Last night we had an indulgent and delectable Indian meal at Kama Sutra to celebrate Dad's 65th birthday. We often go to this establishment for special occasions, and in 6 years, it has never disappointed. Our server last night was Tobias. He is truly extraordinary and I am convinced that he is, in fact, a ninja.
from Wikipedia: A ninja (忍者) or shinobi (忍び) was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations.
A service industry ninja, like their military cousin, operates with stealth, quickness and deadly precision. Imagine, if you will, you are sitting, relaxed, at a restaurant, in flickering candlelight. You turn slightly in your seat to adjust your jacket on the back of your chair. When you look back up, your waiter-ninja has suddenly appeared in front of you. You swallow a surprised gasp. Before you are even aware it has happened he has already taken your drink order and vanished (fyi: you ordered the Sauvignon Blanc recommended to you by your waiter-ninja. You don't know it yet, but this crisp, dry white wine will pair perfectly with the dish you order in approximately 10 minutes. Waiter-ninja has already used his psychic powers to anticipate your dinner order.)
And so it goes...This is the magic of ninja-waiters. You check a text message. You look back up, your wine glass is miraculously full again. Is this a Harry Potter charm?? No! You've just been waiter-ninjaed! Your waiter-ninja will anticipate your every need and want. The exact moment you are ready to eat, your meal will arrive, all together, at the appropriate temperatures and beautifully arranged. Condiments will appear on the table the second you think, "oh this would taste great with a little..." Your plate will disappear from under your nose as soon as you slide your knife and fork into a parallel position. And then, after the offer of dessert and coffee, your bill for the evening will apparate onto the table just as you begin to think it is time to head out. AMAZING!
Ninja-waiters are a rare and fascinating breed that have received next to no real attention from the academic world. Where do these ninjas come from, where do they train? And what would we ever do if the ninja-waiters of the world decided to use their impressive skills for evil? How did a 30-something white male come to be employed as a ninja-waiter at an Indian restaurant? These are pressing questions which I believe need to be asked.
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Monday, 10 October 2011
What's wrong with global warming?
This weekend has been insanely beautiful. I awoke from my food coma this morning and proceeded to re-fill my champion stomach with poached eggs and toast and coffee on the back deck whilst absorbing all the glorious vitamin D streaming down from the solar orb hanging in the true blue sky. Ahhh see? doesn't this nice weather make everything all poetic?
Unfortunately, the pursuit of higher education required me to spend most of the day indoors surrounded by books and paper. By late afternoon however, I could no longer ignore the beckoning of the beautiful day and I hopped on my bike and headed over to Sunnybrook.
Apparently, every other resident of Toronto had the same idea in mind and everywhere I rode through was packed. Busier than I saw it all summer, actually. But despite all the cars and picknickers and walkers/bikers who don't know how to share the public paths (stay right for Christ's sake,) it was lovely to get out and start burning off Sunday nights full-blown Turkey dinner, plus all the Ninjabread I've been snacking on. I rode quite far down the lower Don River and the trees are starting to change colour, so now I want to go back again in a week or two. After an hour and a half of cyling, I honestly don't think there is anything on earth more poorly designed than a bicycle seat. I guess I'll be sticking with my other preferred physical activities, the first is jogging the second is spontaneous dance parties with Claire and Caroline.
to find out more about the Don River trails >>> http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/don-river-trail/
Unfortunately, the pursuit of higher education required me to spend most of the day indoors surrounded by books and paper. By late afternoon however, I could no longer ignore the beckoning of the beautiful day and I hopped on my bike and headed over to Sunnybrook.
Apparently, every other resident of Toronto had the same idea in mind and everywhere I rode through was packed. Busier than I saw it all summer, actually. But despite all the cars and picknickers and walkers/bikers who don't know how to share the public paths (stay right for Christ's sake,) it was lovely to get out and start burning off Sunday nights full-blown Turkey dinner, plus all the Ninjabread I've been snacking on. I rode quite far down the lower Don River and the trees are starting to change colour, so now I want to go back again in a week or two. After an hour and a half of cyling, I honestly don't think there is anything on earth more poorly designed than a bicycle seat. I guess I'll be sticking with my other preferred physical activities, the first is jogging the second is spontaneous dance parties with Claire and Caroline.
to find out more about the Don River trails >>> http://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/trails-a-z/don-river-trail/
Sunday, 9 October 2011
The Silent Killer
You've all had gingerbread before, but have you ever had NINJABREAD?!
