Saturday, March 26, 2011

Chu Chai

Last Friday night*, I made a huge gastronomical discovery. I went to Chu Chai.

Chu Chai is an award-winning gourmet Thai vegetarian restaurant located on St-Denis. Inside, the atmosphere is - in Quebec we say flyé. Upscale, really cool, very now-this-is-a-nice-place, so-glad-I-brought-my-people-here. I brought people there because Monsieur went there and swore it was amazing. Monsieur, who, at the mention of "it's tofu" stops eating, told me he wouldn't have known his duck was real meat or not, so much it was A-mazing.

Welcome to Chu Chai.

We started with their famous 5 flavour bites: a mix of grated coconut, ginger and other spices on a spinach leaf. The finger food is very interesting, perhaps the most experimental dish I've had of late. The mango salad had so much texture to it and the dumplings were heavenly. I stayed true to my coconut milk obsession and ordered the chicken in coconut milk, green curry and basil. It was fresh, tasted what I  wanted and more. My dad's shrimp surprised me (prior to Chu Chai I imagined tofu ground beef, but tofu chicken? shrimp? duck?) - and what a great imitation of real shrimp it was! The noodle dish was very spicy, but I was warned. And now, the reason you must go to Chu Chai... the Ped Palo, also known as crispy duck. When you go, let me know if you think its tofu or real because Istillcan'tbelieveit'svegetarian.

Miam Kram: Bouchées 5 saveurs / 5 Flavour finger food, winner of best finger food among the top 50 chefs of Quebec in 2005
Yam Mamuang: mango salad
Kiao Satay: peanut sauce dumpling
Khiao Wan Gai: chicken in green curry, coconut milk and basil
Koung Himaparn: shrimp with cashew nuts and pineapple
Ped Kemow: rice noodles with duck, egg, chili and basil
Ped Palo: crispy duck, soya sauce and spinach
Lychee for dessert and green tea ice cream (not pictured)

*2 weeks ago, I had problems posting this
Chuchai on Urbanspoon

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

SOS Japan Fashion Show

This upcoming Saturday, my dear friend and designer Takaaki Kubo is hosting a charity fashion show to raise money for Japan with Mode-Montréal. Taking place at the Holiday Inn select downtown, the show includes other participating designers. Dinh Bà, Anne de Shalla, Edwin & Peter and Jessica Simon will show pieces from their collections, alongside Stunn Men by Takaaki Kubo. Proceeds will go to the Japanese Red Cross. Please come and help us raise money for a truly great cause. Click here for more information.




Saturday, March 12, 2011

Tokyo Sushi

You know that a place is really good when half way through your meal your friend exclaims (her mouth full) : JULIA, YOUR CAMERA!
And there goes half of potential pictures, inmymouth. Ahhh... 
Tokyo Sushi, located on St-Catherine, is fantastic for a all-you-can-eat lunch for a great deal. The extensive menu offers food for every eater. My soft spot here is the mango and green tea ice cream. Careful though, it disappears quickly!
On a side-note, don't come in a hurry and don't expect much from the waiters. At lunch time the place gets packed very quickly... come early and ask for a booth.
Tokyo Sushi on Urbanspoon

Sunday, March 6, 2011

A Legal Affair Fashion Show

The other day I had the chance to go to McGill's Faculty of Law fashion show (a fundraiser for a great cause- all the money raised went to the Dr Julien foundation, an organization that provides children in need with health care, hope, power and a chance to a better life). The designers showcased were (in order) French Connection, Obscur, Costa Blanca, Will Be, JVG Design*, Boutique Onze, Jaf, Buy the City*, Annie 50*, Jean-Paul Corbeil*, Valérie Dumaine*, Body Bag by Jude*, Cherry Berry handbags and Annie-Claude Cyr*. Here are some of the pictures I took:

* Montreal-based designers

Great job guys!