Leaping Lizards! and more at Reptilia

We had passed by Reptilia many times before but have not had the chance to go. One weekend, we decided to check it out. I couldn’t find in their website anything about having a place to eat so we came in after lunch. Good thing we ate already since they only had a vending machine of chips and pop. We wouldn’t have lasted the afternoon on just that. 

Green mamba

monitor lizard

Alligator snapping turtle

A few minutes into looking at various reptiles, it was announced that there was a show. We headed to the theatre and learned a lot of interesting facts about 3 animals that they brought out for the show. After talking about the creature, the zoo keeper went around and let the audience touch it. We got to pet a python, a Taiwanese beauty snake, and a rattlesnake. We managed to catch two more shows and got to pet several more reptiles. DD#1 even volunteered to hold one end of a 20-ft long snake skin. She was ecstatic at having been chosen.

Taiwanese beauty snake--called such as they have three different patterns on their skin

We also saw a couple of feedings—alligators and blood pythons. Both were fed dead mice—dead because the keepers want to ensure that the reptiles do not get hurt by the prey. After all, who wouldn’t fight to avoid becoming someone’s dinner? We were told that these were farmed and frozen. The mice were also heated for the heat-sensing pythons. I didn’t ask if it was through microwave. Ewww. Anyway, it was interesting to see them feed live. Not quite unexpected as this is something you might watch in a National Geographic show, but still a different sight to see. The alligator feedings provide more opportunity to see as the tanks are bigger. Other reptiles, however, have smaller tanks so when it gets really crowded, it is quite difficult to get a peek. Once every few months they feed the reticulated pythons a whole goat. And while that will take hours, it would surely have been amazing to watch. I believe they keep their FB page updated for when these feedings are scheduled.

Alligator feeding

Blood python eating a mouse

All in all, it was a good learning experience for kids and adults alike. It also made us less squeamish about touching the snakes. They felt smooth and cool, not slimy at all! I would rather not recall their meals, though.

Reticulated Python

If you want to watch about two shows and a couple of feedings, I recommend you alot about 2-3 hours for this excursion. There is a small play area with a sandbox, some books and toys if you’ve already seen all the exhibits and are just waiting for the show/feeding.

 

Anaconda

An afternoon at the Toronto International Circus Festival

Last weekend we had a spur of the moment trip to the Harbourfront. The Toronto International Circus was on and while we only stayed a few hours, we all had a great time. We got some cotton candies (already would have made my day even without the show!), churros and drinks and we watched some magic acts. 

There were buskers and various booths were set up with sampling, face painting, and crafts.

 Simultaneously there was a Woofjocks event at Pawsway, but as it coincided with one of the magic shows, we missed it. My girls would have enjoyed watching the many dog tricks they had in store.

There were canoe and paddleboat rentals at the Natrel pond and various foods of the world were sold at the concession stands. Coffee was also available courtesy of the big McDonald’s truck handing out blacks, regulars and double-doubles.

We caught the last show of the Zero Gravity circus and it was amazing! From the acrobats to the hula-hooper-contortionist act (a Canada’s got Talent finalist, we were told!), we all watched in awe at their performance.

For 45-minutes, the girls oohed and ahhed and clapped with delight. Funny skits, wonderful acts, yummy food--it was well worth the trip downtown!

Have you ever had THIS?—Interesting eats I’ve had the past few months

DD#1 and I were watching Sweet Genius the other day. This is the Food Network show of Ron Ben-Israel (a wedding cake guru from New York), a dessert-making competition using ingredients one would not necessarily mix together. We saw some very interesting candies made from strawberry milkshake with banana wax peppers and lime marmalade. Of course, to make it more complicated, these had to be inspired by a certain theme. These particular set of mandatory ingredients had to be inspired by Dorothy’s ruby red slippers. It was a fascinating show and one--I am happy to note--my daughter found interesting.

This show called to mind the interesting treats I’ve had this past few months. First, my friend gave me some chocolate-covered dried mangoes from the Philippines. Quite yummy. I don’t know how long this has been out in the market but it was the first time I tried it. I love dried mangoes! Having chocolate on it makes it even better! The creamy chocolate went well with the sweet-tartness of the dried mangoes. Now, where do I get more?!

I know, I know...try to look past the shape...

Last December, we also got some chocolate-covered bacon at the Christmas market at the Distillery District. Notice a theme here? People are finding more and more ways to use chocolate. I have tried chocolate-covered potato chips from Royce before as well and they were delicious! As with the potato chips, the bittersweet chocolate complemented the saltiness of the bacon. Interesting? Yes.  Yummy? Definitely. I would say that it was the best of both worlds. Genius! This is something I would like to have once in a while, though not as a staple in our pantry.

