Stephanie Dickison's Blog, page 47
April 14, 2020
April 11, 2020
7 reasons to order wine, beer, and spirits directly from local restaurants, bars, and breweries
It’s the long weekend and the LCBO is only open one day. If you thought the lineups were long before, wait ‘til you see them today.
That’s just one of the many reasons why you should be looking to your local restaurants, bars, and breweries for all your wine, beer, and cocktail needs.
Here are six more:
Support local businesses
Instead of handing your money over to big corporations, keep local haunts open by buying directly.
Not only will you help keep their doors open, the money can go towards paying staff, donations to local charities and hospitals, and keeping our neighbourhoods alive and vibrant.
Little to no waiting time
The LCBO is currently facing a serious backlog. And it’s not likely to die down anytime soon.
Presently, same-day pickup is not available, and Canada Post is no longer delivering packages directly to your doorstep - instead, now you now receive a notification to pick it up at your local post office.
Due to the high volume of orders, home and store delivery may take two weeks or more to ship.
And since the Beer Store’s online ordering is temporarily unavailable, you’d have to go out to get it anyway. Why not pickup or get delivery from your favourite spot instead?
Many local restos, bars and breweries offer curbside pickup and same- or two-day contactless delivery. Fringe benefit: Most likely, delivery is free.
Pay less
The LCBO charges $11.95 + tax for standard home delivery, which usually takes 2-4 days, but may be up to two weeks now. The same goes for their next business day home delivery ($16.95 + tax).
Save yourself the headache – and your hard-earned cash - and contact your favourite restos and watering holes for all your drink needs. You’ll have a cocktail in hand in no time.
Speaking of cocktails, a slew of bars and restaurants have put together cocktail kits, with all the ingredients you need to make Old Fashioneds, Gin & Tonics, and elevated tipples from some of the city’s top bartenders.
Suddenly, self-quarantining doesn’t seem so bad.
Apps haven’t caught up
Two weeks after licensed bars and restaurants were given the go ahead to sell liquor with food delivery and takeout, delivery apps still lag behind on the addition of alcoholic beverages.
Only select restaurants have been allowed to add their boozy offerings to their menus on Uber Eats. And while DoorDash is better, the selection is still small compared to what’s actually available from local businesses.
The other factor to consider is that restaurants pay up to 30 per cent fees per order on these apps. They certainly can’t afford those high costs now.
Food’s included
Since licensed businesses are required to sell liquor alongside food for takeout and delivery, you can get your shopping done in one fell swoop. That means your drink orders arrive flanked by appetizers, snacks, full-on family dinners, desserts - whatever your heart desires.
And some venues have turned into full grocery operations, with everything from hand sanitizers to fresh produce and pantry items available, making shopping all that much easier.
You can’t get any of that from the liquor store.
Better selection
The LCBO doesn’t carry everything, you know. So head to your neighbourhood hangs and purchase local brews that haven’t made it onto shelves yet, wines and champagnes previously only available at restaurants, and cool home bar cart additions that will take your cocktails to the next level. You’ll never want to shop the old way again.
***
The better option is always to order directly from the businesses themselves. This goes not just for long weekends and holidays, but every day.
Save our small businesses. Support our restaurants, bars, and breweries. Shop local.
----
ATTN RESTAURANTS, BARS + BREWERIES:
Do you offer takeout and/or delivery? Use hashtags #TAKEOUTTORONTO and #DELIVERYTORONTO to help people find you on social media.
ATTN DINERS:
Use hashtags #TAKEOUTTORONTO and #DELIVERYTORONTO to show your support of local businesses and share your orders. Coming soon: Contests and giveaways!
Find out more about Toronto Restaurants Citywide Initiative #TAKEOUTTORONTO #DELIVERYTORONTO here.
April 10, 2020
Toronto chocolate shops for Easter and beyond
Photo courtesy of Chocollata Gourmet Brigadeiros.
April 7, 2020
Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: Midtown Yonge
Photo courtesy of Transform Cafe.
In order to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape at this time, I’m creating a guide of restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes, and food shops for every neighbourhood in Toronto/GTA. Use them to locate nearby shops, discover restaurants offering take out and delivery, and support local businesses.
MIDTOWN YONGE EDITION
The stretch along Yonge from Merton to Soudan boasts a myriad of restaurants, markets, cafes, and shops.
