Cheap Eats Toronto restaurant guide blog

Vintages Value List Release Saturday July 19, 2008

Hello there! Vintages has uncannily hit the mark once again with the upcoming release focusing on white wine.  The sweltering weather of late calls for leisure – be it lounging on your deck, dock or boat or staying cool by the pool.  All of the above activities go well with fresh, crisp, chilled white wine, friends/family and scrumptious snacks that completely hit the hunger mark.  If extreme leisure isn't in the cards – what better than a chilled bottle of white beckoning from the fridge after a sweaty commute from the office?  Without further adieu, here are our picks: WHITE WINE 76570 Domaine des Lauriers Picpoul de Pinet (Midi, FR) $14.95 This white is best served with flavourful, rich foods like grilled veggie pasta & chevre or seafood.  It is more herbaceous than fruity – an overall good food-wine. 
  27409 Irony Chardonnay 2005 (Napa, CA) $19.95 We saw the label and looked at each other and simultaneously said, "Napa - $19.95 – NO WAY! Let's give it a whirl.  We nosed and caught lees, spice, and hints of new oak – definitely a Chard.  The wine is quite elegant with interesting structure.  Lots of spice and grapefruit, apple is absent.   948182 La Griffe Bernard Chéreau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2006 (Loire, FR) $15.95 This one is fresh and luscious.  There's a touch of appleand good fruit in this wine.   43281 Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2007 (VQA) $16.95 The bottle was empty but we have been loving another Flat Rock white - a relatively new addition to the Essentials portfolio – so we were initially disappointed that we couldn't taste their Riesling.  A few of the product consultants said it was great, so there you go!  That and the fact that 2007 was a stellar vintage for Ontario make it a safe bet. 
  996017 Pfaffenheim Gewuzstraminer Cuvée Bacchus 2006 (Alsace, Fr) $19.95 Brimming with lush tropical fruit and spice, excellent as an aperitif or served with dessert. 
  ROSE 59147 Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2007 (Chile) $10.95 This must be well-chilled – but even warm in the tasting room, the flavor belied an excellent value.  Full-flavoured. 
  RED WINE 683110 Lockwood Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Monterey, CA) $14.95 Fruit forward but not over the top, very well balanced, dry with loads of dark fruit and toast.  This is an excellent value for a Cali Cab.
  361782 Firesteed Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) $17.95 Wow what an awesome value for a Pinot from Oregon.  This number has flavours of black cherry and raspberry, well rounded with a seam of acidity and a hint of oak.   3509 Chakana Malbec 2007 (Mendoza, Argentina) $13.95 Big and inky, with loads of black fruit, cocoa and toasty oak.  Quaff this down with casual fare al fresco.
  960542 Montgras Reserva Carmenère (Colchagua Valley, Chile) $12.95 A good quaff for your buck, flavours of plum and black cherry and a lingering tobacco finish.   363358 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2005 (Sonoma, CA) $24.95 Oh those knotty vines of Rodney Strong produced sheer elegance in this Zin, featuring blackberry a seam of acidity, soft tannins and some spice.
  Jean-Luc Baldès Le Petit Clos Cahors 2005 (Southwest, Fr) $17.95 A blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot, featuring aromas and flavours of licorice, dark fruit and cedar.  This gem will develop beautifully over the next 3-5 years.     FRUIT WINE 117366 Mariandl Sparkling Apricot (Austria) $9.95 This is a zany wine – fizzy, sweet, fruity, 7% alcohol – FUN!  If you're in a silly mood – try it, you'll smile. (This  one's for you Punkass!)   Don't forget, you can always find the Vintages Value List on www.cetoblog.com.   ALP Rose & Karen   NB – We generally do not recommend that you NOT purchase a product on release – but this time we are compelled to do so.  DO NOT BUY Megalomaniac Pink Slip Rose fr. Ontario.  The bottle sports a very compelling label and the name is catchy, fun & enticing.  The wine is absolutely vile – this product was produced by marketers not winemakers. 

