March 2010
1 post
December 2009
1 post
We Are Under Construction!!
November 2009
2 posts
4 tags
Sean Santos.
Everyone, I’d like you to meet Sean Santos.
I have known Sean for the past 22 years. Sean has cooked at some of Toronto’s hottest restaurants and that is how he honed his craft. His originality and hunger for knowledge has allowed him to grow as a chef and find his style. His epicurean interests are that of good, honest food with nothing of the slightest pretentiousness.
Not...
3 tags
Stay Tuned!
Sorry for the lack of posts lately! I’ve been busy working on alot of projects for ACQTASTE. I can’t go into too much detail of whats to come but I promise it will be worth the wait.
The guy at the end of the vid is Greg Washington, a very talented designer and photographer. We’ve been working on a project that will change the food game.
October 2009
1 post
6 tags
The Daily Grind :: Episode Two
In this episode we follow one of Toronto’s busiest chefs, Roger Mooking. Roger runs 2 successful restaurants and 1 local Dosa shop, hosts his own Foodtv show, and is a musician signed under Warner Music.
We also have some *bonus* footage from a concert that he performed at for this years Aids Walk for Life.
September 2009
1 post
3 tags
The Calm Before The Storm.
The first of many orders start to come in. Photo taken at Nyood Restaurant in Toronto.
August 2009
2 posts
2 tags
Erdinger Weisbier
There is nothing better than having a nice cold beer to cool off during these hot summer nights. For the past couple of months I’ve made an effort to try different beers rather than sticking to the usual suspects.
This week I came across a really good beer from Germany named “Erdinger Weisbier”. I was prompted to pick this beer up because it has similar characteristics to...
Prime Cuts.
I’ve come to the conclusion that I might be a “Meat-atarian”. Photo taken at St.Lawrence Market.
July 2009
4 posts
5 tags
The Daily Grind :: Episode 1
In the restaurant business you are only as good as your last meal. So every single day, you have to put in the work to ensure that when you are on top, you stay on top.
In this debut episode, we follow Lorenzo Loseto, executive chef at George Restaurant in Toronto, as he goes through his daily routine.
The Daily Grind Contest
Watch Episode One HERE
5 tags
"The Daily Grind" teaser
The food and restaurant business is a tough one. In order to stay on top of the game one must provide a top-notch experience every single day. The second you let up is the second you go unnoticed and as the saying goes “You’re only as good as your last plate”.
Here is a little teaser of a new online show that I’ve created. As the above title suggests, the show is called...
3 tags
Reggie's Sandwiches
I recently stopped by Reggie’s Old Fashioned Sandwiches on King St West and I must say that I am impressed. They have enough tasty selections to keep you coming back for a new sandwich everytime, as well as classic renditions you’ll become addicted to. What got my attention was their “Deep Fried Macaroni and Cheese”, which basically is classic macaroni formed into a...
May 2009
3 posts
3 tags
Its that time of the year again!
Ladies and Gentlemen (but mostly gentlemen), its finally time to break out the grills and take part in some good ol’ fashioned cookery by fire. I’ve already begun :P
2 tags
Summertime Refreshment
I recently was at the beaches having a bbq at a friends house when we had the sudden urge for something alcoholic to quench our thirsts. Ofcourse the obvious choice was a cold beer but I opted for something different for a change. Being that summer is just around the corner I decided to put together a simple summer cocktail with whatever they had in their fridge. Fortunately,...
3 tags
Good Ol' Double D's
This past week I’ve finally had the chance to check out one of Toronto’s landmarks, Dangerous Dan’s. If you ask any Toronto foodie what spots they like to frequent for a good burger, this diner always seems to find its way onto the list. At first glance the diner comes off as a dingy garage that houses old van seats as their dining chairs. My initial first impression of...
April 2009
8 posts
3 tags
Wasabi Oil
You know Japanese products have come full circle when they come out with a Wasabi flavoured olive oil. Ted Yamamoto introduced us to his new line of products which include a high end soy-sauce, a wasabi-soy sauce, sweet ginger vinger, Yuzu Ponzu and a wasabi olive oil. Though they are not as popular as yet in North American supermarkets they will surely be in months to come....
3 tags
Daily Grind
Cafe Mocha; this is what gets my day started.