Take a look:
***COVID-19 UPDATE: BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW MAY BE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. PLEASE CONTACT ESTABLISHMENTS DIRECTLY FOR HOURS OF OPERATION.***
Balsamico Ristorante
Italian Restaurant
2029 Yonge St.
647-348-0337
The Bull and Firkin
Pub
1835 Yonge St.
416-485-2290
The Butcher’s Son
Butcher
2055 Yonge St.
416-901-9414
Clandestina Tacos & Churros
Mexican Restaurant
2107 Yonge St.
647- 877-8226
Echo Sushi
Japanese Restaurant
2036 Yonge St.
416-322-8861
Fionn MacCool’s
Pub
1867 Yonge St.
416-484-1867
Five Doors North
Italian Restaurant
2088 Yonge St.
416-480-6234
Flaming Stove
Middle Eastern Restaurant
21 Davisville Ave.
416-644 5051
Fresh Buy Market
Fruit & Vegetable Market
1913 Yonge St.
416-489-3800
Friends Fine Food & Groceries
Grocery
1881 Yonge St.
416-480-0222
Fruits Basket
Fruit & Vegetable Market
1919 Yonge St.
416-901-8581
Hasty Market
Convenience Store
21 Davisville Ave.
416-487-8675
Hokkaido Ramen Santouka
Japanese Restaurant
2057 Yonge St.
647-351-1163
JJ’s Cafe & Deli
Café & Deli
1881 Yonge St.
416-322-4886
Khau Gully
Indian Restaurant
1991 Yonge St.
647-347-9993
Kramer’s Bar & Grill
Bar & Grill
1915 Yonge St.
416-483-0697
La Salumeria
Grocery Store & Deli
2021 Yonge St.
416-486-8327
Little Sister Indonesian Food Bar
Indonesian Restaurant
2031 Yonge St.
416-488-2031
Lola Sushi
Japanese & Korean Restaurant
2070 Yonge St.
416-932-0290
MAA Variety
Convenience Store
2100 Yonge St.
416-487-5717
Mariachi’s Restaurant
Mexican Restaurant
2084 Yonge St.
416-481-7111
MIA Brunch Bar
Brunch Restaurant
2140 Yonge St.
416-322-5553
Mr.Sub
Sandwich Restaurant
1881 Yonge St.
416-483-3993
My Roti Place
Indian Restaurant
3 Glebe Rd. E.
416-322-9559
OysterMine
Oyster Bar
2035 Yonge St.
416-519-8535
Pasta Pantry Fine Foods Inc.
Prepared Foods
1997 Yonge St.
416-482-4848
Phyllo You Bakery
Bakery
1919 Yonge St.
647-349-6111
Pizza Pizza
Pizzeria
1923 Yonge St.
416-967-1111
Pizza Shab
Pizzeria
1978 Yonge St.
416-551-4999
Punto Gelato
Ice Cream Shop
2076 Yonge St.
647-346-0125
Rachel’s Coffee House
Café
2011 Yonge St.
416-545-0000
Reuven International Ltd.
Food Importer
1881 Yonge St.
416-929-1496
Second Cup Coffee Co.
Coffee Shop
1881 Yonge St.
416-481-3434
Sobeys Urban Fresh
Grocery Store
22 Balliol St.
416-485-1022
St. Louis Bar & Grill
Bar & Grill
2050 Yonge St.
416-480-0202
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
1909 Yonge St.
416-486-7160
Subway
Sandwich Restaurant
1910 Yonge St.
416-482-9434
Sushi Supreme
Japanese Restaurant
1995 Yonge St.
416-544-0777
Sushi Zone
Japanese Restaurant
1992 Yonge St.
647-968-5588
Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine
Middle Eastern Restaurant
2009 Yonge St.
416-483-3747
Tailor Made Café
Café
1867 Yonge St.
416-899-9921
Tamasha Social Club
Indian Resto-Bar
1835 Yonge St.
647-508-4455
Thai Express
Thai Restaurant
1881 Yonge St.
416-483-3993
Tim Hortons
Coffee Shop
1910 Yonge St.
416-481-0209
Transform Café
Café
2025 Yonge St.
416-481-0444
The Wallace Gastropub
Pub
1954 Yonge St.
416-489-3500
Yonge Seafood Gourmet
Seafood Shop
2044 Yonge St.
416-546-7277
Zezafoun Syrian Cuisine
Syrian Restaurant
4 Manor Rd. E.
416-322-7707
Zucca Trattoria
Italian Restaurant
2150 Yonge St.
416- 488-5774
---
Explore other Neighbourhood Food + Drink Guides.
