Ontario Alive

The Ontario Science Centre.

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:35:32 +0000

I’m a nerd at heart so when we had the opportunity this past summer to go to the Ontario Science Centre, I was giddy as a child on Easter morning. The anticipation of going from floor to floor in search of my own little nuggets of info and the idea that we’ll be seeing ‘cool’ stuff only got heightened as we parked the car and headed through the doors. Smack in front of us was the mechanical arm Canadian scientists designed for the Space Shuttle… immediately you’re overwhelmed with a deep sense of pride. What a lovely site to be greeted with if it’s your first time at the Ontario Science Centre.

After checking in with the info desk, we decided to make our IMAX reservations so we could plan the rest of our day. Yes, the Science Center is huge and you will need the most part of a day if you plan on seeing and participating in everything. With reservations made for the 4 pm show and with a guide in hand, we headed out to explore. It was summer and the place was packed with children in day camps and group trips, so be prepared during the summer months for crowds. The same can be said for general weekends year long.

The Ontario Science Center was designed in such a way that the building hugs the natural drop of the hillside to the valley floor and you’ll have to make your way down several escalators to get to the many levels of interactive displays. Take a peek out the windows as you make your way down the escalators to see what I mean. Personally I think it’s a clever way to make the building part of the natural environment… at least not to be intrusive.

Still giddy with excitement, we started at the area dedicated to space and space exploration, where it brought back memories of me as a kid in the Caribbean looking up into the heavens hoping to see a UFO. The night sky is very clear in the Caribbean and in those days I wished I had a telescope to really venture into the galaxy. Both Caron and I (yea, our girls didn’t think it was still cool to go to the Science Centre) thoroughly enjoy this area dedicated to space… so did the mass of kids as I think it was the most crowded area.

Rather than bore you with a detailed report of how we spent out day at the Ontario Science Centre, I’ll touch on what stood out, some important info and share some pictures with you. This way I won’t give away too much and take away from the excitement of your planned visit.

Caron is a nurse and not only does she deal with aspects of the human body on a daily basis, she went through a couple years of college as part of her training… but the area dedicated to the human body was not only very informative, but gripping as well (had to drag her out to another area). We were simply amazed at the wealth of information and the manner in which everything was presented. The hands on approach to explain how things work (like the lung display) really assisted in the learning process. The old lab was not only cool to see but a bit scary to know how cave-man-like scientists and doctors used to work in days past. A good chunk of our time was spent here.

There are food stalls on just about every floor (vending machines), but we headed down to the main cafeteria for lunch. Caron opted for the slice of pizza and drink and was quite upset when she saw what i got for the same price she paid. There the option to have a fresh pasta dish made for you as you wait and it’s somewhat cool to see your food being cooked in front of you. My combo came with a drink, main course (pasta) and side salad. I believe it was about $8, but well worth it. The average meal (combo) at the different restaurants cost between $8-$10, so if you don’t plan on packing a lunch.. do walk with your wallet.

After a tasty lunch we headed over to the Amazon area, where you’d swear you were transported directly into the middle of the South American jungle. The light gleaming down though the trees, the sound of water rushing along the little creek and the humid conditions was as close as you could ever get to a tropical jungle in Canada. At this point we were starting to run out of time before the start of the IMAX feature we had made reservations for, so we rushed over to the engineering section (best way I could describe it) before we headed back up to the main entrance. Remember I said I would not touch on everything we did, so don’t be fooled into thinking this is all we did.

After a quick browse of the gift shop, we grabbed a seat for a coffee (just outside the entrance to the theater) as we had been on our feet for the most part of the day. Which reminds me.. wear comfortable shone, walk with a stroller if you have younger children (you can also rent them there I believe) and for a couple dollars you can rent lockers for the day.

The coffee was typical Starbucks and really not my thing, but it was an opportunity to recharge. By this time people were heading into the IMAX theater so it was our call to follow suit. On purchasing your entry ticket to the Ontario Science Centre, you have the option of including your admission to an IMAX feature… well worth the $$ especially if you’ve not had the experience before (like us). The theater is very steep and a bit scary if you’re afraid of heights. Overall a wonderful experience as you senses are really challenged with the huge screen, the amazing sound and overall quality of the production.

Some helpful info on planning your trip to the Ontario Science Centre:

Address – 770 Don Mills Road, Toronto, ON M3C 1T3
Fax – 416-696-3166
Phone – 416-696-1000
Toll-Free – 1-888-696-1110
TTY – 416-696-3202

*Parking at the Ontario Science Centre is $10.00 per vehicle (50% off for Members, FREE for Gold Members) and is cash only.

What’s going on: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/whatson/default.asp

Info on summer day camps: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/camp/default.asp

Admission prices including discounts and coupons: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/prices/default.asp

The day we were at the Ontario Science Centre there were a ton of field trips (day camps) and it was pretty loud and hectic with long waits to get to some of the more exciting exhibits, but they were worth the wait. Young or old there’s something for just about everyone and be sure to check with the “what’s going on” link above to get all the latest info on what you can expect when you attend the Science Centre.

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Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Ontario Science Centre) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

Lunch At The Pickle Barrel Sherway Gardens.

admin — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:46:15 +0000

What was supposed to be an exciting and appetizing lunch at The Pickle Barrel restaurant at Sherway Gardens, turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for the most part. Tehya had previously dined at another Pickle Barrel location a few months back, so she was excited when we decided to have lunch after a hectic day of shopping at Sherway Gardens Mall in Etobicoke.

Since we wasn’t prepared for doing a feature on the Pickle Barrel, you’ll notice that there are no pics of our dining experience as we would normally have. However we did have the flip camera with us so there’s a brief video clip below for your enjoyment.

After a short wait to assign us a table we were comfortably seated in a booth to the rear of the restaurant. As we worked our way to our table we could not help but notice that the restaurant was not busy, so having us wait 10-15 minutes to be seated was a bit of a mystery. On checking in I asked three times if they supply crayons and coloring paper for kids as all the other similar restaurants do and was told yes. Though we didn’t have any ‘kids’ with us, I didn’t expect to be ignored after asking three times for a set. Was this a sign of their listening skills and customer service?

We ordered our customary pop, ice tea, lemonade and I had to have my decaf coffee (which was quite good) after walking though that mall like a rat following the pied piper for hours. Ladies and shopping.. what was I thinking when I decided on coming along?

