Vegan Brunch at Windsor Arms and "Jingle Bones"

If you're looking for a new vegan brunch alternative and an elegant one at that - check out the latest one at the Windsor Arms, designed by vegan chef extraordinaire Doug McNish. The service is stellar, very old world graciousness and how great is it to have a separate vegan menu.

Ideal spot for those with visitors from out of town veg or not as they also have the standard brunch buffet.
We chose "The Works" - above, which features black bean chili, toast with a sunflower seed "butter", sauteed potatoes, tempeh bacon and one of the best tofu scrambles in the city - this one featured mushrooms and greens.

On the sweeter side we also tried the Stuffed French Toast, which to me was more like dessert - I'm a fan of french toast erring on the savory end of things..I would suggest the sauce on the side (a la "When Harry Men Sally") to tone down the sugar factor.



Would love to try the Vegan Benedict next time and also the bowls - Granola or Chia....kudos to the Windsor Arms for introducing this lovely option for weekend brunch.  I understand they also have a vegan menu for the evening?

Well, boys and girls it's also that festive time of year which means the annual "Jingle Bones" - featuring a stocking full of trombone players - playing your holiday favourites, a great gift for those who have been naughty or nice. This year it's at the Victory Cafe on 581 Markham Street starting at 7:30 p.m. Speaking of nice, contributions are appreciated in support of  Camp Oochigeas - where my niece Fran and countless others kids have enjoyed wonderful summers as victors over the dreaded "C" word.

Hey, it even got mentioned in "The Globe and Mail"...so you wouldn't want to seem uncool would you and aside from that if you don't attend we may have to send out the Sam cat to track you down and sit on you.

Cadence

Sorry, I was remiss in not telling you about this amazing free concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre today at noon - in a word, these guys are astounding - with selections ranging from Joni Mitchell's "River" to the jaunty opener "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" to the closer "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" - the quartet delighted a packed house and we mere mortals were allowed to sing along on that Cab Calloway chestnut "Minnie the Moocher".

They have just released their fourth CD "Cool Yule" - just in time for holiday gifting...unless you decide to keep it for yourself....do go and hear them live when you get the chance....

www.cadence-unplugged.com



Also this morning some Christmas shopping was in order and some for moi, bien sur. I love the natural products from Vauxhall Gardens since I tried the soothing Comfrey Cream - great for your aches and pains (it's anti-inflammatory) at the Liberty Village Market. Adele, the creator is a bubbly dynamo of enthusiasm for herbs and natural skin and body care...what is even better of course is that the flowers and herbs are locally grown, harvested and whipped into sumptuous creations...I adore her "Crowning Glory" hair conditioner - it really nourishes your scalp and provides great body and volume plus today I purchased "Precious Elixir" a lovely day cream and a serum, plus a few gifts. I also love the fact that she wraps your purchase in a vintage printed toile tissue and includes an information sheet about the product.

You can next catch her at Sick Kids hospital on Tuesday February 13th in the atrium Farmer's Market. Her website is www.peaceloveand flowers.ca - sweet.

Baking with Gwyneth

Because of course, we chat on the phone and internet and exchange recipes....not. Yes, I shamelessly wrote that headline to get your attention.  I tried out a recipe printed recently in the Toronto Star - apparently she lets her kids have these at breakfast  - they are made with barley flour, finely chopped almonds, oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and jam filling...yum.

December always brings out the baking frenzy - it harkens back to my days as a university student - when I would procrastinate during exams and do Christmas baking.  I have already made some Gingerbread Biscotti, some Green Tea and Walnut Biscotti and now these....soon Shortbread, maybe some Chocolate Cherry cookeis, some Pecan Sandies and the piece de resistance a Holiday Bread - stuffed with dried fruits and nuts.  Some years I have even made that Tuscan treat - Panforte - which I fell in love with in Sienna...sort of compressed spicy fruitcake - therefore easily portable in luggage.

It would be nice to spend Christmas in Italy or in Europe...and I was thinking even New York as I watched "Elf" the other night...Buon Natale.

Humber Studio Jazz Ensemble with strings....

I do love going to the free noon hour concerts at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre - especially when there is jazz!

Under the very capable direction of Denny Christianson this was a great way to spend an overcast Tuesday lunch hour. How lovely to have the addition of strings to the group - especially since I spied one of our upcoming "Jazzology" guests - Aline Homzy on lead violin - she did a splendid job on the intro to Denny's arrangement of that Miles Davis classic "All Blues" - a highly charged, grooving start to the program. Also featured on that were guitarist Sam Dickinson (who I remembered from the Humber Community Outreach program) and saxophonist Andrew Greenwood.


In fact, I saw a few familiar names from my scheduling on the performer's list - one Kyle Woodard who had a sax solo on Gord Sheard's "Seven Doors" - of course with a Brazilian influence and with Gord conducting and I spied Soren Nissen on bass and PJ Anderson in the trombone section....The arrangements "Angel Eyes" and "Lush Life" featured the sinfully rich vocals of Lydia Persaud and special appearance by Shirantha Beddage on tenor - normally I hear him on baritone as do most people - but Denny related that he not only doubles but triples and quadruples....including piano. Mr. Beddage was exquisite on "My Foolish Heart". And of course it does my heart good as always to hear the "kids".

Coming up this week - a dilemma - to go and hear the lovely Maureen Kennedy at the Home Smith Bar on Friday or Ben Dietschi et al at the Miles Nadal Centre on Bloor and Spadina - he will be there with the Spectrum String Quartet, Patrick Reid, Colin Power, David Occhipinti and Andrew Downing.

