Il Paesano: The Perfect Pizza in Toronto

One of the things I’ve missed most since moving away from Toronto is truly tasty pizza. (In my not-so-humble-opinion, they just don’t DO pizza here in the west… or bread).

Our favorite pizzeria is Il Paesano Pizzeria which is located in a tiny strip mall at 396 Brownsline in Toronto’s west end. The building’s exterior gives no hint of the wonderful treats within, yet Il Paesano has been in business since 1959.

Folks like Wayne Gretzy and Kurt Browning have enjoyed their fantastic zaaaas and left their marks upon the walls.

Their pies have thin crust New York style crust and just the right amount of delicious tomato sauce.

My mouth waters just to think about it. Sadly, I’ll have to wait until May to enjoy yet another. In the meantime, I’ll just look at the picture below and savour the recollection.

The 23 Dollar Sandwich

I know… I should know better by now, especially since I’ve written about the exhorbitant prices that hotels charge for room service.

But I was hungry.

And the Turkey Clubhouse sandwich on the Westin Casaurina’s room service menu sounded just perfect to munch on, while I worked on my talk for PPC Classroom Live last Saturday (December 1st, 2007).

Although I did see the $14.00 price and had noticed that *a 2.50 delivery charge, 20% gratuities and applicable state taxes would be added to the bill, I suppose perhaps I should have ADDED those figures together before I ordered this little treat.

AND to make matter worse, despite the fact that I’d paid a delivery charge, I added a tip to the bill.

They know how to make you feel guilty!

Now, I wish I could say that it was a tasty little treat – but alas – the bread was smothered with so much mayo, that I after 3 small bites, I ended up removing the bread and eating just the turkey, lettuce and tomato filler.

Hmm… I could have bought a LOT of turkey for 23 bucks!

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Pho Recipe and Pho T-Shirts

Do you love pho? I do. (Here’s a picture of me enjoying a bowl of pho at the Park Hyatt in Saigon).

I could eat it every day for breakfast, just like they do in Vietnam. But our local Vietnamese restaurant doesn’t open until lunch, so I had to learn how to make it myself.

The recipe that I use is printed below for your use. Mmmmm….

There are also a couple of pho t-shirts available through CafePress.com that show your love for pho (I have the ‘What the Pho?’ t-shirt and can’t wait to wear it down to breakfast at the swanky Park Hyatt the next time we’re there.

Pho Bo (Hanoi Beef Noodle Soup) Recipe

Recipe Courtesy of Gourmet Magazine

• 6 cups beef broth
• 1 (1/4-inch thick) slice ginger
• 2 whole star anise*
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 pound piece boneless beef sirloin, trimmed of any fat
• 3 ounces dried flat rice noodles*
• 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce*
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup fresh bean sprouts, rinsed and drained
• 1/8 cup minced scallions
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro sprigs, washed and finely chopped
• 1 small thin fresh red or green Asian chilie, sliced very thin
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
• Lime wedges for garnish

*Available at Asian Markets

In a 2 quart saucepan bring broth, ginger, star anise, and cinnamon to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

With a very sharp knife cut sirloin across the grain into very thin slices.

In a large bowl soak noodles in hot water to cover 15 minutes, or until softened and pliable.
While noodles are soaking, bring a kettle of salted water to a boil for noodles. Drain noodles in a colander and cook in boiling water, stirring 45 seconds, or until tender. Drain noodles in a colander. Set aside.

Strain broth into saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in fish sauce, salt and pepper. Add sirloin and sprouts and cook 30 to 45 seconds, or until sirloin changes color. Skim any froth from soup.

To serve, divide noodles into 4 bowls. Ladle soup over noodles. Sprinkle scallion greens, cilantro, chilies and basil over soup and serve with lime wedges

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Pho T-Shirts

What the Pho? (Black T-Shirt) Show your pride and impress your friends with this unique pho-themed t-shirt. Durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.

Got Pho? Fitted T-Shirt Got Pho? Funny Pho, Asian t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, kids clothing and more.

The ‘What the Pho?’, ‘Got Pho’, ‘I love Pho’ and other sayings are printed on a wide variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, kids clothing, bags, bibs at Cafepress. Just click on one of the ‘See More’ links above and then find the ‘pho’ link beside Home > Marketplace > pho to see all of them.

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