I’ll briefly tell you what we each ordered, followed by our comments on the meal and finish up on some general thoughts on the overall experience and service. But first, here’s the short video clip we took at the Pickle Barrel, Sherway Gardens.

Tehya had a severe craving for eggs Benedict, so she opted for the Traditional Eggs Benedict (Poached eggs and your choice of peameal or regular bacon on an English muffin, topped with hollandaise sauce. Served with sautéed mini potatoes and fresh fruit) According to her, the eggs were a bit overcooked, but was good the first 4-5 minutes (while it was still warm). Then the hollandaise sauce got thick and the texture of melted cheese which got cold. The fruit was quite attractive, but lacked any flavor or sweetness.

Dan, who’s been our partner in crime the past few months had the Famous Deli Sandwich (served with French fries and coleslaw) He decided on the roast beef brisket served on rye and for a $1 more he made it into the “Big One”! A massive sandwich indeed, which was quite tasty according him. He also got a side of of BBQ sauce for dipping, which he highly recommends. The fries wasn’t anything special and tasted as if they came out of the freezer.

Caron finally decided on getting a burger as the menu is very attractive (and beautiful as well..well laid out) sounding and making up your mind can be a challenge. P.B. Deli Burger (Premium, Certified Angus Beef seasoned and char-broiled, on a sesame seed bun with grilled onion and tomato) She got hers with the french fries and coleslaw as Dan did with his meal. Be prepared for a huge burger with a large potion of fries and it’s a good thing the coleslaw was bland, as I’m sure Caron would not have had room for it. I have a weakness for coleslaw, so when Caron couldn’t finish hers.. I went to work. Yea, I had to side with Caron and say that the coleslaw was nothing special.

I love trying new dishes, so when I came across the free-range roasted chicken with the cranberry chutney and medley of roasted root vegetables (the picture in the menu does not do this justice) I just had to give it a go. I believe this is on their seasonal menu, so don’t go causing problems if you go to The Pickle Barrel and not find it on the menu. Absolutely one of the best meals I’ve enjoyed in 2011 when it comes to dining out. I really wished they had gone crazy with portions as they did with Dan’s sandwich and Caron’s burger combo, as I didn’t want my meal to end. There is a huge difference in this type of “organic” chicken when compared to everyday chicken you get at the grocers and it shows in the texture and overall flavor of the meat. The chutney was just perfect with it’s sort of tart taste and complimented both the roasted root vegetables and chicken perfectly. Hats off to the chef for producing a chicken breast which was succulent and a dish which was a good reflection of ‘fall’ in Ontario.

Normally by now I would have already commented on the service as I done in past features we’ve done on restaurants, but this time it was a bit perplexing. Our server was there, but really wasn’t. We appreciate it when servers give us the privacy to enjoy or meal and company, but we felt that she was a bit to scarce. With a sort of blank expression on her face (not very welcoming) she went about her ‘job”. As I mentioned earlier the restaurant was not very busy, so I don’t think it was a matter of being overworked… but I guess I’m assuming here.

Overall the Pickle Barrel at the Sherway Gardens location is a lovely space, tastefully decorated and perfect lighting, but we wasn’t impressed by the overall service and though the menu sounds delicious, for the most part it was poor. On the way out I once again asked about the crayons and with a sort of “I don’t care” look, the hostess rolled her eyes.I just shook my head and went our way. We had more shopping to do.

The Pickle Barrel Sherway Gardens.
Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Etobicoke
Phone: 416.621.4465
Hours of Operation: Sun – Thurs 9am – 10pm
Fri – Sat 9am – 11pm

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Pickle Barrel restaurant) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

U SHAO Korean BBQ Restaurant.

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:45:57 +0000

Hamilton is alive with culinary culture and U SHAO BBQ, Hamilton’s first Korean BBQ is just another wonderful addition to our ever-expanding culinary landscape. Last weekend my friend Marco and I were invited down to the grand opening of U SHAO BBQ at the corner of John and Main Street East for a BBQ experience unlike any I’ve had before. At first I found myself asking why would I go to a restaurant to cook food for myself, but within the first fifteen minutes I wanted to grill everything in front of me. And I think I did.. poor Marco had piles of food on his plate.

Four days later and we were back down At U SHAO BBQ for a delightful family night out. As soon as Tehya and Dan heard about my experience the Sunday before they were excited to come along and now that Caron is quickly coming out of her dining “shell”.. she was game as well. Little did she know that she had to do the cooking, something she abhors.

A modern interior with clean lines and a sort of minimalistic feel, U SHAO is very inviting and the vibe you get from the staff compliments that warm and inviting feel. If you’ve never been to a Korean BBQ as I was the first visit, you’ll find it strange to see a grilling surface centered on every table in the house. With both sides of the restaurant dedicated to individual tables (could easily work for larger parties and handicap seating) and the middle of the restaurant is filled with ‘booth’ like seating. These booths can accommodate up to four people as is a bit of tight fit once the food starts to arrive. With the grill in the middle of each table, your leg room is a bit compromised with the gas and other pipes which feed and vent the grill. If you have tall or heavey people in your group, I would suggest getting one of the outer tables.

After ordering our drinks, we settled in to complete the order form. Basically all you’re doing is saying how many orders of each item you’re interested in eating, in the little boxes next to each item on the menu. By his time our waiter had already cranked-up the fire under our grill and we could already feel the radiating heat of the flame. The grill is designed in such a way that there are vents on the side to suck all the smoke and any sort of grill scent away from the restaurant itself so you don’t leave smelling like grilled meats.

Since the list of items to order is huge, I’ll try my best to remember what we ordered. I must also mention at this time that when Marco and I first went, we ordered 2 of each meat and vegetable we wanted to try.. we struggled to finish it off. So I would suggest if you’re a party of 2, get 1 of each item you want and as you go along you can get more. Since there were 4 of us, we got 2 of the following… chicken, lamb, short ribs, beef, shrimp, fish, pork, mushrooms, pineapple, onions, green peppers and I got a single order of sticky rice. If I recall correctly there was also, calamari, tofu, lettuce, kimchi, beansprouts and few other items on the menu. The grilled pineapple was a hit with the ladies so you may find that you’ll want to order more.

When the waiter arrived he was carrying stacks of perfectly marinated meats for us to get grilling. The head chef is very proud of his marinades and rightly so. The thinly sliced pieces of meat is marinated perfectly and with the grilling over the flame, all the sugars and flavors are only heightened. Dining at a Korean BBQ is a sort of community effort, as everyone gets involved in the cooking process.

