Jewels (Pearls) of the Sea

If one day, I'm forced to eat only one thing for the rest of my life, it just may be Pearl Oyster Bar lobster rolls. Located in New York, at Cornelia and Bleecker, Pearl's is one of the most charming and delicious go to's for any seafood lover. The minimal seasoning and the highly flavourful east coat lobster come together to create a best-I-ever-ate dish. I even sometimes go to Pearl's, alone, when my cravings for these beauties get far too out of control. If after you come down from lobster roll heaven, you have any room left in your stomach (which I rarely do) try their hot fudge sundae.

It's just my luck that a few years ago, Pearl's published a cook book! Although never quite the same (I think some secret ingredients are left out of this recipe), this version is pretty darn delicious. Make the shoestring fries that come with the roll….I highly suggest it!

Pearl Oyster Bar Lobster Roll

(Serves two) 
Ingredients: 
2 pounds cooked lobster meat, chopped roughly into 1/2 and 3/4-inch pieces
1/2 celery rib, finely chopped
1/4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise
Squeeze of lemon
Pinch of kosher salt and freshy ground black pepper
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
2 Pepperidge Farm top-loading hot dog buns
Chopped chives for garnish 


Directions: 
To make the lobster salad, in a large bowl, combine the lobster meat, celery, mayonaiise, lemon and salt and pepper and mix thoroughly. Cover the mixture and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It will last for up to two days. 
To prepare the bun, in a small sauté pan over low to medium heat, melt the butter. Place the hot dog buns on their sides in the butter. Flip the buns a couple of times so that both sides soak up an equal amount of butter and brown evenly. Remove the buns from the pan and place them on a large plate. 
Fill the toasted buns with lobster salad. Sprinkle with chives and serve with a salad, slaw or shoestring fries. 

Here's my version - I used mini buns and toasted them in the oven! 

Japa…dog?

I never thought the marriage between two of my favourite things would live so happily ever after: Japanese cuisine and DOGS (hot dogs, canines, whatever - they all rule). Japadog, out of Vancouver, was started by a Japanese couple who came to Canada with dreams of creating a majorly popular restaurant. Without the funds, a food stand would have to suffice, and out came their take on the all American (Canadian) hot dog stand. Japadog merges Japanese flavours with various hot dogs and sausages. Dreams really do come true - Japadog has been serving downtown Vancouver for the past few years with line ups around the block to prove their success. My favourite, and Japadog's most popular, is the Terimayo: your choice of hot dog (I go for Turkey or the Edaname stuffed dog) with teriyaki sauce, mayo, and seaweed. Trust me, I know it sounds a bit strange, but with that first bite you'll understand!

Japadog is located at Burrard and Smithe, 530 Robson, Burrard and Pender St, Granville and Cordova, in Vancouver. They also have a location at 30 St. Marks Place, in New York.

Did Somebody Cut the Cheese?!

Living in New York as an art business student is perfect - there are museums, galleries, and auction houses galore! Living in New York as a FOODIE could arguably be even better....not too far from my apartment is Mario Batali's new jont Eataly. This is a massive grocery store devoted entirely to italian food. There are a few restaurants categorized by the food they serve...there is a vegetarian restaurant, a fish, pizza, pasta, you get it! One of my go to stations makes fresh mozzarella. This gooey beautiful cheese is made right in front of customers! One day I would love to make my own cheese...but until then Eataly will do!

The mozzarella chef makes the cheese then grates it with an old fashioned Italian grater into small slices.

 Next time you are there, ask him for a sample. Your taste buds will thank you!

He then melts it in a temperature controlled bath of warm water and kneads it into balls of cheese!

Finding Faith at the Burger's Priest

Many of you may have already trekked down Queen Street to find religion. Now, you may be asking - what the heck is she talking about! I am referring to the mouth watering, taste bud tingling, and food coma inducing Burger's Priest. This tiny burger joint is whipping out the most delicious burger I have ever laid my lips on. If you haven't yet, pay this place a visit. You just may become religious!   

Be sure to ask for something off the secret menu...a few items not listed on the menu that aim to please. Check a few of them out after the mouth watering pictures!

Here a few "secret menu" items...shh!

(You must know that "the option" is a fried-cheese-stuffed-portabello mushroom...see above for the oozy delicious vegetarian option!) 


The High Priest: A big mac type burger
The Vatican City: Grilled cheese sandwiches act as the bun with a double double in-between
Tower of Babel:  The Vatican City with an Option in the middle
Judgment Day: Two Options with a cheeseburger patty in-between.
The Holy Smokes: panko breaded jalapeño peppers - my personal favourite!

The secret menu goes on and on...pop in and check it out for yourself!


The Burger's Priest
1636 Queen Street East
3397 Yonge Street
Closed Sundays for Church!

Guu-Izakaya

After hearing the hype over Vancouver's Guu Izakaya's opening in Toronto, I knew I had to go. My friends and I decided to take a chance and line up for Guu last Thursday night (the restaurant is famed for not taking reservations). The wait, we were told, was an hour so we parked ourselves on a bamboo bench among many other foodies, mostly young, and for the most part very hip. The roar was hysterical every time the door opened to the restaurant (Guu cheers for its customers both coming and going). The delicious smell wafting out of the windows made me hungrier by the minute. Our name was called after 40 minutes and we walked into the restaurant. The chefs, waiters, and some of the restaurant goers cheered for us, yelling chants in Japanese...we couldn't help but giggle at the attention. After looking over the menu (one I had gawked at countless times online), we ordered.

Tofu Salad with Garlic Marinated Mushrooms

Salmon Natto Yukke (salmon with seven friends...this dish consisted of salmon sashimi paired with raw egg yolk, won ton chips, garlic chips, natto, shibazuke, and green onion...the key was to mix the ingredients together and wrap them with small pieces of seaweed a la sushi)

Tuna Tataki...the most delicious combination of lightly seared tuna, green onion, garlic chips, and daikon served with a light soy based sauce. We all agreed this tuna alone was well worth the wait.

Grilled Black Cod with Saikyo Miso and White Wine Sauce


We also had edaname with coarse salt and spinach with black sesame sauce. The spinach came packed a large, green ball floating in the most delicious black sesame sauce one could imagine. It was sweet but tangy, thick but not too thick, and beyond mouthwatering. My taste buds did not want it to end.


I kept noticing innovative drinks as the night went on. The server brings half a grapefruit, a juicer, soda water, and vodka to the table. The customer get to squeeze the juice themselves and mix up the cocktail to their liking. This can be ordered with a cucumber or lemon instead of the grapefruit. Guu also is famous for the Sake Mojito a traditional mojito with sake instead of rum. Both are on my must try list.


When the meal was over, I was incredibly surprised with the affordable price. Each dish ranged from $3-$9 making our night out on the town wallet friendly. 


The meal ended with three frozen grapes and three very satisfied girls. I highly recommend Guu to anyone willing to park themselves outside its doors for a delicious, loud, and exciting evening.

Guu Izakaya
398 Church Street
Toronto, Ontario
416-977-0999


http://www.guu-izakaya.com/toronto.html