Updated - December 10, 2010
Two years ago I decided that I would no longer read paperback trash, but would take the time to explore the best books of the day. A very good friend has been a member of a book club for over 25 years and she was very generous in sharing their "top 100". I enjoy searching through the book reviews in the Globe and NY Times and also went out and obtained my first library card since the 70's. Below I have listed the books that I have read and those that I will read in the near future. They are all wonderful in their own right and many were winners or the runner up of the Governor General's award, the Canadian Giller Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and the Man Booker Prize. Enjoy your reading and send me your thoughts on any of these books that you have read.
History of Love
Kraus, Nicole
A truly great love story. My #1 favourite
In the Skin of a Lion
Ondaatje, Michael
Cdn. Author. Exceptional description of Toronto’s working class in the early 1900’s
The English Patient
Ondaatje, Michael
Cdn Author. An amazing story teller
Elizabeth and After
Cohen, Matt
Cohen’s best novel that took 10 years to write.
Three Day Road
Boyden, Joseph
Cdn. author’s first novel. Amazing story of two young natives from Moose Factory who enlist in the army for WWI
A Complicated Kindness
Toews, Miriam
Cdn. Author, Governor General Award and Giller Prize Short list. A wonderful story of human emotions and the enslavement of a Mennonite community in Manitoba.
Typing: A Life in 26 Keys
Cohen, Matt
Cohen’s autobiography written before his death in 2001. Reads like a great novel.
The Book of Negroes
Hill, Lawrence
Cdn author. Winner of CBC’s Canada Reads and Giller Short List. An excellent story written around historical facts.
Through Black Spruce
Boyden, Joseph
Cdn. author’s second novel won the 2008 Giller prize. Characters are 2 generations after Three Day Road. Very insightful, descriptive.
DeNiro’s Game
Hage, Rawi
First novel for Lebanese Cdn author. 2006 short list for Giller prize and GG award. He writes of the dark side of worn torn Lebanon and the life of a young teen aged boy. Gripping.
The Road
McCarthy, Cormac
2007 Pulitzer prize winning novel. Dark and all encompassing. McCarthy at his best.
Lives of the Saints
Ricci, Nino
Cdn. author’s first novel and winner of GG award. Exceptional insight and description of a poor Italian village, post WW1
The Gathering
Enright, Anne
2007 Man Booker Prize winner. The narrator (Veronica) says out loud what many of us only think, but would never say.
Cockroach
Hage, Rawi
Second novel for Lebanese Cdn author. 2008 short list for Giller prize and GG award. The dark side of a middle eastern immigrant struggling in Montreal.
The Origin of Species
Ricci, Nino
Cdn Author. GG award winner. A lost man and his travels, emotions and lost loves.
Blindness
Saramago, Jose
Translated from Spanish. Science fiction, different but well written. Made into a major motion picture
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Hosseini, Khaled
A follow-up to his first novel “The kite Runner”. An enthralling story of the tumultuous lives of two Afghan women.
The White Tiger
Adiga, Aravind
His debut novel and winner of the 2008 Man Booker prize. Shows the contrast between India's rise as a modern global economy and the working class people who live in crushing rural poverty.
The Kite Runner
Hosseini, Khaled
A best selling first novel and movie that opens eyes to life in Afghanistan through the Russian invasion and emergence of the Taliban..
Middlesex
Jeffrey Eugenides
The 2003 Pulitzer Prize winner. A wonderful story of a young woman who discovers as a teen that she is a hermaphrodite. The story begins with her Greek grandparents and their journey from Asia Minor to Detroit Michigan.
Bel Canto
Patchet, Ann
A 2001 prize winning novel Based on the Lima Crisis, this book is about a group of terrorists who hold high executives and people of high political standing hostage. It explores how the terrorists and hostages cope with living in a house together for several months. Many of the characters form unbreakable bonds of friendship, while some fall in love.
The Year of the Flood
Margaret Atwood
2009 Giller Shortlisted by a leading Cdn author. Atwood at her imaginary best, but not my cup of tea!
Mistress of Nothing
Pullinger, Kate
Cdn author and 2009 Governor General award winner. The romantic story of a maid in 19th century Britain and her travels to Egypt with her employer.
