Archive: food

Another Session Added! – Appetite for Reading II

Dear Friends,

So many readers were interested in the Appetite for Reading II series that we have decided to have another session, this time on Mondays.

If you were on our waiting list, please contact the store to formally register. If you weren’t on the list but are interested, please call us for details.  

Appetite For Reading: A Book Club for Serious Food Lovers continues with the 2nd instalment in the series taking place Nov 2010 – May 2011.

We’ll read and savour 6 books about food – one a month for 6 months.  Each month, we’ll meet in a carefully selected restaurant to discuss the book. Chosen restaurants will have main courses available for under $25, and you will be able to choose items from the full menu (no prix fixe).   This exciting club allows you to participate in lively discussions about each book in a wonderful restaurant setting.  We will of course also discuss food and restaurants over our meal! This is an interactive club, not a lecture, so come and enjoy the chance to have your opinions heard and share in other people’s impressions of the books we’ll be reading.  And no, you don’t have to know how to cook to join!

As a restaurant critic and food writer, I am passionate about food, books and restaurants and hope that you will join me on this adventure. Surrounded by good food and people who love to get lost in great books, this is an experience that you won’t want to miss out on!

My mouth is watering already.
Stephanie Dickison, author of The 30-Second Commute: A Non-Fiction Comedy About Writing & Working From Home
Pricing, Availability, and Registration:   Two seatings available: 6-8 pm or 8-10 pm, all meetings are on Mondays
Price: $178.01 (includes all 6 books, membership fee and HST)
Membership is limited to two groups of 12. To reserve your spot, please contact Maxeen at Nicholas Hoare 45 Front Street East  Tel: (416) 777-2665 or email Maxeen at  toronto@nicholashoare.ca
For more info: www.booksabroad.com “Appetite” or Stephanie Dickison stephaniedickison.com
Appetite For Reading Menu

Amuse Bouche
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time
Monday, November 1, 2010 -Restaurant T.B.A.

Appetizer
The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship
Monday, January 10, 2011-Restaurant T.B.A.

Salad
Consuming Passions: A Food-Obsessed Life
Monday, February 7, 2011-Restaurant T.B.A.
Entrée
Knives at Dawn
Monday, March 7, 2011-Restaurant T.B.A.

Dessert
My Kitchen Wars
Monday, April 4, 2011-Restaurant T.B.A.

Aperitif
Don’t Try This at Home
Monday May 9, 2011 -Restaurant T.B.A.

The Books We’ll Be Reading.  Notes by Stephanie.
This time round, I’ve changed the book list a little. In this series, we’ll read a food writer’s recollections, the inside stories from a restaurant critic, a  fiction title, a food-obsessed writer’s memoir, a detailed look inside the industry and a cookbook author’s experiences. Take a look:
It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Tim: My Adventures in Life and Food by Moira Hodgson
This restaurant critic (formerly of the New York Times, currently of the New York Observer) weaves professional, insider secrets of reviewing restaurants for a living with memoir moments that make for a rich, evocative read.  You’ll certainly read about many famous chefs and personalities, but it’s perhaps Hodgson’s life that you will remember most fondly.  Thankfully, recipes are included.
The Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Friendship by Andrea Israel & Nancy Garfinkel
It’s called a “novel cookbook” so it seemed like a good choice for the club – a little bit of fiction and then off into the kitchen to recreate some of the recipes.  Sounds like fun to me.  Lilly and Val are lifelong friends, revealing the novel’s details through their letters that also contain recipes.  It’s hard to remember that it’s a novel at times, because it’s written by 2 real-life friends and the dialogue throughout rings true. There are more than 80 recipes here so I bet we’ll be cooking as much as reading.
Consuming Passions: A Food-Obsessed Life by Michael Lee West

Don’t be surprised if you drool on the pages as you’re reading this one. This Southern Tale covers both the new and old South and offers up foods that you probably aren’t so familiar with here in the T-dot (Which is why you might find yourself scouring online markets at midnight for ingredients to make Lemon Chess Pie and hush puppies).  This accessible read covers home cooking, whether it’s a dish to take to a potluck or feeding friends and family at home, in a completely charming fashion.
Knives at Dawn: America’s Quest for Culinary Glory at the Legendary Bocuse d’Or Competition by Andrew Friedman

Competitions are what much of food television is about these days.  So I think it’s fitting to include a title like this, where everything is on the line and you can’t help but get caught up in 24 culinary teams competing at the most prestigious cooking competition.  Can you imagine having to cook for 5.5 hours straight, only to be judged by the world’s best chefs?Gulp.The story of this competition is intriguing in of itself, but it’s the play-by-play detail that will have you flipping pages long after the rest of the family has gone to bed.
My Kitchen Wars by Betty Fussell
Betty has written at least 12 books, but this title might just be her most compelling.  What’s nice is that this cookbook author has gone outside the usual autobiography template and uses acerbic    humour to share her stories.

