My So Good

On a Monday night, when the weather has turned cold again after a pleasant week-end, I had a hankering for some hot food. So I stopped at a new ramen shop (yes, they are still opening in Toronto) called Ramen Misoya.

Their specialty seemed to be miso broth. Looking over the menu, I settled on a vegetarian gold kame bowl ($13.50) with additional toppings: tofu ($1) and menma or bamboo shoot ($1.50). Gold vs silver indicated the richness of the broth (and style Hokkaido vs Tokyo). So my bowl came out thick and golden. The noodle had the perfect chew. I didn't need my tofu fried. One twist here was the addition of a couple of fried potato wedges for the gold kame. All in all, it was a satisfying dinner for a winter night.

King Can

On Saturday, I was at the Velvet Underground for 2 singers performing for the first time in Canada. First up was rapper/singer Raja Kumari from California. This Indian-American had no tour mates, only backing tracks. But she filled up the stage with her swagger. It was fun to listen to pop and rap songs with South Asian influence. In addition to various hip-hop style posing and movements, she judiciously show-cased some Indian-style dancing and gestures. It was a short but great set.

Headliner MNEK came from the U.K. to an adoring crowd. I decided to leave the packed front of the stage so that there'd be more room for dancing. Sure enough, MNEK and his four dancers played a set full of up-tempo dance music with plenty of sing-along chorus and thumping beats. For both artists, I noticed that the crowd was much more diverse in ethnicity and sexual orientation than the usual show. Once again, it's amazing how much representation matters on stage.

Eight Is Enough?

To celebrate learning 600+ plus songs and eight years in existence, cover band Dwayne Gretzky had a special show at The Opera House on Friday. It's been a long time since their $10 cover beginnings at The Dakota Tavern. Now they do sell-out shows in large venues with tickets approaching $50.

We were told beforehand that there would be a film crew tonight. I thought it would the typical indie band arrangement: a couple of buddies with some SLR cameras, perhaps attached to a semi-pro neck or body rig. It turned out to be 6 or more large, professional cameras with some needing 2 operators. There was even a dolly track between the stage and the sold-out crowd. It made the Live at Massey Hall outfit, my only other exposure to concert filming, looked like a home video set-up.

Dwayne Gretzky took the opportunity to play through the "greatest hits" as well as covering new "bucket-list" tracks including In Your Eyes (Peter Gabriel) and God Only Knows (Beach Boys). Of the new numbers, the bassist's turn at the mic doing the Golden Slumbers medley (The Beatles) was a highlight. It showed just how passionate and talented this band is. DG has never been a lazy bar band.

The crowd skewed older tonight (from mid-30s to early 60s) and so did the songs. Most were from the 80s or earlier although there were forays into 90s and early aught music. Appropriately enough, they ended their show, 2 sets and a 4-song encore later, with With A Little Help From My Friends. This song was a favourite closer of their early shows but hasn't made a recent appearance. Near the end of their 2nd set, Tyler Kyte thanked their fans for eight years, saying "We'll keep playing if you keep coming out". An approving roar was the answer.

La Nouvelle Vague

On Saturday, I went to a show at The Garrison. It was part of a 3-day mini-festival of the long-running series Wavelength. Although there were intriguing acts throughout the week-end, I only picked one night because the sound at this venue is poor and Wavelength's shows are notoriously late (while usually booking 3 or more acts.)

So I wasn't surprised that when I showed up the 2nd band was only halfway through their set and around 20 minutes behind. This would increased to almost an hour by the time the headliner played.  Future Peers played a fun set of rocking pop songs with a touch of new wave 80s. The singer kept the crowd engaged with his stage antics. Next up was Twist headed by Laura Hermiston (BB Guns). Last time I saw them, they had a garage-band DIY feel. But tonight they were solidly in Alvvays meets Indigo Girls territory.

Tonight's headliner was Montreal's Anemone. This was also their Toronto's album release for the new LP Beat The Distance. Their set was wall-to-wall French go-go updated for the 21st century and the crowd joined in the non-stop dancing. Fronted by a mesmerizing Chloé Soldevila, they have the ingredients to break into the mainstream. Perhaps they could get a lucky break and have a song featured in a hit movie or TV show. But Anemone's tendency to spin off mid-song into long extended jams did wear on the audience, especially as we approached 2 a.m.

