A Day in Food: Part One, The Annex

Who is more qualified to talk about Toronto's food scene than me? Well, a lot of people. Those who hit the latest trendy eateries and food events, for one. Those who care about preparation methods and eating local and gastronomy, for another. And, you know, the food critic types writing about Oliver & Bonacini sell-your-firstborn-for-a-ribeye type joints.

But that's not how I eat. I like my food fantastic, fast, fairly inexpensive, and uncluttered by hype. Oh, I'm sure some of those hip places have tasty stuff, but let's get serious: I've got a short lead-time to hangry and a wallet brimming with those fluttery money moths. I'm not about to wait 2 hours to eat food prepared in the back of a truck.

I'm going to focus on my favourite neighbourhoods, and share some options for the four meals of the day (yes, you read that correctly). Feel a rumbling in your tummy? Then read on, friend.

Breakfast: Victory Cafe, $10 all in.

Sure, everyone knows the ol' Vic is great for drinks, but did you know they do brunch in the summer too? On that awesome, shady, spacious patio, no less? Stretch out and read the paper at a luxurious pace – this gem is often slow on the weekends, most likely because no one knows they serve brunch. It's a brief menu, which can be really nice on hangover days, because too much choice before a full cup of coffee is one hell of a trial.

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I'm a big believer that the potatoes denote the quality of a brunch joint, and these ones are pretty much my ideal: crispy on the edges but fluffy inside, heavy on the seasoned salt, tossed with ribboned herbs (basil, I think?). Plus they used to have the punny "Yolks for All Folks" as the name for the basic breakfast, which gives it bonus points even though it's not even called that anymore. Bonus points from beyond the menu grave.

Lunch: Ka Chi, $10-15 all in.

Okay, this technically crosses over into Koreatown*, but this is my list, so hike those two blocks west of Bathurst, okay? Ka Chi is a basic establishment serving some of the awesomest comfort food you can imagine. Don't go for the decor – go for the tiny bowls of spouts, glass noodles, kimchi and marinated veggies served alongside your meal (called banchan). Trust me, you won't understand how charming this is until you experience it for yourself.

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My recommendation would be to go for the pork bone soup which is, as a dear friend once said, off the chain. You get a huge chunk of pork bone just covered in the tenderest pork I've ever experienced in a tangy broth filled with sprouts and potatoes and other veggies. It comes with a lime to squeeze on top which, though possibly inauthentic, can only mean good things for your tastebuds. Another notable menu item is the spicy bulgogi, which isn't spicy at all but rather sweet. Order that on the hot plate, not in the bowl and maximize your deliciousness.

*Note: there's also one in Kensington Market that is similarly excellent, if that's more convenient for you.

Dinner: Roti Cuisine of India, $13 all in.

I share because I care, but don't blame me in a month when you realize you've got this place on speed dial and have gained 10 pounds from your twice-a-week takeout habit. This place is another one of those very barebones basic decor joints, but it's because they must invest everything they earn into churning out more of them sweet bricks of curried joy. For those of you unfamiliar with Indian roti, it's essentially curry folded up into a thin tortilla that tastes like pizza crust. It is god's most perfect creation.

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I really like this place because a) they make my favourite roti in the city, b) they are conveniently located three blocks from my house, and c) everyone who works there seem like really nice, friendly human beings, and the food totally tastes better for it. I'm also very enamored by the fact that they offer a mild-to-medium spiciness for those who, like me, can handle more flavour than mild but aren't brave enough to start spicing above their weight class.

I get the mutter paneer every goddamn time because I'm so addicted to its goodness, but I know Laura loves the saag paneer, my boyfriend is monogamous with the butter chicken and friends who have ordered other things have been similarly pleased (and hooked – I have at least two friends who request we eat there every time they hang out at my place). BONUS POINTS: if you don't call ahead to place your order, you can kill your 15 minute wait time at the Shoppers Drug Mart next door, which is obviously the best place in the world to kill time.

Dessert: Menchies / Yogurty's, $7ish all in.

I'm so torn, you guys. I've been loyal to Menchies since they opened over a year ago, and I still go there quite often. Their autumn flavours are some of the best ever (carrot cake, gingerbread) and they have a really solid group of toppings. Not extensive, but solid – all the hits are there (various nuts, Skor bits, cookie dough, fruits). They have a points card that gets rewarding pretty quickly, which is like crack for a bargain hunter me.

