27.9.12

Le Trou Normand

http://www.letrounormand.ca/

Cheri wanted to go out for lunch in the area, but he was thinking more of Hazelton Hotel's One - an impressive patio and facade, but a mundane, overpriced menu.
A an everyday Caesar for $20? I don't know..

APPEARANCE
light, lemon yellow
I randomly saw the welcoming, decorated gate entrance to this cute patio and suggested it instead. The restaurant name being part of the fence, looks very authentic. I am just not a fan of the flat red family crest placed on top.

NOSE
citrusy and herbaceous 
Welcomed by an older man, the long patio had greens, cobblestone-like floor, square tables and round ornamented chairs. He was rushing to clean up and get everything ready, as we were the first to start our 11:40 lunch. 
There were a few posters on the sides. We didn't actually end up going inside, but it seemed fancy - window-like wall facing the patio. I decided to see what was recommended in the Urbanspoon reviews.. It runs out people don't even wants their enemies to come here.. * gulp *

SWIRL
easy-going, hint of apple (a bit cold - 5 degrees)
Already sitting, we were in too deep to walk up and leave. We though that people are probably exaggerating for the sake of being entertaining. That same older man seemed very polite and caring. He let us know their specials and let us take our time. Their warm brown soft menus were nicely de-bossed while the inside was crammed with a lot of outlined type. Cheri instantly chose their Foie de Veau, while I went for one of their daily special - Cod Salmon filet with saffron and cream sauce. I was tempted and decided to give in to a glass of Blanc de France, while Cheri had to keep it sober.
It was quiet and a bit chilly. We had a lady hand us two slices of warm baguette each and a plate butter while we waited. The saltshaker was not working so asked our waiter who quickly apologized, switched them and let us know its probably the moisture of them being outside.  If I was a germaphobe I might be freaking out, but I didn't mind much. 
Soon enough, it warmed up enough for us to break a sweat. French songs were playing in the background and a few tables around us started filling up around us.

PALLETE
a bit dry, light bodied (served too chilled), mellow
Our dishes arrived in big white places, elegantly presented. We both agreed to fresh peper. Cheri's liver was roasted in garlic and toped with a few chive springs. Surrounded by some of its sauce and steamed vegetables, it was an easy and simple dish. I didn't feel like trying it, but cheri finished it in no time. (I had to add, he is knows to enjoy bland food) My Cod-Salmon filet was also decorated with chive springs, covered in a light creamy sauce it also came with a side of steamed veggies and rice. The saffron scent was subtle, more predominant was the coarsely crushed pepper it was already baked in. It was also light on flavours and very simple. Everything felt very healthy.

FINISH
clean, refreshing, crisp
Both dishes were not tuned to the same European flavours we got too used to during our vacation,
so it was hard to judge. On top of all, this French mood got us in a bit of an argument so were a bit out of it. Regardless, the ambiance and manners of the serving staff made us both feel very welcome.

overall.. a light, mellow white blend
Le Trou Normand on Urbanspoon

13.9.12

Manastirska Magernica

http://www.magernitsa.com/

We went on a Sofia Tour around the city and ended up at their Tourist Information. We asked for a traditional restaurant and the lady quickly circled on the map for us one not too far.
We got a bit confused and walked all the way down the street to see there is no such place, then walked back and decided to re-interpret the map and ask for directions. This is always hard to do on on an empty stomach.


APPEARANCE
traditional, dusty bottle, intense ruby colour
Small cobble stone road lead to the stone-looking fence, traditional red ceramic roof and wall of folk images. The restaurant wordmark is in old-cyrilic style alphabet, wooden letters not op of a wooden plank in a classic rainbow.

NOSE
herbs, red forest berry fruits
Ok, we entered someone's backyard patio. Trees, umbrellas, red granite chunks  pavement, white table cloths, metal ornamented chairs, folk rugs on the walls and other random homy ornaments here and there.

SWIRL
a bit of spice and light oak, heady
We were told to sit where we wish. We picked a secluded sunny table by the house. The menus came - unique wooden covers with a second piece of wood glued on top and illustrated. They somehow gave cheri an English menu without even asking. So much to choose from..
The menu switches to older dishes half way, and prices grow. But overall, you can hardly find a dish as much as the regular $20CND.
The waiters were a bit serious but great. I asked if they could make us a mixed dish of appetizers and they were more than happy to create one for us.
We also ordered their 5 cheese mixed dish toped with honey and walnut, as well as a dish of beef tongue in butter.
We asked for their recommendations of wine in glass, but essentially we ended up ordering two smaller bottles for each one of us. I knew Muscat is famous for Bulgaria, but no idea what else..

