Every day there's a new fantastic plan: the phone rings, another friend, another restaurant, another amazing experience. I feel the most alive when I'm hanging out with my friends in my favourite places — or in the new ones about to become favourites very soon.
To me, that is the only reason to spend a life on Earth: to smile and feel alive, to share, and to be grateful for living in this country where we have so many options and every possibility of taking advantage of them.
Where the love began
I have travelled a lot in my forty years of existence on this plane, and that's where my love for food really began.
As a child, much like many of us, I was the odd one who didn't like the food on the table and would cry to my mum because none of the ingredients pleased me.
Obviously, I wanted the attention — I was the only girl in a big family of men, with three brothers. With time I realized those ingredients I used to hate were actually pretty tasty, and I started dropping the taboo items in my head, one after the other.
The snowball effect
From picky child to trusted guide
To make a long story short: my taboos kept falling, and the people around me noticed a big change — and started following me wherever my gastronomic adventures took me. Ethiopian food, Afghan food, vegan falafels, marvellous breakfasts, molecular meals and a dinner suspended 150 feet from the ground later, I have somehow become the reference all my friends trust as their personal tour guide of restaurants.
I can't say I complain about it — I really love it. If there's one thing we food junkies love, it's the company of others like us to enjoy it with! I love seeing my friends' faces when they try something really good: the pleasure in the eyes, the smile afterwards, the cool comments. All of it is amazing.
The adventures so far
- Ethiopian & Afghan cuisine — coffee toasted before my eyes, the best lamb chops around
- Vegan falafels — a hidden, strictly vegan gem I take everyone to
- Marvellous breakfasts — from Victoria to Cumberland
- Molecular meals — edible helium balloons included
- Dinner at 150 feet — the whole city lit up beneath my plate
Since I can't and won't stop doing it, I thought it would be great to share what I've learnt through all these years of eating out with everyone who is fond of eating. I can assure you that my considerations, in every piece I publish, are 100% personal and hand-picked.
I love watching new friends discover amazing restaurants — and generating that huge snowball that can take a place I love from struggling to really making it.
Why it matters
Ramón's story
For example: this small Mexican tortillas place I found, which was really struggling to survive, was the home of some of the best Mexican food I ever had. We are talking about a forgotten old little place in the middle of nowhere, managed by Ramón and his family.
They were really struggling, and they had this amazing history of fighting through it — of coming to Canada looking for a better future for their children. It touched my heart and I decided to help, so I spread the word among all my friends, and now they have a clientele they never thought they would.
To me it is a win-win: I recommend my friends an incredible restaurant, and Ramón's family can keep the quality of the service, keep the restaurant open, and fulfil their dream of giving their children a better future.
The everyday joy
Food, friends and fun new places
I also love going out with friends — and on dates — that involve food and fun new places. Some of these restaurants don't even have a sign outside or a Facebook page. I have been to soup restaurants, veggie falafel spots and even ice bars, all without leaving Canada.
An invitation
Next time you are sitting at home wondering what to do — why your life feels so monotonous — give me a chance to put a smile upon your face and try some of my recommendations.
Have fun, eat out and enjoy life. That's what we are here for.