Tomorrow night - Mary McKay is at the Reservoir from 7 p.m. and on Thursday Norman Marshall Villeneuve has a trio at Cool Runnings - which is at 2708 Danforth Avenue.

I have heard rumours of another jazz venue opening....the Savoy? I'll keep you posted.

Shopping at the One of a Kind and Whole Health Expo

A busy past few days - what with venturing up to Edo on Eglinton to hear Brenda Lewis with Tony Quarrington and Brendan Davis - nice cozy spot and yummy Japanese food. I love how "Zen" it is when you venture downstairs to the washroom - they have made a tranquil space/sitting area with chairs! How I would love to go to Japan! There are a number of veg options on the menu too which is great. Sadly, this type of excursion takes me an hour - I'm such a downtowner now - if I can't walk there in under 45 - I'm less interested.

I hope to venture out to the Old Mill tonight to hear Claire Martin - again the distance thing...plus it gets expensive to go and hear jazz in such a venue when you are kind of expected to order something to eat or drink - and not at Rex prices either. Speaking of which caught some of Danny Marks on Saturday afternoon while we were showing our old friend Al Stoski around town - he was here from Edmonton - having been working up in Kincardine for a number of months. Al was and is a valued member of the Edmonton Jazz Society - as a volunteer and board member...we went to the St. Lawrence and Kensington Markets - St. Lawrence is our friend Norma's neighbourhood market as Kensington is ours...

Last Friday night was a shopping overload at the "One of a Kind" Show - got another great dress from "Desserts and Skirts" - you can find her clothing at Fresh Collective here (she also designs "Precious Pink" jewellery which I also lurve). My dress is a funky print....it's a little hard to see the sleeves which are about 3/4 length - but it is made of a slinky comfy fabric.



While working at the Whole Health Expo I bought a cool cloth scarf necklace from Jalanna at Soul Symbols  - where I was assisting on Sunday...they came in black, grey, brown and beige - very Type 2!



And for the piece de resistance a gorgeous amethyst necklace from Jalanna as well - I had so many compliments while I was wearing it - that I had to purchase it! The photo doesn't do it justice...


 While walking around sampling food and checking out the vendors on my breaks I had a makeup touch up at Earth Lab Cosmetics - and got a lovely lipgloss - Sugar Plum which feels luxurious and mascara which is soft, doesn't smudge or flake - their line is mineral based. There were also some skin care products but I was rushing around trying to fit stuff in - including a green smoothie from Cruda and lunch from King's Cafe - I couldn't check out the entire line - but you can online....wwww.earthlabcosmetics.com.  There is also someone in town who cares the line - www.ecoexistence.ca - Kym Klapp is the proprietor.

While at St. Lawrence Market, Norma introduced me to some supersoft scarves and wraps which are woven by a women's co-operative in Guatemala..if that is the correct Central American country. Beautiful colours and feel velvety soft...I will have to return for those. The stall is on the south side of Front - smack dab near the entrance to the market.

Today I'm making some raw spring rolls from "Becoming Raw" and maybe a Mushroom Soup from "Garden of Vegan"...I made some kale chips earlier...still working on the raw thing but getting more inspired all the time.

Mike Field Jazz Quintet

As part of the Nu Jazz Festival, trumpeter and composer Mike Field and his quintet take the stage at Waterfalls Indian Tapas Restaurant in Kensington Market this Friday November 18th at 303 August Avenue. This venue serves up great Indian food and as a superb side dish some spicy jazz.

Mike is releasing his latest CD "Ashes" featuring traditional style jazz originals. Joining Mike are bassist Carlie Howell, Dave Chan on drums, Paul Metcalfe on tenor sax and Teri Parker on piano (Matt Newton is featured pianist on the recording).

He has been a fixture of the local scene and toured nationally and internationally. Check out www.mikefieldjazz.com for more info on his activities.

Also on this weekend - on Saturday February 19th - why not munch on some great pizza at the Magic Oven on Queen East and enjoy the trio of Archie Alleyne, Dave Young and one of my favourite trombone players - Chris Butcher. From 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. 360 Queen Street East.

It appears this is a series that Archie has put together - the following weekend is Kollage! November 26th.

Readers, I realize I have been lax with my blogging - I think it is the darkening days of autumn winter and need to get motivated and also to get more income to finance a growing wanderlust - that is to say if you know of anyone wanting to hire a creative, intelligent and diligent soul like me - please let me know!. Trying to work on my spiritual side these days by doing daily tarot readings and reading some inspiring people like Louise Hay and Wayne Dyer..also remembering to be grateful.

Speaking of grateful - why not call 1-800-811-2400 or go online at www.jazz.fm and support a great radio station? Plus have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes...someone won a trip to Cuba today...or you can just have a toasty feeling in your heart - either way you win!

I had my first outing to a Psychic Brunch on Sunday - they're usually held I think the 3rd Sunday of the month - for $29 - you can get a 15 minute reading from a choice of readers plus a $5 voucher for your meal - Jayne was very insightful for me - encouraged me to believe in my own gifts and have more faith in myself! Nourishment all around. They are held at Clinton's on Bloor and also in Cabbagetown - The Flying Beaver Pubaret - check out the details on www.psychicbrunch.ca

Cool Kids

I just got an email from Adam Fielding, Mohawk grad and former "Jazzology" guest about an upcoming gig this weekend. Saturday in fact at Mitzi's Sister on 1554 Queen West from 10 p.m. - 1 .a.m. $5 Cover

The band is covering Motown and R and B and features the fabulous vocals of Mary McKay (another "Jazzology" guest and Mohawk grad - plus Johnny McKay, Clark Johnston, Adam Fielding and special guests - sounds like a fun night in Parkdale.