Category Archives: Vivian Law

Book Inspiration: Bi Rite Market’s Eat Good Food

Posted on May 11, 2012 | Leave a comment

I came across Bi Rite Market under the most unlikely circumstances. I inadvertently had dinner with two separate groups of 6 people at Mission Chinese in San Francisco. One of my absolute favourite Chinese restaurants ever. Both groups of 6 people highly recommended icecream from Bi-Rite Creamery, which was 2 blocks away.
I made my way over after dinner and lined up for 15 minutes for their salted caramel icecream. When I paid for my icecream, I noticed their book for sale and made a mental note. The icecream was unbelievable. Creamy, rich with just the right balance of sweet to the hint of salt. Well worth the lineup.
As I walked back, I passed by Bi-Rite Market and they had just closed. I had thought it was a flower shop on my previous trip to San Fran on my way to dinner at Delphina, but it is actually a neighbourhood market. I pretty much pressed my nose to the window and got the impression that everything was carefully selected from partnerships with farmers and the prepared foods menu was inspired and changed frequently.

I ordered the book upon my return from San Francisco. I devoured the book upon its delivery. The story that Sam Moggannam tells of his career as a chef and his transition to the family grocery business is genuine and passionate to a point of inspiration. This book is a great food education resource and I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in good food. Eat Good Food is helpful in gaining a clear understanding of how important it is to prepare and enjoy good food to the fullest, why it might cost more and how it is still a good value. It is admirable that the Moggannam family has built an exceptional business based upon their mission of creating community through food. The details about how to select good food from all sorts of meat, veggies, fruit and dry goods are exceptionally clear and educational.

I have yet to try the recipes included in the book, but they look very appetizing with quite a few ideas to try. The Delphina’s spaghetti being the recipe I most want to try first, as it was exceptional in its simplicity when I ate it at the restaurant. Many of the recipes in the book appear to be simple to execute for some easy delicious meals. I really look forward to trying them. I was really impressed with the icecream, which is another part of their family business and now truly inspired by their book!

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Posted in Review, Vivian Law

New Toronto Restaurant: The Saint

Posted on April 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Chef Melissa Saunders and I came across the Saint on Saturday night by accident. We had trouble deciding where to go with no reservation. I had almost convinced her and Prince Charming to go to Foxley for dinner, but we passed by and checked out the Saint instead. We were sold by the greeting of a familiar face we had met many times at Buca, a restaurant Melissa and I adore.

We enjoyed a cocktail at the bar while we waited for a table. The atmosphere is a sleek and lively tavern. The Saint delivers on the trend of well made cocktails. I decided on first glance of the menu that I had to have the fried chicken, a food I love and enjoy a few times a year.

Our dinner was pleasant. I enjoyed the perogies the most in our group. The menu was not descriptive, but we were told when we came in that everything was made in house. I felt the description of ‘perogies’ was a detriment to the dish, because the perogies had a delicious, tender filling of slow cooked pork. The cod fritters were well done, but perhaps a touch pricey at $18 for 2 large pieces. The fried chicken was half a chicken that was crisp, tender, juicy and well seasoned throughout. The lemon flavoured gravy was not worth the caloric intake in my opinion. My dinner mates quite liked the fries. I didn’t love them. My favourite fries are still Jamie Kennedy’s.

 

Well done veggies was a nice surprise from the Saint kitchen . The cauliflower with bacon was roasted well. The honey roasted fennel with cherry tomato was excellent. Best of all was the coleslaw that came with the fried chicken. Service fell short a bit when we needed to find our server to order a slice of pecan pie and get our bill. The pecan pie was good, but not anything too special.

We are not rushing back to the Saint for the food just yet, but it is a welcome addition to Ossington. Another fun spot for a cocktail and snack. The whole strip is great food and drink destination that keeps getting better.

 

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Posted in Restaurant review, Toronto, Vivian Law

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The San Francisco Waterfront Workout

Posted on April 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

Having recovered from two consecutive late nights, I went for a most enjoyable workout along the San Francisco waterfront this afternoon.

