Mildred's Temple Kitchen

The*Princess*and*the*Pancake

The true tale of triumph in a time of turmoil

Ok so we all know that Mildred Pierces pancakes were PRIMO… the crème de la crème in the city, people traveled far and wide and even stood in line for hours just to have a taste of these tremendous breakfast treats… One sad sad day a few years back, our blessed Mildred gracefully bowed out of the restaurant world and as she shut her doors, instantly the cities pancake stock plummeted and our pallets lost a true treasure.. … oh how we longed for a decent fluffy breakfast delight that wasn’t dense, mealy, over cooked… we scoured Toronto from tip to tip but nothing seemed to compare to MP’s famous flapjacks… and alas after much searching we surrendered to the notion that the precious pancakes of yesteryear were no longer…. A tear was shed and although other brunch delights were able to fill this void, in our heart of hearts we knew we had suffered a great loss…. Flash forward to a time of financial turmoil and uncertainty.. a time where things that we know are no longer and our depressing daily conversations revolve around our crumbling economy…. And then there.. like a burst of light… rising from the ashes.. resilient Mildred makes a triumph return… Pancake in hand… and just like that we are reminded that things can be good again. The spectacularly stunning Liberty Village restaurant is breathtaking. Its open concept space sparkles with personality and poise. The food oh so fabulous speaks for itself…… and the pancakes… perfection…..just like I remembered….. and as I sat here on this particular Sunday morning I scooped up the syrupy soaked last spoonful and I smiled… the strings that once tugged at my heart had been untied and I was overcome with a feeling of hope. Mildred’s Second coming reminded me that we appreciate things much more when they are gone and that if we can just hang on through the pancakeless years and enjoy the things that we do have… eventually life will be sweet once again!

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
85 Hanna Avenue
Toronto, ON

House on Parliament

a * hop * skip & jump


Never before as excited for Sunday to arrive I leapt out of bed this particular chilly day..super excited for my supper that was still hours away. When the clock struck seven, I scurried over to meet the Sunday night supper society at this little crown jewel in the heart of Cabbagetown. Just a few steps below the street, the House of Parliament sits unsuspectingly, and although many pass by without notice, inside it is always packed with locals reminiscing over a pint or partaking in some delicious dining delights. Sunday nights in addition to their totally tasty regular menu ( boosting such delights as a scrumptious steak and stilton sandwich and melt in your mouth yummy meat and vegetable tortures) the happening’ House… serves up an on so SPECTACULAR Prime Rib dinner… it is simply a MUST!!.... Gathering to catch up, gossip and indulge in good grub, the five of us huddled on the red velvet banquet seats and savored in each other’s company as we waited for our meals to arrive… within no time our table was filled with perfectly cooked prime rib, yorkshire pudding, gravy, mounds of mouthwatering mash potatoes and steamed veggies..... at 14.99 per person it was perfection! Talk about a perfect ending to the weekend…. washed down with a pint of beer and a barrel of laughs, nights at this house are happy ones!