PRE-PALETTE
unique, exciting, intimate
It took some time for the glasses to arrive. We ended up getting a dry red mix of Syrah and Merlot - a bit oaky, and light in fruit. The white one was a mavrud - nose of cherry and rose, but then rather crisp with a hint of frost berries.
Both of us tried to find the washroom, which is strategically upstairs on one end, so people can explore and get lost inside the adorable house. Once you go up the carpeted stairs you enter a big dark room with a pork chop roasting on ashes, kind of in the open (behind is probably the kitchen, I thought). Seriously, walking around was nosing around different private dining rooms with a table or two inside.

PALETTE
full-bodied, rich, elegant
Our appetizer plate arrived - full with colours and flavours - vegetables, mixed cream and marinate salads, cheese, olives (which to my surprise were not salty at all), some traditional dried meats… Not only did it look great, but everything had so much flavour, it was so real.
Briefly after came the cheese plate, all of them melted on their own side. I was able to pick out four type - an opinionated goat cheese, two cow ones, and hints of a blue one. The dish had two dried dark fruits in the middle, possibly plums.
Lastly the tongue made its way, in an interesting black pan with a very tall handle. It was hot, lightly greased in butter with paprika on top. It was beautifully tender and soft.

FINISH
the substantial tannins and alcohol made the aftertaste subtle and slow
Just like most Bulgarian restaurants the portions were large so we spent some time enjoying.
There was no music playing, it was serene. We also came at around 3, so we were one of the few tables there.. perfect

overall.. a one-of-a-kind Mavrud (from a family owned winery)

1.9.12

Three Coins Open Kitchen


A friend of mine asked me for a good family breakfast place in north GTA and I gladly did the research for her.

APPEARANCE
medium-deep plum, with ruby notes
It is up on the hill of Richmond Hill, in the central area, where it gets cute and cozy. From across the street what looks like a white wall of blinds welcomes you. Both me and cheri agreed that there is a laundry room feel to it. It was the triangular sign up on top that made us realize that is not the case.

NOSE
red berry, plum and cassis (a bit too diverse)
Inside, checkered and yellow walls, blue ceiling - quite a clash of colours for the morning, but relaxing to the eye following that bright white sign outside. In front of us - a long corridor with a bar-like area, facing the open kitchen grill and a girl telling us to sit where we wish. The place was packed and we didn't have much choice but to go towards the larger dining room, on the right side. It was rather busy and folks seemed to be a bit older, we both agreed that it felt like we are in some diner mid US. Posters of Marilyn Monroe and other of her era, including some decent cars, decorated the walls.

SWIRL
subtle oak, chocolate and anise
We got our menus, as were asked for tea and coffee. Skimming though the menu, I inquired about their smoothies. I was told that they are very good and that they are also out of them, as they didn't have milk. We found it silly that they couldn't go out and get a carton. Entertaining ourselves with the menu, Cheri couldn't help by notice their "Cream Chess" which I to inquire about.
(oh, yes, a typo)Looking though their retro-flashy menu, it seems like a leaflet you get in the mail with pizza deals, except it was in the classic, plastic, double-fold pockets. Regardless of the visual overload, it was no doubt easy to navigate though. I had to try their benny which came with home fries, while cheri asked for their Western Omelette.
As we waited, I was surprised that there was no music playing, but soon enough It all clicked in my head. We noticed that each booth had something on their wall, (not the typical plasma tv), but an old-school juke box. That was probably the funnest part of this place.
We saw a couple leave so we quickly snatched their booth, but our seats were not left cold - a dad and his two kids quickly took our spots. The booth had a juke box, unlike our previous table, and was not right by the windows. Flipping though the oldies, we didn't have 25cents on us, so we asked our waitress a few times for a coin.

PALLETE
soft, well-balanced, tanins at the finish
My benny and his omelette arrived. We tasted them to the tune of the Beach Boys (Good Vibrations). We got a few smiles from people around. None else followed our juke box example, unfortunately. My Eggs Benedict was great - the bacon was substituted by lean English bacon, which they called ham. The hollandaise was great texture, not too buttery nor bland. The worst part of my plate were the home fries, they smelled like old grease. Totally not something I was gonna finish.
Cheri's Western Omlette was nothing out of the ordinary - green peppers, ham, onion and egg with a nice side of cucumbers and tomatoes. He though it was perhaps a tad too salty. We took our time finishing our dishes. Half of my benny really filled me up.

FINISH
leaving a pleasant mouthfeel
I have to admit, even though those blinds looked uninviting from the outside, we were more than glad they were there. That sunlight would have made us boil, as it was getting just a bit steamy with them down and the AC on.

Overall.. a decent Merlot (poor label at first glance, but quite worth it)
Three Coins Open Kitchen on Urbanspoon