Bywoods 760 Mediterranean Restaurant

“People, who love to eat, are always the best people...” (Julia Childs)

Hello Everyone,

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to attend a media event at Bywoods 760. Serving Mediterranean cuisine, this restaurant owned by The Cappellano family, served us an array of dishes.  We ate and ate and ate.  All the food on the table, reminded me of home.

Chef Craig Dehne, prepared dishes such as Linguine with Shrimp, Mediterranean Salad, Beet Salad, Grilled Flank Steak, Lamb and one of the most delicious flourless chocolate cakes, I have ever tasted.  I have to be honest; I am not a lover of seafood or Lamb.  Therefore, I returned to Bywoods to try another pasta dish.  This time I ordered the gnocchi.  The gnocchi were made with light gorgonzola cream with crispy bacon.  It was delicious.

Growing up Italian, bread has always been a part of my meal.  LOL.  On that note, I have to mention the bread at Bywoods 760.  Wow.  Fresh, hot and tasty.  We were all blessed with a gift bag, which included this incredible bread.  Normally, they tell you not to fill up on bread when you go out to eat but at this restaurant, you cannot help yourself.  This bread dipped in olive oil is the perfect treat.  Before, you ask, yes I dropped it on myself.  What can I say? I love bread. 

If you want to try Bywoods 760, now is the time to do so.  They are offering a Groupon.  Choosing between two options you receive a 40$ cuisine for two for only 20$. Or you can receive an 80$ cuisine for 40$.  Either way, you are saving half the cost.  To receive this incredible offer, check out www.groupon.com for information.

I had a lovely evening at Bywoods 760.  It is a great spot to take your significant other or to hold company functions.  Thank you to Tony Cappellano for the fantastic gift bag and meal.  I normally share my gift bags with family but this time, I ate that bread all by myself!!

Until next time boys and girls...” remember, to always just be yourself, it will eventually one day pay off...” ©justbeingmeluvuholts

Now, for the best part, the fantastic photos of all the food we devoured:

 

 

 

 

Holy Cannoli. I made my own Cannoli.!!!

“She’s got shells, she’s got cream, they’re so good, and they’ll make you scream.  I’m in love with the Queen of CANNOLI!!!!!!!” (The Ravenna Song)

Hello Everyone,

If you do not know by now, I will remind you all that I come from an Italian household.  I was raised with Italian traditions and values.  I am proud of my upbringing.  It wasn’t perfect by all means but when things got upsetting we always had CANNOLI!! LOL.  On that note, I needed to know how to make a Cannoli.

In 2013, Holy Cannoli was created by Vanessa Chiaravalloti.  Vanessa who also was raised by Italian parents, wanted to share her father Nicola’s Secret Cannoli Cream to the world.  Nicola, a long time baker perfected the Cannoli Cream in his bakery Bona Via Bakery.  Now, when I heard that my girl Vanessa was Calabrese, I knew I was meant to EAT THESE CANNOLI. HA-HA. 

How did they taste? Well, let’s just say I had about 10 of them. LOL.  The cream is incredible.  It melts in your mouth.  I have eaten a lot of cannoli in my lifetime, but, these cannoli are special.  I am not just saying this because I got an opportunity to stuff my own cannoli.  I am saying this because they taste really great.

Vanessa and I had an amazing day.  She was patient in showing me how to hold and stuff the cannoli.  She is a very creative girl.  After filling our cannoli, Vanessa designed my name out of these tasty treats. NIKI in cannoli.  How cool is that?!? I love seeing my name in anything but seeing it made in cannoli, made my day.

I had an incredible time.  Vanessa made cups stuffed with cream, Chips & Dip and my FAVORITE was the pannetone designed like a Christmas tree.  That pannetone with the secret cannoli cream in the middle, tasted like heaven!!!!!! It was so good, that guess who dropped cream all over her top? That would be me. LOL.

Working out of the Cake Collective, Holy Cannoli provides its products throughout this city.  They deliver!!!! Pick up the phone and order yourself some fantastic cannoli.  Holy Cannoli will also be at this year’s Gourmet Food & Wine Expo.  Nov 20-23^rd.  Not only will they be at the Expo with their fantastic products, but a little birdy informed me that Vanessa’s dad Nicola will also make an appearance.  Come check out Holy Cannoli at the Gourmet Food and Wine Expo.  They will be debuting Cannoli Cups and Gluten-Free Cannoli.   After a long day, nothing will make you happier than a great cannoli and glass of wine.  I am looking forward to having some more of Vanessa’s amazing treats, and I may just have to try their chocolate cream.  This time, I will be bringing a tide to go with me. LOL.   

I want to thank everyone at Holy Cannoli, Vanessa and Winnie.  I also want to thank the staff at The Cake Collective.  Everyone was so friendly.  I felt like I was part of your family.  I got warm fuzzy feelings inside, and it wasn’t just from the amazing cannoli I devoured. Ha-ha.

To order products from Holy Cannoli, check out their website www.holy-cannoli.com

Until next time boys and girls...” remember, to always just be yourself, it will eventually one day pay off...”

YOU now need to see pictures from my day with Vanessa and Winnie at HOLY CANNOLI!!!!!

