Picnic.

I don't think I have been on a picnic, since the Teddy Bear Picnic in grade one. That sucks, they look like a lot of fun right? On Saturday, my boyfriend and I were at the park, and decided a picnic over the long weekend would be a nice activity. I'm not going to lie, the first thing I thought of was what outfit am I going to choose, should I get new picnic shoes. Wacko I know! Other than my attire dilemma, I am pretty excited to sit outside for hours and drink wine from secret water bottles and hang out with my dude.

I'm thinking that maybe picnics should make a return to the scene. Picnic wedding? Hello! So awesome!

Luau List.

Things you need to throw your in Luau:

* Warm Weather (Canadians chill out until June)
* Lei's (plastic ones you get at any Dollar Store or Party Supply Store, if you want to go all out and get real ones, make sure you  have a florist connection - Thank you grandma!)
* Fire ( torches will do, unless you can find a group of tanned men with six-packs which will allow you to have awesome fire dancers - don't forget the ankle bracelets!)
* Hawaiian Music ( or a a cute scene kid playing a ukulele, either or will work)
* Booze (I would stick with the traditional cocktails - Pina-Colada, Daiquiris, Mai Tai's etc. They will give it a more island feel)
* Food ( I don't expect everyone to roast a pig on a spit, unless of course you come from a Euro family like I do in which case let it burn. However, if your not into a large animal on a stick, go with BBQ chicken, skewers, veggies, fish and lots of pineapple. Pineapple tastes good with everything)
* Attire (Women if your feeling daring and don't mind the breeze, try the grass skirt and coconut bra, or stick to your bathing suit and wrap. Men take that shirt that we all know is hidden in the back of your closet, you know the one your dying to break out at soon as the temperature hits 0 degrees? Throw that on, for one day only.)

I think I pretty much covered everything. Comment and let me know if there is anything I missed.

Wildside Grill.

Natural Foods from natural dudes. Always fresh. Always Wild. So it says on their website! As I was doing my morning Tofino google searches, I stumbled upon Wildside Grill. It looked like a nifty little place, so I decided to show it some luvv.

This place is serious about fresh. I mean the fish goes straught from the boat to your meal. Firsherman Jeff Mikus and chef Jesse Blake are the two awesome dudes responsible for the best fish and chips the west coast has to offer.

Check our their menu here

Food.Wine.Shelter

Food. Wine. Shelter - the basics...right? That's what Shelter Restaurant says, "we offer the basics." Sounds pretty darn good to me. Located in Tofino BC, Shelter not only offers beautiful food but incredible views as well!

Using all organic ingredients, and fresh meat and fish, Shelter is able to create some of the most scrumptious dishes. I'm talking like, drool while menu reading scrumptious. My favourite has to be the pan-seared local wild salmon with local spot prawn risotto, and apple honey beurre blanc. GOSHH!

Shelter has gotten some awesome reviews, if your the type of person that has to read the all the reviews and comments on a restaurant before you go there. There ya go Dad!

Cool idea - Shelter Restaurant's website (click here) also offers a 30 second update surf cam! Uhhh super gnarrly right? :D

Provence.

Good morning...?.. not really eh. I would defintley love to be back in bed staring at my glow stared cieling. Instead im in my cube at work. Yay!

I realized that I've only touched once or twice on cuisine and restaurant choices in Bahamas. There are some incredible places to eat with incredible prices. However, Provence; a French-Mediterranen Restaurant is very reasonable with delicious food and wine to boot.

Owned by Marc Innocenti, Provence brings the delicious tastes of France to the sweet Caribbean flare of Bahamas.

Provence Favs:

Spiny Lobster and Chicken Bruschetta - with pesto crostini, parmesan cheese and organic greens

Provence Market Plate- Buffalo Mozeralla and Prosciutto ham, grilled chicken breast, goat cheese crostini with roasted portabello mushrooms, tossed greens and brie cheese.

(Best lunch ever!)

Fettucini Aqua - sauteed baby mussels, diver sea scallops and shrimb in basil tomato cream sauce

Wedding Venue?

One&Only Ocean Club.

Is everyone liking Bahamas? You all are so speechless, I'm assuming that's a silent yes! Does everyone remember that scene in the last James Bond movie. Where Daniel Craig goes for a little romp n' roll in a beautiful villa? Do you remember Daniel Craig naked? ha. Well that beautiful villa was here at the One&Only Ocean Club.