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But I went to the new kid on the block, Yogurty's, two weeks ago, and I'll be damned if they didn't have a better selection of everything – a couple extra froyo flavours, at least double the toppings, more sauces, even the goddamn spoons came in a variety of colours (and were better designed). They had these gummy bears that were pastel coloured that tasted like sweet dreams. They had tiny dark chocolate cups filled with raspberry jelly. They had little Belgian waffles you could add to your bowl. But they do not have a points card.

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Really, the only reason why I'm still going to Menchies is the red velvet/cake batter swirl pump, the Nesquik cereal and the points card, especially since they have a pretty abrasive aesthetic going on. Your move, Yogurty's.

Bon appétit!

How to Move Without Going Crazy

via HomageNews

Moving—even the word strikes me with that familiar crippling fear of change and uprooting. And yet I have moved (on average) once a year for the past five years. I have picked up all of my belongings (usually with the help of a boyfriend, brother, and strong male friend) and put them in a new apartment, house, or building. Each time I think that it'll be a while before I have to do it again. But, you see, I've got wandering eyes when it comes to the apartment market. There are so many possibilities in what is out there—new neighbourhoods beckon, cheaper rent would save me so much money, and a backyard or balcony would be oooooh so nice. And yet there are so many risks involved with getting a new place—at least there are if you are as comfort-driven and neurotic as me. 

I've just settled into a new place. I've now had three sleeps in a new apartment and my stomach is finally unknotting itself and I'm starting to relax into the idea that I won't hate it here. Isn't that a terrible thing to think? But moving is scary and can be very stressful—you don't know how you are going to feel about a place that you've signed a lease for until you sleep in the place for at least one night. 

via Ponita

Some of the biggest stresses about a new apartment are things that you have very little control over where you're going to be until you're past the point of getting out of it. That being said, you can increase your chances of finding a good place by doing some research and by knowing exactly what's important to you. Need lots of natural light? Don't care about access to an outdoor space? Know these things before you look. Here's what I've learned (through much trial and error) is important to me.

1. Neighbourhood, and proximity to life


I'm now living definitely off the beaten track, and I think I'm okay with that. It's not in the middle of nowhere, and it's really close by to some of the coolest people I know, but it's not downtown. I look out the window and I can see the buildings of the city and I think I am in the middle of nowhere but I know that really I'm not. I'm not even as far as the Junction, and lots of people live there! I'm takings walks around the neighbourhood to get to know the place a little bit, and feeling kind of proud that I'm not basing where I want to live on where is popular with other people but where there is reasonably priced rent, a bigger apartment than I'm used to, and lots of interesting things to discover.

2. Noise

The apartment I just moved out of was the first floor of an old house that was connected to the houses on either side. The floors, walls, and ceilings were so thin that I could hear everyone around me at all times—I could hear their conversations, and feel the bass in their music. It really sucked. My new building was made for lots of people to live in, and the noise is so much less of an issue. I still worry that my neighbours can hear my late-night movie watching or 24/7 Patsy Cline records, but since I can't really hear them I'm realizing that it's not going to be an issue.

3. Landlords


I've been pretty lucky when it comes to landlords, but I've heard some real horror stories. Having a good landlord is really important, when you get a leaky ceiling, a broken fridge, or bedbugs (which we will all have gotten soon, if we haven't already) you need someone that's going to be on your side and help you out. A Google search is usually all it takes to unearth the really bad ones, but if you have a good landlord it's kind of invaluable.

4. Windows


It's been about three years since I've been able to lay in bed and look out the window, and I'm totally obsessed (in fact, that's what I'm doing right now). I love that I can see the sky, the CN tower, birds, a giant sign for the Brick, a couple billboards, and the backs of lots of houses. I have window sills that I can sit on and look dreamily out of and watch trains go by. I'm only on the third floor but I can see the city. It's very cool.

5. The perfect place for the cat's litter box.

A good little nook or cranny to stick that stinky box is so important—you don't want it just sitting in the middle your living room or bathroom. Find the perfect space for your cat to shit and you might just find your dream apartment.

Eclipse

If I've seen you sometime in the past week, I've probably talked your ear off about the new Vietnamese sub-inspired shop I've been to five times in the past two weeks, Banh Mi Boys. What is a banh mi, you ask?

Well, this.
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A crusty baguette topped with sandwich meat, pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, mayo and cilantro, among other things. Traditionally, they're very cheap, but Banh Mi Boys goes a little more upscale, offering panko tofu, kalbi beef, squid and duck confit options, as well as taco or bao (steamed bun) versions. My favourite is the five spice pork belly, which is slightly crispy on the outside and so, so ridiculously tender inside. Well, that, and a split order of the kimchi fries, which is basically a Vietnamese poutine with kimchi, pulled pork, mayo and fresh green onions over crispy fries. Oh god, just thinking about it has my mouth watering. If you're in the Queen/Spadina area of Toronto, this is must try.

ed note: Oh look! Laura loves this place too! She wrote a review about it here.