Bon Bon

On Saturday, I was looking forward to a bowl of noodles from Landing Noodle at College and Spadina but it has gone belly up. In its place was BauZza BauZza, offering various chinese dumplings. They also had noodles and other soups. Looking over the menu, I ordered some steamed veggie buns and butternut squash buns ($1.59/each). I also got a bowl of eight grain porridge.

The buns were quite soft with tasty fillings. Dipped in a bit of soya sauce and chili oil, they hit the spot. I've had congee (chinese rice porridge) before but usually it is made from white rice. So this version with among other ingredients: brown glutinous rice, chinese dates, and peanuts was quite pleasant with different flavours and textures with each spoon. It tasted familiar but I wasn't sure from where until I later recalled that years ago I had attended a food festival. It was mostly packaged food sold from vendor booths. I had bought some canned Asian food including this style of porridge.

It's too bad Landing Noodle didn't make it, but Bauza was a good replacement.

Not Bowled Over

I sometimes go for lunch at Thai Green Chili at Havelock and Bloor. The food was all right but it was one of those spots that hung on for more than a decade yet always had only a smattering of customers when I pass by. It was finally replaced by an all-day breakfast diner called Cereal Bowl.

In addition to the eponymous cereal offerings, there was the usual eggs-and-sausage breakfast specials, but also pancakes and waffles, too. I opted for a tuna sandwich ($7.45), promised to be made fresh, with some home fries. Diners often don't salt their dishes and that may work for an order of eggs but it doesn't work with a sandwich. The tuna was under-seasoned and bland. Luckily, it was reasonably moist so it wasn't a complete loss.

So an underwhelming first impression for me; I might be back to try the pancakes or waffles. But being not as cheap as perennial spot Billy's Souvlaki Place nor possessing any trendy, hipster-vibe, I'm not holding out much hope for this incarnation.

Get Fixed and Chill

I haven't gone out much this week. A diet of soups and mushy food has left me feeling generally lethargic. But on Thursday night, I thought the low-key vibe of Montreal's Men I Trust would be my speed. I was also curious to see how a sold-out crowd at Lee's Palace would handle such a mellow head-liner.

Well, they were entranced. Over the course of an hour-long set, Emma's delicate voice floated over groovy bass lines. With a touch of synth and some judicious guitar work, the mood was hanging-out-on-the-couch. There was some dancing now and then, as the songs from their just recorded album had a bit more punch and movement. It was a perfect show for Valentine's Day. The only downside were some obnoxious concert-goers, who shouted out like they were dancing to an electronica DJ. I don't mind genuine love, but there was something performative with their ecstasy. When most wanted to snuggle in Men I Trust's warm embrace, nobody cared to listen to porn-esque moans and cries.

Forever Young

I was feeling down because of a minor surgery for a failing part scheduled for tomorrow. It seemed a harbinger of a future with more and more non-functional bits. So I decided to head to the Danforth Music Hall for an all-ages show with Internet star Poppy to surround myself with new shiny people.

Several hundred fans were there, which would have made a packed house at a smaller venue like The Horseshoe. Here they only filled up about a third of the space. But these were dedicated members of "The Cult of Poppy". From social media I knew some drove or flew for hours to get to Toronto for tonight. So I wasn't surprised by how loud the crowd was throughout the evening.

Poppy brought a weird, technological vibe to synth-pop. It was both in praise and ironic loathing of how pervasive technology has entered our mediated lives. With her new material that introduced elements of nu-metal, there was also a bubbling rage underneath, but still contained within a happy pop sound. Her fans drank it all up. Literally as well, when they eagerly downed the poppy juice being offered by their matriarch.

One of her conceit, especially in her videos, and as part of this Am I A Girl tour, is if Poppy is actually a synthetic being: lab-grown or built. I say bring on that future, as decrepitude and expiry dates are no fun.

Landwer Ho!

Sunday night, I headed to the Adelaide and King St area for dinner. In this corporate environment, Café Landwer has done a good job of evoking an old Jewish deli with its dining tables and tchotchkes. The menu also offered more than the typical Eastern European dishes; there were also some Middle-East fares, and even pasta and pizza.

I ordered a 1/2 smoked salmon sandwich ($10), some market roasted cauliflower ($9) and a carrot cake slice ($5.75) for dessert. All were reasonably tasty, not particular outstanding, but felt homey and unprepossessing. Given the lack of affordable delis in Toronto, even Caplansky has disappeared from College after a rental dispute and mismanagement, and only upscale spots like Fat Pasha hanging around, Landwer is a good spot for a simple meal.

