Welcome to Bears Without Borders!

*~ Not sure what to do this weekend? No worries! This is a site to share my beloved passion and experience of dining, playing, and exploring. If you love to explore, then this site is for you! If not, well, it's time to get out there! Life is too short to just sit there and rot :P Hope you enjoy your stay here! ~*

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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Summer holiday is here!

Can't believe the school year is almost over... wow... time pass by really fast! I am so relieved that I passed the "test" and I have to say this year is probably the least stressful one of my teaching career.  I actually look forward to go to school each day!  I hope next year will be the same, if not better :)

Glad I made the change!


 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Taste of Iceland in Toronto

One of my goals for this year is to visit Iceland to explore its natural beauty and see the Northern Lights.  Although my trip has been delayed, I had come across a special opportunity to have an Icelandic meal right here in Toronto during the Taste of Iceland event at Drake Hotel. 

The 4-course prix-fixe meal was prepared by Chef Hakon Mar Orvarsson and Chef Darren Glew, sourcing the freshest ingredients straight from Iceland.  The seating was a bit tight, but the meal itself was quite enjoyable.  The drinks were not included in the prix-fixe.  The signature cocktail tasted looked pretty but tasted like cough syrup to me :( The lavender lemonade was bearable on the other hand. 

The 1st course (appetizer) included 5 plates of food to share. The Icelandic butter was yummy on the chunchy toast, but the Icelandic dried fish was too chewy.  The grilled langoustine were so delicious I can eat a whole plate of them.  The Atlantic shrimps didn't have much taste to them but were refreshing with the caviar.  Mmm... the deep fried cod potato balls were sooo gooddddddd.  The pickled herring was my least favourite dish of all.  

There were two main courses: smoked salmon and seared free range lamb with berries and root vegetables.  The thickly-cut smoked salmon had a lovely texture that melt in your mouth.  The lamb was seared perfectly, not tough or hard to chew, with just the right amount of fat.  It was well seasoned too with local herbs and berries.  The root veggies on the side were delicious as well.

By this time, we were quite full.  Still, a meal would not be completed without dessert.  It was the famous Icelandic yogurt: skyr.  It was made into a mousse so it had a cheese-cake-like texture without any cheesy taste.  The taste was light so it was made to combine with the sour rhubarb, the crispy oat hazelnut crumble, and the apple jelly.   At the end, the chef came out to talk to us and it was a wonderful night.

I am looking forward to eat more Icelandic food when I visit Iceland (though I know the meals and the trip will break my wallet... LOL).


The ambiance

Book shelves in the background

A limited time special event

The menu

Regular drinks menu

Lavender lemonade

Signature cocktail: Sons and Daughters

The candle

It was small bear bear's b-day, she is happy to have a special cake made from mama

Hardfishkur with Icelandic butter

Atlantic shrimp with lumpfish caviar

Grilled Icelandic langoustine

Deep fried crispy balls of cod and potato

Pickled herring

Nice pot

Naturally raised Icelandic smoked salmon

Seared free range Icelandic lamb with glazed root vegetables and wild Icelandic blueberry and herb jus

Skyr mousse with apple jelly, crispy oat hazelnut crumble, cinnamon poached rhubarb