Don’t Try This at Home edited by Kimberly Witherspoon

In this raucous collection, over forty of the world’s greatest chefs relate outrageous true tales from their kitchens. From hiring a blind line cook to flooding the room with meringue to being terrorized by a French owl, these behind-the-scenes accounts are as wildly entertaining as they are revealing. A delicious reminder that even the chefs we most admire aren’t always perfect.

Nicholas Hoare
45 Front Street East
Toronto, ON M5E 1B3
416-777-2665 phone
416-777-0295 fax
www.nicholashoare.com
www.twitter.com/NicholasHoareTO

Restaurant Reviews – Lunch Rush Catch Up

Need to see  where to eat and not eat in the city?

Catch up on my reviews in every Thursday’s Metro from the last few weeks:

- Aroma Fine Indian Cuisine

- Koko! Share Bar

-El Barrio

- Len Duckworth’s Fish & Chips

- Cinquecento Trattoria

- O & B Canteen

- The Bloordale Pantry

Restaurant Review – Pizzeria Libretto – Thursday, August 05, 2010

Pizzeria Libretto’s Neopolitan-style pizza gets a close look in my weekly Metro column.  Come and see how they did.

New Travel Article – Hungry for Vegas

Many people like to visit Las Vegas for the casinos, exclusive shows and entertainment.

Me, I go for the food.

Las Vegas Hotels have some of the best restaurants in the world.

The Bellagio, for instance for a number of places to indulge your culinary needs. Chef Jean-Philippe Maury’s creations look almost too pretty to eat at Las Vegas’ first truly European-style pastry shop.  If you are looking for something to sustain you a little longer, you can choose from their 5 contemporary restaurants – Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge, Sensi, Olives, Fix and Noodles. And if you want the dining experience of a lifetime, The Bellagio has 6 Fine Dining Restaurants, so you can visit one every night of your stay!  You’ve probably heard of Le Cirque, but have you heard of Circo, Jasmine, Michael Mina, Picasso and Prime Steakhouse?

What is extraordinary about eating in Vegas is that I have just named 12 places to eat, and that’s not even all of them – all in one single hotel. I’ve barely started telling you all about the amazing food to be had in this bright city!

There’s no way that you can visit all the restaurants you want to in one trip.

So you’re just going to have to make Las Vegas a regular destination from now on.

New Travel Article – Where to Stay in London

I’m a modern gal, so when I travel I like to stay in places that reflect my style.

No doilies and rocking chairs, thank you very much.

Recently, in checking out hotels in London city centre, I came across some lovely finds that are just perfect for the girl who needs a little more than just a place to rest her head.

The Plaza on the River Club and Residence is a swank affair and located on the banks of the River Thames “opposite the Tate Britain art gallery, close to London’s Waterloo station and just a short walk from Westminster and Vauxhall underground stations.”

It also happens to have an en suite bathroom with heated floors and you can call up for a massage or go down to the hotel’s gym to  help reduce some of your stress.

The Capital is perfect if shopping is part of your itinerary.  Located in the heart of Knightsbridge, you’re  just a short walk away from Harrods and Harvey Nichols.  And the rooms have been individually designed so that you get a one-of-a-kind experience.

Not only that, the fabrics chosen for the room are from the Ralph Lauren Collection.

Talk about luxury!

And you must visit the Metropolitan (Old Park Lane 19).  For the food alone!  Breakfast is served in the dazzling  White Room and Nobu is open for lunch and dinner.

I know.  Decisions, decisions!

Food Book Club Update – Appetite for Reading Series 2 is a Go!

Well, my two lovely Appetite for Reading groups met for a final dinner at Quince Restaurant.

But it’s not really over!

Nicholas Hoare Books has graciously allowed me to do another Appetite for Reading Series with them!

We’ll be meeting once a month for six months – October 2010 to April 2011 (with no meeting in December), reading 6 intriguing titles about food and discussing the books over dinner at restaurants all around the city, carefully selected by yours truly.

To put yourself on the waiting list, please contact the store at  toronto@nicholashoare.ca or call 416-777-2665.

I’d like to thank Nicholas Hoare Books, especially Co-Manager Maxeen for doing all of the administrative work (read: the heavy lifting!) and the restaurants that hosted us for some of the most memorable meals I’ve ever had – Pearl Harbourfront, King Street Social Kitchen, Pangaea, Provence Delices, Caplansky’s Delicatessen and Quince.

And of course, many thanks to all of the group members for their interest and support. For without you, I would be eating and reading all by myself.

We will be announcing the new book list soon (I have chosen very different books this time around).  Please sign up for these updates by clicking on the “subscribe” button on the right.  That way, as soon as there is a development, you’ll be the first ones to hear about it!

I hope to see you soon!

Radio Show News – The Request Lines are Open

I have a bunch of radio show news.

