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In Photos: Laphroaig celebrates 200 years at Byblos

  • June 22, 2015
  • drink, industry
  • Comments Off on In Photos: Laphroaig celebrates 200 years at Byblos

2015 marks the 200th anniversary of Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch, and to celebrate, we attended a private whisky tasting at Byblos in Toronto’s entertainment district on June 11th. The honoured guest of the night was John Campbell, Laphroaig Distillery Manager, and the first native of Islay to be appointed as distillery manager.

We began with some passed canapés, antipastos, and a sampling of the Duke of Argyll cocktail (recipe below). It was then on to a structured tasting session with Campbell. We sampled four different whiskies: Laphroaig 10 Years Old ($80.95), Laphroaig Quarter Cask ($72.95), Laphroaig 15 Years Old (200th anniversary special edition) ($185.95), and Laphroaig 18 Years Old ($165.95); prices are for 750 mL bottles. Of these, my favourite was the Laphroaig 18 Years Old, for its sweetness, chocolate and toffee accents, with hints of saltiness and smoke.

After a short break, we then headed to the bar area where we got a mixology lesson from three Vancouver bartenders, Lauren Mote, Danielle Tatarin, and Christina Kuypers. Mote is co-proprietor of Bittered Sling Bitters, and bar manager at UVA Wine & Cocktail Bar. Each of them demonstrated in turn how to make three classic cocktails made using the Laphroaig scotch whiskies – the Whisky Sour, the Old Fashioned, and the Rob Roy (aka Manhattan). We’ve provided the recipes below, so be sure to bookmark this page. The three women were beautiful and charming; engaging and capturing the attention of the crowd. One memorable quote from the night came from Tatarin. When asked her opinion of Laphroaig, she said, “Laphroaig is the only marriage I’m willing to commit to!”

To end the night, we had a tasting of the Laphroaig Cairdeas, which is exclusive to the Friends of Laphroaig club. The 2015 bottling is a special whisky produced at Laphroaig’s famous No1 warehouse by the sea, which is therefore Campbell’s representation of how Laphroaig was produced 200 years ago. This whisky is only available to the Friends of Laphroaig community, so it was a privilege to be able to enjoy it.

We had a great time at Byblos for the Laphroaig scotch whisky tasting. Congratulations to Laphroaig on celebrating 200 years! For more information:
http://www.laphroaig.com
Twitter: @Laphroaig #Laphroaig200TO #OpinionsWelcome
Instagram: @Laphroaig #Laphroaig200TO #OpinionsWelcome
Facebook: Laphroaig

Here are the featured cocktails of the evening:

DUKE OF ARGYLL
– Shake, Ice, Collins –
1.00 oz Laphroaig Quarter Cask 0.50 oz Green Chartreuse
0.75 oz Lemon Juice
0.75 oz Sage Leaf Syrup
2 Dashes Bittered Sling Clingstone Peach Bitters
Top With Grace’s Gingerbeer Garnish With a Green Apple Fan

Whisky Sour

Whisky Sour

WHISKY SOUR
– Shake Dry, Shake Ice, Neat, Highball –
1.00 Oz Laphroaig Quarter Cask 1.00 Oz Knob Creek 9YO Bourbon 0.75 Oz Lemon Juice
0.75 Oz Simple Syrup
2 Dashes Bittered Sling
Kensington Aromatic Bitters
1 Egg White

 

Rob Roy

Rob Roy

OLD FASHIONED

– Stir, Ice, Old Fashioned –
0.50 oz Laphroaig Quarter Cask
1.50 oz Maker’s Mark Bourbon
0.25 oz Demerara Sugar Syrup
2 Dashes Bittered Sling
Kensington Aromatic Bitters
Garnish With an Orange Peel, Lemon Half Wheel and a Griotte Cherry

Old Fashioned

Old Fashioned

ROB ROY (aka Manhattan)

– Stir, Neat, Coupe –
0.50 oz Laphroaig Quarter Cask
1.50 oz Highland Park 10YO
0.75 oz Punt E MesVermouth
2 Dashes Bittered Sling
Kensington Aromatic Bitters
Garnish With an Orange Peel and Griotte Cherry

Photos by John Tan

The Autostrada Forum Magazine Launch

The launch of Autostrada Forum Magazine was filled with spectacular exotic and classic cars, motorcycles and a helicopter.