I’m sure you’ll find what works for you, but we loaded our grill with a full assortment of meats and vegetables and allowed that to cook. Since they’re sliced very thin they don’t take long to cook. Trying not to cross contaminate we used the tongs for handling the raw meats and our chop sticks for the fully cooked food (ask for forks if you struggle with chop sticks) … we then moved the fully cooked meats onto our plates. As we dined we added more raw food onto the grill so at no time were we ever out of cooked food. Be sure to ask for the hot sauce and the sort of sesame oil / soy sauce combo they created inhouse. Remember that if you run out of anything you’re free to ask fro more… it’s all you can eat. Your waiter may ask if you want your grill changed.. if you find that it’s coated with burnt meats etc have them change it.

It’s great fun grilling at your table, something I didn’t appreciate until I actually tried it and the food is simply outstanding. Hats off to the chef for some amazing marinades which are all uniquely different, but compliment each other. Don’t forget to leave room for the frozen desserts which also come as part of your dinner and be sure to try the mango ice cream.

I strongly believe that not only is U SHAO BBQ a spot to dine out when you’re ready to try something international, but it’s an experience in itself and I love the concept. The staff are very friendly and always at your call so don’t feel intimated if it’s your first time. With wide aisles, automatic doors and tables which can accommodate people in wheel chairs and other mobility devices, they’ve thought about everyone at U SHAO BBQ.

Look for a lunch menu in the coming weeks and we were told that they’re working very hard at a take out menu which will also be released in the coming weeks.

U SHAO Korean BBQ Restaurant

27 John St. South Hamilton Ontario L8N 2B8
905 521 8880 (for reservations)

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at U SHAO BBQ) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

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Teddy’s Restaurant Sports Bar Grimsby.

admin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:34:32 +0000

I’ve seen it happen countless times on episodes of Cheers and as we walked though Teddy’s Restaurant Sports Bar in Grimsby we got the feeling that everyone there knew our names and were about to shout it out. As on the popular tv series from the 90′s. Sandy (owner) had invited us down on their famous ‘wing night’ and from our brief chat on the phone, I could already tell that this was not your typical bar, but a sort of meeting place for locals with their family. We’ve been searching high and low for the past few years for wings that stood out.. like the ones we would get back when Caron and I were dating, at Grapes And Things in downtown Hamilton. So wing night was an eager anticipation for us and we hoped that Teddy’s would deliver.

Seems during the day (Thursday) the main street in Grimsby (in front of Teddy’s) is closed off to local traffic and there’s a festive sort of open-air market where local farmers would sell their produce. Really wished we had gone down a bit earlier in the day so we could get some pics to share. With the street still blocked off, we parked about half a block away and walked over. Typically, you’re able to find parking directly in from of Teddy’s and we didn’t realize that there was also free parking at the rear of the building.

After a brief introduction by Sandy and our waiter for the night, we settled in to enjoy our drinks (the coffee is excellent) and await the massive onslaught of food we were not prepared for. Since it was wing night, we had come with a craving appetite for succulent wings, drenched in good sauce and we were not disappointed. It took about 10 minutes from the time we placed our order for the entire feast to be sitting in front of us, even though the restaurant was packed.
We started off with the deep fried pickles (Tehya’s recommendation) and the to-die-for Bruteddy bread. This is absolutely one of the best starters we’ve ever had a bar/restaurant. Garlic bread topped with sauteed onions, green peppers, tomato, bacon and a ‘secret’ sauce.. then finished with melteda cheddar and mozzarella. You could easily fill up on this tasty treat as the portions at Teddy’s restaurant comes in one size – massive and it’s alluringly tempting.

Up next were piles of onions rings, fries and the reason everyone goes to Teddy’s Restaurant in Grimsby on a Thurstan night… the chicken wings. Caron and the girls got the mild, medium and hot. But had we known how delicious the “Teddys Style” was, it would have been the only dressing we would have opted for. A perfect balance of sweetness, heat and undertones of richness made this sauce absolutely perfect for wings. At last we found wings we could recommend.

As we fought our way through the appetizing pile of food in front of us, we could only gasp when the rest of what we order arrived. Indy got the chicken fingers with.. yes more fries and I was convinced that I ‘had’ to try the TJ Deluxe burger. Two massive beef patties stacked with an assortment of cheese and all the fixings of a classic burger… even fried onions. What looked like a skyscraper of a burger was perfectly cooked and very challenging to finish due to it’s enormous size.

With piles of food still watching us menacingly from the crowded table we simply had no room for dessert, but I must admit that the brownie delight did sound tempting. We hung around to people-watch a bit and it was clear that this was indeed one of those “family friendly” restaurants we seem to be losing to those chain restaurants which are popping up at every street corner. The fellow diners, staff and general feel at Teddy’s is not one that’s pretentious or stuffy. The food is excellent and probably some of the best wings we’ve had in years. The portions are massive and probably the best bang for your buck in Southern Ontario, as far as dining out is concerned.

Special thanks to Sandy, her brother and all the wonderful staff at Teddy’s Restaurant And Sports Bar in Grimsby for not only making us feel so welcome, but for the amazing atmosphere you’ve created for people looking for good food, at prices they can afford and in such a positive vibe. You’ve perfected the art of making people comfortable.

To contact Sandy or anyone at Teddy’s…

Teddy’s Food, Fun & Spirits
30 Main Street West
Grimsby, Ontario
Canada
L3M 1R4
905-945-5013

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at Teddy’s Food, and Spirits) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

Check out the quick video clip from our evening at Teddy’s:

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Being Creative In The Kitchen At Supper Works Ancaster.

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:28:24 +0000

Creative and Kitchen are two words which could easily be used when describing myself, but when it comes to Caron… let’s just say that’s just not the case. Caron is one of those people who need a step by step recipe, along with every ingredient mentioned in the recipe. There’s no substitution and I don’t blame this on not being creative, but rather the fear of the dish not turning out as it’s supposed too. However Caron found a “new love” according to her own words (see the video), when we visited Supper Works in Ancaster Ontario a few weeks back.

On arriving at Supper Works (Ancaster location) we were under the impression that all the ingredients for what we ordered via their website would be provided but we would have to do the necessary peeling, crushing, chopping etc, but Stacey soon explained how things worked. Here’s a basic breakdown… You either place your order via their website, call in or place your next order when you’ve completed putting together your order in-store. Stacey is one of those manager/owners who seem to revel in dealing with people and it showed as she took the time to chat with us during the entire hour or so we were there. We spoke about sourcing the ingredients, the freshness of it all, the services Supper Works offers beyond what we were here for and why so many people are repeat customers.

