Snack Review: Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf

In full swing of Autumn 2013, Starbucks delves into their "seasonal menu". My favorite is autumn. Everything pumpkin!

Truth be told, I don't like to eat pumpkin pie, but everything else I like... for example Starbucks' Pumpkin Spiced Latte. It's not overly sweet and a hint of the pumpkin spice that gives it a perfect kick.

Today, I wanted to try something more snack-y.... Starbucks' Pumpkin Loaf

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What helped me pick this particular loaf was its density, jam pack ingredients and "somewhat" healthier choice (pine nuts, raisins, walnuts).

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Of course, with items that look that this, I can't help but check out their chart, nutrition chart of course:.

(screenshot from the Starbucks.ca website)

The stats, like most stats in the Starbucks' variety, isn't always the best choice for. But I knew it had to be better than getting anything with chocolate chips and/or caramel drizzle. ;p

I bought this in the morning, so it was a nice and fresh.

This compared to the lemon poppy seed loaf, the pumpkin kicks its butt! Mind you, all the poppy seed loaves I've tried at Starbucks have been extremely dry -very hard to eat. But this pumpkin loaf is a real winner in the snack department.

Good one! I hope you would make this a "regular" on the menu!!!

FREE FRENCH FRIES FRIDAYS

Burger King is giving away (no purchase necessary) their newest (and 40% less fat) rippled french fries at participating locations every Friday until November 1, 2013.

That means today and next Friday only to try their new fries for FREE!

But its only between lunch time, 12:00 - 2:00pm 

Every Friday until November 1, 2013.

Free McDonald's Coffee (Canada)

It's that time again, FREE small coffee from Mcdonalds next week!

(screenshot from McDonalds' website, under promotions)

Go in anytime between Oct 28 - Nov 3, 2013 and get a free small coffee from McDonalds at participating locations.

Just go and order a small free coffee. No exchange of coupon or money necessary!

Have a happy Monday! =0)

Food Review: Mr. Ravivo Restaurant

Thornhill has a hidden Mediterranean restaurant nestled in the bushy suburbs just north of John Street on Green Lane and east of Bayview Avenue.

The decor was old fashion and just plain old, but since it was a place that a family member recommended, then I had hope that they survived purely on their taste. 

Like a typical Mediterranean restaurant, they had all the usual dishes to offer. Good start.

For our starters, we ordered a cold plat of eggplant with pita bread basket

I must admit, the pita bread blew my mind. When you look at it, it doesn't look that special, but when you break bread, the bread becomes fuller and fluffier. It was the softer and semi-dense pita bread I've ever tasted. It was delicious. And of course the grilled eggplant platter was very seasoned to taste.

Salad & Hummus

The salad tasted very fresh and with a nice presentation

The hummus, like all good hummus tasted divine (it's one of my favorite dips).

And for our main course, we ordered some Grilled Chicken Breast filet, Lamb Chops, and Seasoned Potatoes

The lamb chop was a little tougher, but the chicken was incredibly soft and tender and the taste was just right. I also really like how they seasoned the potatoes. 

Overall, it was a very delicious meal.

4/5 stars

Food Review: Kenzo Japanese Noodle House

What's your first thought about this restaurant? 

Kenzo. Franchise. Well, I'm here to tell you, not this location. Opened 5 years ago, this original Kenzo is privately owned apart from the Kenzo franchise chain. 

Kenzo Japanese Noodle House is located one street south of Steeles on Yonge Street @ 6180 Yonge St.

Interior of Kenzo

They have many wall displays to feature their regular and specials. I love it when I'm able to see see what the food looks like. I order more with my eyes than with the descriptive words because you never know what you're reading/getting. =0)

We ordered a bundle of fun foods

Tonkotsu Ramen (Pork bone soup)

I loved loved loved the soup, it was not too salty and very creamy! The egg was just raw enough for me to enjoy it's gooey form and the fresh noodles (made by the owner himself) was perfect -al dente. But the most impressive thing about this ramen was the delicious bamboo. The slices of bamboo (between the egg and the fish) was tender, meaty and very edible to eat!

