Monday Morning(ish) - Out for Food

I had a great weekend. And it's family day (here in Ontario and few other Canadian provinces), which means it keeps on going!  

So far, I have eaten like a king.  Memories of Japan on Friday night, 5 Doors North on Saturday night, and a good family meal on Sunday night.  

Welcome back to the work week.

Bill

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Monday Morning - Chinese New Year

The year of the snake is upon us.  I have no idea what that means.  

But any reason for a celebration is a good reason in my book!

Can you believe the snow? How much fun was this to drive in? Get stuck anywhere?  People were stuck everywhere, there's something charming about that.

Bill

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Monday Morning Pics - Good Weekend

  

Busy Weekend.  IDS and my Birthday all wrapped into one.  And a long weekend at that.  I'm considering Thursday night part of the weekend in this case.  It wasn't exactly a University Thursday night, but I was out AND late getting home.  These days, that totally counts. 

I did a little early share with you for IDS, no need to see more of that yet, wait till Tuesday! Instead, let me let you in on the other thing I did this weekend. Eat. Birthday breakfast was 

Mushroom and extra-old cheddar Omelettes, bacon and good rye toast.  The best part you ask? Saving the bacon drippings to roast these potatoes in later as part of a nice healthy dinner! Look how crispy.

My loving wife, and soon to be mother, made sure I had a few gifts to open as well.  My homemade card (she lovingly? Sarcastically? Smart-ass-ly? calls me Boss), fun socks, delicious single malt, and soapstone ice cubes to chill it without diluting it.  You'll also notice the stork finger puppet on top, meaning "Save this Scotch for an upcoming celebration".  

Message received. 

Bill
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IDS 2013 - Quick Share

I just wanted to share some quick picks from IDS 2013 in Toronto.  Much more to come.

Farrow & Ball Arsenic - Has mint green ever looked this good?  It oozes a tonality other paints strive to reach and usually don't. 

The most delicious hazelnut eats I've had in ages.

Miele makes a decent Latte seem far, far, far too easy.

Monte is known for their gliders, but how cool is this black leather and walnut rocker?

Ok in the UK? Okay in my living room more like it.

Cheers to the Canadian Cocktail, the Caesar, with a twist. 3oz of Canadian 67 added in.

Thats all for now, more to come in the next week or so.  You still have tomorrow to go if you haven't gone yet. Get out the door and support some Canadian design!  

Bill

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Happy Birthday Three

One year ago on this day we published our very first post!  

Every birthday deserves a celebration so three decided to go to The Kennedy Public House to celebrate.  It's a great restaurant located on Bloor Street West and let me tell you it was hard to resist the Chef's Mac & Cheese!  Sooo good.

  It's hard to believe we have been writing this blog for an entire year!  Yikes, where did the year go?!  I had no expectations or clue what would happen, but I have to say it's been an amazing creative outlet for me.  I'm giddy to be a part of this blog world, even if it's just a tiny part.  I can't wait to see what this year will bring to three.  

keri

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Let's Celebrate!!!!

As excited as I was for a night out to celebrate Three's Birthday, I was even more excited to catch up with Keri & Bill. I must admit I was a chatty Cathy and I was totally distracted with all the exciting updates to even notice where I was or what I was eating.  (Hence the lack of pictures...oooops!!)  All I have to say is where does the time go.  Ironically we were sitting in The Kennedy Public House which happens to be across the street from a small coffee shop where we met a year prior to discuss the concept of Three.  So crazy how things have a way of playing out. 

The food must have been delicious because I do recall gobbling it all up!!! 

Its been a crazy year full of changes, marriages and pregnancies, cant't wait to see how the next year plays out!!!!

Stephanie

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Pat on the Back to us all. One year has come and gone on our little blog, and we're still going.

As the better looking 2/3rds have already mentioned, we met up at The Kennedy Public House for a little celebration.  Good food in south west TO.  I had ribs, they were stick in your teeth good. And if you don't know what I mean by that, you don't enjoy ribs. Keri and I went splits on the charcuterie platter as well.  All about the carnivore eats for me.

Cool place, warm wood and grey walls, my favourite kind of cozy.  Some interesting pics on the walls. Old timey vibes of the area and its development.  I'll be going back for another bite.