At the Supper Works website you first find the location you’d like to go to (in our case Ancaster was the most convenient), you then choose from the entrees and sides they have, finally you select a scheduled time you’d like to go into the actual store/kitchen to put the meals together. Once you get to Supper works, you get a sort of spreadsheet (like an invoice) with the items you’ve pre-ordered and you’ll find the different stations already prepped and waiting for you to begin.

You start off by heading to the wash station where the taps are controlled by foot pedals, so at no time are you making contact with the taps with dirty fingers. It was also explained to us that between each food station you’re required to wash your hands as well so there’s no cross-contamination . Supper Works is all about cleanliness and hygiene and you’ll find the entire kitchen spotless and shiny from the use of stainless steel. Even as you work your way through stations, we noticed Stacey behind us cleaning up.

Each station is clearly marked with the name of the dish on your list as well as instructions on how to put them together. At Supper Works all you’re doing is putting together the meals and the actual cooking is done at home at your convenience. In our case the first dish we were about to put together was the flat iron steak (which also happened to be the first one we cooked as well). Since I was busy with the cameras, Caron took over with the assembling. In a huge freezer lock bag you place the steak as in our case, then using the instructions you start assembling all the other ingredients. Here’s the beauty of this part.. all onions, garlic, ginger, everything you need is already prepped for you (chopped, diced and grated). All spices and other ingredients as also provided. So basically within 10-15 minutes (depending on how fast you work) you have a complete entree prepared and ready for the oven, stove top or grill. This is one of the reason’s why Caron love Supper Works so much! The convenience, ease of putting together, freshness and knowing exactly what’s going into the meals you prepare for your family.

After you’ve completed an entree it’s time to label the bag with the cooking instructions (printed labels provided), place then into your assigned bin the freezer, wash your hands and move on to the next.

I’m very comfortable in the kitchen as many of you may know who are familiar with my Caribbean Cooking Blog and since I work from home, getting out to do the groceries and hit Costco is my time away from my “office”, but Caron works twelve hour shifts which are very demanding, so dealing with crowds and insane shoppers is not her thing. But I must confess that like her, I too love the concept of all the shopping and prep work is already done when you arrive at Supper Works.

Additionally, I found that having spices that we wouldn’t normally purchase readily available was quite convenient. I hate having to purchase a container of spice to use a teaspoon in a recipe, after which it sits in the cupboards for months. Never seeing use again. With the amount of people who order through Supper works, you know you’re also getting fresh herbs and spices along with everything else.

With our girls at an age where they should already be cooking for themselves (and us) it’s very easy for them to thaw one of the entrees and cook according to the instructions on the label. So not only do they have the ability to cook for themselves if they wanted, we as parents know EXACTLY what went into their dish/meal.

If you’re wondering what the prices are like, I’ll have to say this… just before heading over to Supper Works In Ancaster we purchased some fast food (wings and fries) for our daughters and that bill came to $30. Knowing that it’s deep fried food, with tons of fat and who knows what else, we were alarmed to know that one of these healthy meals we just put together were around the same price. A few dollars more, but think about this for a second…

- fresh ingredients
- we knew exactly what was going into each meal
- convenience (no shopping, chopping, dicing, CLEANING)
- entrees were big enough for the 5 of us and we still had a little left over the next morning
- tasty recipes
- huge list of entrees to choose from
- home cooked meals

Speaking about convenience… Stacey explained that there’s also the service they offer where for a very small fee they even assemble the meals for you. I could only think in the back of my head as she explained, that this would be great for seniors, people on the ‘go’, and for those of us who may be stuck at work all day and heading up to the cottage for the weekend and want some meals already prepared for them. Imagine getting up to the cottage for a break and you don’t have to worry about what to cook? If you’re wondering if the size portions may be a bit to big for a small family, you have the option of splitting any of the entrees into 2, if you so desire.

Supper Works is a dream come through for people who want to eat well, but just don’t have the time or patience to deal with shopping, worry what to cook and if what they cook will taste good. As I type this we’ve got the pulled chicken going in the oven (didn’t have a slow cooker) and the entire house smells delicious. Caron’s at work and I’ve been in my office all day behind this computer, so it would be nice to enjoy a lovely meal of pulled chicken sandwiches when she gets home.

BTW, if you’re planning a girls night or having an event and you’d like to have it hosted at Supper works… the sort of cafe seating area would be perfect. And you’re even encouraged to bring along the wine! I must also make mention of the level of after sale customer involvement with Supper works. I’ve received two emails to date asking us about our experience at Supper Works and as an online marketer I must confess that I was very impressed. Too often do companies treat us as a one-sale client and never bother to follow-up. Kudos to Supper works!

Supper Works Ancaster

21 Panabaker Dr
Hamilton, ON L9G 3K9

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Supper Works Ancaster) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

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Delicious Food Show Toronto.

admin — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:28:17 +0000

Kudos to the people at the Food Network for raising the culinary bar on food shows in Ontario, with the Delicious Food Show this past weekend at the Better Living Centre in Toronto. Caron and I were invited to the gala opening last Thursday night and from the time we stepped onto the posh pink carpet, the inner VIP in us revealed itself… I even got a chance to whisper in the ear of Julia Childs (Miss Conception). She not only greeted attendees with her bubbly personality (could be the glasses of vino?) and huge smile, she took time for the paparazzi in us to catch a pic or two.

We’ve been to a number of food and wine shows in the region, but this is the first time we saw the true potential of all that Ontario has to offer when it comes to the culinary industry. Unlike other shows where there always seem to be more focus on ‘wine’ than other aspects of the culinary landscape, the Delicious Food Show was a very comprehensive presentation for food lovers. In a welcoming environment where celebrity chefs and everyday foodies enjoyed beverages, tasty treats and good conversation. I believe there were also live cooking demonstrations, but with ‘sampling’ to be done.. our focus was elsewhere.

Speaking about celebrity chefs, we got the opportunity to meet and chat with Mark McEwan (I’m a huge fan of his work), Corbin Tomaszeski (you’ll see a pic below with Carom and Corbin) and Rob Rainford. BTW though these guys are classed as celebrities, they’re very approachable and took time to chat with us briefly. Mark even jokingly tried to get me to purchase 10 of his books.

