Meet Shanea
I may not be a professional writer, but I consider myself a professional eater ... on the recommendation of friends and family I've started this blog. I love to eat, read about food, travel, shop, take in the arts, and explore new places. Focusing mostly on Toronto, my home base, Miami, my second home and New York and Italy where I travel to the most, while also featuring other places I'm fortunate enough to visit, I'll share with you my most savoury tidbits along the way. I hope you can take something away with you, a restaurant to try, fantastic shopping experience, great hotel to stay in or something to do next time you visit a new locale.Happy dining,
Shanea
Shanea Rakowski
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Out and About ...
November 14, 2018
Go to Limo for the view of Cusco, Peru, the ambiance, the Pisco sours, and the chill out music. Beautiful day or night, and one of the town's better dining options.
November 13, 2018
Map Cafe was probably my favourite place for dinner in Cusco, Peru. It was also the one place in town that you could dress up, enjoy live harp music, and a candlelight dinner.
November 8, 2018
Chef Alpala of Zazu in Quito, Ecuador works closely with farmers, grows vegetables in the restaurant's greenhouses and selects his seafood from the nearby coast. Dining in a modern setting with quality ingredients and refined service. One of Quito's top choices.
November 7, 2018
Last year I had the opportunity to eat at a gastronomic dinner in Miami, where the special guest was Chef Mitsuharu Tsumura, who cooked an exquisite Japanese-Peruvian fusion meal. He has been voted the 7th best restaurant in the world this year on the San Pellegrino’s list. So I had to return to his restaurant in Lima for another “Nikkei” experience at San Martin 399, in the Miraflores district.
November 7, 2018
If you consider yourself a true foodie than Central in Lima is a must-visit destination. Each dish here is beautifully prepared with precision, intellectualism, innovation, finesse and notable highlights. Craft vs art, and the hype meets reality. Kudos!
November 6, 2018
At Astrid Y Gaston in Lima, Peru everything was well-choreographed and extremely professional. It is a great experience for foodies and I wouldn’t hesitate to highly recommend this fine dining Peruvian cuisine.
October 31, 2018
Maido in Lima Peru serves "Nikkei", a Peruvian cuisine with Japanese influences brought to Peru through Japanese immigrants. It's voted the 7th best restaurant in the world on the San Pellegrino 2018 list.
October 27, 2018
There is a reason El Mercado in Lima, Peru has a buzz, and has people lining up and waiting to get in. Many say it's the top seafood restaurant, and who am I to argue, when I enjoyed my meal so much.
October 14, 2018
Sushi Erika in Miami is always packed, with absolutely no social media, just word of mouth. I always order the Love roll, a spider roll topped with torched salmon, and drizzled with truffle oil.
October 10, 2018
Toronto's Frilu Restaurant is a modern, casual eatery, serving fine dining, with warm, gracious hospitality and showcasing playful, creative and dramatic food.
September 27, 2018
Alma Restaurant in Toronto is unpretentious, approachable, and delicious, with an eclectic menu. Chef Anna Chen is producing a larger than life winning formula.
September 25, 2018
At Konjikin Ramen in Toronto you can taste the traditional methods used to provide their flavour packed broth and his delicious noodles. Every single step is painstakingly considered.
September 23, 2018
Toronto's Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto offers a culinary expression of art, with meticulous preparation and beautiful presentations. From artistically carved vegetables, to the finest uni and freshest and best quality sashimi, it's an evening of very fine and precious cuisine.
September 12, 2018
Momofuku Kōjin in Toronto is a new frontier for David Chang of Momofuku fame. He has given Chef Paula free reign to showcase her cooking skills, which are innovative and extremely satisfying.
September 10, 2018
At Obra Kitchen Table in Miami my meal was a gastronomic feast, that was creative, ambitious, innovative and yet unpretentious, approachable and casual. Considering the pedigree of the chef, the food was moderately priced.
September 8, 2018
At Wynona in Toronto, the experience was more than pleasant and relaxed, with good food at moderate prices, in a casual atmosphere.
September 3, 2018
Not all my reviews are about the latest hotspot. Occasionally I like to write about a tried and true winner. One such place is the Spotted Pig in New York’s West Village. It just may be New York’s most famous gastropub.
September 1, 2018
Olmsted offers sophisticated food at moderate prices. It really is worth the trip to Brooklyn for creative small plates, that are refreshing, whimsical and ambitious.
August 29, 2018
Alo Bar Yorkville stands out from a pack of other new places, pushing out exciting food that will likely keep the restaurant popular for a long time. I really enjoyed the culinary and hospitality philosophy there. I predict this will be one of the hottest tables in town.
August 16, 2018
Voted one of the best new restaurants in America for 2018, Frenchette in NYC's Tribeca neighborhood, showcases its talent by bringing back some nostalgic comfort as well as a mix of modern French cuisine.
August 8, 2018
Gennaro Amitrano Restaurant in Capri is an elegant, intimate restaurant with professional service, sound pacing, and each dish a visual joy. Is this Capri? A resounding YES!
August 8, 2018
Mirabelle in Rome combines a great view with refined gastronomy. You know you are in excellent hands and are in for a special lunch or dinner.
August 6, 2018
Armando Al Pantheon in Rome sesrves simple, classic Roman food, using fresh ingredients, that are capably prepared. This is food you can eat every day. Recommend.
August 2, 2018
If you are looking for something a little different to do this summer I suggest a 45-minute drive from Toronto to Milton Ontario, to see Terre Bleu Lavender Farm, Ontario’s largest lavender farm.
July 17, 2018
Fuwa Fuwa in Toronto is whipping up some airy, jiggly, delicate and tasty delights. The pancake is also not too sweet and relies on the toppings to give the perfect balance.
