The weight game: why the non-diet diet works (for me at least)

You're not the boss of me chunky monkey dessert at Pubbelly. 

Every once in a while I read something that perfectly encapsulates my own experience. Most recently it was a New York Magazine article by Melissa Dahl called, "A Non-Diet Diet: The Case for Eating Whatever You Want."

The gist of the piece is that evidence is increasingly showing that elimination based diets yield only short term results, and that eating what you want when you want it is the key to reaching your ideal weight. The official term for this approach is intuitive eating, and it's rooted in the notion that our body inherently knows what it needs. The trick is knowing how to listen to it. 

This means the following: 1) eating slowly and taking time to evaluate how full you feel. 2) Avoiding eating for any reason other than physical hunger, i.e., sadness, stress, boredom, happiness etc.  And my favorite, 3) allowing yourself to eat anything you desire.

Peoples' initial response to such an approach is fear they'll end up eating junk food all the time, but the reality is quite the opposite. The idea behind intuitive eating is that because you're paying attention to how food makes you feel, you simply won't want to eat crap all the time. Furthermore, since there's no such thing as forbidden food, you won't be drawn to it in the same way.

If you recall, in late 2012 I wrote about how for the first time in my life I had taken to emotional eating (boredom at work mostly), and no matter what I tried I couldn't lose the weight and fit into my pants. The post was my way of admitting my behaviour to myself and resolving to be more conscious.

The problem was that despite getting better at eating only when I was hungry,  I had taken to cutting out a lot of foods from my diet. Suddenly, all I could think about was dessert and pasta. It followed that every time I let myself indulge in such "treats," I never felt satisfied and kept wanting to have more. Dahl's article cites research that shows when parents implement very strict eating rules, their kids eat more of off-limit snacks when they're able to get ahold of them.

In any case, my weight didn't go down and I hated thinking about what I was and wasn't eating so much.  Then came my second post on the subject, where I declared I was just going to accept my body as it is and I was no longer going to think about losing the weight. It's a tough concept to fully grasp, but what we think and tell ourselves becomes our reality.

It followed that right around this time I met my now boyfriend, and I was so happy and preoccupied with other thoughts that not thinking about my weight was surprisingly simple. We were also dining out ALL the time, and hell no was I going to turn down a little dessert!

And then just like that -- without thinking about it -- I lost the weight. And I haven't put it back on. I also workout less. It's fascinating to me that by not denying myself of dessert and the like, I actually want it less, and I'm satisfied after just a few bites. Weird as it might sound, intuitive eating worked (and works) for me, and who would've thought it could be so easy.

Disclosure: I'm not by any means an expert on this subject matter, I'm simply discussing an article that resonated with me and my own experience. By sharing this with you my only hope is that it might be helpful in some way.

xoxo

Val 

The weight game: playing without losing your head part II

Every time I read something with a title along the lines of "How to get your body beach ready in two weeks," or "Five foods that will give you a flat belly," I swear it's going to be my last one, but of course, it never is. I keep thinking the next one will hold the secret to end all secrets -- the one that will bring me one step closer to looking like Jessica Alba in a bikini. It never does.

And the more I read, the more confused I become. One's telling me eating Greek yogurt will do wonders for my waistline, while the next expert is suggesting I ban all dairy from my diet. Caffeine is the devil on Monday, but on Tuesday it's being lauded for its health benefits. Pardon my French but WTF?! I realized I was becoming a slave to my heath/beach body quest when my morning bowl of cereal started to overflow as I attempted to fill it with as many "superfoods" as humanely possible. Enough was enough.

With bathing suit season officially upon us, it's easy to become obsessed with clocking in hours at the gym and with what one puts into his or her mouth. Make no mistake both are important, particularly the latter, but any obsession is unhealthy.

In a recent intenSati class, the inspirational founder, Patricia Moreno, said something that really stuck and which I'm going to try to internalize; the key word here being try. For those of you who don't know, intenSati is a high intensity, affirmation shouting workout focused around self-empowerment via changing your mindset. To convey a point, Patricia drew a circle to represent one's life/well-being. She allocated a tiny piece to working out, and a slightly bigger piece to what one eats. However, the biggest chunk of the circle was one's thoughts. Her point was, if we want to love our lives -- and our bodies -- it all begins with what we think and what we tell ourselves.

She preaches, and I agree, that to achieve our goals (career, fitness, relationship etc.), we have to start from a place of self-acceptance and love. If we accept ourselves exactly as we are, all the while striving to be our personal best -- not anyone else's (here's to you Jessica Alba), everything else will fall into place. For instance, we'll make the right decisions regarding what we put into our mouths because we'll choose foods that give us energy and make us feel good.

Okay, so you're probably thinking this is all high and mighty Val, but WTF am I supposed to do when I have to be in a two-piece next week? I hear ya loud and clear, but if you take anything away from this post, it's put down whatever you're reading and tell yourself you're perfect just the way you are. Instead of trying to change things, focus on being grateful for what you have and doing what will make you feel even better. I'm going to try this, and if I end up miserable and 10 pounds heavier -- I'll be the first to let you know.

I'll start with accepting I'll never look like Jessica Alba in a bikini, something that being of sound mind I always knew, but perhaps never fully reconciled. I also know while diet and exercise can go a long way in changing our physiques and improving our health, a little something called DNA plays an even bigger role (at least that's what the scientists are saying today). Or as my mother aptly puts it, "no matter what, I'll never be a tall blonde". Being her kin, I'll also never be a leggy blonde (thanks mom, thanks), and perhaps with the exception of pregnancy, I will forever be flat of chest (sounds better than flat chested, no?).

I also know while it may work great for some, eliminating meat, dairy, coffee and all sugar from my diet won't make me feel better (depressed is the word I'm looking for). Yes, it's important to educate oneself about the latest nutrition and fitness research, but I'd say (I could be totally wrong) it's equally as significant to listen to one's body and do what feels right for YOU and makes YOU happy. Come to think of it, I've been at my ideal weight only when I've been happy and at peace with my situation -- not the other way around. And especially not when I've been obsessing over how I look. Is there any way I can declare this the summer of self-love without making you want to punch me in the face? Can I also add happy and confident people are always the most attractive ones? Guess I just did.

