Fonda Lola started their business as a pop-up in 2012, and was one of the popular vendors at the The Stop Night Market. Due to gaining a following, they quickly acquired a spot on Queen St W, and opened a restaurant by 2013. Fonda Lola's space was quite warm as it was designed with rustic materials, painted ceramics, and other Mexican mementos. To this day, Fonda Lola strives to remain an ambassador of the Mexican culture, and have brought the food, tequila and customs to the multiculturalism of Toronto.

 
For two nights only (August 26 & 27), the Fonda Lola menu is being turned over to the restaurant owner’s mother, Mama Vickie, to create and serve an authentic eight-course Mexican meal featuring her specialties and favorite dishes to feed a crowd. Passed down from generation to generation, these recipes are sure to give you a true taste of Mexican culture and will take your tastebuds through years of home-cooked tradition. At 65 years old, Vickie has had several years of practice to perfect the art of a pinch, dab and dollop to make each dish perfect in its delivery.

If you're interested in this special two nights only event, then book your ticket at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fonda-lola-mamas-menu-dinner-event-tickets-18234150836

I had the pleasure of  being invited to the media preview at Fonda Lola last week with a few fellow food bloggers, and Instagrammers. We had a taste of four of the dishes that will be on the special 8-course menu that Mama Vickie will be creating. The dinner is $42 per person, and you can book your ticket at http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/fonda-lola-mamas-menu-dinner-event-tickets-18234150836. Please note that drinks, taxes, and gratuity are extra.

Mama Vickie’s Special Menu

 Guacamole - A national Mexican dish. At Fonda Lola’s, we don’t add any tomatoes or onions to our recipe in order to give you a smoother, creamier, richer texture. Served with crunchy freshly-made tortilla chips. The chips were incredibly crispy, and tasted great with the creamy guacamole.

Shrimp Aguachile - A more piquant version of ceviche, lime and jalapeño concoction. This particular dish hailed from Sinaloa Mexico, and Vickie's take on it was very flavorful. The shrimp was marinated in lime and jalapeño juices giving it with a very zesty flavor. I also thought that the saltiness balanced quite nicely with the citrus making it a refreshing Mexican-style ceviche.

 

 

Address: 96 Tecumseth St, Toronto, ON M6J 2H1

Social Media:

Website: http://www.fondalola.ca/

I was asked to try out Ritual, a new mobile food ordering app, and Milano Espresso Bar was one of the participating restaurants where the app could be used. The following review is for my two purchases from Milano Espresso Bar. If you want to read my experience using the app, then please read it here.

 Milano Coffee are a well-known coffee chain in the West coast (Vancouver), as they have three locations opened. Earlier this year, they opened up their first location in Toronto on Adelaide St W. I almost missed it, as the outside was rather unassuming with a plain white sign sitting high above (which was hard to see with the sun beaming down). The shop itself was small, but the overall ambiance was quite relaxing with music playing in the background. I'd say that Milano Espresso Bar caters to a wide array of coffee drinkers working in the area. 

It was a rather hot day, so I opted for an iced latte ($4.25) instead of their roasted coffee. I got mine with whole milk, and thought that the latte had a decently rich coffee flavor. Price wise, it wasn't too bad, and rather on par with several other coffee shops in the area. I also got the oatmeal raisin cookie ($2). While I liked the clean wrapped packaging, I thought that the cookie was slightly too hard for my taste.

Disclaimer: The food provided in this post was completely subsidized by Ritual . However, all of the opinions expressed in this review are of my own.

I have a major sweetooth, so I always look forward to the dessert after a meal. The dessert served at the dinner was by  Rachelle Cadwell, who also competed on the Canadian show, Donut Showdown. Her Chocolate Tart - hazelnut ice cream, raspberry, daquoise, coffee, was beautifully plated with three different kinds of chocolate. The chocolate was also encrusted with tiny bits of coffee on the inside. Lastly, the raspberry juice definitely did add a fruity tartness, which helped to balance the dark chocolate pieces. Overall, I had a wonderful, memorable, and well-balanced dinner at the Beast & Friends - An Evening of Refined French Cuisine (U-Feast) event.

Digestif // New Schmidt// Fernet Branca // Carpano Antica// Absinthe //sugar

The next U-Feast event will take place at Mata Petisco Bar on September 22, 2015. The event costs $70, and will consists of a five-course fiesta. Check the menu, or book the ticket(s) at https://www.ufeast.com/event/Made%20in%20Brazil.

