Month three of Ride and Go Feast saw us Goin’ Southern in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. A pile of us hopped aboard the Good Food Bus – which, due to some mechanical difficulties, was replaced by an old school trolley-like monolith – and rode along to four of the city’s top spots for Southern inspired eats…
Stop #1
After a few minutes aboard the trolley, with Chef Scott of the Culinary Adventure Company churning his ever-charming rigamarole, we were all primed for a tasty start: Acadia Restaurant. In true Acadian form, drinks first (the Bloomer Remover), eats later (Shrimp and Grits). The cocktail was perfection and was thirstily downed by all… and same can be said about the appe-tease-r. Those shrimp and grits were anything but gritty, in fact the flavours coaxed from such a simple dish were layered and creamy and laid the base for an amazing food tour.
Stop #2
This one was a trek, but a worthwhile one to be sure. Stack Restaurant near Yonge and Lawrence lives up to its “smmmoked” reputation. They popped us bottles of Flying Monkey’s Almost Pale Ale before setting down a massive first course of Smmmoked Poutine, Smmmokehouse Quesadillas, and their Pulled Pork Bun, the resto’s pride and joy. Stack’s smoker is impressive, and coaxes finger-lickin’ good flavours from all the meats. The favourite amongst the Ride and Go Feasters seemed to be the brisket poutine, though nary a plate had much of anything left when we were through. Two stops down, two more to go…
Stop #3
One of my personal favourite restaurants is The Combine Eatery, and they just do Southwest right. We didn’t know what to expect here as Chef Mario had been smoking up a storm in anticipation of our arrival, and boy did they ever deliver. Smoked brisket atop a mound of fresh coleslaw peppered with jalapeno, baked beans, and house-made ketchup. The boisterous crowd – bolstered by the Combine’s Kentucky Maple cocktail – went dead silent as everyone dug in. The sweet and smoky brisket had beautifully buttery pieces that melted away as you ate. So. Freaking. Good. Barely a word was spoken until the last knife hit the deck.
Stop #4
And of course, what would a Southern food tour be sans classic American desserts? Big Daddy’s Bourbon Street Bistro and Oyster Bar offered up two tasty treats to us noshers: their Bourbon Street Bread Pudding (with whisky sauce, no less) and a tasty Mississippi Mud Pie. Partner these babies with a Voodoo tea (tea + drambuie + amaretto = drool) and we could barely make our way back on the bus to head home…
Check out the vlog to view all the action. PS This time we tried out a new camera and edited it like a Vibe video… yeah… there’s a reason we pay videographers for their talent… as we clearly have none…
Not that we’re complaining, of course. It was a perfect Sunday night – would you expect anything less of us and the Culinary Adventure Company? Acadia, Stack, Combine, and Big Daddy’s all went above and beyond for Ride and Go Feast in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. A massive thanks to four restaurants for making Goin’ Southern another noteworthy success…
This month, we’ve got a frightful food tour to be sure: Ride and Go Feast’s Ghoulish Halloween Edition. We’ll be taking feasters to three Halloween themed spots…
Through the cracked window panes of the Good Food Bus, you’ll see terror and plight amidst culinary delight. You’ll help conquer hunger, but you might lose your soul…
Ghoulish gals and beheaded boys, we’re packing up the makeshift hearse and riding along dark roads and ominous trails on October 28th. Three different stops on the Ghost Food Bus will bring you to three horrifying (yet oddly remarkable) gastronomical restaurants.
Give us your bones for a shriek-tastic evening of hallowed haunts and electrifying eats in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. Stop hunger by satisfying yours… October 28th…
