The title may be a little overzealous but what else do I call it? After over three years of Durham living and countless weekends spent searching for the perfect brunch spot - one has been found! Not to say that there aren't a few decent breakfast places, or a few standby greasy spoons. But, this has been a really joyous occasion for me. It doesn't take much to keep this foodie happy. I had a whole other blog entry planned and could do a whole other one on breakfast... but this is neither. A special thing happened this morning to throw a wrench into my plans. I also secretly vowed to avoid mentioning a certain trio of restaurants that are very popular in this area because it has been done. Everyone loves them, I know, I just wanted to tell you something unique in this blog and I guess I have my angle of uniqueness to break that vow.
The Brock House has delivered. I've visited a few times for some appetisers or a meal, it is close to home and carries a great atmosphere, but it is one piece of decadence that they've wowed me with. Yes, their brunch. I thought of their block-lettered sign when I woke up this morning and checked out their website for specifics, the date and time was correct, so I headed out to try it on the 4th Sunday since they debuted their Fresh Market Marche. It is a brunch buffet with all the trimmings. The features are set to change regularly but I can tell you they have everything you need for a decadent weekend midday meal.
On the menu are the old favourites - bacon, eggs and toast, bagels, some English bangers and of course a make-your-own-omelet station. Crepes, check, waffles, check, fruit compote as a garnish. And, a meat carving station which today featured a stuffed pork roast. This roast also made me go against my "no pork other than bacon" rule just so I could taste the stuffing (with apples) that my partner in crime raved about. It was good. They have something really good going here. Not only that, but they added some real creativity to the mix. As I made my way down the buffet, I also discovered seafood paella, veal and chicken Parmesan, broccoli au gratin and their famous cheddar mash. Further discussion with our server confirmed that these are the items that will change but I can only anticipate what they will bring out next. One of the highlights of this brunch buffet has to be the inhouse pizza oven which they use to full advantage with a make-your-own-pizza station as well. What else could you ask for of a weekend meal? Big plates? They have those too. Gigantic ones. A little unnecessary but certainly useful.
I have determined that this will not be my last brunch at The Brock House. Not only because I skipped out on the chocolate fountain this time but because it delivers where no other brunch restaurant in Durham has. Compared to the city, it is hardly unique but it is definitely unique to Durham. It offers quality, atmosphere and selection in a way that hasn't been done here before. This new find can only be successful with their weekend decadence.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Short and Sweet
This is a truly decadent find and is also in line with my last post - touching on a little Italian gourmet. It is fruity, very sweet wine, probably appealing to those who enjoy a good late-harvest, ice-wine or a sweet White Zinfandel - but with lots of bubbles!
I was very excited to discover it but a quick Google search already yielded quite a following of its own internationally. The first place I tasted Rosa Regale pink, sparkling, fruity wine was at an Olive Garden of all places. It was delicious but I dismissed it, partially because of the wine list I found it on. I've since "found" it again on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in their Portofino fine-dining restaurant on-board, and since learned that it has been featured during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival (one of my favourites!) in the Italy Pavilion. So, it is quite popular as a unique Italian wine. However, I also have learned it is a little hard to find for us outside of Toronto.
The only LCBO store within Durham to feature Rosa Regale is the new location at the corner of Salem and Taunton in Ajax. It is in the Vintages section of the store in the back, right hand corner. At the LCBO, you will find they only sell the short, half-bottle size (375 ml) and it is priced at $14.95 which is a little lower than it originally debuted at here in Canada. The item number is #179358 which you may need, if you can't find it on the shelf.
This is the perfect sparkling wine for the Holiday season and goes well with dark chocolate, dessert or brunch. Use it for some seasonal celebrating or as a welcome hostess gift.
I was very excited to discover it but a quick Google search already yielded quite a following of its own internationally. The first place I tasted Rosa Regale pink, sparkling, fruity wine was at an Olive Garden of all places. It was delicious but I dismissed it, partially because of the wine list I found it on. I've since "found" it again on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in their Portofino fine-dining restaurant on-board, and since learned that it has been featured during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival (one of my favourites!) in the Italy Pavilion. So, it is quite popular as a unique Italian wine. However, I also have learned it is a little hard to find for us outside of Toronto.
The only LCBO store within Durham to feature Rosa Regale is the new location at the corner of Salem and Taunton in Ajax. It is in the Vintages section of the store in the back, right hand corner. At the LCBO, you will find they only sell the short, half-bottle size (375 ml) and it is priced at $14.95 which is a little lower than it originally debuted at here in Canada. The item number is #179358 which you may need, if you can't find it on the shelf.
This is the perfect sparkling wine for the Holiday season and goes well with dark chocolate, dessert or brunch. Use it for some seasonal celebrating or as a welcome hostess gift.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tiramisu: Better than Italy
I'm almost surprising myself here a little when the first little Durham gem I decide to post is an Italian one. I'm not the biggest pasta or pizza fan and I feel that my own recipes outshine any Italian franchise I can find, but this locally owned Italian restaurant in Oshawa takes a big nod from me for just outdoing itself in flavour. At least, I'm pretty sure it does - based on the carbonara that I keep ordering. I've promised my friend Amanda, who introduced me to Avanti Trattoria, that I'll try something else from the entree menu but you just can't beat that prosciutto and cream sauce.
