Homemade Chinese Food: It Just Doesn't Get Any Better

Last night I had the distinct pleasure of eating at Momma Fung's house.  No, that is not the name of a restaurant.  Quite literally, Mrs. Fung's residence.  Her homemade Chinese dinner was a so delicious I could have cried.  It was clean, perfectly seasoned and full of that secret ingredient that no restaurant chef in the world can incorporate:  Love.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a feast prepared for a King - or, more accurately, an Emperor.  What we had was quite simple and classic:  pork based broth with tomatoes as a soup; braised turnip and fish cake; classic ma po tofu; stuffed yellow, red and green peppers (stuffed with fish and parsley) with a dark sauce (possibly oyster, hoisin or black pepper); and a traditional Chinese dessert of sesame filled rice dumplings sprinkled with coconut and peanut shavings. 

I am disheartened at how grossly Chinese food is misrepresented by the numerous restaurants out there.  Generally, the stereotype for Chinese food is that it's full of sodium, msg and oil/grease.  But homemade Chinese food at the hands of Momma Fung was insanely light on sodium, lacked any addition of msg and went down very clean.  I wish everyone could taste what I did last night.

You just can't get this taste at any restaurant!
Thank you, Momma Fung!

TTC Madness: Does Lightening Strike Twice? On the TTC, Apparently So...

On my way into work this morning, I had the misfortune of sitting in the one subway car that would be occupied by a smelly old lady who left a trail of what smelled like rotting carcass behind, around, and all over where she sat.  People, the smell was so intense and so rancid, that half the subway car was affected.  That's quite a radius to impact with just your body odour!!!

At first I had no clue what happened, I was looking out the window watching the tunnel quickly pass by my vision when my nasal cavity was assaulted by Pepe LePew.  This was a great pain for me because of my heightened sense of smell.  I have been gifted - or cursed - with an extra-sensitive sense of smell and this morning, I was regretful of this for 45 minutes.  I couldn't get off the subway as I didn't want to be late for work.  And I didn't want to change cars because standing in rush hour wasn't something my bad back would enjoy.  So I bit down, looked peeved, and bore it for the length of my trip.  From the looks of everyone else around, I wasn't alone.

After work, I hopped on the subway again.  This time, at Bloor station, guess who jumps on my subway car?  Of all the many cars attached to each other that form a subway train, I get to enjoy the presence of yet another nasal assault...but here's the thing:  it's not the same perpetrator.  This time it's a different old lady.  This one looked homeless and smells even worse.  Until I smelled this one, I didn't think it was possible to even smell worse than what I had smelled this morning.  But, let me assure you, it was worse.  In addition to the smell of a rotting dead animal, there was the addition of dried urine and feces mixed in.  Yup, no joke.

But this time around, I didn't stick around.  I jumped out of there for my life and ran for the next car.  Staying in that subway car would have been nasal suicide.  After two stations, guess who I see all scrambling in to my new car?  Yup, everyone else on the affected car who just couldn't bear the smell any longer.  They were running in.  Funny. 

What are the chances, that at the same time I am on one of the many cars of the subway system, a smelly person jumps on at that exact moment?  Then what are the chances the same thing happening again except by a different person who smells even worse?  So then the question must be asked:  if such highly unlikely events occur to me twice; why can't I win the $50 million lottery!? 

Life!  Life, I say!!!

Quotes worth reading

“The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.”

~ Elie Wiesel

 “Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.”

~ Swedish Proverb

These quotes really reached out to me...I felt the meaning before my mind registered it.

Just wanted to share these with you.

My Autobiography: Antics and "Shin"-anigans: I Laughed, I Cried, and I Learned to Venture Forward

This would be the title of my autobiography if one would be published.

Yup.  It just came to me.

I'll probably make this into my next brand of some sort.
"Antics & Shin-anigans:  Unique Tomfoolery Wear"

Just a random thought.

7th Annual Toronto Japanese Short Film Festival 2010

http://www.tjsff.ca/

I'll definitely be checking this out.  I'm very very excited about it actually.

