Ourfaves.com faves feed: Vanessa's latest faves

Vanessa's fave Charity Event is at Eat to the Beat

Vanessa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:34:25 GMT

Vanessa's fave Charity Event is at Eat to the Beat because Research into Breast Cancer is important, but sometimes we need to look at the now and focus on how it is affecting people as we speak. Willow provides support services to relatives, co-workers, those afflicted, and everyone else in between who are dealing with Breast Cancer. They can provide you information on finances to scientific research. Help support their efforts! It doesn't hurt that the event has 60 female chefs dishing up tasty treats alongside 15 breweries and wineries pouring freely.

Vanessa's fave midcetury modern reproductions is at DESIGN WITHIN REACH

Vanessa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:25:22 GMT

Vanessa's fave midcetury modern reproductions is at DESIGN WITHIN REACH because It might be all reproductions with a smattering of new great design dotted within, but it's the attitude about the furniture that I love. Bring your kids, dogs and whole family to try out the beautiful and well made furniture, it's more than ok that it's even suggested!

Vanessa's fave bamieh is at NASR

Vanessa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:21:28 GMT

Vanessa's fave bamieh is at NASR because The helpful ladies at the pastries counter will help you pick out these wonderful things. Crisp bullet shaped fried nuggets with threads of saffron all throughout are soaked in a honey concoction for a sickly sweet treat. Theirs remain crisp and are full of that delicious saffron flavour, you can't find any better.

Vanessa's fave middle eastern grocer is at NASR

Vanessa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:19:47 GMT

Vanessa's fave middle eastern grocer is at NASR because They have every Middle Eastern ingredient you need and much much more. Whether it be the tasty and fresh lahmacun that runs out each day or the green dates in the bins, what you need will be there unless they run out. Also love their bahmieh, crisp nuggets of fried dough infused with small threads of saffron and soaked in honey. Perfect poppable dessert.

Vanessa's fave lahmacun is at NASR

Vanessa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:17:40 GMT

Vanessa's fave lahmacun is at NASR because Otherwise known as a Turkish pizza, only the round flat of dough and putting the toppings on top are the only things that make it remotely pizza like. No dairy makes it great for the lactose intolerant and an amazing easy snack for everyone else. NASR gets them in from a master making them in his own home and reusing bread bags to package them for sale. Great meat, great spices and great crisp crust after a visit into a toaster oven. Perfection.

Vanessa's fave set plate sushi is at Le Cafe Michi

Vanessa — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:11:36 GMT

Vanessa's fave set plate sushi is at Le Cafe Michi because The pricing can be sky high for a-la-carte ordering of their delicious recommended daily fish, but ordering up a cafe au lait will get you all the best goodies at a great price plus a slice of cake. It's also fun to stick around during the odd hours between lunch and dinner, watch Toshi pull apart a whole Kanpachi and see his knife skills at work. Bonus that they're open for lunch and dinner nearly daily.

Vanessa's fave bahn mi is at Nguyen Huong

Vanessa — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:03:50 GMT

Vanessa's fave bahn mi is at Nguyen Huong because Absolutely the cheapest and best snack possible at $1.75. The assorted cold cuts are the way to go. always ask for extra cilantro!

Vanessa's fave chinese fast food is at King's Noodle Restaurant

Vanessa — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:48:55 GMT

Vanessa's fave chinese fast food is at King's Noodle Restaurant because we're not talking dirty north americanized breaded chicken balls and sweet and sour everything, but that stuff that you would get dished out on a daily basis by a chinese grandmother who would scold you for not finishing all your grains of rice because it would mean your husband would have that many pocks in his face. always have to ask for the rice noodles made fresh at the front for soups and get the long fried dough sticks for congee. maybe it's not that homey but it's good enough for me.

Vanessa's fave bagel shop is at Bagel House

Vanessa — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:41:56 GMT

Vanessa's fave bagel shop is at Bagel House because Walking down Bayview there's nothing like the delicious smells coming out from the Bagel House. They knock St Urbains socks off any day with deliciously chewy and slightly sweet bagels. It's so easy to gobble a nearly half of the dozen I take to go before getting home.

Vanessa's fave dim sum downtown is at Kim Moon Bakery

Vanessa — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:31:25 GMT

Vanessa's fave dim sum downtown is at Kim Moon Bakery because At first peek the bakery looks like... a chinese bakery. But behind the bahn mi counter and display cases of sweet and savoury buns lies several tables and the waiting dim sum menu. The har gow have the thinnest of skins but beware that they might break. Fried eggplant stuffed with fish paste is crispy and delicious. Gigantic chicken feet and nice tasty bowls of rice with chicken and mushrooms on top. Nice people, no strong smell clinging to you when you leave, it's great!