This restaurant brings so much flavour to every meal. They offer delicious Valpolicella red wine on their list, imported Trucillo espresso and imported Parmesan cheese and although I'm bursting at the seams by the end of every meal at Avanti - I doubt there is any tiramisu better than their tiramisu. I've tried it, tried it and tried it again, most recently before the trip to Italy I took returning just three weeks ago. With every bite of Avanti's recipe, one wonders if it tastes this good in Italy. I was sure it did. On a previous stop in Rome albeit several years ago, the tiramisu I remembered seemed to have that same melt in your mouth quality. So, I put it to the test again. And, I was shocked. Their tiramisu is better than the one in Italy! Is it possible? Maybe I didn't go to a good tiramisu place there? I don't know... You will have to be the judge. I just can't wait to visit the King Street, Oshawa location and fill them in on what I've learned.
I don't know for sure, but I hear that they use an old family recipe. Either way, this quality can't be denied - it is absolutely decadent. Avanti offers tiramisu better than you can find in Italy... or at least pretty close...
Monday, November 15, 2010
Finding Decadence in Durham
I am a foodie, kind of. I live in Durham, Ontario.
If you are reading this blog, I'm sure you are familiar with the little pocket of communities just a little east of the City of Toronto. Close enough to get a little culture but far enough away that it is sometimes hard to find enough of that culture here in the outskirts. Most Durham communities are "bedroom ones", where commuters into the city find themselves in the evenings and on weekends - often missing some of the great cuisine one would find during the weekday lunches and corporate gatherings. This leads to a vast number of foodie sites and restaurant review sites with unanswered forum posts about Durham: "Where do I find great Mexican food in Oshawa?", "I'm moving to Brooklin, are there any great dining spots around there?" If you Google these posts, you'll find the same handful of restaurants mentioned again and again and once you've dined there, where do you dine? I am hoping to fill that void, even just a little. Not only that, I am looking for suggestions - unique ones.
When I say that I am foodie, kind of. I am. I do have to warn you though, I feel there is a great deal to do with being a foodie outside of fine wine and $50 steaks. Don't worry, I will "go there" too but I will explore greasy little joints and grocery store items that bring a little decadence to my life in Durham.
I often find neither as I visit restaurant after restaurant as part of a part-time job I find myself working. None of them are decadent. I will eat, pay the bill, and not return again unless I'm paid to do so - I review to make sure they are presenting themselves the way they should. They offer quantity, value and sometimes high prices - but no decadence and not a lot of "heart". There are too many dining establishments around like this.
What is decadence? I think it has everything to do with quality and luxury. Sometimes the two go hand in hand and sometimes they don't. To me, finding decadence makes life feel luxurious wherever you find it. I can compare it to having recently ate gelato at the Cafe de Paris in Monaco but I can also compare it to driving a half hour for a good, cheap dozen of farm fresh eggs.
So, that is the decadence I'm looking for. Some luxury, some quality, sometimes both - here in Durham. When I find it, I want to share it. I hope you enjoy it!
If you are reading this blog, I'm sure you are familiar with the little pocket of communities just a little east of the City of Toronto. Close enough to get a little culture but far enough away that it is sometimes hard to find enough of that culture here in the outskirts. Most Durham communities are "bedroom ones", where commuters into the city find themselves in the evenings and on weekends - often missing some of the great cuisine one would find during the weekday lunches and corporate gatherings. This leads to a vast number of foodie sites and restaurant review sites with unanswered forum posts about Durham: "Where do I find great Mexican food in Oshawa?", "I'm moving to Brooklin, are there any great dining spots around there?" If you Google these posts, you'll find the same handful of restaurants mentioned again and again and once you've dined there, where do you dine? I am hoping to fill that void, even just a little. Not only that, I am looking for suggestions - unique ones.
When I say that I am foodie, kind of. I am. I do have to warn you though, I feel there is a great deal to do with being a foodie outside of fine wine and $50 steaks. Don't worry, I will "go there" too but I will explore greasy little joints and grocery store items that bring a little decadence to my life in Durham.
I often find neither as I visit restaurant after restaurant as part of a part-time job I find myself working. None of them are decadent. I will eat, pay the bill, and not return again unless I'm paid to do so - I review to make sure they are presenting themselves the way they should. They offer quantity, value and sometimes high prices - but no decadence and not a lot of "heart". There are too many dining establishments around like this.
What is decadence? I think it has everything to do with quality and luxury. Sometimes the two go hand in hand and sometimes they don't. To me, finding decadence makes life feel luxurious wherever you find it. I can compare it to having recently ate gelato at the Cafe de Paris in Monaco but I can also compare it to driving a half hour for a good, cheap dozen of farm fresh eggs.
So, that is the decadence I'm looking for. Some luxury, some quality, sometimes both - here in Durham. When I find it, I want to share it. I hope you enjoy it!
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