Fresh East - A Middle Eastern Twist on the North American Sandwich Shop

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Throughout the years people of Ontario have had the chance to dive into the world of Middle Eastern cuisine through the very successful restaurant chain Paramount Fine Foods. I was first introduced to Paramount around four years ago by a good friend who brought me there for the very first time while I was still working in Mississauga. I have loved it ever since. 

The fresh, healthy, and authentic flavours that Paramount Fine Foods prepares is what makes them the juggernaut of Middle Eastern cuisine it is today. With its growing popularity year after year Paramount Fine Foods is expanding its locations to other provinces in Canada and also into the United States and Dubai later this year. What is even more exciting is not only is it opening up more locations in North America, this year it has also created a new spin-off franchise called Fresh East, a health-conscious deli that serves up Middle Eastern subs and shawarmas. 

Fresh East tops the good old-fashioned sub with a splash of authentic Middle Eastern flavours through its new quick-serve restaurant concept, where diners can try the savoury flavours of the Middle East and customize the sub or shawarma to their liking. On the menu is a wide selection of freshly baked breads, fresh produce, halal deli meats, and authentic homemade secret sauces. Fresh East is also the first halal-certified quick-serve sandwich shop, catering to halal and health-conscious diners. 

Much like the success of Paramount Fine Foods serving up Halal meats, Fresh East will be no different as it will surely act as another go-to place to get your halal meats into your diet. Halal is essentially meat (excluding pork, meat from any carnivorous animals or birds of prey) that has been prepared according to strict Islamic guidelines. These guidelines require that the meat must be prepared in a specific way where the animal must have been fed a natural diet that did not contain any animal by-products. Doing so allows the maximum amount of blood to drain from the animal’s body, since blood in meat makes it more susceptible to rotting which will also negatively impact its taste. As a result, halal meat tastes better, is healthier and stays fresh longer giving Fresh East a competitive advantage to other similar sandwich shops who do not focus and sell halal meats to their customers. 

A few weeks ago I had the chance to go to Fresh East’s second location inside the food court at the newly renovated Erin Mills Town Centre in Mississauga, Ontario (the first one opened up last September at Western University that focused more on the student population). After meeting with the manager, he provided me with two of the most popular subs which are the classic halal cold cuts and chicken shawarma. Much like Subway, you can choose from ordering a 6 inch sub or a foot long (12 inch). You then choose your meats, cheese, toppings, and sauces to go along with it. To make it a combo you can pay an extra $2.65 and you can add a drink, two cookies, two pieces of baklava, or chips. 

As Fresh East is centered around serving Middle Eastern cuisine, you can expect the staples here as well such as falafels, kafta, chicken and beef shawarmas, tabbouleh/fattoush salads, lentil soup, and even a yogurt drink. One unique set of dishes I saw here were their “Sandwich In The Bowl.” I’m sure we have all experienced in the past just how messy eating a sandwich or shawarma can be with all the toppings and sauces dripping down your hands as you take your next bite. Well this Sandwich In A Bowl solves that problem. You can order a beef shawarma, roast beef, shish tawouk, kafta, among an endless list of other possibilities all in a bowl form, mess free! Fresh East also has breakfast covered by offering various forms of Egg n’ Cheese in a 6 inch sub or croissant. 

What I would recommend here? Definitely get the classic halal cold cut sub here. It is packed with so much flavour. I normally stray away from cold cuts as I tend to find them a bit bland and boring to eat, but my taste buds were blown away with this one. You really can taste the difference through the freshness of their halal meats. The baklava pastries are also delicious and a great addition to have as your side. 

Fresh East officially opened for business last month and two more are set to follow in the GTA this fall as well as additional U.S locations. Keep an eye out for Fresh East in the coming years as I am sure more and more locations will be popping up in a neighborhood near you. 

UPDATE:

Fresh East’s newest location is now open near Yonge and Dundas Square (334 Yonge Street), just north of Dundas and right across the Ryerson Student Learning Centre. Now is the perfect time if you are in the downtown area to try Fresh East and their Middle Eastern subs and shawarmas!

