DesignAgency Incorporates Authentic Style at New Nando's Locations

Nando's, a South African-based chain of fast-casual chicken restaurants founded in Johannesburg in 1987, operates approximately 1,200 outlets around the world. Each site is unique, as the founders' focus on local style, international design and African artistry. As its corporate credo states: "Life's too short for bland." At the company's centre lies its own collision of cultures – an Afro-Portuguese mash-up best represented by its signature dish of butterfly-cut, flame-grilled chicken immersed in spicy PERi-PERi sauce. We really enjoy the unique flavours of Nando's chicken. 

Butter Chicken Sandwich at SUBWAY® Restaurants in Canada

My family and I enjoy tasting food from different cuisines. A recent study done by SUBWAY® Restaurants show that similar to my family, many Canadian families are also craving diverse food and flavours when they think about food away from home.  

Our Visit to My Sushi

One of our favourite places to eat out is at My Sushi, here is what we had during our recent visit...

Crazy Horse at Horseshoe Resort Satisfied Our Hunger and Tastebuds

There is a load of activities to do at Horseshoe Resort for the whole family. We had a fun filled day at Horseshoe Resort Adventure Park during the Canada Day long weekend and spent an entire day climbing rocks, rolling down the hill in the aqua ogo and doing many other activities. After all these physical activities we sure got hungry and had a wonderful lunch at their Crazy Horse restaurant. The atmosphere at Crazy Horse is relaxing to enjoy a meal with family and friends.

MySushi a unique sushi experience

We had a fabulous time and meal at my sushi, a newly opened restaurant/takeout.  The idea of my sushi came to be because of their customers from Bento, who wanted to have their own unique sushi combinations and flavours.  There isn't any other sushi establishment that allows guests to make their own choices and customize.  After experiencing my sushi with my family, I can tell you that it stands for its name.

I like the comfortable, inviting environment at my sushi.  Even if it your first time at my sushi you will feel as though you are visiting a close friend/family, because all the staff there were friendly.  I saw that everyone who walked-in was welcomed and felt special as they were explained about how to order, we don't see this type of hospitality nowadays so everyone in my family really liked this.  We felt comfortable as we were told how the process works so we could order without feeling shy :)  It is kind of like a friendly assembly line, so only one person is handling one section i.e. the rice or the protein and this avoids cross contamination.

When ordering...
We can get our own unique combo and pick the fillings we like or get one the six chef recommended sushi rolls from the menu.  My sushi has counted 786240 different combinations of sushi rolls they can make.    

1. We pick our wrap either the traditional nori (seaweed) or the modern soy based wrap.  Then we choose either or a combination of white or brown rice.

 

2. For the protein we can choose cooked seafood; carb meat, spicy crab, tempera shrimp etc... or raw; salmon, tuna etc or a combination of both.  For every extra protein it will cost $1.50

3. Then we get to pick 3 greens; asparagus, avocado, carrot, cheese, yams, mango etc...  If you want more ask the chef.

4. After the sushi gets neatly wrapped and cut, we can ask for a sweet sauce; Japanese mayo, teriyaki, my sushi sauce or a spicy sauce; mayo, Korean sushi sauces, sirachara chilli that will be beautifully drizzled and decorated.

5.  Then if we like we can top it off with any of their toppings such as the fried onion, sesame seeds etc.

Walking through and seeing the fresh quality ingredients and the process made me hungry :) and I couldn't wait to taste it.  

My children enjoyed the flavours in their sushi such as the mango and avocado that motivated them to eat without any complaints.  They also liked the fabulous taste of the tempura yams and tempura shrimp with the salad greens.  We also liked the colourful presentation.  

Tempura salads

We skipped the soy sauce and enjoyed the sushi roll as it had lots of flavour on its own, if you want soy sauce it is available on the table and in packets.  I preferred using my hands because it is comfortable and after all that is the traditional Japanese way to eat sushi :)  They have good quality chopsticks for us to use if you prefer.

miso soup

The sushi rolls comes with a choice to have miso soup or edamame/ sunomono/ seaweed salad.  The miso soup is fabulous, I kept wanting more :)  They also have refreshing green tea and cold drinks.  We shared it around so we were able to taste a variety of delicious items that were really filling.

sunomono salad

On top of the delicious sushi rolls my sushi also has traditional Japanese Donburi rice bowls made to our preference, which I highly recommend.  They also have healthy fresh salads and udon noodles soup that are customizable.  Just feel free to ask as you please to make it the way you want.  

Sushi is a healthy alternative that we can have instead of our regular meals.  Rice is an excellent source of carbohydrate and a protein that is also gluten free.  If we choose brown rice then it has more fibre.  The natural ginger without the additives served at my sushi is a healthy palate cleanser that aids digestion, boots the immune system.  Nori has nutritions such as protein, minerals, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, niacin and C.  
Many people think that sushi is raw fish, which is not true because we can have the option of having cooked fish or omit the fish and have it vegetarian.