I had read in Fodor’s that the distance between the Ferry Building and Fisherman’s Wharf is about 2 miles. How perfect for recreational running. I set out for a run with my camera and permission to take photos, if the feeling struck me…
Many different spots along the way needed a short slowdown due to fellow pedestrian traffic or just scenery to take in. The run was more of an interval walk/run workout, but still strenuous enough to break a sweat.
I would recommend running to Pier 39 (the green space around it is pictured below), as past that point is Fisherman’s Wharf, a serious tourist trap with massive crowds that are tough to navigate even walking.
I ran most of the way back and had to stop for a little chocolate sample at TCHO. How could I resist a sign with an arrow that says chocolate?
Then, it was time for a stretch on Pier 7 while taking in the view of the Oakland Bridge.
The Program:
-Plan to briskly walk or run from the Ferry Building to Pier 39.
-Take in and enjoy the scenery as it inspires you.
-Brisk walk or run back the entire way from Pier 39 to Pier 7, stretch and cool down on the long wood pier.
-Enjoy some great food by the Ferry Building or anywhere else that catches your fancy.
San Francisco is inspiring, but a similar workout to this one can be done in any town with a waterfront for scenery.

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Posted in Vivian Law, Workout

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Recipe: Quinoa Tabbouli Salad

Posted on April 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Tabbouli is a salad that I have always loved and purchased frequently from falafel shops. I tried a version with quinoa and have made it a constant in my quick lunch ideas. The combination of flavour from lemon juice, parsley, tomato, shallot, onion and cucumber makes it one of my favourite ways to eat quinoa. If you have it on hand, try one tablespoon of chili macadamia oil (found in Hawaii) and one tablespoon olive oil for extra special flavour. Serve it on a bed of baby spinach for some extra veggie intake.

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups veggie stock/chicken broth or water
1 tsp salt
2 tablespoons of olive oil
Juice of one lemon

1 shallot, finely chopped
2 green onions finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped cucumber
1-2 plum tomatoes seeded and finely chopped
1 cup parsley (at least half a bunch) finely chopped

Cook quinoa in stock/broth and salt. Bring to a boil and lower to a simmer for about 15 minutes or desired tenderness. Let the quinoa cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, toss quinoa with olive oil and lemon juice. Add chopped shallot and green onion. Mix well. Add cucumber and tomatoes, toss together. Add chopped parsley and mix well.

Serve at room temperature.

Note: May 20, 2013. I have been making this recipe lately with a mixture of parsley, cilantro and mint which adds an extra depth of flavour. Serving it with lightly cooked french beans is also a nice addition of veggies.

 

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Posted in healthy recipe, Vivian Law

The Jamaican Workout

Posted on April 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

On a recent trip to the south coast of Jamaica for a yoga retreat, a friend and I went for the most enjoyable 30 minute brisk walk/run. It was early, before our 8:15am yoga class and the scenery was just too wonderful to miss, so we brought a camera!

This was the general beautiful landscape just outside of the Jakes property.

Just down the road was the beach with the fishing boats.

And just a little further down the beach was the most incredible unspoiled feeling that was still part of a regular community where people live.
This was one of the most enjoyable 7am ‘workouts’ I have experienced and I am not an early morning exerciser at all!

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Posted in Vivian Law, Workout

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Laurent Perrier Champagne

Posted on April 2, 2012 | Leave a comment

I purchased a two bottle package of Laurent Perrier last year at the London airport duty free shop. Buying and collecting duty free champagne is a ritual I have had for many years. There can be great prices, brands that are not ordinarily available in Toronto and the champagne becomes a travel memory to be enjoyed at a later date. I’ve been ‘aging’ the bottles of Laurent Perrier for about a year. My dear friend and pilates instructor Lisa Kojola and I shared a bottle last night. We loved it! It was exceptionally smooth and delicious with delicate bubbles for a non vintage bottle of champagne. Laurent Perrier is on par with my perennial favourites Pommery and Moet. Sharing and enjoying a bottle of champagne with strawberries definitely makes life good!