Special Thanks

Fresh East

& Company Resto Bar - New Menu Tasting

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When a new menu gets curated for a restaurant, a new crop of hungry restaurant goers usually comes along with it. I was fortunate enough to be included in this new crop and got invited to try the new dishes out at &Company Resto Bar in Mississauga situated near the largest shopping mall in Ontario, Square One. &Company Resto Bar was established back in December of 2011 and has become a go-to destination in Mississauga. The full experience starts with an evening of dinner with friends and transitions into nightlife at 10pm where cocktails, a DJ, a dance floor, and a bouncer at the door is all to be expected. Everything from their menu to their nightlife events is meant to bring people together so it is fitting that their slogan is “Life’s Better When You’re In Good Company.”

This new menu was entirely created by their new Executive Chef Ron Stratton who was recently hired just this past November. He has over 20 years experience working in kitchens and fine dining restaurants all over Canada. The menu centres around “fine familiar” cuisine, showcasing a distinctly elevated take on some very familiar dishes. 

My friend and I were led to our tables and we started off with a glass of red and white wine. If you’re hoping to catch a live sporting game while you eat, &Company Resto Bar has that covered with the many televisions installed all over the restaurant. As their name suggests, it has a great mix of a sheek and upscale restaurant combined with the laid back vibe of a bar. 

We eventually looked over their menu and picked our two appetizers, two mains, and one dessert to try. Check it out. 

Crispy Thai Calamari

Flash-fried calamari with pickled vegetable salad and green curry coconut veloute. Cost - $15.00

Duck Confit Poutine

Hand-cut Russet chips topped with Brome Lake duck leg confit, marinated curds, tarragon gravy and onion crisps. Cost - $18.00

Hickory Smoked Burger

8 oz. AAA beef patty stuffed with hickory smoked mozzarella, topped with crisp bacon, sunny side egg, rustic tomato ketchup, and lemon aioli, “Fred’s” brioche bun with a side of root chips and signature dip. Cost - $27.00

USDA

In-house dry aged 10 oz. steak with Ontario goat cheese scalloped potatoes, ratatouille vegetables and veal jus. Cost - $36.00

Lime & Meringue Tart

Lime curd with milk chocolate ganache and flure de sel meringue. Cost - $14.00

As a foodie who grew up watching Gordon Ramsay on Hell’s Kitchen and Masterchef, one of his signature dishes that he makes and talks about on his TV show is a beef/salmon wellington. I have always been so intrigued with this dish as it incorporates puff pastry that is wrapped around the beef or salmon and then baked. It is something I’ve always wanted to try and the good news here is that on this new menu, Salmon Wellington is on it! Unfortunately for me that night it was already sold out by the time I arrived, but since I’ve been searching high and low for this at a restaurant I’ll definitely be back just to try that.

The presentation of each dish was just spot on as the dishes almost looked too beautiful to eat. My favourite dishes I had from that night were the Crispy Thai Calamari (I’m a sucker for coconut), the Hickory Smoked Burger (the patty was so juicy and tender which was also elevated by the sunny side egg), and the Lime & Meringue Tart (holy presentation batman, the dessert is just stunning). 

If you ever find yourself having worked up an appetite shopping across the street at Square One, head on over here to &Company Resto Bar to refuel with your closest friends and family. The food, service, and ambiance is second to none and of course the company you bring along is even better because as we all now know, Life’s Better When You’re In Good Company. I couldn’t agree with that more. 

Special Thanks

&Company Resto Bar

Basel Kawar

Turn Up the Heat: Lunch and Learn Fiesta at Los Colibris

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Most of my experience and knowledge with Mexican food is through Taco Bell. Wait, is that really Mexican food? Probably not. I’ve never been to Mexico before, nor have I taken part in a fiesta with a live Mariachi band so when the opportunity came up to do most of that (I say most because unfortunately I was not flown to Mexico for this…hahh) I knew I had to be a part of this! 

This private event was being hosted by the The Mexican Beef Exporters Association at Toronto’s first fine dining Mexican restaurant, Los Colibris in downtown Toronto. Executive Chef Elia Herrera provided some live cooking demonstrations of her signature dishes using the star ingredient, all natural Mexican beef, and shortly after the “learning” part of the event, lunch soon followed. 