Armed with something for everyone, even those concerned about “gluten free”, “organic”, “eco friendly” and “biodegradable” the Delicious Food Show is not just for the everyday foodie like myself. From booth to booth you’re captivated by something or the other. Be it the launch of the individual pie maker, the largest selection of hand carved pepper mills we’ve ever seen or the playful antics of the two Italian guys at the espresso station (check the video), you’re sure to fill the free reusable shopping bags which were handed out on entry with some goodies.

Being the opening night we went with the expectation that there would be a huge crowd and from what we saw waiting when we arrived to pick up our media passes, we were spot-on! However even during the peak hours, it didn’t seem crowded or did we see overly long lines for sampling. The layout, wide aisles and what seemed like specific placement of booths giving out samples allowed for an even and steady flow of guest traffic. The longest line was probably the one where the guy was shucking oysters… where else in the city were you about to get freshly shucked oysters at a price everyone could afford? FREE! I could see the disappointment on the fella’s face when people would top their oyster with hot sauce, cocktail sauce or anything else. I could hear him repeating to samplers “don’t add any topping, they’re best naked”… no one paid him much attention.

By far the most floor space were dedicated to cakes (especially cup cakes which to be quite honest – it’s time for that fad to die) and chocolates. Don’t get me wrong, they were very delicious and the creativity was simply amazing, especially the the ones which were shaped like designer pumps (shoes)… but I was more impressed with the variety of exotic sauces, wines and not to be outdone… the caramel apples (first time in all my years I had this) which were amazing.

The exhibits, demonstrations, sampling and overall spirit of the Delicious Food Show was truly unmatched from our personal point of view. Hey we even got to meet celebrities!

To learn more about the Food Network’s Delicious Food Show in Toronto, check out their website and make plans (mark it on your calendar) to visit the show next year. When I’m sure they’ll come out even bigger and better than this year’s show.

For tickets see : http://deliciousfoodshow.com/tickets

Tandoori Flame Indian Restaurant Brampton.

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:27:49 +0000

Indian cuisine is one of those dining experiences which may seem a bit intimidating to many, especially with it’s reputation for being overly spicy. However, with our recent dinner date at Tandoori Flame in Brampton Ontario, we’re about to set the record straight for all of you who’ve not given the Indian dining experience a try. Caron isn’t as daring as Tehya and I when it comes to trying foods she didn’t grow up on, but she was game this night. Kieana and Indy didn’t accompany us to the Tandoori Flame, billed as the largest Indian buffet restaurants in Ontario as they had other plans.

I grew up eating a fair amount of spicy food in the Caribbean… many of which had a strong Indian influence. But the only other time I had anything close to authentic Indian cuisine was back when I went to Germany for the World Cup in 2006. With that teaser in mind I went with an eager anticipation.

After a warm welcome when we arrived, we headed over to our table where we met with our waiter for the night (a pleasant, but quiet gentleman) who offered us drinks and gave us some tips on what we must try off the menu, being it was our first time at the Tandoori Flame. The restaurant itself is very modern and does not really have the sort of motif I thought we’d see at an Indian restaurant. Brightly lit, well staffed and roomy enough for those who may require the use of a wheelchair or other assistance in moving about.

After our first trip up to the salad bar we could already tell that the restaurant was getting packed. As we walked pass the entrance back to our assigned table, we could see a huge line of eager diners waiting to be seated (that line grew bigger as the night progressed). This was a Saturday night so we assumed it would be their busiest, so you may to keep this in mind when planning your trip to the Tandoori Flame.

Not only was the restaurant packed as I mentioned above, there was a huge cross-section of people in attendance and not only people of Indian heritage. I got into chatting a few times while in the line at the grill area and the one thing the other diners all raved about was not only the wide variety of dishes they could choose from, but the quality of food they’ve come to expect from the Tandoori Flame.

Caron and Tehya started off at the salad bar where they went into overload with all the tasty options there were attractively displayed and well stocked. Since I’m not much of a soup or salad person I immediately headed pass the pizza area and went directly to the sizzling sound of the tandoori oven. The rich aroma of the seasoned meats as they’re introduced to the heat of this unique cooking method was just captivating.

I could not wait to get back to my table to try the assortment of grilled vegetables, chicken kebabs and tandoori chicken. With the bright colors, Caron mentioned that my plate looked like “Christmas”. Little did she know I was like a kid at Christmas with this delicious assortment of food daring me to dig in.

If you recall I mentioned that Caron can be a bit conscientious when dining out, but she was quite impressed by the many options that she could identify with. As we all know part of the dining experience is the way food looks, so some of the curry sauces were not as appealing to her as it was for myself and Tehya. Additionally, the dishes were not overpowering, but rather a nice blend of spices, mild heat and richness from the cremes and yogurt used in Indian cuisine. If you’re a really fussy eater you can certainly keep away from the curry dishes and still have what would be a full menu at other restaurants to choose from. An unexpected surprise as I mentioned above was the pizza station with some mouth-watering options… but we we’re not here for pizza! However, I did see some of the kids in the dining room indulge to the extreme.

With regular visits by our waiter and his assistants who cleared the table as we made our way through the many trips to the buffet and to top up our glasses with water, we felt well looked after without being overwhelmed. Please note that there are no free refills on soft drinks.

I’m one of those people who’s always aware of my surroundings and sometimes I can be a bit nosy. I noticed the guys sitting one table away from us were eating this sort of puffed pastry-like thing, that had the shape of a ping pong ball which they were dipping into an interesting sauce. Using their spoon, they would crack it as you would the shell of an egg, then scoop up the sauce which they seemed to be really enjoying. Not only did my curiosity got me into a conversation with them, they also explained what it was and how to eat it. Yup…guess who was breaking, dipping and crunching minutes later?

To be honest, it wasn’t anything special and I really didn’t care for the sauce it came with. This and the spinach dish I tried were the only two things I didn’t really like of all the dishes available. It wasn’t so much the taste of the spinach dish, but the texture which just wasn’t to my liking.

It was time for another round at the buffet, so I sampled the Chicken Biryani, Butter Chicken, Goat Curry, Daal, Palak Paneer and Matter Paneer all of which was quite satisfying.

We’re not ones to have wine or other alcoholic beverages with our meals, but I must mentioned that there’s an attractive bar as you enter the restaurant with a small lounge attached, which looks very inviting if you were waiting for friends to arrive for dinner. With a couple huge T.V.’s, I’m sure you could catch the game or just sit back and enjoy some drinks. I’m not sure if you could dine in this area, but it would be appealing. Additionally there’s bar service at your table in the main dining room.

