Guinness Chocolate Cake

March 4th, 2010 | By

On Monday, I tried a ‘guinness chocolate cake’ at Allen’s (on the Danforth).  Our server told us that she didn’t particularly like the cake, it was one of those ‘love it or hate it’ type things, and the icing is really good.  The icing is made with sour cream, cream cheese and some other stuff.  I’m assuming sugar and eggs.  The cake is a mixture of chocolate and guinness and suppose to have a bitter aftertaste (which I don’t mind).

I didn’t taste the guinness, or the after taste and I hated the icing, it was too creamy.  I remember my cousin made cupcakes with that kind of icing before, hated it.  The cake tasted stale to me.  I don’t know if that’s the guinness effect or if the cake was just stale.  I couldn’t tell the difference.  Anyway, I’d love to try it again sans yucky icing, and maybe a little bit more fresh? Or maybe the cake was fresh and it’s supposed to taste stale-like because of the beer?  Okay, I’m starting to go in circles because I honestly did not get the point of the cake.

Here’s the recipe if you want to try making it, maybe you can make it more ‘guinness-y’ tasting.

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O'Noir

March 4th, 2010 | By

A couple of weeks ago, a bunch of friends and I went to O Noir, the eat in the dark restaurant.  The servers are blind and you eat in pitch black (no, not one gleam of light).  It was an interesting 2 hour experience.  My eyes took some time to adjust.  By the 30 minute mark, I could reach for my cutlery and drinks without having to feel for anything.  A few people have since asked me about the experience, so I’ll sum up the common questions.

• How did you order?   We ordered the food in the lobby/bar before going in.

• What kind of food did you have?  The menu didn’t have the food that I expected and/or wanted.  I had seen the experience of an old CSI episode and expected more sensual tasting food, like figs, lobster, etc.  Instead, it was pasta, steak and chicken.  Nothing wrong with that, just not what I expected.  The steak is already cut up (I’m sure they don’t want any accidents).  The funniest part was when a friend asked for pepper then turns to me and says, “How do I know how much I’m putting?”

• How did you get in and out of the restaurant?  There’s a lobby/bar waiting area where you order your food and wait to be taken in.  Your server then tells you to line up, and reach for each other’s right shoulders (like a train) and walk in together.

• Were your other sense heightened? Yes and no.  The choice of food didn’t have a strong enough scent.  My friends could smell my Merlot though.  And, I could hear everything in the room, including the annoying teenager acting bunch who warranted a couple of ‘shhhhs’ from our server.

Try it if you’re into new experiences.

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Macarons

October 30th, 2009 | By

(via sergeantkero)

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Kir Royale

September 14th, 2009 | By

Kir Royale, my new favourite drink. … 1-part Cassis, 9-part Champagne.

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Cutting Sugar

August 26th, 2009 | By

An article on Cutting Sugar

Heart Association urging to cut sugar consumption. I can’t handle this kind of news!  6 teaspoons, that’s breakfast alone!

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Cafe 260

August 25th, 2009 | By

I forgot to write about Cafe 260 last week.  I went to meet up with my fave illustrator Danielle Meder (FinalFashion blog) @ Cafe 260.  She introduced me to the place last year.   This time, I just had their Italian Soda and a chocolate chip cookie that I really had to resist scarfing down.  Oh wait a minute, I just found out they have sandwiches.  I’ve got to go back now…

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