One of the nice things about warm summer nights is having dinner outside.  Boxwood is a relaxing and friendly restaurant located at Central Memorial Park.  The décor of the restaurant is light, fun, and open with large natural wood paneled windows.  The servers’ casual attire keeps the place from feeling overly fancy.

Julie and I were excited to try Boxwood because of it’s fresh menu and optimum location.  We shared the selection of Canadian cheese and herbed crostini and roasted broccolini.  If you’re a vegetarian keep in mind that dinner here will consist of “appi-like” dishes as all entrées feature some sort of meat.

I can’t remember the names of the cheeses and it’s not listed in the menu but the selection of cheese consisted of something blue cheese like, something brie cheese like and a white cheddar aged 3 years.  I like cheese and nothing can go wrong with cheese and crackers.  This dish also came with olives and a sweet jam which complimented all the cheese.  The roasted broccolini was nice and the hint of lemon was a great touch to the Nostrala cheese.

We both had a beautiful fuchsia coloured drink made of mashed up flowers.  Who can say no to dinking flowers?!  Julie’s flower drink had gin while mine had vodka – both equally great, although the gin had a little more kick.

We both really enjoyed Boxwood because of it’s vibe and easy approach to eating although I wish that there was at least one vegetarian entrée.

Our server was nice, friendly and knowledgeable about the menu (I’ve been to places where the response to questions about the menu is “I don’t know” or an unconvincing “Ya it’s pretty good”).

Happy eating

Boxwood Restaurant is a post from: Her Name Is An

I have been on a poutine rampage since Steve and I were talking about how awesome they were.

The patio at Broken City is very spacious with nice murals to take in if you’re tired of people watching.

When my poutine arrived I immediately thought “Wow, it’s soooo huge!  Yum Yum!”  The poutine tasted like what a poutine should taste like: mounds of fries with gravy all over the place and enough curds that you can enjoy it freely not worrying about rationing it for every bite.  There was no “special” kick that made this poutine exceptional but there was also nothing that made it not special.  It is a poutine that is a poutine classic.  It’s what one expects when they want a classic poutine that will satisfy a poutine craving.

Steve and I also tried the veggie burger and we both agreed that it wasn’t very satisfying.  He said it was too “beany” and I think it lacked punch and flavor.  We won’t be back for the burger but we will be for the poutine!

The service was ok, not overly friendly but who really cares when you have beer, poutine, sunshine and wicked company.

Happy eating

Broken City is a post from: Her Name Is An

The first time I had it was a few years ago (when I ate meat) and it was a pretty good hot dog on steroids overflowing with a ridiculous combination of ingredients.

When my brother came home for a visit I took him there and he was like “Wow!  This is 3 meals in one sitting!”  He was also sweating quite heavily trying to finish the bacon wrapped, deep fried, hot dog smothered with cheese and a sunny side up egg on top.

I recently rediscovered Tubby Dog after a night of wicked drinking.  Not only did it fill the void Wicked Wedge gouged out when it left it’s 17^th avenue location but it made me wonder What did I do all this time without this wonderful goodness?!

I’ve always gotten the A-bomb and it has never disappointed me.  I love the tang I get from the mustard and ketchup and thoroughly enjoy the cheese sauce covered chips.  It’s just perfect.  The crumpled chips make this hot dog ridiculously messy to eat which only adds to the fun and the best surprise of all is that the A-bomb still tastes amazing when you haven’t been drinking your week away and needing greasy food to settle your stomach.

Julie:

My initial thought of the Sumo dog was, “Weird? That does not sound so appealing.”  However, I went ahead and tried it anyways.  The sumo dog consists of pickled ginger (the kind you get at Japanese restaurants), seaweed, wasabi, and Japanese mayo.  I thought there was a little bit too much ginger as it was over powering, the seaweed added a nice texture to the hot dog, and the wasabi gave it a nice kick.  I really like the wasabi in the hot dog because it was very different and who thought to put wasabi in hot dogs?  It gave it a nice subtle spiciness and the seaweed gave a “coolness” to balance it out.  Mmm Mmm mmm, delicious.  Every time I go to Tubby Dog, I am always drawn to the Sumo dog!

Happy eating

Tubby Dog is a post from: Her Name Is An

First on the menu was a Dill Potato salad.  I liked the bite this dish had and of course being a FAN of potatoes I obviously enjoyed this dish.  It was surprisingly not heavy at all even though you’re consuming a lot of starch.  I also really enjoyed the cheese that gave this plate a nice punch that wasn’t even lacking in the first place.

Next up was the Italian Flatbread; the presentation of this dish made me think of summer on a patio.  It was nice and colourful – exactly what I haven’t been eating in a VERY long time.  I was slightly disappointed by the lack of flavor this dish had since it was so colorful and all.  Luckily my second bite had sun dried tomatoes giving my palate the excitement it was looking for.  (Lesson: make sure all your elements are on the fork to get the full flavor experience)

For dessert we got not one, not two, but three popsicles each!  The popsicles instantly brought me back to my childhood of carefree days playing outside with a popsicle melting down my arm!  We had a strawberry popsicle which was tart and refreshing, a blue berry popsicle that left its skin all over your teeth and lips (Julie and I had good laughs with this one) and a vanilla blackberry popsicle which was the favorite.

The service was good as plates were cleared quickly and we were left to our conversations without being interrupted.  I will be back for more Wednesday dinners.

