Great Beer at The ex!!

Had a pleasant surprise Wednesday at the Canadian National Exhibition:
We stumbled upon a craft beer cafe with live jazz and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches! Who needs midway rides!

Entrance Banner

A bit expensive. But there's a very good selection of local craft brews! Samples are only $2.50 each. Half pints $5.

In The Direct Energy Centre

Centrally located but not easy to find, the Griffin Gastropub is in the North end of the Direct Energy Centre, East of Heritage Court, between the 'Wine Garden' and 'Remember When'.

Maiga Shea Butter

Maiga 100% Handmade Raw Shea Butter. Naturally rich in Vitamin A, E, F and Cinnamic Acid. Organic and fare-trade.

I found this product to be marvellous for treating rashes and dry skin. Worked really well treating my eczema, then was a magical relief from Tarceva rash -- a serious and very uncomfortable side effect associated with a common cancer drug. The effect was truly amazing! Far better than any of the various recommended moisturisers. Several other uses are listed below.

Shea butter is a very common ingredient in cosmetics and skin treatments -- you may have just as much luck with common off-the-shelf products -- but I prefer an all natural fair trade product. The texture is very pleasing. And though this is pure oil, it's not greasy. It's very thick in consistency but melts on skin contact. A very small amount goes a long way. The product has a very pleasant, natural, totally non-medicinal, odour.

Unfortunately, because this is a handmade, natural, product, it is not widely distributed. No problem. Order directly from the Web site - "Shea Butter Direct" -- or catch the proprietor at Toronto's St. Lawrence Market every Saturday (downstairs beside the North eating area.). Other locations are listed on the Web site.

Shea Butter Direct

Here's the claim from the Maiga Web site:

• Organic,and fare Trade.
• Moisturizes, and softens very dry Skin, dry Feet, dry Elbows,and dry Hands.
• Heals ECZEMA, Skin rash, Skin itching, Sun Burns,Dermatitis, and Dandruff.
• Neutralizes Psoriasis, & ACNE.
• Reduces Wrinkles, and Stretch marks, by rejuvenating, andrenewing the cells.
• Eases the pain of Arthritis, and other pain from the jointsand muscles.
• Reduces the Exposure to the Sun on your face which slowsdown the rate of ageing.
• Absorbs quickly into the skin, and does not clog the pores.
• Ingredients: 100% Handmade Raw Shea Butter
• Naturally rich in Vitamin A, E, F and Cinnamic Acid.

Great Dentist - Downtown Toronto

Looking for a good dentist in downtown Toronto? Look no further. Dr. Aronson practices from a very clean, centrally-located, office in the lower level of the large, new, white tower on Toronto's skyline. Two other experienced doctors are available in case of emergency.

Dr. Ilana Aronson
First Canadian Place
Toronto, ON M5X 1B1
416-868-1066

 Looking for a hygenist? Ask for Mary. But book early. She's VERY popular.

All Natural - Unpasteurised 'Whole' Beer!

Beaus All Natural Brewing Company

"We brew using equal parts art & science."

Seems hard to find an unpasteurised beer these days. Hailing from Vankleek Hill, Ontario (between Ottawa and Montreal) this family-run and totally DIY brewery says it uses "the highest quality, all natural ingredients like certified organic hops & malts and local spring water." In answer to my recent query, they noted that "none of Beau's products are pasteurised."

That's my kind o' brew!!

I've tried only the flagship 'Lug-Tread Lagered Ale' thus far, but I'm impressed enough to post this early recommendation.

Here's some of Beau's posted information and a link.

Beau's Promise:

"We use local spring water and we don’t chemically alter it. Because of this the mineral content in our water changes with the seasons. That’s how we like it. 100% of the malts we use are certified organic.

We don’t use cheap malt extracts and we don’t cheat by adding high-glucose corn syrup. As far as we’re concerned corn syrup, rice extracts and other sugary substitutes for grain is unacceptable.

100% of our hops are certified organic, too, and we’re not afraid to use them! While we make sure that our hops are stylistically appropriate, we don’t shy away from this wonderful spice.

We brew according to style, and we let our beer age. And age. And age. Our beer is clean, crisp and incredibly easy to drink, because we let the flavours come together the way the traditional way…with patience. We approach the freshness of our beer with the zeal of a fanatic.

We personally deliver our beer every week to each individual store and restaurant that carriesour beer. We work with our restaurants to make every effort to have clean beer lines and small inventories. To make a long story short, it really is all about the beer."

Sounds to me like a recipe for success.... Here's a link...

Beaus All Natural Brewing Company

Best Darn Sandwich in Downtown Toronto!

First, I'll point out that almost EVERYTHING at THE SENATOR restaurant is made in-house! Even the jam! The soup, for instance, starts with home-made stock. You just don't find this kind of care in restaurants any more!

So... to my favourite sandwich. It's called:

The Classic Turkey Sandwich

We're talking LOTS of fresh-roasted turkey breast, Swiss cheese. lettuce, tomatoes and just the right amount of delicious cranberry-pecan mayonnaise layered between two slices of fresh multigrain bread. The bread is, I'm told, one of the only things not made in-house, but you'd hardly tell. It's great bread!

Now here's my little secret. This sandwich is usually served with what they call the "daily garnish." This is Senator-speak for coleslaw. Now, the coleslaw here is excellent, but -- if your nice and play ignorant -- you just might get your server to substitute a mug of the great home-made soup! All for about $11.00. Coffee -- some of the best in town and bottomless, adds another $2.50.

Not particularly cheap, but your body will thank you!

Best Breakfast in Toronto's Beaches Neighbourhood

Looking for a great breakfast in Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood?

We often visit The Beachside Grill, 1922 Queen Street, East at Kippendavie (just East of Woodbine). Substitute fresh fruit for home fries. No extra charge! I like the muffin sandwich breakfast combo -- Xris' Style! A complete meal: a small fresh fruit salad (I ask for 'the works' -- yoghurt and granola on the fruit instead of home fries) beside an English muffin sandwich consisting of one egg; one strip of nice, fresh, properly-cooked, Canadian bacon; and a bit of real cheddar! The coffee is always fine, fresh and apparently bottomless.

For lunch, try the Original Chicken Club!

Just Getting Started!

Come back soon and see the latest recommendations from:

Xris.