Living in Toronto has afforded me the opportunity, and the luxury, to try many different cuisines.  While Italian food is still my favourite (it’s in my blood, after all!), I have fallen absolutely in love with Middle Eastern cuisine. Falafel, fatoush, babaganoush…bring it on, baby!

Given my love for both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, you can only imagine my delight when I discovered a restaurant in mid-town that brings together both cuisines. Enter Mideastro, a hidden gem amongst the glitz and glam of Yorkville.

Recently, I was invited along with other food bloggers, to enjoy a six-course dinner courtesy of executive chef Benny Cohen.  I had eagerly anticipated the event for weeks but when the actual day arrived, I was ill with a cold and had seriously contemplated not going. In the end, my curiosity got the better of me and I was very glad it did.

Guests were greeted at the door of the dimly lit, elegantly adorned room with sparkling wine and cocktails, along with a trio of hors d’oeuvres, including falafel sliders with homemade pita and a pickled vegetable salad, a fricassee of ahi tuna, pumpkin and potato and bourekitos, light pastry pockets (think phyllo) stuffed with Labane, a Lebanese cheese.

By the time we sat down for dinner, I was delightfully stuffed and very intrigued by what was coming next. Being a vegetarian (actually, a pescatarian), I am always curious to see how a restaurant handles special requests. Luckily, I wasn’t the only ‘picky’ one in the room and our restrictions were handled with grace.

Chef Cohen, who was born in Israel to French-born Moroccan parents, created a masterful six-course menu. Here is what we had (with the veggie options in parentheses):

First Course: Lamb soup (for the veggies: Grilled eggplant soup with celery root and potato)

Second Course: Baladi Eggplant – grilled eggplant topped with tomato heart salsa, Israeli feta, wild oregano, roasted garlic and herb tahini – and Lahma Ba’ajin – a 500-year old dish consisting of flatbread topped with ground lamb, chickpeas and tomatoes in a sheep yogurt tahini (for the vegetarians: Bruschetta with Labane cheese, tomato salad, avocado and a balsamic reduction)

Third Course: Black Truffle Carpaccio – Wagyu beef tenderloin, arugula, Parmegiano Reggiano, balsamic and black truffle oil on a layer of pomegranate honey reduction – paired with Grilled Calamari – served on a lime root vegetable cream and oxtail caviar lentil pot au feu (Vegetarian: Endive salad with tomatoes three ways, balsamic maple dressing and gorgonzola cream)

Fourth Course: Red Snapper baked in smoked paprika and tomatoes in a root vegetable fish stock served on sweet arisa risotto (a Moroccan version of fish stew) – my FAVOURITE course of the night!

Fifth Course: Lamb + Beef Kufta in a grilled tomato and eggplant stew covered with a layer of thin focaccia and paired with a hot yogurt and tahini sauce. (Vegetarian – Wild Mushroom Risotto with truffle)

Sixth Course: Nutella Parfait – frozen nutella cream, caramelized bananas, crème anglaise, salted pecan brittle and a tuile cookie – paired with Fig Kataiv, a pastry layered with spiced mascarpone, fresh figs and pistachios.

Each course was expertly paired with wines selected by Master Sommelier Bruce Wallner, who, it should be noted, is one of only three master sommeliers in Canada.

If you want to be transported to another world, one where culinary traditions and flavours collide, Mideastro is the place for you.  I have visited the restaurant a second time and it was just as divine as the first time. I should also mention that there is a second location (the original) in Thornhill.

Bon appetit!

Mideastro Yorkville
27 Yorkville Ave., 416-477-2427, mideastro.com

One of my favourite ways to enjoy tea is amongst friends during Afternoon Tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto’s tony Yorkville neighbourhood.

The most quintessential of British customs, afternoon tea is a relatively new tradition. While the custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC in China and made popular in England during the 1660s, it wasn’t until the mid-17th century that the concept of ‘afternoon tea’ was actually born.

Historians say it was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. The Duchess would be hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon and couldn’t wait until dinner, which was served at eight o’clock. She asked for a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake to be brought to her room each late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her. This break for tea became a fashionable event where society women would wear long gowns, gloves and hats to enjoy their tea.

