Torontoist Cupcake Bake-off for Toronto's 175th Birthday

Torontoist is having a cupcake bake-off to celebrate Toronto's upcoming 175th birthday. All you need to do is bake and decorate a cupcake that says "Toronto" to you, take a photo, and send it, along with a description of your design, to: cupcakes@torontoist.com by lunchtime on March 4. First prize is $50 and the next two runners up each get $25. All details are here: http://torontoist.com/2009/02/torontoists_birthday_bake-off.php.

Good luck!

Bloor Jane Restaurant, what kept us apart?

Darcy and I had intentions of going to Yama for lunch, but it was closed so we went to Bloor Jane Restaurant and had such an amazing breakfast/lunch. I've been living in Bloor West Village for 8 years and I'm ashamed to say that this was my first time. Darcy went ages ago when Todd lived in the neighbourhood, but not since then.

It's a typical diner run and owned by John Kourogiorgas since 1972. The restaurant itself has been there since the 5os. Everything about it is really old school and comforting like the long counter for single diners facing the grill area where you can watch all the food getting prepared at lightning speed.

Darcy had the club sandwich ($9.50) and I had peameal bacon with two eggs over easy. My eggs came with hash browns and two slices of buttery brown toast with jam. No idea how he cooks the eggs so perfectly. Completely runny inside. Darcy's sandwich was awesome and the fries were fantastic. I can't wait to go again.

This is why you're fat

Everyone seems to be talking about this blog today: http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/. People can submit their photos of over-the-top decadent food, most of which involves burgers or bacon. Some of the entries must be gags like the Chicken McNuggetini, but a lot of them are real. I think it's a fun idea.

I love RaviSoups

So, I am once again mayor of Luckytown because my company moved right next door to RaviSoups on Adelaide West at John. The chef and owner is a former sous from Mildred Pierce, so everything has that same attention to detail, quality, and perfection. I haven't fallen for a place so hard in a long time. I went on Thursday this week and I had to tie myself down so I wouldn't go again on Friday.

They have a small menu of about 5 soups and 5 wraps, both in the neighbourhood of $9, but you can get a soup and wrap combo for $11 that includes a smaller version of both. I had the corn chowder with crab garnish (real crab!) and the roasted pork wrap. The soup was smooth, spicy, and hearty. The wrap was full of shredded pork with some great "RaviSlaw" inside, which has real pineapple in it.

My friend Jessica had the wild mushroom soup with the curried lamb wrap. The soup was full of chunks mushrooms and the wrap was so vibrant and beautiful with the dark, savoury lamb, green spinach, roasted yam, and edamame.

This place is so great and affordable. They're open from 8AM to 6PM Monday to Friday and they have "Happy Hour" on Fridays between 5-6PM where everything is half price.

Kevin Brauch on the TVA Podcast

My husband Darcy and our friend and comedian Todd Van Allen have been producing a comedy podcast called the TVA Podcast for almost two years now. They've been getting some great guests and today they released Episode 107 where they interview Kevin Brauch, the Thirsty Traveler! Todd ran into him at the Football Factory and charmed him into coming on the show. They talk about booze, of course, as well as Iron Chef America, Alton Brown, Bobby Flay, Jeffrey Steingarten, Susur, and many more Food Network stars. I'd say I wish I was there, but I'd probably have been too nervous to ask any questions.

If you'd like to check it out, you can download the episode for free through iTunes or listen on Todd's site.