Olive Kitteridge
Elizabeth Strout
2009 Pulitzer prize winner.
A very interesting compilation of stories centered around the central character, Olive Kitteridge.
The Inheritance of Loss
Kiran Desai
2006 Man Booker prize winner.
Set in the shadows of the Himalayas, a young girl is orphaned and is sent to live with her aging Grandfather. We see the comparisons of rich and poor in northern India that leads to rebellion. It was an enjoyable read and at the same time an inspiration for literary students. The author highlights so many issues in a brief manner; such as how the beauty of nature gives an immensely powerful feeling with intensity.
Late Nights on Air
Elizabeth Hay
Cdn Author. Winner 2007 Giller Award.
Great Canadian literature that paints a realistic picture of life in the Canadian territories, the foibles of CBC Radio and the dangers of a trans-arctic gas pipeline.
Gilead
Marilynne Robinson
2004 Pulitzer prize Winner. Started but have not finished.
Books I want to Read
Atonement
McEwen, Ian
McEwen won the Booker for a previous novel, Amsterdam
The Shipping News
Proulx, Annie
Pulitzer prize winner
All the Pretty Horses
McCarthy, Cormac
Winner of a national Book Award for Fiction
Life of Pi
Martel, Yann
Cdn author and winner of 2002 Man Booker Prize
Fool
Moore, Christopher
Recommended by a friend
The Alchemist
Coelho, Paulo
Translated from Portuguese. 65 million copies sold. A modern classic
A Gate at the Stairs
Lorrie Moore
2009. Stunning review in the NY Times. A must read.
Land of Marvels
Barry Unsworth
2009. Well reviewed.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Diaz, Junot
2008 Pulitzer prize Winner
The Sentimentalists
Skibsrud, Johanna
2010 Giller Prize Winner
Tinkers
Harding, Paul
2010 Pulitzer prize Winner
The Finkler Question
Jacobson, Howard
2010 Man Booker Prize Winner
Food and Wine Suggestions, Wine buying Tips from the LCBO and Recipes from The Chef Upstairs located in Toronto's Mount Pleasant Village.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
LCBO Vintages Release for September 18, 2010
This Release has some great Italian and Portuguese selections. I've also highlighted an LBV Port for $18.95 ...so if you are a Port lover this is a must try ...especially for the price at $18.95.
For each release, I am trying to highlight a few wines that apply to those of you that have a temperature controlled wine cellar. While, there are many great wines that we can buy and drink right away, you will only get to experience those truly amazing wines if you have patience and proper storage facilities to let them age to perfection. I have personally built two wine cellars in previous homes and in both cases they would hold 1,000 bottles, stored the wine at a perfect cellar temp of 56F to 58F and were built for under $2,500. For those of you that don't have the space or are on a tighter budget, there are many stand alone refrigeration units available for between $500 and $2,000. In particular I really like the 200 bottle unit that Rosehill Wine Cellars retails for under $995.
CELLAR SELECTIONS
Montepeloso Eneo 2006, lgt ToscanaTuscany, Italy#114660 Rating - 93 $44.95 This is a classic wine that needs to age for at least 6 years. Best after 2016.
Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenere 2007, Rapel ValleyChile#169862; Rating - 90; $19.95 Excellent length and awesome value. Set aside for 2 years. At its best from 2012 to 2020
PREMIUM PICKS
San Fabiano Calcinaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, lgt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy
#181420; Rating - 91 $22.95
Full bodied, with a long beautiful finish. Best after 2011 to 2016
La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino 2004, Docg; 375ml
Tuscany, Italy
#180083 Rating - 91; $24.95
Please note this is a half bottle. Save it for a night when your better half is out! Drink now through 2012
Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2007, lgt Rosso dei Colli Della Toscana Centrale
Tuscany, Italy
#134775; Rating - 91; $27.95
A sangiovese-cabernet blend. Full bodied, intense and flavourful in a Super-Tuscan style. Drink now or hold for five years.
Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2007, McLaren Vale
South Australia. 375ml (1/2 bottle)
#180430 Rating - 90; $11.95
Full bodied with a great finish. Drink now, but good for 4 to 6 years.
VALUE PICKS -RED
Bon Cap Organic winery The Ruins Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Wo Robertson
South Africa
#18739; Rating 90; $14.95
An excellent choice for a fall dinner of pot roast or braised meats. David Lawrason says to try it with Liver and Onions (yum)
Paringa Shiraz 2008, Riverland, South AustraliaAustralia
#180422; Rating -89; $14.95
David Lawrason describes it as follows: "It's full dense, sweet, rich and quite opulent ...a great buy at $15 ...excellent length."
Benmarco Malbec 2008
Argentina
#657601; Rating - 90; $17.95
Medium bodied with a long finish. Drink for up to 5 years.
WHITES
Vineland Estates St. Urban Riesling 2008, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario Canada
#38117; Rating - 90; $19.95
A beautiful wine that is off-dry, light, vibrant and with great finish. Try it with some Asian fare.
PORT
Ferreira LBV (Late Bottled Vintage Port) 2000, Doc Douro, Bottled 2004Portugal#675751; Rating - 90; $18.95LBV's are typically ready 4 to 6 years after bottling. This port is ready now but you could wait another year. Get some nice blue cheese and enjoy this weekend!
For each release, I am trying to highlight a few wines that apply to those of you that have a temperature controlled wine cellar. While, there are many great wines that we can buy and drink right away, you will only get to experience those truly amazing wines if you have patience and proper storage facilities to let them age to perfection. I have personally built two wine cellars in previous homes and in both cases they would hold 1,000 bottles, stored the wine at a perfect cellar temp of 56F to 58F and were built for under $2,500. For those of you that don't have the space or are on a tighter budget, there are many stand alone refrigeration units available for between $500 and $2,000. In particular I really like the 200 bottle unit that Rosehill Wine Cellars retails for under $995.
CELLAR SELECTIONS
Montepeloso Eneo 2006, lgt ToscanaTuscany, Italy#114660 Rating - 93 $44.95 This is a classic wine that needs to age for at least 6 years. Best after 2016.
Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenere 2007, Rapel ValleyChile#169862; Rating - 90; $19.95 Excellent length and awesome value. Set aside for 2 years. At its best from 2012 to 2020
PREMIUM PICKS
San Fabiano Calcinaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, lgt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy
#181420; Rating - 91 $22.95
Full bodied, with a long beautiful finish. Best after 2011 to 2016
La Lecciaia Brunello Di Montalcino 2004, Docg; 375ml
Tuscany, Italy
#180083 Rating - 91; $24.95
Please note this is a half bottle. Save it for a night when your better half is out! Drink now through 2012
Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2007, lgt Rosso dei Colli Della Toscana Centrale
Tuscany, Italy
#134775; Rating - 91; $27.95
A sangiovese-cabernet blend. Full bodied, intense and flavourful in a Super-Tuscan style. Drink now or hold for five years.
Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2007, McLaren Vale
South Australia. 375ml (1/2 bottle)
#180430 Rating - 90; $11.95
Full bodied with a great finish. Drink now, but good for 4 to 6 years.
VALUE PICKS -RED
Bon Cap Organic winery The Ruins Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Wo Robertson
South Africa
#18739; Rating 90; $14.95
An excellent choice for a fall dinner of pot roast or braised meats. David Lawrason says to try it with Liver and Onions (yum)
Paringa Shiraz 2008, Riverland, South AustraliaAustralia
#180422; Rating -89; $14.95
David Lawrason describes it as follows: "It's full dense, sweet, rich and quite opulent ...a great buy at $15 ...excellent length."
Benmarco Malbec 2008
Argentina
#657601; Rating - 90; $17.95
Medium bodied with a long finish. Drink for up to 5 years.
WHITES
Vineland Estates St. Urban Riesling 2008, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario Canada
#38117; Rating - 90; $19.95
A beautiful wine that is off-dry, light, vibrant and with great finish. Try it with some Asian fare.
