a reunion

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One of the highlights of my stay in NY this month is getting back to my dance classes at Alvin Ailey. Here was a rare moment alone in the studio just before my Horton class (first one in a year). It was an emotional reunion. It was as though I never left. My connection to this space – to dance – is difficult to articulate. Like coming home. I can imagine what it must be like for those who do this professionally. If there was one thing I wish I could bring back with me to Toronto, it would be exactly...this. 

two blue wolves/nightwork

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After much anticipation, Sparrow Hall launches a special combined printed (double-sided) edition of his two beautifully written short stories: Two Blue Wolves and Nightwork. Sparrow Hall is one of my oldest and dearest friends in New York. I love seeing what he has created over the past few years, trailblazing within the arena of transmedia. He has taken the story beyond the page, allowing readers access to experience it via many mediums, be it through music, video and visual art. All have been inspired by his writing. And why shouldn't a book/story inspire a soundtrack? It makes for a more holistic and more powerful experience. 

Sparrow Hall's writing of Two Blue Wolves (my personal favourite), takes my breath away every time I read it. 

Just as he has done with the e-book edition of Two Blue Wolves (see my post from Oct 2009), he is also donating $5 from every sale of this combined printed to the Alzheimer's Association. 

Congratulations to Sparrow Hall. You continue to inspire me. I can't wait to see what's next. 
p.s. Thank you for quoting my review of your book :) 

Here's a sample of the music from the Two Blue Wolves soundtrack.
  

Follow Sparrow Hall on Twitter @sparrowhall

 

 

colonie brooklyn

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above photos from http://colonienyc.com/

I had dinner at Colonie in Brooklyn Heights last week with my friend Jenna of Whimsy & Spice and I was blown away by the food. Colonie's been open since February 2011 and apparently received almost $16k of funding via Kickstarter before opening. Pretty impressive. The space was beautiful (very Brooklyn, urban barn look) and utilizes many recycled materials. I love the living plant wall, too. The menu features all local and seasonal American menu. I can see why they've received so much attention. The food was so delicious, very vibrant, flavourful and inventive (we both just wished the portions had been a bit bigger, esp. the main course). 

My Foodspotting links are below: 

First course: Octupus with Chorizo Sauce, Fingerling potatoes and Capers

Main course: Scallops with Apricot, Curry, Pickled Eggplant and Pinenuts 

Dessert was a short walk away at Van Leeuwen Ice Cream on Bergen St. I had the Rosewater & Cardemom Ice Cream (tasted like kulfi! Delicious!)

abc kitchen

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all photos above from http://abckitchennyc.com/

I'm having quite a decadent visit here in NYC this month. There's no shortage of spectacular food. Still among the places I've had the pleasure of trying (low-end to high-end), there are standouts. I initially wanted to write one big post on the food but I decided to break it up a bit. 

ABC Kitchen was (deservedly) named Best New Restaurant of 2011 by The James Beard Foundation. My expectations were high and it did not dissappoint. The food was fantastic. They have a prix fixe lunch for a reasonable $28 and it was so GOOD (see my Foodspotting links below). The local and organic menu was undeniably fresh and so delicious – esp. that perfect gazpacho. The dessert was probably over-the-top for a lunch menu but I still nearly fell out of my chair when I tasted it. I also can't overlook the fact that it is beautifully designed to fit right into the ABC Carpet and Home aesthetic. GORGEOUS. All around a drool worthy spot. 

First course: Gazpacho with Summer Fruit, Olive Oil and Basil

Second course: Steamed Hake, Goldbar Zucchini, Nasturium Vinaigrette

Dessert: Sundae with Salted Caramel Ice Cream, Whipped Cream, Caramel Popcorn & Peanuts, Chocolate Sauce

 

 

extended play, new york

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Lexie and I are back in our Brooklyn apt for (all/most) of August. The slight change of plans happened just a day or two ago. It was what I wanted to do anyway, my circumstances changed to accommodate for a longer stay. It could be my last few months of having a Brooklyn apartment. And my place was (deliberately) vacant this month anyway. Since the timing worked in favour of staying, I figured, why the hell not?!

It's been unexpectedly grounding to be back in the city. It feels a lot more like coming home this trip. It has everything to do with familiar surroundings, even for Lexie. I've lucked out with great weather. I'm taking in as much inspiration from the city now as I ever did while I lived here. It's been so wonderful to spend time with my dearest ny friends again and eating very well, as per usual. I will write a separate post on the food!  I AM also doing work while I'm here and looking for interesting new projects as well. 