Traditional afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and preserves, cakes and pastries, along with tea served in bone china cups.

A ritual since 1927, the tea service at the Windsor Arms Hotel is a modern play on this centuries’ old tradition. The tea menu is exquisite, with both traditional and unique loose-leaf teas to choose from. My personal favourite is Black and Blue, a blueberry infused black tea.

The food, served on a three-tiered platter, is divine. On the bottom tier are fresh and fluffy scones served with preserves and Devon cream. The presentation of sandwiches includes smoked salmon with wasabi sour cream and salmon caviar; cucumber with sun-dried tomato paste and dill cream cheese; and grilled chicken, Granny Smith apples, citrus mayo, Greek yogurt and chives, and finally the most delectable goat cheese and caramelized tarts. The third and final tier holds the prettiest selection of petit fours desserts you’ve ever seen. And, as if that wasn’t enough, berries and cream are served off to the side.

The experience costs between $30 and $43 depending on what day of the week you go. You also have the option of starting off with a glass of Prosecco for an additional fee.

Can you think of a better way to spend the afternoon with girlfriends? I certainly can’t and it happens to be one of my favourite culinary experiences in the city.

It is meant to be eaten as an appetizer with fresh baguette or served over warm artichokes, as recommended by the magazine. But I, feeling slightly self-indulgent this weekend, decided to make it as a main and served it over basmati rice. It was so fantastic that I thought I would pay it forward and share it with all of you. Enjoy!

2 tbsp. butter
6 tbsp. Sriracha
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. shrimp (supposed to be with heads on, but I made mine with the raw, peeled variety)
1 tbsp. lemon zest
2 tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped
2 tbsp. fresh mint, finely chopped
Juice of half a lemon

Whip together butter and Sriracha and melt in skillet. Add 3 cloves of garlic and saute for a minute or two. Add shrimp and when they are almost done, add lemon zest, basil and mint. Toss in skillet until herbs are slightly wilted.

Although the original recipe didn’t ask for this, I finished the dish off with the juice of half a lemon.

Serve as desired – with bread, over rice, etc.

Mental note: if you’re thinking about opening a restaurant in Liberty Village, do not include the word ‘liberty’ in the name. If the recent closings of three neighbourhood haunts – Liberty Café, Liberty Noodle and Liberty Belle Bistro, aren’t enough of an indication, I’m not sure what is.

Despite the unfortunate demise of these businesses, Liberty Village is growing like crazy. While still a long way off from being a true culinary destination, it has improved dramatically over the last couple of years.

Here are a few of my favourite spots:

The Village Cheesemonger – Located in the Liberty Market Building, this fromagerie offers more than 150 different varieties of gourmet cheeses from around the world, including a vast selection of world renowned and award-winning Canadian cheeses. The store also features a ‘pantry’ section, where patrons can shop for olive oils, aged balsamic vinegars, and other gourmet accompaniments such as tapenades, chutneys, artisanal crackers and more.

For the Love of Cake – A few stores down from The Village Cheesemonger, you will find this trendy little shop that specializes in custom designer cakes, gourmet cupcakes, mancakes, gluten free products and cakeballs, fully baked cake crumbles that are blended with icing, shaped to form a ball and then dipped in a rich and creamy premium chocolate. These are some of the best cakes in the city!

Merci Mon Ami – Merci Mon Ami is an insider’s secret. Also located in the Liberty Market Building, but on the outside of the complex facing Hanna Avenue, this bistro is only open for lunch and special events but it worth the drive to Liberty Village during the week if you can find the time. The simply delicious lunch menu includes baguette sandwiches, salads and a soup of the day.

On the last Saturday of every month, they open for dinner and serve a three-course steak frites meal. Be sure to book early, as it sells out every time!

Mildred’s Temple Kitchen – The first fine dining restaurant to open in the ‘hood, Mildred’s has cult following that began years ago at their original location on Sudbury Street. Obscurely located across from West Elm at 85 Hanna Avenue, it still manages to attract the crowds, especially at brunch-o’clock on the weekends. During the week, local businesses take advantage of the lunch quickie – a side, a main and a sweet finish for $15!

