Happy New Year!

I spent my last days of 2011 up north with friends eating and drinking way too much and although I'm on a bit of a new year detox, there is alot of places that I look forward to dining at and things that I can't wait to eat.  I've said it many times but I will say it again, not only to I love to eat out but I love telling my "stories".  Good or bad, I always hope to be your dining compass.

Toronto is a great city for eating out and there has been a lot of excitement about some of the new places that have opened.  On my current 'to eat' list is The Westerly http://www.thewesterlyrestaurant.com/, Pizzeria Defina http://www.pizzeriadefina.com/ , The Ace http://www.facebook.com/TheAceToronto , Enoteca Maialino http://maialinoto.com/ and Grand Electric http://www.grandelectricbar.com/ and shame on me for not having been to Porchetta & Co. http://porchettaco.com/ or Agave y Aguacate yet http://agaveyaguacate.blogspot.com/ .

Stay tuned friends...

Here's hoping for some new trends to take over some of the old ones that we have been subjected to over the last couple of years.  Although I love bacon, I can't wait to see that trend die.  Bacon gum?  Ridiculous.  The concept of a food truck selling something other than french fries is uber exciting but unfortunatley with all the red tape in Toronto, this might be something we have to just give up on?!  Sorry Suresh http://twitter.com/#!/spotlightcity , every party has a pooper.  I also am over "local" and "organic" and "artisanal".  Why did we ever give bonus points for how we should be eating in the first place?  I do not buy tomatoes or berries in the winter and neither should you.  Let's make reducing our carbon footprint a common practice not a 'pat on the back' opportunity. 

I also don't pay $15 for a cocktail so can we maybe work on the elitist cocktail concoctions as well?

Criticisms aside (I prefer to view them as challenges) let's continue to celebrate what our wonderful city has to offer.

I look forward to continuing to fill you in on what's great and what's not so great and I hope that you continue to read my madness.  I am grateful for you support and I wish you all the very best for 2012!

Rita Ricchio