Just like everybody else in the world, you're getting pulled into a thousand different directions. Your day is full of surprises, ups and downs, and of course the occasional disappointment.
My job, my life, my purpose on Earth has never felt so cluttered. I grew up in a time where family was the most important aspect of living. Large parties, weekend gatherings, spur of the moment visits and cake/donuts for no reason. It was amazing to see how work was just work, no one ever took it home. Overtime? What overtime, people found a way to work and play without having to sacrifice "overtime". As I continue to grow my brand and finalize my image, I tend to wonder if that work / life split still exists. I'm trying to establish a balance that will not only help myself but everyone around me. Sure I have aspirations to get my food truck, lounge, boutique and store front established and working. I also want to make sure that each and everything I decided to do is right. I want to make sure that I find that perfect balance of life and work. Ask For Dino is a life long ambition and goal. I believe that my brand will allow others the opportunity to make their lives easier. I want to be able to take the guessing out of life and help them make the best decisions possible. Whether it be food, lifestyle, homes, hotels or travel, each and every guest will have all the tools to make the best decision possible. For now, Ask For Dino is a mobile concierge helping people make informed lifestyle decisions. I believe in helping people make life easier and fun again. "Sex, that’s meaningless, I can understand that, but dinner; that’s heavy. That’s like an hour." - Jerry Seinfeld Dino.
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"It's Christmas time. We all know that after Halloween, the weather is like a roller coaster. One minute its minus 15 with winds that could throw you about four blocks and the next minute its plus ten and beautiful sunshine. Since I reside in Canada, I've become accustomed to harsh winters with just about everything possible. Ice rain, hail the size of golf balls, four feet of snow in as many hours, complete and utter chaos that we needed to call in the Army to help dig us out! One thing for certain Winter brings Christmas and Christmas brings the Toronto Christmas Market. For the last few years now the Distillery District in downtown Toronto are host to a wonderful and renowned Christmas Market. This market is like no other, there are vendors from all over the world, specialty food and beverage, unique gifts and toys and of course, a magical ferris wheel. However, all of these features are amazing and breathtaking but we're still missing one thing, the TREE of course. The Christmas Market is home to the biggest and most glamorous tree you will ever see. The Distillery district on it's own is amazing and vibrant. Add the feeling of Christmas and it brings the Distillery to a whole new level. I visit the Distillery very often and of course as many of you know, was the host of my wedding. Nothing compares to the magic, the sights, the utter awe that the Christmas Market brings to the Distillery. For four weeks during the Winter, the Christmas Market transforms the Distillery into a winter wonderland. You could almost say it feels like the North Pole and Santa's Workshop. Now for us adults, mulled wine, beer and of course Oktoberfest sausages and turkey legs frolic among the audience. Food is around every corner with many of the vendors offering specialty dishes hot and ready to eat. Of course there are the local restaurants, bistro's, and bars for people to take in the holiday cheer. As always, Mill St, Cluny, El Catrin are among the go to spots for people to relax and enjoy. To me nothing says its Christmas until the Toronto Christmas Market opens. I get that feeling of warmth, family, and joy. There really isn't a better way to spend a weekday or weekend with the person or people you love unless you're at the market. Don't forget to take a picture by the tree, it truly is breathtaking. "It's just so beautiful!" - Unknown Dino. There is a sensation that sends your mind into overload. That feeling that ignites a sizzle and sends goosebumps down your back. The feeling of overwhelming joy and happiness. Im speaking of that feeling when you take your first bite. You know that long awaited and overdue first bite of your beautifully prepared and well orchestrated meal. No, I'm not speaking of just any meal. I'm talking about the "MEAL" that required thought, love, care, and precision. It's that meal that involved a heated conversation at the local liquor store about which wine is best paired with it. It's that meal where you heard that funny joke about the you know what, about the you know who, while browsing for your imported limited edition beer. It's that meal where you took two minutes to place a bet on sports while getting your freshly pressed shirt and tie from the dry cleaners. It's that meal where you make the 60 meter dash look easy and run it twice (once in and once out) for good measure. I'm talking about getting those veggies for your sides. It's that meal that you regret (walking into the store as it makes you feel like a kid in a candy shop) because you should have walked into this store "FIRST". What store could I be talking about? I mean we covered the liquor store, beer store, dry cleaners, grocery store, oh wait, thats right "THE BUTCHER SHOP". Every time I walk into Cumbrae's, I lose all sense of time. It's like I've never been there before and everything is new. I mean I know they sell meat, they prepare meat, they cut meat, they handle meat, they display meat and of course they cook meat! All of there locations are pretty much the same in terms of design. They have a beautiful entrance displaying their lovely logo. One side is usually their fridge and cold prepared meats and sauces. The other is your typical style butcher counter. All sorts of meat ranging from pork, duck, beef, and lamb. They sell local seasonal favourites like turkey and rabbit and of course they sell freshly prepared sausages and hamburgers. My favourite place of the store is at the back. They have beautiful floor to ceiling glass walls that hold both their aging meat and prep counters. It's like an amusement park in there. Everyone works in sync and is like one big conveyer belt. From slicing to dicing to mincing it's a symphony, a very well orchestrated symphony. You always know that you will leave with the best piece of meat. You may change your mind three, four, ten times before leaving but when you officially walk out the front door, your meal is set for excellence. All of your hard work throughout the day will finally start to pay off. I mean you have your carefully selected bottle of wine. You have your backup of specially crafted and imported beer. If neither of the first two options progresses the night, you still have your favourite go to dress shirt, tie and sweater vest! I mean a little bespoke never hurt anybody. If for some reason, this option doesn't hit a home run (I mean hypothetically, we all know it will, it's a sweater vest after all) we still have the hand crafted, specially prepared meal. A fine selection of green veggies, (asparagus both green and white) sautéed rapini, (soft with melted normandy butter) and a beautifully sliced and wonderfully charred Cumbrae's Sirloin. The aroma alone should win everyone over. The juices that will slowly start to fill their plates and the soft tender pieces of meat that will touch their lips will slowly start to put them into a shock. There will be no talking, conversation, or bickering for the next few minutes. Everyone will be trying to deal with the sensation only known as "Cumbrae's". No matter what happens after, everyone will now understand. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show. This is what makes for an unforgettable night. Those ones that people will be talking about for years to come. Just remember, it all started with a specially cut piece of meat! "Those who want respect, give respect.” - Tony Soprano Dino. I would consider myself to be a very competitive person. I like a challenge and will always finish something I start. I take great pride in making sure what I do is done well. Someone with great wisdom told me that, and it stuck with me ever since. I have been very busy in the last few months trying to grow my brand and my image. I have tried to partner and collaborate with the right people to help foster change and implement growth. It has been a daunting task but I have worked around the clock to make sure the foundation is set for what is next to come. I was approached early last week by a member of the National Post via Instagram to see if I wanted to join "Gastropost Toronto - Food Missions for Food Lovers". I figured it was a chance to go up against some pretty talented people and help spread my brand "Dino" with a selected target audience. I quickly replied with a firm YES, and my first mission was delivered, "SAUCE". What better way to start my inaugural mission than with sauce. For my close circle of friends and for the select few that know me extremely well, they will know that SAUCE is one of my middle names. I love to add sauce to just about everything I touch in and out of the kitchen. I started thinking of a time where I may have got carried away and needed to simmer down the heat a little. For my friends that were there, this one picture will bring back all the memories. It was a special occasion, especially for a good friend of mine. It was her "send off" party, as she was starting to chase her dreams. I will never forget this picture nor will I forget that night. We ate and drank like kings and had a mansion as our backdrop. So as I gathered my thoughts, collected my feelings and started exploring the vast amounts of photos both past and present, I saw the picture. It was from my glorious honeymoon to the South of France. What better backdrop could there be for such a topic. We found this little place that was offering a wonderful aroma of fresh tomato sauce and pasta. OH BOY! La Taverne Massena - Maison Cresci was just to die for. The pasta was light and fresh and their pasta was perfect tomato red with just the right amount of spice. I had to select one of these images. I had about ten or so to choose from and couldn't quite nail it. I was caught between four images and knew something had to give. So I decided to use layouts on Instagram and merge all four images into what I like to call "Food Symphony". After mere hours after submitting my photo I got the elusive email that they loved my image and wanted to make a Gastrosketch of me and include a little bio for this weeks paper. I was jumping for joy and new that I would be selected all along. I look forward to read this weeks edition of Gastropost - Toronto and for many more weeks to come. Make sure to look for Dino and my wonderful addition to the weekly paper. "Perfection is never reached." - Ettore Bugatti Dino. There are certain things in life that you just know. You just know they will beat all expectations and blow your mind. Take for example the 1987 Ferrari F40, that moment when you achieve the perfect milk to cereal ratio, or maybe when you get into your car and your favourite music starts playing. What a rush, what a feeling, what a glorious moment in time. It's like the worlds have collided and the world is yours! Now let's get serious. As we all know yesterday November 3rd, 2015 was "National Sandwich Day". YES, you heard that right, National Sangweech Day (to us Italians). I have been blessed over the last few years by the Sangweech Gods, and have had some pretty incredibly tasting sangweechs. I've always been a creative mind when working in the kitchen and have had the pleasure of making some pretty nice creations of my own. The Double Decker pastrami sangeweeh, The Yard Work special, even the famous Asian inspired 5 and 2. However, over the last month or so, I have had a feeling of pleasure, guilt, and yes, even naughtiness. You know that feeling of pure goodness, that feeling that you just know it's right? Porchetta & Co. have been giving me this feeling for over a month now. I have eaten at this establishment for an undisclosed number of times (its for my own safety not to tell you). Let's just say I know their delivery times like the back of my hand. Porchetta and Co. have a fantastic product and they know it. They keep the porchetta flowing throughout the day and add a special to their menu on a weekly basis. Their special usually involves deep friend chicken with inspired sauces and toppings to make for an unforgettable pairing. I must say when it comes to different foods and dishes I have unique and personal feelings attached to each. Like Greenwood Smokehouse makes me feel like a kid again. Deville Dinerbar brings back my sense of the 80's Miami Vice feel, with all their neon glow. Well Porchetta & Co. make me feel right at home. Warm soft bread, melt in your mouth porchetta and that crackle to die for. OH MY GOD, it just leaves me speechless! Porchetta & Co. have a very intimate place. A small but attractive space with an outdoor option for those wanting to pose for the Sangweech stance. You know the feet and legs evenly spread, stomach and waist tucked in, chest and chin leaning forward and the sangweech tightly gripped (with both hands might I add) right out in front of you. Oh and who can forget the large pile of cheap napkins stuffed in your pocket. It's a sight for many but a command for those who know, leave no evidence of where you were. To the good lads at Porchetta & Co. keep doing what your doing. You have perfected the market and delivery a quality product day in and day out. I have never come for a visit and left disappointed, sort of like nonna's house. "Luxury is anything you don't need, right? I mean, you need food, water, clothing, shelter... but good wine, good food, beautiful interiors, nice clothes; those aren't necessities, they are luxuries - it's all luxury." - Marc Jacobs. Dino. |
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