Ready, Sake, Sushi!

 Summer really brings out people's creative juices.  Outdoor music festivals, food festivals and festivals celebrating different cultures are happening all over the city, restaurants roll out inspired summer menus and outdoor cocktail programs.  

This Tuesday, I had the occasion to try out a fantastic summer series, Sushi and Sake 101 at Haru. Held once a month, this interactive dinning experience brings together two fantastic treats...and all the secrets that go along with them:)

 This particular evening was specifically for Boston Food Bloggers, a network that consists of some of Boston's most enthusiastic food writers. I was lucky enough to be invited and it was so great to catch up with my foodie friends...while doing what we like best...eating!

The evening is run as a partnership between Richard, the passionate foodie and Haru's team of sushi making specialists. It was so nice to be on the receiving end of such passion and knowledge! I learned so much about Sake from Robert, who started the event with a mini presentation about the distinctive beverage.  Before this event, I knew little about sake, thanks to Robert and the tasting of three different and delicious sakes, I feel much more confident in navigating a Sake menu:)

 The series is very hands on, each couple is presented with all the necessary sushi-making tools and ingredients; a platter of sushi grade fish, a HUGE bowl of sticky rice and seaweed paper.

 Guided by Haru Chef Masa-san, we are taken on a step by step journey in the art of sushi making. Step one: a handful of sushi is rolled and placed on top of the seaweed, smooth/shiny side down:)

 After spreading the rice out, you flip the whole thing over (so as to have a sushi roll with the rice on the outside, although you can also do the opposite...like Lindsey, my sushi neighbor did with hers:) )
You then place whatever filling you want in the middle...careful not to overload it or it won't close!

 A little squeeze of the bamboo sheet around the roll and voila! A beautiful looking roll of sushi, ready to be cut and enjoyed.

 Luckily, the expert Haru team did the cutting...which is just as well, because I would have ended up with a sushi salad if I had tried to cut my own:)

My first roll was a spicy tuna and cucumber...not bad eh?

Not wanting to leave us with just one technique, the team then went on to show us how to make nigiri, fish atop a bed of rice, as well as what I like to call a 'sushi basket', which is perfect for things like spicy tuna, any kind of tartar or roe.
After two hours of sushi making and sake drinking (we had three different kinds of sake, my favorite of which was the sparkling sake at the end),I felt that I had accomplished much more than I usualy do at dinner.
Sushi and Sake 101 is a perfect evening to have fun, to learn and to create, not to mention, it makes for a nice gift, an interesting date or a perfect tool to set yourself up for a sushi making party of your own!

Sojourn in Montreal:)

(Jazz Festival)

Although I am from Toronto, when asked which Canadian city is my favorite, my heart always goes out to Montreal.  There are a few reasons for this, notably that I spent many of my formative, high school years in this city, met some of my dearest friends and love the french language.  Most of all though, I love the city in the summer.  It really comes alive with festivals, culture and great weather.  Of course, the fantastic food scene certainly helps:) 

Last year, I was able to frequent quite a few special restaurants, this year however, I went with less frills and enjoyed tastes of Montreal, in between outdoor festivals and other random wanderings.

Staying away from restaurants mostly, my friend could not help but to introduce me to one of her favorite vegetarian bistros.  I am no vegetarian myself, but can appreciate the work that goes into a fully vegetarian-friendly meal. Chuchai, a Thai-vegetarian restaurant on St. Denis, specializes in traditional Thai flavors and dishes without any meat or fish!

We tried their famous peanut soy Crispy Duck on a bed of wilted spinach, it both looked and tasted quite like duck, but was made with a vegetarian protein, seitan.  We also had some crunchy seaweed sprinkled with sesame and their rendition of Pad Thai. Everything was tasty and fresh, however what really blew me away was their 'Five flavor finger food', pictured above. These little bites held explosive flavors, from the bitter leaf to the citrus kick from the lime, a nutty cashew, crunch from some strange twiggy things and tang from a bright pepper.  It is difficult to describe, but it was a major kamikaze of flavor in your mouth!

People who have never been to Eastern Canada or Montreal may be surprised to hear just how hot and humid it can get in the summer. With average daily temperatures of 85 and higher, ice cream is a daily requirement. Luckily, Montreal has a fantastic ice cream selection, my favorite being Bilboquet, an artisanal ice cream purveyor with the best Mango Sorbet I have yet encountered. I also branched out and tried their 'Brou ha ha', a concoction of vanilla ice cream with brownies, praline coated nuts and caramel swirl. Another favorite is their 'Cacophonie', a rich, dark chocolate base with white chocolate chunks and cashews. I could go on reciting every one of their flavors...but I won't:)

Another tenet of Montreal's food scene are their bagels.  At various spots around the city, you can find a bagel shop that has huge, brick ovens that turn out the most delicious bagels.  I would suggest going for one of their regular, sesame bagels.  Always fresh out of the oven, these babies are crispy on the outside, and a doughy, cloud of heaven on the inside...oh and did I mention? They are open 24 hours...

Being a city with a European flair, espresso bars are in no shortage.  Another one of my friend's favorite spots is Pikolo, located on Sherbrooke and Parc Avenue. Buzzing with students from any one of the amazing schools near the downtown area, Pikolo is home to delicious coffee, robust espresso and really friendly people.

