Böhmer’s worth repeating
Walking into Böhmer for dinner I was immediately struck by the décor. Bright, elegant and minimalist without an air of pretention. I joined our party at the rear past a long, beautiful wood bar along the side wall opposite an equally long communal wood table down the centre of the restaurant. Two...
Illicit Latte: Holts Coffee Bar
Is it the intense, nut-free dark chocolate brownie with the firm icing that I am eating? Or is it the beautifully composed woman with a strawberry tart and designer clothes, who sits down beside me after spending longer than politeness requires to look at me. She begins rapid movements of stuffing forkfuls of strawberry and...
The Underground Restaurant Experience
The first time I heard of an underground restaurant was when a friend returned from a back-packing trip to Cuba. He spent nights sleeping in farmer’s fields, hiking far away from resorts, and eating in people’s homes. Locals would approach him with menus in hand, selling him on the concept of eating in their backyard...
Illicit Latte: Cafe Diplomatico
Sitting in the afternoon at Table 45 outside at Café Diplomatico under an ad for a major American beer, I am watching life at College and Clinton. (The table number is conveniently marked in large red numbers on the table for servers who become lost.)
Restaurant Review: Scarpetta
Tucked behind the corner of King and Bathurst Streets is a gem of an Italian spot called Scarpetta, new this summer to Toronto’s dining scene and well worth a visit. Located in the main floor of the beautiful Thompson hotel, we dined here as part of a large group for a friend’s birthday dinner. Scarpetta...
Toronto’s Best Terrines
Don’t ask me how, but it seems I’ve gone years without noticing the small North Side kiosk in the St. Lawrence Market on Saturday’s where Cordon-Bleu trained Karen Viva Haynes, of Viva Tastings, sells a fine selection of artisanal foodie delights ranging from cupcakes to spiced pecans to mushrooms stuffed with sage and pesto. There...