Please contact establishments directly for more information.
Names, addresses, phone numbers and websites subject to change.
With thanks to Midtown Yonge BIA.
April 6, 2020
April 5, 2020
Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: GreekTown
Photo courtesy of Souv Like.
April 2, 2020
Operation Ramzieh: Feeding the vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis
Three days after shuttering all of his restaurants and nightclubs in Ottawa and Toronto due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbis Mahmoud launched into action to help the most vulnerable.
He established Operation Ramzieh to help get food to those who need it most.
Community first
The newly launched initiative named after his mother, creates crisis relief kits - food boxes assembled by employees of Mahmoud’s company DreamMind, and assorted volunteers - originally designed for seniors, a group at high risk of contracting the virus.
Operation Ramzieh team members including founder Abbis Mahmoud (top right).
With mandated social distancing, restaurants and other services shuttering until further notice, self isolating, insufficient funds or computer skills to order online, the elderly are especially vulnerable right now. “These members of our community will have the most difficulty acquiring items they need during this dire time, and we have a moral obligation to help,” he stated in a press release issued yesterday.
It didn’t take long for the team to realize that these lifelines also apply to a much broader group of people - those with a weak immune system, not enough money to purchase food, single mothers, people facing mobility or transportation obstacles, and other issues preventing them from being able to shop at stores in person or online - so anyone in need can request a box.
Food on the table
Each box is designed to last for 8-10 days for individuals/family of four for three days, and includes pantry items (spaghetti, tomato sauce, rice, beans, vegetable soup, cereal, granola bars), one protein (i.e. corned beef), milk, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables (carrots, potatoes), toilet paper and sanitizer.
Crisis relief food boxes contain fresh fruit and vegetables, in addition to pantry items and other essentials.
Team members take every health precaution - staying 6 feet apart, wearing masks and gloves to assemble and deliver boxes, and leaving kits on the doorstep minimize contact.
Team members pack boxes adhering to strict COVID-19 guidelines including wearing gloves, masks and staying two metres/six feet apart.
Donations needed
Mahmoud kicked off the project using his own $40K to buy essential food and other necessities at cost. With the generous help of volunteers (including famous faces such as Mark Holmes, lead singer and bassist of Canadian 80s rock band, Platinum Blonde), and vehicles provided by various companies, the initiative can feed roughly 1200 people at approximately $30 per box.
Mark Holmes, lead singer and bassist of Platinum Blonde, helps deliver food boxes across the city.
At that rate, they can donate food for about ten days. With COVID-19 measures set to last another 12 weeks, it’s not enough to keep up with the demand.
In addition to donating to the initiative, they’re also looking for restaurants, other venues and suppliers, and partners to donate food and services to support our most vulnerable citizens
The crisis relief team recently set up a home base here in Toronto at comfort food resto, Old School on Dundas West, to service the immediate area, and are looking to set up across the GTA shortly.
5 ways you can help now
1. Donate.
2. Know of someone in need of a Food Relief Kit? Register. (Note: The recipient's confidentiality is of the utmost importance; their information is required for delivery purposes only.)
———
For more information, visit operationramzieh.org.
March 31, 2020
Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: Kennedy Road
Photo courtesy of Highland Farms.
In order to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape at this time, I’m creating a guide of restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes, and food shops for every neighbourhood in Toronto/GTA. Use them to locate nearby shops, discover restaurants offering take out and delivery, and support local businesses.
KENNEDY ROAD EDITION
Hungry? Kennedy Road between Lawrence East and Kennedy Commons at Highway 401 is a great place to be.