The circle of "life", or just the delicious zucchini frittata at Locande Verde 

Dispatch from NYC: 5 things I'm loving this month

After a winter that seemed destined to swallow up spring without allowing us so much as a glimpse, May is finally upon us and it feels more or less like, well, May. To fete this occasion, I've decided to do more than simply shave my legs -- I'm sharing five places/things I can't get enough of to help you jumpstart the season. It's astonishing how much happier I am after basking in a little sunlight and swapping my parka for a luxurious leather jacket and lightweight scarf. So read quickly, then hurry along and get a lil vitamin D action. Don't forget to wear sunscreen.

1. Hu Kitchen (5th Avenue between 14th St. & 13th St.) While no one can accuse Manhattan of lacking healthy food options, Hu Kitchen has managed to carve out a niche for itself -- one I'd be happy to curl up in and feast for days on end. The restaurant and market is based around the philosophy humans ought to return to a pre-industrial diet. While I won't go into the fascinating (no sarcasm intended) details of "The Hu Pillars" (there are eight total), in essence it boils down to eating minimally processed foods with recognizable ingredients that  benefit us and the environment. Kudos to them for listing the ingredients in every dish and for substituting sugar with either organic coconut sugar, unfiltered honey or maple syrup. At Hu, the entire menu is gluten free and everything from chicken, to chocolate chia pudding, to kale salad and smoothies are offered. My go-to has been 1/4 piece of organic chicken with three sides: roasted pineapple, dairy free cauliflower puree and roasted butternut squash. Ringing in at $20 and change, it's pricey, but it's positively divine and you know what you're paying for. Take it to go, or park yourself in the rustic seating area reminiscent of the Berenstain Bears' house
 -- only, you know, significantly swankier. And no matter what you do, don't leave without trying an Hu handcrafted in Brooklyn chocolate bar. It. Will. Change. Your. Life.

One of the must-try chocolate bar flavors at Hu Kitchen

2. Tenoverten.  (Two locations, one at the Parker Meridien and another in Tribeca). Whereas most mani/pedi spots operate with the efficiency of a production line, at tenoverten you're not just another number. But even more important than the stellar customer service is the end result; the technicians are better (in my humble opinion) and totally worth the slightly higher price (manicures start at $15, pedicures at $35). The minimalist decor exudes calm, and I dare you not to find the perfect polish among a bevy of choices that include Nars and Chanel at no extra charge.

3. Bathtub Gin.  (9th Ave between 19th St. & 18th St.) No, you don't have to be a gin drinker to enjoy this Chelsea bar because I for one certainly am not. I came here on a first date recently, and embarrassingly walked by it several times before my date (who was watching me look lost the entire time), came to my rescue. Here's the thing, to enter Bathtub Gin you have to walk through a fully-operating coffee shop, the name of which escapes me. Once in, you're greeted by a bouncer at another door. This door has no name which is a tell-tale sign you've reached a "cool" destination. The atmosphere is that of a posh speakeasy, and there's a retro bathtub in the center that begs for some Instagraming (you have to hop in of course). Food wise, I only tried the duck spring rolls and they were an A-.

4. Brunch at The Dutch (Sullivan St. corner Prince St.) Whether you're craving a decadent brunch (hot fried chicken, cornmeal flapjacks) or prefer to air on this side of healthier -- there's something mouth-watering for everyone at The Dutch. Just do me a favor and order the lobster cocktail if you're a fish lover because this is one mouth party you won't want to miss.

5. Stella McCartney Sunglasses. I won't deny, I probably put more effort into choosing a new pair of shades than I did my online dating profile. The thing is designer sunglasses are ridiculously expensive, and I have two perfectly good pairs, so to justify a new purchase they had to be "special". Fortunately, I found a pink cat eye shape from Stella that's unlike anything I own, and at $225 -- I was spared shopper's guilt -- a win-win if I've ever seen one.

Blurry shot of me in my Stella sunnies. 

xoxox

Val




Instead, we use organic coconut sugar, unfiltered honey, and maple syrup.

Party time: tips for your next wine and cheese or any hosting gig

The best parties are the ones thrown for no other reason than to bring people together and have some good ol’ fashioned fun. That’s precisely why my dear friend Pam and I decided to host a wine and cheese soirée for our closest comrades last month. I relish being a hostess -- quite possibly because I’m a control freak, but mainly because seeing people eating, drinking, and laughing, and knowing I played a small role in that -- warms the cockles of my heart. Is that weird? Party planning, however, can be a simple feat or a large burden depending on how you go about it, which is why I’m sharing some of my tips. While they’re wine and cheese oriented, many can be applied to various types of parties. Happy hosting!

1. Don’t make it too cheesy -- i.e., don’t buy too many types of cheese. Four is the winning number, and I suggest opting for one goat, one sheep, one cow, and a last option of your choice. The more diverse the better, so try to include cheeses of varying firmness. Unsure where to begin? That's what cheesemongers are for; I got some great advice from a lovely lady at Bedford Cheese Shop. Tip: blue cheese wasn’t a success at my party.
   
   
2. Cut the cheese. Okay, that sounded differently in my head. What I mean is people tend to be lazy -- and messy, therefore if you can assemble the cheese and the rest of the food into bite size pieces beforehand -- your guests -- and furniture will thank you. Just think, the easier it is for your guests to access the food, the more they’ll eat and the less leftovers you’ll be stuck with the following day.
   
   
3. Location, location, location. Spread out the food throughout your home (do your best to get creative if your space is small), so the mountain can come to Muhammad. Remember what I said about guests generally being lazy and trying to avoid having leftovers? Right.
   
   

   

    Putting goodies in several bowls and spreading them out allowed for easier grabbing -- a key ingredient for a good party. 

   
   
4. Health comes first. As much as people love cheese, there’s only so much they can consume (some might beg to differ), thus it’s best to offset all that dairy with lighter options. Fruits (I served grapes, berries and cut pineapple) and vegetables served with tzatziki and hummus were major hits.
   
