Ippai Japanese Fusion Cuisine

Ippai Japanese Fusion Cuisine
8865 Woodbine Avenue
L3R 5G1
(905) 470- 1688

Me & my boyfriend went here yesterday for Valentines Day dinner... I can never get sick of sushi / sashimi... I don't know why!

He had encouraged me to try it for awhile after he went there one time and loved the food... My verdict? I will be back for sure..I only live 2 minutes away : )

The sashimi was very fresh and better than I had expected. The Tai (red snapper) sashimi really amused me... only because I usually HATE red snapper sashimi ( that clear-ish looking fish 2nd from the left in the top row )... I find that at most places, the red snapper sashimi still has a bit of a "dirt" taste left on it... I don't know what it is about red snapper that makes it taste like dirt but it did not taste like dirt here, which is always good.

The Tuna tataki was good. I loved the dipping sauce they provided with it.. very tangy / gingery ... I don't quite know what it is that I loved so much about the sauce but it went very well with the tataki... my only comment would be that I wished they would serve salmon like this ! I have had it in Hong Kong before and also Yang's Kitchen on hwy7 and kennedy... but I haven't been able to find seared salmon sashimi anywhere : (

This place also serves fresh oysters. It just so happens that the day we went, they had Kumamoto (my favourite kind!) The oysters were a bit small but Kumamoto's tend to be small anyways... I just love oysters!

The ramen was good too... I think it is much better than Ajisai... The noodles were better.. and I just liked the fact that you can customize your ramen! You start off by choosing a soup base and a type of noodle then you can add as many ingredients in it as you want. I really appreciated the fact that just because we ordered grilled salmon & bbq pork with ours, they didn't charge us for both and halve the portions. We got a full portion of both the bbq pork AND grilled salmon!

We intended to try to dessert but we ordered way too much and couldn't eat anymore! I will definately be back when I am not sick to try their Sake Sampler. $9 for 3 shooters of imported Japanese Sake (not available in LCBO) and then try their desserts (I saw crepes, waffles, deep fried ice cream, deep fried banana ice cream, and much more than I can't wait to try!)


Sashimi B set 18 pieces

Dragon roll ( choose your topping of eel / tuna / salmon )


Tuna Tataki

Kumamoto

Grilled 3 kinds of mushrooms : )

BBQ pork & grilled salmon ramen in miso soup

Trevor Kitchen & Bar

Winterlicious Part 4 - 2010 Finale

Trevor Kitchen & Bar

38 Wellington Street East

M5E 1C7

(416) 941 - 9410

www.trevorkitchenandbar.com

: ( tear... this was my last booking for Winterlicious 2010 but at least I ended it with a BANG! Trevor Kitchen was amazing. I was very impressed with the portions... in fact I was so full I had to lie down and watch some TV when I got home before I blogged.

The place was riddled with people in their suits and dress shirts. I guess it is a popular hang out for people after work? Trevor Kitchen has won the Wine Spectacular Award for 2 years now... the location of our table gave us a sneak peek into their giant wine cellar! When I say giant i mean GIANT......it was filled wall to wall, floor to ceiling with wine....

The duck confit sheppard's pie was very unique. I love duck and I love mashed potatoes but I have never thought of putting the 2 together!

I'm not a big fan of salad... I am very picky with my raw vegetables but I tried the argula for the first time today. It had a very nutty taste and I did not mind it at all. The vinagrette was very delicious. I cannot tell what was in it but it went very well with the arugula.

The chicken was also great. Another thing I haven't tried before : sweet potato & buttermilk gravy.... WOWWWWWWWWW try it try it try it ! Winterlicious is over but it is on their regular menu :) I just checked because I want to go back for more.

The steak was okay... not amazing but not bad. I am still on the search for a steak that will top my experience at the Barberian's Steakhouse last year..if you haven't been there before, check it out. It is a bit pricey but I have yet to find a better steak.

I love mushrooms... so naturally I liked this decor

Argula Salad


Parsnip Soup

Duck Confit Sheppard's Pie

Northern Ontario whitefish with confit potatoes

Sweet potatoe & buttermilk gravy on roast chicken with a giant perogie!

Surf & Turf with goat cheese poutine

Passionfruit Tiramisu

Creme brulee ... I prefer it hot instead of cold

Dark chocolate & caramel torte with a hint of peanut butter... the piece of toffee / caramel tasted exactly like the middle part of a Skor chocolate bar... but BETTER!

Toula

Winterlicious Part 3...

Toula Restaurant
1 Harbour Square (38th Floor)
M5J 1A6
(416) 777 -2002
www.toularestaurant.com

:S

I've been to Toula before, and I'd have to say, it is not as good during Winterlicious. You should try this place out on a regular day instead. Nothing really amused me today.....

I was pleasantly suprised with the Tiramisu and cappuccino cheese cake (Tiramiso especially!) I may go back just to get some dessert and have a drink while enjoying the view.

I have a VeRrRRRrRRrrRrY big sweet tooth!!

Beautiful view from the restaurant. 38th floor !

In-house smoked Atlantic salmon


Scallop & shrimp cocktail salad

Tenderloin with sauteed mushrooms

Yellow fin tuna. I prefer mine sushi-grade and just lightly seared... this was fully cooked... TIP: Longo's sells sushi grade tuna! No need to be skeptical, I've had it only seared many times and I am fine :)

Cappuccino cheese cake

Tiramisu

La Maquette

Winterlicious Part 2

La Maquette

111 King Street East

M5C 1G6

(416) 366 - 8191

www.lamaquette.com

I love trying new things

:: Grilled Quebec Venison Chop ::

I have never had deer before but after this, Bambi looks delicious to me... it was so juicy and tender... oh my god.. thinking back on it makes me salivate.

Always keep an open mind when it comes to food, you never know when you will discover a new passion! Mine: venison !

The meringue was my 2nd favourite dish of the night.

Not to sweet. Very fluffy and melts in your mouth. The blueberry compote was an excellent pairing. Best part of this ? According to my friend, meringues are low fat!

Glass of Rose : ) ... trying to be artistic with this shot

Shrimp & Scallop Tower

P.E.I. Mussels ; Garlic Cream Sauce

Seafood Fusilli

Grilled Quebec Venison Chop
Cloud of Meringue ; Blueberry Compote

Chocolate Eruption

Wildfire Steakhouse

mMmMmmMmmm... Winterlicious : )

Wildfire Steakhouse & Wine Bar
3438 Yonge Street
M4N 2M9
(416) 483 - 4800
www.wildfiresteakhouse.com

I loved Wildfire! It had a very pretty set up, although it was a bit loud so it was hard to hear my boyfriend talking. I guess it was because it was the first day of Winterlicious and it was really packed...

My GOD the lamb was delicious... trust me when I say this, I do not eat lamb. I can't stand the taste of lamb but this was amazing. Very tender and juicy. Of course, my boyfriend ordered the lamb, and I stole 3 racks.

The chocolate torte was amazing. Recommended for dark chocolate lovers. If you do not love the taste of very rich dark chocolate this may be too much for you. Me on the other hand? I love it !

My steak was nothing spectacular but I am definately going back to try their baby back ribs !! I heard great things about them : )



Escargots Provencal

Shrimp Martini ; Citrus Vodka Sauce

Plaintain Crusted New Zealand Lamb Rack

12oz. Rib Steak

New York Cheese Cake

Flourless Chocolate Torte ; Creme Anglais