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Braised beef tongue and cheek at Torito

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Torito Tapas Bar has long been a favourite restaurant for me to enjoy wonderful Spanish and South American influenced cuisine. To begin, we enjoyed the classical tapa of tortilla, a classical Spanish omelet, often served warm or at room temperature. This well rendered combination of thinly-sliced potatoes, onions and egg was slightly spicy and reminiscent of my recent trip to the Basque country of Spain. A truly delicious, somewhat spicy, chestnut and chorizo soup followed.

Your guide to returning unwanted Xmas gifts

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I am one of those people who likes to buy, take home to contemplate, and then return. I think the thrill of the hunt often blinds me to the fact that what I’m buying is not always a necessary addition to the well being of my wardrobe. Or that it’s just plain gaudy and overpriced. After coming to the inevitable realization that the item is not wanted, I must then find time in my busy “mother-of-two” schedule — already bursting at the seams with playdates, Cinderella stories, diaper changes, naps and hide-and-seek — to head back to the store where I found it. I must do this soon before the shopper’s remorse swallows my soul and ruins a perfectly good day.

Night gear for the new year

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Early birds by trade, Erin and Mike of 98.1’s morning radio show are experts in the science of sleepwear. Opting for flash over fuzz, the dynamic duo’s top picks for the perfect pair of pyjamas prove that this team won’t separate style from snooze.

What's Toronto Really Eating?

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It’s January, when thoughts turn to New Year’s resolutions, gym memberships and healthy eating. We decided it was time to find out what’s in the local restaurant food we love to eat.

Survive lunch with the kids at Liberty Noodle

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Noodles are a food group in my family. With two small anklebiters under four to please, and with two parents working full-time, the most successful meals tend to be speedy and simple — and pasta plates meet those criteria. Although Liberty Noodle doesn’t cater specifically to families, the restaurant’s design formula and noodle-focused menu have a lot going for them in terms of surviving a lunch out with the kids.

The unglamorous life of an international chef

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Anyone who thinks that an international chef leads a glamorous life should have travelled with me for the last month. I cooked for 18 days straight in Los Angeles, flew to Singapore for five days and worked non-stop on 80 recipes for the new restaurant there, Chinois by Susur Lee, flew back to Washington for three days to set up a tasting menu at Zentan, and then flew to New York to cook a Chinese banquet at Shang for 300 media foodies and chefs to celebrate the restaurant’s first anniversary. Now I’m back home, concentrating on my New Year’s menus at Lee and Madeline.

What to wear to ring in the New Year

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Many of my friends and relatives this year are planning a low-key New Year’s Eve celebration — an at-home get-together featuring homemade cooking, great wine and cocktails. I believe dressing up a little helps everyone feel there is still something to be celebrated in these tight economic times. Here are my fashion tips to help you look your best however you decide to ring in 2010.

My traditional Christmas lobster supper

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While most will be trimming the turkey and ham, I’ll be doing my traditional Christmas lobster supper. I make a salted stock of Chateau le Lac ’09, add a few veggies and a bottle of beer, and bring it to a boil. I then place the lobsters head first into the rolling stock, and let them cook for about seven minutes per pound. If you want to try this, please take the rubber bands off of the claws first — rubber band stock is not tasty.