel on "Callebaut Belgium" Chocolate Fondue

Homemade Fresh Cappuccino Cheese Cake served with Fresh Marinated Blueberries

The appetizers were nothing special and we all clearly opted for more of the safer options.  I had the Caprese salad thinking that it would be a light, fresh way to start the meal but after having the Buffala Mozzarella at Origin, I don't think anything will ever compare.  The salad itself felt as if it had been stored in a fridge for far too long which makes me believe that they mass produced them for Winterlicious.  



Next came our main meals which consisted of the steak, lobster pasta, sea bass and chicken.  All the food in my opinion sounded alot better than it tasted.  Most of it was was very luke warm which again makes me believe that it was mass produced and sitting around for a while and nothing was as delicious as how it was described in the menu.  I had the Lobster Tagliolini and it had a fishy smell to it which was not very appetizing and the pasta seemed undercooked.  The steak was tender from the small amount that I tasted and the chicken was dry.  The risotto which accompanied the sea bass wasn't bad.  This was also the point which we nicknamed our waiter "Zippy" because it was as if he we was trying to speed us through our dinner as quickly as possibly.  Before we could even finish our list of things we needed he was gone returning only to have us finish our requests (ie salt, hot sauce, spoons).

  

There's a reason I love dessert.  In this case it was the saving grace of the entire experience.  Each dessert we had was SO good.  Perfect portions, delicious and and decadent all at the same time.  If it hadn't been for the dessert this meal would have been an absolute disaster.  I had the apple strudel and if this had come with a side of vanilla ice cream I would have actually been in heaven!

Overall definitely disappointed with the service and the meal itself.  I can't say that I wouldn't go again but maybe on a regular night instead of Winterlicious.

Address: 1 Harbour Square (Westin Harbour Castle)
Parking:  Parking to the left of the hotel in a small alley or underground
Price:  $35 Winterlicious Dinner, $$$ - regular menu
Service - 6/10
Food - 6/10
Ambiance: 8/10

Discovering Liberty Village

The feeling I had this past Friday night was exactly what I was hoping for when I set out on this journey and writing this blog. I said I wanted to discover and explore Toronto and so, I'm amazed when I uncover an area which up to now has been completely unknown. I always knew where Liberty Village was, drove by there often and even partied there (Maro anyone? lol), but to actually walk around and take in the area is completely different.

We started off our newest culinary adventure with some bevies at The Brazen Head Pub. As far as pubs go it isn’t any different from anything I’ve been to before. But the patios. Oh the patios. This THREE-FLOOR pub has the most outdoor seating that I’ve ever seen. Just make sure that you get on the right side (not literally right) of the place otherwise you could be dealing with some serious wind/breeze on what is otherwise a beautiful day. Another thing that sets this pub apart from the others is their choice to steer away from the standard pub fare. I mean don’t get me wrong, they have your burgers, nachos and being an Irish pub all the traditional Irish pub favorites, but they also have a great selection of salads (not just caeser and garden) and more grown-up options like the Baked Brie, Tempura Halibut bites, Baja Chicken Tacos and a Portobello Quesadilla. Great venue to waste away the lazy weekend days or drown the after work stress.

Address: 165 East Liberty Street

Sometimes when a place is recommended to me more than just a few times I get my hopes really high and then get inevitably disappointed. Caffino did NOT disappoint. After developing a slight beer buzz from the Brazen head we took a leisurely stroll to King Street for dinner at this hidden gem – literally, because the building (which happens to be the old Carpet Manufacturing building) is COVERED in greenery and moss. Once you walk through the iron gates and across the walkway you are inside a sweet and beautiful little restaurant that feels as if it’s been plucked out of The Secret Garden. Very vintage and European inspired with the high ceilings, large windows, mosaic décor, white linens and floral center pieces. The view is their very own patio which I must make sure to discover at some point this summer.

