Muskoka kid

Joanne Kates gave Claudio Aprile's new restaurant Colborne Lane a great review today. Anyone tried it out yet? Anything in particular to try?

You could always try Niagara Street Cafe. They have a great wine list, as well as a few hidden gems behind the bar. I think Chiado is open on Sundays and it is an amazing Portugese restaurant with fish as the speciality. If you are free during the day you could always try brunch at Thuet's or Xacutti. Toronto dining is limited on Sundays as you have commented that most of the bigger name restaurants are closed, but it could be an opportunity to try some of the lesser know establishements that are putting out some great food. Sarah B, totally agree, never had a bad meal at Batifole!

I was at the Cheese Boutique two weeks ago and they had a large variety of capers. Didn't check to see what kinds, but I'm sure they would be able to let you know! Hope this helps your hunt.

A couple of years ago I went to Dish cooking studio as a birthday treat (pre Food Network days). It was a great evening, everyone helped to create the menu. I think we prepared a rack of lamb, a risotto and a lemon curd, so it wasn't the most challenging menu, but it was fun and the chefs are there to assist with all aspects. The level of participation is voluntary and you can definitely kick back with a glass of wine and watch.

Just got back and found some great out of the way places around the island. In Marigot Bay (across from Rainforest) is Mygo Restaurant. Great west indy flavour and beautiful view of the bay. Rodney's Bay can be very touristy, so if you are game for a drive head toward Vieux Fort and stop at Auntie Debbie's. Open air restaurant with Christmas lights, but great fish and a sampling of local cuisine. Skip Jalousie's expensive $18 hot dog and go down the road to MangoTree (Stonefield Estates) best view in all the island (between the Pitons) and great fresh fish and a good wine list. Go for a walk around the hotel after, each villa has their own pool! Just a word to the wise, if you end up in Soufriere and go to the Hummingbird, be prepared to wait. Two hours between appetizers and mains!

I went to Domus in Ottawa over the holiday as well as jenc. Really great wine list, including some good finds like Charles Baker Riesling which paired so nicely with their smoked trout. I would definitely recommend lunch there.

I would recommend Rosewater Supper Club. They have a couple of private rooms that hold your party size. They would be able to accomodate the allergy in your group, as they do it on a nightly basis. Let us know what you choose!

There is a response to James Chatto's blog today about Michael Schmidt. Hope this reaches people who are interested in supporting his cause, since Chowhound wouldn't cooperate.

A couple of weeks ago, Amy Pataki reviewed Coppi's truffle menu and it wasn't good. (sorry can't find the link at the Star) She actually preferred the menu without the truffles. Guess it's a good thing they were confiscated.

A bottle of wine is always greatly appreciated. Even if you don't know your bosses well enough to know their tastes or even if they drink, around the holidays a bottle of wine will be enjoyed. You can get some great bottles for $25 and by giving them a gift that is relatively the same, no preferential treatment or comparison can be made. I agree with Kerry Beal and Milagai, I love getting homemade gifts because I don't have the time or patience to create what I have been given, too bad that some people can't appreciate it! Their loss.

How about Chiado? It always rates in the top ten by Toronto Life. I have always enjoyed the fish, especially the sardines.

Spoke to someone who works there last night before I posted to confirm if it was true. They were there!

Although I live in Ontario, I complete my collection of Le Creuset at Home Sense. I was at Ashley's yesterday buying a shower gift and paid twice what I did at Home Sense. If you see the white Le Creuset, stock up as the staff at Ashely's told me they have discontinued it. By the way they have launched the most beautiful colours this year from turquoise and chocolate brown.

In Toronto, Far Coast Coffee just launched. It is a subsidiary of Coca-Cola and the first test market. It is a fully automated machine that uses the pod system. It goes further than Illy or Starbucks as the pods are sealed and not exposed to oxidiation. Coffee is good and seems to be a recent trend in restaurants to offer a consistent product.

Were talking $300 Canadian a week to work a 12 hour shift!!!

Recently the Labour Board was in at Susur. The restaurant was paying kitchen staff well below acceptable limits. He now has to have two shift in the kitchen to accomplish evening service. The question is, does it bother a diner to know that the people who are preparing their dinner make less per week than the dinner costs? As a diner at Susur, my first meal there cost $650 or two people and that would cover the cost of two people in the kitchen for a week. How do people feel about the compensation staff receives to prepare their food?

He was in talks with Sassafraz, but it didn't work out. Apparently he has gone back to Spain for vacation, but will return in the fall.

When I got married 2 years ago I registered for a simple pattern on white dishes. I went to my mother's house a day later to discover her china was the reverse of my pattern (mine was recessed dots, her's were raised). There is something to be said for simplicity. A co-worker got married around the same time as me and she registered for very expensive square plates (one of the fashion designers who decide to launch a home line, albeit at $600 a setting). She received all her china, but confided to me recently she has used it twice in two years and thinks it is out date now! What a waste! I am truly glad I registered for Le Cruset. I absolutely love my pots and sauce pans. I use them weekly to prepare stocks and stews, best gifts my husband and I received! We never bothered to register for crystal stemware as my husband's discount from working in restaurants made retail prices seem like highway robbery.

The idea of worms in fish just gives me the creeps. I was unwittingly eating worms for years until I met my husband who after 20 years in the restaurant industry would only eat certain types of fish. Thank god he shared the 'worm' secret with me! The one fish I am truly frightened of is farmed tilipia, the fastest growing fish that feeds on the excrement of other fish. I always feel sick when people order it around me in restaurants (for some funny reason it is always the special).

The most fool proof way I know to cook a leg of lamb is to rub it with olive oil, garlic and crushed mint and grill on the bbq. You will get varying degrees of well done to medium, but it is so good! Good luck!

Huge cravings for ice cream. But not any ice cream....Roasted Marshmallow! Made by one place only in Toronto - it is heaven and guaranteed to soothe any frazzled nerves. Apparently Ben and Jerry are trying to buy the flavour from the creator so that all the world can have a big smile on their face!

I agree with Beandork, most restaurants understand when one does not choose to drink at dinner. My step father is a recent diabetic and whenever we go out for dinner he can't join in. He usually orders water and never have we had any problems in a variety of cities in North America. There seems to be a big movement in the water served in restaurants, as some now have water sommeliers. Anthony Bourdain comments in his latest book about the endless water selection at Alain Ducasse in NYC. Even if you choose water only, many restaurants will find a way to make you pay large for it.