The Macaron Mission

 

Here in the suburbs of Mississauga, french macarons are pretty hard to come by. The only places I know that sell these little french delights are Whole foods that come at a price of $8 for 6 minis and from Sweets located in Heartland which sadly shut down. They definitely do not come cheap, and they're pretty tricky to make too, and I don't really have patience to make 20 batches of flopped macarons..maybe one day but not anytime soon. So it hit me, that what Mississauga lacks in the hundreds of bakeries around me are macarons. I'm on a mission to change that, I'm sick and tired of looking at macaron pictures on instagram and pinterest. Here in Streetsville theres about 10 bakeries alone, cute little pastry shops filled with everything but macarons. I've decided to make a business proposal, and that is for them to start selling macarons. I'm going to treat this like a thesis and do my research, make personal surveys and just basically get at least ONE bakery in Streetsville to make these goddamn cute french cookies!  I will post about my progress and even set up a survey..I don't know how or when this will happen but all I know is that I'm going to make this happen.

Wish me luck

Local Love: Kanto by Tita Flips

Filipino food is apparently FINALLY trending and I can confidentally be that person that says "I've been on that for a while now" seriously since I began to actually appreciate food... basically since birth. So you can only imagine my absolute joy to find out about Tita Flips which is located in a cute little kitchen/shack/sort of like a truck minus engines and wheels right along Dundas St W. 

Kanto by Tita Flips is managed and created by Diona Joyce who incorporates a western gourmet approach to tradional Filipino meals. She makes everything herself from her chicharon (fried pork chips) to   the crunchy peanuts. Like the food her social media & brand marketing is on point you can follow her on twitter & facebook as she always updates news, upcoming events & pictures that make me salivate. Another reason why I love going to Tita Flips is because well...she cooks just as good as my mom (love you mom!). 

 

(this right here is tapsilog which includes, fried egg, marinated beef on rice served with tomatoes, onion & garlic with vinegar)

We've been  going to Tita Flips almost every Tuesday for some Halo-Halo which is a filipino beverage/dessert perfect for a hot day and after a yummy lunch. One of my favorite items on her menu other than everything on it, is the ice candy. Words cannot describe how happy they make me and how nostalgic I get once I start eating it. They bring me back to when I was a little girl when my lola  (grandma) use to make them for us when we'd visit her in California during the summer. The ice candy is basically a filipino freezie filled with fruit juices Tita Flips has various flavors from buko (coconut milk& jelly) to mango.

You're always greeted with a smile and the smells of lechon (crispy pork) at Kanto.  Tita Flips is not only a great place to stop by for a quick lunch and a dinner-to-go but they also cater aswell so you can party with a belly full of yum! 

My WVRST Experience

 Don’t let the title fool you; this up and coming sausage hall is definitely one of the highlight cuisines in King West.  Pronounced as “verst” located on 609 King West this burgeoning place is literally a must go to spot in the city.  Upon entering you’re greeted with a smile and seated immediately. The atmosphere is warm, the rhythm is bustling and one gets a strong feeling of cabin comfort that embraces Eastern European culture.  There are not only regular faces but new ones automatically feel at home and once you enter the Wvrst doors you’re part of a community, seated amongst friends. 

Although Wvrst only serves strictly sausages, the menu covers all foodies from vegetarians to those with an acquired taste (Kangaroo!) and it’s not just sausages on a bun options either but with a wide mix of variety such as gourmet dipping sauces to accompany your meal. You could take your sausage currywurst a German cuisine favorite that consists of ketchup and curry, or your fries cooked in duck fat.

 

When I first heard of WVRST and of their extensive exotic sausage menu my imagination ran wild, I pictured a dark hole in the wall deli, you know one of those places you see in New York mafia movies. It definitely wasn’t a hole in the wall but more of a loft like space with an extensive bar filled with a wide range of North American to European beers and rows upon rows of modern picnic tables with windows that look out onto the King West streets. 

My curiosity was put to rest when I tried the more traditional option of Kranjska, which is basically a pork, and garlic sausage and boy, it did not disappoint, the taste was succulent, and juicy in all the right places from the tip of the sausage to the last bite. Because it was such a pleasant experience I actually looked at the menu again and considered the more exotic options like venison, or elk. Each time since I’ve first dined at Wvrst be it after work or after a day of shopping ay King West with good friends we’ve all left very satisfied and in good sprits that lasts for whole day with a promise to spontaneously return and finally try the kangaroo. Wvrst is exactly what King West needs, exciting, eccentric, and of course a fresh gourmet experience to the Toronto foodie community.

I leave you with a German Oktoberfest song that is in constant rotation everytime I've visted WVRST.

