Ourfaves.com faves feed: robin's latest faves

robin's fave spring-time picnic spot/event is at the High Park cherry grove

robin — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:51:49 GMT

robin's fave spring-time picnic spot/event is at the High Park cherry grove because Each year, around the first weekend of May, when the cherry trees bloom, people come to High Park to picnic and make merry under them. The trees look amazing, laden with white flowers, and there's something really special about so many people - young, old, families, hipsters, dogs, neo-hippies, former ravers, Japanese folks, shutterbugs - all coming out to play together. There's even ambient electronic music! Bring your own blanket/wine/bbq/devil sticks/funky get-up/dog/hula hoop/dancing shoes.

robin's fave place for a locally-sourced meal - west end is at Cowbell

robin — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:42:10 GMT

robin's fave place for a locally-sourced meal - west end is at Cowbell because I love everything about this place. From the tile floors to the damask-upholstered benches, the local seasonal flower arrangements and the milk bottle water pitchers. But I especially love the food. The menu is nearly all local and seasonal. They churn their own butter and butcher their own meat. And because of all this, what you get is unbelievably flavourful food that actually reminds you what all food ought to be like, with every bite. It's what your grandma ate, but fancier.

robin's fave butter is at Cowbell

robin — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:35:08 GMT

robin's fave butter is at Cowbell because They churn it themselves! So creamy! And perfect with the rustic baguettes they serve.

robin's fave Panna Cotta is at Cowbell

robin — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:33:21 GMT

robin's fave Panna Cotta is at Cowbell because Cowbell impresses with most every one of its offerings, but it was this mouth watering dessert that really put the meal over the top. Creamy and smooth as silk with that delicious marscapone tang, and just enough sweetness, it was really something. Chocoholic that I am, I was loathe to actually trade off desserts with my partner half way through, as planned (he got the chocolate terrine/mousse/souffle trio). We traded back for last bites. : )

robin's fave Pizza is at Camarra Pizzeria Ristorante

robin — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:10:55 GMT

robin's fave Pizza is at Camarra Pizzeria Ristorante because My BF used to go to Camarra's as a kid. He recently pointed it out, with nostalgia, on a drive through the city. The very next day, a Featured Faver included Camarra as his number one pizza in the city. It was time to give it a try. And it still stacked up. Wonderful, soft, crispy-edged crust. Delicious sauce (buy it bottled to take home). Amazing signature topping combos, and no option of toppings you wouldn't find on a traditional pie in Italy. Cozy surrounds. And an amazing waiter. Go.

robin's fave cheap cool clothing store is at Forever 21

robin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:34:42 GMT

robin's fave cheap cool clothing store is at Forever 21 because Really cute, hip clothes and accessories in a real range of current styles, for unbelievably low prices. And you can shop online too, with free shipping for orders over $75. Too good.

robin's fave old school bowlerama is at Bathurst Bowlerama

robin — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:29:56 GMT

robin's fave old school bowlerama is at Bathurst Bowlerama because I love classic bowling alleys. This one's got 5- and 10-pin options, rock'n'bowl glow-in-the-dark weekend bowling, and plenty of junk (and beer) at the snack bar to keep your twinkle toes moving, frame after frame. We went by on a Monday afternoon, and happily found it was "Monday Madness" - bowl for 50 cents a game (after per person fee and shoe rental). Good clean fun.

robin's fave substantial and healthy salad is at Urban Herbivore

robin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:02:35 GMT

robin's fave substantial and healthy salad is at Urban Herbivore because Choose your perferred greens and build out, selecting 6 tasty toppings from among a couple dozen. Seasoned and grilled tempehs and tofus, toasted nuts and seeds, a variety of steamed, raw and grilled veggies and sprouted pulses and seeds- all so flavourful, colourful and nutritious. The lemon tahini dressing is always my fave. And everything's organic. The place is cheery, and offers great views of Kensington. And the take-out containers are bio-degradable.

robin's fave daytime patio is at Moonbeam Cafe

robin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 11:52:38 GMT

robin's fave daytime patio is at Moonbeam Cafe because I love Kensington, especially once the weather gets warm. And a sunny morning or afternoon on the patio of the Moonbeam is the perfect way to celebrate the return of spring. Have some great java, one of their vegan or standard baked sweets, or a savoury boreka, and enjoy the great people watching.

robin's fave gourmet hot dogs is at Buddha Dog

robin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:51:17 GMT

robin's fave gourmet hot dogs is at Buddha Dog because I've only tried one variety so far - a flavourful and lean organic link in a soft bakery fresh bun, dressed up in mapley condiment. So delicious - it reminded me of eating really good sausage and pancakes with maple syrup. Sooooo country Canadiana good. I'm going back for more.