Speaking of food, if you've ever asked the question, "Is this still good?" about some jar you've stumbled across in your fridge, your new best friend is a site called Still Tasty.

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Touting itself as the ultimate shelf life guide, it gives you recommendations on how best to store various foods and when to know when to fold 'em and toss away. It seems very based in common sense, offering tips on how to tell if an item's still okay, as best before dates are usually just when a food's quality is at its aesthetic peak, not when it's actually still edible.


The AV Club's been hitting my sweet spot lately and this week, it's with a walkthrough of the stories behind cultural gem Freaks and Geeks with creator Paul Feig.

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It's one of those cancelled-after-one-season, never-given-the-chance-it-deserved, voice-of-a-generation type shows that transcends the hype and feels real in a way so few series are able to articulate: it's equal parts innocent, awkward, miserable and ecstatic. In short, it feels like puberty. And, as the interviews reveal, it's an interesting case of art-imitating-life, as Feig admits much of the show was based on his personal experiences and those of the other writers. It's been a great way to revisit one of my favoruite series, and it's totally got me in the mood to watch it all over again. See interview parts one / two / three / four / five here.

I use my Baggu every day, but I may have to retire my current fave in neon poppy to make way for a few new prints, including this moon one, labelled with all the phases of the lunar cycle. Now I'll never have to guess what a waning gibbous looks like again!

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Some faves 'round these parts have been at it again – Fieldguided has a released a new collection called Light as a Feather, a set of four gorgeous huge silk scarves printed with photos taken in the late 1800s. The dream team of Anja from Clever Nettle and Megan of Summerland photographed and styled them into mystical perfection. I'm trying to convince myself that a $120 silk scarf of an ice cave is a good investment, oui?

To see more beautiful images, check Clever Nettle and the Fieldguided blog, shop and Flickr!

Swap Scores

Amanda hosted a swap on Saturday and it was so much fun! I drank too many mimosas and forgot to document the actual swapping activity (also, I was too busy secretly burrowing away pieces that I wanted so only I'd know where to find them. All's fair in love and swap!!). Instead, I made some of the girls pose with their favourite piece that they took home. Here are the lovely ladies and the stuff they scored.

Name: Jamie

Item: Black handbag

I love it because: It has a long shoulder strap and I love the gold and black colour combo. 

Name: Sarah

Item: Black lace babydoll

I love it because: It's black and it's free. What's not to like?

Name: Jessica

Item: Denim vest

I love it because: I feel like Springsteen

Name: Caitlin

Item: Plaid shirt

I love it because: I have a love affair with plaid. Also, it's a good colour and super cozy.

Name: Stephanie

Item: Houndstooth sweater

I love it because: It's classy but cozy!

Name: Katie

Item: Black skull and crossbones cardigan

I love it because: It fits and it's fun.

Name: Karen

Item: Striped tee and blue ceramic necklace

I love it because: Stripes are perfect to dress up a tee for spring!

Name: Laura Kathleen

Item: White denim shorts

I love it because: I can never have enough pairs of shorts... I wear them all year round.

Name: Amanda

Item: Suede bomber jacket

I love it because: it's the perfect neutral colour, plus I feel a bit like a lady greaser

All in all it was a perfect day, and I think we all went home happy (and with more room in our closets). Thanks girls!

vive magazine issue 4.1

I'm going to have to toot my own horn today because I'm feeling pretty proud of myself: the digital version of vive is now online. The mag looks even better in print, but if you missed our launch party, don't live in Toronto, or are an online-only mag sort of girl, then you are now in luck. 

READ IT HERE!

All I'm allowed to share with you here are teasers of the two major shoots that we did, the first by Dan Epstein and the second by Alan Poon:

So much hard work went into this mag, from the editors on the masthead to the photographers, writers, stylists, models, copyeditors, everyone—not to mention the bake sale buyers and party goers who helped us raise the money to print this baby. It was not easy, nor did I expect it to be. But the experience of putting this mag together with so many talented people has been invaluable and a lot of fun. We've already started on the next issue, due out in the spring.

vive has a very similar look and aesthetic to what we do here on Burgundy Girls, so if you love us (or love our blog) then you'll enjoy the mag as well. And, if you zoom in just enough, you'll see an article written by Amanda! (And seriously, it's a good one.) We'll soon post a list of the shops and cafes in Toronto where you can find vive, so check back on the blog if you want to get your hands on an issue!