One of the things I'm looking forward to this next couple of weeks is taking my Alvin Ailey dance classes again. In fact, I am going today. I can't wait! 

Photos above (from top left):
Jeffrey's Grocery (West Village) 
A West Village apartment courtyard 
Lexie at her old park in Brooklyn
Still life at Joseph Leonard restaurant (West Village) 
My new fall oxford/mocc ankle boots! (by Luxury Rebel) 
Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn at sunset

 

dear new york

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Mindrelic - Manhattan in motion from Mindrelic on Vimeo.

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Dear New York, 

Things are good over here. I'm very well. But do you know that I really miss you? I wasn't ready to let you go when I left. I can say that now. And it's ok. Watching this killed me just a little inside. Yeah, there were tears in my eyes. That's all. 

I'll see you soon. Four more sleeps. 

Love always,
Catherine 

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a portumanian feast

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Amazing pond experience aside, last Sunday was really about the food. Two great chefs came together: one Panamanian (Rossy) and the other Portuguese (Paula). Together they lovingly prepared one fabulous "Portumanian" feast. Just looking at these photos makes me hungry all over again. 

Here was the menu for the day: 

ROSSY

Empanaditas de Pollo
Chicken stuffed mini Pastry Pockets

Ceviche Mixto
Lime marinated Mixed Seafood

Mariscos al Ajillo
Shrimp & Scallops in Butter & Olive Oil Garlic Sauce 
with Grilled Fennel & Smoked Tomatoes

Arroz con Guandu y Coco
Coconut & Pigeon Pea Rice

Ensalada de Palmito y Vegetales
Hearts of Palm & Vegetable Salad

Escabeche de Pescado
Pickled Fish

Crema de Mango, Gengibre & Lima
Mango Ginger & Lime Mousse

 

PAULA

Rissois de Camarão
Shrimp in pastry

Bolinhos de Bacalau
Codfish Puff Balls

Cataplana de Amêijoas
Clams in Cataplana

Asas de Galinha PiriPiri
Chicken Wings in Piri Piri Sauce

Porco Bêbado
Roast Drunken Pork

ChocoFlan
Chocolate Cake with Baked Custard
& Dulce de Leche

Bolos de Mel
Portuguese Honey Cakes

 

Thank you to Rossy and Paula for preparing such a gorgeous, delicious meal. And big hugs to our lovely host, Rossy Earle (above) for a beautiful day. I can't wait for the next one!!

 

 

a clean slate

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I can hardly believe that after the massive upheaval my life has undergone this past year, I have finally moved into my own Toronto digs. In more ways than one, this is my clean slate. It's the official start in my new city. What proved to be a stressful process resulted in a place that's precisely what I wanted (and more). It's all thanks to a fantastic real estate agent and serendipity. Not only is this condo/building brand new, it comes with great amenities, it's very close to work and it has the all-important ensuite washer/dryer. The space also has nice finishes. I love how sunny and airy the space is despite it's relatively modest size (under 600 sq. ft + 100 sq. ft of balcony). I now understand the draw of living up high. The big balcony is perfect for admiring the VIEW. And to my New York friends, it's for A LOT less rent than anything comparable in New York City or Brooklyn. Which is amazing. 

This blank canvas is already my newest design project. I cannot wait to decorate it. As you can see, I don't really have any furniture yet! Now that I've decided to start from scratch, the possibilities are endless. All I know right now is that I will keep things very simple and very comfortable. Stylistically, warm modernism is what I am most drawn to. The older I get, the more important quality and craftsmanship become, too. The challenge will always be finding a balance between quality and price. The task of careful furniture selection is probably what I'm looking forward to the most. It's so exciting! So there will undoubtedly be upcoming (fun) blog posts on home design :) 


The west facing balcony presents a view of the lake (to the left)...

...and neighbourhood views (and the sunset!) to the right

pond life

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When my friend Rossy told me she had a pond in her backyard, this was not what I expected. I finally got to see said pond this past weekend. It was part of a big feast prepared by two chefs. Rossy Earle, a Panamanian chef and, Paula Costa, a Portuguese chef joined forces to cook a huge Portumanian hybrid feast. I will blog about the food separately. I felt that this pond was worthy of it's own post. 

How beautiful is this?! This is where a big group of my foodie friends (and a few with dogs) came together and spent the day. I was stunned when we first drove into the sprawling property – approximately 45 minutes outside of Toronto. According to my friend Rossy, this is a natural pond that has had sand poured into it. It is aerated underwater via a windmill hidden behind the trees. On the property also sits a 6 bedroom house. I understood why Rossy chooses to live here and not in downtown Toronto. The temparature of the water was absolutely perfect and not too cold for this tropical baby. The colour of the water really does look this way in real life. I was in heaven floating peacefully in it – face to the sky. 

