Joey Eaton Centre

The best bellini! It was fruity and fresh with just the right amount of sweetness and peach flavour and a perfect mix of slush and liquid. It wasn't strong, but the alcohol effects were felt later. Nice presentation and icy peach to top it off.



Appetizer: Ahi Tuna Tacos. These were delicious. The tuna was soft and paired perfectly with the fragrant sesame seeds and sauce. The coleslaw was fresh and gave it a crunchy texture along with the taco shell. I couldn't taste the wasabi aioli though; it was fine without it.



Because we were too busy chatting, our main dishes got a bit cold. However, the yam frites were great - crispier than Moxie's. The bread was buttery and crispy and probably would've tasted better hot. The cheese was good but I couldn't taste the lobster. I think the sandwich tasted better without the cocktail sauce.



Had a taste of the steak and the peppercorn rub was good and potatoes were very soft. The mashed potatoes were good but I didn't like the fried wrapping.

Overall, I'm glad I finally got to try Joey. It was smart that they split the bill for us (main, drink + half appetizer) and my total came to $33. For a grilled cheese sandwich, it is overpriced but worth it to try the food and environment.

Recipe | Strawberry Cream Cake

First time making this strawberry cream cake for my friend's birthday. I had to use a lot of cream to make the cake look bigger and to cover up flaws.

Two layers of sponge cake with cream and strawberries in between.

Recipe from openrice.com

Plain Sponge (1 lb):

1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon flour

1/3 cup sugar

3 egg whites

3 egg yolks

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence

2 tablespoons melted butter (1 oz)

Filling & Topping:

1 cup mixed fruit (I used strawberries instead of fruit)

1 slice tinned peach ，1 slice tinned pineapple

1 bottle fresh cream (8 ozs) (I used 16oz of cream and 4 tbsp sugar)

2 tablespoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence (I omitted vanilla in the cake and cream)

Sponge Cake:

Blend egg whites until stiff. Add sugar in and blend well until stiff.

Blend eggyolks slightly. Add in egg white mixture immediately and blend well.

Sift flour and salt. Add in egg mixture in 3 portions. Blend mixture well after each addition of egg mixture.

Add vanilla essence. Finally, add melted butter and blend quickly.

Grease 7" round baking pan. Dust flour on pan. Pour mixture in pan.

Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit, bake for 25 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool. Then slice cake into 2 layers.

Cream:

Pour fresh cream into a basin and place basin on top of bed of ice.

Add sugar in. Blend slowly until cream thickens. Add vanilla essence imediately.

Spread mixed fruit and cream on each layer of sponge cake. Put layers back together and spread cream on entire cake. Decorate the top with peach and pineapple.

It was the first time I used a recipe that required folding egg yolks into egg whites. The cake was a good sponge cake but some bites were lumpy due to not mixing thoroughly (I did not want to overmix the egg whites)

Ciao Wine Bar

Most of the French restaurants in Yorkville are closed Sunday, so my family decided to give Ciao Wine Bar a try. The restaurant is huge with two large main floors; main level was further split into ground level with a few banquettes and small tables, with more seating on the upper level. The atmosphere was open and urban with wood tables and ample natural lighting during lunch hour.

Bread to start was soft and warm, served with oil, vinegar and olives. Best part of the meal imo!

Beef carpaccio - my favorite, served with fresh arugula

Mom’s order - Seafood risotto - generous portions of shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari, but the risotto itself lacked flavor and texture was not as chewy as I thought risotto is supposed to be

My order - Spaghetti Carbonara. I wanted to try this for a long time. The sauce was creamy and rich, balanced with the saltiness of the pancetta, but overall I felt this dish was on the plain side. The spaghetti had no taste/didn’t absorb the sauce that much.

Linguine with grilled chicken in pesto sauce - Dad said this was bland.

Linguine in White Wine Sauce with Clams - My sister said this was bland as well.

Overall, entree portions were large but bland, making this restaurant experience “average”. Not a big pasta fan so I can’t really compare or think of an exceptional Italian restaurant but I was expecting the food to be a bit tastier for a restaurant in Yorkville. 1 Appetizer + 4 entrees came to a total of $88 before tip.

Riz North

With all-white decor and chandeliers, the interior feels like an upscale French restaurant. We were seated at the back of the restaurants where there was a fireplace, adding to the homey ambiance.

Lemongrass Vegetable Soup

This was my favorite appetizer. The soup was light with a sour Thai taste.

Satay Chicken Skewers

Tender chicken covered with delicious peanut sauce.

Unagi Sushi Pizza

This was another one of my favorites. (unfortunately photo is out focused) The base was a thin layer of sushi rice covered in panko(?) and deep fried - very crispy while maintaining the warmness and softness of the rice - topped with mayo and eel.

