The Crest Restaurant

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Tony

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Located in the popular St. Clair West village of Hillcrest, this neighborhood pub style restaurant has been open for just over a year, and it seems that it will be around for a while. The friendly staff and atmosphere make for a welcoming experience, as locals stop in for daily fare. With many large screen televisions it is also a popular venue for catching the latest Leafs or Jays game, along with many other sporting events always being shown.

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Owner and operator Vito Tomasicchio has a proven track record as an innovator in Toronto’s ever growing food and entertainment business. Having started some of the cities most popular night time establishments including Li’ly, KiWi Kitchen, Century Room and Maison Mercer. Along with his partner Anthony Dynak, their focus is a restaurant which hopes to cater to your everyday neighborhood patron, along with bookings for private parties ranging from corporate events, birthdays, family dinners, or just a night out with friends.

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The two owners brought in former KiWi Kitchen chef Chris Straker, to utilize local vendors for fresh produce, meat and fish. This popular St. Clair strip has changed very much in recent years. Always know as Little Italy, the Italian vibe is still very much present, but the new mix of Latino, Caribbean, and other nationalities make for tasty menu items. I was invited to sample some new additions for the summer menu which included a savoury beet and goat cheese salad, some grilled vegetables and ceviche. All the items were deliciously presented and very satisfying. Make sure and save room for the fresh made donuts!

Beet & Goat Cheese with Grapes, Toasted Almonds and Dill Cream

Arugula Salad with Hazelnuts, Gorgonzola and Roasted Tomato Vinaigrette

Shrimp & Bay Scallop Ceviche with Crisps

Mussels Of The Day

A Project Named Desire

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Tony

Elisabeth Lagerlof as Willie from This Property Is Condemned

This week I caught up with three of the nine theatre companies that are participating in The Tennessee Project Toronto. Rehearsals are in full swing and you can tell that the project will be full of spectacular performances from some special talent. Here are some shots from the rehearsals of This Property Is Condemned, And Tell Sad Stories of the Deaths of Queens, and Something Unspoken. The companies responsible are Theatre Caravel, Afterglow Theatre, and Written On Water Theatre respectively. Check out the links for more information.

Steve Bolentu as Tom with Elisabeth Lagerlof as Willie

Eric Double – Artistic Producer/co-director and Julia Nis-Lapidus – Artistic Producer/co-director Theatre Caravel

Director Aaron Rothermund and Stage Manager Reut Shilton – Afterglow Theatre

Geoff Stevens as Alvin with Seth Drabinsky as Candy and Adam Norrad as Jerry

Seth Drabinsky as Candy

Geoff Stevens as Alvin

Adam Norrad as Jerry

Sheelagh Darling as Grace Lancaster with Suzette McCanny as Cornelia Scott

Suzette McCanny as Cornelia Scott

Sheelagh Darling as Grace Lancaster

Darwin Lyons – Director Written on Water Theatre

Sarah Barton – Stage Manager Written On Water Theatre

The Tennessee Project Toronto

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Tony

If you are a fan of Tennessee Williams and his plays then The Tennessee Project Toronto is something you must experience. I am currently working with some friends on this astounding theatre project which will bring seven Tennessee Williams one-act plays to venues throughout the city of Toronto. Featuring the talents of nine theatre companies, it is one of the largest co-productions Toronto has seen in years. The performances will hit Toronto in May 2012, with plays opening in Cabbagetown, Greektown, Roncesvalles, The Annex, North York, Leslieville, and St. Clair West. The productions will rotate to a different neighborhood each evening for a week, giving each community seven different nights of Williams. For more information click the image below:

I recently caught up with Black Tea Productions, one of the troupes who will be performing The Unsatisfactory Supper. Their rehearsals are in full swing and the actors were definitely getting into their characters!