3 tags
Rickards Taste Experience
Ah yes, beer and food, an obvious pairing but not necessarily a well thought out one. Even the idea of pairing beer with food seems somewhat foreign and culturally advanced for the average beer guzzler. And, unlike wine beer tends to be an after thought when paired with food, as in (these wings are waaay spicy better get a brew to douse these flames). So when our friends at...
4 tags
How to open a champagne bottle
This tip is great for when you have friends over and wanna break open that expensive bottle of bubbly in style. The reason this method is better than shaking the bottle and shooting the cap off is a) its safer b) you save alot more champagne from spilling out & c) makes you look like a pro.
3 tags
Sushi Man
This photo was taken at the Drake. Its amazing watching a sushi chef carefully put together a plate of sushi amongst a busy room of loud nightgoers while remaining calm. Its truly an art.
2 tags
Latenight Snack: Courvoisier Infused Strawberry...
Everynight between 12am to 2am I get a latenight craving for something savory. For some reason, tonight I had the craving for something alittle sweet. I looked into my fridge and realized that I still had some market fresh strawberries lying around. Besides the fact that eating strawberries by themself is just plain boring, I also had a brand new bucket of ice cream that would be the perfect...
4 tags
Acquired Taste, gets some love from 'Tumblr'
It has recently come to my attention that the good people over at Tumblr have chosen Acquired Taste as a “Staff Pick”. I know it’s not a Grammy or a Nobel Peace Prize but little things like this just gives you the affirmation that you’re on the right track. If you look up the word “Community” in the dictionary, you’d probably see the word Tumblr as...
4 tags
How to make a chopstick holder
This is a great tip for when your out with friends having sushi. Some restaurants don’t have chopstick holders, so rather than placing them on the table or on your miso bowl, try this.
Tip by Jasmine.
March 2009
11 posts
6 tags
SPRING x SUMMER 09: Up & Coming Wines
We are now in the Spring season with Summer just around the corner so we want to get you ready for it. You’re eventually going to hit that patio or backyard soon and you’re going to need a beverage to aid in that relaxation, so thats where wine comes in. Acquired Taste Magazine, along with Jimson Bienenstock (General Manager of George Restaurant, Wine Expert) have put together a...
2 tags
Latenight Snack: Proscuitto Sandwich
I have been in the restaurant industy for probably over 12 years now and my life has been affected as a result of it. Side affects include and are not limited to; eating lavishly, long days, long nights, lack of social life, and one of the most predominate…LATENIGHT SNACKING! By Latenight I mean 12am, 2am and sometimes even 4am. I just get these cravings for savory delights either while Im...
7 tags
Seeds Galore
This photo was taken in China Town at 9am
5 tags
Tofu Shirataki: NOODLE SUBSTITUTES
Our new friend Vanessa, from House Foods, introduced us to this cool new product “Tofu Shirataki” which is a tofu noodle substitute. Their product line includes spaghetti, fettuccine and angel hair noodles.
This is a great alternative to regular pasta since it is gluten free with no added sugars. These noodles tasted pretty good with some pasta sauce but were also...
8 tags
ITO EN Japanese Tea's
We were at the recent CRFA show in Toronto and we met with the good people at House Foods. They put us onto these great Japanese Tea’s that were honestly some of the best quality tea drinks we’ve tried. Their flavours include apple, blueberry, peach and their most popular in Japan, Oi Ocha green tea.
Oi Ocha is a double brew of prime first flush green tea leaves, the first...
3 tags
FoodTv Show Casting Call: Restaurant 101
With today’s tough economy, it would be a major challenge for anyone to open up a business let alone a restaurant. So for the brave ones that have taken the plunge and are already in the process, why not get help from the pros?
The good people at Red Apple Entertainment are looking for “New Restaurant Owners” for their upcoming TV series on Food Tv Canada. ...
3 tags
Jolly Rancher & Ice Breaker Slushies
If you’re a candy lover like myself, you’ll love these new Jolly Rancher and Ice Breaker Slushies. Its cool to see a candy you loved back in the day reemerge as a new product. The best part is that they’re both “Sugar-Free” so you don’t have to feel guilty when gulping these babies down.
Hopefully we’ll see them at your local gas...
3 tags
Candied Ginger Ice Cream: a uniquely great flavour
I was at “New Concept”, which is a Japanese sushi restaurant at the beaches and came across this cool flavour. You don’t typically associate “ginger” when it comes to ice cream flavours, so when the waitress went through their list of flavours, and ginger was last on the list, I couldn’t resist. I mean come on, how many times can you eat “Green...
3 tags
Fruit Stand.