The Mexican Exporter’s Association literally flown here from Mexico to take part in this event and I had the privilege of sitting with two representatives from Mexico City at my table throughout the lunch. The learning part of this fiesta was not just about the cooking though. A quick power point presentation was done by a few individuals from the Association that shared a lot of insight of the beef industry in Mexico. 

A lot of people don’t know that Mexico is actually one of the leading exporters of the highest quality beef in the world. Mexican beef utilizes a feedlot system, based on diets monitored by nutritionists that specialize in animal feeding. The Mexican Beef Exporters Association uses grains that provide special flavour to the beef guaranteeing that great Mexican beef flavour.

The production process is guaranteed by the highest standards of quality in operation and hygiene. Veterinarians from each country they export to endorse the Mexican meat quality. According to the World Organization for Animal Health and Mexican Authority: Mexico has never had any cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or “Mad Cow Disease” and also has never had any cases of Foot and Mouth Disease. 

Spotted: Anthony Farnell - Weatherman of Global News at the table beside me

With the knowledge that came with this event, a 3 course meal was prepared, and as stated before a live Mariachi band was serenading all the guests while we ate. It was such a pleasant atmosphere to be in and the live music really created an incredible ambiance that transported your mind and taste buds to Mexico. 

No food event is complete without some alcohol. Am i right? To compliment the 3 course meal, we were all given the Los Colibri’s cocktail, “Rosa de Maria.” 

Cazadores blanco tequila, benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, lagavulin mist, rosemary sprig

First Course

House Guacamole with Beef Strip-loin and House Made Chips

Second Course

Carne Apache de Tenderloin con Ciruela pass y Chipotle (Thin Slices of Beef Tenderloin with Prunes and Chipotle)

Third Course

Ribeye with Basil and Jalepeno Oil and Papas Bravas

Food events where you eat is great. Food events where you eat and learn is even better. Whether it is for a summer BBQ or a traditional family dinner, Mexican beef is always now going to be on my radar at my local supermarket. I’ve had it first hand and now I’m a convert. #ilovemexicanbeef

Weber Grill Academy Blogger’s Party

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I’ve been lucky enough to go to a fair share of food events over the past year as The Everyday Foodie, but never have I been to an event where it would be a complete hands on learning experience. In the past, the events I have been to had the meal already prepped for me to eat. All I had to do was show up, take pictures, and chow down. This time around I actually had to cook the food myself first and let me tell you, it was a blast doing it!

I was fortunate to be invited to the premiere Blogger’s Party of Weber Canada. If you are not familiar with the brand Weber, you just may have to look outside your patio right now to see that the grill you may already own is actually a Weber grill. Weber-Stephen Products LLC is one of the biggest and most popular grilling manufactures of charcoal, gas and electric outdoor grills originating from Chicago,Illinois. With an international presence now in more than 72 countries, Weber-Stephen Canada Co has built and opened its doors to Canada’s first Grilling Academy in Vaughan, Ontario. 

Weber’s Grill Academy is a custom-designed learning facility dedicated to the art and skill of grilling. It offers regularly scheduled public grilling classes as well as private parties and corporate events. In each grilling class, you will get 3 hours of instruction from the Grill Specialist and celebrity Chef Michael P. Clive. The classes range from beginner to intermediate and advanced where you will get a chance to eat your very own grilling creations! 

Here is my very own experience at the Weber’s Grill Academy. 

As mentioned earlier, the Grill Academy is located in Vaughan, Ontario (about a 25 minute drive from Toronto), so knowing that I was not close to its vicinity, Weber Canada offered to provide me car service and picked me up directly after I got off work in North York. I was expecting maybe a volunteer of the company to come drive their own car and pick me and all the others in maybe a mini van of sorts. Was I ever mistaken. I was provided full car concierge service! A long black Lincoln was actually waiting for me outside of my building with a sign that had my name on its window to let me know that yes, that decked out Lincoln was in fact for me. That man staring me down through the tinted windows? Yes, he was my very own personal chauffeur! The driver, in his fancy suit, stepped out to let me in the car and transported me down to the Grill Academy in Vaughan. Did I arrive in style or what! 

