LETS DO THIS!

Yesterday Baby BooBooDooDoo (that’s me) took Teach to Habits Gastropub for a VIPLEASE good ol time. It’s amazing how much just simply “having plans” after chores and errands can change your entire mood and help you get through an Ikea line-up. I was giddy once this impulsive plan came to fruition. Happy ME Monday ruled.

Hope you’ve eaten cos it’s going to get tasty. Hope you’re not thirsty cos it’s gonna get dranky.

I LOVE TO BLOG necklace from Jenn cos I stood on the CN Tower with her and I think she’s buttering me up to babysit her triplets someday haha more like other way around. I thought it would be a funny photo addition, this necklace.

Guess how many drinks boozy mc boozersons had off the martini and cocktail menu (plus a few others heheh). Well between the two of us I mean. I’ll have to come back to reference this card I am sure.

As well the chalkboard. Foodieatathon posts are like school, all this paying attention and remembering (I have good recall BTW) or my readers will ask questions about my report, “Is that duck?” “Is that herring.” “Was it poached?” Lol shut up and just enjoy it keener, it’s about the ride too bro which sometimes if you’re cray fungry can be an icy crabby silent waiting period. Not for me though, I love a pre-cuisine cocktail (BLOGIOUSLY) it compliments the feast splendidly so, makes you ravenous and helps you eat more if you unfortunately became full too quickly. Take time to dine and everything will be just fine. #lifestyletip.

The layout of Habits sold me immediately. It’s like a shotgun house, long and lean but not claustrophobically narrow it’s still very expansive and inviting to move further in to the restaurant with a patio out front that is twice the size with the front doors open lending an inside/outside high-end roadhouse quality that I LOVE. If a resto can remind me of a fantasy place I’ve only experienced in of mind before I will make it a regular spot to haunt. Plus their BRUNCH menu is ballin’ Alyssa went over it with me and pointed out things I could not finish on my own and rotating daily Frittata mmm. I didn’t ask what a frittata was, I think I know but with this foodie thing I just nod and pretend and pick it up as I go.

Frittata – an egg-based dish similar to an omelette or quiche, enriched with additional ingredients such as meats, cheeses, vegetables or pasta. It may be flavored with herbs. YOU HAD ME AT MEATS AND CHEESES.

See how much colour I got this weekend? Tanned in two days and I’m still a bit burny and of course a white shirt will always make it pop.

That’s Ben (foreground) the sous chef (call him Beignet Ben) and Luis (back there) is owner and cook of Habits, what a team they are I love seeing the camaraderie of the servers staff owners blabbity blah, total family right there and no bad vibes period.

I had a caipirinha which is wild blueberry-infused Cachaça, fresh squeezed lime topped with soda. I love this drink, very refreshing but has a boozey flavour kick. Teacher ordered one of the Martinis, a Canadian Kiss: It has a lychee in it + vanilla infused vodka, Canadian rye, peach schnapps, jasmine syrup and grenadine. They infuse their own spirits too btw!

At some points you can’t tell if I’m wearing my napkin or not I started to treat the shirt as if it were a napkin, bad idea. I came out unscathed by spills miraculously.

Ahh yeah cha cha cha Cachaça blahaha. Am I drunk still? No, no hangover at all! I did a lot of situps and tricep extensions when we got home so needless to say I am sore today from that.

The eat and drink myself to death chronicles of Toronto continue. (drink responsibly friends).

Fried oysters. Never had them before and while eating one “fried oysters” became FRIED! OYSTERS! the taste blew me away because they’re breaded with breadcrumbs in a moroccan-style preserved lemon aioli and those little slimy bastards suck it right up I did not expect that crispy delicious crisp I almost ate Alyssa’s thinking it was for me too because, well, I’m me. I knew a lot more was in store for me so, FINE, here.

Photographing the merchandise makes it taste sweeter too, one should take in their food with the eyes as well I say. Presentation is key in foodie world I think it would be obnoxious and rude to just swipe at a plate of piled gorgeousness and stuff it in your mouth before all the foodie geeks got a chance to take a picture for their blogs LOL. I’ll stick that hidden camera pranking in my bonnet for a future stunt. Should be keeping it to myself really but who even reads this little-o thing anyway? (hint: everyone).