~

A thank you to our readers. This is a tough gig, but its a rewarding gig.  I truly didn't know if I could commit to blogging every week.  I still don't. Life gets busy, you get married, you visit family, you start a family. There are always a million excuses not to do this.  Big Bang is on, or if you're a CBC junky like me, Rick Mercer is on! 

Writing this blog has become a lot like going to the gym.  Its something that at times I dread doing, but afterword, I'm so happy I did.  I feel refreshed and excited and positive.  

Its been a pleasure sharing projects with you, both completed and semi-completed. More to come this year. Hopefully some more original pics to share from projects underway, I've got to share more Design Destinations with you too. Those are my favourite posts to write.  

Take care, thanks for reading, come back again soon,

Bill
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Way Better Than The Wet Weather - Scribe Winery

 Sandy has come and gone in this part of the world, though obviously not in others (take care everyone!).  The only thing she left behind after the party are these clouds.  And these clouds are heavy with rain.

So what am I going to do to stay dry and warm? I'm going to remember my trip to California this summer, think of the hot dry sun, and share with my favourite winery from the trip with you, Scribe.

Scribe was a good find. 

In my experience, the best way to find a great winery, is to ask the staff at all of the other wineries.  I doubt I'm the first one to do this, but the guide books always take me to places that are "okay".  Decent wine, good service, but typically not as much character, pizzaz or authenticity.  The key to finding a great place is to talk to the staff and find out where they would be going on their own personal tour.  The inside scoop on most of the hidden gems is easy to pull out of the pros, they love to share their favourite places, just ask.

Thats what I did at Gundlach Bundschu, (this isn't a knock on Gun Bun, that place was awesome), thanks Courtney! And thats how I found Scribe.

Most wineries and tasting that you'll experience, are friendly, fun, usually informative, but busy and rushed.  You need to keep moving along because the next group or busload has just arrived.  At Scribe, I found the atmosphere was the exact opposite of the other 99%.  Super laid back, have a seat and relax kind of place.  Take your time, smell, taste, enjoy. Repeat.

We were set up at a simple picnic table, and our "Flavour Interpreter" Hannah brought us out a platter of walnuts, salt, cucumber, bread sticks and cheese.  She brought us a number of bottles to try, and had to be 0ne of the most upbeat and positive people we met on our trip.  Classic friendly(Knowledgeable!) service info and advice.

We were told the story of the winery, how two brothers planted the first vines back in the late 1850's.  How it became something... ...a touch different during the prohibition era, and came full circle about 7 years ago when a different set of brothers got it in their heads to plant some vines. All of this happened, of course, with a few interesting stops along the way.  

Do I even need to say this? The wine is fantastic.  I came home with a nice bottle of 2011 Pinot Noir. Saving this for a rainy day.  But not now, not that kind of rainy day, not a literal rainy day.

There were so many others I wished I could have fit in my suit case. the 2009 Syrah and the 2007 Cab Sauv to name a couple

After almost an hour sitting in the sun, we had quick tour of the cellar, said thanks, good-bye to Hannah, and made our way around the grounds. 

One of the leftovers from the previous owners is the Hacienda.  This will eventually will become a tasting and event space.  Gorgeous old building, so much interest.  Maybe when its done, I can go back for another visit?

With the wine finished, we headed out, back to the Sonoma square.   Now that this day dream is over, I'm headed back to Toronto and back to this cold wet weather.  But hey, at least the weekend is going to be nice.

Bill

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Scribe Winery

2300 Napa Road

Sonoma, CA

95476

(707) 939-1858

scribewinery.com

Monday Morning - A different kind of Markt

Monday Morning is back and upon us, and I'm hoping this is nice easy week.  I've got some design meetings lined up, some drawing and planning to do and one install. Now that I think about it, maybe this won't be such and easy week.  At least the weekend was enjoyable.

As you can see above , we ran out to the market.  I guess no one is surprised, we always run out to the market.  However, on Saturday night, I visited a different market. The Bier Markt at the shops at Don Mills.

I didn't take any shots of the food, though I should have. It was a great spread. Mussels and Belgian Flatbread,  Delicious.  The decor was a feast for the eyes though.  Faux (I think?!) tin ceilings, rich stains.  Call it sophisticated bar decor?

And finally a stop off at Indigo/Chapters to browse for some new reads. Found these two, partly for reading, partly for looking at!

The Paris book. This picture is really for Keri and her obsession with Paris.

