Bar Isabel

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Saving Grace

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/savinggrace

We came here back in the winter, 15min before opening and entered as it was unlocked. We were quickly asked to leave and didn't make it back until now.
This time we came after 11 and it look 30min to be invited. Oh and the common etiquette is that you put your name on the clipboard hanging on the inside front frame - wait list.

APPEARANCE
medium-light golden, attractive
Outside bright, highlighter pink and green with contrasting details and a right-on green bench. This place is hard to miss - there are people always standing around. After almost being skipped, as the waitress felt like reading the list the opposite way, it was our turn.

NOSE
butterscotch, stuffy - needing air
Inside, very simple and trying to look bigger than is - white walls, black lamps and a large mirror. It reminded me of a fitting room, especially being warm and stuffy. That might have also been because we were sat on the small top floor overlooking everyone. All I have to say is, thank god for the high-ceilings adding some space and air.

SWIRL
hazelnut, hint of cinnamon
Setting down, we were entertained by the sun revealing the previous store sign underneath.
Cups with steaming ice and a charming airtight glass water bottle came on our table. They gave out either this type of a bottle or a wine olive-green glass one, both pretty cool.
I asked for the Strawberry-Agave Shake. We were quick with our food order, feeling a bit exposed to ally eh other waiting outside. I was hoping to have space at the end for that popular French Toast with Caramelized Bananas, as we really felt like something more substantial before. We got their Rajasthani Eggs and the Old White Cheddar Sandwich.
As we waited, I noticed the cute chalk-board with a version of the menu on the wall. I  kind of wished I read it earlier. A bunch of people were having the iced fresh ginger, looked interesting. Also, we were entertained by the sun revealing the previous store sign underneath in front of us.

PALATE
smoky, spicy, smooth texture yet drying
My shake came warm and I was ready to whine for ice, but it turned out that there was a big cube near the bottom. The shake was too think to let it swim out though. It was that same steaming ice, making my drink ice-cold in a few minutes. I was quite happy and impressed; it held the chill for some time. It was a bit sweet, but the light yogurt base was a great balance.
Next came out plates. I started off with half of the Old White Cheddar Sandwich. It came well toasted with grill marks, a spring salad and their house potatoes. The bread added a lot of interest to this dish, as it was whole-wheat raisin with a few walnut pieces. The insides were tomatoes, avocado and a yummy rosemary mayo. The cheese only got a bit of attention, competing with all the tastes going on, but overall it was delicious and a bit heavy.
The Rajasthani scrambled eggs had a very spicy red-onion, tomato chickpea masala. There was also a side of herbed, corn paratha and a side of potatoes. The cilantro and sour-cream were essential in my tolerance of this dish, but still not enough. Rajasthani is definitely not for my tummy in the morning, but I it has a hidden purpose - to make you sweat so that this room no longer feels warm or stuffy.

FINISH
hint of melon-pineapple and freshness
I wish I had space for dessert, perhaps next time I will sharpen my sweet tooth from the beginning.
Whoa, getting out makes you appreciate the breezy cool weather outside, even if it is mid 30C.

overall.. an intense (stifle) Chardonnay

Acadia

http://www.acadiarestaurant.com/

So this was our choice for father's day. It turned out to be right during a Little Italy festival, so the streets were wild and the music was loud. Parking? Ideal for bikers. 

APPEARANCE
pale gold
On a tiny street off college, the restaurant letters inside circles are nicely organized on the white awning. Not too special from the outside - a relatively big concrete patio, not much of plants, black metal furnishings outside. Inside, long tables on one side (a bit of a cafeteria feel) but the shinning white kitchen on the side is nowhere close to hiding - proudly drawing attention. 

NOSE
minerals, apricot, peach
It was one warm day, with possibility of showers but we still took the chance and sat outside, even though a table inside the cool restaurant with wide open windows was waiting for us.
We sat down for some time, as we all got there early. We were asked if we wanted, quite a few options of, water. We just went with filtered, assuming it is the simplest. We later realized it was $18. I would argue that is ridiculous, but the bright side is that they encourage people to experiment with wine / beer.

SWIRL
honeysuckle notes, slight nuttiness
Unlike the repetitive awning wordmark, the single sheet menu had a simple A inside a glassmark print shifted on the different menus - a nice touch, I thorough. All was well organized. We were told about their Acadia Tasting 5/9 course, as the price was reduced by a bit. We should've probably went with it, but we though it would be a lot of food. So we instead ordered two of their sides to munch on, before mom and dad arrived - Acadia's Cornbread and Wild Rice & Quinoa Pilaf. They took some time to arrive.