As soon as I entered the Grill Academy, I was immediately greeted by Theresa Stahl (Public Relations Director of Weber - Stephen Canada Co.), who was the one who was kind enough to extend me this invitation and handed me my very own custom apron with my name sewn into it. After chatting up with some of the other bloggers in attendance (which included a contestant from Master Chef Canada Season 2), the night was officially about to start and the 17 of us bloggers were split up into 4 groups each manning one of the designated grilling stations. 

With Chef Michael P. Clive now at the helm, we were going to start to grill our 5 course dinner for the night. With step by step instructions from the instructor himself and also a very handy iPad at every grilling station, the first course was on deck. 

1) Smoked Chicken Drumettes with Orange - Honey Glaze

2) Cedar - Planked Salmon with Honey - Lime Dressing

3) Asparagus and Potato Napoleons with Tarragon Vinaigrette

4) Beef Satay with Peanut Sauce

5) Grilled Pineapple Upside - Down Cake

Once all the food was cooked and plated, we all went to the dining area and ate our delicious grilled food we worked so ever hard to make. It was extremely impressive to know that we could actually bake a cake using a grill. When you come to think of it, it does make complete sense as you are essentially using the grill as your substitute for the oven, so yes even cupcakes are possible to be made in a Weber! My favourite dish of the night was hands down the Cedar Planked Salmon. The cedar plank does wonders for the seasoning, not to mention making the salmon incredibly moist, flaky, and tender infused with a delicate sweet and smoky aroma from the grill. 

Before the night ended, there was just one more big surprise for all of us. Not only did we walk away with a free grilling lesson from Chef Clive worth $125, under a large blanket near the entrance of the building it was unveiled that every single one of us were going to go home with a loot bag including a brand new Weber Q1200 grill in our favourite colours worth over $300! You can just imagine how excited and happy everyone was at that point and we were thrilled to know that we could actually practice our grilling techniques and recipes now at the comfort of our own home, or practically anywhere on the go as this Weber Q1200 is so portable to bring around. 

Just like how the night started with my own personal driver, Weber Canada’s hospitality knows no bounds and another black Lincoln and chauffeur was waiting outside of the Grill Academy to drive me all the way back home. I cannot thank enough to the wonderful people at Weber-Stephen Canada Co. who organized this event and their over whelming generosity they showed to myself and the other participants. This event has now become the new bench mark for future blogging events so I would strongly suggest anyone here who is even a little bit interested to learn more about grilling to take up on one of the classes offered at Weber’s Grill Academy. You can visit this link here for more information on the availability of the different classes. Three hours spent at the Grill Academy could mean knowledge and a skill that will last you a life time. That’s a pretty good deal, wouldn’t you agree?

I’ll leave everyone here with Weber’s 4 Grilling Tips:

1) Preheat the Grill

2) Keep the Grill Clean

3) Oil the Food, Not the Grate

4) Keep the Lid Down

If anyone is interested in learning any of the 5 recipes discussed in this post, shoot me an email and I will be happy to send it your way! 

Below are also some shots of the new Weber Q1200 that is available in 7 different colours and is also in stores now. Can’t wait until the weather gets warmer to get a chance to use this! Get your sizzle on! 

Special Thanks

Weber-Stephen Canada Co.

Theresa Stahl 

Chef Michael P. Clive

My 2 Chauffeurs :)

Han Ba Tang’s Blogger Media Preview

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Just a few months ago I made my biggest expenditure yet by purchasing my very first townhouse at Yonge and Sheppard, and within this time I have been trying to explore my new neighbourhood looking into the local grub and restaurants I have easy access to now. When Han Ba Tang contacted me just a couple of months after I purchased my first home, I was not only excited that I was going to be able to try some Korean fusion tapas but also that it is literally a 10 minute walk away from my new home! The timing was perfect for this blogger media preview and it was a sign of great things to come.

In Korean, Han Ba Tang means “one full round.“ Whether it’s one full round of beer or one full round of laughter, Han Ba Tang is sure to provide the guest with one full round of fun and unique food. They pride themselves on serving modern tapas style food but using traditional Korean ingredients. For instance, have you ever ordered pizza before at a Korean restaurant? Or how about cheese fondue? No? How about squid ink pasta? If you are already intrigued by this please keep on reading because that is exactly what Han Ba Tang offers on their new menu. This is not your average Korean restaurant. 