Address: 96 Tecumseth St, Toronto, ON M6J 2H1

Social Media:

A Middle Eastern Twist on the Classic Sandwich 


The health-conscious Middle Eastern deli is coming to downtown Toronto

TORONTO - August 2015 – Fresh East transforms the good old-fashioned sub into authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. The first Toronto location is officiallyopen for business at the end of August. This will be Fresh East’s third openingwithin the past six months; the two previous restaurants are located on the Western university campus and in the Erin Mills Town Center. The highly anticipated Toronto Fresh East will be opening at the bustling corner of Young and Dundas, at 334 Yonge St.

Fresh East implements a quick-serve restaurant concept, where diners can try the savoury flavours of the Middle East, customizing subs or shawarmas to their liking. The menu offers a selection of freshly baked breads, fresh produce, halal deli meats, and authentic homemade secret sauces.

The new franchise concept is a spin-off of the popular GTA restaurant chain Paramount Fine Foods, which is recognized for its award-winning shawarma and authentic Lebanese food. Paramount itself has grown to 20 restaurants this year with locations in Canada, USA and the Middle East.

Fresh East is the first halal-certified quick-serve sandwich shop, catering to halal and health-conscious diners. “We serve the real deal when it comes to Middle Eastern cuisine,” says Mohamad Fakih, CEO and President of Paramount. “People love that we offer authentic flavours, a family-friendly environment, and healthy food options. We look forward to giving our Toronto customers a convenient and efficient dining option with our Fresh East at Young and Dundas.”

Fresh East is following the successful franchise model of Paramount Fine Foods, and has plans to continue to expand with more locations into the fall.

More information at http://fresheast.ca/

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is an annual event that takes place at The Exhibition Place every summer for 18 days. I try my best to attend the CNE almost every year, as I love trying out the different concoctions of food items, check out the shops inside of the Direct Energy Centre and play carnival games.


What is CNE?  The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is Canada’s largest event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a variety of entertainment and events including Bandshell concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, an aerial acrobatics and ice skating show, a dog show, a working farm, parades and a three-day Air Show, all of which are FREE with admission to the CNE.

    Location? Exhibition Place at 210 Princes’ Boulevard

When? August 21 – September 7, 2015

Food Building

Every year, over 1 million people visit the Toronto Star Food Building to experience the variety of foods available. It is located west of the GO/TTC Gate and directly north of BMO Field. This year, get your food faster with the Food Building App by Grabb Mobile.

TIPS BEFORE YOU GO:

1) If you know for sure that you'll be attending CNE, buy your tickets in advanced. You save up to 33% on CNE tickets when you buy them prior to their first day of opening on August 18.

2) Don't forget to wear sunscreen, and comfortable shoes.

3) Bring cash, as many places don't take debit or credit.

4) On a budget? Go after 5 pm on the weekday for a discount rate of $6 per person.

5) I highly recommend people take public transit, as parking spaces are rather limited downtown.

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Here are some of this year's featured items that have really caught my eyes. I can't wait to attend this year's CNE.

Thanksgiving Waffles from Frans Restaurant

Photo Credit: Nick Kozak of Now Toronto

Cocoa Infused Fried Chicken from  Coco's Fried Chicken stand

Photo Credit: Jesse Milns from BlogTO

Photo Credit: Nick Kozak of Toronto Star

Funnel Cake

Photo Credit: Nick Kozak of Toronto Star

Baonana Split from Far East Taco

Photo Credit: Gabby Frank

Timbits Poutine from Tim's Horton's

Photo Credit: Notable

Deep Fried Red Velvet Oreo from The Funnel Cake Shop

Photo Credit: Now Toronto

Photo Credit: Andrew Ebrahim

Garlic Snow Crab Fries from Jake's Lobster

Photo Credit: Andrew Ebrahim

Some of the foods that I tried at the 2013 CNE

At the front of Spread

Spread's Nutella Jalapeno

Spread's Nutella French Toast (with fresh banana and strawberries)

???? (I forgot to ask my friend where he got this from)

???? (I forgot to ask my friend where he got this from)

Bacon-Nation's Deep Fried Bacon-Wrapped Mars Bar

Just Cone It's Spice Cream Cone (vanilla ice cream topped with bacon bits and chili flakes in a pizza cone lined with Nutella)

Epic Burgers' Krispy Kreme Donut Burger