Friday Restaurant Recap rounds up the week’s Toronto restaurant news. In this edition: a cupcake shop with attitude, charcuterie for Kensington Market, a new coffee shop in Church Wellesley village and more.
Meet the Fokkens plays as a lengthy conversation between two grandmothers, with the salacious exception that these two ladies have a lot of sultry discussions. The questionably titled — yet interesting, and occasionally startling — documentary follows Louise and Martine Fokkens, 70-year-old identical twins who have spent much of their lives working in the red light district of Amsterdam. It opens tonight at The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema.
This is a quintessential Alsace riesling. Aromas of peach and citrus fruits rise from the glass, mingled with petrol notes (characteristic of maturing riesling). The wine is medium-bodied, with peach and floral flavours and a mineral note all carried on bracing acidity.
Aficionados of Scandinavian food and drink — they are everywhere these days — will be thrilled to see that the LCBO has joined the parade by featuring Nøgne Ø. For as long as supplies last, we’ll have the chance to try five different selections from Norway’s best-known craft brewery.
According to those pesky Mayans, we’re headed for that big temple in the sky come Dec. 21. So before you crank some R.E.M. in preparation for the big send-off, TIFF Bell Lightbox is presenting its Countdown to Armageddon series. It kicks off this week and concludes on the Big Day. Below, our favourite five picks to say “good bye, cruel world!” with.
The TSO is pairing up with the Barenaked Ladies on Friday at Roy Thomson Hall for a night of hits and holiday songs. We’ve liked hearing the Ladies at Christmas ever since they did that finger-snapping ditty with Sarah McLachlan, and we’re curious to know how the TSO does playing “If I had A Million Dollars.”
It’s only fitting that a French fashion house would create its own interpretation of the snow globe for the holiday season. After all, it is an object that has become a classic gift at this time of year, one that dates back to France in the 19th century. While the gift of a snow globe might seem better suited to a child, a Lanvin version makes it appropriate for fashion lovers of all ages.
“I kinda have a confidence complex,” admits Grant van Gameren, renowned Toronto chef. “I always have to do better.” After rising to the forefront of the city’s culinary scene at a little place called The Black Hoof, van Gameren stepped out of the limelight just as the frenzy surrounding the eatery reached a fever pitch.
After two decades of hosting CBC’s The National, Wendy Mesley is still pushing the issues that matter
Movember has come and gone, but for Allison Hogg and Stephanie Tolev of the comedy troupe Ladystache, moustaches are a year-long thing. Having a knack for for performing TV-themed sketch shows (they recently did a Degrassi one at Comedy Bar), the gals describe their shows as ridiculously silly. We chatted with Stephanie about their favourite Degrassi episode and who has the best ’stache of all-time.
King West’s Brassaii is a little bit of everything: lounge, restaurant and bar. In addition to its seasonal Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, the hotspot has a heated patio and offers bottle service come weekend. Additionally, an interesting cocktail service is available: a bartender passes through the dining area with a trolley and mixes up beverages tableside.
December at the movies means a slew of either holiday-themed flicks or Oscar-touted flicks. But if you’re cruisin’ for a little more bruisin’ at the cinema, then you might want to check out the ’80s camp classic, Road House. The Patrick Swayze vehicle about a Zen-like bouncer (who just happens to have a philosophy degree and a knack for martial arts) plays tonight at the Yonge-Dundas Cineplex Theatres.
