Stephanie Dickison's Blog, page 41
September 10, 2020
September 6, 2020
September 3, 2020
September 1, 2020
August 27, 2020
August 26, 2020
August 24, 2020
CNE 2020 – Recreate iconic eats with CNE at Home
Ice cream waffle sandwiches. Tiny Tom donuts. Ninety-nine cent spaghetti. Roasted corn on the cob. Deep-fried chocolate bars.
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE, aka The Ex) is known for its iconic food as much as the rides and events. Between the international fare available at over 100 vendors in the mighty Food Building, and 60 concession stands on the Midway and throughout the grounds, there are tasty options for every budget.
While this year’s festivities have had to move online, you can recreate some elements of the bustling fair at home, including the tasty eats.
Crickets + cheesecake curds
The best part of the food scene at The Ex is new, exciting items are introduced annually while classics remain steadfastly on offer.
Deep-fried Mars Bars and deep-fried butter were introduced on Canada’s largest fairgrounds in 2010. Since then, battered foods of all sorts – cookie dough, Thanksgiving dinner, and even bubble gum – have caused a frenzy. But that was just the beginning of the rollout of outrageous concoctions.
In 2014, Toronto’s iconic diner Fran’s Ex-exclusive Thanksgiving Waffle made the headlines. 2016 introduced bacon “croissundaes” and insect-laden fare including Bug Dog a hot dog festooned with crispy mustard crickets, and Beetle Juice featuring roasted mealworm powder.
By 2017, extreme mashups had taken firm hold - Spaghetti Donut Ball, anyone? This trend continued into 2018 with Philthy Philly’s Chocolate Banana Steakclair, Vanilla-Pickle Ice Cream served in a ranch dill cone vis So Cute Ice Cream, and who can forget Bacon Nation’s The Golden Burger, complete with gilded bun for a cool $100?
Last year, the spotlight shone on an array of hybrid’s including Chef Al’s Haggis Macaroni & Smoked Cheese, Candy Time’s Cotton Candy Taco, Cheesecake Curds by The King of Curds, Eative’s Frozen Cookie Dough Spaghetti, and Pickle Lemonade by Splash.
Rainbow Grilled Cheese.
Choose your own adventure
This year, the food tour comes right to your door, with CNE Virtual Kitchen. The easy-to-follow cooking videos allow you to recreate some of this year’s iconic dishes in the comfort of your own home:
Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese* by Bacon Nation
Granny Smith Apple Fries by Event Foods
Bulgogi Taco* by Far East Taco
Homemade Japanese Soufflé Pancake* by FUWA FUWA Japanese Pancakes
Lobster Roll by Jake’s Seafood
Rainbow Grilled Cheese by Mac & Cheesery
Dim Sum Bao by Oriental Express
Philthy Philly’s Cheese Steak Sandwich* by Philthy Philly’s
Primo 99 cent Spaghetti by Primo Spaghetti 99
You’ll also find a list of ingredients, making grocery shopping that much easier. Not into cooking? Place your order instead - starred items above are available for takeout and/or delivery directly from individual restaurants.
This year’s roster also includes a CNE-inspired dish and drink by Liberty Commons at Big Rock Brewery. The Canadian brewpub and in Liberty Village is featuring The Spent Grains S’mores Funnel Cake ($9) by chef Ryan Lister and the Sky Ride Sour (5.5% abv), a limited-time nano-brew named for the iconic ride by Big Rock and the CNE - available while supplies last in the Beer Shop and Beer Garden ($4.25/can or $8/20 oz. pint).
Sights + sounds
To help bring the fairgrounds feel home, add in one or more of the following:
- a CNE Virtual Background
- an assortment of Midway fare - roasted corn, corn dogs, candy floss, Tiny Tom Donuts, ice cream waffles
- sounds of the midway
- socially distanced friends and fam
- one of the many scheduled virtual events, including the Virtual Busker Stage, Ghost Walks, Jam Session, SuperDogs, and Rising Star Talent Competition.
You can also purchase a CNE Box with goodies from vendors and tickets (2 or 4) to next year’s show.
It might not be the same as previous years, but this might be the only time you can “go to the Ex” in your pj’s.
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Share your CNE food memories on Instagram - what are your must-have dishes on the Midway and in the Food Building?
To keep up to date, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter.
August 20, 2020
Open/Closed: Toronto Restaurant News August 20-26, 2020
Pandemic be damned: 25 arrivals this week, 95 this month so far, and it’s not close to over. I can only imagine what’s in store for the next 11 days.
In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of restos, bars, cafes, bakeries, shops, patios, and drag brunches to get to.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Let’s face it, our junk food cravings shot waaay up during the pandemic. One way to get back on track: acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee), a superfood from Central and South American rainforests. Lucky for you, Midtown’s Açai Concept (2039 Yonge St.) has it by the gallon. Doors opened Saturday.
Bernhardt’s (202 Dovercourt Rd.) transformed Julie’s Snack Bar into a sweet spot for chicken, veg, wine and soft serve.
Gather your brew crew: Big Rig Kitchen and Brewery debuted earlier today at Mississauga’s Heartland Towne Centre (5860 Mavis Rd.).
Bobjo Express (3423 Lakeshore Blvd.) in Etobicoke solves the never-ending WFH mealtime dilemma with their bento boxes, poke bowls, soon tofu, and udon.
Not only is Bobooya (4850 Yonge St.) fun to say, the North York covers all your jokbal/bossam/cold noodle/soju needs simultaneously.
Summer 2020 will be remembered for a lot of things. New enticing, beachy patios we couldn’t get to fast enough, for one. Leave it to Paris Paris and Camp 4 to create the dreamy escape of The Caddi (1296 Queen St. W.). See you there.