Jeremy, our handsome writer/server’s sleeve was just aching to be commented on, which, I did and now you gals know where to go for some eye dining candy (you’re welcome). Just wait til my mom and godmother get their hands on him next week oh brother.

Charcuteraymi time! Feat foie gras (meat butter ah gad straight to my heart) better yet read it yourself in a more fun way so I can get a transcribin’ break.

We shared some foie gras with Jeremy who did not even hesitate when I offered it to him. Some servers would say no but I liked that he said yes, it’s more real and less formal or uptight when everyone is on the same level and all food champions (pigs). I get uncomfortable if a server turns down my offer of a french fry and then I obsess about it all night long and feel rejected. Just eat the bloody french fry okay!

I liked the stuff beside the boar the best, also I loved the boar, but the sausage sopresata has the oily strong flavour, I like spicy salamis because they remind me of Streetsville and all the pork chops and Italian kids I grew up with and as it turns out Luis is portuguese and he is such a sweet guy very nice I know Lois will have a nice chat with him (she runs her own restaurant too) and she’s Italian, oh what a cute little clash in the makings of Lois & Luis j/k they’re both sweethearts, it will be a peach of a time anyway back to meats, all the euro kids had meat sandwiches at school and would gladly trade them up for my peanut butter mungacakey lunches by third recess when we were starving again, what is that mortadella pass it up Jackie Calisto! Yo Cabral, give me an egg custard tart and I’ll do your religion questions for you.

That’s the foie gras. I AM SO FAT.

Classic Raymi. That’s what it tastes like.

Spicy tomato mussels. YUM. Demolished and polished them off pretty quickly. Loved the tomato chunks and big mussels bloated from the broth, lots of steamy big mouthfuls blowing and taking in air to cope with the heat. I am a happening when I eat oh for sure things are definitely happening it is inherited greed from competing with my brother at the dinner table for the best portions. If his bacon looked better than mine or my kraft dinner was cheesier looking there would be whining until everything was equal. Siblings are hilarious this is getting me angry right now just writing about it I can’t wait to rip on my brother this weekend.

I love mustard seeds this much! I never used to like mustard before. See how people can change? I do not respect stubborn or finicky eaters who won’t try new things or eat only one thing always, it’s representative of how regimented they are in other life areas too. Man I can get offended by anything if you let me.

Jeremiah and Raymiliah.

Teacher got a lot of sun too this w/e and in half the time, he’s more ginger than I am.

You’ll note my aristocratic roots from my automatic pinky raising that sh- is real son.

This guy hates seafood but makes an effort for me. When restaurants hear, he likes beef but I like seafood what they actually hear is: rain all of SeaWorld down on me please. When really I am more of a chicken girl, but I’ll eat all the seafood you need in a pinch.

Can we give some praise for Fred’s bread now too where all their fresh bread (and breadcrumbs) come from. You know I typically shy away from my bread but on special eating occasions I will not make sacrifice and I will dig in. I can make it up later in other restrictive ways.

How much does my nail polish pop? Loads. Love.

Wonder what their night was all about. People watching bonus also no one cared about our shenanigans, pretty caj dining clientele I adore that so much. I hate posturing crabby faced diners, ew, don’t look at me, please enjoy your life and your meal for the greater good if you could.

Three different Raymi business cards, I’ve gone through how many now? At least 7.

Round Two drinkin’ all your drinks! I ordered the Cucumber splash (it has absinthe in it pssst) and teach had the Habits Mojito. His tasted better so we swapped back and forth yummily.

I look like a cartoon. That’s because I am one.

Good thing my next batch of cards are ready in time for my hair colour change wah woh. My dad says they are awesome anyway.

Alyssa, one of my Little Raymis, had a fun night the evening before wining and dining a famous Iron Chef I think the Habits team are proud of her for that one as well as helped her make it happen.

Hearing all about it here, no, you don’t say!

Thanks be to blog.

If you put it up properly it will look like what I wanted it to look like.

Don’t care how hung you are take a drink.

Sardines! Do you remember that game? Bonus points if you do and ever played it. These were delish little fish but teacher wouldn’t have one, he put his seafood foot down on that one and not even when I made my bass sing and dance to him and the spine broke bahaha not sorry.

Oh wait I am wearing a napkin like a good girl.

Here I go. The balsamic relish has a nice smoke to it that compliments the fish oh so much, had some with my bass as well.