House on Parliament
456 Parliament Street
Toronto, ON

Oddfellows

o d d * m a n * o u t

The fire crackled inside the long lean space as I ushered off the cold street and into the warmth of a restaurant. Running a little late (gasp) my party had already been seated and although I was only meeting up with three others, as I waltzed into the small space I was overcome by a feeling of family and instantly felt at home. A single long concrete table grounded the restaurant as it ran the alongside the length of the small spunky space. With magnetic fridge alphabet lettering up for creative interpretation along the back wall and an oh so spectacularly special light bulb art instillation over the bar, this place, though small, was not for lack of style. We gossiped over a bottle of delicious red, while we waited for our food to arrive (a selection of pretty much everything off the small but scrumptiously put together menu). A small frisée salad with figs and blue cheese was the perfect opener, wetting our appetites and intriguing us to what lay ahead . A sautéed mixed bag of baby bok choy and chinese broccoli accompanied the braised short ribs that shortly followed. They were cooked to perfection. Soft and succulent with a meaty texture and a sticky sweet sauce; they were oh so yummy and we simply had to have another order. After the ribs ( X2) we thought it couldn't get any better…and then out came the lamb stew. Served straight out of the pressure cooker, this pot sat in the middle of the table (well our section of the table) and we served ourselves out of what seemed like a bottomless bowl of deliciousness. Tender and oh so tasty this terrific main was accompanied by smashed fingerling potatoes with double smoked bacon and brilliantly baked veggies. Dessert followed; home baked brownies and ice cream….the perfect sweet treats to end off our mega meal . For four girls with big eyes, big appetites and even bigger expectations, we were humbled by this unmarked, speak easy-esc establishments and we were completely satisfied. The night wore on and the candles wore down and unlike most restaurants where the tables turn over as the evening lingers on, at Oddfellows this is simply not the case. The 20 something oh so urbanely hip mixed bag crowd stayed put. Named after friendly secret societies in the UK established to protect and unite their members, Oddfellows flawlessly captured this feeling and although we each carried out our dinners independently bound by the concrete table and ability to locate this hidden sign-less gem we were one.

Oddfellows
936 Queen Street West

Toronto, ON

Black Camel

a l i c e * t h e * c a m e l

I love black camel sandwiches…it is as simple as that! They are so succulently delicious and sinfully good that even the mention of them makes my mouth water… A Sammy after my own heart, this Summerhill spot serves up a small but oh so special sandwich line up that is one to lust for. Named after a 17^th Century Viennese Café, The Black Camel boasts a slow roasted beef brisket sandwich that is oh so brilliant and simply bursts with flavor. Taking 5 days to prepare, this lengthy process involves primo Cumbrae cuts of meat, top-secret dry rubs, homemade marinades and a slow cooking process that has been perfected over the years. With sweet molasses, crisp arugula and silky caramelized onions a craving for one of these bad boys has had me to trekking across the city simply to satisfy my stomach. Equally as pleasurable the pulled pork, pulled chicken and Steak sammies are also crowd pleasers. With special top-secret preparation rituals of their very own, each freshly baked bun is piled high with incredible ingredients crafted with love. Tucked away on Crescent road this little spot is in a word "splendid" Dieters beware, one of these decadent delights just might be the straw that breaks your calorie counting camel's back.

Black Camel
4 Crescent Road
Toronto, ON

The Harbord Room

p r e t t y * i n * p i n k

Without a reservation we waltzed into the small yet spectacular salmon colored space. Fully booked with no table to spare, we happily seated ourselves along the rustic wooden bar and with bellys rumbling were ready to review the small yet scrumptious menu. With only a few appetizers and mains to choose from we quickly selected several to share and as we waited for our plates to be prepped, peeked around the petite pink room. Tall marble toped tables with leather upholstered chairs lined the latter half of the restaurant while low lying tables and leather banquets lingered along the front. Our food arrived...and my senses were delighted. Starting with the chorizo, calamari and clam appetizer i was in awe. Stewed in a chunky sweet tomato and basil sauce each bite was blissful and tantalized my taste-buds. The burger was beautiful, grand in presentation and oh so gourmet. Dressed up with sharp cheddar, a side of fries and the freshest of fixings this classic was a crowd pleaser. The lamb leg was luscious. Lovely in appearance, cooked to perfection and oh so palatable...not a single piece remained on my plate. Although oh so satisfied with the savory...if you know me a sweet was a must. The infamous baked to order chocolate caked with caramelized bananas and peanut brittle was in a word BRILLIANT. In one swift swoop i edged out the other spoon and without hesitation scooped up the sinfully sweet last bite....i was in bliss...a perfect meal, with people i love in a little pink palace...for a princess like me it was paradise.