On my final visit here, it was their one year anniversary and along with half priced coffee beverages, they were serving slices of delicious dark chocolate, raspberry cake. Need I say that I had never felt more at home in a coffee shop? I should also mention that I have dubbed their latte, the 'Best in North America'. No joke!

My trip to Montreal would not have been complete without a visit to the year round, outdoor Marche Jean Talon.  The bright, colorful produce on display at the numerous markets was such a tease considering I went on my very last day in the city!

Luckily, I was able to enjoy a freshly baked Almond Croissant and a date and orange muffin from Premiere Moisson conveniently located at the Market...all was not lost:)

 

These are just a few tid bites of what I picked up here and there in Montreal throughout my visit. There was so much more and I could have stayed a while longer, but sometimes, you have to leave wanting more.

As I left it this time, I already cannot wait to revisit my favorite city!

Celebrating the Chefs of Tomorrow, with the Chefs of Today!

 After three days of impressive humidity, baking heat and record high temperatures, the clouds decided to break just as eager foodies were gathering at Boston's Seaport Hotel for the 15th annual Chefs in Shorts event.  Bringing together around 40 of Boston's best chefs, this event is built to celebrate food while raising funds for Future Chefs, an organization which supports early employment and field opportunities in the culinary fields.  

Right off the bat, I ran into William, aka, The Boston Foodie who introduced me to some of the Future Chefs team.  It was wonderful to meet them and chat a bit about the great initiatives they are working towards...all while promoting some of our current chefs:)

 After our chat, I went straight to the booths where, despite the rain and wind, chefs were producing delicious sample-sized dishes....oh and a larger-than-life pot of hand-made guacamole, as pictured above, by Rosa Mexicano.

 It is always intersting to note the trends of the year.  This time around, it was definitely a tie between tacos (the The Taco Truck even made an appearance..and their food was nice and dry:) ), and sliders. 

 Through the array of burgers offered, my favorite was, without a hint of a doubt, the duck burger with blueberry jam/ketchup and foie gras aioli from Top of the Hub..sound glutinous? Somehow, the savory with the blueberry worked perfectly together...and I was not the only person to think so:)

 A close second in terms of favorite was the shrimp roll from Market at the W. So simple...but so delicious! 

Lucky for me, the desserts had been placed under the archways, so they were saved from the rain and I could not have been happier. Isabelle's Curly Cakes and Kickass Cupcakes both made appearances and it was tough to decide which were better...different would be the more suitable answer.

Funnily enough, it was not the food that blew me away, certainly there were many delicious dishes to have, but it was actually everybody's dedication that most impressed me. The fact that on a miserable, windy and rainy Friday evening, such a crowd both of fantastic chefs and food lovers, would stick out the weather in the highest of spirits is truly heart warming. I saw no surly faces, only happy and enthused exchanges, even during the worst of the weather.  Of course, once the rain cleared and everyone had this view of Boston's skyline to take in...the fight was even more worth it. 

Events like this show chefs at their finest; able to present renditions of their classic dishes under pressure and sometimes, extreme weather conditions.  Events like this are more than just about the food, they are about bringing people together to enjoy what food has to offer, a sense of community, friendship and an overall appreciation of the future of Boston's food scene.

Seaport by noon

 It's summer 2012.  Sure, the weather does not always reflect expected norms...but on a day like today (95 degrees!?), you want to make sure you get yourself over to the Seaport District where beautiful views and optimal dining options are available.

 My friend and I were lucky to catch a break in the cloudy weather last week and enjoyed the sun at a window table overlooking Boston's harbour at Del Frisco's.

They had just rolled out a few new and exciting items on their lunch menu - and we went for them:)

 

 I don't usually order salads at restaurants, but when one boasts a size-able portion of deliciously pink Ahi Tuna, seared just right with a nice mix of greens, avocado and sliced, toasted almonds, it is hard to resist.  This salad is fresh and light, the dressing is tangy and compliments without overloading. In fact, it is so subtle, it simply infuses the greens with a more complex and intriguing flavor.

 For our entree, we ordered their steak sandwich with gravy and horseradish for dipping.  This was my least favorite dish, but whatever shortcomings were far outweighed by the success of their Sole Francese (pictured above).

A lightly egg-battered fillet of sole topped with the most succulent and meaty lump crab is a delight right until the last bite.

 Even though it was lunch, my friend and I could not resist a slice of their signature Lemon Layer Cake - six layers of moist lemon cake separated by lemon curd and finished with a thick and creamy lemon frosting...you may think this would be too much lemon, but when it is a house made dessert, it goes down an absolute treat:)

 Another great spot to enjoy the summer weather and view is Sam's at Louis, a neat concept, joining clothing store, salon and restaurant in one building.

Salads were also the favorite option here, I got their lettuce salad with daily vegetables and my friend got their quinoa and grapefruit salad with grilled chicken. Both were great chocies for a nice summer day.  We also tried their BLT, but it simply does not live up to my favorite rendition made at Flour:)

Eating in the Seaport district has many perks other than the obvious treat of Boston's Harbor and sky line on a sunny day.  You are also steps away from the ICA, where many exciting exhibits can be seen throughout the summer...not to mention they have a breathtaking observation deck from which unparalleled views are there for the taking.
If you can manage to sneak away for a lunch time slot, you will likely get to enjoy all that this area has to offer, without dealing with wait times and lunch menus are also often much more affordable:)
Don't miss the roof deck at Legal Harborside either..so many options!