Local Love: A Last Temptation Brunch

Tucked along the edge of Kensington Market Last temption is anything but it's namesake. It is defintely the first or last go to spot in the market for a good drink and a satisfying meal that doesn't break one's wallet. I personally love Last Temption so this review is probably a little biased. A great place to grab a pitcher with friends after work or catch a brunch before class, with a diverse menu the food does not disappoint especially for its under $10 prices. The ambience of the place is usually very lively no matter what time of the day youre automatically greeted with a smile and a seat once you enter. My personal favorite are the brunches, with

such a great variety I'm often pondering which omlette to try.

My recent visit to Last Temption was probably one of my best, it wasn't busy and was filled with it's daily regulars, I decided to go for a spinach feta omlette. As I waited for my meal Johnny Cash was playing throughout the eatery and as I stared outside at the Kensington scenery it was that moment as cliche as this may sound I felt as if I was starring in my own indie movie set in Retro Row in Los Angeles..which is one of my favorite places in the world.

Everytime I eat at Last Temptation it feels like that famous saying " a home away from home." Anyways, if you're ever in the city definitely check out Kensington Market and grab a pint and a brunch at Last Temption!

Local Love: Union Social Eatery (6968 Financial Drive Mississauga)

I heard about Union Social Eatery from a friend on a Friday night.

The original plan was to go out for nachos to our local spot, and up on the last minute she suddenly brought up this exciting new place on Financial Drive where everything on the menu is less than $18. Of course I jumped on this exciting new opportunity because I love trying out new places, and in Mississauga thats pretty rare. Upon entering Union Social Eatery you get a very warm vibe about the place, it's homey but with a touch of finesse. The interior is modern with racks of wine on display , a large mural of people dancing in the back and dark wood panels as walls, so theres a sense of a relaxed movement about the place. It's fairly new having just opened in November and as expected it was a full house filled with people from all walks of life, but once we walked through the door we were quickly accomodated.

The service was by far one of the best services I've had in the city, the staff was very accomodating, kind, and didn't even need a reminder to fill our cups! We were quite lucky because we came on a $5 Friday night wine special and they have gluten free options so this place has literally everything covered. We started the evening with nachos, which was huge and meant to share with at least 4 people and was split between my friend and I, it was very delicious that we finished the entire thing ...we were already filled before our meals came.

Of course we continued our dining experience and ordered their hand crafted flat bread pizzas, I got the Margherita pizza with gluten free thin crust . It tasted like an insalata caprese on thin crust, it's ingredients include boccini and mozerella chesse, fresh basil, roma tomatoes, and the simplicity and taste filled all the right places. Our food came in a timely fashion, so you didn't wait 12139012 minutes, it was just right.

Next was the Dessert, my friend and I rarely look at the dessert menu's because were both not really sweet tooths, but because we were at this new place and already had such a filling experience, we wanted more. All the desserts on the menu is $4.95 and it's not a half ass dessert menu either, with typical cake options or a brownie. To my surprise the options were rather gourmet-esque and for the price it was definitely #winning!! I got the Lindt chocolate creme brulee and my friend opted for fresh cookies and vanilla bean ice cream. Both were not overtly sweet but with just the right amount that really tickles the sweet tooth, it was the perfect end to a great dining experience.

cute french macaroons

I've always seen pictures of those cute little french macaroons

and have always wanted them. Not only for picture purposes but

because they were just so freaking pretty. I recently found out

that they are in fact attainable in Canada, and in a bakery near me

called SWEETS. It's right beside Heartland, this plaza is seriously

food heaven, it's right next to marble slab, licks, pho mi, california

sandwiches, thai express, medina, and freshii...WTF!!!!

back to the macaroons, they're really cute and actually very yummy

the texture and quality is what you pay for...their $2 each (hefty I know)

but it's worth it. I highly suggest you eat these little things with

tea or coffee cause they're pretty sweet.

my personal suggestions are: pistachio, and poppy!

bubble republic

Living in the suburbs, and the long endless summer nights you
rarely find a place to eat other than 7/11, mcdonalds, tim hortons,
or pizza pizza that stays open late. Well for about 3 years now my
friends and I have been going to this cute little place called
Bubble Republic.
Located on 4040 Creditview rd, in a little strip plaza beside No Frills,

and CIBC.The menu consists of endless flavours,styles,tapioca, cold,

warm, various types of bubble teas. It's open till midnight and does

not take debit or credit so be prepared to have cash on you.

You definitely get more than what you pay for and the service is pretty

good too. They also have a modest food menu and everything is literally

under $10. Anyways my good friend Ania and I went recently to get our fix.

lunch with mom at Lemongrass

I've been a bad blogger, my updates have been really slow lately

ahaha but that is mainly due to me actually living my life also

mad laziness and late night ventures, but rest assured I'm back

and ready to blog! Anyways so since my absence I recently

had lunch with my mom at Lemongrass atsquare one. It's a

very cute place sort of like spring rolls, but much cheaper

well sort of..almost. They have a sweet lunch special which

only costs $8 and you get a soup of your choice, mango salad,

and pad thai.