We are always looking for new contributors—writers, photographers, illustrators, bloggers, etc., so please get in touch at sayhi@vivemagazine.ca if you are interested.

Oh, and one more thing. I love working for a print magazine, but the digital version is very special to me, because—let's be real—it will be able to spread faster, be seen by more people, and generally be able to go further than print can. This year, we will be releasing an online-only version or two, and I'm excited to take advantage of the digital platform and push the envelope a bit.

Thrifted life: Candelabra from Moore's Pharmacy

Maybe it's because I watched Beauty and the Beast too many times as a kid (okay, and an adult) but I have this obsession with candelabras. I have several that hold one candle each—most of those I got from my grandparents, garage sales, and the like. This is my favourite candelabra by far: it holds three candles, it's perfectly tarnished, and it comes with a great story.

Have you ever passed the place on Bathurst just south of Dupont on the east side of the street? It looks like an old junk shop that hasn't been open in years, and technically that's the truth. The old sign still remains, "Moore's Pharmacy," (ed note: although now I think it's being covered up??) and no other name for the store is visible. When Amanda and I lived together, right near Bathurst and Dupont, we would stake out this place and gaze in the windows. It was never open, even though we walked by on different times each day. We did notice, however, that the buildup of mail would be picked up once in a while, and the display in the windows would be slightly altered.

It was a rainy Wednesday night when I got a text from Amanda, in ALL CAPS, telling me that the store was open. She had gone in and looked around, she said, and it was fantastic in there. I hopped on a bus to get there—it might be my only chance!—and forced Dan to come with me. But what we found in the store was not exactly what I had been expecting.

The door was slightly ajar, and we walked in and looked around. Stuff was piled up everywhere, and the only walking space was little aisles made in between the rows upon rows of junk. I say junk not in a condescending way—my mind was racing and I couldn't believe my luck. Who knows what treasures could be buried in this shop! I called out a tentative hello, and from behind one of the piles popped the head of an old man. Little did I know that I would be listening to him talk (and acting as a mannequin for his old clothes) for the next 45 minutes.

I was super curious about the history of the shop, which he said he had owned for many years but had let slide in the past few: he had a sister and a mother who had been ill. He was opening up every Wednesday evening, and hoped to start regular hours again soon. He said he worked in the fashion industry as a young man, and his passion for the clothes in his shop certainly showed: he had no problem getting in my personal space to lay across my shoulders fur stoles, bejewelled vests, and silk scarves. This guy was getting really into my personal space. I couldn't tell whether he was a practiced old-time fashionista or a creepy old dude. Dan looked on in horror.

Every piece in the store had its own history and meaning to owner. Many of the items, especially those in the front window, were pieces that he was not ready to part with. I made it out of there with this candelabra and a black silk T shirt that I was too scared to try on. I feel like I paid for the item less with my hard-earned money than I did with my time and patience.

I don't mean to knock the store—it was certainly an experience that I will never forget, and I really do wish him all the best. An old man in a junk store sounds kind of like a kindred spirit, but this guy was operating on his own level. I probably won't go back, but I would suggest to anyone interested to check out the store for themselves. But some advice: if you're going in, make sure you have lots of time, and don't mind being fondled. 

Get a Good Food Box!

Coming from a girl who would eat Korean take-out or Indian roti every night if she could, (and one who has a fast-food column that gives her an excuse to eat good/bad food every week) I have taken a big adult step into the world of eating fruits and vegetables. And I feel so great about it.

Dan and I just got our first Good Food box, and I want to share with everyone just how awesome it is. If you live in Toronto (and certainly there are other locally run places that do this in other cities) you should really consider signing up the food box from Foodshare. If you’re like us, and don’t live anywhere close to Kensington or the St. Lawrence market, it’s hard to get a good amount of fresh and mostly local fruits and veggies. Yes, there are farmer’s markets, which I love, but those tend to be on the expensive side, and (lazy as I am) I kind of love having my decisions made for me.

Here are all your choices! Call and order one anytime, and you can pick it up the next week.

There are households all around the city that distribute good food boxes—there’s likely one with a few blocks of where you live. You can get them as often or as little as you want, and there are many choices in what you can get. The boxes are always a little bit different, and vary from season to season, which I love. You get to experiment with food that you’ve never eaten of cooked before (Swiss chard! Omg!) and expand your horizons a little bit.