They had a great list of martinis’ to choose from but the highly recommended Pomegranate martini was my choice of the evening. On the menu for the 5 dining divas:

Martinis: Pomegranate, Lychee, Chocolate, Espresso
Bruschetta
Rigatoni Bolognese – Rigatoni with a homemade meat sauce
Penne a La Puglia – Penne with sausage, roasted red peppers, black olives and baby spinach in a spicy plum tomato sauce
Pasta a La Veneziana – Casarecci pasta with smoked chicken, bacon, onions, sun dried tomatoes, baby spinach and mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce
Pasta Toscana – Parpadelle with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a roasted garlic wine cream sauce
Antonietta Pizza – tomato base topped with goat cheese, spinach, grilled chicken, fresh tomatoes and drizzled with pesto

Be-still my heart and stomach. There are no words. Our table was speechless aside from the noises being made from sheer delight and satisfaction. And yes, this reaction was caused by FOOD.

AMAZING, I wish my vocabulary was wider to find some better word but there just isn’t. By far some of the best Italian food that I’ve had. The owner has made a commitment to bringing traditional tastes and flavors from being brought up in an Italian home and she has found her recipe for success. Literally. The sausage penne (which clearly you’ve seen is my go to meal) had the perfect kick to it and was paired with the right amount of veggies. The pizza I could have done without to be honest. The other pastas that I sampled from the other ladies were each different and unique in their taste yet amazingly full of fresh ingredients and flavor.

Pair the food with a beautiful venue, kick ass service an affordable prices – I’ve found a keeper!

Address: 1185 King Street West
416-588-9010 (good idea to make reservations)
Parking: street parking and I believe there’s a lot close by
Price: $$ - Affordable
Ratings:
Ambience – 9.5/10
Service – 9.5/10
Food – 9/10 (damn pizza)

My sad disclaimer: I WOULD have had better pictures but my camera was left in a cab (did I mention the martinis were strong...)

My Perfect Man...as a Restaurant

Walking around college and trying to pick a restaurant is like being a kid in a candy shop. OR to relate more to myself - being a girl in her 20s in a boutique with SO MANY clothes to choose from! On this beautiful Thursday I found myself walking around College street and decided to try out Kalendar, the famous Kalendar that I’d heard so much about, known about for so long and still hadn’t tried out. After about a 20 minute wait, and a very attentive dining partner, we scored a prime seat on their packed patio which is perfect for dining and people watching on a balmy summer night.

Much to my surprise, and delight (shocking I know), there was a slight Indian touch to their meals. There was a prominent use of naan in many of their appetizers and their pizza crust is made up of a “thin dahl-puri crust”. Interesting. Their appetizers consisted mainly of hummus dips, breads (naans) and traditional Italian fare such as bruschetta and mussels. They also had what seemed to be one of their signature options called Nannettes - appetizer size oven baked naan bread with various fillings). The mains were also a combination of standard Italian pastas and pizzas as well as another signature item called Scrolls – Kalendar’s crepe style roti with various fillings served with a dinner salad.

On the menu for the evening:
Warm Mushroom Salad – a mix of wild mushrooms with sun dried tomatoes and apple sautéed in Cassis, served in a radicchio cup on a bed of belgum endive
Scroll Five – oven roasted chicken, avocado, plum tomatoes, feta & herbed mayonnaise with a side salad

Food was great and the portions were HUGE. The scroll five with the side salad was shared amongst 2 people and it was MORE than enough. Being that it was a first time visit here I think played it safe with my Scroll option. So next time I think I may have to walk on the wilder side. I’m thinking Scroll Four – tomato meat sauce with spicy Italian sausage, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onions and mixed peppers. YUM.

Ambience and service were both fantastic – the place is perfect for a dinner out with the girls, but the cozy atmosphere, candle lit tables and greenery covered patio roof makes it an intimate spot for a romantic rendez-vous. Our waitress was friendly and beyond accommodating.

Overall this place could be compared to as my perfect man – Italian by nature with a little Indian flare, cozy and comforting yet romantic at the right times, delicious yet satisfying and keeps you coming back for more!

For next time and the time after that…
Coffee – I know this sounds weird but apparently the beans have been infused with cinnamon for an amazing flavor
Warm apple/walnut salad – chopped apples and walnuts sautéed in a sweet brandy sauce over chevre cheese on a bed of greens
Nannette One – pesto, plum tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil
Scroll Four – tomato meat sauce with spicy Italian sausage, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onions and mixed peppers
Scroll Six – roast beef, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onion, asiago cheese & plum tomatoes with a horseradish mayonnaise
Scroll Seven – mara curry, a 7 vegetable spiced red curry with chickpeas, potatoes, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions

I also keep hearing about their brunch – BK you in??