Take a look:
***COVID-19 UPDATE: BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW MAY BE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. PLEASE CONTACT ESTABLISHMENTS DIRECTLY FOR HOURS OF OPERATION.***
Auntee Aneeta Supermarket
Grocery Store
1260 Kennedy Rd., Unit 8
416-751-5881
Bamyan Supermarket
Grocery Store
2 Antrim Cres., Unit 5
647-347-0722
Burrito Boyz
Mexican Restaurant
1961 Kennedy Rd.
416-609-2699
Cake House Bakery
Bakery
2300 Lawrence Ave. E., Unit 12
416-285-4341
Café Mirage Grill & Lounge
Restaurant & Lounge
26 William Kitchen Rd.
416-335-1177
Dairy Queen
Ice Cream Shop/Burger Restaurant
1910 Kennedy Rd.
416-292-8436
Daisy Mart
Convenience Store
2 Antrim Cres., Unit 1
416-293-6960
Daisy Mart
Convenience Mart
2278 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-752-5279
Eggsmart
Breakfast Restaurant
1961 Kennedy Rd., Unit #1
416-293-6099
Elite Bakery
Bakery
1961 Kennedy Rd., Unit 3
416-754-7857
The Fanzone Wings & Ribs
Pub
1168 Kennedy Rd.
416-551-0415
Flipper’s Fish House & White Shields Banquet Hall
Seafood Restaurant/Banquet Hall
2300 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-759-6671
Gibbos West Indian Take-Out And Grocery
Indian Takeout/Grocery Store
1872 Kennedy Rd.
416-293-4619
Habibiz Restaurant & Café
Middle Eastern Restaurant & Hookah Lounge
1939 Kennedy Rd.
647-868-5658
Harry’s Drive-In
Burger Restaurant
2280 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-759-5980
Harvey’s
Fast Food Restaurant
2310 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-757-7000
Highland Farms
Grocery Store
850 Ellesmere Rd.
416-298-1999
Hot Wok Hakka Chinese Food
Hakka Chinese Restaurant
7 Progress Ave., Unit 5B
416-293-5342
Jerry's Fish & Chips
Seafood Restaurant
1190 Kennedy Rd.
416-225-9944
Johnny’s Shawarma
Middle Eastern Restaurant
1904 Kennedy Rd.
416-298-7917
Jolly’s Grill Inn
Filipino Restaurant
2300 Lawrence Ave. E., Unit 25
647-341-4000
JNT Convenience
Convenience Mart
880 Ellesmere Rd.
647-367-0118
Just Love Caribbean Restaurant & Bar
Caribbean Restaurant & Bar
1344 Kennedy Rd.
647-351- 5683
Kairali
South Indian Restaurant
1210 Kennedy Rd.
416-288-0994
Karaikudi Chettinad Restaurant
South Indian Restaurant
1225 Kennedy Rd.
416-701-0003
Kennedy Milk
Convenience Store
1346 Kennedy Rd.
416-757-6458
KFC/Taco Bell
Fast Food Restaurant
1338 Kennedy Rd.
416-755-6028
Kim Kim
Hakka Chinese Restaurant
1188 Kennedy Rd.
416-757-8300
Lone Tai Supermarket
Grocery Store
2300 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-285-6686/416-757-9510
Metro
Grocery Store
16 William Kitchen Rd.
416-321-6300
Mucho Burrito Fresh Mexican Grill
Mexican Restaurant
26 William Kitchen Rd.
416-293-0404
Nature’s Choice
Health Food Store
1878 Kennedy Rd.
416-298-3829
New Hopper Hut
Sri Lankan Restaurant
880 Ellesmere Rd., Unit 215
416-299-4311
Patisserie Royale
Bakery
1415 Kennedy Rd., Unit 26
416-755-6323
Pho Vietnam
Vietnamese Restaurant
1280 Kennedy Rd.
416-755-0909
Pho Nam Dinh
Vietnamese Restaurant
1885 Kennedy Rd.
416-412-0296
Pita Pit
Sandwich Restaurant
1975 Kennedy Rd.
416-291-2222
Pizza On Fire
Pizzeria
880 Ellesmere Rd.
416-412-0011
Plaza Smoke
Convenience Store
2300 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-755-3233
Nova Ristorante
Pizzeria
2272 Lawrence Ave E.
416-751-1200
Quality Bread Bakery
Bakery
800 Ellesmere Rd.
416-292-9100
RC West Indian Grocery
Grocery Store
1872 Kennedy Rd.
416-293-4619
Royal Grill Halal Pakistani
Pakistani Restaurant
2300 Lawrence Ave E.
416-751-0880
Santa Roza Family Restaurant & Lounge
Restaurant & Nightclub
880 Ellesmere Rd., Unit 202
647-341-7692
Shot House Pub & Grill
Pub
1880 Kennedy Rd.
416-297-7714
Sivano Convenience
Convenience Store
1196 Kenendy Rd.
647-348-7919
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
1156 Kennedy Rd.
416-752-5818
Starbucks
Coffee Shop
20 William Kitchen Rd.
416-335-4016
Sunset Grill
Breakfast Restaurant
37 William Kitchen Rd.
416-321-1600
Tim Hortons
Coffee Shop
2370 Lawrence Ave. E.
416-755-6629
Tim Hortons
Coffee Shop
1 William Kitchen Rd.
416-258-4231
Wendy’s
Fast Food Restaurant
1460 Kennedy Rd.
416-752-8195
Wild Wing
Pub
11 William Kitchen Rd.
416-754-9464
---
Explore other Neighbourhood Food + Drink Guides.
Please contact establishments directly for more information.
Names, addresses, phone numbers and websites subject to change.
With thanks to Kennedy Road BIA.
March 29, 2020
Toronto Restaurants Food + Drink Guide: Village of Islington
Photo courtesy of Cirillo’s Culinary Academy.
In order to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape at this time, I’m creating a guide of restaurants, bars, breweries, bakeries, cafes, and food shops for every neighbourhood in Toronto/GTA. Use them to locate nearby shops, discover restaurants offering take out and delivery, and support local businesses.
VILLAGE OF ISLINGTON EDITION
From household essentials to tantalizing takeout, Etobicoke’s Dundas West between Islington and Kipling has it all.
Take a look:
***COVID-19 UPDATE: BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW MAY BE CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. PLEASE CONTACT ESTABLISHMENTS DIRECTLY FOR HOURS OF OPERATION.***
A. F. Home Bakery
Bakery
5168 Dundas St. W.
647-430-3611
Ah So – Sushi Bar (Inside Rabba Fine Foods)
