New Year's dim sum

When everything else is closed on New Year's day, you can always rely on Chinese food to be open.  So Tracy and I decided to catch up on our new year's events over some local dim sum at Yonge and Eglinton.   For those of you who don't know what dim sum is - it is the name for Chinese afternoon tea and all the different dishes that come along side them and very similar to tapas.

Finally an isakaya in Toronto!

In my search for different culinary adventures - I have been anxious to try FIN - first, because it's the new kid on the block in my neighborhood and it was calling itself a Japanese Isakaya. An izakaya is a Japanese bar or "place for sake", and references casual pubs serving high-end snacks or what we would consider Japanese tapas. Considering I have been on the hunt for a true experience as there are NO authentic izakayas in Toronto- Fin was on my list of must tries!

Sushi at Yonge and Eg

So where I live there are plenty of sushi joints to choose from. I really like Sushi Rock because it has over 100 different rolls and I love trying new things and seeing unique rolls on the menu. They have a huge variety of raw, cooked and vegetarian rolls!
I have a bit of a reputation for getting a bit carried away when I order food as once I ordered so much sushi takeout at this place for 3 people that they gave us an entire bottle of soya sauce!

A staple at Yonge and Eg - La Vecchia

This is my local dining spot with the gals or for an intimate date however you NEED to make a reservation or else you will wait over an hour for brunch, lunch or dinner in this Italian hotspot in the hood.

They make amazing pizzas, fresh pasta dishes, and delicious risotto such as the risotto La Vecchia which is a kiwi risotto flavoured in white wine and served with giant prawns. They have a great variety of veal scallopini dishes and I especially like their veal scallopini Diano Marino with a creamy wild mushroom sauce. The last time I was there, my best girlfriend loved her Rigatoni Romani- Smoked Chicken, Portobello Mushroom In A Blush Sauce Crowned With Goat Cheese.

For my girlfriend's birthday - they prepared an amazing array of desserts including tiramisu, cheese cake, chocolate mousse cake - it was very decadent.

I can always rely on great food being served here so that's what keeps me coming back.
La Vecchia- 2405A Yonge St, Yonge 2 blocks north of Eglinton
**** (out of 5)

Guacamole made fresh at your table!

The novelty of Chimichangas is that they will come and make you fresh guacamole at your table and it's in my local hood so I tend to come here for my Mexicana fix. It's definitely a sight to have someone carve the avacados, pit them and then spice it with onions, tomatoes, jalepeno peppers and mash it all up in a motar and pestle.

A true local classic! Zucca Trattoria!

I am so glad that I had the pleasure to dine here again - this is the 2nd time I've been to the restaurant and both have been to celebrate my birthdays and during Winterlicious. This is a place that has outstanding service, a stellar menu and impeccable attention to detail.

From the moment we walked in and were greated by the host- Blair- we knew we had made a good choice to come in and dine. He was gracious and attentive and made us feel very comfortable immediately.