Wine
Nov 24th, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending an evening with Margrit Mondavi and the just one-month young Modus Ristorante. Margrit Mondavi is the widow of Napa Valley wine pioneer Robert Mondavi. Modus Ristorante is owned by Sam Genkov who you may remember from Restaurant Makeover (“I’m watching you”) where his Bravi [...]
Posted in Featured, Italian, Napa Valley, Review, Talk Toronto, Wine | 1 Comment »
Oct 24th, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
A short while ago I wrote about having lunch at one of Toronto’s great new places to eat seafood – Diana’s in Scarborough. As sexy as it was having a Lobster Club House sandwich, the real star of that lunch were the steamed mussels in a white wine and fennel sauce. Tremendous. I asked our [...]
Posted in Appetizer, Bistro, Butter, Canadiana, Featured, Herbs, Recipes, Seafood, Wine | 13 comments
Aug 2nd, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
How’s your summer been so far? Mine’s been wonderful…spending time with good friends and I’ve also met some wonderful new people…added into the friendship fold I have! I’m heading off to Greece tomorrow for my annual summer vacation, seeing family, friends and likely to make more new friends. I’m not sure where I’m going this [...]
Posted in Beverage, Featured, Fruit, Greek, Oranges, Spices, Syrup, Wine | 15 comments
Apr 2nd, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
One aspect of the kitchen that I’ve really never enjoyed is washing pots, pans – doing the dishes. Sometimes it can’t be avoided and other times I might even forego making something that requires alot of clean-up…depends on my mood I suppose. Sometimes I also crave a dish but I don’t want the huge clean-up [...]
Posted in Cheese, Featured, Flour, Herbs, How To, Italian, Main, Olive Oil, Onions, Pasta, Recipes, Wine | 18 comments
Mar 26th, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
I recently was invited for a preview/tasting of Malena’s Spring menu. The name Malena was inspired by the movie (starring Monica Belluci) and the cuisine is reflective of the ingredients that surround the Ionian Sea. The Ionian is the body of water that lies between Italy and Greece and hence the concept of the two [...]
Posted in Canadiana, Featured, Greek Food, Italian, Review, Talk Toronto, Wine | 11 comments
Jan 30th, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
If you saw the Pork dish I made last night, you too would want to have a vegetarian dish as a follow-up meal. I’m also really excited to share this recipe for a Mushroom Bolognese sauce. This pasta dish is for those that love mushrooms and you’re looking for a way to serve them as [...]
Posted in Featured, Herbs, Italian, Mushrooms, Olive Oil, Onions, Pasta, Recipes, Stock, Vegetarian, Wine | 32 comments
Jan 26th, 2011 |
By Peter Minakis 
In the town near to our summer home in Greece, is a “psaro taverna” or seafood tavern that’s been a favourite of our family & friends for years. The taverna’s name is Kapetan Giakoumis and the proprietor is this portly fellow with long curly dark brown hair. Think rolly-polly Diego Maradona. Our summer home is [...]
Posted in Appetizer, Cheese, Featured, Greek, Greek Wine, Halkidiki, Herbs, Lemon, Meze, Seafood, Thessaloniki, Wine | 33 comments
Nov 22nd, 2010 |
By Peter Minakis 
It’s been just over a week since my all-day visit to Hockley Valley Resort, just northwest of Toronto. Located just north of Orangeville, Hockley Valley is the perfect answer for those looking to escape the traffic, fast pace and din that has now become Toronto. Fancy a few holes of golf, a day at the [...]
Posted in Canadiana, Featured, Ontario, Resort, Talk Toronto, Wine | 16 comments
Jul 4th, 2010 |
By Peter Minakis 
A couple of weekends ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Cypriot Community of Toronto’s Cultural Centre, where they held their annual Summer Festival on their grounds. After straightening out a mix-up (someone thought I was a politico and asked me to sit at a head table), I located some friends, had a seat [...]
Posted in Cheese, Cypriot, Featured, Greek Grill, Herbs, Lamb, Main, Pork, Potato, Salad, Wine | 21 comments
Mar 2nd, 2010 |
By Peter Minakis 
What if I told you that there’s a dish that you can make at home (affordably), be transported into an Italian home and taste authentically Italian? You with me? What if that dish was also vegetarian but was as filling as a meat dish? Look no further than Eggplant Parmesan. This recipe comes to you [...]
Posted in Baking, Cheese, Featured, Frying, Herbs, How To, Italian, Main, Olive Oil, Recipes, Sauce, Vegetarian, Wine | 35 comments