Cheese Garden’s grand opening of their Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St, Level 1, Unit H017) spot near the fountain takes place this weekend with a BOGO event.
In the mood for Radish Soup ($3.99), Thai Style Chicken Feet ($7.00), Pig Trtoters with Rice ($12.99), or Beef Entrails with Pork Blood ($14.99)? Head to Choi Kee Chinese Cuisine (16025 Bayview Ave., Unit C6).
Clinton’s (693 Bloor St. W.) - est. 1937 - shuttered just prior to COVID. The Koreatown bar has re-opened under new management.
Corbin Market (1559 Kingston Rd.) by chef Corbin Tomaszeski offers grab and go items, heat and eat meals, ready for the grill ingredients, soups salads, snacks, desserts, and baskets ($200 ea.) full of goodies.
Visit La Sirena Espresso Bar & Gelato in Etobicoke (300 Manitoba St.) and The Beach (1918A Queen St. E.) for gelato, paninis, bomba, cannoli, and pizza biscotti. That’s right. Pizza biscotti.
Neighbourhood café, grocery and bar Manita (210 Ossington Ave.) by the folks behind Grand Electric (1330 Queen St. W.) opens today.
Vietnamese coffee house The Oats Kafé (31 Phipps St., Unit 2) at Bay and Wellesley offers an array of items including iced matcha lattes, fresh pressed juices, banh mi, and chia pudding.
Despite the name - Onion Ring Fries Factory (2162 Danforth Ave.) - onion rings aren’t really the focus here. There’s everything from spaghetti, bucket of beer battered chicken legs, animal fries poutine, and “fried fresh milk” for dessert. Find them at Danforth and Woodbine near the Value Village.
Pabalos Island Pies is popping up at Wallflower (1665 Dundas St. W.) this weekend with their island pan pizzas. Pro tip: Pre-order to make sure you don’t miss out.
It’s got to be said. Mississauga’s Palm Bites (500 Meadowpine Blvd,, Unit 6) gives new meaning to ‘date night.’
Riptide Beach Pub (1980 Queen St. E.) replaces longtime Beach occupant Salty Dog Bar & Grill (hand up if you remember their sister spot across the street, Peppery Cat?).
Got a hankerin’ for real-deal Montreal smoked meat, but not up for the road trip? Rock'N Deli’s (5101 Dixie Rd.) third spot in the GTA just landed in Mississauga.
Samoon Resto & Lounge (845 Lakeshore Rd. E.), also in ‘Sauga, is serving up everything from shawarma sandos to banana split waffle cups.
Pop-up restaurant/patio Sky Flower (292 College St.) at College and Spadina boasts a view of the skyline and menu designed by chef Eric Chong (R&D).
Stock T.C (2388 Yonge St.) by holy trinity Terroni, Cumbrae’s, and Sud Forno, introduces The Grocer to Midtown on Saturday.
Trius + Aim’s Daniel Annsu and Irina Nikolova lost their bistro on Brown’s Line in May. Catch them at The Studio Paint Bar (80 Port St. E., Unit C2) in Port Credit this weekend.
T&C Restaurant (124 Chestnut St.) took over Pho Orchid’s old spot near City Hall. On the menu: Vietnamese and Thai fare.
6IX Shoppe (3274 Lakeshore Blvd. W.) is a variety store, café, and ice cream shop in one. p.s. Mayo lovers, take note.
CLOSED
Camp 4 may have closed one chapter, but as you’ll see above, they’re already onto new amazing things.
The Annex location of Japanese curry house Gyugyuya (402 Bloor St. W.) has been leased already.
There aren’t nearly enough fish and chip restos in the city. So losing one of the very few, such as Mike’s Fish & Chips (2162 Danforth Ave.), is a damn shame.
Tacorrito (556 Church St.) is closed after failing a Public Health Inspection on August 17.
One of the city’s best restaurants, Woodlot (293 Palmerston Ave.) has shuttered. Harry’s Charbroiled has taken over the spot.
EVENTS
CNE at Home kicks off tomorrow.
The Holy Grill and Iqbal Kebab & Sweets Centre (2 Thorncliffe Park Dr., Unit 10) come together Friday 11am-6pm or until they sell out.
Get off the couch and get yourself to this weekend’s Drag Queen Brunch & BBQ at Kiss Me Ice Cream Patio & Market.
Mark your calendar: The second instalment of the Black Foodie Picnic Day series is happening Saturday.
Uncle Mikey’s (1597 Dundas St. W.) has transformed from small resto to bodega, and they’re throwing a quiet, social distanced bash to celebrate on Saturday.
Riverside Eats goes virtual on Wednesday.
Café Boulud’s Le Choix des Chefs Dinner features chef Nicholas Trosien and guest chef Adrian Forte. Proceeds will directly benefit Olympia’s Gift Scholarship Fund - a Toronto-based charity dedicated to supporting the education of students of African descent enrolled in post-secondary business or entrepreneurship programs.
STC x Street Eats Summer MRKT Series continues with FLAVOURS: A FILIPINO STREET MRKT this weekend.
NEWS
Facedrive Foods is coming to the 6ix and Scarborough. Stay tuned.
While Calgary has been buffeting it up, Mandarin is changing how they do things. The letter doesn’t address whether the koi pond’s still in action, so there’s that.
ICYMI
Discover why, the restaurants making the switch to no tipping - and the switch back, and much more in this deep dive about tipping in Toronto.
It’s been a long week. Time for a cocktail. This one from Aloette is calling your name.
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Things change quickly these days. To keep up to date, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter.
Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Need help to spread the word about your business? Get in touch.
