Smoked Salmon and Avocado Salad Rolls

I popped into Pho Delight for a quick supper alone a couple of Saturday evenings ago and in addition to the soup I ordered (medium steak, of course), I was intrigued by the smoked salmon and avocado salad rolls advertised as a special. Very refreshing and delicious, each of the four rolls featured a generous amount of avocado and smoked salmon, along with noodles, basil, and other vegetables typically found in a salad roll. It was indeed a unique combination. I found that the peanut sauce, the same which accompanies other kinds of salad rolls, did not really go well with the flavour combination. Hoisin or plain soy sauce would have been a better choice. However, I was impressed that the avocado was of perfect ripeness (over-ripe avocado makes me gag).

Palak Paneer at Naanolicious

I had lunch at Naanolicious with a co-worker last week, and was thrilled to discover Palak Paneer on the menu of specials. The spinach curry with pressed cheese is one of my favourite East Indian dishes, and I had yet to find it on their menu. The curry was creamy, smooth, and not overpowering, while the cheese was delicate in flavour and had a good, firm texture. One of the best I have had in a long time.

Salad Drink and Tamales at Mamenche's

I had a working lunch at Mamenche's this week and tried a beverage called a salad drink. As soon as it was served to me I knew why it was called that. It was an actual fruit salad floating atop a sea of fresh fruit juice. The fruit was also adorned with cilantro. It was refreshing and felt like summer in a glass.

I have never before had a tamale. I ordered two chicken tamales and was absolutely impressed. Loads of marinated chicken, potatoes, and chickpeas were encased in corn. They were steamed in banana leaves, and fork tender. A couple of these were literally enough for a light lunch on their own.

Breakfast for Lunch: Diner Hash at Urban Diner

Last month I was out early on a Sunday morning on a filming assignment, and followed it up with brunch at the south side location of Urban Diner. I had been longing to try the Diner Hash, and finally got my wish. The bits of corned beef was generously dispersed amongst hash browns, accented with chopped leeks. Adorning the top were two perfectly medium poached eggs, and a large slab of multi grain toast finished it off. The portion kept me going for the rest of the day on to my next assignment. It was a busy day.