   
5. A little goes a long (enough) way. Our friends (god bless their souls) couldn’t stop praising details such as the labels accompanying the cheeses describing the type of cheese and its country of origin. We also got compliments a plenty on offering apricot jam to pair with the cheese, as well as on our vast array of cracker options (from healthy to not so healthy).
   
   

   

   Guests loved the vast selection of crackers and the labels indicating the type of cheese and where it's from. We nearly ran out of healthy options like hummus, vegetables and fruit. 

   
   
6. Don’t forget the “mix” in party mix. Keep the playlist varied; alternate between artists, genres and degrees of intensity throughout the evening.
   
   
7. Give two weeks notice and a reminder the day of. We invited friends via Facebook event two weeks in advance; people are busy today and don’t appreciate last minute invites. Also, the day of the party, I posted a message on the Facebook page telling guests to come hungry. When I later told someone I was impressed by how quickly the food supply was dwindling, they responded: “well you told us to come hungry!” This taught me a valuable lesson: people (mainly women) like to know what they’re in for so they can prepare -- a.k.a., eat a lighter lunch.
   
   
8. Buy what you like. This way, if you’re stuck with leftovers, your stomach and wallet will still be your friends.
   
   
9. Make connections. Sometimes at a party, particularly when the invitees are from two different friend groups, people need a little help connecting. As host, try to make introductions and find common ground between guests to get the conversation flowing. It’s definitely a skill and will serve you well at parties -- and in life. Ever heard of networking?
   
   
10. Have fun. Don’t let worries of dessert potentially running out get in the way of you enjoying yourself with people you like -- the reason for the event in the first place.

Bonus tip: keep the liquor (ideally a mix of wine, beer and one type of hard alcohol) in the kitchen to avoid a mess.

Bites: Where to eat in NYC NOW

Below are some of my current NYC favorites. I made sure there's a bite for every budget. Let the eating begin! 

Side note: All of these restaurants serve dinner, but I've indicated whether they serve other meals as well.

Inexpensive:

1) Thai Terminal (Thai, lunch) 
2) Cafe Habana (Cuban, breakfast, lunch) 
3) Taim  (Falafel, Middle Eastern, lunch)
5) Shake Shack  (burgers, fries, hotdogs, shakes, lunch)
6) Frank (Italian, breakfast, brunch, lunch, happy hour)
7) Randolph Beer  (Bar food)
8) Sao Mai  (Vietnamese, lunch)
9) Westville (American, brunch, lunch)
10) Cafe Condessa (American/Mexican, brunch, lunch)
11) Cafe Gitane (Moroccan, Mediterranean, brunch, cafe)
12) Hu Kitchen (new!) (organic, gluten free, healthy, eat-in, marketplace, breakfast, lunch, brunch, snack, cafe)


Moderately Inexpensive:

1) La Pizza Fresca (Italian, Neapolitan Pizza, lunch)
2) Paprika (Italian, brunch) 
3) Marumi (Japanese, lunch)
4) Angelica Kitchen (Vegan, lunch)
5) Momofuko Noodle Bar (Asian, lunch)
6) Cafe Mogador (Moroccan, Mediterranean, breakfast, brunch, lunch)
7) Rubirosa  (Italian, family-style, gluten-free menu available, brunch, lunch)
8) The City Bakery (lunch, brunch, buffet style, hot chocolate, cafe)
9)  Alta  (Tapas with a twist)
10) Socorrat (Paella bar, Spanish, tapas, lunch)
11) The Smile (new!) (American nouveau/traditional, breakfast, brunch, lunch)
12) Emporio (new!) (Italian, wood-burning pizza oven, organic wine and dishes, Gluten-free options available, brunch, lunch)
13) Co. (new!) (Pizzeria, brunch, lunch)
14) Jack's Wife Freda (new!) (Jewish/South African, breakfast, brunch, lunch)

Greek salad with kale; cauliflower, and babaganoush with feta at Jack's Wife Freda

Relatively expensive but TOTALLY worth it

1) Boqueria (Tapas, brunch, lunch) 
2) Cafe Cluny  (American/French, brunch, lunch)
3) The Little Owl (French, lunch, brunch) 

How nice, they split the roasted chicken and halibut for us at The Little Owl

4) Momofuko Ma Peche  (French/Asian)
5) Market Table (American, market cuisine, brunch, lunch) 
6) Fedora (American, market cuisine)
7) Joseph Leonard  (American, market cuisine, breakfast, brunch, lunch)
6) Craft Bar (American, market cuisine, brunch, lunch) 

White anchovy bruschetta with soft-cooked egg, lemon ailoi and leek confit at Craft Bar

7) Balthazar (French bistro, breakfast, brunch, lunch) 
8) Sushi Yasuda (sushi, Japanese, lunch) 
9) The Northern Spy (American, market cuisine, brunch)
10) Il Buco Alimentari (Italian, brunch, lunch)
11) Barbounia (Mediterranean, brunch, lunch, happy hour)
12) The Fat Radish (Market cuisine, brunch, lunch)
13) Morandi (Italian, brunch, lunch)
14) The Red Cat (American, market cuisine, lunch)
15) Blue Ribbon Sushi (sushi, Japanese, lunch)
16) Momoya (Sushi, Japanese, lunch)

17) Balaboosta (Middle Eastern, brunch, lunch)
18) Kingswood (Market cuisine, brunch, bar)
19) The Mermaid Inn (Seafood, 3 locations, brunch)
20) Goat Town (American, brunch)
21) Blue Ribbon Brasserie (American/French, open till 4 a.m., dessert)
22) The Dutch (American, brunch, lunch, open late) 

2 a.m. post-birthday dessert at Blue Ribbon Brasserie
(Best flourless chocolate cake and sundae in town)

23) Rosemary's (local, rooftop garden, organic, breakfast, brunch, lunch)
24) Rayuela (Latin tapas, brunch, lunch)

Appetizers from my birthday dinner at Kingswood

25) Red Farm (new!) (dim sum, creative Chinese, brunch) 

26) Cafe Select (new!) (French, Swiss, German, Austrian, bistro, brunch)

27) Barmarché (new!) (American nouveau/Latin American, brunch, happy hour) 

28) Wong (new!) (Asian, locally sourced ingredients) 

29) De Santos (new!) (American, seasonal, organic, brunch, outdoor garden)

Very expensive and VERY worth it 

1) 15 East (new!) (Sushi for fish lovers) 
2) ABC Kitchen (new!) (farm to table, organic, brunch, lunch) 
3) Marc Forgione (new!) (Contemporary, brunch). 

