• February 8 & 9

    We had a pretty chill Hamilton weekend. Saturday morning started with Poppy’s first dance class (she did a trial class a few months ago but we opted for swim class instead) followed by brunch at Rosales Diner.

    Poppy had a decent time at dance, I suspect it will be similar to her soccer lessons last year – she’ll be hesitant for the first few sessions and then come to really enjoy it.

    After nap on Saturday we picked up some doughnuts from Grandad’s and brought them over to Collective Arts for a beer/doughnut combo. There was a vintage market at the brewery we checked out as well. Nothing purchased other than beer to take home.

    Then it was back home for dinner: leftover Mimi’s.

    Sunday morning we had our neighbours over for coffee and bagels. They have a daughter the same age as Poppy and a 4-month old that Poppy enjoyed ogling over.

    After nap we went over to our other friends’ house to play with Harrison, also the same age as Poppy. She had lots of fun playing in his toy room – trampoline! – and then it was back home to relax before daycare the next day.

    I’d love to include more photos but Poppy’s been resistant to having her photo taken lately. No idea why. We always ask first and I suppose we could just do it but I like the idea of giving her a choice. We’ll see how things adjust with time!

  • Lunch at Pearl Morissette

    Yesterday, while Poppy was at her Lolo and Lola’s for a sleepover, we treated ourselves to lunch at Pearl Morissette.

    It was a 12-course tasting menu and certainly one of the best meals we’ve ever had.

    1. Raw scallop with apple gelee: incredible start.
    2. Carrot crisp filled with scallop row: sneakily one of the best things we ate. Served on dried chilies, added some tingle to the bite.
    3. Sourdough course: if they offer you more, turn it down. Plenty of food still to come, don’t fill up on bread.
    4. Crab with fried navy bean crumble: yes please.
    5. Lobster poached in butter: keep it coming.
    6. Striped bass: perfectly crispy skin, tender flesh.
    7. Celeriac: sheeted into pasta, rolled and then wrapped around smoked egg yolk, topped with caviar. My favourite of the day.
    8. Halibut with a sea urchin foam: my one “meh”. The foam was a bit sour and threw me off.
    9. Roasted pork loin: fantastic protein to end the savory portion.
    10. Seabuckthorn parfait: texture light as air.
    11. Apple Mille Feuille: with beet crisps. First bite was a letdown then loved it by the end.
    12. Black koji ice cream sandwich: ice cream was toasted sourdough.

    My photos do the meal no justice.

  • Poppy’s favourites

    Today they were:

    • Favourite colour: red
    • Favourite food: pizza
    • Favourite animal: turkey

    She had a ton of fun at her swimming lessons, and was particularly in to her jumps into the pool into her mom’s arms.