robin's fave hotel lobby/resto is at Hotel Le Germain

robin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:32:29 GMT

robin's fave hotel lobby/resto is at Hotel Le Germain because I would move in to the lobby of Le Germain if I could. I would revel in all the extra Asian-inspired cubby storage, and throw the most kick-ass dinner parties in the elegant dining area, just adjacent. I just love all the clean lines, bright open space, natural materials, and comfortable modern furniture in soft neutral hues. They also have the most unusual and gorgeous flower arrangements. Also great? The whimsical ski-like wooden markers that divide the space.

robin's fave meeting venue is at Hotel Le Germain

robin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:23:23 GMT

robin's fave meeting venue is at Hotel Le Germain because This is such a super spot to hold a medium-sized meeting with colleagues. No institutional meeting rooms or awful throwback conference facilities here - you get beautiful gourmet luncheon and cocktail/hor d'oeuvre service, and professional pow-wow facilities with 5-element flair. Our area was sleek, peaceful and comfortable, yet perfectly suited to talking shop. The service was great. The thoughtful extra touches many. The food, delish.

robin's fave amaretto cookie is at Cherry Bomb

robin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:55:34 GMT

robin's fave amaretto cookie is at Cherry Bomb because Comprised mostly of ground almonds, these sweet, chewy treats are irresistably delicious. One of the best cookies around for nut-lovin' sweet-tooths.

robin's fave travel agency is at Flight Centre

robin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:28:37 GMT

robin's fave travel agency is at Flight Centre because I've always had great service from the folks at Flight Centre. I'm a traveller who likes to do a lot of research myself, but then consults a professional to help expand my horizons, price things out the best way possible, and find the answers to all my remaining questions in a jiffy. Kate Perrier at the St. Clair and Bathurst branch has been really amazing. She's a well-seasoned traveller who understands my travel personality really well. It's always a pleasure working with her.

robin's fave Indian Food is at Lahore Tika House

robin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:02:53 GMT

robin's fave Indian Food is at Lahore Tika House because Yes, you sit in a drafty portable at picnic tables (blame the never-ending reno), and yes, you must eat from paper and styrofoam using plastic utensils. But Lahore's south Asian homestyle cookery is so good, you'll have a hard time remembering the annoyances. Feast on remarkably delicious grilled meats and fish, savoury curries, perfect pilau, flatbreads, lassi and ice cream. And enjoy the prompt and friendly service.

robin's fave car sharing service is at AutoShare

robin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:30:38 GMT

robin's fave car sharing service is at AutoShare because Now I can live out all my road-tripping and large-item hauling dreams on a part-time, economical, relatively green basis. Living downtown, I prefer cycling and TTCing it where possible, but here and there, a girl needs a car or van, and Autoshare makes that possible on an hourly or daily basis, keeping hundreds of new vehicles parked around the city for easy and immediate access by members, around the clock. It's super convenient, and a great alternative to owning a car.

robin's fave open mic reading series is at Grown Ups Read Things They Wrote as Kids

robin — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:31:53 GMT

robin's fave open mic reading series is at Grown Ups Read Things They Wrote as Kids because Brainchild of the inimitable Dan Misener (of CBC radio's GO!), GURTTWaK is a delight. Last night's installment touched my funny bone, my heart, and the deepest recesses of my memory, and made me see we may all be connected by a collective cache of duotanged diaries, illustrated compositions, and laminated juvenalia masterworks, and the honest and unselfconcious imaginations and insights preserved within them.

robin's fave wonton soup is at Lai Toh Heen

robin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:53:40 GMT

robin's fave wonton soup is at Lai Toh Heen because A delicate, flavourful chicken broth with three perfect orbs of thin, tender, shrimp-stuffed dough, this is the kind of soup my dinner companion's Bubbie would have made if she were Chinese (he said). That means it's really good. My Bubbie is a Granny, but I'd have to concur. This is an outstanding dumpling soup to rival any that helped to set your standards for all soups to come. Delicious, and without any of that MSG umami so typical of garden variety wonton soup.

robin's fave creme brulee is at Celestin

robin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:48:19 GMT

robin's fave creme brulee is at Celestin because They say a great creme brulee is the mark of a great chef and so a great restaurant. I can't say I've met too pots de creme I didn't like, but Celestin's is outstanding. Flavoured with the merest hint of vanilla, torched to reveal its candy coating, and garnished with fresh framboises and a slender choconut crisp, it was heaven in a ramekin.

robin's fave oreo milkshake is at Caffe Demetre

robin — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:43:58 GMT

robin's fave oreo milkshake is at Caffe Demetre because I hadn't been to Demetre's in years, but apparently they have about a dozen locations now, all churning out homemade ice cream and ice cream treats, along with an assortment of baked goods, coffee drinks and other sweet indulgences. I opted for the "O.C." - a real mikshake made from homemade honey ice cream and oreo cookies, served in a fudge-lined glass (!) and topped with real whipped cream and cookie pieces. In case there was any doubt, that turns out to be good.