Surrounded by satisfied faces, it was time for us to call it a night as there wasn’t much room left though we didn’t even sample half of the offerings. However I had to make room for the delicious mango ice cream and gulab jamun that called out to me temptingly to give them a try. Caron and Tehya settled for some of the fresh fruit and pastries and watching them eat I could only think what a paradise this would be a for vegetarians.

This night we learned that Indian food is not only very creative and full of amazing flavours, but the idea that everything is curried or heavy on the spices is a bit misleading. From young to old, accents which represented a sort of global village…everyone was enjoying the dining experience at Tandoori Flame.

We finished off the night by taking advantage of the complimentary Mehndi as there was no way Tehya was about to leave without having a henna design placed on her hands. Seems this was a hit with many of the ladies in attendance as well, as there was a short line, but the efficiency of the talented lady applying the artwork meant the lines went relatively fast.

The Tandoori Flame is a wonderful place to dine and a good introduction to Indian food as you have so many options to choose from. The only thing I wished they did was to have a sort of info ticket posted near each dish to not only tell you the ingredients and how it was prepared but how to eat it. Maybe it’s something their waiters could do? I mean, if one dish is usually paired with another it would be nice to know. The few regular diners we spoke with only had good things to say about the food and service…we even spoke with people, who like me, were born in the Caribbean and love coming here to explore authentic Indian cuisine.

For more info on the Tandoori Flame restaurant in Brampton Ontario, check out their website.

TANDOORI FLAME
8150, Dixie Rd,
Brampton, L6T 5N9

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Saturday Afternoon At The Brampton Fall Fair.

admin — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:46:19 +0000

Unlike last year when we covered quite a few fall fairs around the region, this year the only one we had time for was the Brampton Fall Fair. If you recall we did features on the Ancaster Fair, Caledonia Fair and the Niagara Regional Exhibition but due to scheduling problems we were unable to continue covering one of my favorite things to do when the weather gets cooler. Tehya and Dan did go to the Ancaster Fair, so you’ll be able to see footage from that on the OntarioAlive Video Channel very shortly.

With a short drive down the QEW on this cool Saturday afternoon, we were greeted at the gates by volunteer staff to the free parking area which was steps away from all the action. We made our way through the midway area where kids were screaming with joy on the many rides. Besides the entry fee to get into the fair, also note that you must purchase tickets to get on the rides. Here’s where you can also try your hands at the many games where you can win and assortment of cuddly stuffed animals.

Since we didn’t come for the midway we breezed through and headed to the area where the animals, crafts and other things you’d expect to find at a country fair. Heading towards one of the main buildings (looks like huge barns) we passed by the small area dedicated to food and with one look at the pulled pork sandwiches on sale, we were mesmerized. After a minute to regain our focus… we were back heading towards the building with the animals.

It seems the Brampton Fair with it’s deep history (158 years old) is not as big as some of the other fairs we’ve been too and the small amount of animals on display reflected that. Yes there was a fairly large assortment of chicken, birds, sheep and cows to see, but we felt as if something was missing. However, do keep in mind that we’re sort of Fair veterans!

It was a bit of an overcast day so you’ll notice that the pictures are not as vibrant as they normally are when we do a feature…

I totally forgot about my allergies, so after a few minutes within the animals area I had to leave as I didn’t have any Benadryl and I wasn’t about to dare my sneezing and headaches to start. Tehya and Caron remained with the baby chicken as I headed over to sort of market area where people were selling anything from roasted peanuts to guys with heating and cooling units for your house. A bit too commercial for me, but I had to kill time for Caron and Tehya to arrive and browse the many stalls.

We didn’t make it for some of the main attractions like the Demolition Derby and antique tractor show, but while Tehya was ordering her pulled pork sandwich I had a chat with a young family who mentioned that they thoroughly enjoyed the Derby. Speaking about pulled pork… after browsing the craft section and the display they had of vegetables kids from local schools submitted for judging, we headed back to the mesmerizing aroma of the grilled food.

We were scheduled to do a feature on an Indian restaurant in a couple hours so I didn’t partake in what looked like a mouth-watering sandwich paired with fresh cut fries. According to Tehya and Caron, the tender heap of pulled pork, smothered in BBQ sauce on a kaiser was just outstanding. I even noticed one of them licking their fingers.. I wont call names.

Overall the Brampton Fair is a great way to spend a cool afternoon in Ontario, with the opportunity to see some of the local produce, livestock and crafts on display. The buzz of activity and fun at the midway is truly a spot where kids can have fun while parents go broke… but so is the price of having fun with your family!

Brampton Fall Fair is presented by The Region of Peel Agricultural Society and can be found at:

12942 Heart Lake Road Caledon, ON L7C 2J3

For more info on scheduled events, entry fees and other helpful info on planning your trip to the annual Brampton Fall Fair, check out their website at http://www.bramptonfair.com

The 2011 entry fees to the Brampton fair is as follows:

Day Pass

Adults $10.00
Seniors and Students $8.00
Children Under 12 $2.00
Parking Free

Four Day Pass

Adults $20.00
Seniors and Students $15.00
Children Under 12 $5.00

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our time at the Brampton Fair ) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill Upper Centennial Hamilton.

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:42:40 +0000

It’s always a pleasure when our girls join us on our adventures, but their moody ways and typical tardy teenage profile almost saw us late for our reservations at Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill Upper Centennial in Hamilton. Kieana, Indy and Tehya were supposed to be with us, but Tehya wasn’t feeling well (ended up having surgery a couple days later), so Felicia, (Kieana’s friend) joined us for dinner.

We were greeted by the friendly hostesses who directed us to a very roomy booth which was perfectly situated at the rear of the restaurant, directly in front of the beautiful stone fireplace. With my customary decaf coffee ordered, soft drinks for the girls and Caron was intrigued by the Pineapple Smash Martini (blueberry vodka, pineapple and blueberry juice with a splash of amaretto) so after consulting with our server Cassandra, she knew she had to give it a try. Forget elephants, Cassandra has one of the best memories we’ve ever witnessed. At no time this night did we see her write down anything we ordered and we were amazed that she got everything perfect. Keep in mind it was a table of five people.