Spicy Salmon Maki

I didn't find this to be spicy. The fish was very fresh and tempura bits (?) were crispier than other restaurants. 3 pieces of maki per order.

Avocado and Cucumber Black Maki

Creamy avocado and thin sticks of cucumber wrapped in chewy black glutinous rice (or purple rice?) - it was an interesting texture combination.

Mangomono Black Maki

Crisp mango, crab meat and tempura bits wrapped in black glutinous rice.

Lemongrass Halibut

Tender halibut covered in sweet sauce. The fish was nicely cooked but I'm not a fan of wet battered fish.

Pho Beef

Everyone enjoyed this dish, but I found the broth to be too salty for my taste. I prefer more authentic broth with prominent cilantro flavor.

Thai Green Veggie Curry

Slightly spicy curry with zucchini, mushroom, tofu, napa cabbage matched perfectly with the rice.

This was my first time at Riz North for all you can eat lunch ($18) which offered a variety of pan Asian dishes (Thai, Vietnamese, Dim Sum, Sushi). We also ordered Thai dumplings, har gao, siu mai, spring rolls, Pad Thai, seaweed salad, mango salad and mango juice. The appetizers were presented in a perfect small portion (main wok and noodle dishes were larger, good for ~4 servings) and each dish was delicately executed. It recently opened in the summer so at $18, it is a good deal for the quality, variety and ambiance.

Guu Sakabar

Carbonara Udon

Gyu Carpaccio - bad picture but this is one of my favorite dishes - Love the garlic chips!

Kabocha Karaoke - deep fried pumpkin with boiled egg inside

Mushroom Bibimbap

Sake Shooters - the blue one is the best. Thanks to my friend for letting me have it : )

Dessert Platter (clockwise from top) - Almond Tofu, Sesame Ice Cream, Cheesecake, Sake Tiramisu

Had a small birthday dinner at Guu Sakabar. We were seated in the back area where we were required to remove our shoes. It was small and cozy and the staff are super friendly as always. The food was delicious; my favorite is the seared salmon (not pictured) and beef carpaccio. The items from both Guu are similar, with maybe some variance in the dessert menu. I find overall the items are different from the Vancouver locations though. 

Inatei

Dinner: Fresh Sashimi with my favorites - salmon and thick hamachi  

 Saba (flame torched)

 Love the plates and cups at Inatei - each table is different and unique

 Soft Shell Crab Roll 

Lunch on another day: 

 Ramen - broth is buttery and rich

 My usual order - Combo A - 6 pieces of sushi + 6 california rolls (or B, with +4 sashimi)

The sushi selection varies though. I like the saba sushi, but was disappointed when I was given this platter with imitation crab instead.


From another occasion - really like the saba and herring roe!

Dessert - coffee flavored panna cotta

The coffee liquer/syrup on top is quite strong!

One of my favorite sushi places in Richmond Hill for the quality and nice interior. Prices are slightly higher than average. 

Best of Hong Kong 2011

Best Bubble Tea @ Yuen Long
Not the biggest fan of bubble tea, but this original milk flavor was SO GOOD, really rich flavor.. My mom went back in December and apparently it's closed now. But there's a really good tofu place on the same street. 

Abalone @ Lei Yu Mun - size of my palm and so delicious. It's not something I eat frequently, but must say this was so flavorful and tender. 

Our whole family went clam digging one day. The clams were so sweet when cooked.

米酒雞
友愛大排檔, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Blurry because I didn't want to be embarassing and taking a picture of this while others were eating, but this was so good. Glutinous rice soaked in rice wine flavor with tender pieces of chicken. Although it was a 大排檔 environment where we had to sit on plastic stools in a noisy restaurant, the food was authentic and delicious.

egg w almond flavor, egg white with milk, Australia Dairy Co. (澳洲牛奶公司)
A long time favorite, must visit in hk each time I go back. This place is always busy at any time of the day, whether people eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. The turnover per table is probably 10-15 minutes.

Another shot: Even something as simple as butter on toast or condensed milk toast - you can taste the difference at Australia Milk Co. (cold, hard butter on soft yet crispy toast)

Breakfast in Hong Kong from Fairwood and Cafe de Coral. Even for fast food, the coffee is much better than in Canada because it's freshly ground. Must admit the fried fish (bottom right, from the airport) was so good and crispy.

美心天使蛋糕 Angel food cake covered in cream, sprinkled with 焦糖 (caramelized sugar bits)

Simple & Delicious. 

My favorite/the Best food court food - Pepper Lunch
Ever since 2006/2008.. been craving this. Sizzling hot, thinly sliced beef, sweet corn, buttery rice, topped with your choice of sauces - sweet honey type sauce + salty soy sauce.. the best!!!