I will eat anything if it is prepared fancy enough, if this were fear factor and it was raw bull testicles and sheep brains, ugh, sorry.

Ha my eyes say it all it’s dawning on me that I have to eat it all myself. I think it’s rude and wasteful to not finish your food but some say it’s respectful to the cook to leave food on your plate in asian cultures so who’s to say, I just go on the side of money cos your ma will give you a whoop ass or make you sit at the table til bedtime until you finish them beans.

Not to mention I am starting to get full at this point.

Luckily “in the doghouse” Alyssa was there to help me. My personal photog/sous-stomach.

And then she almost set the fricking restaurant on fire. The Little Raymi does not fall far from the tree.

We wanted to try the mac n cheese too so Michelle gave us tiny portions. I can see my stepping in to a bottle of red wine with a big bowl of this before me in the fall. Should I place my reservation now?

And just like that boys and girls your hero kept on eating.

Can you believe I’ve gotten this far without gloating about my ponytails yet? Who’s regressing now? I’m sitting in a high chair too wearing a bib.

Michelle chose the best red for my main, I was in a happily dizzy blur by then so I don’t remember what it was but I loved it and I want more.

Oh hai there who’s your friend didn’t hear you come in make yourself comfortable.

You guys made our night you really did I forgot to say that before I left but no time like the present to thank you again. I KNOW my girls will adore Habits and I’m glad I went ahead to spoil myself here last night to ensure it.

Meanwhile check out their happy land of food I want that chicken.

See how happy I am THIS COULD BE YOU. When you go to Habits be sure to say you saw them featured on my blog to have some of the magical hook-ups rubbed off on ya too Little Raymis they’ll be happy to see you. LIKE them on Facebook of course, and they’re also pretty cheeky tweeters @HabitsGastropub.

The steak! Comes with polenta fries they call crazy fries and this grilled 10oz USDA prime is smothered in brown butter hollandaise to die for and genius idea.

Piping steaming hot and crispy, I was amazed at the flavour, didn’t even know they were made of polenta.

Me and my delicious bass.

Steak me up Scotty.

Let this day forever be known as the great day of eating. I can’t wait to go back.

House made infusions!

Dare you to guess which one we got a sip of. Hint: BACON RYE. It was insanity. Liquid smokey bacony delicious heaven floating on a raft at the cottage bliss. Sunny Sunday morning greasy relaxing breakfastastical tastiness. End scene.

Cozy and classy.

Great plenty of spirits available to you.

Even greater bar to bar fly lush away some hours at too. A nice big bar is crucial as well the friendly service behind it. This place has both.

Michelle is the other owner (and manager) of Habits (located at 928 College Street by the way) I really like her.

We were having a who has a bigger nose competition. I was like no way, MY nose shows up an hour before I do nice try. I have discovered that a lot of foodie women are total comedians, blunt, and no BS just like me. We said we both knew Ivy Knight, who is very funny too. I wonder if there’s a link between food and funny if I am seeing a commonality or maybe there isn’t because on the other side of the token are all the gruff chefs out there, men and women. Okay guy chefs you’re funny too.

Nose-off! We are this close to making out!

I think I win by a nose hair. I have a longer ski slope I think. I was bullied in school about it, don’t care I knew I was bigger than my big nose. Michelle’s has a bump on hers so bonus points and close call. Your nose gets bigger when you age though. Great. Can’t wait.

More food please!

Glad for my 3F Fashions shirts which I shall call my binge eating attire.

Guess what I am eating after I get up from pressing publish? A beignet!

Whoops, NOT Tunisian Vanilla but TAHITIAN HAha. Ps. I brought the family (Rebecca’s) camera out with me, haven’t looked at the shots trying not to overdo it too much. Yet.

This elation made possible by bacon rye.

It was so clear, they filtered the crap out of it. I’ve made my own bacon vodka before so I felt smart here, for once.

Once I hugged every person place and thing we were ready to leave.

And after all that indulging I still somewhat had abs.

Mother’s Day reminder! I already bought my card.

Patio dream queen. I’d love to sit in that corner and watch the world go by looking in to my glass of rye.

I think you guys should drop in next Thursday when the cougs and I are there. Can you say SH-T SHOW? I can! More later have a spectacular day (continue to do so if you are already good work keep it up) as for me it’s time to work out after I eat that apple donut heheh luv Raymes.