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Vintages Value List Release Saturday July 19, 2008

Hello there! Vintages has uncannily hit the mark once again with the upcoming release focusing on white wine.  The sweltering weather of late calls for leisure – be it lounging on your deck, dock or boat or staying cool by the pool.  All of the above activities go well with fresh, crisp, chilled white wine, friends/family and scrumptious snacks that completely hit the hunger mark.  If extreme leisure isn't in the cards – what better than a chilled bottle of white beckoning from the fridge after a sweaty commute from the office?  Without further adieu, here are our picks: WHITE WINE 76570 Domaine des Lauriers Picpoul de Pinet (Midi, FR) $14.95 This white is best served with flavourful, rich foods like grilled veggie pasta & chevre or seafood.  It is more herbaceous than fruity – an overall good food-wine. 
  27409 Irony Chardonnay 2005 (Napa, CA) $19.95 We saw the label and looked at each other and simultaneously said, "Napa - $19.95 – NO WAY! Let's give it a whirl.  We nosed and caught lees, spice, and hints of new oak – definitely a Chard.  The wine is quite elegant with interesting structure.  Lots of spice and grapefruit, apple is absent.   948182 La Griffe Bernard Chéreau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2006 (Loire, FR) $15.95 This one is fresh and luscious.  There's a touch of appleand good fruit in this wine.   43281 Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2007 (VQA) $16.95 The bottle was empty but we have been loving another Flat Rock white - a relatively new addition to the Essentials portfolio – so we were initially disappointed that we couldn't taste their Riesling.  A few of the product consultants said it was great, so there you go!  That and the fact that 2007 was a stellar vintage for Ontario make it a safe bet. 
  996017 Pfaffenheim Gewuzstraminer Cuvée Bacchus 2006 (Alsace, Fr) $19.95 Brimming with lush tropical fruit and spice, excellent as an aperitif or served with dessert. 
  ROSE 59147 Valdivieso Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2007 (Chile) $10.95 This must be well-chilled – but even warm in the tasting room, the flavor belied an excellent value.  Full-flavoured. 
  RED WINE 683110 Lockwood Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Monterey, CA) $14.95 Fruit forward but not over the top, very well balanced, dry with loads of dark fruit and toast.  This is an excellent value for a Cali Cab.
  361782 Firesteed Pinot Noir 2006 (Oregon) $17.95 Wow what an awesome value for a Pinot from Oregon.  This number has flavours of black cherry and raspberry, well rounded with a seam of acidity and a hint of oak.   3509 Chakana Malbec 2007 (Mendoza, Argentina) $13.95 Big and inky, with loads of black fruit, cocoa and toasty oak.  Quaff this down with casual fare al fresco.
  960542 Montgras Reserva Carmenère (Colchagua Valley, Chile) $12.95 A good quaff for your buck, flavours of plum and black cherry and a lingering tobacco finish.   363358 Rodney Strong Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2005 (Sonoma, CA) $24.95 Oh those knotty vines of Rodney Strong produced sheer elegance in this Zin, featuring blackberry a seam of acidity, soft tannins and some spice.
  Jean-Luc Baldès Le Petit Clos Cahors 2005 (Southwest, Fr) $17.95 A blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot, featuring aromas and flavours of licorice, dark fruit and cedar.  This gem will develop beautifully over the next 3-5 years.     FRUIT WINE 117366 Mariandl Sparkling Apricot (Austria) $9.95 This is a zany wine – fizzy, sweet, fruity, 7% alcohol – FUN!  If you're in a silly mood – try it, you'll smile. (This  one's for you Punkass!)   Don't forget, you can always find the Vintages Value List on www.cetoblog.com.   ALP Rose & Karen   NB – We generally do not recommend that you NOT purchase a product on release – but this time we are compelled to do so.  DO NOT BUY Megalomaniac Pink Slip Rose fr. Ontario.  The bottle sports a very compelling label and the name is catchy, fun & enticing.  The wine is absolutely vile – this product was produced by marketers not winemakers. 

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V V List Release Saturday July 19, 2008

Hello there!