Address: 546 College Street
416.923.4138
Parking: plenty of street parking
Price: $$ - Affordable
Ratings:
Ambience – 9/10
Service – 9/10
Food – 8/10

Once you go Italian...

Here's a perfect example of a restaurant that’s been around forever, one that I’ve driven by about 100 times but NEVER eaten at. For my first culinary adventure I ventured out to Vivoli on College Street with 4 of my besties for some good ol’ Italian eats. Vivoli boasts being a trendy-chic combination of a restaurant, pizza bar, café and rooftop patio. The famous wood-burning oven adds authenticity to their pizza and the glowing embers make the atmosphere warm and cozy. Along with a heated roof-top patio which plays Latin, funk, house and lounge music, Vivoli seems to have all the ingredients for the perfect night out.

We arrived for about 8:00 on Friday night without reservations since they don’t take them after 7. We lucked out with parking – green P around the corner and street parking. Being a party of 5 we didn’t have much trouble getting a table after a short-lived game of musical chairs. The advantage of this College street hot spot is the multitude of options for an after dinner drink or dancing escapade.

On the Menu:
Pitcher of Sangria
Insalata di Vivoli – baby spinach, raddicchio, mixed berries, toasted pecans, goat cheese tossed in a bittersweet ice-wine dressing
Grilled Calamari – grilled calamari marinated with garlic, parsley and XV olive oil
Linguine Genovese – with chicken in a fresh basil cream pesto sauce
Rigatoni Contadina – with chicken and mushrooms in a white wine cream sauce
Piccante Pizza – Pomodoro, mozzarella, Italian sausage, garlic, roasted red peppers and hot peppers
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake – traditional South American style caramel cheese cake on graham crust topped with chocolate

In one word, the food was FLAVOURFUL, you could literally taste each of the ingredients they listed in their descriptions. After a week from hell all I wanted was a big glass of Sangria and unfortunately was a little disappointed – tasted watered down and not enough fruit! The Insalata di Vivoli’s combination of sweet berries and sour dressing was a perfect way to start, the dressing was fabulous and anything with goat cheese makes my day. Calamari seems to always be a fan favourite when it comes to appetizers and I’ll always take a nibble if someone orders it. I’ve learned my lesson – MUST BE BREADED. The grilled texture just doesn’t work for me. Of the two pasta choices I was a fan of the Rigatoni Contadina over the Linguine Genovese. As hard as I try, I just can’t seem to enjoy pesto. The white wine cream sauce and mushrooms weren't too heavy and made a perfect companion to the chicken and pasta. The Piccante Pizza was by far the prize winner in my books, although as long as there’s Italian sausage involved it usually wins me over! (mmm love me some Italian sausage lol). It had a great kick to it, hence being dubbed the Piccante, the crust was just thin enough and baked to perfection. The manager was hospitable and seemed to take kindly to 5 girls laughing, giggling and gossiping in the corner so before we knew it a tray of 5 shots (Swedish Berry shots?) was making its way to our table. After a quick toast we put in the order for the waitress recommended Dulce de Leche Cheesecake. GOOD LORD – caramel topping, cheesecake center and graham cracker crust. I usually find cheesecake on the heavy side of desserts (probably because I order it all to myself) so sharing it with 4 other people was a brilliant idea. Needless to say, walking to the car was somewhat painful and trying to fit into a dress the next day was a struggle. PURE INDULGENCE.

On the menu NEXT TIME:
Bruschetta (just for you LF)
Agnalotti – pasta stuffed with butternut squash in a basil sauce
Annalisa Pizza – pomodoro, goat cheese, Italian sausage, diced tomatoes Apple Caramel Cheese Cake (we were so sad NM)
Must experience the rooftop patio

Address: 665 College Street
Parking: Green P around the corner/Street parking if you’re lucky
Dress: Casual/Dressy
Price: Average
Ratings:
Ambience – 8/10 (cold by the door and the rooftop had an odd smell to it)
Service – 9/10 (the no reservation policy could mean long waits on weekends, free shots can always make up for it!)
Food – 10/10 (no complaints when it came to the food, drinks, 2 apps, 3 mains and a dessert was the perfect amount for 5 people to share)