Montreal Sushi Crisis Part II

It's time to sound the alarm. The crisis I hoped to avoid is indeed upon us. But, and there's always a but, the situation isn't as dire as I had originally predicted. Phew. Still, the quest for sushi in Montreal that is both high in quality and affordable, remains just that – a quest.

The reason we can relax a tad and avoid an Armageddon scenario is thanks to a little place on Parc Ave. called Bistro Isakaya. My parents found out about Isakaya through their friends at La Mer, who informed them the restaurant's Japanese born sushi chef/owner purchases only the best. Decor-wise, Isakaya isn't particularly exciting on the eyes and the service is good, not great. But if the sashimi is fresh, I'm a happy camper and it's definitely fresh here. I'm not sure when they have it, but if king salmon sashimi happens to be available, you must try it. Plus, the maki rolls are simple – i.e. none of that mango, curry, cream cheese crap that screams of inauthenticity. My favourite is the Isakaya roll featuring salmon, crab meat, white fish, tobiko and cucumber, however, classics like the spider with soft shell crab, salmon kamikaze and California are also excellent. And though I'm not the biggest lobster fan, my friends who tried Isakaya's lobster roll had nothing but positive accolades for it.

Maki and sashimi at Bistro Isakaya 

Appetizer wise, the dishes are also simple yet tasty. Standout apps include the tuna cocktail and the ultra light fried eggplant in bonito broth. Isakaya also does lunch and it's cheap, cheap cheap which is why I'll let it slide that there aren't plenty of options to choose from. Oh, and speaking of cheap, considering the quality of the fish, a dinner for one at Isakya without alcohol can easily cost under $35. Are you out the door and in the car yet?

Fried eggplant in bonito broth at Bistro Isakaya

But, oh, there it is again, I still think Bishoku in its heyday (before new management and chefs took over) was better than Isakaya. The freshness factor is virtually equal at both, however, I simply preferred Bishoku's slightly more inventive appetizers, maki rolls and the service was undoubtedly superior. I do think liking one over the other comes down to a matter of tastes and we all know how tastes can vary, so I'll let you decide for yourselves. This is intended for the people who knew Bishoku before the "changes" because I don't suggest you go there now. Sadly, it hasn't gotten better. Let's leave it at that because it's a sensitive subject.

I also returned to 5 Saisons which reopened late September after a fire related closing. 5 Saisons delivers (within the NDG/Westmount areas), so there's a big brownie point right there. It's also a BYOB which merits at least 3 brownie points if not more. The restaurant's fare ranks quite well on the freshness and taste scale, but I'm not exaggerating when I say it wasn't easy finding maki rolls that weren't "contaminated" with fruits or an abundance of tempura flakes. I find that extremely frustrating, albeit I am an easily frustrated gal. What's more, 5 Saisons is no cheaper than Isakaya, so unless I'm ordering takeout and need lots of wine to go with my sushi (hey, somedays can be really stressful), then I'm dragging my butt to Parc Ave.

The Te Quiero roll at 5 Saisons with spicy tuna, crispy tempura, cooked shrimp and avocado rolled in a soya bean leaf was too heavy on the sauce and tempura. 

Clearly a woman on a mission, I went to Sushi Yu Mi on Sherbrooke West as well. It's an adorable little spot that's designed mainly for takeout orders. The staff was friendly and my order of maki rolls was completed quickly and the cost was very reasonable. Though I can't put my finger on exactly what it was, I can say that something felt just slightly off. Don't get me wrong, it was good and I'd like to give it a second chance, yet there was a taste to certain rolls that just didn't jive with my palette.

Kaizen was another place I visited on my search for sushi greatness only to find sushi suckiness of the highest degree. It was bad, and when I say bad I mean BAD as in awful, as in STAY THE HELL AWAY. Are we clear? My intention isn't to insult anyone, but I feel fortunate to have walked out of there without food poisoning because the fish was the furthest thing from fresh. It's a shame because the service was top notch, the interior is beautiful and spacious, and Kaizen has one of the best wine lists in town. To be honest, it's also too expensive to even be on this list since my search is about quality and affordability, but I had to try it. I left Kaizen feeling robbed – it's totally overpriced, especially when you factor in the yuckiness. If you're willing to spend on sushi, go to Jun I. I raved about it in Montreal Sushi Crisis Part I and I have been back several times since and each meal was better than the last. Word of advice: if there's a roll of the month, do yourself a favor and order it – you won't regret it.

The seaweed salad was the only dish I enjoyed at Kaizen. 

Unfortunately, I didn't try Oishii Sushi, nor did I revisit Shodan or Tri Express. After all, I was beginning to fear mercury poisoning. Based on my memories, Shodan is a good bet, although for the price I suggest Jun I. As for Tri Express, I've only been once and it was at least five years ago. I do recall a superb meal that perhaps was a little too avant garde for me back then, though let me assure you this foodie has grown up. Okay so maybe I scared you a little too much at first, but I had to get your attention somehow. So there you have it my friends, now go and eat some sushi and share your thoughts with me.

The sashimi appetizer at Jun I

Some Bits & one Bite to start off '12

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR to my dear readers. Second of all, I am deeply sorry for being MIA throughout December (c'mon, you know you missed me...). I promise I had plenty of good reasons to avoid blogging, but now I'm back and ready to rumble. This post is a random mishmash of bits and one bite to start off the new year. So let's get rolling.