Japanese Takeout
4869 Dundas St. W.
416- 244-0609
Ali Baba’s
Middle Eastern Restaurant
4928 Dundas St. W.
416-690-1026
Anatolia Turkish Cuisine
Turkish Restaurant
5112 Dundas St. W.
416-207-0596
Beer N Wings Sports Grill
Sports Bar
5164 Dundas St. W.
416-236-2627
Chinese Food Gallery
Chinese Restaurant
5138 Dundas St. W.
416- 236-3838
Cho Dang Soon Tofu
Korean Restaurant
5130 Dundas St. W.
416-234-1161
Cirillo’s Culinary Academy
Culinary School
4894 Dundas St. W.
647-430-8795
Dairy Milk Convenience Store
Convenience Store
5066 Dundas St. W.
416-239-9706
Dino’s Wood Burning Pizza
Pizzeria
4923 Dundas St. W.
647-348-6612
Espresso Bakery & Deli
Bakery & Deli
4980 Dundas St. W.
416-236-3183
European Patisserie
Bakery
5072 Dundas St. W.
416-783-9377
Fox Precinct
Pub
4946 Dundas St. W.
416-207-9990
Galata Café
Turkish Restaurant
5112 Dundas St. W.
647-351-4888
Gohyang Restaurant & Bar
Thai, Chinese & Japanese Restaurant
5096 Dundas St. W.
416-231-6660
I Love Sushi
Japanese Restaurant
4944 Dundas St. W.
416-236-5400
Ikkoi Japanese Family Cuisine
Japanese Restaurant
5084 Dundas St. W.
416-233-2727
Insadong Restaurant
Korean Restaurant
4941 Dundas St. W.
416-746-0777
Joe’s Pastizzi Plus
Restaurant/Café/Bakery
5070 Dundas St. W.
416-233-9063
John’s Fish & Chips
Seafood Restaurant
5090 Dundas St. W.
416-231-3474
Restaurant Beijing
Korean Restaurant
4925 Dundas St. W.
416-805-1452
Lucky Buck Plus
Convenience Store
4909 Dundas St. W.
416-236-2702
Mai Bistro
Asian/Latin Restaurant
4906 Dundas St. W.
647-343-3130
Mamma Rosa Restaurant & Bar
Restaurant & Bar
5078 Dundas St. W.
416-207-1111
Mamma’s Pizza
Pizzeria
4986 Dundas St. W.
416-231-4545
Medium Rare
Butcher
10 Burnhamthorpe Rd.
416- 231-1500
Miss Natalie’s Tropical Cuisine
Caribbean Restaurant & Caterer
5118 Dundas St. W.
416-260-9444
Montgomery’s Inn Museum & Tea Room
Museum/Tea Room
4709 Dundas St. W.
416- 394-8113
My Thai Kitchen
Thai Restaurant
4911 Dundas St. W.
416-519-3356
Neighbours Fine Foods
Grocery Store
4917 Dundas St. W.
416-234-9146
Osmow’s
Mediterranean Restaurant
4850 Dundas St. W.
416- 239-9000
Rabba Fine Foods/Tim Hortons
Grocery & Convenience Store/Coffee Shop
4869 Dundas St. W.
416-234-0609
Sorsi e Morsi Trattoria
Italian Restaurant
4900 Dundas St. W.
416-232-2250
St. James’s Gate Irish Pub
Pub
5140 Dundas St. W.
647-350-5140
Subway
Sandwich Restaurant
4927 Dundas St. W.
647-428-7263
Toji Sushi
Japanese Restaurant
5088 Dundas St. W.
647-348-8654
Traditional Korean Bakery
Bakery
4992 Dundas St. W.
416-233-8883
Village Trattoria
Italian Restaurant
4903 Dundas St. W.
416-236-2609
---
Explore other Neighbourhood Food + Drink Guides.
Please contact establishments directly for more information.
Names, addresses, phone numbers and websites subject to change.
With thanks to The Village of Islington BIA.