On Saturday June 13th, at the Paddock Car Club in Burlington, a 30 minute drive from Toronto, a gathering of more than 200 exotic and vintage cars were on display, most driven to the event by their owners. A rare Ferrari LaFerrari and Enzo (combined value of $5 million) along with a Porche 918, Lexus LFA, Singer 911 and several others were also among the ranks. What a marvellous sight! Crowds gathered outside with wine and cocktails appreciating the beauty and power such machines. Inside the automotive venue, sat more curiosities,  both exotic and classic as well as a helicopter.

AutostradaForumMagazine-MagazineLaunch-JamesShay-BestofToronto-030
Drinks and hors d’oeuvres were the order of the night with guests mingling with fellow car enthusiasts and members of the car community in the backdrop of live band. Co-publishers of Autostrada Forum Magazine, Lucas Scarfone and Sean Patrick were on hand to meet and greet. Michael Lee-Chin, a philanthropist and business magnate who Canadian Business has named as one of the richest people in Canada, stopped by to offer his support to the magazine.

Michael Lee-Chin (centre)

Sean Patrick (left), Michael Lee-Chin (centre), Lucas Scarfone (right)

 

Samantha Tan, an up and coming young female race car driver also made an appearance. Starting at the age of 14, she competed in several race series including her current Pirelli World Challenge drive.

Samantha Tan

Samantha Tan

Lucas Scarfone and Sean Patrick were pleased with the success of their magazine launch and enthusiastic about the content that was now available for readers. The goal of this magazine is to showcase the passion, history, and journeys of local car owners and enthusiasts, offering insight into the automotive world. Sean Patrick stated “Autostrada is very unique, we focus on the local car culture. This magazine is a combination of many different people coming together to appreciate cars.” Scarfone explained that Autostrada offers a side to car ownership that hasn’t been explored before, “the human side, we focus on the people who own the cars and what drives their passion.” This new angle allows for an expansion of what it means to be a car enthusiast and owner, giving new insight into car culture.

Angelo Paletta, a car enthusiast featured in the magazine and also the owner of one of the cars on display said, “this magazine contains quality photos accompanied by down to earth personal stories,” it is a tool that has brought together the local enthusiasts in both business and pleasure, generating networking opportunities in mutual passion. Paletta stated “cars are the universal language” within this community allowing for individuals from all walks of life to share their common interest. Owner of EuroTec Canada Ltd. and helicopter aficionado, Hoss Golanbari, has already experienced expansion in his client base due to a recent feature in this magazine.  “My advertising is mostly in helicopter magazines, but since this magazine has been released it has generated interest in the helicopter business,” said Golanbari, who had one of his helicopters displayed among the various automobiles.

In one word Scarfone describes this entire process as “positive”, especially with over 600 close friends and family in attendance. The same can also be said for the future, as the attention that has already been focused on local car culture has welcomed expansion. Both publishers are not only obviously passionate but incredibly friendly and interested in including all car owners and fanatics in their journey. They have devoted all of their time and energy to the success of this magazine, and are proud of the first two issues available in a variety of locations including but not limited to Chapters & Indigo stores across Canada and Apple iTunes. There is no doubt that the publishers high hopes will be achieved as they welcome all to attend events and to immerse oneself into the local car community.