PORT
Ferreira LBV (Late Bottled Vintage Port) 2000, Doc Douro, Bottled 2004Portugal#675751; Rating - 90; $18.95LBV's are typically ready 4 to 6 years after bottling. This port is ready now but you could wait another year. Get some nice blue cheese and enjoy this weekend!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Selections from LCBO/Vintages Release – August 7, 2010
Dear Wine lover …there are some extremely nice wines available on this release. I have highlighted three top rated wines that are cellar worthy, 3 value reds under $20 and 4 value whites under $20. As always, I would love to receive any comments, suggestions, etc. Enjoy this great summer weather ....Greg
My selections for this Saturday’s release (Aug. 7th) are available three ways.
1. If you are the email list you can view on your BlackBerry or iPhone by scrolling down. If you are not on the email list, you can be added by sending me a note to: greg@thechefupstairs.com
2. Here on my Blog at http://chefupstairs.blogspot.com/ or
3. View via my postings on winealign.com where you can see the inventory available at your favourite LCBO. Click here http://www.winealign.com/my-wines/aug-7-2010-release
Amazing High Rating and/or Cellar Worthy Wines
Farina La Pezze Amarone 2006, DOC Veneto Italy
$31.95; #171587 Rating – 92
A great value in Amarone. Pair with classic autumn fare, grilled meats and rich stews. Drink now but will age well for another 3 to 5 years.
Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Stags Leap, Napa Valley California
$84.95 #45476 Rating – 92
An amazing full, rich cab with flavours that fills the palate and stay there forever. Expensive but worth it for a very special occasion. Best cellared for another year to beyond 2017
Tandem Auction Block Pinot Noir, 2007 Sonoma coast California USA
$29.95 #58776 Rating – 91
A new world style Pinot. At $29.95 many would not say this is a value wine, but it is, compared to other wines of the same style that typically sell for more than twice the price. Drink now and enjoy
Value Red Wines
Shingleback Shiraz 2007, McLaren Vale, South Australia
$23.95 #57844 Rating – 90
David Lawrason describes this wine as “quite elegant …medium full bodied, firm and dry with very good length. Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years.”
Concho Y Toro Trio; Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Cabernet Franc 2008; Maipo Valley Chile
$14.95 #433912 Rating – 89
A nice medium bodied value wine that is drinkable now. Throw some red meat on the BBQ and enjoy.
Bodegas Patrocinio Limited Edition Senorio De Unuela Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja, Spain
$16.95 #172536 Rating – 89
An excellent opportunity to purchase a fully mature light to mid-weight traditional Rioja with very good to excellent finish. Enjoy with rosemary lamb.
Value White Wines
Chateau St. jean Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma County California USA
$19.95 #421644 Rating – 90
A classic Sonoma style chardonnay with judicious oak. Very good finish and value. Try with classic roasted chicken or grilled salmon.
Loan Semillon 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia
$16.95 #108092 Rating – 89
A fuller flavoured style of Semillon that is medium bodies. Pairs well with grilled chicken or a variety of fish dishes.
Pala Crabilis I Fiori Vermentino Di Sardegna, Doc Sardinia Italy
$13.95 #52058 Rating – 88
Try something different, with little risk. A refreshing crisp white that’s a terrific value. Try with roast pork.
Wild Rock The Infamous Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South island New Zealand
$15.95 #164012 Rating - 86
A fresh, crisp and dry white wine that is a great everyday sipper. Chill well, then pour a glass and sit on the dock watching the sun set.
My selections for this Saturday’s release (Aug. 7th) are available three ways.
1. If you are the email list you can view on your BlackBerry or iPhone by scrolling down. If you are not on the email list, you can be added by sending me a note to: greg@thechefupstairs.com
2. Here on my Blog at http://chefupstairs.blogspot.com/ or
3. View via my postings on winealign.com where you can see the inventory available at your favourite LCBO. Click here http://www.winealign.com/my-wines/aug-7-2010-release
Amazing High Rating and/or Cellar Worthy Wines
Farina La Pezze Amarone 2006, DOC Veneto Italy
$31.95; #171587 Rating – 92
A great value in Amarone. Pair with classic autumn fare, grilled meats and rich stews. Drink now but will age well for another 3 to 5 years.
Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Stags Leap, Napa Valley California
$84.95 #45476 Rating – 92
An amazing full, rich cab with flavours that fills the palate and stay there forever. Expensive but worth it for a very special occasion. Best cellared for another year to beyond 2017
Tandem Auction Block Pinot Noir, 2007 Sonoma coast California USA
$29.95 #58776 Rating – 91
A new world style Pinot. At $29.95 many would not say this is a value wine, but it is, compared to other wines of the same style that typically sell for more than twice the price. Drink now and enjoy
Value Red Wines
Shingleback Shiraz 2007, McLaren Vale, South Australia
$23.95 #57844 Rating – 90
David Lawrason describes this wine as “quite elegant …medium full bodied, firm and dry with very good length. Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years.”
Concho Y Toro Trio; Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Cabernet Franc 2008; Maipo Valley Chile
$14.95 #433912 Rating – 89
A nice medium bodied value wine that is drinkable now. Throw some red meat on the BBQ and enjoy.
Bodegas Patrocinio Limited Edition Senorio De Unuela Reserva 2001, Doca Rioja, Spain
$16.95 #172536 Rating – 89
An excellent opportunity to purchase a fully mature light to mid-weight traditional Rioja with very good to excellent finish. Enjoy with rosemary lamb.
Value White Wines
Chateau St. jean Chardonnay 2008, Sonoma County California USA
$19.95 #421644 Rating – 90
A classic Sonoma style chardonnay with judicious oak. Very good finish and value. Try with classic roasted chicken or grilled salmon.
Loan Semillon 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia
$16.95 #108092 Rating – 89
A fuller flavoured style of Semillon that is medium bodies. Pairs well with grilled chicken or a variety of fish dishes.
Pala Crabilis I Fiori Vermentino Di Sardegna, Doc Sardinia Italy
$13.95 #52058 Rating – 88
Try something different, with little risk. A refreshing crisp white that’s a terrific value. Try with roast pork.
Wild Rock The Infamous Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, South island New Zealand
$15.95 #164012 Rating - 86
A fresh, crisp and dry white wine that is a great everyday sipper. Chill well, then pour a glass and sit on the dock watching the sun set.
Friday, July 23, 2010
8 Great Wines at the LCBO for July 24th
Hi Everyone …as we move into the heart of summer the LCBO has some great wines that they are releasing tonight/tomorrow. I’ve picked 3 reds; 4 whites and 1 desert wine that are drinkable now and they are all priced under $20. To see my picks from Wine Align click on the link below. If you are looking at this on your blackberry or smart phone scroll down to see the picks. Try them and enjoy your weekend …Greg
http://bit.ly/cYzz06
RED WINES
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2007, Barossa South Australia; $19.95 #24091 Rating – 90
A nice 4 wine blend (cab, merlot, petit verdot and Malbec)
Domaine Les Yeuses Les Epices Syrah 2007, Vins De Pays D’oc; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France; $12.95 #177584) Rating – 89
You can’t go wrong with the price. Wine Align says try it with ribs or chili.
Château De Pena 2006, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France; $13.95 #178392 Rating – 88
A full bodied Red and again, you can’t go wrong at this price. Can cellar for 5 or 6 years.
WHITE WINES
Chateau Saint Roch Vieilles Vignes Grenache Blanc/Marsanne 2009, Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France; $13.95; #175232; Rating – 88
A nice medium bodied summer pleaser. Wine Align says try with grilled calamari
Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2007, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario; $16.95 #681247 Rating – 88
A great Burgundy style white from Niagara’s bench region. If you haven’t tried wines from this area, here is one to start with. Roast chicken or grilled salmon match up well.
Goats Do Roam White 2009, Western Cape South Africa; $12.95 #943167 Rating – 87
A medium bodied white blend. If it’s anything like their red blend this is one to buy a case of. Serve to your thirsty friends.