It was the best day of my entire summer so far. It was a much needed day of relaxation, sunshine, good friends (around 20 of us in attendance), great food, lots of laughs and even some good bubbly. What a beautiful day. I hope I get a chance to come back and do it again before the summer ends. 

Stay tuned for the upcoming post on this day's Portumanian menu :)  

 

lexie's seventh

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It's Lexie's 7th birthday today! She and I have been through A LOT together, she has been my trusty (and occasionally naughty) sidekick. I adore her beyond words. And who wouldn't? Look at that delicious face? I accidentally forgot her birthday last year. I missed it by a couple of weeks. It was during a very stressful time before my big move out of New York. I think I might buy her a hotdog this year and just let her devour it. That ought to make up for my birthday neglect last year!

We had a scare this weekend and thought she might be really hurt. So I'm thrilled that the her vet felt that she is fine (likely a sprain of some sort). I just need to keep my eye on her. It was a huge relief. 

This outtake from Lexie's photoshoot by my photographer friend Young Jung makes me laugh. She caught Lexie in the precise moment. 

Happy Birthday to the SWEETEST little dog in the whole world.

 

learning legacies 2

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My cousin Joel sent me this photo of my Lola (grandmother) and her kids that I have never seen before. Her name was Leonarda – Lony for short. Doesn't she look fantastic?! I love that she looks so relaxed and elegant. My mom is the one to the right of my grandmother. I've seen very few photos of my mom at this exact age. It inspired me to write another post about my family history as a kind of follow-up to my post last year. Another thing that inspired me today is a comment someone left on my old blog about my ancestors. It was nice to be reminded of your ancestry.

My Lola lost her husband, my grandfather Tomas, when he was only 51 years old. He suffered from severe asthma for years and eventually lost the battle. Back then, there were limited options for treament. I never actually had the chance to meet him. He probably took this photo, now that I think about it. My grandma was left to raise six kids on her own. From what I can recall, her family was fortunate enough to own several pieces of property in and around Manila. She earned a living collecting rent from tenants of several apartment buildings. I still remember going with my grandma to collect rent. Between raising six kids and managing property, she also spent a great deal of her time volunteering for an organization that helped the poor. I also remember accompanying my grandmother many times to visit the sick and the poor. Even as a child, I found this to be very humbling. She would always bring them baked goods that she made. She would sit, hold the hands of, and and talk with people who were sick. It was all very much a part of what my Lola was about. The Lola I remember was eternally (and fiercely) independent, generous, sassy and charming. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She had to. During the 60s until she passed during the 90s, she was on her own. It's also great to learn that she descends from a long line of strong women — matriarchs. This of course means that I, too, (along with my mom and her sisters) are part of this lineage. I realize that it's a big part of who I am, too. That's something that's to be proud of. 

 

a wedding was thrown in brooklyn

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I loved my friend Jacquelyn and Robert's DUMBO, Brooklyn wedding party this past May and loved the photos too. How adorable are they?! It was a fantastic and memorable evening (and week in New York) with my friends. What won't be posted here is the photo of my teary-eyed face after hearing the bride's twin's speech. To be clear, virtually the whole room was reduced to tears after that speech. It wasn't just me!

Congratulations, again to Jacquelyn and Robert! Much love and happiness to you both. x

All photos by Clean Plate Pictures. 

p.s. And what a coincidence: the bride and I had the SAME pair of shoes on! 

 

it starts now.

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the view from the Porter Airline's runway from my iPhone – landing, May 2011

September will mark one year, the first, that I've (ever) lived in Toronto. The city, for the most part, has welcomed me with warmth and open arms. I have learned a great deal and have had a very successful year thus far with regards to all aspects of my work. I am immensely grateful for this and all who have been supportive. It hasn't been without it's challenges. One of which is figuring out my place in it in my own time. Quite distinct from trying to fit into someone else's expectation of what I will make of this new city (and inevitably disappointing them). I do believe that in order for me to truly make Toronto my own, to be able to carve out my OWN version of it, I need my own space. New York was easy to make my own. Perhaps that is the nature of the city. Perhaps it's because I didn't go into living there with someone else's preconceived version in mind. New York was all mine to carve out. I had nearly 12 years to do so. 

So the official hunt for my own Toronto digs is ON (not ready to own just yet, but to rent). Starting this weekend. It's all VERY exciting. 