Information about Autostrada Forum Magazine can be found here:
www.autostradaforum.com

Photos by James Shay

Summer has arrived at Cabana Pool Bar

You simply have to be there to believe it. A day at Cabana Pool Bar on a perfectly sunny Saturday revitalizes your love affair with Toronto.
Continue reading→

Introducing the new XXI Chophouse in Kleinburg

On June 10th, it was a special treat to be whisked away to the heart of Kleinburg, Ontario to get a peek at the newly opened XXI Chophouse. Located on the historic grounds of The Doctor’s House, this modern steakhouse is the result of a $4 million renovation, and it shows.

The interiors exude luxury and fine dining. There are walls that are clad in large marble tiles. There are custom cut mirrors in the shape of XXI. Soft materials and wood, whose warmth is juxtaposed with leathers and metals, are found everywhere. Light fixtures are contemporary in style; very clean and simple. The restaurant definitely has a modern aesthetic, while managing to remain cozy and inviting. The original wooden beams of the building were preserved and there are equine-themed accents – nods that honour the time when the building served as a stable.

Before dinner began, we had a few moments to tour the surroundings. The restaurant seats 90 people, but the outdoor patio can hold 300 people. The beautiful grounds of The Doctor’s House are where hundreds of couples have tied the knot. It’s a perfect site for weddings, with a chapel and six banquet rooms available. The lawns are beautifully manicured and the vegetation was particularly vibrant that day, still glistening from the rain that afternoon.

We then proceeded to a sun-drenched room where we would have our dinner.  The menu is the creation of Executive Chef Sam Khalil, and features fine seafood, and local, organic, hormone-free meats from Paradise Farms.  We began with an impressive shellfish platter, with Maine lobster, Alaskan King crab, shrimp, and oysters.  Then it was on to a sampling portion of five different starters, my favourite of which was the crab cake.  It was light, moist on the inside, and crisp on the outside, and the celery root applesauce and avocado dressing were the perfect accompaniments.  The caprese salad came next.  It was delicately plated with alternating slices of heirloom tomato and bufala mozzarella; it too was delicious.

A quintet of sides then arrived.  They were all very flavourful, especially the sautéed mushrooms and the mashed potatoes, whose lobster component came through strongly.  Following immediately after, the stars of the evening were served – the steaks.  We had a choice of either the filet mignon and the NY striploin.  Both of these cuts delivered on expectations.  The classic striploin was succulent and well seasoned, and the 55-day dry aged filet mignon was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and comes out as my favourite of the two.  Interesting fact – all of the meats at XXI Chophouse are actually aged in house.

We ended our meal with mini donuts.  Three dipping sauces came with the dessert – salty caramel, peanut creme anglaise, and hazelnut.  These were a great way to cap off the evening.  Other options on the dessert menu include red velvet cake, alunga mousse, creme brûlée, tiramisu, and cheese platter.  Along with our meal, we enjoyed wine from the vast selection available at XXI Chophouse, proudly displayed in the dining room.

The Graci family has owned and operated The Doctor’s House for 14 years, and XXI Chophouse is the passion project of the the next generation of Gracis, brothers Ben and Marc.  The family invites diners to come and experience high-end dining in historic Kleinburg at their beautiful new restaurant.  With delicious food and a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, and at only 45 minutes from downtown Toronto, XXI Chophouse is worthwhile visit. XXI Chophouse is located at 21 Nashville Rd at The Doctor’s House in Kleinburg, Ontario. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 12-3pm for lunch and 5:30-11pm for dinner.

For more information:
http://www.xxichophouse.com
Twitter: @TheDoctorsHouse #XXIChophouse
Instagram: @TheDoctorsHouse @XXIChophouse #XXIChophouse
Facebook: The-Doctors-House

Photos by John Tan

In Photos: The Moonlight Gala for the McMichael Gallery

  • June 16, 2015
  • arts, gala, gallery
  • Comments Off on In Photos: The Moonlight Gala for the McMichael Gallery

The McMichael Gallery held it’s annual Moonlight Gala on and it was quite a night to be there under the stars on June 6, 2015.

If you’ve never been to the McMichael Gallery, you should definitely make a point to do so.

The McMichael Gallery has a permanent collection proudly showcasing Continue reading→

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