Urban Repair Squad

Last week on Torontoist, Jonathan Goldsbie wrote about a covert mission undertaken by the Urban Repair Squad, an organization that wants to "encourage bicycling as an antidote to the poison that is car culture." They say, "Your city is broken. Don't wait for the bureaucrats to fix it. DO IT YOURSELF." In the past they've painted bicycle lanes on streets that don't have them (Bloor Street West!) and just on Easter weekend they did this: http://torontoist.com/2009/04/the_plywood_man_argument.php. I love this video.

We Offer Good Health with Delight & Taste

A month ago, I planned to write about Japanese chocolate and candy for Torontoist in anticipation of Easter. In my exhausted mind, Easter was next week so I didn't have nearly as much time as I thought I would. Thank goodness Ayngelina already had the candy and was taking photos for me. I woke up at 7AM and hopped on the subway to pick up the candy from her so that I could get back here, taste everything, and write the post.

Meiji and Morinaga, the two companies I wrote about have extensive information online in Japanese, but not in English so I had to call my parents in Nova Scotia and get them to translate a few web sites and box copy.

I ate more than 10 different kinds of chocolate and candy this morning. No more. The rest is coming with me to work on Monday.

Here the the post: http://torontoist.com/2009/04/good_health_with_delight_and_taste.php. And above is a picture of my messy desk post-post. Why do I need two phones?

California (Dreamy) Sandwiches

I know I'm probably the last person in Toronto to have tried the veal sandwiches at California Sandwiches, since they've been around since 1967, but I never got around to it. Finally on the weekend, I went with my dear friends from my first job and it was amazing. I've been to Mustachio in St. Lawrence Market many times and enjoyed it for the most part, but now I've seen what is possible. The breaded exterior of the veal is fresh and crisp without feeling greasy. The tomato sauce is light and not at all tinny. And the mushrooms are so fresh. No cheating here at all.

The meatball sandwich is also delicious with a pillow soft, enormous (I'm guessing veal) meatball, but my heart belongs to the breaded veal sandwich.

Got Me On My Knees, Laila

Since I was there anyway, I tried the food at Laila and wrote about it for Torontoist: http://torontoist.com/2009/03/got_me_on_my_knees_laila.php.

I got to meet the cook, Fariha, who has been there ever since Sam opened the place as an Aida's Falafel franchise back in about 1996. She's a Lebanese grandmother who makes everything from scratch with the exception of the baklava. So the hummus, falafel, sauces, stews, and salads are all made fresh. People call her "Speedy Gonzales" because she can work so fast. In addition to doing all the cooking, she manages the ordering and inventory.

I can't believe how cheap this place is considering everything is homemade. I didn't write about it, but Darcy had the shish taouk sandwich and it was full of really good quality chicken breast. They make their sandwiches by lopping off the top of a pocket pita and loading it up instead of wrapping it, so there's quite a bit in there. My personal preference is for pitas that are wrapped, so I'll probably stick to the plates.

On our way out we picked up some tabouli, which she told us is really good. I love how proud she is of her food.

Laila, Darling, Won't You Ease My Worried Mind?

My post about the mysterious posters lambasting Laila restaurant went up today on Torontoist: http://torontoist.com/2009/03/laila_probably_doesnt_kill.php. Josh Glover, a Torontoist reader, sent us the tip on Tuesday.

I was so nervous initially when I went to talk to Laila owner, Sam. I hadn't ever been to Laila and I didn't know what to expect. I was afraid he was going to get upset, but he turned out to be the sweetest man. He spent a long time telling me about the restaurant and his family. Regarding the posters, he wasn't upset or really surprised at all. He didn't think it was interesting enough to write about but didn't mind if I did.

I also spoke at length with Jim Chan from Toronto Public Health who has been working there for 31 years. In addition to being an inspector and manager, he has worked on, among many other things, investigations of tobacco sales to minors and unregulated retirement homes. He was so knowledegable and helpful and it was inspiring to meet someone whose life's work has been to protect public health. I learned a lot about Toronto Public Health that should make us all feel very secure and well cared for.

Chicken Hot Pot Broth at RaviSoups

I've now tried everything on the menu except for the Beef Miso soup and the RaviStew. A couple of days ago, even though we brought our lunches, Jessica and I went down and I had the Chicken Hot Pot Broth for the first time. Reviews of this soup have been lukewarm, but I loved it. The broth is coconutty, but still spicy and it's full of goodness like thin ramen-like egg noodles, napa cabbage, baby bok choy, and tonnes of shredded chicken breast. It's an extremely hearty, feel good soup.

Scanwiches

Saw this site mentioned on Gothamist today. It's very much like the This Is Why You're Fat format, but it's colour scans of sandwiches in cross-section. Very fun: http://scanwiches.com/.