March 27, 2020
At The Pass with Kyla Kennaley
Judge Kyla Kennaley (far right) on The Great Canadian Baking Show, with fellow judge Bruno Feldeisen, host Aurora Bronwne.
Currently
Pastry chef, currently working as Talent Development Manager F&B at The Savoy Hotel London.
Formerly
Judge on CBC’s The Great Canadian Baking Show, Season 3; Pastry Chef and Owner of Madeleines, Cherry Pie and Ice Cream; Chef Instructor, George Brown College CHCA School of Continuing Education.
Favourite dish to make right now
Chestnut pancakes!
Last cookbook purchase
Baking with Bruno by Bruno Feldeisen.
Have you read it/tried any recipes
Not yet. I want to try Gâteau à la Tomate. :)
One dish or ingredient you’d like to see gone from menus
Artificial preservatives.
And one dish or ingredient that you’re excited about right now and would like to see on more menus
Foraged/wild mushrooms. If we are going plant-based, we can add a lot of texture and flavour with this great protein base.
Your biggest influences
Dominique Ansel and Auguste Escoffier (I work in his kitchen…).
If you could eat at any restaurant in the world
My mom’s kitchen table - we grew up in the Kawarthas on Pigeon Lake. And there are too many to name; El Celler de Can Roca is on my list, if you can get me a table!
Last thing you ate
Duck breast in simple wine reduction with dried figs.
Three must-have ingredients always in your fridge.
Maple syrup, homegrown preserved hot peppers, and butter.
Guilty pleasure
Salt and vinegar potato chips, or as they say here in the UK, balsamic crisps. ;)
Top 3 favourite Toronto restaurants
Alo, Dailo, and Taste of China Seafood Restaurant.
Top 3 favourite Toronto bars
Bar Raval, Côte de Boeuf, and Reposado Bar.
Go-to drink
French 75, dry.
One habit you have in the kitchen that you should lose, but can’t seem to shake
Assuming that my way is the best way. ;)
One habit you have in the kitchen that will inspire young chefs
Scrape your bowls. Your dishwasher and the owner will love you.
Hidden talent
Eek… Old bartending trick - I can tie a cherry stem in a knot. Also, I am extremely accurate with weights and measures.
Best career advice you ever received
When you enter the kitchen be fully present and let nothing distract you. Leave the world behind and create. The world will still be there when you get out.
Worst career advice you ever received
“As a girl you will never be hired for any job other than as an institutional cook. You should think about working in another industry.” - from my Chef Instructor teaching my Institutional Cooking Course in college in 1992.
Your advice for a young cook starting out in the business
If you start at the top you have nothing to look back upon. Start at the bottom and grow; slowly. You have a lifetime to become the best in the industry.