Some perks that my sushi offers...

• Register and track your sushi experience at mysushi.ca by picking up the card from the store.  Then register online and get a free side. 
• As a loyal member for every 8 rolls you will get one for free.
• On your birthday get one free roll.
• On the anniversary date of registering to become a member you will get a free roll.
• Get to know about the Chef's latest and tastiest innovations.

We can enjoy the delicious food their location or takeout.  Once you experience the food and hospitality you will want more.  We are already planning our next trip :)

9343 Bathurst Street
Vaughan, Ontario
L4J8W1
phone number 905-823-6519
They are open from 11am to 9pm everyday.

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Rolling sushi with Bento

Everyone in our home enjoys eating sushi.  I have always admired the art of sushi and have tried making sushi at home, but haven't been fully satisfied by how the sushi turns out :)
I got a fabulous opportunity to attend a hands on #rollwithbento event, where I learned many skills and important tips about making sushi from experienced Bento sushi chefs.  With step-by-step instructions from the chefs, I got to make a beautiful pomegranate glazed rainbow sushi roll.

 

At the event, I learned the uniqueness of Bento that started as a kiosk in 1996 and now they are the largest sushi company in Canada.  Every year Bento sells over 13 million handmade servings of sushi in North America.  I felt very satisfied to know that Bento makes food safety their top priority; they rigorously ensure high standards in food handling are met using internal and third party auditing.  Bento is part of the Marine Stewardship Certification as they are committed to sustainable seafood; due to this certification they use Albacore tuna instead of eel.

Bento sushi is available in over 350 on site sushi bars in quality supermarkets, premier shopping malls, office towers, food service facilities and restaurants.  I am glad that Bento sushi is available all across Canada and US to fulfil our cravings :)  Bento has a variety of combos/selection and party platters to suit a variety of palates.  We like the convenience of "Grab and Go". 
Some of their selections of sushi include: 
*Traditional rolls i.e. California and Dynamite roll
*Healthy choices i.e. using brown rice, multigrain rice, low sodium soy sauce
*Limited time specialties and innovations i.e. lobster, coconut, pomegranate
*Party platters and sushi boats for large gatherings i.e. birthday, holidays

It is better to enjoy sushi fresh on the same day or store in the fridge and eat within a day of purchasing it.  If the sushi was in the fridge then leave it out for about 20 minutes before enjoying.  Sushi should not be frozen.  
We can enjoy sushi with any type of sauce such as soy sauce mixed with wasabi, sesame sauce or sweet chillie sauce.  Having sushi with a healthy seaweed salad on the side makes it a satisfying meal.  

Some etiquettes of enjoying the experience of sushi:
*Eat in one bite or a maximum of two bites, but don't put a half eaten sushi piece on the plate.
*Be light on the soy sauce and don't soak the sushi with the sauce.
*If it is hard to manoeuvre the chopsticks, eat sushi with your fingers the traditional way, but don't eat with fork and knife.
*And finally don't rub the chopsticks as it is not respectful, if there is splinters get another chopstick instead. 

More about Bento coming soon...

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

Waffle bar Gourmet Artisan sugar waffles

We enjoyed these gourmet Artisan sugar waffles from the Waffle bar, in Toronto.

The atmosphere and the open environment of the Waffle bar makes it very pleasant.  We can take-out or in good weather we can sit outside to enjoy the treats.  

I like the concept of taking it out, so we can enjoy every bit of these delicious waffles :) 

My daughter and I enjoyed the deliciously presented warm waffles, topped with whipped cream caramel or toffee sauce and one with whipped cream berries.  The waffle cone ice cream and the ice tea were delicious as well. 

The Belgian pearl sugar makes these waffles special.  This sugar adds a beautiful unique caramelized look to the waffles.  The sugar leaves a soft and sweet taste to the Liège waffles without melting.

My family and I really liked the delicious take-out box of waffles.  We warmed it up in the toaster oven and enjoyed the authentic taste of the Belgian waffles at home.  The cinnamon flavour and the distant sweet taste from of the specially imported pearl sugar left us craving for more waffles :) 

This box has 6 waffles and a squeeze bottle of sauce.  The Liège waffles taste fantastic on its own even without anything extra added :)

These gourmet Artisan sugar waffles are peanut free.  If you have already tasted these waffles at Evergreen Brick Works Farmer's market on Saturday mornings or at The Leslieville farmers' market, you know how good these are :)   

It is an experience you don't want to miss :) join their grand opening of the Waffle bar on July 15th

The Waffle bar is located at the upper beach area in the corner of Kingston road and Scarborough road.  

281 Scarborough Road M4E3M9 647-748-9235

It is open on Tue-Thu noon-7pm, Fri-Sat noon-8pm, Sun noon-5pm and closed on Mondays.  

Keep up to date with the Waffle bar news by following their Facebook.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First