Photo taken in Philippines by Sean Santos.
6 tags
Barchef: bringing molecular mixology to T.O.
When you mention the word “molecular” to anyone in the food world, you get two immediate associations. The first being “Molecular Gastronomy” and the second being “El Bulli”, which is a restaurant in Spain known for such culinary practices.
Toronto hasn’t quite made a name for itself by way of such practices, though it does have its...
4 tags
A sitdown with Andrew Mackenzie of Buddha Dog
We met with Andrew Mackenzie of Buddha Dog and he spoke on the “Slow Food Movement”, his view on Toronto’s food scene and his company, Buddha Dog. We found him to be quite an insightful guy with a love for food that is evident through his food. Check it out.
February 2009
10 posts
6 tags
Buddha Dog
Buddha Dog has taken the world’s most underrated meals and made it the front runner in their efforts to change the way Torontonians view food. Everything from their unique product offerings, to company philosophy, Buddha Dog has filled a void that was missing in Toronto’s food scene.
Buddha Dog’s philosophy is based on a movement called “The Slow Food Movement”...
7 tags
Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar
Today we stopped by one my favorite restaurants in Toronto, Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar. It remains in my Top 5 mainly because of consistency. Every single time I go there its always great food, great service & a reliably soothing ambience.
The whole Jamie Kennedy experience was unpretentious and truly gave the ingredients the spotlight. The tapas style menu sources local Ontario ingredients...
3 tags
Oral Fixation: cocktail flavoured mints
Not too often do you find tremendous detail put into a package holding mints that will probably last 2- minutes in your mouth. And if you’re like me and can’t wait the 2 minutes before chewing down you’ll find it hard to see what the fuss is all about with these mints. Well I’ve tried them, held back on my temptation to chew and actually enjoyed the flavours.
The mints obviously don’t contain...
5 tags
Vince Mammoliti of Terroni
While co-owner Paolo Scoppio and Cosimo Mammoliti attend to business abroad, younger brother Vince Mammoliti can be found holding down the fort in their absence. We sat down with Vince at their newest location (Adelaide) and he shed some light on the successful Southern Italian inspired restaurant.
Photos by Marvin Frialde
Video by Chuck Ortiz
3 tags
TERRONI
With 2 successful Terroni locations under their belt (Balmoral & Queen) its was almost expected for their newest location to follow suit. What previously was the “Court House” by the Liberty Entertainment Group, has now been transformed into their hippest location yet. Their smaller locations allowed them to focus more on their food while this location gives room for...
4 tags
Quality Meat.
Photo taken in Kensington Market at 9am.
4 tags
Gordon Ramsay in T.O.
Gordon’s newest cook book titled “Healthy Appetite”.
One happy fan.
Watching Gordon on such hit shows as Kitchen Nightmares, The F-Word and Hell’s Kitchen left me thinking that he wasn’t the nicest $@!#%*?. But after today’s book signing, he actually came off as a pretty nice guy that honestly appreciates his fans. Either way,...
4 tags
Ding Dong: Classic Snack.
This has got to be one of the best snacks ever; if you’re filipino or asian, then you’ll know what I mean.
Not to be confused with the American “Ding Dong” which is a hockey puck shaped chocolate delight, this Ding Dong is a mix of cornick, green peas, cracker nuts, peanuts and fava beans.
If you want to find one of these snacks, you’ll have to head over to your...
6 tags
Gourmet Food and Wine Show 08
Every year we get a chance to check out this show and we never leave disappointed. From the vast array of new products, to the great food, to the cool people, its definitely an event for any foodie to check out. The only downside to any regular attendant is that the tickets are a bit pricey. Lucky for us we get some freebies :P
Vitao by Nestea. Amazingly refreshing.
Danzka...
3 tags
Craft Burger
Craft Burger is considered a “Good Eat” due to the fact that they don’t try to over complicate things. When owner Mustafa Yusuf first opened doors his intent wasn’t to reinvent the burger and introduce crazy gourmet renditions on the age old burger. He simply just wanted to offer a simple, great tasting & hand crafted burger. And thats exactly what he has...
January 2008
1 post
About Us
This online publication aims to provide people with a place to enjoy food at its rawest. The one thing that has been lacking from food magazines, blogs and online publications is an urban viewpoint that many of us can identify with. Acquired Taste Magazine will bring that, through quality photos and video content. You can call us a blog, you can call us a magazine, whatever!...