Food & Co.

This new scoop about Ugly Betty is actually hilarious! Even though the show was banished to Friday night’s (now moving back to Wednesdays) it remains one of the best shows on network TV and it’s gotten SO much better. Can’t wait for Wilhediva Hater!

‘Ugly Betty’ exclusive: Vanessa Williams’ bro cast as Willie’s twin!

by Michael AusielloCategories: News, Ugly Betty

It looks like Ugly Betty’s new Wednesday timeslot is going to be a real drag for Wilhelmina Slater — but in a good way.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Vanessa Williams’ real-life bro, Chris Williams (a.k.a. Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Crazy Eyez Killah!), will guest star in an early ‘10 episode as Willie’s drag queen doppelganger, Wilhediva Hater.

Good, right? Wait, it gets better.

Here’s the set-up, per an Ugly insider: Willie gets tipped off that someone has been regularly impersonating her at a drag club and she tries to shut the act down. That is, until she realizes that faux Willie could come in handy by attending meetings and events on her behalf. As a result, “The two end up working together,” says my spy.

Once housed on the second floor of an old Toronto bar, Caplanky’s Deli has bloomed in its own big bright space on College between Bathurst & Spadina. The Sunday I went it was around 2pm and there was a large line, so go early! Or go late - the deli is open until 11pm on Wednesday - Saturday and 10pm on Sunday - Tuesday.

The draw is definitely the smoked meat but I loved the smoked meat hash. It was salty and delicious with a sunny side egg on top - what more can you ask for! Order a slice of Ruthie’s apple cake to finish things off (it was named after my grandma - the owner used my mom’s recipe). http://caplanskys.com/

Tried out one of the newest burger joints in Toronto today - Oh Boy! Burger Market on Queen St. West (between Spadina & Bathurst). There seems to be a new burger restaurant popping up in T.O. everyday! I’ve also tried W Burger Bar which shouldn’t be confused with Burger Bar in Kensington. Oh Boy! was pretty delicious. It was a big burger that was pretty filling - I didn’t really need a side. But I kinda Wish I’d tried the fries because they looked very tasty.

http://www.ohboyburger.com/

I randomly had two brunches at the Four Seasons today. The first was at 11am for my dad’s birthday at Avenue. They had a huge buffet spread - an egg bar, a pasta station, a meat station, seafood, bagels and toast, pastries, lots of little desserts, an ice cream bar…the list goes on. Then at 2pm it was up to the Studio Cafe for a birthday brunch. They have a fixed price menu for 34 dollars which includes a small appetizer (fruit or soup or smoked salmon) and main course, plus juice and coffee. I got the mixed berries to start and the chorizo hash with poached eggs (potatoes and sweet potatoes were a bit too hard and didn’t like the raw onions). Others ordered the breakfast pasta (delicious) and the pancakes (good/average). We knew it was time to go when it got dark outside, the lights were dimmed and candles were put on the table. We were also curious if the Four Seasons will keep the Studio Cafe going in its fancy new digs going up at Bay and Yorkville. I’ll get back to you on that one…

I recently came back from a trip to New York and because I’m obsessed with food and taking pictures of food, I thought I’d share some of the places I ate at.

1) Billy’s Bakery.

When I step into Billy’s I’m instantly happy. The smell, the cupcakes and the colour of the walls all do it for me. The cupcakes are the most delicious I’ve ever tasted. They are colourful and make you feel like a kid again. The cakes are also not to be missed especially the carrot. It’s usually my first stop in the city.
http://www.billysbakerynyc.com/

2) CO.

When I landed late Wednesday night, I dropped my stuff off at Christina’s in Chelsea and went right to CO. which was just up the street (9th &24th St.). I ordered the lamb meatball pizza which had olives and onions on it. I didn’t really like the olives but the meatballs were delicious. I ordered it to go and it was ready nice and fast. It was a tad pricey but it is gourmet pizza after all.
http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/co/menus/main.html

3) Pearls Oyster Bar

There’s a first time for everything and at Pearl’s it was my very first time trying raw Oysters. Surprised? Actually many people were to hear I’d never tried them before but yes it was true! I first heard about Pearl’s Oyster Bar (don’t make fun of me) in GOOP, Gwyenth Paltrow’s e-newsletter. And after asking a few other people about it, confirming it was actually worth going to, I asked Michelle to check it out with me. I was told to try the fried Oysters to slowly ease my way into it but we decided to go right for the raw ones. When they came to the table, they didn’t scare me. I mean I’ve eaten mussels before so I kinda knew what the texture would be like but the whole slurping them right from the shell was definitely an interesting experience. Michelle’s Oysters seemed to slide out much easier than mine. Mine were being difficult. But I managed to get the salty suckers out. Next came the 27 dollar piece de resistance and it was worth every penny. The lobster roll was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Pearls and it was the best I’d ever tasted. There were at least 3 or 4 people on their own sitting at the bar eating a lobster roll. I should also mention there was a line outside before the restaurant opened, so go early. Michelle ordered the scallops.
http://www.pearloysterbar.com

4) Amy’s Bread

Delicious cakes at this little bakery just around the corner from Pearls Oyster Bar. I liked the white on chocolate cake better than Amy’s version of the red velvet cake.
http://www.amysbread.com/

5) DBGB Kitchen & Bar

What’s that on top of the burger you ask?! Well I’ll tell you! It’s pulled pork and it gets better… the burger is called The Piggy! Delicious burger and great fries. A perfect place for lunch and a quick rest during a shopping trip in Soho.
http://www.danielnyc.com/dbgb.html

6) Hill Country

If you like meat you’ll love Hill Country. There is A LOT of meat! What happens at this fun restaurant is you get a card, line up and eventually find yourself at what looks like a deli counter. The friendly ‘meat’ chefs or butchers weigh what you order and wrap it up for you to take back to your table. I ordered a short rib. I tried to order half a pound but it only came as a pound because you can’t cut through the bone. So I got a very large piece of meat and that’s all I ordered. Well obviously I ordered sides too. We got portions large enough for the table to share - mac & cheese, potatoes, coleslaw and corn bread. Beware, you will be very full after a meal at Hill Country.
http://www.hillcountryny.com/

7) Tipsy Parson

Recently opened I went to Tipsy with Mitchell, Nate & Gabriella. The food was good but it seemed like we filled up really fast on the appetizers and hardly had room for the mains. The mac & cheese was a high point and I really liked the caramelized brussels sprouts. The drinks were also fun and southern. Mine was frozen and froze my tongue. And now I can say I’ve tried fried chicken livers. There’s also that crazy green dessert - a Grasshopper (mint mousse, chocolate cookie crumbs, chocolate custard & fresh whipped cream!). Nate thought it tasted like toothpaste

Although the headline of the article read: “Kids’ clothes - and the women who wear them” I was quoted in the Globe & Mail today regarding this previous tumblr post - thankfully Amy segued into my section with that first sentence.  

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Including, apparently, men. Mark Rupert, a producer for eTalk, bought the boy’s version of the leopard sweater, having never previously set foot inside GapKids. While he was excited to show off his purchase to some colleagues, he expected others wouldn’t understand. “I didn’t want to tell the camera guy at work because I knew he’d make fun of me,” says Rupert, adding that he doesn’t plan to add the store to his regular haunts for no other reason than the change rooms. “I wasn’t going to try it on in the store; I [felt] kind of creepy with all the kids around.”