KINKA on my MIND
By Naomi February 26, 2018 canada, culinary, friends, life, thoughts, toronto, travel
KINKA IZAKAYA
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What's the best place to be on a cold chilly night?
A warm welcoming restaurant where you are greeted by the highly energetic staff who drop everything to shout hello the moment you step in.
Kinka Izakaya is your Japanese bar done right and were it not for the humming sounds of English lightly dispersed throughout, you could easily convince yourself that you were transported to a cozy bar in Japan. It's particularly fun for group dinner where the idea is to share a number of small plates, some which are constant on the menu, and a few daily specials that rotate depending on the availability of fresh ingredients.
Tonight, I brought along two friends who weren't very excited over the idea of leaving their comfy bed to venture out into the snowstorm, but barely remembered to lock the door in a hurried excitement the moment they found out we were going to Kinka!
The seats are tightly squeezed together, so don't be scared to make a new friend!
Our first dish of the night was a gyu carpaccio [7.5] which barely lasted 30 seconds before it was completely devoured.
make little spring rolls using the beef as a wrapper and fill it with radish drenched in the sweet ponzu sauce
Thankfully, our second item arrived sizzling in a hot stone pot.
One of my personal favorites - the kinoko bibimbap [9.5]
A umami mixture of wild mushrooms, seaweed, cheese and rice.
The kaarage chicken [8.3] then came just in time to distract the boys so I could scrape off the last bits of rice from the hot stone bowl.
Followed by sweet tender takoyaki balls [5.5], which transported you back to the streets of Tokyo.
Our last dish was the tonpei yaki [9.8], which was so generous that when it arrived, the three of us stared at it with wide eyes - feeling already quite stuffed, not knowing what to do.
So first, we delayed by taking pictures.
So first, we delayed by taking pictures.
But then devoured it as quickly as it had come.
Thankful for chilly nights filled with cozy conversations, delicious food, and warm friendships.
naomi.
Thankful for chilly nights filled with cozy conversations, delicious food, and warm friendships.
naomi.
Magic in the Mundane
By Naomi November 13, 2017 life, personal, thoughts
Today was a bit of a slow day.
There wasn't anything pressing to do, so I spent the morning in a leisurely way, going about my activities in a particular slow manner. People ask me what I do with my free time, which I usually find myself grasping at words for because I don't have the typical answers like "crocheting" or "yoga", although sometimes I'll use those two just so I won't have to elaborate further.
In reality though, my hobbies usually revolve around things that you see on this blog and blogging itself. Everything from the content of my posts; cooking, eating, traveling - to the actual blog itself which I tweaked and re-coded almost from scratch, a skill that most people don't know I have. So of course, as per usual, whenever I have a bit of time, I turn here.
Today was a little different though as I found myself in a place I hadn't visited in a while, the archive section. Land of the blog posts laid to rest - 934 in total, to be exact. I was quite surprised at how active I used to be, although perhaps not, as I had started this blog back in Grade 8 when I had abundantly more time and a greater desire to share everything in my life than I do now. Things are much more subdued at 25 than at 13 - for better or worse. You've all been spared a detailed breakdown of each shopping spree I had, or every test that I had to write which I declared harder than the last each time. Most of them centered however on this one goal, and that was to get into Medical school. I took down most of these posts when I finally achieved that goal and never really looked back.
It's since been three years.
I try not to vocally announce this, but I have the memory of a gerbil, so as you can imagine, three years is long enough for me to forget most of what I had written, so as I went through these posts, it was like I was discovering myself again - for the first time. Everything from getting ready for my first school dance, to sharing really really TBT photos of myself, blogging about "the perfect guy" and this trip to Italy that I felt like I got to re-live through words and pictures. What I didn't expect however was feeling like I wanted to be back, and that maybe, just maybe, I would give up what I had now to be there.
I've been feeling rather uninspired lately, and you'll see that in the last few years, I've been significantly less active on here than I used to be. I just feel like I'm not as interesting as I used to be because most of my days, weeks and months are spent working towards this one goal that sometimes despite all the time I invest into, I still feel like I'm not that successful at. Sure, I've experienced much more since I was 13 and developed some odd quirks along the way, but overall, studying and working really just isn't that exciting. I've told this to few close friends, who surprisingly share the same sentiment, and we're all wondering - is this it?
But as I continued scrolling through my old thoughts, I realized that life back then wasn't really that different than it is now. I was still writing exams, still going to school, still blogging and doing virtually everything exactly the same - although perhaps with a little more teenage angst. So why is it that I find life interesting then, but not now.
I thought back to an old post I made a few years back while I was working this strenuous job (you can find it HERE) which talks about how sometimes we are so busy in our lives, focusing on everything that is not right, that we forget about everything else that is. I had a bit of a cliche moment halfway through reading my 34th post realizing that my life wasn't remarkably more exciting back then than it was now, I just managed to see it in a more appreciative way. One of my first blog posts was solely on this one assignment I had to do for AP biology, which was perhaps most of the most mundane things I've ever had to do to date, yet I dedicated an entire post and wrote about it in such an enthusiastic way that reading that post again almost makes me want to do that paper all over again!