At Apple Annie’s in Orillia, we got some Jalapeno peanut brittle. It was the first time I saw a red peanut brittle. It looked pretty spicy! We actually got it for hubby who likes spicy food. At the first bite, it seemed like regular peanut brittle—salty and sweet, with crunchy peanuts. Just when I was about to say, where are the Jalapenos in here, the heat of the peppers hit me and lingered. Soon enough we were reaching for some tissue for our heat-triggered runny noses.  This was a delight to sample, but not something I will be looking forward to anytime soon.

There are many more interesting treats I have yet to try. I know that at CNE, an annual festival here in Toronto, they have offered deep-fried butter and Krispy Kreme burger (a burger where Krispy Kreme donuts are used instead of buns). In some fairs, I have seen some food trucks sell deep-fried Mars (chocolate) bars. Hubby even got to try some wasabi-flavored Kit Kat chocolate from Japan.  I have not had the opportunity to try these yet, but rest assured, I will not decline when I get the chance. And you will be the first to know when I do.

A taste of Naples in the mall: dining at Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria

Just as we were drawn to go to Su&Shi yet again on our recent trip to the mall, I convinced everyone that we should try something new. The girls love pizza anyway, and this is one of hubby’s all-time favourites so it wasn’t hard to convince them. And what better pizza to try than a Neapolitan pizza.

Before seating ourselves at Famoso, our host/server told us how the system worked. You check out the menus available on the tables. Once you know what you want, you go over to the counter to order. After the order is in, you get full service for the rest of your meal.

What was interesting was that they had a pretty decent wine list. Who would’ve thought you could have some wine at the mall?! But hey, wine and shopping make for a happy mall excursion, don’t you think? And while I did not get any on this trip, I noted some whites I will look for in LCBO.

We ordered one of the Pizza Rossas (Red Pizza—made with tomato sauce) and one of the Pizza Biancas (White pizza—made with white sauce). The choice for the Pizza Rossa was the Siciliana, a concession to hubby and DD#2 who are meat lovers. It had oven-roasted Italian sausage, Italian ham, and baked prosciutto.  DD#1 and I, on the other hand, ordered Quattro Formaggi (four-cheese)--fresh mozzarella, smoked mozzarella, gorgonzola, and pecorino romano.

The pizza dough is hand-stretched and made of Caputo flour, imported from Italy. It is then baked in authentic bell ovens for 90 seconds. As they have an open kitchen, you can see the pizzaiolo (pizza maker) assembling the pizzas before putting them in the beautifully-crafted, wood-fired, domed oven. Each pizza is about 11-inches with a soft, thin crust. It was recommended that we fold the pizza before biting into it to keep all the toppings from sliding off. A good tip, indeed!



The flavours were light, but tasty. The ingredients were fresh and delicious! There was also a bit of char on the crust for that added wood-fired authenticity. We will definitely be back to try the classics-- Margherita and Marinara!

Buon Appetito!

Cheers! Beer tasting at Amsterdam Brewery

My co-workers and I found ourselves at the Leaside area for a teambuilding event. On our way to the trampoline place where we were supposed to go, we passed by Amsterdam Brewery. We found out later on that most of us made a mental note to check it out on the way home. So, after our afternoon activity, all of us decided to extend our team-building and check this place out.

It was an on-site brewery with a retail area and even a seating area. We did a beer tasting—7 in all, starting with the lightest, of course. We tried their Natural Blonde, Big Wheel, 416, Boneshaker, Nut Brown Ale, Raspberry Wheat, and their spring seasonal, Spring Bock. They also do tours on weekends. While most of their beer is available at LCBO, there were some which were not (or so we were told).  I normally don’t like beer, but if I do take it, I prefer the dark malts. The beer we tasted all had 5% - 7% alcohol content except for the 416 which had…4.16%. These were available in bottles, cans and some in draught.

We all enjoyed the different draught beer served from the pitcher to our small plastic cups. Most of us ended up getting some more at the retail section, which proves that sampling does work! They also offer other merchandise such as shirts, mugs and the like. After our shopping spree, the weekend began with me lugging home some Spring Bock to share with hubby.

One interesting thing I learned is that bock beers were originally brewed in monasteries for the monks’ consumption during Lent. As they have high nutritional content, it provided the monks with sustenance during their fasting. Well, with 7.2% alcohol content, am sure it made the fasting quite bearable. Plus, it tasted great! This dark brew had a perfect balance of sweet/malty and bitter. It also had the aroma and taste of caramel and coffee. I loved it and Hubby did, too! Spring has come! Here’s to drinks at the patio! Cheers!