 Japanese Omelette 

This was a very tasty omelette. I've never had it in this way, but it was quite delicious (and super filling). Inside it's filled with the freshly made ramen noodles. They don't skimp out at all! Loved it!

Gyoza (Japanese dumplings)

Something I always enjoy about Japanese restaurants are their presentation. And Kenzo doesn't not disappoint!

Overall, I must say, the friendly staff, the quick service and the taste of the food all adds up "great" in my book!

4.5/5 stars

So if you're having a hankering for some GOOD tasting ramen, go to Kenzo at 6180 Yonge Street (one street south of Steeles on Yonge Street). 

*There's free parking in the front.

Sooooooooooooo good!

Dessert Review: For The Love Of Cake

In the heart of Liberty Village, inside the 171 building hide an assortment of fun boutiques.

I went on a quiet Saturday morning and enjoyed little traffic getting here. I was on a mission to find "For The Love Of Cake" store to try out some cupcakes.

The store is divided into 2 rooms. When you enter, you enter into the cashier and 

Fluffy toppings mounted high towards the sky

They had many flavors to choose from. But like I always do, I asked what are their most popular flavors.

She started with the top seller:

1) Guinness Cupcake with a whiskey ganache filling

2) Maple Bacon Cupcake with plumps of blueberries inside

3) Hazelnut Chocolate Cupcake

4) Salted Caramel Cupcake

And..... so I just chose those 4 to try.

I was dying to taste them right then and there, but I had to wait. When I got home, my mom and I took out all the cupcakes, placed it on a plate, sliced it up in halves and had a go at it. This is one of favorite to do... taste testing.

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I tried the Guinness Cupcake first. It was very light, not very sweet but the cream cheese frosting was very nice (photo below). It was very easy to slice -no fuss.

Next, I tried the Salted Caramel Cupcake. This was to-die-for. The drizzle of caramel was sweet complementing the chocolate cream topping and the chocolate-y cupcake below. The only thing was the cupcake was not dense at all, a little too fluffy for my taste. But still, I loved all the flavors combined.

My least favorite of the four was the Maple bacon. No other taste of bacon other than from the piece on top, and the blueberries inside was okay. This cupcake was the total opposite density compared to the Salted Caramel Cupcake. Much too dense. Overall, 1/4.

Last but not least, our crazy chocolate-ly Hazelnut Cucpake. This was very good, maybe because of all the chocolate from the toppings (Ferraro-like chocolate) plus the cupcake flavor and a thick chocolate ganache filling. 

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Overall, haven't been to too many cupcake stores, this was not bad.  The presentation on some of the cupcakes weren't as professionally looking, but the atmosphere was very lovely. The customer service, I can't say too much as I went in and out pretty quickly. 

3 cupcake ........ $10.00

Food Review: Insomnia (The Annex)

If you read my blog, you'll know I'm a big fan of Insomnia. 

Great food

Great atmosphere

Great art

Very friendly service (especially the weekdays)

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Today.... I tried something new (because I usually go for their burger)

Avocada Smoked Chicken

What I absoluately loved about this dish was the fact that it was a sandwich but they jammed pack it and made it an open sandwich! More for the buck.

Great stuffing:

Creamy avocadoes

Slices of melt Brie cheese

Smoked and tender chicken

Very soft and chewy focaccia bread

And I always always enjoy their side salads. It has a variety of leafy greens giving every bite a punch of flavors.

I also tried a bite of my friends'pancakes, and I must say, it was very thick and tasty. The egg mixture soaked well into the bread giving the whole pancake a soft and sweet.

If you're in the Annex area (Honest Ed's area), you must try this place out! You won't regret it.

Instgram

#insomniarestaurant

Or search:

location, "Insomnia Restaurant and Lounge" 

WiFi pwd: insomniac (for the last few times I've been there)