Hey everyone! I’m currently in New York, and finally finished up this post recapping the rest of my time in Toronto. So keep an eye out for my New York recap as well.
- My mom spotted fresh figs at the store, so naturally they accompanied my breakfast the next morning.
Along with the most delicious yogurt ever Liberte’s Plain Organic, multigrain cereal, cinnamon, and almond butter. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find that specific yogurt since I’ve been in the states. I’ll try my luck once I get back down to Florida.
- We also spotted a bread that’s made without yeast since my mom is trying to figure out the culprit of her stomach upsets.
- Topped with vegetable hummus, Laughing Cow, avocado, grape tomato bits, and red onion.
The bread was dry, but nothing unexpected since that is how that bread typically is.
- Later on, I went downtown and moseyed around.
- I stopped in to get a big cup of tea.
- I also went back to the chocolate bar, MoRoCo, with a purpose.
I had never tried a macaron before, but have heard lots about them. The reviews for these were comparing them to the likes of Ladurée and Hermes, which I’ve heard are the best.
- The Salted Caramel…
- It was quite tasty for the most part, but just a tad bit too sweet for my taste.
- I also tried lemon macarons.
I actually enjoyed this one! When I bought the boxed pair I wasn’t too sure about the lemon and my heart was set on trying the salted caramel. Since they didn’t have any of the salted caramel macarons left to buy individually I decided to take a chance and get the last one that was paired with the lemon flavor. The lemon one had a much better consistency than the salted caramel, and had just the right amount of sweetness. Not to mention it brightened up my taste buds with it’s zesty flavor!
- Zing!
- I always think of macarons as delicate treats.
- I also picked up some local sheep’s milk yogurt.
I wasn’t a big fan of it however. It was very pungent, but atleast it was creamy! Did you know that because of it’s molecular composition it is easier to digest, and can even be used as baby formula!
- And another local find… strawberries from Ontario!
I find that local produce always tastes better.
- Two fruit finds for breakfast: persimmon and strawberries
I was able to make a few outings to the downtown area during my trip, and came across a lot of interesting things.
- Check out this work of architectural art at The Royal Ontario Musuem.
- After a long day of walking around I picked up some take out at Fresh.
I followed the recommendation from a few of you, and I’m glad I did. Sadly, I couldn’t sit down and eat because I was with my pup, Matilda. But it’s alright because they didn’t make a fuss about having to take my order at the door. In fact, the man who helped me held Matilda for me while I went in to snap some pictures!
- Snap snap
- The first time I intentionally got take-out for myself in years!
I’m rarely in the mood for take-out, and I usually don’t find the motivation to order take-out. Wait. What? Since when does take-out involve motivation? Well, for me it does. I just have a lot of things that I can put together in a cinch and voila! And if I’m getting food from elsewhere I’d rather just go to the restaurant. So that’s why I rarely order take-out.
- My eyes went straight to the quinoa-battered onion rings along with their housemade BBQ sauce.
Oh my word! These were incredible and I didn’t have to try the other onion rings in Toronto to know that these deserve to be dubbed “one of the best”. You get more than the usual satisfying crunch with the quinoa. Then you bite into it you get to the soft onion ring in the middle. The BBQ sauce was the perfect dipping sauce for these, thanks to the waiter’s recommendation! Seriously, I could go on and on about how great these were. If you’re in the area you should definitely stop by and try these.
- I ordered their monthly-special salad, which had too many delicious things to remember them all.
The ginger dressing was another welcomed recommendation from the waiter. Let’s see… it had all sorts of sprouts, sweet potato rounds, tofu, all sorts of colorful kale, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, goji berries, broccoli… ohhh so many things to remember!
- Matilda and I had quite an adventure that day.
- Finally got back to the hotel to enjoy the rest of the salad.
- And Matilda got a giant doggie cookie after enduring her first subway ride.
- On our last night in Toronto we met up with my mom’s co-workers at a Hungarian restaurant.
The only options I could have were the salads, aside from this creamy mushroom dish with tomato sauce that didn’t sound appetizing to me. I ordered the spinach salad with fresh fruits and an orange-yogurt dressing. It was actually quite tasty! Not very filling, but what did I expect? I had another restaurant picked out for me and my mom to enjoy, but she wanted to meet up with her co-workers who were already at this place. To be honest, I was upset about not being able to enjoy an actual dinner together, especially on our last night. Oh well. Atleast the company was fun!
- So my last night in Toronto entailed a yummy salad and a microwaveable soup.
- The next morning involved quick packing.
- All the while little Matilda was relaxing on her pillow.