With Caron going on how delicious her martini was in the background, we were busy sorting through the appetizer menu. We decided on getting the nacho platter, cheesy bread, Caesar salad, and I was eager to try their coconut shrimp. Ever since my experience earlier in the year with coconut shrimp in Jamaica, I’ve been on a mission to find a source closer to home. I’m not much of a nacho person, so it’s not something we would normally order…when it arrived at our table we knew we were in for a long night. This is a supposed to be an “appetizer” but it seems the kitchen didn’t get the memo… this thing was built like a volcano. It was a tower of layers of nachos, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, jalapenos, seasoned beef, olives, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, green onions and salsa.. baked, then drizzled with sour cream. Even with my help, the ladies had a difficult time leveling it. Though I’m not into the nacho thing, I crave a good guacamole and the side order we got hit the spot. Freshly made (no discoloring), with non of that bitter-oily after taste you tend to get at most restaurants. A blend of smooth and chunky avocado, with just the right amount cilantro and other ingredients.

The coconut shrimp was a bit over-battered for my liking, and had the look of chicken wing drumettes, but the accompanying Thai dipping sauce was on point and the Asian coleslaw was quite refreshing. A good balance of exotic flavors, crunch was an amazing partner for the coconut shrimp.

After continued attempts to make a real dent on the Nacho Extravaganza, we had to raise the white flag and concede. Watching the ladies struggle with the appetizers I knew they wouldn’t have any room for the entrees, but held back commenting until they were faced with the task at hand. Once again we were impressed by the courteous nature of Cassandra and we were silently hoping she would screw up one of orders so we could say “should have written it down eh!”. She’s as professional as they come and proves that she knows the menu front to back.

By this time we could hear live music emanating from the bar area (I didn’t get up to see) and we learned that there’s usually a live musician every Thursday… which was quite entertaining while we enjoyed a fantastic meal. Felicia had the Buffalo Chicken Wrap (crisp fried chicken tenders tossed in your choice of wing sauce.. then rolled into a flour tortilla with cheddar, lettuce, diced tomato and ranch dressing), which as I expected (with everyone else) she struggled to finish. Seems that big portions is the common theme at Turtle Jacks and from our experience we could safely say that just about everything on their menu could easily be shared by two people.

Kieana opted for the 1/2 rack ‘award’ winning baby back ribs (Cassandra mentioned that they won some award for their ribs) and from the reaction by Kieana and when I took a sample off her plate, we could see why. Not just your fall-off-the-bone -tender ribs, but well basted with a truly exciting BBQ sauce. Breaking away from her traditional baked potato, with her choice of side she got the coleslaw and fries. Kieana isn’t much of a coleslaw person, but she did mention that it was a bit on the vinegar side.

After many attempts by Indy to sneak a sip of Caron’s Green Apple Martini (another recommendation by Cassandra), she gave up and decided it was time to tackle her platter of chicken fingers. According to the menu it’s freshly breaded chicken tenders which was marinated in buttermilk… then deep fried to a crispy finish. Not only was this seriously good (according to Indy), Caron took the leftovers to work for lunch the next day and she came home raving how good they were too. The platter also included fresh cut fries, coleslaw, carrots and celery sticks. Take note that this is not the baby size chicken strips you’d normally get off a kids menu… parents would know what I mean.

I forgot to mention that my customary decaf coffee was excellent. I’m not sure how it’s achieved but for decaf to have this much body and flavor is something you’d expect from good regular coffee. It was so good I forced in a couple cups even though I was stuffed from all the tasty dishes.

Caron decided on the New York strip loin with fresh cut fries and coleslaw, which was surprisingly tender even though it was a bit overcooked from the medium-well she requested. The menu is one which will cause confusion as there are many appetizing sounding options, so after much inner debate I decided on the sort of surf and turf with the shrimp and scallop sirloin in a garlic wine cream sauce. This one was a hit out of the park! Not only was my steak perfectly cooked to medium rare as I had requested, the shrimp and scallops in that garlic sauce was simply delectable. The accompanying garlic mashed potato complimented the steak perfectly, but the dirty rice which was quite tasty on it’s own.. was a poor choice by me.

With good food on the table, live music in the background and tons of laughter and good times being had by all.. it was an overall excellent dinner. with no room for dessert, but thinking about our readers we sacrificed our bursting stomachs and ordered the “Fire ‘n Ice” (vanilla ice cream rolled in a cinnamon crust, fried and drizzled with caramel and chocolate syrup. A bit heavy on the cinnamon, but an absolutely delicious dessert to end the night.

After dinner I walked over to the bar area which seemed like a good spot to grab a bite, enjoy a few beverages and watch the game if you’re alone or with a buddy. There’s a nice vibe to this area and like the rest of the restaurant, there’s a comfortable feel to it all.

If you’re looking for a generally good dining experience, with friendly and accommodating service that’s not overly priced, be sure to check out Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill on Upper Centennial in Hamilton and remember to ask for Cassandra (try to get her to forget what you ordered). And according to Caron, you MUST try the Pineapple Smash Martini which according to her, is out of this world.

Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill

125 Upper Centennial Parkway
Hamilton, Ontario L8J 2T7
Tel: 905-662-3120

For a full list of all Turtle Jacks locations, see http://www.turtlejacks.com/locations

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our dinner at Turtle Jack’s Muskoka Grill ) and do tune in to our videos (escapades!) on our youtube channel we’ve created.

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Let’s Go To The Ex.

admin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:35:55 +0000

When you hear the jingle “Let’s go to the EX”, what comes to mind? For me it’s a sad indication that the summer is coming to an end, but it’s back to school time (no more lazy teenagers in the house). We had been to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) or the EX as it’s affectionately known in Ontario about 10 years ago as a family, and though our daughters have been a few times since, Caron and I didn’t give it much thought over the years. During that visit all I could remember doing was spending most of the day at the kiddie rides area, stopping for food and a quick browse at an outdoor show.

What started off as a cool and overcast day turned out to be another gorgeous summer’s day with temperatures in the mid 30′s. The plan was for Tehya and Dan to hit the midway and Caron and I would do our thing until we got the text to meet for lunch. First stop was one of the many maps which are conveniently posted throughout the grounds so we could get our bearing. I would advise that if you can, check out their website to see all the events and where they’re happening before you make the trip down. This way you can plan your day much better than we did.

After a quick browse through the building with the animals and a glance at the cow milking show where there seemed to be quite a few people who were interested in what the presenters were doing (how to milk a cow was not my thing), my allergies were about to start acting up so it was a sign for me to head out. BTW, the butter sculptures were neat to see and I had a brief chat with one of the two people working on a sand sculpture (see pic below). We then made our way through one of the halls with crafts and other trinkets on sale and back out on the maze the CNE can be without a map in hand. Follow the crowds I guess.