Fashion
What better way to welcome the new year than with photos of drool-worthy footwear. While in New York apartment hunting last month, I had to stop by the Bergdorf's designer sale to see if there were any goodies worth splurging on – and as luck would have it there were. I've been wanting leopard pumps for quite some time now since they add an element of sophisticated spunk (does that even make sense?) to any ensemble. How perfect then that I stumbled upon a pair by one of my favourite shoe designers: Miu Miu. Don't look at me like that, I swear they're really comfortable.

Then my dear mother (god bless her soul), found a pair of Robert Cleregie ankle booties to carry me through the winter with style, comfort and relative warmth (I can wear my SmartWool socks). I had never tried anything by the French brand, but I instantly fell in love for the chunky heel (hello stability!) and touches of patent leather. I've found my sole-mate.

Interior Design
Since getting accepted to Parsons in NYC and knowing that I'd have an apartment to call my own, I've become slightly obsessed with interior design. It's important for my place to be at least to some extent a reflection of me, which isn't exactly the easiest thing considering most of my furniture is coming from Ikea. But much like in fashion, the secret to making a look truly your own lies in the details – i.e. it's how you accessorize.

In the summer, while in the Amalfi Coast with my family, I bought two medium-large black and white photographs by a local photographer so that I'll always be reminded of one of my most beloved spots on earth. The photographs weren't expensive, but I took them to Art-en-ciel in Westmount to be framed. It wasn't cheap, but it's definitely worth it because now they look like a million bucks. Photos to be posted later.

My parents also happen to have bought colourful canvas paintings by a Jamaican artist during a trip to the island years ago. There's three in total; each depicting a unique scene, and I know they'll add much needed colour and oomph to my mainly black and white decor.

There are two others like this, but they're horizontal and a different size. I think they'll look great together.

While visiting my birthplace this summer, I stole some wooden decorative pieces painted in a traditional Ukrainian folkloric style from my dad's apartment. They don't exactly go with the modern look of my digs, but they have sentimental value and at the end of the day that always wins.

Ukrainian folkloric art

In Saint Martin last week, I came upon a relatively new home decor store called Ambiance, where they sell original pieces designed and made in France (St. Martin is half owned by the French). I'm a sucker for throw pillows and these Paris themed ones have just the right amount of whimsy. Plus, they'll remind me of two wonderful places that I adore: Paris and St. Martin. La vie est belle!

Food
Bistro Lustucru in the Mile-End has been on my to-eat list since last spring, but I only made my way there just before Christmas. What enticed me was their extensive raw bar featuring every kind of tartar under the sun along with other raw items such as beef carpaccio and grouper ceviche. The raw offerings didn't disappoint, particularly the citrusy salmon tartar. Oh, and the fries were beyond. Meanwhile, my friend ordered the fish soup and was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The real piece de resistance, however, was the dessert special. It was a roasted marshmallow and lemon concoction, the details of which have unfortunately escaped me (too delighted to write notes I suppose). And while the service was a little haphazard, the reasonable prices, good music and the laid back, youthful vibe more than made up for it.

Our raw assortment: Salmon tartar, tuna tataki with veal filet carpaccio and beef carpaccio 

The unidentifiable but unbelievably good lemony dessert 

Must try: Moishes' three hours to midnight menu

My favourite steakhouse happens to be a small chain in the States called STK. I've been to the one in South Beach and Manhattan, and the quality of the meat itself and its preparation blew me away. I'm mentioning STK here because a) it has become the gold standard by which I measure all other steaks and b) the restaurant's catchphrase is "not your daddy's steakhouse". In fact, it's one of those places that's as much about the "scene" as it is about the cuisine. Moishes, on the other hand, used to be a steakhouse that was very much your daddy's – or even granddaddy's – steakhouse. The keywords, however, being "used to be", because when I dined there a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night, such was not the case. Indeed, Moishes' dining room received a gorgeous facelift several months back, and though the the new room still has elements of an old-world steakhouse (the place has been around since 1938!) it now feels less stuffy and more "fresh". I've got to give them major credit for this as it would've been a pity to see such a storied Montreal establishment become modernized to the point of losing all touch with its roots.

Not settling on revamping the decor alone, Moishes' renaissance extended to its menu, which now includes a 3 hours to midnight special. For the sum of $25, one can indulge in an appetizer, a main course and a coffee or tea. Pretty good, eh? And indulge we did – starting with the complimentary coleslaw and crunchier than crunchy pickles for which the eatery is well known for. To start, we sampled the organic salmon tartar and a house salad. Our other options were chopped liver (not a fan) and Caesar salad (too heavy with meat). The portions were on the smaller side and not particularly awe-inducing, but the tartar was light, fresh and well seasoned. Similar adjectives can be used to describe the house salad, but honestly, what more can you really expect from a house salad?

The stuff legends are made of – Moishes' pickles and coleslaw, and lots of butter.

Perennial favourite salmon tartar was light, fresh and well seasoned

Coming off my experience with Milos' limited 10 p.m. special, I was pleasantly surprised by how many main course options there were at Moishes – 12 – and a whole hour earlier! I was also pleased to see so many people taking advantage of this incredible deal. Upon walking in at 9 p.m., my friends and I witnessed a whole slew of golden agers filing out, only to be replaced with a younger crowd – a restaurant version of changing of the guard if you will. Okay, back to food... I opted for the filet mignon, as did my friend, while our other friend ordered the famous chicken breast. My steak paled in comparison with STK's juicy and tender filet mignon, but it was good nonetheless. And, hey, for $25 bucks... I'll know for next time to order it medium-rare, since medium was a little too well done for my liking. Meanwhile, my friend's chicken was very juicy and flavourful. To accompany our mains, we had the option of choosing either a Montecarlo potato which is basically mashed potatoes placed in a baked potato shell with chives and lots of yummy seasoning, or french fries. The fluffy Monte Carlo is pure-potato bliss, while the fries were lackluster and definitely needed more seasoning and crunch.

Petit Filet. Steak lovers can get steak frites, rib steak or kobe burger too

You guessed it – chicken! 