Highfield Estate Paua Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough New Zealand; $14.95 #164020 Rating – 88
A very good wine with some complexity and a great value.
DESERT WINE
Gonzalez Byass Oloroso Dulce Solera 1847; Spain; $15.95 #972109; Rating – 93
Try this with some chocolate after dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
Greg Heller
Co-Owner
The Chef Upstairs
516 Mount Pleasant Road, 2nd Floor
Toronto ON
M 416-347-1545
greg@thechefupstairs.com
http://bit.ly/cYzz06
RED WINES
Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2007, Barossa South Australia; $19.95 #24091 Rating – 90
A nice 4 wine blend (cab, merlot, petit verdot and Malbec)
Domaine Les Yeuses Les Epices Syrah 2007, Vins De Pays D’oc; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France; $12.95 #177584) Rating – 89
You can’t go wrong with the price. Wine Align says try it with ribs or chili.
Château De Pena 2006, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages; Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France; $13.95 #178392 Rating – 88
A full bodied Red and again, you can’t go wrong at this price. Can cellar for 5 or 6 years.
WHITE WINES
Chateau Saint Roch Vieilles Vignes Grenache Blanc/Marsanne 2009, Languedoc Roussillon (Midi), France; $13.95; #175232; Rating – 88
A nice medium bodied summer pleaser. Wine Align says try with grilled calamari
Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay 2007, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario; $16.95 #681247 Rating – 88
A great Burgundy style white from Niagara’s bench region. If you haven’t tried wines from this area, here is one to start with. Roast chicken or grilled salmon match up well.
Goats Do Roam White 2009, Western Cape South Africa; $12.95 #943167 Rating – 87
A medium bodied white blend. If it’s anything like their red blend this is one to buy a case of. Serve to your thirsty friends.
Highfield Estate Paua Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough New Zealand; $14.95 #164020 Rating – 88
A very good wine with some complexity and a great value.
DESERT WINE
Gonzalez Byass Oloroso Dulce Solera 1847; Spain; $15.95 #972109; Rating – 93
Try this with some chocolate after dinner, you won’t be disappointed.
Greg Heller
Co-Owner
The Chef Upstairs
516 Mount Pleasant Road, 2nd Floor
Toronto ON
M 416-347-1545
greg@thechefupstairs.com
Friday at Kid's Camp
Chef Amy has a great day planned for her class today ...etitled: Friday Challenge
Mexican Breakfast beans
Jr Iron Chef competition - secret ingredient pizza dough
Grocery shopping - purchase ingredients for a sweet or savoury pizza as well as for a side based on what was learned throughout the week.
Blind tasting - kids guess each other's ingredient
Afternoon picnic with homemade lemonade and snacks
Mexican Breakfast beans
Jr Iron Chef competition - secret ingredient pizza dough
Grocery shopping - purchase ingredients for a sweet or savoury pizza as well as for a side based on what was learned throughout the week.
Blind tasting - kids guess each other's ingredient
Afternoon picnic with homemade lemonade and snacks
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Summer Kid's Camp at The Chef Upstairs
Who would believe that you could have so much fun at a cooking camp? Well the kids at our summer cooking camp are having a blast. Yesterday Chef Amy Symington had them designing a 4 course menu for a dinner party. The ideas they came up with were amazing!
Every day Chef Amy takes the kids grocery shopping for the day's ingredients. Yesterday they were at Sobey's on Mount Pleasant and the Store Manager took time to talk with the children and threw in a free bag of cherries ...what a treat!
Today’s theme is Delicious Dairy and Alternative Day. Here is the schedule for the day:
Breakfast: Eggs a la Chef (Eggs Benedict with portobello mushrooms and asparagus) with watermelon juice
Amy will talk about the top four allergens and their substitutes, as well as how to read product labels
Grocery shopping!