For my birthday my friend Emily gave me these amazing cookie cutters from Fred. I love everything from Fred. Their stuff is hilarious, cute but most importantly still really practical. They have lots of fantastic ice cube molds too, Emily also bought me the Space Ship ice cube maker. I also have the chopstick thingies and I really really want to get the mustache cookie cutters. Emily works at Miss. Tiggywinkle's in Ottawa, which is where she got them, but there are lots of places you can buy Fred products in Toronto. Urban Outfitters has their stuff but Bergo in the distillery district has the largest selection of their products that I've seen.
Emily's store in Ottawa: http://www.mrstiggywinkles.ca/
Fred Online: http://www.worldwidefred.com/fredkitchen.htm
Bergo: Bergo
And here are all the amazing things ninja cookies can do!!
Making these was crazy fun. Eating them was even more fun. Posting them in ridiculous positions was the most fun.
To find out how we made these, check out Caroline's blog http://scrambledeggsetc.blogspot.com/2011/10/gingerbread-cookies.html they really were delicious and Caroline's recipe made enough dough for us to create a veritable ninja army! Caroline also shares a very interesting story of the Molasses tragedy of 1919 where like 21 ppl died. Molasses and ninjas are serious stuff people, so be careful if you attempt these!
For my birthday my friend Emily gave me these amazing cookie cutters from Fred. I love everything from Fred. Their stuff is hilarious, cute but most importantly still really practical. They have lots of fantastic ice cube molds too, Emily also bought me the Space Ship ice cube maker. I also have the chopstick thingies and I really really want to get the mustache cookie cutters. Emily works at Miss. Tiggywinkle's in Ottawa, which is where she got them, but there are lots of places you can buy Fred products in Toronto. Urban Outfitters has their stuff but Bergo in the distillery district has the largest selection of their products that I've seen.
Emily's store in Ottawa: http://www.mrstiggywinkles.ca/
Fred Online: http://www.worldwidefred.com/fredkitchen.htm
Bergo: Bergo
And here are all the amazing things ninja cookies can do!!
 |
| masters of camouflage |
 |
| Ninja vs. Robin Hood |
 |
| A victim of the ninja |
 |
| Ninja is not a fan of easy listening music |
 |
| Breaking a stack of bricks! |
Making these was crazy fun. Eating them was even more fun. Posting them in ridiculous positions was the most fun.
To find out how we made these, check out Caroline's blog http://scrambledeggsetc.blogspot.com/2011/10/gingerbread-cookies.html they really were delicious and Caroline's recipe made enough dough for us to create a veritable ninja army! Caroline also shares a very interesting story of the Molasses tragedy of 1919 where like 21 ppl died. Molasses and ninjas are serious stuff people, so be careful if you attempt these!
The Black Hoof
Thursday night was Alex's bday, so we went out for fancy pants cocktails at the fancy pants Black Hoof cocktail bar on Dundas West. http://theblackhoof.com/
I was a little leery because of the mixed reviews Claire and I read online, but the place was actually really cool.
location: bit of a hike for us from the bus stop and you have to walk past Christie Pitts Park, so maybe don't walk alone?
decor: the only outside signage was a small fluorescent "cocktail bar" sign in the bottom of a window so look out for that if you're trying to find it. Inside there was a hammered tin ceiling, romantic low lighting and painted white wood cupboards above the bar, housing the extensive glassware collection.
ambience: the lighting and the 1920s era playlist definitely created a chic and romantic mood, great place to bring a date if you are trying to impress (ie. go for the kill!)
service: I expected more snobbishness, but our bartender was fabulous. He was the only staff at the bar and he made each of our beverages exquisitely, didn't seem at all bothered that we were nursing our drinks for an exorbitantly long time and he constantly came by to refill our water glasses from a vintagey-looking glass water bottle. 10 out of 10!
drinks: the drinks were wonderful, delicious, unique etc. They are all served in the specific glass suited for the beverage, with the specific garnish to finish off (Ally had a drink that came with a rose petal on top) and they are really meant to sip and enjoy. I know very little about cocktails in general, my personal expertise extends as far as making a gin and tonic or a rum and coke. I found this blog review that has a great explanation of the drinks and how they are made etc. so check it out if you are interested. http://porkosity.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-hoof-cocktail-bar.html
price: so this the huge downside of the Black Hoof. Cocktails start at $9 for a 1oz drink. I had the "Martinez" a 2 1/2 oz Cocktail and that cost $12 and I delicately sipped at it for 2 hours. Also, many of the 2oz cocktails are about $16. I only ordered the Martinez because my thrifty mind calculated it to be the best deal on the menu.