This one is for me!

Have a good week everyone!

Bill

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Weekend To Do's - Cabbagetown and Roncesvalles

     Ah, the weekend is finally upon us.  I've got to meet up with a client on Saturday for a little sourcing, but after that, I'm hitting the town with a good buddy. Any suggestions where we should be going?  Read on, and I'll tell you what you should be doing.

     Now, the Jays and the Red Sox aren't exactly lighting it up as of late. But it is a 3 game series, and it is a Division series and thats worth watching!  

     On Saturday,(and I think Sunday too), there is a Polish festival in Roncesvalles.  We're talking Bigos! Borscht! And of course, Pierogies! 

     When you wake up Sunday, maybe go for a jog to burn of some of the Pol'ski eats from the day before.  Then make your way to Cabbagetown for their house tour.  Great bits of old Toronto and chances to get behind some doors you normally can't enter.

Oh, and of course, there's always TIFF.

Bill

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Happy Monday! Three Visits Queen West And The County General

 I love exploring this somewhat new city of mine, so when three decided to visit the Trinity Bellwoods area I was pretty excited.

Queen St W is packed full of great stores, fashion and interiors, bakeries and some amazing restaurants.

The County General was on our list of places to check and it did not disappoint.

It's small but packs a lot of punch with their decor.  I have to admit when checking out the menu I was all over the fish taco, however it's huge and wasn't served at the time we were there.

Upon several recommendations the tomato sandwich was suggested...tomato sandwich, really?  

Wow was I wrong!  It was the most amazing sandwich I've ever had!  Fresh, delicious Vicki's tomatoes and the avocado chutney, I'm craving it as I type this!  

Keri

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Like Keri said above, Queen West/Trinity Bellwoods is such a great area to visit.  There's a little of everything. You've got seamstresses selling their wares, some fantastic design stores, and great eats...     ...beautiful subtle segue complete... 

...like The County General.

  I started off on Dufferin and worked my way east along Queen to meet up at The County General. When you're making your way to the 'General, spend time at some of these amazing design stores.  I mean, I was passing INabstracto, how was I not to go in? 

 Check out this wicked chair in the shed out back.  This store is so deep. No, literally, deep. It goes way back in off the street.

When you do make it to The County General, I hope you're ready.  The food is crazy good.  The service was fun, friendly and courteous.  The Manhattan was recommended, to sip on while I waited for my sandwich.  Good choice, it was just awarded the best Manhattan on BlogTO.com

My sandwich.  Crispy chicken thighs and fries.  Soooooo juicy and delicious.  

Sweet decor too.

From The outside to the inside, I like the thought that went into this place. I like the slightly warm grays, I like the warm unfinished wood and I like the rustic honest feeling.

All in all, a great visit. When you're in the area next, and you know you will be, grab lunch, grab dinner, grab some eats and be happy.

Oh, and before I forget, on the way out, we ran into the folks from Graven Feather showing off the tiniest little corner of their artist collective with this old school press!  3 Artists in a working gallery who also do work shops, sign up!

Bill

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Although I am on Queen Street West everyday because of work, I never have an opportunity to slow down and enjoy it. When Three was discussing possible Toronto areas we could all explore together, Queen West was an instant contender.  Queen West is full of fabulous restaurants, shops and has one of the greatest parks in the city.  The funny thing about Toronto is that each street has its own style.  QW has more of an artsy, organic, hipster vibe then say KW which is more posh and clubby.  

The County General was our fist stop and it is a perfect example of everything QW.  The moment you walked in you were welcomed by casual rustic decor which instantly made you feel cozy.  Being a huge taco fan, the pork tacos were an instant contender for me...I had no need to keep looking over the menu.  

The County Happy Hour menu was the perfect introduction to this new restaurant and it displayed their top sellers.  Next time I visit I will definitely dine later so I can enjoy their full dinner menu. Can't Wait!!!

Our last stop of the evening was The White Squirrel Coffee Shop.  Bill and I were in need of some dessert to finish off our evening.  I always knew that they sold coffee but I was pleasantly surprised they had ice cream and ice cream sandwiches to be exact!!! 

My chocolate gingerbread cookie was filled with roasted marshmallow ice cream.....Yum!!! It was the perfect ending to our QW adventure. Queen West was bunches of fun and I can't wait to see where our next Three outing takes us.    

Stephanie

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