Imagine.
With this realization, I'm hoping that I'll have the time to share more of myself on here, something I wish I had done more of in the last few years. I want to be able to look back on here in 10. 15 years and feel like I can relive my moments - mundane or otherwise, over and over again. I've also veered away from doing these thought posts because they weren't as visually or emotionally pleasing as a dinner date or a post about an exotic experience, but in reality, life isn't always this adrenaline rush of excitement and anticipation. It's about the 99%, the everyday that perhaps isn't moving in the moment, but comes together in a spectacular way.
How magical is that.
naomi
Should you ever find yourselves in the Manitoban Prairies feeling a bit peckish, Máquè and Clementine are places you should definitely not miss.
Máquè is the brainchild of Scott Bagshaw, who happens to own Deseo and Enotech, two of my favorite restaurants in the city. I had actually been pronouncing it Mack in my head, even though I was under the impression that it was French and knew that the French do not pronounce Máquè, Mack.
In a delightful twist of events, it turns out that the root word isn't French, but Mandarin (麻雀), meaning sparrow.
So I would have been wrong either way.
Absent are the large signs which signal the presence of a restaurant, but instead you'll find demure establishment located on an unassuming corner, where you'll find simple decor and an open and inviting kitchen which just begs you to come take a peek.
The menu is printed out on a crisp sheet of white paper, which indicates that it changes often to match the moving seasons. There are a few staples which stay constant, but the rest of the selection keeps things new and interesting.
All the dishes are made 'family style', which just means you get to try a bit of everything.
The server rattled off a list of his favorite items and left us to our own devices.
When he came back, he dropped off this plate which looked absolutely divine. One of their specials of the night, a tuna tartare - on the house.
Basically begging to be dug in, we quickly pointed to things on the menu so we could get our order in and begin eating.
"we would like this, this this and this"
The tuna tartare with orange zest, crunchy potato, black truffle, fish sauce, chili, shallot, and egg yolk [19] is served with this light rice paper which was deep fried to perfection.
As I contemplated whether or not I should just grab the entire plate and run to the corner so that I could have it all to myself, our first official dish of the night arrived.
This dish was one of the first things our server had recommended, a cucumber, mint, kale, watercress, jicama, hazelnut, pistachio, spicy pea, and daikon salad with a light thai dressing [16]. This is bunny food on a whole new level.
Despite there being so many ingredients, you could taste the amount of care put into each component. Everything was individually pickled or prepared so that whether it was flavor or texture, there was something new with each bite.
But first, you gotta mix it all up!
You'll quickly notice the attention to detail here, firstly in the food and then in the service. The dishes are all intricately prepared and carefully placed, and each plate is timed to be brought out just as you are finished the one preceding it. A more subtle attention to detail is in the sequence in which they are brought out. Each dish that comes next is heavier than the last so that your tastebuds gradually escalate from flavors which are first delicate then intense.
These prawn toasts that arrived next are a testament to both these things.
White prawns, toasted brioche, crustacean remoulade, and water chestnut topped with radish and caviar [14]
It's the sandwich your mom used to pack in your lunch box elevated to a new level.
Perhaps one of the best dishes of the night was this roast sable fish with oyster mushroom, port and soy gastric, burdock chawanmushi, and chicarron [22]
So good that it made me forget to ask the server what on earth 'soy gastric' was.
Even though the portion was generous, I was sad when the server took the plate away.
Thankfully, two new ones arrived just in time
Roast brussel sprouts, truffled sausage, nuoc cham, perigueux, and crisp garlic [16]
and a mound of aromatic roast beets, szechuan pickled beets, pineapple, crisp grains, ginger, black sesame butter, and herbs [16]
These were good, but not sablefish level good.
By now, we had worked through 6 plates and felt more satisfied than when we started. Not quite remembering how many more dishes we had left, every new one that arrived just made it feel like a never ending dinner celebration.
Always down for those.
Even though I tend to go for vegetable and fruit heavy options on the daily, I'm more of a rice and noodle kinda girl.
So when the carbs finally arrived, I was all for it.
With roots in Hong Kong, I have some expectations when it comes to fried rice and lo mien, which I usually prefer at cheap no-nonsense places.
Their fried rice here is made with asian greens, shaoxing dressing, soft egg, sesame and undefined smorgasbord of herbs [16].
This was followed by their prawn lo mien with crab and chili sauce, peanut and bamboo ash, and scallion [20]
I'll be honest, grandma's is better and as much as I admire places that attempt to replicate the staples of a Cantonese kitchen, it's just hard. These cheap and easy comfort foods aren't meant to be fancy.
Not saying that it wasn't good, it just wasn't fried rice or lo mien.
I also don't quite know what bamboo ash is.
Thankfully, the last dish that arrived redeemed any disappointment I had in the last two.
A wild mushroom, white truffle & white miso, egg noodle, cured egg, with shaved black truffle and chestnut [20].
This was sable fish level good. Maybe even better.