Vanessa's fave bahn xeo is at Pho Phuong

Vanessa — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:25:24 GMT

Vanessa's fave bahn xeo is at Pho Phuong because Bahn xeo or the crispy pancake is so full of coconut and rich flavour that it's amazing. Compared to the soggy eggy versions around town that are more like omlettes, this stuffed pancake is wonderfully crispy and comes with some very fragrant herbs to give it that nice little kick.

Vanessa's fave cevapi is at Bosha

Vanessa — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:33:18 GMT

Vanessa's fave cevapi is at Bosha because Think breakfast sausages... but not as greasy and full of wonderful spice and as the perfect drinking sandwich. Several pieces of cevapi are stuffed into a fluffy chewy white bread and shares the space with a few rings of raw white onion. A little oil drizzle and few sprinklings of pepper on top make one of the dishes on the menu at Bosha. It's delicious and one of a kind. Be sure to try out their bourek as well and they'll sell any of it to you frozen to make at home!

Vanessa's fave Bubble Tea is at Ten Ren Tea Co Limited

Vanessa — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:16:31 GMT

Vanessa's fave Bubble Tea is at Ten Ren Tea Co Limited because Those little black tapioca balls might not have entirely caught on but maybe it's just because it's not done right at most of the places pouring out tasty fruity tealishy drinks. Ten Rens knows how to do it right with a good soft and chewy ball that's not at all mushy or hard at the same time. Love me some taro black milk tea these days. It's rich and somehow refreshing all at once with a nice mild bitter edge to balance the sweet.

Vanessa's fave film festival is at Reel Asian

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 19:19:16 GMT

Vanessa's fave film festival is at Reel Asian because It just passed this year but the film festival is a fantastic offering of international and local work focussing on Asian culture and the creators of interesting, quirky and heart felt films. Any films I missed from the line-up is definitely on my list to download or rent.

Vanessa's fave cretons is at Scheffler's Delicatessen

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:58:45 GMT

Vanessa's fave cretons is at Scheffler's Delicatessen because I haven't been able to find it anywhere else in Toronto except Cora's (and they're definitely not a fave) so the fatty pork product is perfect the way it is. Originating from Quebec it is a catch all recipe to keep the farmers going all day. Spread it over bread (I prefer paris toasts) for some good eating. Not exactly for the faint of heart.

Vanessa's fave pasteis natas is at Brazil Bakery And Pastry Ltd

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:53:20 GMT

Vanessa's fave pasteis natas is at Brazil Bakery And Pastry Ltd because Some might fave Venezia on Ossington but this place does it the way I love it. Crisp shell that's well baked and not lardy with a good creamy and eggy interior that's just a touch less sweet than the usuals. It's great with a coffee in the morning.

Vanessa's fave face cream is at Aveda

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:49:38 GMT

Vanessa's fave face cream is at Aveda because Addicted to their all-in-one moisturizer that's light and smooths on wonderfully. No heavy residues or oiliness but pefectly moisturized skin.

Vanessa's fave cheese shop is at Pasquale Bros

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:48:14 GMT

Vanessa's fave cheese shop is at Pasquale Bros because There is a limited selection of cheese but the rotation is often and the prices unbeatable. Roquefort is always my price comparison point and at approx $36/kilo it knocks the socks off every other place selling at $45. You do have to buy quite a bit at a time but grab a bottle of wine and share it with friends, they'll love you for it. House aged balsamic and a dizzying array of beautiful imports make it a go to place for sure.

Vanessa's fave sandwich combo is at Pasquale Bros

Vanessa — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 18:46:07 GMT

Vanessa's fave sandwich combo is at Pasquale Bros because Gourmet goodies line the shelves here and for $6 you can get a sandwich filled with their selection of beautiful deli meat and amazing array of cheese. No fresh product unfortunately because they only use what's in the shop, but ultimately that's not a bad thing! Then grab one of their premium drinks included in the combo. Taxes are already in! Dare you to find anything better than that.

Vanessa's fave oyster bar is at Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill Ltd

Vanessa — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 11:32:12 GMT

Vanessa's fave oyster bar is at Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill Ltd because It may be a seafood restaurant but the oyster bar is where the best action happens. They've been slammed for off service before but the bar will ensure a great time as you watch the shuckers masterfully pull apart some beautiful bivalves. This fall season is my favourite time of year, plump crisp and gorgeous oysters from France with mineral melon and sweetness that will have you asking for a half dozen and probably more.