Part of an elite group of locations the One&Only Ocean Club, has been a well known and very private villa-esq hotel for about 45 years. Loved by Oprah and Cindy Crawford this colonial plantation resort exudes luxury.

Costs may be steep to stay here, but it will result in a beautiful vacation, and beautiful memories.

In terms of venue space, they do have corporate meeting rooms, and deluxe villas, which offer roomy space for bigger parties and/or families. Their lush grounds offer the perfect venue for outdoor events and weddings.

The One&Only Ocean Club also offers world re known cuisine from head chef Jean-George Vongerichten.

I give you the Ocean Club:

Ocean Club

Compass Point.

Have you ever imagined paradise? What does it look like? I can tell you my imagined fairy land, has beaches, lots of sun..I mean rum... and falling asleep to the sound of the ocean. I'm pretty sure that would leave me quite content for the rest of my life.

Having been to Bahamas, I know there is potential for a paradise like life there, however I never really saw it until I heard about Compass Point. My parents have stayed here, friends of mine have stayed here, and let me tell you I'm going to stay there next. Sorry Atlantis!

Compass point offers 18 of the most beautiful elevated and grounded shack-like cottages. Painted bright shades of turquoise, green and pink, each hut offers a comforting beachy atmosphere while supplying you with your usual hotel amenities.

All rooms boast a private patio (grounded) or balcony (elevated) with an incredible view of the ocean. Romantic? I think so.

Not only is the lodging, completely freakin' awesome, the food is claimed to be even better. Compass Point Restaurant offers the best of Bahamian Cuisine, with the option of indoor dining room or ocean view patio and bar.

I'm not sure If I did my best selling this beautiful resort to you. So below you will find some pictures of Compass Point. Vacation anyone?

Poop Deck.

Terrible post title! I know, but truthfully this has to be the best restaurant in Nassau. Located on the harbour (Nassau Yacht Haven) this small marina restaurant serves up some of the best conch, and grouper fingers on earth! You can also choose your fish, and they will cook it up any way you like.

If your headed to Bahamas, which you should be, because the weather here in Toronto, is not too great, you must go to the Poop Deck. Would you rather have views of Paradise Island....or not-so-paradise-don valley parkway? That's what I thought.

Cracked Conch here I come.

BLU Ristorante & Lounge

Italian food at its best, and cooked by the best. This yummyness is found at BLU Ristorante & Lounge, where Executive Chef Massimo Callovini will serve you the most amazing Braised Lamb Shank or a delicious Penne Bolognese. Being Italian, I tend to be picky about the food served at many Italian restaurants because it never tastes like the pizza and pasta I've tasted in Friuli.

However, BLU has the most delicious Italian food, smooth wines, live music and a very relaxed and cool atmosphere. It sure beats eating in Nonna's basement kitchen, sitting on shag carpeting.

BLU Ristorante & Lounge also doubles as venue space. It can accommodate up to 110 people while at the same time offering a size able reception/cocktail area and bar. They even have staging and sound systems for live entertainment.

If you decide to plan a private function, be sure to check out there preset menus.

BLU Ristorante & Lounge
17 Yorkville Ave
Toronto, Ontario

M4W 1L1

The Saint

Coming Midsummer 2010, to the hip Ossington area is The Saint. This neat little gastropub is said to be "a hip and comfortable bar, where you can spend hours with a beer" {Martini Boys}.

Hopefully we can sit there soon , as opening dates have continued to be pushed back.

Cold one

Cacao.

Located in the heart of Yorkville MoRoCo Chocolat is absolutely to die for. Go to them, or have them come to you. The MoRoCo Grande room can seat up to 120, and is a great place to go for a bachelorette party. I mean who needs more then chocolate?
Did I mention they also do pairings, in which a specific kind of chocolate is paired with a smooth liquor. Heavenly!
They also do wedding favours. Which is a delicious way to thank your guests.

Macarons

Fondue to go

How can you resist?

Shop!Shop!Shop!

Cacao Lounging

Wedded Bliss

Go! Right now!

East eats.

Joey Don Mills Grill/Lounge must haves:

Lobster Grilled Cheese

Fish Tacos

Mmm..