Local love love love: CHIPOTLE

I've been meaning to blog about this place for a long while but everytime I eat here, I always somehow manage to forget my camera, or just forget period, because the food is soo darn amazing here. Their menu is pretty simple but I love the food here, you know sometimes when you go somewhere to eat all the time it gets a little boring..yeah thats never the case at Chipotle for me. Just a little background on Chipotle, they are committed and strict on their food with integrity policy, here's their initiative from the website:"Food With Integrity" isn't a marketing slogan. It's not a product line of natural and organic foods. And it's not a corporate initiative that will ever be finished or set aside to make room for other priorities. It's a philosophy that we can always do better in terms of the food we buy. And when we say better, we mean better in every sense of the word- better tasting, coming from better sources, better for the environment, better for the animals, and better for the farmers who raise the animals and grow the produce". Chipotle is located on 323 Younge st, Basically on Dundas square, within the Toronto life square building right between HMV and Rogers. Personal favorite from the menu, chicken tacos, and if you decide to visit Chipotle YOU HAVE TO TRY THE CHIPS AND GUACAMOLE, that is a staple item!

local love: Osmows

Another hidden gem in Mississauga is Osmows. I have tried a lot of schwarma's in this lifetime and they all do not even come close to Osmow's schwarmas. I can not even express this, every schwarma I have tasted that isn't Osmows have been soo bland to me..that is because Osmow's is the BEST! I am not exaggerating here people, and I am telling the honest truth. You can find Osmows in 251 Queen Street ,Streetsville. I have been going to this place since high school, once you've tried Osmow's schwarma's you're gunna keep coming back for more..I guarantee it!

Just some pictures of good times at Osmow's: 

some friends to share some schwarmas with

hard at work

mmmm... jam packed with garlic sauce and a pack of gum

for dessert!

Local Love: Korean Grill

So as of Friday last week, I am glad to say I am done the fall term 

*hurrah* I went downtown after my last midterm to spend some 

time with my good friends Michelle, and Ruby. After some retail 

therapy, a well deserved treat considering it's almost my birthday (Dec 11). 

We went down Dundas and Younge and ate at Korean Grill. 

Korean Grill is located on 369 Yonge Street it is pretty sweet,

 you pay $12.99 for all you can eat, and they present you with 

raw meat to which in the centre of the table, is a mini grill, and 

you pretty much cook your own meal. To top of a great day, I treated 

myself to a rumified pina colada...which was

in my opinion pretty darn strong. 

Onto the pics:

ok so this does not look that appetizing but I swear it tastes 

pretty darn good.

a well deserved pina colada sort of..ngl I was

expecting it to taste like booster juice with 

a lil sumthing sumthing in the mix...yeah not so much

Local Love: Smoke's Poutinerie

So who loves poutine? Poutine in my opinion is one of Canada's well kept secrets. I remember when my cousin's came from California in December 2004 and they had never even heard/tasted/seen poutine before, and when they first tried it, they were in complete awe. Every time I go back to California they ask me to bring poutine..of course the border would/will  never allow it. Anyways so Michelle and I recently went to Smoke's poutinerie on 218 Adelaide St W to simmer down the poutine craving we both coincidently had at the time. The journey was well worth it, they sell pop shoppe drinks which brings in a little vintage diner feel to the place and have free stickers which I took advantage of. Smoke's is a cute little place, with a pretty cool aesthetic , the atmosphere is pretty darn chill, and the menu ranges in all kinds of poutines I didn't even know existed. Check it out, and the prices range depending on the kind of poutine you get. Very well worth every dime and it doesn't dent the wallet either. 

Local Love: Swirls!

I love cupcakes. I can not even begin to explain how cute and convenient they are. Personally I think its probably one of the best things ever made, who doesn't get happy over a single cupcake! Cupcake bakeries are on a rise and one that I personally love is called Swirls, they serve homemade gelato and various flavoured cupcakes. I first stumbled upon it when I was in highschool a big hang out spot in the summer was Streetsville, we would pop in buy a gelato and take some cupcakes home, and they would ALWAYS be gone by the morning. I have lived in Mississauga for pretty much my whole life, and Swirls is probably one of our best kept secrets. They recently just opened a new location in Etobicoke on 4158 Dundas Street West. So if you're ever in town say Streetsville or live near Etobicoke, pop in and eat a delicious red velvet cupcake (my personal fave).

You can check out their website: SWIRLS
or follow their facebook - linkage can be found on their website

Source: Pics from their facebook fan page!