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Posted in product review, Recommendation, Vivian Law

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a2Zane

Posted on March 30, 2012 | Leave a comment
I finally went to check out a2Zane (753 Queen Street West www.a2Zane.com) two weekends ago. I was impressed with the well curated assortment of accessories and handbags. Zane’s selection of Cambridge satchel company bags and Vlieger and Vandam was what I liked most of the handbags. I liked the tight collection of accessories even more.  I fell in love with this Sook Ihn Kim bracelet in particular and pondered it for a week.
I went to buy it on Sunday. It is a definitely a statement piece that channels my rockstar style proclivity-I love it!! Everyone who saw it loved it too.

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Posted in Recommendation, Toronto, Vivian Law

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Recipe: Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes

Posted on February 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Here is a recipe that I whipped up one afternoon last April when I was inspired by a book I had read, The Thrive Diet and by a young lady who was told me she was consuming too many delicious cupcakes from D’Lish. She wondered if they would make a vegan version, as her roommate was vegan and she also figured it might be healthier. I suppose a vegan version would eliminate butter/eggs in the cake and the dairy in the cream cheese frosting. However, a cupcake will most likely contain sugar, which is something we should consume in moderation.

D’Lish does make the best cupcakes I have had in Toronto. With the red velvet flavour being their most popular. D’Lish does a fantastic job of rotating the flavours each day of the week much like they do at Magnolia in New York. I would even dare say that I prefer the D’Lish red velvet cupcake to the one I had at Magnolia…
I discussed the health consciousness issue with the owner of D’Lish last year. The purity of the ingredients he uses and the final delicious product is of utmost importance. Of course, I agree that a small cupcake that is made with natural ingredients is simply a delightful treat.
If you are vegan or want to create a moist, tasty vegan cupcake (hard to tell when you eat it) as an alternative treat, give this recipe a try. I will admit was not as successful with a vegan cream cheese like frosting, so best wishes for that endeavour.
Vegan Red Velvet Cupcakes
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup flour with added bran
1/4 millet flour
1/2tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp cocoa
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1tsp beet extract for colour (use food colouring if you would like)
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp lemon juice
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Mix together dry ingredients in a small bowl, set aside.
In another small bowl, mix together coconut milk and lemon juice.
In a large bowl, cream coconut oil and sugar together until well combined and somewhat fluffy with an electric mixer. Add cocoa, mix well. Add applesauce, vanilla and beet extract or food colouring, mix well.
Alternately add flour mixture and coconut milk mixture in 3 additions, mix well each time. Add baking soda and lemon juice together, mix well.
Spoon into paper lined tin. Bake for about 25 minutes or until toothpick is clean. Makes about 9 cupcakes.

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Posted in healthy recipe, Vivian Law

Recipe: Red Lentil Soup

Posted on January 20, 2012 | Leave a comment

Here is an easy soup to make that is tasty, simple and nutritious. Lentil soup is a great way to start adding more legumes to your diet. They are a little easier to digest than beans, so it is a good way to get your body used to having more legumes with a minimal risk of gas. It is seasoned with tumeric (also gives the soup the yellow colour) and cumin, both of which have numerous health benefits, so use liberally to your taste. The soup is perfect with half a sandwich or a substantial salad as lunch or as a starter for dinner. Studies have shown that having soup aids in weight loss, because soup is satisfying to eat, but can be low in calories. Try this soup!

Red Lentil Soup
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
I tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 stalk of celery finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 plum tomato, finely chopped
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp tumeric
salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste
In a strainer, rinse lentils until water runs clear or foaming stops.
In a large pot, heat olive oil on medium high and saute onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and tomato until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add lentils, then broth, water, spices and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil, and simmer until lentils are soft about 25 minutes.
Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.
Blend with an immersion blender if desired.

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Posted in gluten free, healthy recipe, plant food, Vivian Law

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