MON AMI GABI 

Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard, (702) 944-4224 Mon - Thurs and Sun 7:00 -11:00, Sat 7:00 - 12:00 

Went to Mon Ami Gabi a couple of times during our stay in Vegas - not just for the ambiance (pure Paris) but also their excellent breakfast.

It is a beautiful space inside - but even more alluring on the great patio on the strip.

We began with a nice cold Mimosa.

 We both ordered the same breakfast, bacon and scrambled eggs.

The bacon pieces were large and on the thick side with a sweetness like brown sugar, they were delicious.  The three scrambled eggs were buttery and had a hint of thyme and were heavenly.  The bread was crisp and light yet thick.  The hashed potatoes were crispy and were a great complement.
Definitely worth a visit if you come to Vegas!



http://www.monamigabi.com/home/?loc=vegas

GOOD BREAD COMPANY

GOOD BREAD COMPANY 

While driving around some side roads in Norfolk County we came upon Good Bread Company in the village of Vittoria.  They pride themselves as a local artisan bakery and our impression was that they are artisans.  They bake an extensive selection of breads including raisin bread, sourdough, rustic ryes, and others which vary by season.

They also bake a variety of baked goods, including pies, muffins and croissants.

We selected a light rye loaf and half a dozen butter tarts that are made in house.  The butter tarts are SPECTACULAR!  They were sweet, rich and melted in your mouth.  We selected three pecan and three raisin and thoroughly enjoyed both.  We sat on a picnic bench out in front of the bakery and ate them all.

The staff and owner are very friendly and proud of their products and rightly so.  Located in the village of Vittoria 15 minutes south of Simcoe it is well worth a visit.

http://goodbreadcompany.ca/index.html

ST. LAWRENCE MARKET

We went to the St. Lawrence market to check things out.  It has been a long time since we have been here.  Things sure have changed - especially the prices and selection.  There are some wonderful stalls to visit.

Just look at these roasts and steaks.

Do you want marinated meat on a stick?

How about some olives?

How about some treats, cakes and pastry?

Does caviar turn you on?

Do you cook with olive oil?

This only a small selection of stalls in this amazing market.  You have to visit here when you are in this area of Toronto.

LA BETTOLA DI TERRONI 

106 Victoria Street (at Richmond) (416) 504-9998 Toronto On. 

We had dinner at La Bettola Di Terroni on a beautiful Saturday night in January.  My son Mark was at the Terroni on Adelaide and was told by the hostess there was a one hour wait (even though he saw a lot of tables empty).  Myself and my son Thomas decided to try our luck at La Bettola, which is only a couple of blocks away at the corner of Victoria and Richmond.

We got lucky - one of the hostesses here at Bettola actually made a real effort to have us seated in a packed house (unlike the hostesses at the original Terroni on Adelaide, which seem to treat customers like crap). She found us a table for four by doing some juggling of tables.
We were greeted by a friendly waiter who was patient with us, since three of us were waiting for Mark, who left the Adelaide Terroni (not very happy), to join us here.  The hostesses at the original Terroni should be given lessons in customer service!!  I have been there many times and found them very pretentious and uncooperative.

We began by ordering a bottle of Refosco.

A rustic bag of bread arrived at our table with olive oil for dipping.  

Mark and I decided to order appetizers so he ordered crab cakes (polpette di granchio) and I ordered Sicilian deep fried rice cones with mozzarella, peas and veal ragu (arancini di modica). The arancini were delicious, but I have had better crab cakes.  The appetizers were very small for the price and in the future I would stay away from them - they were not worth the price.

crab cakes

Sicilian rice cones (arancini)

Mark, Thomas and I decide on Agnolotti filled with shredded beef, we have had them before.  They were delicious, very rich and just filled with wonderful tasty shredded beef.  This time it appeared to be a larger portion than in the past (we all agreed).  

Katie had the cavatelli alla norma (hand made cavatelli with fried eggplant and ricotta salata) it was delicious and filling.

We were so satisfied there was no room for dessert, although we saw many going by our table that looked fabulous.  It was extremely noisy in the restaurant, which needs some noise reducing materials that are softer.  We have been here before and will probably return again.

http://labettola.ca/

ARTISANO BAKERY CAFE 3.5 out of 5

Went to the Artisano Bakery Cafe on Brant Street in Burlington for lunch.  It is brand new and very sleek inside, though a little sterile.  They serve a variety of foods for breakfast, lunch and light dinners.  They serve freshly made soups, salads, classic sandwiches and grilled panini.  They also bake fresh focaccia, ciabatta and baguettes and make great desserts including cookies, cakes, biscotti, muffins and pies and they seem to be constantly baking in the kitchen here.  
 I had their special which included a half salad or soup and a half panini ($9.99).  The half caesar salad had shaved parmesian cheese and great croutons and real bacon.  The grilled panini was delicious with melted cheese and sliced turkey.  It was a filling meal which also included bottomless coffee or soft drinks.

My son had a full panini and mixed leaf salad. Unfortunately there was no room for dessert.

half turkey with melted mozzarella and half salad

full panini with side salad

http://www.artisanobakery.com/HOME/?id=1&cat=HOME