The Quality of Sapore by Zafferano

For the discerning tongue of a critical gourmand, quality is a special word. It encompasses an unwavering posture towards high standards, exceptional creations and gastronomic excellence. For restaurateurs, it means never settling on a second-rate product and always delivering the best meal possible, one that exceeds the expectations of guests that crave quality.

“Quality is No. 1,” says local restaurateur Steve De Vittoris, owner of Sapore by Zafferano, Sapore North, Spumante and Zafferano. “We buy only top-quality ingredients for all the food that we make. It’s something that I pride myself on.”

A veteran of the Toronto dining scene, De Vittoris believes that a quality meal begins with ingredients. This means ensuring all his establishments serve, at minimum, AAA-grade meat, Read more

Chef Sylvain Clissa’s Back-to-School Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients:
1 rotisserie chicken, about 2 1/4 pounds
3/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4  cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 thin slices of Panera Bread Country loaf (If you don’t have a Panera Bread Country loaf, try Panera Bread Sourdough Rolls or thinly sliced white whole grain, honey wheat or rye loaf.)
6 leaves romaine lettuce, torn Read more

Life’s Simple Pleasures: Gwyneth Paltrow’s My Father’s Daughter

When you’re an actress-turned-mom-turned-blogger-turned-singer, you’re bound to have a lot on your plate. But Gwyneth Paltrow just couldn’t resist adding yet another entree to her CV – a cookbook author.

With her statuesque figure and peaches-and-cream complexion, the award-winning actress is just at home in her kitchen than she is on the stage, having developed a passion for food after sharing treasured moments cooking alongside her late father, filmmaker Bruce Paltrow. Stretching beyond her role as actress, Paltrow’s adoration for food imparted by her dad culminates in My Father’s Daughter (Grand Central Life & Style, 2011), which is now a bestseller. “For me, I kind of feel like everybody in the whole world has passions that they should be pursuing … if people see me doing different things … maybe they would think, Read more

Summer Blender: Smooth, Refreshing Beverages

Photo, above: Breakfast in a Glass

As the summer starts to sizzle, there’s no better way to keep cool than with smooth, refreshing beverages. Not only are they great to combat the sweltering temperature, a rich, frothy and fruity blend will dazzle friends and family alike. So reach for the blender, whip up some of these tasty concoctions, and get out on the patio and enjoy summer the way it should be: with a cold drink in your hand. Read more

St. Phillips Bakery in Maple

Every celebration has an ending, but not before cake is served. For centuries, baked desserts have served a traditional role in the celebratory landscape – from birthdays and bar mitzvahs to weddings and anniversaries. Yet, cakes have evolved from their conventional role of edible accessories to the main event themselves, reflecting innovation and uniqueness in baking craftsmanship.

Surmounting the pressure that comes with creating good-looking cake is Robert Bozzo, owner and executive chef of St. Phillips Bakery in Maple, Ont. The scent and sight of freshly baked cakes topped with Callebaut chocolate; creamy pastries oozing with chilled cream, festive treats and hot crispy breads has generated crowds of customers yearning for a bite of St. Phillips, a multi-faceted bakery renowned for all things sweet since 1989. Read more

Life’s Simple Pleasures

Wine, bread and cheese – delicious ingredients to a good time

Fielding Estate Winery
Good wine, good food, good friends – three simple pleasures that have been the source of memorable occasions for centuries. While we might not be able to help you in the friends department, – although, feel free to invite me to your next shindig – we can definitely take care of the food and wine.

For starters, how about some the finest wine from the Niagara region? Fielding Estate Winery was originally founded in 2005 by Ken and Marg Fielding in the renowned Beamsville Bench area of the Niagara Peninsula. Today, their son, and former professional stock car driver Curtis Fielding and his wife, Heidi, oversee operations at Fielding Estate, crafting spectacular Read more

Chef Michael Smith, The Three Chimneys Restaurant

Acclaimed head chef Michael Smith of Scotland’s The Three Chimneys restaurant serves City Life Magazine one of his sumptuous recipes for success.

Three Salmom Kedgeree

Ingredients: (Enough for 6/8 breakfast portions)
2 cups Basmati Rice
450 g organic Scottish salmon fillet
3 lemon slices
2 onion slices
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs of parsley with stalks
1 sprig of fennel with stalk
1 tbsp white peppercorns Read more

Son of a Chef Catering

Cruise down Highway 7, head north on Edgeley Boulevard and follow your nose to Applewood Crescent, where you’ll find a joyous shop of decadent delights all served with good humour and a smile. That’s Son of a Chef Catering, where they’re serious about food, but not about themselves – and who could be with a name like that?

“People get a kick out of our name,” says owner Fabio Fantauzzi. “The name branched out from what most people think [laughs], but my mom was a chef, so we played around with it, and Son of a Chef was born.”

Catering all occasions, from small to big, Son of a Chef has the culinary creations ideal for any birthday, wedding or simple intimate gathering – it doesn’t matter. Son of a Chef will cater for a two-person dinner or an event with hundreds of people. Read more

Healthy Eating

Add these items to your grocery list if you know what’s good for you.

CHEESE, PLEASE: There are hundreds of cheddar cheese makers out there, but none are as bold in taste as Balderson Cheese. No wonder they market their product as the “World’s Finest Cheddar Cheese.” www.cheese.ca

GOING WITH THE GRAIN: This is the renaissance of grocery shopping. Organics Delivered offers 100 per cent organic fruits and vegetables delivered from the farm to your door for less than what you’ll pay at the grocery store. www.organicsdelivered.com

EAT ME-AT: Skip the hassle of indoor barbequeing this winter. Taste the cornerstone of American culture with a gourmet twist at m:brgr Restaurant – home of the infamous 100-dollar Read more

Top New Restaurants in the GTA

Neapolitan cuisine, metres of pizza and North American classics are just a few of the many surprises you’ll find around the GTA.

Sorrento Ristorante North
Born and raised in the world-famous Italian destination Sorrento in Naples, Nino Cioffi brings his superb cooking prowess to Vaughan, opening Sorrento Ristorante North. This classically styled dining establishment exudes an authentic Italian feel and serves traditional Neapolitan cuisine that will give you a little slice of the renowned town. 647.351.0761  www.sorrentoristorante.ca

E11even Restaurant
Sparing no expense for food or service, e11even’s menu takes North American classics and ignites them with modern passion. Housed in the Maple Leaf Square just beside the Air Canada Read more

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