This chart includes a typical haul from a large food box in May, so what we got is obviously a lot different. A close inventory in the winter is going to be: potatoes, rainbow carrots, oranges, apples, many, many pears, tomatoes, kale, bananas, chard, more that I'm sure I'm forgetting. And all this for $18! It's well worth it, and great when you're trying to save money by regulating and planning out your meals a bit more.

One warning: when you are ordering the box, you'll probably have to make a couple phone calls. Like many community programs, this doesn't always run super smoothly and it might take a while to get a hold of them. It's well worth the effort.

Life of Late, the Second

Alas, I am busy as a bee today, so I've got a few recommends to tide you over.

Rebecca Coriam: Lost at Sea is the story of how one young woman (and over 171 people like her) have disappeared off cruise ships in the past eleven years. Coriam was a crew member on a Disney ship, and details about her probable death have been obscured by the company, the lack of investigation and the nature of international waters. Food for thought – especially those statistics on the higher instance of sexual assault aboard cruise ships. Thanks to Karen for the tipoff.

via Vanessa Jackman

I've been wearing my hair like these backstage Tory Burch SS 2012 models for the past few days. Perfect for hair that's a day or two dirty – you just use a bit of hairspray and backteasing just near the middle of your head, smooth the strands overtop and tighten your hair elastic at the sides. Easy peasy and perfectly polished. Many more photos available at Vanessa Jackman's ever lovely website.

via Rebecca Like Nails

One of my goals for this weekend is to try this pretty watercolour nail tutorial. I can see it being very lovely with a palette akin to Starry Night or maybe one of these beautiful paintings by Michael Cina. Plus it looks way easier than the marbling technique that I never had enough patience to try.

via Closet Cooking

Speaking of plans for this weekend, I'm about to eat my face off. Tomorrow I have plans to make these mexican baked eggs, and later I'm probably going to indulge in a pot of this french onion soup and this roasted beet salad. It's going to be a magnificent symphony of food.

via Smitten Kitchen

I've had to take a break from knitting as my tendonitis has flared up again, and it couldn't be more poorly timed. It's the holiday season! The time to be making cozy, soft, cushiony, knit-with-love goodies! So, aside from babying my arm in alternating hot and ice baths, I've been planning what's next on my needles. In my dream world, that includes these goodies (all with patterns!)

Gina's Brioche Cowl via The Purl Bee

Marian via Ravelry

Short Row Sweater via The Purl Bee

Crocheted Chunky Circle Scarf via People Webs

Love Socks via Ravelry

Laura and I are going to see Melancholia and I'm megapsyched. Sure, it's going to be depressing, but it's also supposed to be sumptuous and gorgeous. We can soothe our rattled nerves at the Grace Kelly exhibit we're also checking out. Baby's first Lars Von Trier!

I'm about to start an extra long weekend, and I just can't wait for it (tomorrow!).

Have a great weekend guys, and I hope it's filled with lots of the good stuff.

Kitten Cousins

Okay, truth time: growing up, I used to tell other kids in the schoolyard I was part cat. I was like seven, okay? I don't really know why I told people that or why I wanted it to be true with a sort of quiet desperation, except that I loved cats. Adored them. Had a cat-themed wallpaper border up in my bedroom sort of love (remember those?). I wasn't allowed to have one myself until a few years later, so I guess they took on a somewhat mythologic sense of importance to me. I just thought they were like, the ultimate in cool (they still kind of are—James Dean ain't got nothing on felines).

Long story short, this book probably would have been right up my alley as a youngster.*

It's a Choose Your Adventure style book where you are a cat. Every frame of this graphic novel, drawn and written by Sherwin Tjia, is drawn from a cat's perspective, and you make decisions about what to do. Is this a "nap in a sunbeam" sort of day? Should you chase a squirrel? Fight another cat? Hang out with your owners? The choice is yours.

(Charlie, is that you??)
All images via Tjia's set of illustrations

This is such a cute idea, and I can think of a couple people for whom this would make a perfect little Christmas gift (coughLauracough). As the back cover says, "It's a brand new Caturday! What are you going to do? Unlike dogs, you do what you want!" That's so true, man, so true. 

If you're in Toronto, there's a booklaunch party at the Drake Hotel on November 5 that is sure to have lots of cool cats and kittens in attendance. You can meet the author, find out about his illustrations and story process, and hear about other projects he's got going on.

Check here with the publisher, Conundrum Press, for more info, including ordering a copy for your very own.

*This is rated as mature content, so probably not. Or maybe, and I just would've learned about the birds and the bees a little earlier.