The Harbord Room
89 Harbord Street
Toronto, ON

Eat My Words

y o u * a r e * w h a t * y o u * e a t

okay now I know sweetness when I taste it and every single bite of this blissful baked good is so sinfully scrumptious it simply melts in my mouth. With thick, creamy oh so decedent icing and a magnificently moist cupcake base, these tiny treasures have quickly carved out a permanent place in my pallet. Baked with love, each Eat My Words cupcake is adorned with beautiful budding flowers so delicate and meticulously manicured you can’t help but marvel in their beauty. Available by special order (see information below), these petit pastries are preservative free and the profits from each purchase go towards the Stephan Lewis foundation, to help ease the pain of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Chic, charitable and oh so deliciously decadent, these sweet treats are the ultimate soul food.

Eat My Words
Toronto, ON
to order, call 416-489-7700
http://www.eatmywords.org/

Jet Fuel Coffee Shop

f u e l i n g * u p

Feeling faint and in desperate need of some fuel in a neighborhood that I am only mildly familiar with I had surrendered to the notion that a cheap, stale convenience store coffee may be in my future (yes sometimes a girl does gets desperate). I crossed the street and headed towards the corner store at Parliament and Winchester and all of a sudden I noticed a stylish stature walking towards me. His silhouette was simple, no briefcase or bag but rather a bike helmet in one hand and the oh so sweet sight of a coffee cup in the other...it was although the java goddesses had heard my silent prayer. Before even opening my mouth he reached his long lean spandex arm and pointed across the street to the ultimate rejuvenation reservoir: Jet Fuel. As I walked in I quickly realized that I was totally out of my element....although I was too in work attire as were most of the patrons... my black dress and patent heals were a far cry from the clip ins and neon sponsored spandex crowd that popular this parlor. Parched, I lined up and within seconds the blunt barista behind the counter was sizing me up and down…with no menu or prices posted I did what anyone in my position would do… looked at the beautifully layered brewed bevie in front of me and simply said “ I will have one of those”. Serving up the most delicious coffee, so fresh and brilliantly bold with full fat farm fresh milk…my taste buds were flattered. I let out a sweet little sigh….ahhh I was in latté heaven. Oh so scrumptious and stimulating this spot more than satisfied. What perhaps Ki is to men in suits, Jet fuel is to couriers….an unofficial headquarters if you will... a home away from home, where after a long day of pounding the pavement they can play in private….but not for long....sorry cyclers…the secret is out...

Jet Fuel Coffee Shop

519 Parliament Street

Toronto, ON

7 Numbers

f e e l i n g * l u c k y

The number 7 has proved lucky once again for Mama Rosa and her cluster of culinary creators as they return to the street where it all began. Opening a second location of their wildly successful restaurant, 7Numbers reminds us that good grub doesn't need to be complicated and that dining can be a down home, damn good experience without being overly ostentatious. Using fresh simple ingredients in timeless recipes, combined with her own little sprinkle of je ne sais quoi, Mama Rosa's southern Italian cookin’ keeps customers “coming home” time and time again. When the news of her homecoming wafted to my ears without hesitation I was at her door. With a friend in tow we waltzed into to the sweet smelling space and were seated at a cozy table illuminated with candelabras and cushioned with a comfy miss match of plush pillows. Menus scribbled on the blackboard like art, with enough choices to make you think but not so many as to overwhelm, our eyes smiled with satisfaction as we scanned over the slate (it is important to note that 7’s portion sizes are small allowing the diner to sample several sinfully savory plates per visit). With wine in hand, we toasted to a terrific Tuesday while we waited anxiously like kids and candy store for our supper to arrive. Sharing the fig and prosciutto salad, antipasto misto, veal lasagna, tortiglioni with fresh ricotta and osso buco we could hardly wait. Food arriving dish after delectable dish we indulged and savored each and every blissful bite. Saving just enough room for full fat cappuccinos and flowerless chocolate cake, we simply couldn’t resist extending our stay to dessert. As the night danced on like a dream, the lights were dimmed, the candles around us flickered like fireflies and across the restaurant, through the glimmering glow I could see Mama Rosa smiling and stealing a quiet moment as she soaked up her oh so sweetly successful second number 7.

7 Numbers
516 Eglinton Avenue West
Toronto, ON