Eataly!

It has been a long time since I posted an entry on my blog. No, I’m not forsaking my own blog it’s just that it was hard to find time, sit down and put my thoughts together. It’s a lousy excuse but I’m now making an effort to be more consistent this year.

First off, Eataly from my favorite city in the world, NYC! Located in 5^th Avenue and 23^rd Street, Eataly is a delight to visit. The food hall concept has been gaining grounds in recent years and even more so with Eataly which is a collaboration between Mario Batali and his partners. Aside from being a supermarket that offers a wide variety of Italian products that you can imagine from fresh pasta, fresh meats to caponatas, the place is sectioned by food halls. You can choose to “eat” in the pizza section (La Piazza), go vegetarian (Le Verdure), meats (Manzo) or fish (Il Pesce). The selection of cheeses are overwhelming while the freshly baked artisan breads are easy on the eyes and the nose.

La Piaza for the pizza lovers. 

The artisan breads! 

The market. 

Il Pesce for the seafood crowd. 

More artisan breads! 

Would love to bring some of those fresh pasta. 

Panettone - it was Christmas Season when I was there. 

Cheese galore! 

Just how many antipasti can you handle?

My friends and I tried Manzo and despite the slow service, we were not disappointed with the main course. The flavor of the pork chop I ordered was robust, tender and juicy, enhanced with servings of red thumb potatoes, swiss chard and grain mustard vinaigrette. My friend ordered the slow roasted beef rib with tarragon served over a spin rosso polenta. I took a bite just to check the flavor and I was not disappointed either but the polenta was definitely outstanding. We capped off the night with some great tasting gelatos from, where else, Gelateria.

Slow Roasted Beef Rib with Tarragon & Spin Rosso Polenta. 

Por Chop with Red Thumb Potatoes, Swiss Chard & Grain Mustard Vinaigrette

Eataly is a must-try experience when visiting NYC.

http://eatalyny.com/

Pilates Update

My favorite Pilates instructor, Bernadette (she’s also my friend), is delighted to announce that she is now part of a Stott Licensed facility that is actually sort of like the offspring of the Stott Head Office.  According to her:

“The Pilates Body Studio is a STOTT PILATES® Licensed Training Center, allows clients the flexibility of training in Mississauga at their fully equipped studio, or delivering STOTT PILATES® world-renowned certification courses and workshops on-site at your facility. At The Pilates Body, courses are taught by highly skilled STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor Trainers in a professional and friendly environment.”

The Pilates Body Inc.

6-119 Lakeshore Road West

Mississauga Ontario

L5H1E9

(905) 891.0891

http://www.pilatesbody.ca/aboutus.html#a

This means that Bernadette’s services now covers from east to west of Toronto and no problem.  That’s good to know!

pilatesbybernadette@gmail.com

The Art of Racing in the Rain A Novel by Garth Stein

“The car goes where the eyes go.”

It has been such a long time since a novel like this has made such a wonderful impact on me.  The novel is narrated from the point of view of a dog.  Enzo, a mixed breed tells the story of the travails of his master, Denny Swift, a semi-professional racecar driver as he goes through life in a roller coaster ride.  What endeared me to the story was the way it was told in a very straightforward manner.  It may be formulaic but the narrative was so refreshing, simple, no beating around the bush and the insights were very “human” even if it was culled from a dog.  Like his master, Denny, I felt like Enzi was with me physically as each of those moments unfold with some of those I could relate with and some I newly-discovered that I so much appreciated.  Simply, destiny is what you make it and that is how the story is wonderfully told.  It may not win a Pulitzer Prize but it was such a wonderful read and leaves you a very good feeling of gratitude about what life has to offer.  I cannot wait to get my next dog, seriously.

Björn Borg Boxers

Here is an example of how a progressive clothing company uses social media as a tool to connect and get insights from its target audience.  A few months ago, I responded to a Facebook invitation to sign up for a free trial of the new woven Björn Borg boxers and all they are asking is for a feedback from wearing it.  I got my pair a week ago and I was not disappointed with the product.  First of all, the packaging is simple and direct while the copy reads wittiness.  Secondly, I like the design because I love plaids (yes, even on my undies).  Lastly, the boxer shorts has a front lining inside to keep your family jewels protected and comfortable unlike most shorts which offer no support. 

Copy reads "Don't go nuts keep your balls in place".  Need I say more. 

Plaid is it!

There is even a contest where you can submit a photo of yourself wearing a pair and you can have a chance to become a Swedish Export (why Swedish? - go figure) of the week.  I have to admit, the offer is tempting but I’ll pass – too shy.

www.bjornborg.com

Care for some Poutine?

Eats:  Poutini’s House of Poutine, 1112 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

I’m not talking about the Prime Minister of Russia but something closer to home. 

