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!

RIBFEST LONG OVERDUE

So back in August I went to a little event that happens in

Mississauga called Ribfest. Basically it's a festival of ribs galore,

cornbread, corn on a cob, blooming onions, etc, etc. After

ribfest my friends and I went to watch Inception overall

it was a great day. If you're ever in town around August

DEFINITELY CHECK IT OUT! I URGE YOU! and MAKE

SURE YOU HAVE CASH ON YOU AT LEAST $40!!! that

will buy you pretty much anything to your hearts desire.

onto the pics