Overall, it was a neat place, but don't plan on going there to get loaded unless you are loaded. The crowd there is definitely more of a 30+ demographic. Perhaps a place to hunt out sugar daddies/mommies??
I was a little leery because of the mixed reviews Claire and I read online, but the place was actually really cool.
location: bit of a hike for us from the bus stop and you have to walk past Christie Pitts Park, so maybe don't walk alone?
decor: the only outside signage was a small fluorescent "cocktail bar" sign in the bottom of a window so look out for that if you're trying to find it. Inside there was a hammered tin ceiling, romantic low lighting and painted white wood cupboards above the bar, housing the extensive glassware collection.
ambience: the lighting and the 1920s era playlist definitely created a chic and romantic mood, great place to bring a date if you are trying to impress (ie. go for the kill!)
service: I expected more snobbishness, but our bartender was fabulous. He was the only staff at the bar and he made each of our beverages exquisitely, didn't seem at all bothered that we were nursing our drinks for an exorbitantly long time and he constantly came by to refill our water glasses from a vintagey-looking glass water bottle. 10 out of 10!
drinks: the drinks were wonderful, delicious, unique etc. They are all served in the specific glass suited for the beverage, with the specific garnish to finish off (Ally had a drink that came with a rose petal on top) and they are really meant to sip and enjoy. I know very little about cocktails in general, my personal expertise extends as far as making a gin and tonic or a rum and coke. I found this blog review that has a great explanation of the drinks and how they are made etc. so check it out if you are interested. http://porkosity.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-hoof-cocktail-bar.html
price: so this the huge downside of the Black Hoof. Cocktails start at $9 for a 1oz drink. I had the "Martinez" a 2 1/2 oz Cocktail and that cost $12 and I delicately sipped at it for 2 hours. Also, many of the 2oz cocktails are about $16. I only ordered the Martinez because my thrifty mind calculated it to be the best deal on the menu.
Overall, it was a neat place, but don't plan on going there to get loaded unless you are loaded. The crowd there is definitely more of a 30+ demographic. Perhaps a place to hunt out sugar daddies/mommies??
En Francais
So, I recently had an urge to listen to French language pop music so I put out a poll on facebook and now I am steadily exploring all the suggestions from my lovely (and apparently francophile) friends. My mother suggest listening to Francoise Hardy a popular chanteuse from the 1960s. Since I'm already in a current obsession with early 1960s girl-pop, Francoise fits right into what I was craving. Watch this video and the many more on youtube and you will want nothing more than to be sucked into the screen so you can stroll around the streets of Paris in black and white singing about boys who broke your heart.
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Favourite dessert
hey guys! last night I made one of my favourite dessert dishes: Nutella Jar and Spoon. Its super easy to make. I've included the recipe below.
Ingredients:
1 jar of Nutella (can be bought in any grocery store)
a spoon
put spoon into nutella jar, scoop nutella out, deposit nutella in mouth.
If you don't have a spoon handy, you can use your finger, just be sure to wash your hands first! This dish is great when paired with a cold glass of milk and a sappy rom com.
Ingredients:
1 jar of Nutella (can be bought in any grocery store)
a spoon
put spoon into nutella jar, scoop nutella out, deposit nutella in mouth.
If you don't have a spoon handy, you can use your finger, just be sure to wash your hands first! This dish is great when paired with a cold glass of milk and a sappy rom com.
Monday, 3 October 2011
Trompe L'Oeil
I found this awesome artist today who creates visual illusions on city surfaces using brightly hued sticky tape. So simple yet so great!
http://www.aakashnihalani.com/
http://www.aakashnihalani.com/
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