Poutine:  n, pou•tine [poo teen]; is a dish consisting of French Fries topped with fresh cheese curd, covered with brown gravy and sometimes additional ingredients.

This popular junk food snack originated from Quebec and is now most popular in Eastern Canada.  The first time I tasted poutine was in Montreal and it tasted really good but a friendly warning:  eat it in moderation as this dish contains thousands of artery-clogging ingredients.  A year has past since my first encounter so I felt that I needed another encounter with this deadly dish so my friends and I went to this much-talked about Poutini’s House of Poutine in the Queen Street West district.  The restaurant is perfectly located in the heart of the entertainment district – a perfect place to refill those stomachs after a night of alcohol debauchery.  The menu is pretty simple and straightforward from the classics to the vegan poutine. 

The classic with traditional gravy is a must but the pulled pork poutine is something to reckon with.  Honestly, I forgot to count calories when I tasted this dish.  I never knew that the pairing of pulled pork and the classic poutine is made in heaven! 

Poutine with Traditional Gravy

Pulled Pork Poutine

Scorecard:

    Food – Excellent

    Ambience – Good

    Service – Good

    Price – inexpensive

    Overall Dining Experience – Very good!

STA. ANA’S INNER WORLD

For me, one of the few artists who stood out from the Curator’s Choice Part 2 exhibit by the Chicago Artists’ Coalition held at the Coalition Gallery in Chicago last 23 July was Jun-Jun Sta. Ana.  To find out more about his works, I decided to meet him on another date to see all his collection.  Albeit this Filipino-American digital media artist’s works presented an eclectic collection, each piece resonates different emotions either swinging from both extremes or gradually building up from a single feeling.  An example would be his piece called “Ohio Bulong” where I initially felt a sense of foreboding staring at those “legs” against the Ohio urban landscape.  I then felt a sense of loneliness and abandonment after further absorbing the piece. 

"Ohio Bulong"

Before doing digital media, Jun-Jun Sta. Ana started with window installations using recycled materials and objects from junk yards and thrift stores.  As he works on a piece, he would let it gradually evolve instead of a single-minded them in mind which actually works out for him.  Later on, he fell in love with digital media and has been delightfully prolific in this medium.  Some of his pieces are amusing, whimsical and visually appealing.  Examples are his replication works, including the body of unconventional portraits are fun and naughty as most of his patrons see it as multi-dimensional according to him.  I also found out that he does a lot of unconventional portraits of patrons who want a portrait of themselves.  The wait for a commissioned artwork would range about a week – surprisingly reasonable.  His more “serious” collection carries his autobiography providing a “snapshot” of his state of mind and emotion on every piece.  Ten years down the road, Sta. Ana would like to go back to his first love – installations and eventually into sculptures.  But of course, his passion still lies in digital media where he would continue to cultivate as new materials and technology become available. 

 "Torn Sinturon"

 Self-portrait

Self-portrait

"New Flower Web"

 "Botanical 2 Hydrangea"

 "Tres Marias"

"Turbulence 1 Web"

Some of his unconventional portraits, the details are fascinating!

"Billy Detail"

"Eric Detail"

"CarloThanka6"

"Raymond Santos"

"JaninaFil4aDetail"

The artist with Bella Flores.

http://www.artmajeur.com/junjunsa

http://chicagoartistscoalition.org/junjunstaana/

A quaint and delightful Saturday night experience

Eats:  Langolino, 50 Clinton Street, Toronto, ON

It makes sense to go to a tried and tested resto when entertaining a good friend from out of town and Langolino is a perfect example.  This old and reliable restaurant in the heart of Little Italy never fails to exceed expectations on food and service.  Langolino maybe small in size but the bucolic atmosphere is homey and its patio provides a perfect place to savor the culinary delights it offers.

  

Spaghetti Arrabiatta

Veal Parmigiana 

Fettuccine Pasta Olio

Jerk Chicken Breast

I was fortunate that my friends decided to order the menu for the day as I have tried most of the regulars and was eagerly anticipating what it has to offer.  The Veal Parmigiana was very tender and served over grilled eggplant and that alone was almost perfect.  The accompanying tomato-based pasta, however, could use more flavor.  The Fettuccine Pasta Olio was my favorite bursting with flavors of spinach, chicken, fresh tomatoes and bocconcini wonderfully blended with walnut and fresh mint pesto.  The Jerk Chicken Breast provided a healthy option served on a bed of organic greens and baby arugula with olive oil and lime dressing.  But what really made the difference was Langolino’s very warm and friendly service especially from Marissa who was very patient and accommodating to our every request.  She was very sincere and made sure that we walked away smiling which we did. 

Scorecard:

    Food – Excellent

    Ambience – Outstanding

    Service – Outstanding

    Price – worth every cent

    Overall Dining Experience – Wonderful!

www.langolino.ca