First of all, my next guest is author Ann Vanderhoof.  We’ll be talking about her latest memoir, The Spice Necklace.  That show airs Tuesday, July 20 at 2 pm and I’m excited because I get to talk about my two favourite things – books AND food!

Also, the CKLN on-air request lines are open!  You can call  416-595-1655 (Last week, someone named Norman called to say how much he was enjoying the Rona Maynard interview as it was happening.  Thanks, Norman!).

The station signal can be difficult to get from old-school radios, so be sure to tune in online and listen live or if you are a digital cable subscriber with Rogers, you can tune us in on Channel 947.

Also, I have a few slots remaining for the end of the year, so if you are a memoir author, please contact me with book title, description and your availability.

Many thanks for tuning in to In Other Words, 88.1 FM in Toronto.  My show, Portraits on Paper airs every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 2 pm.

New Article Series – Pan Magazine Covers the G20

We not only gave Pan Magazine a new look, we’re doing a series on the G20 countries.  Specifically, the food of those countries.  How cool is that?

Chris started us off with Argentina, I did Italy and so on.  We won’t miss a day, so neither should you!  Subscribe and have the posts send directly to your inbox.

There are also a lot more features to come, so stay tuned!

Photo – Lobster Expert

Scott is the best lobster getter-outter I know.  Here’s the proof.

Services – Menu Consultation

My experience in the culinary field and my role as restaurant columnist and reviewer has allowed me to review hundreds of menus, and I constantly come across spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and confusing terms that leave the customer wondering what the dish entails – one restaurant had 5 different terms for mashed potatoes!  I use my critical skills to keep your menu streamlined and user-friendly, yet intriguing and informative.

I am available for menu proofreading and menu word management and design and will lend my years of expertise to help you and your restaurant/catering company set itself apart from the rest!

Food Consulting Services

In addition, I offer food and restaurant education, workshops and lectures.

I am also available for food and cookbook writing.  I recently tested recipes for The Good Home Cookbook and write about nutrition, health and cooking for a number of international publications.

Please contact me for more information.

Follow me on Twitter! – twitter.com/sdickison

Food Book Clubs Hosted by Stephanie Dickison

Our Mediterranean book club was a hit across the city!!

I will be running a food-centric book club that I think will really wow the crowd called Appetite for Reading! Here’s the info:

Do you have an appetite for reading?   Do you read cookbooks like they’re novels?  Do you buy food reference books, memoirs and anything that has to do with food and cooking?

Due to the success of the recent A Taste of the Mediterranean Book Club, I am launching Appetite For Reading: A Book Club for Serious Food Lovers.

We’ll read and savour 6 books about food – one a month for 6 months.  Each month, we’ll meet in a carefully selected restaurant to discuss the book.

This exciting club allows you to participate in lively discussions about each book in a wonderful restaurant setting.  We will of course also discuss food and restaurants over our meal!  This is an interactive club, not a lecture, so come and enjoy the chance to have your opinions heard and share in other people’s impressions of the books we’ll be reading.

You will have the option of ordering from a special pre-fixe menu or off the restaurant’s regular menu.  Each restaurant will be carefully selected to match the book of the month.

As a restaurant critic and food writer, I am passionate about food, books and restaurants and hope that you will join me on this adventure.

Surrounded by good food and people who love to get lost in great books, this is an experience that you won’t want to miss out on!

My mouth is watering already…

Stephanie Dickison
Sign up now!

Now available—A Taste if the China Seas  Join now!

Here are the details:

Nicholas Hoare Presents – A Taste of the China Seas

In Japan, an explosion of cherry blossoms heralds early spring; in Toronto,  spring is the start of  celebration of the stories and flavours of East Asia, with Japan one of our six ports of call.

On March 23rd, Nicholas Hoare’s second series of reading and dining events, A Taste of the China Seas, will embark on a tour of this region from China to Malaysia, stopping in Japan, Hong Kong, Cambodia and Thailand.

Our six evenings, from March through August, will be spent in some of Toronto’s most notable Asian restaurants sampling the cuisine and literature that captures the ethos of each country. Once again, our dinner discussions will be hosted by author and food writer, Stephanie Dickison (The 30 second Commute – ECW Press), as well as Nicholas Hoare booksellers Carolyn Lomax and Ben Walsh (alternating). Each restaurant will prepare a wonderful prix fixe menu especially for our group at a cost of $25.00.

The books for our tour have been carefully selected to provide pleasurable, evocative (and sometime provocative) reading, and to stimulate discussion. Our table will only be complete with your presence; please join us for our Asian literary feast.

Best wishes,

Carolyn Lomax and Ben Walsh

Two seatings available: Early 6—8 pm OR Late 8—10 pm

Price:  $153.86 (includes all six books, membership fee and GST)

Membership is limited to 10 people per seating

To reserve your spot please contact our Front Street store at (416) 777-2665

Visit www.booksabroad.com for more details. Click on Taste

Follow me on Twitter! – twitter.com/sdickison