Rajni Meets Krepesz

I’ve written about my talented friend and artist Rajni Perera in the past. I’d like to add something to that.

She is currently exhibiting at Krepesz, the European palacsinta Cafe in Kensington Market, Toronto (253 Augusta Ave). You should go there to explore the new space, have some of the most excellent teas and enjoy the authentic Hungarian crepe. When I say authentic, I mean it — each crepe is lovingly prepared by the mom of the owner of this cafe (I’ve met her) on a daily basis, is stuffed with freshest ingredients and looks like the biggest treat you’ll have all week.

Now, for a limited time only – until September 30 – you will have the opportunity to see Rajni’s newest pieces. I really like how her work has developed from the spunky youngun’s work (who is finding her style) to a deeply personal portrayal of women at their most vulnerable moments. Rajni is unapologetic as she captures the emotion and strong sentiments trapped within these females, with the budding force of Frida Kahlo. I’m eager to see where she moves next. (And I’m secretly lobbying for a portrait)

Just go! Sit and stare at passionate Mahban with a beautiful peacock (I think? Correct me if I got the cocky bird wrong ) across from the room as you hopefully humbly wolf down your sweet or savoury brunch palacsinta.

Filed under: art , art, food, restaurants, toronto

Party in Style (N. America excluded)

While working on compiling Travel Packs for PlanetEye, I found some pretty interesting spots. Reading Forbes Travel makes me so much more excited about traveling in general. First of all, their writers are amazing. Second of all, they really do know what to select, especially if you have your AmEx ready to pay for the recommendations.

The story on Insomnia in Style a.k.a. after hours locations from Madrid to Hong Kong. What caught my eye is the fact that people start partying later, and go all the way to the morning, ending a night on town with breakfast. The place I wanna go to in London after hopping from place to place is “London’s first 24-hour upscale brassiere, Vingt-Quatre, is a cross-Channel import meant to fill the hungry stomachs of Chelsea’s party clique with staple French food.” Yeah! Yeah!

I’m not a big fan of extremely upscale venues, because usually the music is not so good and it becomes more about your designer outfit or a quid stack. Maybe I’m too young Oh yeah, since this post is about “partying in style”, London’s Intercontinental recently started to offer the “3am to 10am exclusive experience” priced at $7,000. It buys you one of the four Signature Suites at the Park Lane property and plenty of Belvedere vodka, mixers and soft beverages for you and 9 others.

Oh, also a while back when I had an issue with squirrels, I wanted to find out if any restaurants cook it. And what do you know, London’s St John Restaurant offered squirrel. Apparently it’s like tender rabbit, or a very gamey chicken or something like that. Point being, why not try that. Unfortunately, it seems that August is not the squirrel season, and I won’t get to try it. When I live there, then.

PS. Jebus Christ, I really do blog about food too much. Well, excuse me, fine food, company and conversation are some of the most important things for me. As are respect, productivity, health and trendhunting.

Filed under: moving up , animals, dancing, food, fun, London, nightlife, planeteye, plans, restaurants, self, squirrel, travels

Dinner at Cajú on Saturday

July 19th was the second last day of Summerlicious, and so Jesse and I went to savour the food. Interestingly, about five or six of my friends refused to go to Cajú for various reasons – sick, birthdays, don’t like Brazilian (!), expensive, etc, until le gourmand Jesse came along.

1. Gazpacho Soup
2. Grilled pork and beef skewer, served with cassava chips, farofa (sautéed, toasted cassava flour) and tomato salsa vinaigrette
3. Coconut flan

That’s a twilight picture of my coconut flan. Perfect portion (the radius of these tinies equals that of a Canadian toonie coin).

As pointed out by my companion, the coconut was kept rather moist as opposed to dried out, as in the macaroon fashion.

Filed under: moving up , food, restaurants, summerlicious, toronto

Dinner at Fuzion on Friday

Tomorrow I will be seeing Viktoria, and we will be going to Fuzion at 580 Church Street to catch up and have a great girls night out time

My Summerlicious dinner picks are:

1. Composed Salad of Watermelon, Heirloom Tomato and Greek Feta, Pistachio and Pickled Shallot Dressing
2. Soy-grilled Bison Bavette, Gratineed Potato “Chips,” Honey Mushrooms, Warm Truffled-Soy Dressing
3. Thyme Roasted Stone Fruits, Polenta-Olive Oil Cake, Whipped Vanilla Ricotta

Life is delicious, folks!

Filed under: moving up , food, restaurants, summerlicious, toronto

Dinner at Toula tonight

Gotta love Summerlicious – I’m going to reconnect with Ian at Toula (1 Harbour Square, 38th Floor) tonight, and I am mighty looking forward to the meal.

My picks are:

1. Jumbo Tiger Shrimp Wrapped in Prosciuto di Parma and Aged Balsamic Reduction ORRR Spinach and Baby Arugula Salad with Roasted Almonds, Cherry Tomatoes, Jumbo Sea Scallops au Gratin over Lemon and Oil
2. Ricotta & Herbs Stuffed Free Range Chicken with Grilled Portobello, Shiitaki, Oyster Mushrooms (Alla Cortinese)
3. Toula’ Home made Sorbet Trio W. Cookies

Yum yum yum. More Summerlicious on Saturday night and Sunday night.

Filed under: moving up , food, restaurants, summerlicious, toronto