So that was my trip to Toronto! It was very low key, but it was nice to atleast be introduced to Canada. If I go there again I’d like to do things a little different so it’d be easier for me to get to places, so I can experience it more. Ever have a vacation that you’d just want to do over?
I’m extending the Restaurant.com giveaway till next Wednesday. Who in the D.C. area wouldn’t like to get a $25 gift-certificate to any of the restaurants on the D.C. guide list?! What’s better? I’m giving away four. So I’ll repeat the rules:
1. Browse through the Washington D.C. restaurant guide, and let me know which restaurant you’d like to go to.
2. If you have a blog you can mention this giveaway in a post.
3. Share this give away on Twitter: “Win a Restaurant.com $25 Gift Certificate for the D.C. area from @mixoparthenos over at http://wp.me/puETn-1ze!”
Each of these counts as an entry so please make sure to notify if me if you share this on Twitter. Good luck! The giveaway officially ends next Wednesday 13 July, 2011 at midnight.
Are those goji berries in the salad from Fresh? That’s the best looking takeout salad I’ve ever seen! And about sheep’s milk yogurt…I love that stuff! But unlike Greek yogurt, I don’t really enjoy it plain. If I buy it plain, I like to sweeten it with agave. Otherwise, I buy an already sweetened flavor. I love the pungency, but it’s a tad too gamey for me without a little sugar.
Oh, and Matilda is such a princess. So cute!
awww canada looks like a lot of fun! i have a lot of family in toronto and vancouver but haven’t visited in years.
i had the same reaction to macarons when i tried them for the first time last fall in paris. i picked up a chocolate hazelnut one from pierre hermes actually and it was WAY too sweet for my taste. i ate one and had a stomachache afterwards!!! but i do think they are quite cute looking. haha.
that salad looks delicious! esp with the sweet potato rounds.
and i have been going through fresh figs like crazy. i think it’s the hoarder in me knowing that they are only going to be around for a month or so more.
I actually tried sheep-milk yogurt just few days ago! It was indeed super creamy. I thought it tastes a bit like mayonnaise. No?
Looks like you had fun tie in Toronto, so good for you! I’m so envious of the macaroons especially. I’ve never tried them, lol!
I think I’d like to redo one particular trip… you know which one
Keep having fun in New York! And have another macaron for me, please – I’ve STILL never had one before! Tragedy!
Ohhh those fresh figs look beautiful!!! I just bought some amazing fig and hazelnut spread and I was thinking of making a fresh fig pizza so I have them on my list for this week.
I too think macaroons are a tad too sweet for my taste.
Glad you are enjoying your trip sweetie!
figs are one of my fave fruits! still on the trip? wow! lucky girl! i’ve had a laduree and let me tell you it IS the best! i’ve had both sheep & goat-gurt and i prefer the goat’s tang & texture over the sheep hands down! have you ever eaten a persimmon and it made your lips numb or tingle? it’s one crazy fruit! have a safe trip back
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Matilda is a cutie!
I love figs, though I’ve only had dried. Would love to try fresh! I’ve never had a macaron either, but they look so pretty and delicious! Have a great day
Still so sad we were never able to see each other! Damn commutes and tummy bugs
Next time you and Matilda are staying with me! xo
The pictures of Matilda are so cute! She really is quite an adorable thing.
We just got beautiful figs at the store today. I love dried figs and their super-sweetness, but fresh figs have that grassy, plant-like taste in the background that makes me feel like I’m eating something really fresh.
Hey Katharina! I just aw you’re still doing that give away. I live right around DC so I took a peek at that guide and decided this is the restaurant I’d chose. It’s in the Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan region. I hope I am submitting this right!
Himalayan Heritage Restaurant & Bar
2305 18th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 483-9300
Just another note, I shared the link on Twitter as well!
There’s so many Ethiopian restaurants on the list, I’d probably go to one of those! I love going into DC for dinner when I’m at school.
When you said you had a surprise for your DC readers I was secretly hoping YOU’D be coming for a visit. But alas, I guess this will have to do!
ahhhh looks like SUCH an amazing time! and that picture of matilda at the end is the most precious thing ever! loves. miss you dear
ooohhh and those quinoa battered onion rings! i die.
Quinoa battered onion rings?? Awesome. Hope you’re enjoying your travels, this looks like tons of fun
Mmm figs! Mmmmm persimmon!! Lucky you! And what a sweet little friend you have in Mathilda.
Now I wish I still lived in the DC area so I can participate! Alas.
I’ve tried quinoa-battered avocado before. I remember really liking it, despite not even liking avocado OR quinoa.
Great post! Love the pictures of Matilda… too cute.
I need to spend a day with you, you always find the greatest foods
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