World Cup of Dining in Toronto 27-29: Netherlands, Spain, Italy


Posted by Patrick Okens

All three of my outings in the past week were with rowers. So we talked of rowing, and rowers. But managed to choose meals not on the basis of caloric merit.

Netherlands: last Tuesday’s evening downpour made Zee Grill (zee is Dutch for sea) a fitting locale. Although the name (and the owner-chef) are Dutch, there wasn’t anything particularly Netherlandish about the seafood menu. I may not be a foodie, but my meal was easily in the top three well-executed of the World Cup. A ceviche served inside half an orange. Ahi tuna with baby bok choy and slivers of mango. Exotic and tasty. I’ll go again.

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Spain: into Kensington Market’s Torito, for tapas on the back patio, and started things off with mojitos.  The wait staff (reassuringly Spanish) brought on a succession of sharing plates including avocado fries, (more) ceviche, chorizo sausage, octopus skewers, and a paella with rabbit. For dessert a sort of Spanish donut. Food sharing is something we should do more of – it enhances the sense of shared experience. Below, pro-grade images by one of my guests.

Tapas‘

Italy: on the day the Azzurri were defeated by Costa Rica, I met my friends at Bar Vespa in the new neighbourhood of Liberty Village. There was actually just one rower. But she brought her sister, who brought her husband, who brought his friend. My goat cheese and fig pizza wasn’t memorable, but I drank Prosecco to make up for it. After dinner, we crossed the street for night-time espressos outdoors, while the CN tower shone in the rainbow colours for Pride Week, and a drunk guy tried to make friends with a Rottweiler and the dog’s very tolerant owner.

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Ecuador-Honduras on screen at Bar Vespa.


World Cup of Dining in Toronto 25, 26: Portugal and Korea Republic


Posted by Patrick Okens

Portugal: “You’re not gonna wear that, are you?” My buddy just stepped out of the cab onto Dundas Street in Portugal Village wearing a Germany football jersey. Portugal plays Germany in the World Cup next week. Shaking my head we climb the stairs to the Lisbon by Night restaurant.IMG_20140607_184131

Jose our waiter pretends not to notice the jersey as he recommends the seafood rodizio – an all-you-can-eat succession of fish dishes. The sea is boundless, but our stomachs not so much, as we worked our way through cod, salmon, shrimp and other varieties. It’s good but ultimately too much. Meanwhile, the banquet hall fills with guests from two confirmation celebrations – one kid in a suit and bow tie posing for pictures with his cross-shaped cake. The surprise delicious kicker at the end is roast pineapple, flavoured with cinnamon – tudo de bom!

 

 

 

Korea: Nothing says “authentic Korean” like shrieking 80’s hair metal rock. So we ordered our bibim bap and bulgogi to the agonizing strains of “Unskinny bop” by Poison. I lived near Korea town in university and that’s where I had my first taste of spicy kimchi (a fermented cabbage). Fittingly, my dinner IMG_20140608_165546companion was a friend from that era. Over our stone bowls of rice, grilled beef, egg, and vegetables, spicy side dishes and Korean beer, we compare notes on being double our age, pet care, family vacations, hangover remedies, and pole dancing (her venture not mine).