Greece: Greek Wine

What is it about wine that we love so, most especially on vacation? I don't recall having too much Greek wine before this trip and was excited to try a few. Afterall, Greece has been producing wine since ancient times, having first been prescribed for health and as disinfectants for wounds.

While this particular bottle, with its sedimentary sludge at the bottom, wasn't very tasty, it was absolutely savoured while watching the sunset in Mykonos.

Do you have a favourite Greek wine you can recommend?

Boston: Towne Stove and Spirits

Location:

900 Boylston Street
Boston

towneboston.com/

I had a lunch date with fellow Boston Blogger Style'N at Towne earlier this week.  I didn't realize until I saw the building again that it was the same place I'd spotted one evening in the myriad of street lights, after shopping at the Prudential and thinking, what is that place, I want to go to there.

Huge and cosy interior.  Friendly, unintrusive staff.  Really tasty meal.

I had the daily pasta - rock shrimp in a red sauce.  

Style'N had the cheese & bacon sandwich with tomato bisque.

After the disaster at Kashmir (review coming soon), this was a welcome change. 

TRAVEL: Honolulu, Hawaii: Roys

Location:

226 Lewers St
Honolulu, HI

www.roysrestaurant.com

After visiting Mama's Fish House in Maui three years ago, we didn't think anything could come close.  Let me tell you, Roy's comes pretty close!

I've never been to a restaurant where there has been such incredible attention to my dietary concerns!  Our server was worried that I would be in need of medical aid if I ate something I couldn't (dairy).

With that, the butter sauces came on the side and there was nary a smidgen of cheese on anything.

They started us off with edamame - nom nom nom- which disappeared in a matter of seconds.

Then, it was champagne paired with the ahi tuna, baby back rib and chicken spring roll appetizer, which was delicious (and this was pre-Kauai roosters, so I was still eating chicken).



Thank goodness I'm not allergic to nuts!!

Hello, macadamia encrusted opah! Get in my belly!



Served with simple but oh-so delicious potatoes and asparagus.  Paired with a white and red.



Salmon ginger sauce with cucumber and radish salad.  The fish was amazing, but the salad a bit too tangy for me.

For dessert, we had the chocolate souffle and ice cream and the macadamia nut tart.



Paired with ports, the chocolate souffle was divine!

The tart was overbearingly nutty but amazing for a couple of bites. If I hadn't already had the macadamia encrusted fish, this would have been heaven.



Service and presentation could not have been better; we had such an incredible time and were thoroughly stuffed and satisfied.

The washroom signage was super cute, too.





If you're on Oahu, check out Roy's, there are three locations on the island, and several more throughout the States.

Czehoski Restaurant

Location:

678 Queen St W., Toronto

www.czehoski.com

With its unpronounceable (and untypeable) name and rusty, industrial name plate hanging over its door, Czchzhecioski is all things cool and nonchalant.  Exactly what Queen West is about.

The downstairs already filled, we were seated upstairs, where it was cose (new word) with a roaring fireplace and a canoe hanging up on the lofty wall.  And who knows what's on the third floor - dance club? Lounge?  This place is happening!



Our service was so friendly we didn't even think our server was our server..he just looked like a person dining at the restaurant.

He embodied Queen West-ness in every manner and made us feel very welcome and at home.  Did I mention it was laid-back?

So much so that when my dining partner, who shalt not be named, returned her lamb dish (it was too gamey for her).  I'm surprised that they complied!  Bringing her a 2nd dish: this time, duck (she who shalt not be named LOVED it!).



Jordan, at Czehzgadofski, you are a God.

I heartily enjoyed my burger and fries, the bun was quite interesting...almost like a chinese bun, without the filling. Well, the filling I suppose was my beef patty.





We also tried the mac n cheese, which was amazing...very light and creamy (my stomach wasn't happy with me later, but such is life).



Altogether a 'hip' place to wine and dine, and the nonchalant atmosphere lends itself well to the fact that the tables are situated almost touching with barely enough ass-room to get by.

Oh sorry was that my ass in your soup?  Pardon me.

Il Fornello

Locations:
214 King Street West, Toronto
207 Queens Quay West, Toronto

www.ilfornello.com

The Queens Quay location of Il Fornello was where we first discovered the delicious Cookoothama Shiraz. With such a funny name and the child-like hand impressions on the bottle, we were intrigued. It's now a house-hold favourite.


The food is reliably good at Il Fornello; I never can complain and having been several times to both the Queens Quay and King Street locations. It's one of those places I didn't even think to review.

I love their pizzas for their unique combinations and nice size.
I love the Prosciutto and Fig pizzas.



Their pastas are hearty but for those (read: me) who like things more spicy or flavourful, even THEIR spicy is not enough.






The dishes are on the pricier end for Italian food ($15-25 for a main), and I think I prefer the Queens Quay location a bit more as the servers are not as harried, but for a pre or post-theatre meal on King street, Il Fornello is a safe choice where everyone can be satisfied.