Éclairs from NÜGATEAU

Nügateau éclairs

Nügateau located on 717 Queen St W in Toronto

May 15, 2017:  Back in May, I had won a contest from @feedmetoronto on Instagram for a prize of six éclairs from Nügateau.  I had never had a proper éclair before (not even when I was in Paris, France! :O) so when I was picked to win this prize, I was very excited to try these decadent éclairs from Toronto’s only all-éclair bakery.

Nügateau was located on Queen Street West and I headed there after a half day job at work.  There was no one else in this bakery when I arrived.  They had a beautiful counter set up with Continue reading →

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Structure

 Sea stacks

Sea stacks as part of the natural habitat, Tobermory. August 2017

This past weekend, I was at the Fathom Five National Marine Park to see Flowerpot Island.  Among hiking to see the large and small flower pots (and within Bruce Peninsula National Park), you can see these layers of sea stacks — a geological landform made of a steep and often vertical column or columns of rock in the sea near a coast, formed by wave erosion — all over the park and island.

These natural structures are made Continue reading →

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Dinner at Diana’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Markham

Diana's Oyster Bar & Grill oysters

Diana’s Oyster Bar & Grill located at 7501 Woodbine Ave, Unit #3 in Markham

May 12, 2017:  For a late dinner, Ken and I went to Diana’s Oyster Bar & Grill in Markham.  I was craving some seafood paella and also wanted some seafood so Diana’s fit the bill of my cravings and was nearby too.  I was actually debating whether or not to blog about this dinner or not — I had dined at this location before last year when I was there for their Grand Opening party but since this was a dinner that I was experiencing myself that was not on a complimentary basis, I wanted to Continue reading →

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Private Tasting at Southern Accent Once More! [Defunct due to Covid-19]

Southern Accent Cajun and Creole food

Southern Accent located at 839 College St in Toronto

May 11, 2017:  In May of this year, I was once again invited to Southern Accent for a private dinner to taste their featured items and help them promote their vegan specials and new breakfast take-out option.  My apologies for such a late post!

Southern Accent holds a special place in my foodie heart because it was actually the very first restaurant that personally invited me out for a private tasting.  I remembered the day fondly and that visit was definitely blogged about in detail on this blog.  (That blog post is Continue reading →

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Tasting at Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill fire grill

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill located at 900 Don Mills Rd in Toronto

May 10, 2017:  In May of this year, I was invited to my first ever DKLoEvent!  (Since then, I have been to many and grateful for each one.)  This first DKLoEvent was situated at Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill!  I had always wanted to dine here — both from having heard its name before and having seen an Insider foodie video which showcased its giant circular fire grill.

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill is essentially a Northern Continue reading →

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Small Plates at 416 Snack Bar

416 Snack Bar food spread

416 Snack Bar located at 181 Bathurst St in Toronto

416 Snack Bar is a restaurant and bar that offers Asian-influenced small plates, draft brews, and cocktails in a small, low-lit space.  I had been curious about this restaurant for a while and was glad that me and two girlfriends were able to check this out on a Thursday evening.

I was afraid that we wouldn’t be able to get a table at this small and bustling restaurant but thankfully, Daphne and Lina both arrived around 6:30 p.m. and secured a table for us.  When I arrived shortly Continue reading →

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The Owl of Minerva Korean Restaurant & Bar in Markham

Pork Bone Soup

Owl of Minerva Korean Restaurant & Bar located at 3229 Hwy 7, Unit #7b in Markham

The last time I went to an Owl of Minerva Restaurant & Bar was more than a decade ago (wow…) back in university at the downtown Chinatown location with two friends.  Since then, I haven’t really paid much attention to this family-friendly Korean franchise restaurant.  I guess I didn’t have the best impression after going there after my first visit so it didn’t stick out as a place worth returning to in my mind.

However, when I went for a dinner with two friends this past Monday at the Markham location of Continue reading →

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Dim Sum at Omei Restaurant

Omei Restaurant interior

Omei Restaurant located at 420 Highway 7 East in Thornhill

Last Saturday, after my Zumba class, I had dim sum with my relatives at Omei Restaurant.  I had always seen Omei Restaurant from the street when driving along Highway 7 but this was my first time dining there.  I had always thought it was a very high-end restaurant that was fancy inside and expensive.  However, when we went there for dim sum last week, it turned out that Omei Restaurant was just another Chinese restaurant.  It certainly wasn’t Continue reading →

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Taiwan’s #1 XXL Fried Chicken is Now Open in North York

Hot Star Large Fried Chicken

Hot Star Large Fried Chicken located at 374 Yonge St in Toronto

This is a promotional post:

  • Taiwan’s #1 XXL Fried Chicken is NOW OPEN in North York!
  • On August 25, 26, and 27, 2017, purchase a LARGE chicken and receive a FREE refreshing Blue Curacao or Green Apple Yogurt Drink!  Only valid for the North York location
  • Tag @HotStar_Canada on Instagram and use hashtag #XXLChickenNorthYork

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Thanks to Sweven Media who provided me with a free voucher of a piece of their large fried chicken, I visited the Continue reading →

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CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice Supports SickKids in the Six!

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice drinks

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice located at 17b Finch Ave W in Toronto

This is a promotional post:

“The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk in support of SickKids is back for its 5th year on September 23, 2017.  Coco Fresh Tea & Juice will be partnering with SickKids to give back to the community and CoCo needs your help!

The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk is a fun-filled adventure to benefit SickKids.  In the course of one day, more than 3,000 walkers unite with one common goal to support children’s health.  The whole family can challenge themselves to the finish lines at 5km, 10 km, 15 km or walk to the big finish line at 20 km, having fun at ‘campsites’ through the streets of downtown Toronto along the way.  All funds raised for The Great Camp Adventure Walk go to SickKids Foundation to support its highest priority needs.

Coco Fresh Tea & Juice introduces the STAMP CARD in support of SickKids in the Six.  From July 19 to September 19, help Coco fundraise for the Great Camp Adventure Walk in support of SickKids.  Pick up a stamp card from any Coco location, collect 5 drinks by purchasing any 5 beverages and get the 6th beverage for only $1.  Coco pledges to donate every $1 earned from the 6th drink and in addition, donate another dollar ($1) to SickKids Foundation.

As a token of appreciation to those who help CoCo support The Great Camp Adventure Walk, each participant with a completed STAMP CARD can enter to win a $1,000 Prepaid Mastercard.

Be sure to take this opportunity to help out one of the greatest foundations in Toronto raise money to help those in need.  Your money will be going towards a great cause and every beverage purchased will help!  Without your support, this cannot happen.  Go in store to grab a stamp card to begin your journey!”  🙂

Continue reading →

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