La Rose!

It was a Pizza Loving neighbour's official day of birth and she was entitled and honoured to receive a fresh home-baked pie from one of the world's best pizza artisans - but first I needed to get some quality ingredients on a fast pick-up enroute home.  I was travelling with a fellow west-end gourmond also requiring sundries so I turned to an old friend, La Rose Bakery at La Rose Plaza on La Rose ave. (between Scarlett rd. & Royal York rd. just North of Eglinton). The well known Zia figure, 'Seignora' is gone but her hot table surrounded  by fantastic breads and deliciousness remains.

I practically grew up on La Rose chow; chicken fingers, panzarottos and sangweech were staples for meals on the move. 
Our house always had at least one loaf of Italian bread on the go, usually many.  One of my wacky woggy uncles from the west coast used to come stay with  us just so he could go there every morning, pick out savoury snacks and bags of fresh baked bread to inhale the aroma all day - I like his style.  No trip to Plant World is truly complete without at least a slice from LRB for the ride home. Their pizza dough was of excellent consistency for my preferences - fresh bufalo mozzarella, pancetta and marinated mushrooms & olives gathered with my famous San Marz B tomato sauce - so many good vibes were happening in the oven that my pizza stone actually cracked.  That's OK, I'm due for a new one , and a few more trips to the old neighbourhood.  Coffees and Gelatos are also available, of course.

Price: Good
Rating: A

140 La Rose Ave, Toronto

416-248-9828

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La Veranda Osteria

Easter Bunny set up shop at the corner of Royal York and Bloor and the adoring throngs were queing up for a glimpse of the mythical pre-paella pseudo diety entertaining the public on a sunny holiday weekend.  Live keyboard entertainment boomed out from the corner scene and did good noise battle with the roaring bus traffic passing through RY Station. The patio of La Veranda Osteria seemed the perfect spot to take in the day and fuel up with my 5 year old dining companion (a massive fan of the Easter Bunny).  This location was formerly known as Cru, which was a promising spot with really good tasting food - I recall that the "overall experience" of Cru was missing 'something' though, not sure what exactly ....
La Veranda has a simplified classic Italian look and menu and has made a concerted effort to create a euro-esque outdoor patio space - tobacco smoke encounters and all.  We got comfortable under an umbrella and paroused the lunch specials; Jr. went for the minestrone soup, I chose the veal parmagiana with penne and we shared an antipasto plate. The outdoor liquor license wasn't yet in effect so the singing , dancing Bunny show was safe from Blues Brothers style saloon pelting for at least one more meal.

The food was all pretty decent and the prices weren't bad  - I enjoyed killing a couple hours on 'the Veranda'.  A few chocolate eggs compliments of the big guy himself made everything right again. Inside LVO definately looks different than Cru - seems a good place for gatherings, parties, celebrations.

Price: $28
Rating: B-

946 Royal York Road

(416) 231-3800

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Easy Meal Solutions with SupperWorks Etobicoke

What if we told you it could take you  5 minutes (or less) to make supper for your family tonight?
We're sure you might think we are pulling your leg, what with all those preparations, interruptions and the million other things you have to do.  But seriously, it can be done... we have proof. Sherry Mcleod from SupperWorks in Etobicoke showed us first hand that is possible.

"This not only saves you time with grocery shopping, chopping and clean-up, it also saves you money" Sherry says enthusiastically. "Every month we have 14 main entrees to choose from, plus side dishes and desserts, to make a full meal." Sherry is clearly passionate about about SupperWorks. She first experienced the concept a few years ago near her Oakville home and lived it.

"This is just so much more fun that doing all yourself at home" she says. It's so organized and best of all you don't have to do the dishes! It's really a no-brainer. If you think about it grocery shopping would take at least an hour a week. Here you can make 6 family sized meals in one hour."

SupperWorks offers pick up services where they'll make the meals and you have to do is pick them up. A popular option  is the Stork Special for new parents-- by purchasing entrees for the first two months after your bundle of joy arrives SupperWorks will prepare all the meals for you. And, just in time for hot summer weekends, check out the Cottage Specials that feature great grilling options you can whip up, or pick up pre-made, before heading north for the weekend. So many ptions and everything is kept at a relatively low cost, with out sacrificing quality.

SupperWorks is located at 1136 The Queensway (just west of Islington Ave.) For more information, visit SupperWorks.com or call 416-354-2220 or email etobicoke@supperworks.com 

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