With its concept of old meets new, the Han Ban Tang interior has preserved a bit of history by keeping the original interior design from before World War II. From the bare exposed brick walls to the chalk boards that change on a monthly basis and the worn tiled floors, the owner wanted to keep the rustic yet industrial feel of the restaurant from the old times yet still create a new warm and welcoming environment for the new generation. 

I could tell that a lot of time and work had gone to prepare for this event. My friend and I were immediately greeted at the door when we arrived and taken to our table that was reserved specifically for "The Everyday Foodie,” sign and all! The one thing I did not know what to expect was the food itself as we were not told beforehand the dishes we would be previewing. I fully expected to only preview a few samples of some of the dishes Han Ba Tang offered, but to my pleasant surprise a menu consisting of 10 full size dishes were being cooked in the kitchen for just our two hungry stomachs. Fortunately I came prepared by eating a small lunch beforehand.

Below begins the Korean feast from start to finish, 10 dishes in all!

Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet Potato Fries served with Wasabi Mayo

Chilli Shrimp

Lightly battered Shrimp, dipped in Sweet Chilli sauce

Kalbi Tacos & Spicy Pork Tacos

Grilled Kalbi or Spicy Pork on a bed of Shredded Cabbage with Red Onions and a light House Aoli

Kimchi Fries with Bulgogi

Extra Crispy Fries topped with Kimchi, Aioli Gravy, Sizzling Bulgogi & Green Onions

Lobster

Steamed Lobster with a House Sauce

Black Squid Ink Pasta

Squid Ink Pasta, Mussels with a house made Gochujang Cream Sauce topped with Korean Beef Cake, Ricotta Cheese

Spicy Chicken with Fondue

Grilled Chicken in a sizzling plate with a mix of Rice Cakes, Onions, Carrots, with a side of Creamy Cheese Fondue

Spoon Pizza

Mashed Sweet Potato Crust with Vegetables, Tomato Sauce topped with Cheese, and Bacon or Kimchi

Spicy Seafood Soup

Shrimp, Mussels, Crab with Korean Ramyun

Dried Korean Persimmon

Lightly battered and deep fried with a house made Cinnamon Whipped Cream

With so much food, Han Ba Tang was even nice enough to doggy bag anything that was left over for me to take back home. For anyone who will be coming to Han Ba Tang in the future, out of the 10 dishes I tried my favourites and the ones I would definitely recommend to get would be the Sweet Potato Chips, Kimchi Fries with Bulgogi, Black Squid Ink Pasta, and the Spoon Pizza (definitely get the Spoon Pizza). 

Not only does Han Ba Tang put all their love into making their Korean tapas, they also serve a wide variety of cocktails. The waitress recommended me their “Live to 1000” cocktail and my friend got the Sona Colada. Both were very refreshing and they both had a Korean twist with the added Soju in the mix.

Live to 1000 - Ginseng Soju, Honey, Hennessy

Sona Colada - Pineapple Soju, Rum, Coconut Liqueur, Pineapple Juice

As if this alcohol wasn’t enough during our tasting, Han Ba Tang also provided us with their “Flights” which are shots of their Infused Soju that comes in a variety of flavours. We got to try 4 of them pictured below (Strawberry, Apple Cinnamon, Pineapple, Citrus).

I was so impressed with the event that Han Ba Tang put together and as I said before you really could tell how much time and effort the team worked at this to make it run as smoothly as it did. We were introduced to the entire staff from the front of the house to the cooks in the kitchen who worked tirelessly throughout the night to feed us all. The owner and manager both spent some time during the event to explain their journey to open up this new restaurant just this past fall and as most people in Toronto know, competition for Korean restaurants is monstrous in this area of Yonge and Sheppard all the way up to Finch. If the food and service maintains at this high level from what I experienced through this preview though, I am confident that Han Ba Tang will stand out from the crowd. If you are ever in the mood for some Korean food or just in the area I strongly recommend you to come try this restaurant out! Did I mention the Spoon Pizza?