2011's Favourite Eats

2011 marks the year I got my very first iPhone. Before that, I was getting by with a fridge of a phone and, to tell you the truth, I was quite happy about it. I liked how little I was dependent on that type of technology and the fat numbers on the phone made me, more often than not, think twice before texting a friend. One of the things that really drove the change was being able to easily take pictures, everywhere, at any time. I have always been a very visual person - which in part explains me starting this blog years ago, while still a college student. Although, I love my camera it's just not feasible to always have it on me. My phone, on the other hand, is always accessible. I've been visually recording most of the delicious eats I've been trying since moving to Toronto a handful of months ago and these pictures remind me of every perfect bite. These are some of my favourite Toronto eats from Fall 2011 taken thanks to Instagram.

Lemon tarts at the Brick Street Bakery in the Distillery.

Brunch at Aunties and Uncles.

Roasted Tomato Soup with Mozzarella and Basil

As I'm writing this post, snow is swirling on my balcony, and my usually quaint view of downtown Toronto has become a blur. There's something quite soothing about watching this unravel, from the warmth of my living room. And what more suiting way to really welcome winter than with a deliciously steamy soup? This soup is perfect to enjoy at this time of year, but also delicious cold in the summertime. Instead of using canned tomatoes, this soup is made with pureed, slowly roasted tomatoes. Tomatoes become so incredibly flavourful and sweet when roasted and work wonderfully in this soup. A simple garnish of mozarella and fresh basil finish off the soup. 

Roasted Tomato Soup with Mozzarella and Basil
15 tomatoes, quartered

2 tsp dried oregano

2 shallots, diced

1 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 cup to 1 cup of low sodium chicken stock

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Olive oil

Mini mozarella or bocconcini balls

Fresh basil

Baked Eggs with Tomato and Feta and a Few NYC Eats

A few days ago, I got back from spending the holidays in NYC. It was a whirlwind: between spending time with family and catching up with old friends, it felt like a very short week. I have this very love/hate relationship with the city. I love the architecture and its uneven buildings from different moments in time that somehow work perfectly with one another, the food, the vibrant streets, the mix of people, the energy. I tend to get irritated by the crowds upon crowds of people and the fact that you almost can never just walk in to a trendy restaurant and get a table. If you're in NY for a handful of days only and want to try a popular restaurant you often end up eating at 6 or 10PM or not getting a table at all. That's been the case for Mario Batali's Babbo - reservations are made up to 30 days in advance to the day, and I have yet to get a reservation that suits my schedule! Things were of course a little different when I lived in NY but being there for a visit makes things a little hectic. With Babbo out of the question, I managed to get the next best thing - or, as it turned out to be, one of the best restaurants I've been to in NY to date - ABC Kitchen!

Our reservations were pushed to late in the evening, but it was well worth the wait. The restaurant, at the ground level of home decor store ABC Home is stunning. It's warm and charming without being stuck up, pretty and whimsical without being snobby. Tables are simply set using a mix and match of vintage-inspired plates that can be purchased at the store (most much more than I would want to spend on tableware however) and the food is simple, fresh and very reasonably priced, especially for New York. Highlights of our meal included a salmon tartare on crusty bread, deliciously simple charred brussel sprouts and handmade warm mozarella with olive oil and sea salt. It was a really perfect meal.

Espresso at ABC Kitchen