Amazing Monte Carlo potato and ho-hum fries. 

By the end of the meal we were beyond stuffed; it goes without saying the pickles and coleslaw didn't help matters. We were also totally impressed by how much food the special entailed, and the quality of the service. Our waiter was an older gentlemen who was super attentive, professional and polite. It seemed as though our presence was genuinely valued and we weren't just the "late night" crowd. This is key to making these types of deals work, and explains why Lemeac, and now Moishes are packed, while Milos' special isn't filling the house. Needless to say, I'll be back – appetite in tow.

Mixed emotions: Milos 10 p.m. "Late Evening" menu

Let's face it, the days of eating a gourmet meal for $20 or less are about as over as Lindsay Lohan's acting career. Therefore, when a venerable Montreal fine dining institution like Milos offers you a three course late evening menu (10p.m.-12:00a.m.) for $20.11 – you make a run for it, pumps in tow. I have had the good fortune of eating off of Milos' a la carte menu, and the Greek eaterie has repeatedly blown me away with their fresh seafood dishes, many of which have been flown in from Greece, as well as their Greek feta cheese, olive oil, and a baklava that makes me want to break out in song à la Glee. It goes without saying that a meal here can set you back a pretty penny.

Last Saturday, a good friend and I decided it was finally time to suppress our hunger till 10:00p.m. (on the dot) and try Milos' late evening menu. Another friend had warned me one of the problems with eating at Milos at that hour is the atmosphere, since the big crowds begin to fizzle out and there's the sense waiters are trying to rush you so they can finish their shifts. When we first arrived, the restaurant was full, although I will say by the time we were finished at 11:30, it was only about 1/3 empty. Not bad. Our waiter was friendly, swift without making us feel hurried, and all-around professional. I assume the restaurant's reasons for offering this deal are not to give back to the community and feed the "needy", but to make money and attract a young cliental, and therefore waiters should never make late night patrons feel like second class citizens, as was the case in my friend's situation.

Service and atmosphere aside, what left me with mixed emotions was the food. There are three starter options and we chose to share a tomato salad with feta, olives and olive oil (a.k.a. Greek salad) and a meze platter with different "dips", stuffed vine leaves and pita bread. The salad arrived and was 1/3 of the size of their regular priced tomato salad. I took a deep breath and reminded myself my meal was costing $20.11, whereas normally just one tomato salad costs $25. Still, I couldn't help but be annoyed the feta came crumbled and there was so little of it, rather than the sizeable chunks that constitute a traditional Greek salad. Yet, what little there was of it tasted incredible. Meanwhile the meze platter was snooze-worthy, with only the small dollop of tzatziki eliciting any reaction. Should've tried the organic salmon sashimi instead.

Tomato salad, part of Milos' "Late Evening" menu.

Next we chose among four options and ordered a dorade flown in from the Greek island of Kefalonia. The portion size of the flaky white fish was ideal for us girls (we had also loaded up on snacks at my house first), and though it was a little on the dry side, it still ranks as one of the best fish I've eaten in Montreal. Then came the biggest dissapointment: they were out of baklava. In case you missed that, OUT OF BAKLAVA. One more time for dramatic impact: OUT OF BAKLAVA. Our faces were priceless when we heard the news. When your meal consists of three courses and three pretty small courses at that, dessert plays a BIG role. The waiter was nice enough to offer us an almond and pear tarte that's normally not part of the late evening menu because he could sense tears welling up at the thought of settling for ice cream, or worse – sorbet. It was actually quite tasty, but baklava it was not. I found this inexcusable for such a high-end eaterie. They've been in this business a long time and they've had this menu for a couple of years and should know how much baklava to keep around. Cue foot stomping.

The Meze Platter was BORING

With a glass of white wine, tax and tip, my meal cost $41.00 – a measly sum when you consider how much a regular meal costs at Milos and the calibre of ingredients used. That said, if Milos wants this special to draw in crowds of hip young people like Lemeac's 10p.m. special which is $25 for an appetizer and main – they need to ensure service is consistently top-notch, baklava is ALWAYS available and they really ought to add more pizzaz to their appetizers. I would start by serving a "real" chunk of feta, none of this crumbling nonsense.

Pre-meal spread arranged by yours truly. 

Chia seeds: the new "it" superfood

Whole organic black chia seeds $6.98 for 300g

The name makes me giggle because it reminds me of chia pets (remember those? I certainly do), but chia seeds are actually a superfood that is so easy to incorporate into our daily diets that it's worth ch-ch-ch-cheering about. The Aztecs and Mayans have cultivated and consumed chia (a plant species) for millennia, and lately it has been on the tip of many a nutritionist's tongue because it's naturally gluten-free, contains loads of fibre, essential fats, omega-3 fatty acids, protein and antioxidants. Chia seeds are being touted as an excellent source of long-term energy that enables the body to function at its highest level and burn more calories during the day. What's more, chia has been linked to reducing insomnia, nervousness, constipation, improving cognition and soothing dry skin. Need I say more?

How to add chia to your diet: Chia seeds don't have much of a taste, which makes them ideal for adding to soups, smoothies, cereals, yogurt, oatmeal, salads etc. Some will even use the seeds as an egg replacement in recipes. There's also the option of soaking them in water. All you have to do is put two tablespoons or more in a bowl and cover with some water. In approximately 20 minutes they will have doubled in size, resulting in a thick pudding. You can buy whole chia seeds or ground chia, just keep in mind it's better to get dark coloured chia as it is has more nutrients than the lighter variety. I bought my organic Prana brand chia $6.89 at A Votre Sante on Sherbrooke St. West near Vendome, but they are sold at most health food stores.

Visit: pranana.com for more information and recipes.

 Sources: Chatelaine , The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snyder CN , Wikipedia 

Val, where do I go for a casual, inexpensive, but delicious dinner on a weeknight in Montreal?