One short film that stands out to me is Tokyo Arirang.  Synopsis:  Yumi is a girl who goes to a Japanese high school, but she is a third-generation Korean Japanese.  She starts to discover her identity when faced with the death of her grandmother. 

I'll try my best to see all of these!

The LuLu Lemon Bit-ches of Leslieville!!!

I emailed my coworker Dee to let him know I checked out one of his recommendations for his neighborhood - Lady Marmalade - and the discovery of other establishments in the area...his reply had me rolling on the floor...I thought I'd share this with you all.

Here's my email.

Hi, Dee.

Hope all is well with you.  Please give my regards to your partner, that is, if he's not in Germany getting off on war memorabilia.  *smile*

I've been really hanging out around your place quite a bit.
There's so many wonderful establishments there!!!

Went again to Lady Marmalade yesterday then I took a walk over to Dark Horse Espresso Bar.  En route, I walked by a certain modern Japanese restaurant called District.  It was closed but I could clearly see the interior and thought of you right away, Mr. dress-in-all-black-all-the-time.

The place looked like a haven for goth vampire types who care more for ambiance than for authenticity.  The interior, according to my aesthetic appeal, was a miserable failure as it is a total mismatch for the cuisine it serves...but that's just my opinion on the interior.  I keep my mind open for the fact the food could be exceptional.

Have you tried this place?

Also, what about this place called Comrade?  Inside it looked very "stuffy-yet-modern-poshy"...that's the feel I got from it...reminded me of an old UofT library that was modernized with sleeker furniture and layout.  Looked like a lounge...have you ever been?

Oh, also, what is up with the hot women walking about that area????  All in their late 20s - mid 30s and they all look like yoga instructors.  Their sense of style is impeccable but not stuffy like the Bloor and Bay types...more casual Queen street elegance...wow.  I'm moving to Queen and Carlaw and buying one of the condos there.

Here's Dee's reply:

Hey,

How's it going?

Been meaning to go to District but haven't made it. The reviews have been so so--You're right I like the interior. I have been to Comrade but they were snooty when we went a year ago but we haven't been back. & yes you are right the LULU Lemon bitches are out in full force in my area.*

*[Comment:  The LULU Lemon bitches...lol...oh my gawh!  Hilarious...that's exactly how these ladies looked.  ~Creative Fitness]

We used to go to dark Horse alot but not now with the LuLu's & baby carriages everywhere. I am beginning to think my area is getting too hip for my liking----I miss the grunge! I really like it around Dundas & Ossington a lot.

Are you really going to buy a condo on Carlaw?. Some of them are really nice.

Well take care---are you ever coming back here?

D. 

 Ha ha ha ha ha...LuLu Lemon bitches...I love it!!!  Bravo, Dee!!!

My Lazy Sunday

Went for 10am brunch today at Lady Marmalade.  As usual, the bennies were fantastic.  I tried their crepes today and it was ok.  I preferred the bennie.  The montreal bagel and cream cheese was also just ok.  Nothing special.  Took some pics.  Here they are.

Bacon, white cheddar & mango bennie with hash and fresh tomatos.  Fantastic as usual!

Ham crepe with a light hollandaise sauce + two poached egges and spinich with hash.

Montreal bagel with cream cheese

After, we went for a walk to burn off all this rich, unhealthy, fattening food.  We ended up at Dark Horse Espresso Bar.  I took some interesting pics on our way to Dark Horse.  Like this restaurant I've never heard of before.

District Modern Japanese Restaurant

Interesting but visually, the aesthetics and decor fail in the execution.  The freaking place looks like a hang out for goth, vampire wannabes.  Everything inside was black, bland and uninviting.  The person who opened this restaurant has no clue what Japanese food is all about.  This is like designing an all black kimono.  It's just not done.  Silly rabbit, obviously a non-Japanese person who has too much money on his or her hands.

This shot isn't the best as I had to shoot through the window, but you can clearly see what I mean by black on black and an interior that is inviting only to goth vampire wannabes.