Couple years back I recall my mom saying that she won some money on the casino games, so on my way to the main midway I thought I’d stop by the Casino and try my luck. I was greeted by a huge fella (kinda goonish) who asked where I was going. Let’s see this is the entrance to the casino, so unless it’s closed I’m heading in there. Without much of an emotion on the man’s face he blurted out.. no! Still confused I had to ask why.. seems no cameras were allowed in, so rather than have a sign where I could see or simply say you can’t go in with a camera, he had to put on the tough guy act!

The midway is massive and gets very congested later in the day, but truly the heart of the EX. The expressions you see on faces are truly priceless. The challenge of the games, the anticipation of winning and the joy of walking away with a stuffed animal, no matter how big or small… people were having fun. The games themselves range anywhere from 25 cents for the bowling ball game, to five dollars to knock over some plates, but I guess this is the cost of fun? Personally we found that the price of tickets to go onto rides were a bit overpriced, seeing that these rides were not the same caliber as the one at Canada’s Wonderland. You have the option of purchasing an all day ride bracelet (about $36 I think) or individual tickets that you can use for each ride. Note: Most rides takes between 3 and 6 tickets so be prepared to spend a ton if your children are interested in the rides. Dan and Tehya got the all day bracelet and it was a waste as they went on 3 rides in total… the choices were not as good when you’re accustomed to Canada’s Wonderland.

Then it was off to the beach area which I think was sponsored by Coke as they were giving out free samples of Sprite when I arrived. This area is a ton of fun, with it’s beach volleyball, sandy area where kids were busy making sand castles, a basketball court and the star attraction.. the flow rider. If you’ve been on those newer Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships you’d know all about the flow rider. Basically it’s a portable surfing venue and the professionals on display were having fun and showing off all at the same time. I also believe that for a small fee you could also jump into your swim wear and give the flow rider a try. There were some kids and older teenagers trying to ride the waves and for the most part they were failing terribly, but it made for a good laugh to see them wipe-out.

It was getting a bit later in the day now and we had to refuel or risk burn-out. We rendezvous at the Direct Energy center then made our way to the food building. Walking into this massive food court gave me the impression that if the UN were to have a potluck and each ember brought a dish to share. There was no sharing here as you had to fork over cash, but what an assortment of food choices. Something I’ve never experienced before! I settled for Caribbean, Caron had the Philly cheese steak (rather small for the price), Tehya had Middle Eastern which was a bit disappointing and Dan settled for the Chinese after much debate. Yes, with all these choices it’s very easy to stand there for quite a while trying to decide what to have. Later in the evening we did come back and have the blooming onion and Tehya had an order of perogies. With all the hype behind the deep fried cola (coke) we expected to see some huge lines, but the lines were at the spot where they were selling the burger served between doughnuts instead of the typical bread. I guess people were more attracted at the chance of a massive heart attack?

The dining area is massive, but it gets very crowded so you may want to grab a table first and have someone save the spot while you go trekking through the many dining options. Like the midway, the prices at the food building is a bit pricey… about $2-$3 more than what you’d normally pay at a mall food court and the portions are a bit small. Well, except for the chicken roti that I had which was not only quite tasty, but very filling.

After replenishing our fuel (btw seems coke may be the sponsors of the EX as they were the only non-alcoholic beverages on sale) it was back to the area just past the midway where the Canadian Military was set up. Here (see pic at the top) is where we got Tehya to be our guinea pig and dress in active combat gear. You had the choice of going light or heavy and the ‘sport’ Tehya is, she went heavy. She could hardly move with all the bags and gear on and one can only imagine how strong these soldiers must be and their level of fitness. Just about everyone here were having fun, with the many vehicles you could tour, the interactive drill area for the kids and the military tank seemed to be the biggest hit.

The heat was now starting to get to us so we decided it was time to go back indoors, so we headed to the Direct Energy Center where I wanted to meet with the Food Network personality Chef David Adjey, who was nice enough to speak with me but seconds later he sent over his security people to ask me to move as I was doing something or the other to his concentration. Not sure why he wouldn’t say that to me when we spoke or what I was doing that prevented him from emptying containers of cut tomatoes etc. Caron and I met up with Tehya and Dan again and this was when the fun really started.. not for me! They found the shopping area with all the discounted makeup and nail polish etc (all brand names at reduced prices) and I swear Caron must have hrudled the small fence which enclosed the area with the discounted jeans when she saw they were reduced to $10 a pair. The nerd that I am, I headed over to the books area and found some amazing cookbooks (hard cover with pictures etc) selling 3 for $10. I was too lazy to carry them around (quite heavy) the rest of the day and now have regrets. The car was 10 minutes away!

We missed out on the dog show (not sure if I’d even want to see dogs pounce around) as well as the skating show, but the Black Angels African Acrobats and Mzansi Youth Choi were simply amazing and you had the opportunity to meet with the performers after each show. Be prepared to be encouraged to purchase their cds.

Among the many international stores selling items native to those countries or so they would have us believe, we also stumbled onto one of the most delicious hot sauces produced by a company called Hot Mamas… their hot pepper jelly is amazing on crackers. And once again Caron went crazy when she came across a store selling a bunch of Scottish items… she walked away with a baseball cap and could easily have spent some more money on the shirts etc which were on sale. The display with items depicting the haunting of the EX was a bit creepy and the sand sculptures were stunning. Nothing like the dumped out pale of sand I would make as a kid on the beaches of the Caribbean.

The EX or CNE as it’s officially called is a great place to spend a summer’s day with family and friends, but do be prepared to spend some cash. Parking is about $20, then you have entry fees, food, the midway and the overall shopping areas. The event is well run and tons of fun, but this could be attributed from the many years it’s been running… a summertime tradition in Toronto for 133 years.

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or The Ex as it is also known, is Canada’s largest annual community event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a wide variety of entertainment and events, midway rides and games, a working farm, parades and sports, international food and shopping, Kids’ World, and a three-day air show. Over the course of its late summer run, the CNE attracts approximately 1.3 million people each year.

For more info on planning a trip to the EX, parking options, shows or for ticket prices and coupons, check out their website at http://www.theex.com/get-tickets/ticket-information/

Before you go we’d love for you to leave us your comments below, even if it’s just to say hello. And don’t forget to join us on FaceBook (for our latest updates, including discounts, coupons and more pictures from our day at The EX) and do tune in to our videos (escapades) on the youtube channel we’ve created.