Vintages has uncannily hit the mark once again with the upcoming release focusing on white wine. The sweltering weather of late calls for leisure – be it lounging on your deck, dock or boat or staying cool by the pool. All of the above activities go well with fresh, crisp, chilled white wine, friends/family and scrumptious snacks that completely hit the hunger mark. If extreme leisure isn't in the cards – what better than a chilled bottle of white beckoning from the fridge after a sweaty commute from the office?

Without further adieu, here are our picks:

WHITE WINE

76570 Domaine des Lauriers Picpoul de Pinet (Midi, FR) $14.95

This white is best served with flavourful, rich foods like grilled veggie pasta & chevre or seafood. It is more herbaceous than fruity – an overall good food-wine.

27409 Irony Chardonnay 2005 (Napa, CA) $19.95

We saw the label and looked at each other and simultaneously said, "Napa - $19.95 – NO WAY! Let's give it a whirl. We nosed and caught lees, spice, and hints of new oak – definitely a Chard. The wine is quite elegant with interesting structure. Lots of spice and grapefruit, apple is absent.

948182 La Griffe Bernard Chéreau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2006 (Loire, FR) $15.95

This one is fresh and luscious. There's a touch of apple and good fruit in this wine.

VV List Release Saturday July 5, 2008

Hello Everyone!

We trust this newsletter finds you all doing very well and enjoying the full onslaught of summer. We hit the tasting room the day after Canada Day and found an interesting selection of quaffers. The theme of this week's release is "HITTING THE HEIGHTS" – featuring Malbec from Argentina. Bordeaux is Malbec's birthplace, where this fine grape is used as an auxiliary blender. As a stand-alone grape from Argentina – the result is a full-bodied wine with plentiful fruit and silky tannins. We are recommending two of the Malbecs on offer, but have a plethora of other tasty tipples to recommend.

WHITE WINES

707158 Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2007 (Lombardy – Italy) $15.95

This is one of our returning faves showing delicate floral aromas with peach, citrus and melon flavours. Delightfully crisp and refreshing, enjoy solo or paired with light summertime dishes.

669531 Michel Gassier Les Piliers Viognier 2007 (Midi – France) $18.95

Half the juice for this Viognier was fermented in new French oak and the other half fermented in stainless steel featuring subtle aromas of candied fruit and hints of vanilla, with apricot, peach and tangerine on the palate and an ample finish.

Breakfast in the Sky

I just returned from what is probably the most invigorating breakfast I have ever had, all to launch Amex's Summerlicious (July 4-20). But more on that later... right now I'm still buzzing from eating yoghurt & granola 35 metres above Yonge-Dundas Square.

As part of Amex's launch of Summerlicious, I was invited to have breakfast in the sky with Dinner in the Sky.  22 of us were seated, strapped in and hoisted up, up and up!  Then the champagne was popped and we all cheered, while I gripped the edge of the table tightly.

The chef, server, photographer & safety guy were walking around in the centre of the table looking after us all.  We were served Yoghurt, granola & fruit with pastries and we ate our breakfast, sipped our mimosas and snapped photos to our hearts content. All while dangling in the air on level with the huge billboards that surround Dundas Square..

The chairs even swivelled all the way around so you could dangle your feet and feel truly adventurous. All the while safely strapped into your seat with 3 separate seatbelts.

I've been waiting to try a Dinner in the Sky since I read about it being launched in London, so when I was invited to come out for it's launch in Canada, it was hard to control my enthusiasm.

It was the most invigorating breakfast I've every had and one of my top 10 dining experiences so far.  The food was okay, the company was great and the view was spectacular. And it just got better when I relaxed enough to swing my chair around a bit.

This is a not to be missed dining experience and a fantastic way to build some buzz around Summerlicious.

Thanks to Amex, Dinner in the Sky & Hill & Knowlton for the invite!

C'est What Festival of Local Wineries

I just got the following note about C'est What's Festival of Local Wineries TONIGHT - Wed June 25th.    

I know that C'est What has a reputation for craft beer but our love of all things local extends to wine as well.