Dump Me Not

After a yoga class on Sunday, I stopped by a new spot that had just opened up this week near College and Ossington. Daily Dumpling Wonton offers shanghai dumplings and a few sides. I got a vegan bowl ($9.75) with a side of Tsong-yo noodles ($6.75). It was a more generous dish than Steambox Dumplings on Dovercourt for a similar price. There were 10 plump and filling dumplings filled with spinach, shiitake and pine nuts. The broth was also rich and fragrant. The noodles were simply coated in oil and sauce but had great mouth feel and flavour. This casual diner is a great addition to the neighbourhood.

One-Off Or Repeat

Another Groundhog's day, another anniversary. But the snow-storm already came early in the week. I thought about returning to Yasu on Saturday but decided to try a new spot called Alma near Bloor and Dufferin. Chef Anna Chen has combined Continental cooking, given her stints at various restaurants around the city, with an emphasis on simple, local ingredients and some Asian touches. One running thread for me throughout the meal was that all the dishes were great except they each had 1 choice that didn't match my personal palate.

There was no such caveat for the appetizer of flat bread (2.50) and eggplant dip (5). These were their most popular dishes and no wonder. The made-to-order sourdough flat bread is flat-grilled then baked. It was piping hot and delicious on its own. When you spread on the purée eggplant dip with a touch of fenugreek and chili oil, it was exquisite.

As for the small plates: the fried sweet potato ($12) combined both natural sweetness and fried dough goodness. I didn't like the fish-oil base of the accompanied Japanese sauce, though it was fine on its own. Similar, the pomelo salad ($10) contrasted wonderfully the soft, refreshing Asian grapefruit with crunchy peanuts and slivers of chili. But again, the sauce was a miss for me, this time because of too much acidity. The charred beets ($9) were delicious, its earthiness blended well with sprinkles of yuzu and onions.

For the main course I ordered the buckwheat cavatelli, oyster mushroom, and Chinese greens ($20). Unfortunately, the presentation was off-putting. It might have looked fine in the bright kitchen, but in the dark dining room, the plate resembled a mass of brown silkworms and organ meat. Appearance aside, it was quite tasty except for the fishy kelp (I would have preferred dried salted seaweed), and the fermented button mushrooms.

Finally for dessert, I opted for a brand-new dish of coconut sorbet and clementine curd ($8). Cold dessert dull flavours, so you have to amp up your ingredients. As such, the delicate tanginess of the curd completely disappeared unless you taste it on its own.
Overall, I quite liked my dinner here and will make this a regular spot. Though I'm not a picky eater, I will have to ask for minor changes to my orders. I did notice that its rows of tables made Alma seemed formal and aloof, possibly deterring the large young crowd that congregrated at the homier mish-mash of The Burdock two doors down.

Edit: After one year, I never made this a regular spot. The combination of high price and slightly off execution always made me choose a different restaurant every time I think of Alma.

Still We Rise

On Friday, I headed down to the Sony Centre for the 60th Anniversary Tour of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Normally, I would use the subway but my companions were driving down. I had no idea how frustratingly stressful that was with all the other cars on the road, the construction, closed-off lanes, and snow piles blocking streets. So we were unable to have a leisurely dinner but only had time for a quick meal at the marketplace-style Marché Mövenpick.

Tonight's show was a retrospective of Alvin Ailey's repertoire. The first piece, Stack-Up, from 1982 was fun but fluff. It time-travelled us back to the enjoy music, dances, and fashion (stylized for dance) of the late 70s and early 80s. Members Don't Get Weary (2017) was more relevant with the dancers dressed in country/working-class garb expressing the frustration of the down-trodden and overworked. But it was odd that a piece taking its inspiration from the blues would use a jazz number from John Coltrane.

Ella (2006) was a short but enjoyable demonstration of crowd-pleasing dance and acrobatics set to the exquisite scatting of Ella Fitzgerald. Revelations was the pièce de résistance. Over several set pieces, it brought us the African-American experience: pain, sorrow, but also full of joy and deep faith. All the songs were gospels and spirituals and engaged the cheering audience as much as the dancing. Given the response it evoked now, when Revelations debut in 1960, it must have been astonishing.