©justbeingmeluvuholts

 

 

 

National Women's Show (Toronto)

“When the working day is done.  Girls- they want to have fun!! Oh girls just want to have fun” (Cyndi Lauper)

Hello Everyone,

The weekend of Nov 7^th-9^th 2014 was for all the amazing women out there!  The National Women’s Show was held in Toronto at the Metro Convention Centre, and I was honored to be one of their official bloggers.  The show was MASSIVE!! There was a glam runway, culinary stage, health & wellness stage, workshop stage AND FREE GIVEAWAYS!!!!

If you missed the show in Toronto, you can always catch one of their upcoming shows.  They are heading to Quebec City, Montreal, and Ottawa. Make sure to put on a comfortable pair of shoes and have fun.  As an official blogger, I wanted to find products at the show that I feel you would all enjoy.

Luv Lockits caught my eye as soon as I walked into the show.  I got the opportunity to create my own locket!! How amazing is that?! They have so many charms available to help you create the perfect locket.  What makes this company special?  They donate a portion of sales to Sick Kids hospital.  I just had to make a locket after hearing that information.  I created NIKIS lol.  I wanted #NIKIS for my new hashtag but no hashtags available yet. LOL.  I want to thank Lisa from Luv Lockits for helping me make my personalized locket.  It was great to meet you.

I am always on the lookout for great food.  It has to be the Italian blood in me. LOL.  I met Andrea from OLIV Ontario.  If you see these products, you have to try them.  I loved their olive oils, and balsamic vinegars.  YUMMMY!!!  They even have a new cookbook out ladies! Fantastic.  It has incredible recipes.  I loved these products so much that Andrea and I will be seeing each other again.  I was told they have a restaurant in Niagara Falls; I will let you all know when I go!

The day would not be complete, without a great glass of wine.  Girls night out had some fantastic selections.  I had the opportunity to try their white pinot grigio.  It was delicious.  Girls night out can be found at the LCBO.  I might just have to pop in this weekend and get me a bottle.  My Leafs did just beat the bruins, great excuse for some great wine!! Ha-ha

The National Women’s Show is a great way to spend time with your girlfriends.  It is the perfect girl’s day out.  Free makeovers, free giveaways and FREE samples.  It is the ultimate fun day.  I had a great time at the show.  I got to meet some great vendors, try some amazing products and most of all I got to spend time with my Zia (Aunt). 

I hope you all have an opportunity to check out this show in the future.  Looking forward to next year! For information on the National Women Show here is their website www.NationalWomenShow.com

Until next time boys and girls, “remember to always just be yourself, it will eventually one day pay off.”

©justbeingmeluvuholts

For more of my blog posts, please check out my site at www.justbeingmeluvuholts.blogspot.ca.  

I leave you with pictures from my Ultimate Girl’s Day Out! Hope, you enjoy them. 

CHEERS!!!!!!!!

Toronto Chocolate Festival

“Candy in the morning time, Candy in the hot sunshine…I WANT CANDY!!” (Aaron Carter)

Hello Everyone,

On Sunday November 2^nd 2014, I attended the sweetest show in Toronto!! I was at the Toronto Chocolate Festival!!!!!!!!!!! Where do I start? I have to say I ate a lot of chocolate.  LOL.  From vendors such as Old Time Confections to fabulous Chefs such as Terry Port and Russell Auckbaraullee, I had a lot to eat.

The show was great.  It was so busy.  People everywhere.  It was the Chocolate Festival, of course, it was busy. LOL.  I got to eat the best chocolate out there.  I have to say, I loved the creations by Chef Terry Port & Chef Russell Auckbaraullee.  Chef Terry Port from Personal Chef Solutions offered an amazing pulled pork taco.  Serving over 5000 tacos it is safe to say, his food is incredible!! I am so happy I finally got to meet this amazing Chef! We have been following each other on Twitter & Instagram.  It is nice to finally meet face to face.  Chef Terry Port, I LOVED THOSE TACOS!! You can cook for me anytime. Ha-ha. 

Penthouse Catering was making Mauritian Gateaux Piments with White Chocolate. Chef Russell Auckbaraullee is not only a Jays and Leafs fan but this boy can COOK! Those Piments were delicious!!!! Even my Dad loved them. Yummy for your tummy Chef Russell.  The White Chocolate drizzle was the perfect touch to your creation.

I have to mention T by Daniel.  He was a pure delight.  Not only was the Lion Chai Latte I sampled tasty but your personality is amazing!!!! I loved you guys.  Your whole group was energetic and friendly.  People were talking about your tea all day.  I was listening to their reactions. LOL. Good job Daniel!!

I had an incredible day at the Toronto Chocolate Festival.  I got to sample amazing treats, take pics in the photo booth and once again I got to see the lovely Elizabeth Rizzuto.  It was a pleasure to attend the festival and help raise money for Prostate and Breast Cancer Initiatives. Elizabeth Rizzuto and Joey Cee, thank you again for all your hospitality.  I am looking forward to next year already. 

If you missed this Festival and love chocolate, make sure to attend next year!  Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto was filled of goodies.  Put on a pair of stretchy pants and get ready to eat a lot of SWEETS!!!

Until next time boys and girls; “remember to always just be yourself, it will eventually one day pay off!!” ©justbeingmeluvuholts

For more of my blog posts, please visit my site at www.justbeingmeluvuholts.blogspot.ca.

It is time to show you pictures of this YUMMY DAY!!!!!