Ending the meal off with a chocolate tart was the perfect finish to a delightful meal.
Máquè really hits the spot in many places, and it seems like you can't go wrong with anything that has truffle or sablefish in it. The service is superb, the experience is unique, and the food - absolutely divine
Find an excuse to go, or go just because.
naomi
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For more reviews and information on Máquè, please visit the following link
TORONTO | BOMBAY STREET FOOD
By Naomi October 13, 2017 canada, culinary, food, friends, personal, reviews, toronto
Bombay Street Food
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Tonight, we are going to Bombay.
Or the closest thing we can get without missing a whole week of classes.
Even though I live on the outer edge of Toronto, most of my time in the city is spent within the limits of Bloor Yonge station and Union.
This lovely place, hidden in an unassuming location on Bay street, was started by two sister-in-laws who wanted to bring the taste of Bombay to Toronto. Veering away from the usual dishes that you would find in an Indian restaurant, Bombay Street Food aims to bring a more casual and authentic fare to your table.
This was the first time I've been here, despite having had it on my radar for a while prior. I have this nasty habit of often sticking to what's familiar, which makes for a spot on experience every time, but nothing exciting.
My friend Natasia is a lot more bold and a total boss in the kitchen and out, so when she suggested we try this place out, I said yes before she even finished the sentence. We dragged along two friends with us and after a whole evening of group messaging to figure out a time to meet, the moment was finally here.
The menu is succinct but broad enough so that you feel as though you still have enough options to explore. After pouring over the menu for what seemed like hours, Natasia and I decided to split up and order our own things to share and let the boys fend for themselves.
Before going to a new restaurant I often read reviews on Zomato, so after reading recommendations, we decided on the dahi puris, beef kheema pav and the chicken frankie paired with gunpowder fries and daal chawal rice respectively. The boys went for a smorgasbord of items including the sev puri, potato vada pav, gunpower wings and masala haddock which they swore were better picks that ours.
Right.
Ordering here is different than other sit-down restaurants, as though it's a fast food crossover. You seat yourself upon entering a restaurant and bring a long a menu with you that you pick up from the front. Then you order at the counter and pay for your food before they give you a number, at which time the chef begins to prepare your food. Food is still made to order like a traditional restaurant, but they eliminate the service portion, perhaps mimicking a street food stall.
I'm not the biggest fan of pretentious dining, or even situations where you are asked every 5 minutes whether the food tastes good or not, so this is genius if you ask me.
Our conversation ceased the moment the food arrived, replaced with mmm's and wow's, which are a testament to how great the food tastes. Most of the dishes here aren't found elsewhere, so it's nice to see a restaurant trying something new that isn't necessarily "on trend" like most things in Toronto.
Bring a friend though, portions are generous and you'll want to try everything.
naomi
Or the closest thing we can get without missing a whole week of classes.
Even though I live on the outer edge of Toronto, most of my time in the city is spent within the limits of Bloor Yonge station and Union.
This lovely place, hidden in an unassuming location on Bay street, was started by two sister-in-laws who wanted to bring the taste of Bombay to Toronto. Veering away from the usual dishes that you would find in an Indian restaurant, Bombay Street Food aims to bring a more casual and authentic fare to your table.
This was the first time I've been here, despite having had it on my radar for a while prior. I have this nasty habit of often sticking to what's familiar, which makes for a spot on experience every time, but nothing exciting.
My friend Natasia is a lot more bold and a total boss in the kitchen and out, so when she suggested we try this place out, I said yes before she even finished the sentence. We dragged along two friends with us and after a whole evening of group messaging to figure out a time to meet, the moment was finally here.
The menu is succinct but broad enough so that you feel as though you still have enough options to explore. After pouring over the menu for what seemed like hours, Natasia and I decided to split up and order our own things to share and let the boys fend for themselves.
Before going to a new restaurant I often read reviews on Zomato, so after reading recommendations, we decided on the dahi puris, beef kheema pav and the chicken frankie paired with gunpowder fries and daal chawal rice respectively. The boys went for a smorgasbord of items including the sev puri, potato vada pav, gunpower wings and masala haddock which they swore were better picks that ours.
Right.
Ordering here is different than other sit-down restaurants, as though it's a fast food crossover. You seat yourself upon entering a restaurant and bring a long a menu with you that you pick up from the front. Then you order at the counter and pay for your food before they give you a number, at which time the chef begins to prepare your food. Food is still made to order like a traditional restaurant, but they eliminate the service portion, perhaps mimicking a street food stall.
I'm not the biggest fan of pretentious dining, or even situations where you are asked every 5 minutes whether the food tastes good or not, so this is genius if you ask me.
Our conversation ceased the moment the food arrived, replaced with mmm's and wow's, which are a testament to how great the food tastes. Most of the dishes here aren't found elsewhere, so it's nice to see a restaurant trying something new that isn't necessarily "on trend" like most things in Toronto.
Bring a friend though, portions are generous and you'll want to try everything.
naomi
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For more information and reviews on Bombay Street Food, please visit the following link;
