Moncler F/W 2010

I saw something that reminded me of this show. I know it's old, and for some reason, I thought that I had already posted it, but I guess not? Anyway, it's a great show. Still on my bucket list - attend a fashion show.

Centro

Centro is a well-known, high-ish end restaurant. I quite liked the ambiance of the place. Comfy chairs, not too dark lighting, high ceilings and some cool features. My first impression of the restaurant led me to believe that I would enjoy this meal. The food was decent, but I wasn't particularly impressed with what I had. Maybe my expectations were too high? I don't think so, though. The service had potential, and I don't know if it was because we had a big table and our waiter knew that it was for a special occasion, but I found it a little excessive. I've experienced European service, and while at times it seemed excessive, it didn't completely annoy me. This service did. In Europe, it was very frequent, but it always seemed to have a purpose. Here, it didn't. Or at least the timing was off. I felt like I was told things that I really didn't care about, or at completely the wrong time. Since my expectations of this place were high, I would think that even with our big table, everyone would be served at the same time. I do remember one instance that all of our plates didn't come out at the same time, which surprised me. I hope I'm not sounding too critical, but something about the service, was off. But not all the time. At times, I though it was okay. I guess I'll go back to my original sentiment in that it had potential.
And it's a shame because, like I said, I had a good first impression of the place.

Price point: mid-high
Ambiance: 5/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Would return again: yes

Luma

Back in September, I had said that I would start doing quick reviews of restaurants that I dined at. Oops. Forgot to follow through.
So this review will be brief, as I think many future reviews will be (if I remember to even do them). Maybe these reviews will be more for my own reference for future dining purposes.

Luma is a newish restaurant in the TIFF Bell Lightbox. It's part of the Oliver & Bonacini family of restaurants and I would assume, by looking at the price point, that it's supposed to be on the nicer end of the spectrum. I'm a sucker for good service and well plated food, so it was a mixed experience for me. Service was NOT good. Our table was forgotten about on a couple occasions, and we had to get some of the heads of service involved, when I don't think they were supposed to be. I'm hoping that their involvement would highlight that someone else on their team is slacking off, but I don't know if that message will get through. The service was saved by someone on loan from Canoe. He was great and made sure that we felt like we were being well looked after.
The plating was nice. I thought they paid attention to how the food looked, and on the taste side, I wasn't too disappointed. The scallop sashimi was light, refreshing and flavourful. The tuna tartare was also tasty. I quite liked my tagliatelle, and it was much more filling than I had expected. The dessert was also quite nice - my opera cake was forgettable, but the buttered popcorn ice cream tasted better than it sounds and the chocolate Pop Rocks it was served on top of were super fun.
So yeah - I guess the food was nice...but the service was very disappointing.

Price point: mid-range
Ambiance: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 2/5
Would return again: yes

Happy holidays

At this time of year, a lot of people settle in front of the TV to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, Home Alone, Love Actually, or The Sound of Music.
I watched Requiem for a Dream. Ha.
I've had a borrowed copy of the DVD in my possession for three years and have had really good intentions to watch the film, but I don't tend to be in the right mood to watch this kind of movie. Not to say that the holidays put me in the mood to watch this kind of film, but I figured that I would probably never be in the right mood, so on a quiet night in, I just decided to go for it.
It's an interesting movie. Probably not my favorite that I've ever seen, but it's interesting. I thought it started sort of slowly, but I think this is a movie that the more you think about it or watch it, you'd be able to get more out of it. And of course, the soundtrack is amazing. Amazing enough that a bazillion ice dance teams skated to its soundtrack during last year's Olympic season.

Also - Happy Holidays, folks!

A little lost

I'm thinking that I shouldn't have left my September-September framework to get a January-January agenda (albeit a classic Moleskine one). There are a bunch of events in the New Year already piling up, and I have nowhere to make note of them. I need to get organized. I need a new agenda. I need to be less picky in buying one. I'm feeling a little flummoxed.

A lovely laptop cover

Anyone need a 15inch laptop cover? Canvasco has this beauty. Hop Kanada!