Meet Shanea
From dives to fine dining, street art to private art exhibitions, boutique hotels to grand dames, farmer's markets to gastronomic food halls, join me on my adventures in finding the hottest to the hautest. As a Canadian, I focus mainly on my hometown of Toronto and my second home in Miami, also journeying frequently to New York and Italy, but nothing is off-limits for me. My love for food has led me here, to share all things I savour – and I will continue to search out the best and most impresssive, highlight culinary excellence, with dishes that inspire me and regional specialties, feature art, hotels, and current trends, and offer my experience on where to roam, where to stay and where to dine all over the world.Shanea
December 6, 2016
Day or night, Ugo Rondinone's Miami Mountain at Art Basel is an iconic, landmark installation.
December 5, 2016
Fendi has arrived at Art Basel. If you head over to the Design District you can shop and selfie with Fendi's cherry red, customized three-wheeled Italian truck from the 1940's.
December 3, 2016
Miami's Paradigm Kitchen serves "clean soul food", and they serve it with a smile. It's no wonder when I visited during lunchtime the place was doing brisk business – the food is really good and crowd pleasing.
November 30, 2016
Sometimes the live art is more interesting than the actual art.
November 30, 2016
The 16th edition of emerging art fair, SCOPE Miami Beach has begun along with Miami Art Week.
It's a lot of fun.
November 30, 2016
Art Miami is the first week of December, showcasing significant art works from the 20th and 21st centuries by some of the world's most respected galleries.
November 29, 2016
Everything I tried at Roselle Desserts in Toronto was outstanding. They make delicious French-inspired desserts, and as their slogan says, "desserts make you happy". Well their desserts certainly do!
November 28, 2016
Fi'lia in Brickell, Miami is a play on the Italian word, "figlia", which means "daughter" – Chef Michael Schwartz two daughters. He has expanded his operations and opened this restaurant in partnership with the Related Group. It is located on the main floor of the SLS.
November 27, 2016
Diwan in the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto has an elegant interior with floor to ceiling windows that fill the restaurant with natural light and look out onto a lovely patio and garden. The place was full on a Saturday lunch, so I suggest reservations on a weekend.
November 26, 2016
St. Clair Ave West in Toronto is home to many neighborhood restaurants. A new one in the area is Nodo Hillcrest, located at 794 St. Clair Avenue West. This is Nodo's second location.
November 24, 2016
STK in Toronto is a large, impressive, even sexy restaurant in the former Studio Cafe. This is a place to mingle, meet and greet.
November 23, 2016
Butter Avenue in Toronto brings sweet goodness to the neighbourhood. Brother/sister owners, Calvin and Tina are a passionate and dynamic duo.
November 23, 2016
Ji Restaurant in Toronto calls itself an Indian gastropub-style food. They are aiming for a more casual take on Indian food. The menu is divided into sharing plates, buns and bowls.
November 18, 2016
Crudo is Chef-Owner Cullen Campbell's imaginative eatery, serving small plates including his fabulous silky crudos. Phoenix seems to have quite a few restaurants located in strip malls, though it is unexpected to find an upscale restaurant that impresses.
November 17, 2016
The food is never boring – it's truly unforgettable. When people ask me, what is my favourite restaurant in Toronto, Buca Yorkville is always on the top of my list. I am seriously impressed with the level of food, the knowledgeable and friendly staff, the high-end crowd and the remarkable creativity of the menu. Rob's food is a modern approach to dining without being gimmicky. Long live the king.
November 14, 2016
The main thing is there is an astounding array of sweet retro treats that makes me nostalgic. Now I have a reason to drive north of Bloor so I can get me a fix and add some comfort as well. They take sweets to the next level.
November 14, 2016
New York's Covina restaurant has a very casual vibe – a relaxed but nice atmosphere. Covina has a U-shaped bar, colourful banquette seating, and an open kitchen with a copper tiled pizza oven. Everything coming out of the kitchen is rather good, some of it even quite creative. The menu is a playful mix of a Cal- Med dishes.
November 12, 2016
I am always seeking out new restaurant spots and I forget to revisit some of my favourites. I am embarrassed to say that is has been years since I have been back to Carisma, but you would never know it from the warm greeting we received from owners, Margi and Michael Pagliaro..
November 11, 2016
The Candy Bar is one of the best sources of candy and chocolate in Toronto. They offer unique treats you won't find elsewhere. They offer a wide range of sugary delights, and you don't have to be a kid to love these sweet thrills and yummy goodness. It is overwhelming but I guarantee the shop will delight.
November 11, 2016
We experienced a warm welcome from the minute we walked through the doors. Cindy's menu features a beautiful range of ethnically diverse and seasonally driven dishes that spotlight her culinary approach to global cuisine. Still, I could detect some of her signature Island flavours in many of the descriptions on the menu.
November 8, 2016
The crowd is mostly young and hip, and there is a boisterous and energetic feel to it. The night I dined there, actress Jodie Foster was in the house too. I had been a couple of times when it first opened but I admit I hadn't been back in quite a while. I have to say even though I enjoyed it then, I think the kitchen has improved even more.
November 7, 2016
James Beard nominated journalist turned baker, Amy Rosen, spent months on end testing and perfecting the perfect cinnamon bun. Unsurprisingly, she's created a truly excellent product. The spirals of sticky, yet light and fluffy brioche pastry dough have the perfect crust on the bottom and are topped with a light glaze. I had mine right out of the oven, and Amy was there personally glazing my order.
November 5, 2016
It is so easy to get addicted to this high-end candy. They also offer chocolate, licorice, marshmallows, hard candy and jelly beans. There are also bags of squish mixes. Know a good dentist? I do!
November 4, 2016
Foxley Bistro remains as busy and beloved as ever because of the spot on execution of the dishes and the prices are moderate yet the food is so interesting. So even with all the competition on Ossington, Foxley's is here to stay.
November 2, 2016
Nota Bene is not only the best restaurant in the Entertainment district, it is one of Toronto's best restaurants. It always exceeds my expectations and has stood the test of time.