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but somehow I've become the person my friends and family call/text/skype to ask questions that always begin with: "Val, where do I . . ." Maybe it's because I'm often either extolling the virtues of a new eatery, boutique, fitness class, bikini waxer etc., or conversely, condemning one thing of another. Basically, I'm all about spreading the word – something my likely annoyed Twitter followers can attest to. Nevertheless, for the first weekly edition of "Val, where do I . . .", the question is: where do I go for a casual, inexpensive, but delicious dinner on a weeknight in Montreal? Below are my top 5 picks in no particular order.

Hwang Kum
5908 Sherbrooke St. W., (at Clifton Ave.,), 514-487-1712, major cards accepted.
The best Korean I've had in the city to-date, Hwang Kum serves up classic dishes in a fuss-free environment. Try: Kimchi pancake, beef bibimbap, cold black noodles and barbequed marinated beef.

Perennial favourite bibimbap

Kaza Maza
4629 Parc Ave., 514-844-6292, major cards accepted.
Readers of Val's Bites may recall the spat I got into with the owner concerning an overly smokey baba ganoush, however, said dish is the only thing I've tried at Kaza Maza that I didn't positively adore. Plus, this Syrian and Lebanese restaurant features live music most nights of the week, and they do brunch too! Try: fattoush, hummus, mutabbal (a puree of roasted beets that is an absolute MUST), fried cheese cigars, lamb shank "friki".

The incomparable mutabbal at Kaza Maza 

Bistro Isakaya
3469 Parc Ave., 514-845-8226, major cards accepted.
While the interior of this Japanese restaurant is nothing to get excited about, the food, particularly the fresher than fresh fish – is song and dance worthy. Rest assured I'll give you the full scoop in Montreal Sushi Crisis Part II. Try: tuna cocktail, seaweed salad, Age-Nasu (fried eggplant in bonito broth), wild salmon sashimi, toro sashimi, Isakaya roll, soft shell crab roll, kamikaze roll.

Tuna cocktail at Isakaya 

Kazu
1862 Ste. Catherine St. W., 514-937-2333, cash and debit only. 
The line outside doesn't lie: Kazu rocks. It's so good in fact, you'll forgot you're practically sitting on top of your neighbour in this squishy Japanese pub, where there's always something new and unusual to savour. Try: Beef Carpaccio, tuna and salmon bowl.

Pizzeria Magpie
16 Maguire St., 514-507-2900, major cards accepted.
A quadruple threat offering a cozy, but decidedly cool atmosphere, friendly service, affordable prices, and pizza from a wood burning oven that is sure to elicit bizarre, euphoric sounds. Meanwhile, carnivores can get their meat-on thanks to an on-site meat locker displaying house-cured charcuterie. Try: artichoke, spinach, Fontina and Parmesan cheese pizza; caramelized onion, black olive, ricotta and oregano pizza.

5 More Places that fit the bill: Laurier Gordon Ramsay, Icehouse, Maison India, Pizzeria Napoletana and Pho Lien

Picture says it all. 

I Love Lawrence

Not one to keep my mouth shut when a good thing comes along (unless it's a designer sample sale and we're the same size), I've decided to tell you just how much I enjoyed my meal at Lawrence Friday night. I had been once before in February, shortly after it had opened, and I was thoroughly impressed. To make sure it wasn't just the novelty talking and Lawrence is indeed the real deal, and cuz I was craving some luxurious comfort food, I returned.

One of my favourite dishes EVER is fried soft shell crab. When it's done right, like at Milos, it's perfection, but unfortunately for me it often comes out tasting overly chewy, bland, or worse – soapy (strange, but true). At Lawrence, the fried soft shell crab was paired with radish and aioli ($15), a combination that sounded somewhat odd, but was everything but. The crunchiness of the radish played up the crunchiness of the scrumptious crab, while the zesty aioli added the exclamation point. The heirloom tomato, bread, and freshly marinated anchovy salad ($12) was equally memorable. I always say (yes, I quote myself), that there's nothing better than a good tomato, and nothing worse than a bad tomato, and this salad was a case of GREAT tomato. 

Soft shell crab with radish and aioli

As my main I had a sirloin steak with turnips, dandelions and parsley ($28). Perfectly cooked, the meat was top notch. The turnips were a nice touch, and I liked how the parsley was served as a puree atop the steak. I did not, however, care for the tough dandelions – not worth the chewing effort. My friend also praised her roast striped bass accompanied by bass, leeks, carrots and smoked sausage ($25). Her comment about Lawrence providing a much needed breath of fresh air to the salmon tartar/beet and goat cheese salad laden Montreal restaurant scene, was also spot on. And that's not having tried the grilled ox tongue (FYI the menu changes daily and is posted on Twitter)! For dessert, we opted for the strawberry and rhubarb shortcake ($7), that definitely goes down as one of the best I've ever devoured. 

Sirloin steak with turnips, parsley and dandelions

Last, but not least, I have to applaud Lawrence for nailing the gourmet food in a laid-back, unpretentious environment combo with such aplomb. Reminded me of another great restaurant, Tuck Shop. And kudos to the staff for treating me, and my equally young looking friend just as well as the more “adult” looking table beside ours. Can't wait to try their brunch! 

Strawberry and rhubarb shortcake. Don't you love the homey plates? 

A crack at Fabergé

It saddens me that my second post is pessimistic yet again, but why blog if you can’t be brutally honest? Today’s disappointment took place at Fabergé, a hip breakfast spot in the Mile-End that received top marks from me a little less than a year ago in Val’s Bites. My sister had bought two Living Social coupons there, and today we went to redeem the second one. She used the first one a few weeks ago, and left feeling pretty let down given my extensive praise of the place. Thinking it was just an “off day”, she brought me along today.

Alas, a fluke it was not. Perhaps they felt they didn’t have to “try” with us because we disclosed our coupon immediately and were getting our lunch half off? That, however, completely defeats the purpose of agreeing to partner with a coupon site, since the goal is to gain repeat customers who will recommend your business to all of their friends, or better yet ­– will write positively about it online.

