TOI, MOI & CAFE

This cute little café was located near my aunt’s place so we took the opportunity to soak up the sunshine and walk there. When we arrived, the place was absolutely packed. I've never seen that many coffee drinkers in one room. Okay, there weren't that many diners, but it was still pretty busy. It was Sunday morning and there were a lot of locals there which indicated that this was a usual morning hangout spot.

"Toi et moi" means "you and me" in French.

My favorite elements of the café were the overhanging steel garage door and the chalkboard piece. It gave the café an old, industrial feel. Plus, it added a nice homey touch to the place.

So many choices! Thank goodness for those English translations.

I was in the mood for something sweet so I went with a plain crepe with a side of fresh fruit. The crepe was not too thick and not too thin. It was just right. Having the crepes was a great way to start off my day.

Toi, Moi & Cafe
2695 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest
Montréal, QC H3J 1N9
Canada

CASA-IMPERIAL FINE CHINESE CUISINE

Don’t worry, this isn’t Mexican and Chinese fusion. Although that does sound kind of good. The name may be misleading, but the dim sum sure isn’t. Now, I’ve had dim sum from San Francisco to Denver and it’s not that easy to find proper dim sum, but I've gotta say, the food at this restaurant was not too shabby.

We pretty much had everything that I would ever desire when it comes to dim sum. Lucky me. We had the traditional chow fun (Stir Fried Noodles), siu mai (Steamed Pork Dumplings), lotus leaf wraps, and so much more. But my favorite would be the short ribs. It was glazed in a mixture of honey and soy sauce. I couldn’t help but spin the Lazy Susan back to the ribs. They were pretty good or hen hao as they say it in Chinese.

Dim Sum is basically Chinese tapas.
They are small dishes usually shared with others.

My favorite aspect about this restaurant is the setting. This restaurant is actually set in an old Victorian house. It felt more like a mansion because of the high ceilings and exquisite details. Another aspect that I liked was the mood. This is going to sound cheesy, but I truly felt like royalty when I sat down at the table. The tea pots and chandeliers and chairs made me feel like I was attending a tea party. It's probably the most luxurious, classy restaurant I've ever been to. I kinda want to have my wedding here in the future too.

Casa-Imperial Fine Chinese Cuisine
4125 Steeles Ave E
Scarborough, ON M1W 3T4
Canada

BUN SAIGON

On our first night in Toronto, my family decided to take a vote on what type of cuisine we should have for dinner. The two candidates were Vietnamese and Chinese; we unanimously chose Vietnamese. After the short election, we walked about 20 steps from our hotel and discovered Bún Saigon.

Bun Saigon simply means “Noodle Saigon”.

At Bún Saigon, they offer traditional dishes like the classic Pho (Noodle Soup) and Bún Thịt Nướng (Grilled Meat Noodle Bowl). I usually order something that my parents barely make at home whenever we go out to Vietnamese restaurants. Smart huh? I ordered the grilled meat combo dish. It’s basically grilled chicken and pork with rice on the side as well as some vegetables (lettuce, tomato, and cucumber). I also had some samplings of the Cảnh Chưa Cá (Sweet and Sour Soup with Fish) as well as the Cá Kho Tộ (Braised Fish). Both were equally delicious.

Overall, the staff was friendly and they made us feel right at home. The atmosphere was super casual and family oriented which reminded me of the Vietnamese restaurants back in California. If you’re searching for traditional Vietnamese fare in Toronto, then Bún Saigon is the place! This little gem is located right next to a Chinese bakery (one of my guilty pleasures).

Bún Saigon 252 Spadina Ave
Toronto, ON M5T 2C2
Canada

PREMIERE MOISON

Première Moison is a quaint little bakery tucked behind a farmer’s market that is known for its artisan delicacies and pastries. We were taking a morning stroll and halfway through our trek, we decided to stop at this bakery.

You know it's good when the place is packed with locals and the line arches to the other side of the bakery. There were dozens of pastries and treats to choose from, but I decided to go with the classic croissant. I mean, I am in Montreal - the second largest French speaking city in the world.

Choosing the croissant was not a bad choice at all. It was the best croissant I’ve ever had. And no I am not exaggerating. It was beyond flaky and buttery. You can definitely tell the goods are fresh because they come straight from the cooling rack to the case. I can’t even imagine what the croissants in France must taste like.

So next time you’re in Quebec or Ontario, check out their lovely croissants.

Première Moison
3025 St-Ambroise St.
Montréal, QC H4C 2C2
Canada

JUNE FAVORITES 2014

These are a few of my favorite things...

Chocolate Brownie Clif Bar

Now I don't know about you, but I LOVE chocolate. Clif Bars? Not so much. I was never a huge Clif Bar fan, but when I saw this bar, I just gravitated towards it. It's basically a healthy brownie. How bad can that be? This energy bar is perfect for emergencies or as a snack for whenever. It's oh so decadent and healthier than the typical brownie; there are about 76 less calories. It doesn't taste healthy or good for you because of the chocolate chunks mixed within it.

This bar is a great alternative for your chocolate cravings. It definitely defines indulgence. I highly recommend this energy bar!

Psych

When I first heard about Psych, I was a bit reluctant to watch it. It didn’t sound that interesting to me. I didn’t understand why the series finale was so important or why everyone was so obsessed with pineapples. A self proclaimed psychic solving cases? Hmm okay. Well that all changed after my friend reintroduced me to Psych. You know who you are.

After watching the pilot episode, I was hooked. The script is amusing let alone the actors. I’ve been watching episodes back to back, that’s how good it is. Round of applause for James Roday and Dulé Hill for making this TV series hilarious!