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 ...
February 8, 2019
Chef José Mendin, a five-time James Beard award nominee and the man behind the Pubbelly empire has created La Placita in Miami, a restaurant cooking food from his homeland.
February 6, 2019
Nothing Bundt Cakes has grown nationwide into 260 franchise locations in the United States and Canada, and it continues to grow. When you use products like real eggs, butter and cream cheese, it doesn’t take long to get the word out.
January 28, 2019
Miami recently got a California import, Malibu Farm at the Eden Roc Hotel. A lovely whitewashed setting, with wooden tables and cozy banquets, a wooden deck, a retractable roof, and views overlooking the expansive beach, and blue waters.
January 26, 2019
There seems to be a few restaurants popping up around west Flagler, Miami. One is Pez, focused on using fresh local ingredients and trying to be as authentic as possible.
January 22, 2019
Wynwood's prettiest restaurant, Doma, has recently opened, just one block south of Beaker and a Gray. They really strive for a purity of ingredients and a seasonality of the dishes.
January 17, 2019
I’m overly cautious when I enter a theatrical and stunning chain restaurant. I find these places tend to spend their money on decor instead of investing in a talented chef. Well, unfortunately, Chatto Matte in Miami is no exception.
January 15, 2019
Mason Eatery in Miami is a good choice for a casual, approachable meal that is nostalgic, and more than a deli.
January 13, 2019
Cindy Lou’s Cookies in Little River, Miami has become a destination enterprise for many cookie monsters. Cindy's baking some of Miami’s best cookies that “warm the heart and nourish the soul”. I love finding a place as special as this, and you will too.
January 11, 2019
The Miami food scene continues to explode and I had been waiting patiently for Cvltvra (pronounced, "cultura") to open. The restaurant is an infusion of Latin American and Mediterranean cuisine, and overall the menu was ambitious and creative. Don't wait for a game or concert to visit!
January 9, 2019
James Beard award finalist Brad Kilgore opened his latest venture, Kaido in the heart of the Miami Design District. The focus is on fresh, local ingredients and equal emphasis on great cocktails.
January 6, 2019
At Swan in Miami they call the menu, "modern European cuisine" but the menu darts around the globe. Nothing sounds appealing and, guess what? It doesn’t taste appealing either. I haven’t said this in a long time... not recommended.
December 26, 2018
The Sagamore Hotel in Miami closed out Art Week with the annual private, invitation-only Sagamore Brunch. The affair was attended by over 1,500 guests on the hotel’s newly renovated patio and sculpture garden.
December 26, 2018
Fiola in Coral Gables, Miami is the type of restaurant you would expect to find in a in the world's most cosmopolitan cities. Dinner was deeply satisfying and picture perfect. The cuisine is inspired by regional Italian classics, using local, seasonal ingredients.
December 20, 2018
Back by popular demand, my personal favourite list of Miami restaurants for 2018/2019 in no particular order, as well as new openings I want to try.
December 8, 2018
The Surf Club Restaurant in Surfside, Miami is a luxurious place that respects attention to detail, and will take care of your every need. Expect impeccable service, finesse, glamour, and impeccable execution.
December 6, 2018
Core aims to prepare creative, authentic dishes with seasonal ingredients. It's a Canadian bistro with French influences that has finally brought a neighbourhood fine dining experience to the east end of Toronto.
December 3, 2018
You do not have to indulge in a fine dining experience to receive outstanding food. One of Toronto’s hottest new restaurants, Sara, has a kitchen bursting with ambition, inventive and creative food in a serene, yet casual environment.
November 25, 2018
Situated close to fields and lush mountains is one of Peru’s loveliest properties, The Belmond Rio Sagrado in Cusco. It is a unique hideaway in the Sacred Valley, an exclusive enclave modeled on Andean Life, with 5-star service.
November 21, 2018
There is an open kitchen at the Restaurant at Pearl Morissette in Ontario where you see Chefs Daniel and Eric, work alongside their team to create a French and Canadian, inspired cuisine. All the ceramics and utensils are custom crafted by locals, and everything is hand washed by the chefs and staff.
November 20, 2018
Of all the hotels we stayed in during our 2 1/2 week visit to Peru, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco had the most refined service, excellent interiors and original antiques.
November 20, 2018
I’ve never eaten 100% local, like at Mil in Cusco, Peru. This place is part restaurant and part lab. Working with biologists, botanists, and anthropologists to learn more about Andean food, its history, culture and science. It is a groundbreaking restaurant, a one of kind experience, that focuses on elevation, rather than just the season. It is worth the detour.
November 16, 2018
Chicha in Cusco, Peru, is a restaurant where you can taste all the regional dishes, with a modern twist, as well as international ones, presented beautifully.
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.
