canada's next great sushi master?

was invited by a friend to try a sushi making class (shoutout to lodawg) at wabora, in the thompson hotel.

it was a great experience. the master sushi chef was excellent and we had the opportunity to make a variety of fun rolls (we each made 16)!

hats off to sushi chefs everywhere. it is definitely not as easy as it looks! 

fancy chopsticks for a fancy place

lead instructor. he was pro.

some were more adventurous (shrimp tempura, crab,
cucumber, avocado, spicy salmon, crunchy bits.....LOTS of sauce) 

while others played it safe (avocado and yam tempura).

up close and personal (avocado and cucumber)

thanks to lodawg and google j for the invite!

winterlicious time

the snow is just beginning to fall, yet those in the city are eagerly awaiting winterlicious.  
the wintertime event gives torontonians the opportunity to explore 175 of toronto's top restaurants as they serve delicious, three-course, prix-fixe menus.

i have been exploring the menus for weeks trying to determine my faves.  so far on my personal list: toula and cantine.
check out the winterlicious restaurant list. 
it runs for two weeks  from january 27-february 9.
please write your top picks in the comment section below**. 
i am planning on reviewing the restaurants and am open to suggestions!
enjoy!
**if you're not already a member of this blog, you can join by clicking join on the right hand side. then you will be able to comment!

cozy in the afternoon

ah. sunday afternoon.
complete with coffee cake, tea and my captivating book (rules of civility, by amor towles).
what could be better?

Nova Scotia Blue-Wild Blueberry Tea

for purchase information, contact me or see below

homemade coffee cake. the house smells so sweet and warm.

personal library

happiness

having a blast playing around with my new camera. haven't had as much time as i would like to, but i will get there.
hope you are having a relaxing sunday.
-t
i have had some inquiries as to where to purchase the blueberry tea (often imitated, never duplicated). it was flown in from halifax, nova scotia, but i believe can be purchased and shipped through www.teabrewery.com . it comes highly recommended.

terroni: a raving review

went to the new terroni at yonge and summerhill friday evening.
it was delicious. phenomenal vibe.
our waiter was so friendly.
a few meal shots from the eve, complete with menu description.

salad from the nightly specials. pomegranate, arugula,
nuts and buffalo mozzarella.
YUM!

HIGHLY recommend the Rigatoni Arcobaleno
mozzarella di bufala, zucchini, light cherry tomato sauce, basil

DELISH Ravioli di Zio Paperone
homemade ravioli stuffed with duck confit, fig, roasted butternut squash,
sauteed with oyster, button mushrooms and parmigiano

tiramisu

capped off the evening with a loose leaf blood-orange tea.

definitely recommend this new terroni. enjoy!
1095 Yonge St  Toronto
http://terroni.com/

retroactive: winter adventures

just a random assortment of winter photos (still from new years). 

sorry i have been mia, lots going on. 

many pictures to come soon! stay tuned.....

a new year's toast!

our "window fridge" to store our goodies

nature walk

midnight snack...yum yum

walking the dogs....loved the light

SNOW!

it finally snowed
and it was beautiful!!
post-xmas, pre-new year's, but here it is!

ice rain...it is mean. but i love how it covers the trees. 

the clean up was not as beautiful. but that is okay. we don't need to photograph that.

festive foods

lots of fun with the new camera this week..learning to shoot with the dslr and am really enjoying myself. i find the colours are so bright and, using the macro setting, i am able to see so much detail.
i am, however, being accused of shooting 'too close' to all my subjects, but that is what i love!


this post shows some of the delicious homemade foods i indulged in over the past two weeks.
if you're interested in a recipe, just let me know!

parnsip, potato and carrots

yummy salad with sliced nuts,
 cranberries, avocado and all the
good stuff

mom's famous sweet noodle kugel

beef brisket. favourite.

**white wine recommendation (a rarity on this blog)

moving on to brunch now....at least once a week at our house

fresh berries to go on the blintz carrerole, or to be enjoyed in yogurt

hot bagels and bilka buns

and, back to dinner again

homemade experimental butternut squash soup.
noted some improvement for the future

bruschetta toppings (tomato, avocado, onion, garlic)

presentation. drizzled with balsamic glaze.

some of the good eats the holidays offered.
happy cooking!
-talia

holiday kisses

my family, well, the women in my family, have a thing for hershey's kisses. it is more than just a 'thing', i suppose. it could be classified as an addiction.

and during both happy and difficult times, hershey's kisses are guaranteed to do the trick.
a small dedication to the chocolate that has helped to make me who i am: a chocoholic.

thanks Mom...hand and mouth model!