All things Lavender at Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

drying lavender @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

On our third trip to a lavender farm (the first two being in Campbellcroft and PEC), we checked out Terre Bleu in Milton. Who really needs to visit three lavender farms in their lifetime? Apparently, us. I really love the smell of lavender and we went with some friends with guests this time around. Hubby did not really like the idea of having to fork over admission of $10 per person (any age). But I justified that there was a tour, a horse show and a hunting dog demonstration… ok, ok, it felt like a tad much for our family of 5. 

Hunters and Jumpers show @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

Hunting dogs show @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

The shows were fine and lasted about 10 or so minutes each.

The tour was an informative 30+ minute one (there is one every hour at the half hour mark), if you managed to hear the guide. There were so many people, that we could hardly hear what was being explained. A megaphone would be nice but might detract from the serenity of being in the lavender fields, maybe? We toured the distillery and saw the beehouses they had.

The essential oil distillery @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

sample beehive @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

beehouses @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

The boutique sold really nice items such as lavender Gouda cheese and lavender macarons, apart from the usual dried flowers and essential oils. These were quite on the expensive side, at least compared to the mass-produced, big store products (but of course, right?). Honestly, I would have purchased from the store had I not paid too much already on admission.

We did like the lavender ice cream and the fields were beautiful. Got some really nice pics (professional photography requires a permit) though. 

Lavender Ice Cream @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

one of the several fields @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

check out the yellow door in the  middle of the lavender field @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

lavender field @ Terre Bleu Lavender Farm

It will be a nice one-time or first time experience and it was good that they try to include other things to do or see.

Summer dining by the lake: lunch at Fishbone by the Lake

Fishbone by the Lake in Stouffville

I took a Friday afternoon off to meet some friends for lunch out of the city. We went to Fishbone by the Lake in Stouffville, right by Musselman’s Lake.  They only had patio dining, but the views were beautiful so why waste it indoors, right?

Fishbone by the Lake in Stouffville

We started off with appetizers to share. We had calamari, nicely deep fried with chillis and chives on a slather of basil aioli.

Deep Fried Calamari @ Fishbone by the Lake

We also had two ways of tuna. Ahi tuna in poke (with avocado and watermelon, dressed with soy lime vinaigrette and cilantro and topped with chips) and in a niçoise salad (lettuce with olives, eggs, anchovies, and potato wedges dressed in a vinaigrette). The tuna was fresh and only slightly seasoned.

niçoise salad at Fishbone by the Lake

Our group of 5 also shared a Prosciutto pizza on a thin crust and with arugula. It was delicious with just the base of tomato and mozzarella.

Prosciutto pizza @ Fishbone by the Lake

And you think we would be too full? We had our individual mains right after! I got a Crab Cake Burger with mango salsa and aioli. It was nicely fried and juicy. It came with a side of highly addictive fresh cut fries.

Crab cake burger @ Fishbone by the Lake

Service was great and both the ambience and food were lovely. Cannot wait to go back!

Sushi twists: Sushi Burrito and Poke Eats

Sushi Burrito 

I love sushi. In any and all forms. So it is not surprising that I will jump at the chance to try new twists on sushi! We didn’t go downtown this time nor did we hunt down some food trucks. We headed West. Hubby and I met up with some friends at the Corner by Spoon and Fork to try the Sushi Burrito. 

It was a welcoming self-serve joint with plenty of seating and friendly service. They had sushi burrito, sushi tacos, poke bowls but there were plenty of other options (I believe they also serve breakfast/brunch) for everyone in your group. They have sizzling plates and “mum bowls” where you customize your own starch, vegetables, protein and sauce. They also served salads, cakes, coffee and more.

Sizzling meals @ Corner by Spoon and Fork

Sushi Tacos @ Corner by Spoon and Fork

I got the Spicy Flaming Dragon--fresh tuna sashimi, baby spinach, pickled cucumber, fish roe, avocado, spicy toppings and spicy mayo. It was a giant maki which you eat like a burrito! For under $12, it was like a large order of your regular maki roll. It was pretty good (not just rice and veggie) and we will order again in a heartbeat.

Spicy Flaming Dragon Sushi Burrito @Corner by Spoon and Fork

Days later, some friends and I tried Poke Eats at Yonge and Sheppard. There was quite a lineup at lunch but the wait was not long. Technically, not a sushi, but fresh fish and sushi rice give this Hawaiian dish a Japanese twist.

They offer signature bowls where they already set up a good combination of base (black sushi rice, white sushi rice or kale), protein (salmon, tuna or tofu), sauce (Maple Sesame Shoyu,  Spicy Mayo, Ponzu, Citrus Shoyu, Japanese Caesar) and toppings.

Build your Own Bowl @Poke Eats

I built my own bowl mainly because I wanted a different topping. I got black sushi rice, salmon, spicy mayo, three toppings (crab salad, seaweed salad and mango) and all garnishes (ginger, scallion, nori, radish, fried onion and sesame seeds). It was delicious and a good value for $10.99. Will come back to try other combinations for sure! Wish they had a seating area though! Poke Eats is practically a take-out place.