On Wednesday June 25 from 5 to 10 p.m. we will be featuring a fine selection of almost forty different vintages for you to sample. Representatives from Calamus, Dan Aykroyd, EastDell, Harbour Estates, Henry Of Pelham, Hillebrand, Reif, Silver Peak Wine Cellars, and Vineland. will be on hand to help you increase your VQA IQ.

Admission is free, samples are $1.50 each or eight for $10 (all taxes inc.)

Cheers, George
C'est What Brew/Vin Pub-Restaurant
67 Front St. E. (at Church)
Toronto, ON

It's short notice, but if their recent Porters & Stouts Tasting was any example, this should be a excellent opportunity to sample a range of wines and learn a little at the same time.

Technorati Tags: toronto, c'est what, wine tasting, local wineries, festival of local wineries, dan aykroyd, calamus, eastdell, harbour estates, henry of pelham, hillebrand, reif estate, silver peak wine cellars, vineland

We've Come A Long Way, Baby

Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto, will join nursing mothers and their babies to give a “Breastfeeding Anytime Anywhere” decal to Commensal Vegetarian Restaurant, the first restaurant in Toronto to register as Breastfeeding Friendly under a new Toronto Public Health program.

Commensal Vegetarian Restaurant
655 Bay St, N of Dundas
More Info on Commensal in CheapEats Toronto pg. 94

Later this week, 6000 restaurants across the city will be receiving information packages on Breastfeeding in restaurants, the legal right to breastfeed anywhere anytime and some techniques for "handling" customers who complain about it.

While it's natural and very good for the babies, breastfeeding is still highly controversial in restaurants.

Will the new "Breastfeeding Friendly" signs influence which restaurant you chose to go to?

V V List Release Saturday June 21, 2008

Karen's away on vacation. This weeks release is highlighting Europe's Wine Rivers, and she's not there. Here are the picks of the release.

SPARKLING WINE

665372 Codorníu Brut Cava Pinot Noir Rosé (Spain) $16.95

Made in the traditional method "Champagne" this sparkler features fresh berry flavours and some earthy notes, dry but quite refreshing.

WHITE WINES

065979 Domaine Dominique Pabiot Pouilly-Fumé 2006 (Loire – France) $19.95

Wow, aromas and palate of asparagus, gooseberry, grass and citrus and a refreshingly zingy finish. Pair with light summertime fare.

066407 Domaine Gérard Neumeyer Pinot Gris Le Berger 2006 (Alsace – France) $19.95

This Alsatian off dry beauty packs in a wallop of lush exotic fruit and pineapple, wonderfully balanced.

Vintages Value List for Saturday June 7, 2008

Hello Everyone!

Our beloved Vintages has a real knack for showcasing products that are seemingly out of reach - at least for many of us. This week they are releasing some wonderful products from Champagne with the tag line "no jacket required", implying that these products are quite affordable. They are affordable for the most part, ringing in between $45-$65 – but when the only jacket you own is made of denim – even these price points are a stretch!

Good thing they are providing us with other products. We tasted some amazing wines this past week and we're delighted to share our findings with you!

SPARKLING WINE (from The "other" side of the LCBO known as General List)

352369 Freixenet Brut de Noirs (Penedes, Spain) $12.85

This is quite dry, yet refreshing. A great sparkler for the $$$.

Toronto Taste

You'll just have to come to Toronto Taste and find out.

Join Toronto’s most inventive and altruistic chefs as they create some of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever have the privilege of tasting at Second Harvest's

Toronto Taste 2008  

Chef's are giving their passion and skill (and donating all their ingredients) so you can enjoy gourmet fare and equally impressive libations – all to support Second Harvest – Sunday, June 8th, 2008.

Here are some photos from Toronto Taste 2007.

Tickets are $225 and even with the tax receipt for $125 this is not a CheapEat, however it's a great event for an even greater cause.

For tickets and more information Click Here

or help out by:

• donating to Second Harvest
• buying a raffle ticket 
• volunteering at Toronto Taste.

Technorati Tags: second harvest, toronto taste, toronto taste 2008, toronto chefs, toronto restaurants, food events

[For disclosure purposes: I am on the Steering Committee for Toronto Taste 2008. ]