The first alarm bell went off when I was informed they were out of grapefruits. Seriously? You serve breakfast and breakfast only, every day till 4 p.m. The second bell went up several decibels, when my egg-white omelet with spinach, chopped tomatoes and feta, appeared as a regular omelet with spinach, caramelized onions, feta and yellow peppers. Did I mention the restaurant was virtually empty? Meanwhile, the accompanying potatoes were undercooked and covered in paprika. Paprika, really? Across the table, my sister’s grilled-cheese was lacking in the “grilled” department, and either her French fries looked unappetizing, or I’ve suddenly developed self-control. Something tells me it’s the former. A Fabergé egg is something truly special, but today the restaurant failed to live up to its namesake. Hopefully the team will get crackin’ and Fabergé’s luster will be restored. 

Faberge's house speciality: Eggs In a Nest featuring two fried eggs nestled in a hole carved out of baked cheese bread. (Taken October '10 when everything was delish) 

Montreal Sushi Crisis Part I

For my inaugural blog post, I have decided to address a cause that’s dear to my heart – and stomach: the Montreal Sushi Crisis. The problem is as follows: our gourmet city is severely lacking in sushi that is both high in quality and affordable. This befuddles me, as there is no shortage of excellent chefs and fresh seafood in town. Anyone heard of La Mer Fish Market? The optimist in me wants to believe such a calamity can in fact be averted, and would like to affix a “pending” in front of “Montreal”, but recent experiences have been ominous.

Before I outline evidence to support my crisis theory, I would like to point out that Montreal has been blessed with at least one (to my knowledge) phenomenal Japanese/sushi restaurant. Situated on swanky Laurier St., Jun I’s selection of sushi, sashimi, appetizers and mains is as good – if not better – than some of New York’s finest establishments like Nobu, Sushi of Gari and Sushi Yasuda. The sashimi for two appetizer featuring five varieties of raw fish (including organic salmon!), each accompanied by a complimentary sauce, is edible gold thanks to the freshness of the fish and the flavour intense sauces. And it’s a crime to go without trying the Funny Maki roll. I don’t know if it’s the special sauce atop the roll, the fact it’s served warm, the combination of fried red tuna, green onion, avocado, white fish, and spicy salmon, or all the above (likely) – but the sensation is best described as a party in your mouth. Plus, the service is flawless and the ambiance casual with a drop of up-scale, making it the perfect destination for a date, Saturday night, or a birthday celebration. I write this partly because Jun I doesn’t exactly fall into the affordable category. Therefore, while it’s amazing, it does little to solve the dilemma at hand. To illustrate, five pieces of soft shell crab maki will set you back $14, while at Mikado up the street, it’s $8.60 for four pieces. 

The one and only Funny Maki roll at Jun I

Speaking of Mikado, I used to be a fan of their Monkland and Laurier locations (I have yet to try their St. Denis outlet), but the last two times I’ve eaten at both were major disappointments. If the raw fish in a maki roll lacks that ineffable fresh taste, then no amount of “exotic” fruits, tempura flakes, or sauce can salvage it, and the same goes without saying for sushi/sashimi. What’s more, Mikado falls on the pricier side of the affordability scale, meaning there is no excuse for lackluster fish.

Sho-dan on Metcalfe is in a similar price bracket as Mikado, and while I haven’t been in over a year (things change quickly in the restaurant world), I don’t remember being particularly impressed with the fare, nor the bill at the end. Once again, the optimist in me wants to give Shodan another shot, while the pessimist says to shell out the extra $10-15 and splurge on Jun I. Given the current state of affairs, the optimist may win this one.

All that being said, the greatest indicator that we are indeed in a crisis of epic proportions has been the decline of my go-to casual sushi restaurant Bishoku. The magic of Bishoku always lay in its affordable prices and homey atmosphere; the waitresses remembered your order, the chefs would cater to your whims (I want avocado in my spicy salmon roll and no tempura in the kamikaze kind of thing), and you could sit back, relax, and be out the door in time for the puck to drop at the neighboring Bell Centre. Of course the sushi was always tiptop and the apps and mains delicious, albeit uninventive. Bishoku’s lunch specials are also a force to be reckoned with – for $15 (taxes and tip included) you can get 12 pieces of maki, 1 hand-roll, soup, salad and dessert. While the specials still exist, a change in ownership and sushi chef has led to slow, unprofessional service, and the food, while still good, has been slightly off. The miso soup was simply too salty, and the rolls a little too mushy. I have been a regular at Bishoku since 2003, but my two experiences there this past July left me with a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended).

Bishoku lunch special (Maki Combo B)

Yet more proof these times are beleaguered, was a recent visit to Tokyo Sushi Bar in Old Montreal. Never mind that every roll seemed to have showered in tempura flakes, what passed for raw fish (could’ve been a stale jelly bean) surely predated Montreal’s sushi craze – in the ‘90’s.  

More a take-out place than a restaurant, don’t get me started on the travesty that is the Sushi Shop chain. Suffice to say it took nearly breaking a tooth on an avocado for me to never step foot in there again. Oh, and how come every roll tastes so sweet?

The good news (it does exist!) is after being closed for renovations, 5 Saisons Sushi has reopened. A BYOW, I wrote this place up for Val’s Bites almost two years ago, and every time I’ve been back since, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the bang for buck ratio. Also, my parents’ buddies at La Mer Fish Market, have been touting the virtues of Bistro Isakaya, a no frills Japanese spot on Parc Ave. The chef/owner is from Japan, and they know first-hand that he only buys the best stuff. It’s on my to-try list, along with Ginger, Sushi Yu Mi, Oishi Sushi and Kaizen (might be too $$). Somewhat apprehensive, I’ve heard good things about all the aforementioned restos from foodies I trust. Apparently Ginger is quite the “scene”, a.k.a. I have to do my hair before going. I’ll also return to Bishoku (fingers crossed), 5 Saisons and Shodan. I suppose I’m more of an optimist than anticipated. Before Montreal Sushi Crisis Part II is posted, I suggest you start saving and treat yourself, or someone you really like with a meal at Jun I. And don't forget to comment and suggest places for me to try! 

Red Line roll at 5 Saisons with red tuna, mango, tobiko, fried onion and crab stick in soya bean leaf.