PALATE
smooth, silky, luscious
Once all 6 of us gathered, we decided to all order separate drinks and share a bunch of plates, as a matter of fact all the 5 main plates (Pickerel, Albacore, Veal Cheek, Salmon and Artichokes) and 2 of the appetizers (Maryland Pawn and Anson Mills Grits). I ordered their '11 Norman Hardie Pinot Gris and had a taste of their sweet '09 Ravine Riesling and citrusy '10 Smoke & Gamble Chardonnay. My Pinot Gris had hints of limestone, a light, floral nose and smooth palette. I was quite happy, especially seeing quite a few local beers and wines on their menu.

Honestly, every single dish created an experience of its own. They were all extremely well cooked, presented and combined with all other flavours on the plate. If I was to pick out the most memorable ones, they would be the Anson Mills Grits (a melody of oyster, shrimp, hint of ham and pimento cheese creating a puree-like dish, beautiful texture) and the Lake Erie Picherel (tender filet embraced in a unique grape-mustard sauce, succotash mix and two fish boudin spheres). I must add, the table's favourite was the Wild Rice Pilaf - good amount, easy for sharing and an interesting combination of raisins and pecans.

FINISH 
long, intricate with slight citrus tones
Next time I will try their Acadia Tasting 5 course meal.
Acadia is not the place to go to, unless you are an enthusiast of flavour experience and a true believer that less is more. This was some of the most beautiful food I have had on Canadian soil, as well as some of the smallest sized portions.

Overall.. a delicate, beautiful Chardonnay.

Bar Italia

www.bar-italia.ca

Going through restaurants reviews in little Italy for my parents' night out a week ago, I was curious about checking this one out. The reviews made it seem easygoing and yummy. And so I made a reservation for 5 a few hours before I was going to meet my friends.

APPEARANCE
crisp & cheap
From the outside - big windows, little patio, fluorescent sign on a brown background. Honestly, not too welcoming.

NOSE
an interesting character
Entering, there was a neat wooden, high community table with chairs. The hosts were smiling, and sat us quickly down at a comfortable semi-circular booth. The interior has a clean, architectural feel - the building-like chandlers, a lit up wooden texture on one wall, and the rest walls with a strange gloss and lots of mirrors. I felt a little distracted by all the mirrors around, I guess it'd be perfect for a first date, if you don't want to directly stare..
and instead check out the person from all sides. Our booth was at the end of the restaurants
next to the kitchen.. which was open for people to see, but didn't add at all
(rather messy and chaotic in there).

SWIRL
a mismatch with the first nose
At our table, menus were handed out - cover: handwritten style illustration and a tick-tack-toe logo (which doesn't have much to do with exterior not the clean crisp interior feel). Even though it was bound by an interesting elastic band down the middle. There were two separate, smaller, hardcover menus for wine and drinks. The waiter talked about the specials with a lot of pauses, perhaps so he doesn't overwhelm us or may be because of the loud party occupying half of the restaurant.

PALATE
light-bodied, not well balanced
I decided to try their special butternut squash risotto salmon with spinach. The salmon was tasteless - its butter, dill sauce only gave it some character, but the risotto had a good texture and unique taste. However I wouldn't say worth $23. I coupled it with a glass of white Sicilian wine Izolia - crispy, light, nothing impressive. Mon cheri had a Veal Scaloppine with truffle sauce. The meat and sauce were great, but the gnocchi were burned and chewy. We coupled this one with a glass of Tuscan Sangiovese, blackberry charter, which he enjoyed. Another friend had one of their panini and was not impressed. I kind of said for him to try it, reading up on reviews.. oops!
For dessert I had a taste of the tiramisu, which I though was very well done. Also had a Late Harvest Vidal '07 from Ontario which has a light, crisper ice-wine taste.. i enjoyed.

FINISH
very short (not impressive)
After 10, the music switched to what we though was karaoke but reading on their website it was a band which we didn't see.. honestly very loud again, we had to scream talking to each other.
Definitely should've tried a few more of their desserts, a lot of reviews recommended the Panna Cotta or the Cake.

overall.. an inexpensive sauvignon blanc