Happy eating

Higher Ground Vegetarian Night is a post from: Her Name Is An

The first time I went to Famoso I loved it!  The second time I went to Famoso I loved it!  (And that was in the same week!)  The other day I went to Famoso and still loved it!

The first time there, my friend and I got the Tapenade Trio, Quattro Formaggi, and of course the Margherita.  Both pizza’s were absolutely amazing!  They were thin crusted with just enough topping making them satisfyingly delicious and not soggy like other places I’ve been to.  I imagine my Margherita was as close to the Naples’ pizza Julia Roberts was eating in “Eat, Pray, Love” that I can have until my Europe trip.  The Tapenade was fun for those who like to try a bit of everything (me) and it was great with the pizza/crust too.

A few days later I was back with new friends.  I can’t remember what the other two pizzas were but Victor ate all of his “meat” pizza and a slice from the other pizzas as well.  Julie and I shared the Eggplant Parmigina; it was filling but not heavy leaving you satisfied with enough room for more if you wanted to squeeze in another slice.  We also had Roasted Kalamate Olives for appis which was fun on our pizzas as well.

After countless times of me telling Jocelyn how awesome and delicious Famoso is she and I finally went!  We had the Olives to share and again I got the Margherita – which was consistently delicious.  Jocelyn had the Smoked Salmon pizza and a Raspberry Italian soda.  “The pizza was the closest to real Italian pizza that I’ve has since I was in Italy 2 years ago.  I always love Italian sodas because it is very refreshing and is a great summer drink!  Overall it was very good and I’m looking forward to going back to try their other pizzas, gelato and specialty drinks that they have!”

I thoroughly enjoy Famoso because of it’s relaxed and clean atmosphere.  It’s a little different than other restaurants in that you order your food from the cashier and not your server which probably contributes to the relaxing vibe.  I also love the simple wood décor and large windows that make you feel carefree and happy.

I hope your experience at Famoso is like mine if not better!  Happy eating

Famoso Restaurant Review is a post from: Her Name Is An

My experience with breakfast places is that NO matter what time you go it WILL always be busy.  Taking that into consideration we decided to meet at 10am sharp so that we would beat any rush.  I was about 10mins late and expected the place to be jam packed.  To my complete surprise there was maybe 4 tables occupied when I got there.  Lucky for our server because I don’t think she could handle more then the 2 tables she had!  When we were ready to order we were informed that they couldn’t make toast as their toaster was broken – WTF!  How can you not have toast?!  It’s like going to a coffee shop with a broken coffee machine!  My thoughts: why don’t you use the oven?  In addition to no toast they don’t have hot chocolate or chocolate milk.

Kelsi ordered the Mixed Cheese Omelette.  She found the feta overwhelming as there was way too much feta in the cheese mixture, “One would think that they’d used more cheddar and mozzarella then feta…”  Her omelette was good once she took out feta and she would come here again.  (Please note that Kelsi is one of the pickiest eater I know! )  It looks like we had toast but it’s just bread.

Jocelyn’s breakfast choice is always eggs benedict which is good as she’s my controlled breakfast tester.  The Traditional Eggs Benedict is “comparable to Phil’s, not as good as Galaxy’s or Red’s but the potatoes were very good!”.  What Jocelyn didn’t like was that there was no bacon option – this means nothing to me as I don’t eat bacon, but she made it very clear that I comment that for other bacon lovers.  Jocelyn won’t make the trek to 1410 when she can go to other breakfast places relatively close but would come down for the patio.

I had the Spring Omelette with Hollandaise Sauce.  It was pretty good.  I’m hung up about the toast thing and think that it would have been delicious has there been toast.

At this point I’m not impressed with 1410’s breakfast food or service but I will go back because I had a great time with my friends and the other customers.  It is definitely a relaxed place with chill customers where you can easily mingle with each other.   

1410 Breakfast Review is a post from: Her Name Is An

Jocelyn and I finally decided to have breakfast at 9am on a Saturday assuming that it wouldn’t be busy because who gets up at 9am on a Saturday?!  People who go to Overeasy are people who are up earlier than 9am!  We waited for about 15ish minutes which isn’t too bad considering brunch at 11am can be over 30mins.

Overeasy’s décor is clean and cute with inspirations from the 60s (I think).  The walls have simple colourful pictures and the ceiling is decorated with chalk drawings.  When you are seated don’t forget to look at the light fixtures at the island

Jocelyn ordered the Traditional Eggs Benny.  “A good restaurant will know how to make a good eggs benny” she had said to me at another diner.  Even with the busy line up our order came up pretty fast!  The egg yolks were a beautiful rich orangy yellow colour and the hollandaise sauce was good.  I can’t vouch for the plate but Jocelyn said it was delicious.  What I will tell you is that the herb potatoes were amazing!!!  My stomach was growing as I was editing this picture.

I was in an indecisive state of mind between eggs benny or scrambled eggs.  To my luck they have a dish that is a marriage of both, Scrambled Crepe and this picture does not do the plate justice.  The scrambled eggs with the hollandaise sauce was delicious while the slight sweetness of the crepes complimented each bite beautifully.  The vegetable filling helped keep my mouthfuls “light” not feeling like my arteries were clogging.

The service was friendly and efficient.  We did not feel rushed even though there was a line up from the kitchen out to the front door and then some.  

Overeasy Breakfast Review is a post from: Her Name Is An