My Brooklyn apartment building is over a hundred years old. I've had that place for eight years. There are things everyone is willing to give up to live in New York. I had a good amount of space in Brooklyn, so that wasn't an issue. I'm realizing (for reasons that include my age) that there are conveniences I am no longer willing to do without. Namely, an en suite washer/dryer situation. I loved the charm and character that my Brooklyn apt had. And perhaps down the line, I will be more interested in a fixer-upper, renovation project type of apartment or house. But for now, I want new(ish), clean, modern, bright and easy. Why not? Between my 9-5 work and freelance projects, it doesn't leave me much time these days. But I'm hoping it's doable (maybe with a little professional help). The idea of decorating a whole new space is BEYOND exciting. I can't wait. I will, no doubt, be documenting the process. Stay tuned and wish me luck!

 

food truck eats toronto

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In an effort to promote better street food culture in Toronto as well as to urge loosening the very strict rules surrounding food trucks in the city, Suresh Doss, publisher of Spotlight Toronto (and friend), organized Food Truck Eats. It's the first of three gourmet food truck events happening between July and September. The overwhelming response to his proposed event from numerous chefs and food vendors in the city has extended the event to three separate dates. They're being held at the historic (and beautiful) Distillery District in downtown Toronto. I was asked to design a poster for the event (above!). You know where I will be on July 2nd. Check out the Facebook page for more info. Torontonians, come on down! 

meet belinda, my new bicycle

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The last time I had a bicycle to call my own, I was about 14 in southern California. I was in 7th grade. The kids at school made fun of me and my bike. They would sing the Pee Wee Herman theme song whenever I rode by. NO ONE rode a bike to school in my part of the world then. It wasn't considered cool then. But I really couldn't care less what other kids thought. I liked my bicycle. It was new, cream coloured and had a basket in the back. Fairly non-descript. I rode that thing to school until I started catching rides on the back of a friend's Vespa a year later. 

After I got a taste of cycling earlier this month, I knew I had to get one. I had planned to start off with a used bike but got a GREAT deal on this new one. It had very minor scratches. I knew I had to strike a balance between aesthetically appealing, modestly priced, easy/comfortable to ride. Theft is apparently rampant these days, so I invested in a good lock, too. This was perfect. As soon as I saw it, the afternoon of shopping was over. I had to have it. Of couse, my favourite part is the leather seat and handle bar covers (if there's a proper term for this, I don't know it). 

Eventually, I'd like to get a beautiful wicker basket similar to the one below by Nantucket Bike Basket Co. instead of the mesh one. The bike shop employee mentioned that the wicker baskets actually last much longer than the powder-coated metal ones. Who knew? They even have baskets designed for pets. Too adorable. 

I rode my new bike into work today and I love it even more. It was a summer defining move to purchase this gem. I'm calling my bike Belinda. For some reason, I heard Belinda Carlisle's singing one of the Go-Go's songs when I saw the bike. I have absolutely no idea why! So the name has stuck.

p.s. I don't plan to join any Toronto hipster cycling cults worthy of an episode of Portlandia. I'm still essentially that nerdy 14 year old just enjoying the ride and the sunshine. 

Cheers to summer!

 

papa's day

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I love this photo of my dad. It was taken on our big island-hopping trip in the Philippines in 2006. That's my sister behind him, by the way. Not me. Our parents often can't tell us apart in photos and in sunglasses. 

Happy Father's Day, Pa! 

Love you. 

 

tasted toronto

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I attended my first Toronto Taste event this past weekend at the Royal Ontario Museum. It's the biggest fundraiser for Second Harvest (same idea as City Harvest in NYC – I sometimes volunteered my time to them when I lived there). Imagine 60 of Toronto's best chefs, 30 wine/beverage purveyors and 1500 people inside the museum and outside — in large white tents. It was amazing. I walked around with a plate (at one point, two plates!), a fork, a beverage and my iPhone. I somehow managed to take a few photos of the food. This event is not only a great cause, for someone relatively new to the city, it was a perfect way to sample the food from some of the city's best restaurants. I loved it! Although crowded at times, it was a festive event and the food was FANTASTIC. The dishes that had me positively speechless are below (tried as best as I could to remember the exact names). 

top left: Truffle Polenta from Scarpetta (NY/Toronto), top right: Lamb with Chocolate Nib and Raisin Tacos from Auberge du Pommier, bottom left: Chilled Strawberry, Rhubarb and Lobster Soup from Tundra, bottom right: French Onion Soup Dumplings from Forte Bistro and Hiro Sushi