Lunch: Gourmet grill cheese with an easy lime aioli and a no milk milkshake
Snack: Apple and Brie tarts
Afternoon activities: Food charades and chef hat decorating
If you think that your child would be interested in one of our programs at The Chef Upstairs give us a call at 416-544-9221 or visit us at www.thechefupstairs.com
Every day Chef Amy takes the kids grocery shopping for the day's ingredients. Yesterday they were at Sobey's on Mount Pleasant and the Store Manager took time to talk with the children and threw in a free bag of cherries ...what a treat!
Today’s theme is Delicious Dairy and Alternative Day. Here is the schedule for the day:
Breakfast: Eggs a la Chef (Eggs Benedict with portobello mushrooms and asparagus) with watermelon juice
Amy will talk about the top four allergens and their substitutes, as well as how to read product labels
Grocery shopping!
Lunch: Gourmet grill cheese with an easy lime aioli and a no milk milkshake
Snack: Apple and Brie tarts
Afternoon activities: Food charades and chef hat decorating
If you think that your child would be interested in one of our programs at The Chef Upstairs give us a call at 416-544-9221 or visit us at www.thechefupstairs.com
Friday, May 14, 2010
LCBO/Vintages Release for May 15, 2010
I read through the wine reviews at http://www.winealign.com and made some selections that I thought my readers might like to try. This weekend's release offers up some nice value wines for under $20 that will go great with BBQ fare on the long weekend. If you only wanted to pick one red and one white from this release the Rodney Strong Chardonnay is rated at 91 by Wine Align and sells for $19.95 For Reds, try the Spanish Mas Igneus Barranc Dels Closos 2006, it is also priced at $19.95 with a 91 rating. Give them a try and let me know what you think. Have a great weekend ...Greg
Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2008, California
California, USA
What’s not to like for a wine at this price. Try it with grilled chicken or pork tenderloin.
703710 $11.95 (89)
Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2007, Sonoma County
California, USA
A great price for such a sophisticated wine and it is drinkable now.
275552 $19.95 (91)
Château D'aqueria Rosé Tavel 2009, Ac
Rhone, France
Try this with grilled vegetables drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
319368 $18.95 (89)
Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Oak Aged
Argentina
A nice full bodied red at a great price. Try it with your favourite grilled red meat
17111 $15.95 (89)
Château Hauchat 2006, Ac Fronsac
Bordeaux, France
From a lesser known Chateau, but how often do you see a Bordeaux for this price. Drink now or can cellar for 2 or 3 years.
123489 $14.95 (88)
Cono Sur Visión Pinot Noir 2008, Colchagua Valley
Chile
Pinot at this price is rare. Looks like a great find from our friends in Chile. Pair with traditional richly flavoured Burgundian fare.
689992 $15.95 (88)
Mas Igneus Barranc Dels Closos 2006, Vinyes De Coster, Doca Priorat
Spain
Great full bodied wine to try for the price. Best to wait a year, but if cellared for 2 or 3 more years it will be even better.
166660 $19.95 (91)
Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2008, California
California, USA
What’s not to like for a wine at this price. Try it with grilled chicken or pork tenderloin.
703710 $11.95 (89)
Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2007, Sonoma County
California, USA
A great price for such a sophisticated wine and it is drinkable now.
275552 $19.95 (91)
Château D'aqueria Rosé Tavel 2009, Ac
Rhone, France
Try this with grilled vegetables drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
319368 $18.95 (89)
Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Mendoza, Oak Aged
Argentina
A nice full bodied red at a great price. Try it with your favourite grilled red meat
17111 $15.95 (89)
Château Hauchat 2006, Ac Fronsac
Bordeaux, France
From a lesser known Chateau, but how often do you see a Bordeaux for this price. Drink now or can cellar for 2 or 3 years.
123489 $14.95 (88)
Cono Sur Visión Pinot Noir 2008, Colchagua Valley
Chile
Pinot at this price is rare. Looks like a great find from our friends in Chile. Pair with traditional richly flavoured Burgundian fare.
689992 $15.95 (88)
Mas Igneus Barranc Dels Closos 2006, Vinyes De Coster, Doca Priorat
Spain
Great full bodied wine to try for the price. Best to wait a year, but if cellared for 2 or 3 more years it will be even better.
166660 $19.95 (91)
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