How does this interior exude the concept of nature and delicate flavours?  This is not a food review but more an interior review.  I am so very turned off at the thought of eating sushi in this environment.  I wonder if this place will be out of business the next time I am down in the Queen East area.

I never heard of this joint but it seemed pretty posh with a touch of funk.  Think the dark wood furnishings of old English libraries except with modern shape and design.  The inside looked nice, but again, not very inviting.  I don't even know what this place is but I'm assuming it was a lounge.  Anyway, I took a picture to follow up on it at a later time and possibly do a review.

This door spoke to me.  Yes, it's a nice door and probably costs a fortune, but to me it was more than a door.  It symbolizes the unknown, my tomorrow, the adventure/hardship yet to be discovered...would it be too much to call this picture "Life"?  

Here we are at Dark Horse Espresso Bar. 

Here's the fabulous "Miss T" saving my seat as I wait for our warm beverages.  The interior was very artzy-rustic with lots of wood and art work.

Another perspective from where I sit.  The baristas were friendly and weren't afraid to smile.

The ceiling work was nice.  Not my style but I liked and appreciated the amount of work that probably went into setting this up.  It added a nice funk appeal to the ambiance. 

The world according to my view.  ;-)

A very pleasant way to spend my lazy Sunday morning/afternoon.  Ok, now it's time to go work out.  I have to do my legs today, they are looking a little thin in the above shot.  

Kim Yuna: Korea's Ice Queen and National Treasure

Everybody loves a winner.  Especially when that individual's personal victory can be proudly paraded by her country as its own accomplishment.  Yes, I am talking about the now internationally famous, Kim Yuna of South Korea and her recent capture of Olympic gold in Vancouver, Canada. 

Brunch at Lady Marmalade - My Personal Review

 

*photo from eyeweekly.com

So as some of you may know, I checked out a breakfast/brunch joint on Queen East called Lady Marmalade (see website:  http://ladymarmalade.ca).  It was recommended by a neighborhood local who advised the crowd was hip, the food was plenty and the quality was high.  This would be the same gent who acquainted me to the fine and luxurious grinds of LuCaffe coffee.

He was really really bang-on about this place.

The Crowd:
Weekdays tend to be the film industry workers who come from the many studios in and around that area.
Weekends, I'm told, are more the neighborhood locals.  I went on a Sunday at 11am and there was a line up outside the store in -12 C weather!!!   So I ended up going to Pho Tien Thanh that day - AGAIN!  Ugh...I was the day before with friends...Overall, I found the wait staff very down-to-earth and friendly (said "thank you" and "sorry"), but one was forgetful and we had to ask another waitperson for followup.  Creative-artzy types...what do you expect.  There was no attitude, however, and they were sincere in wanting to serve you well.

The Ambiance/Decor:
Do you guys remember the dining room set you probably had to eat off of when you were small?
Very American retro styling - Brady Bunch, if you will...well, the entire joint is decorated with such tables and chairs from that era.  The thing is, nothing matches.  The tables and chairs are all a mismatch.  And you know what?  It actually works in that environment.

The Food:

Above average and well executed.
If you like eggs benedict - they call it "Bennies" - this is definitely the place for you.
The hollandaise sauce was light yet rich and flavourful. 

We also had the Afternoon Poutine (comes with chicken) with miso gravy...this was truly delectable.  Rich and salty, but man, does it ever hit the spot.  Filling as hell too!

Although they offer the plain, pedestrian, classic breakfast, it would be a shame for you to order this here.  If you do so, there is no point in going here;  you might as well have gone to any other diner - probably one closer to your place.

The Coffee:

The coffee, for a diner, was good. 
It's not weak, quite the opposite, actually.  Very bold/strong.
So strong in fact, that I stopped at one cup.  Usually at Cora's I'm drinking coffee non-stop.  The coffee is bottomless with a meal.

So, if you feel up for a drive to Leslieville, and you can wake up early on the weekend, I suggest Lady Marmalade.  Warning:  Get there EARLY.  Don't wait in line.  I'd suggest getting there for 10am when it opens.  11am is too late as there is a line up out the door.