Life of a Foodie!

Hello! I know it has been awhile since my last blog post, so I decided to start this week off right with a post of my weekend adventures. For some time now I have been talking about how I want to try new restaurants in Toronto, as oppose to always going to the ones I am familiar with. On Friday night it was a good friend of mine's birthday; and he had us all go to Barque Smokehouse in the lovely Roncesvalles Village. This is an area of Toronto that I have always loved, but never seem to make my way over to to explore! If you need a reason to make your way to this great pocket of Toronto; Barque is reason enough!

The interior was very intimate, featuring warm wood finishes and a corner location with lots of windows looking directly onto Roncesvalles Avenue. The restaurant is a small to medium sized place, seating approximately 50-75 people. 

I loved the arts and crafts inspired danish chairs that accompanied the warm wood tables and storage. The exposed concrete walls gave it that cool contrast to balance out the abundance of wood. 

Again with my obsession with salvaged wood beams, here is a bar made entirely of them! I also loved the stools they selected, they suit the ambiance of the space quite nicely. 

Now onto the best part; the food. Since it was a large party of us (15 people), we decided to the the fixed menu family style option. We all paid 25 dollars and had shared appetizers and entrees. If you are going with a large group this is the way to go; plenty of food to go around that left all of us holding our stomachs by the end of the evening unable to move! It started with honey garlic glazed chicken wings and deep fried calamari with a basil pesto lemon dip. Our selection of main entrees consisted of rotisserie chicken, rosemary dry rub rack of ribs, and beef brisket. All of which could have been the best barbecue I have ever had. The sides included the creamiest scallop potatoes I have ever had, and lovely sauteed veggies. 

One of the highlights of everyone meal was the bacon-rimmed caesars that we had heard so much about. They drizzle honey along the rim of the glass, and roll it in real bacon bits... need I say more? I am crazy about caesars and this may have been one of the best yet! 

All in all, a successful Friday night; good food, great company, and amazing drinks!

Sunday was another day for trying out new places, I have been wanting to go for a good brunch in the city for awhile now, and my friend Danielle who knows anything there is to know about good food suggested we go to The Stockyards on St.Clair West. Another smokehouse; this place featured a Sunday Brunch that was southern inspired. 

Again, it was my style of design everywhere! The place was very small, in fact the only places to sit were up on the bar facing the grills and deep fryers, along the opposite wall, and four seats in the front window. The ceiling was an amazing feature, it consisted of (surprise) reclaimed barn boards! with recessed pot lights and industrial inspired pendants over the bar top. 

The place was loud and full of life with friendly staff, and line out the door... for good reason! The menu is small but they have some incredible options. I decided on the "stockyard" breakfast sandwich. It consisted of smoked thick cut bacon, a deep fried poached egg (yes deep fried), and aged cheddar cheese on a homemade biscuit that melted in your mouth. For just a breakfast sandwich it was one of the most filling things I've ever eaten!! It was amazing so much flavor and taste. My friends Danielle and Seana decided on the southern classic fried chicken on waffles with a honey glaze. Let let me have a bite and let me tell you, its worth every calorie. The flavors from the homemade seasoning and fresh waffles compliment each other so well! 

So in conclusion, I had a very food -filled weekend, and am even more excited now to continue my food education and try more independent restaurants through out this amazing city!!