Locally sourced, seasonal items make up the menu. Some of my favourites include Smoked Georgian Bay Whitefish Fritters (lunch), Handmade Ricotta Gnudi (dinner) and Huevos Monty (brunch).

Caffino Ristorante –Tucked away at the base of the Toronto Factory Carpet building (1185 King Street West), very few outside of those who work or live in the ‘hood, know of this place. Quaint and romantically charming, Caffino is famous for its pasta, particularly its Pasta Caffino – penne with chicken, diced tomatoes and mushrooms in a light pesto cream sauce. If you’re in the mood for great, simple, rustic Italian food, this is definitely the place for you, and by far the best Italian restaurant in Liberty Village.

Balzac’s – Without a doubt, Balzac’s is my favourite cafe in Liberty Village. In fact, I stop in there every morning on my way to work. Located at the base of the Toy Factory condo conversion, this art deco-styled café serves up delicious, interesting brews and a wonderful selection of breakfast pastries. My only complaint is that it isn’t open late enough and doesn’t have WiFi. Late night gatherers must make their way to Starbucks after 7pm.

And, as if you didn’t need another reason to visit, it has been confirmed that Origin Restaurant is opening its second location in an old ammunition factory in the village in Spring 2012. As this is one of my favourite restos in the city, I’m counting down the days for its debut. It is guaranteed to add new life to the neighbourhood.

If all of this hasn’t convinced that Liberty Village is worth checking out, rest assured your curiosity will get the better of you soon enough. This wonderful neighbourhood just west of downtown Toronto will continue to grow, attracting new and exciting businesses, culinary and otherwise.

Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch party for Cheesewerks, a delectable artisan grilled cheese restaurant in the King West neighbourhood of Toronto. After months of following the restaurant’s progress on Facebook, I had eagerly anticipated this evening…and, to my delight, it was well worth the wait!

Owners Kevin Durkee and Tom Douangmixay have created a little gem of a place whose menu is chalk full of classic and unique grilled cheese sandwiches, house-made soups, fine cheeses and other gourmet comfort food that is best enjoyed with a glass of Ontario wine or craft beer.

The sandwiches are inspired by the owners’ favourite cities around the world. While all were delicious, my top picks were the Original (Balderson aged and smoked cheddars on signature cracked peppercorn sourdough), the Los Angeles (Havarti, smashed avocado, arugula and citrus compote on sourdough) and the Toronto (a mini tower of grilled cheese sliders named after some of Toronto’s iconic neighbourhoods, including Koreatown – gruyere and kimchi; The Danforth – aged goat cheddar and olive tapenade; and Little Italy – buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil). All breads are supplied by St. John’s Bakery.

Open for lunch and dinner, and located across the street from the Thompson Toronto hotel, this place is guaranteed to satisfy locals and visitors, gourmands and picky eaters, the budget-conscious and the big spenders.

The menu at Cheesewerks

For those on a mission to hone their grilled cheese sandwich-making skills at home, here is the recipe for the Cheesewerks’ Original to get you started. It doesn’t get any cheesier than that, folks!

Cheesewerks’ Original Grilled Cheese (recipe courtesy of Toronto Star)

3/4 cup grated smoked cheddar with rind
1/4 cup grated aged white cheddar
2 slices sourdough bread
Salted butter for spreading
Cracked black pepper
Ketchup, preferably Cheesewerks’ Signature Sriracha Ketchup

In small bowl, toss two cheddars until well combined.

Spread 1 side of each bread slice with butter, right to edges. Place, butter side down, on cutting board. Loosely top one slice with cheese mixture (there should be just under 1/2 inch/1 cm cheese). Sprinkle with pepper. Top with remaining slice of bread, buttered side facing out.

Heat large non-stick or cast-iron skillet over medium high. Add sandwich. Cook until bottom is golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Using rubber spatula and knife, carefully flip. (Don’t flatten.) Cook until bottom is browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer sandwich to cutting board. Let stand 1 minute. Slice on diagonal using serrated knife. Serve with ketchup if desired.

Cheesewerks – 56 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON, www.cheesewerks.com, 416.243.3327