Showing posts with label Hawaiian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hawaiian. Show all posts

CLOSED: Calii Love (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2016 by

Special Guest Post by Parv

From the popularity of sushi burritos during the summer, to the proliferation of poké bars around the city in the fall, 2016 has been a fishy one for Toronto foodies (see what I did there?).

Enter Calii Love, the newest poké stop in the city’s King West district, promoting Californian style with a Hawaiian twist. Given that I’m convinced I was Californian in a previous life, the name alone had me reeled in (yes, I could do this all night, folks).

The bright, airy space, with its tropical motif and contemporary decor, emits a feel good, West Coast vibe. The emphasis is on organic, sustainable, vegan and gluten-free options. Grab-and-go, or take a seat and get to know your fellow diners at the communal table.

As I peruse the menu and approach the counter, I’m consumed by the burst of colourful and fresh ingredients and stealth-like preparation of smoothies and poké bowls. Pronounced “poh-keh”, this Hawaiian salad with seasoned raw fish has gained a cult-like status with health-conscious diners, popping up in chic neighbourhoods all over California…and now Toronto.

Each menu item is titled to reflect a feeling – Proud, Awakened, Confident, Grateful and so on – and today I’m feeling Happy and Adventurous – a notion that appeases both, my mental state of mind and my appetite.

The Happy superfood smoothie is a beautiful blend of banana, raw cocoa, coconut milk, strawberry, dark chocolate and raw cocoa nibs…and that’s plenty reason to be happy. It’s a little bit chunky for my taste, but delicious in every form.

I pair my drink with an Adventurous poké bowl stacked with salmon, furikake, kimchee, sriracha, wasabi aioli, jalapenos, cucumber and white rice. This one packs in a spicy punch and I’m immediately happy with the countering effects of my cool smoothie (last pun, I promise).


Calii Love received a lot of love during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with several A-list celebrities making a pit stop, including Joseph Gordon Levitt, Dakota Fanning, Jason Sudeikis, Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, Natalie Portman, and Gerard Butler, to name a few. Chef Joe Friday has worked in some of Hawaii’s finest kitchens, including Nobu Waikiki, and was eager to bring that authentic poké experience to Toronto. Our city thanks you, sir.

The spot opens 7am daily, which is great news for those early downtown risers looking to grab a healthy acai bowl, smoothie or direct trade coffee before heading to work. Poké bowls are only available after 11am.

And if you’re lucky, the country’s top-rated latte artist, Barista Brian Leonard may even be around to truly personalise your coffee … with some latte art of your face. Like we needed any more reason to feel good


Disclaimer: The above meal was complimentary. 
How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada
 Address: 367 King Street West

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Liholiho Yacht Club (San Francisco)

Posted on Thursday, December 31, 2015 by
Liholiho Yacht Club
If you don’t have a reservation at Liholiho Yacht Club, go as soon as they open or risk standing to eat, which is exactly how I experienced the restaurant. Two thirds of the tables are for reservations, but a third and the bar area is opened to walk-ins. However, instead of taking down your name and managing the bar area, you’re instructed to stand behind people and grab a seat when you can find one. Not only did I feel awkward, but also bad for the people eating as well – having us breath down their necks.

Instead, my friend and I decided to eat at the standing bar, essentially a ledge along a wall by the door. After all, if we’re going to be standing at the bar waiting, why not just stand and eat? 

I highly recommend the tuna poke ($15.50), what a great combination of freshness, powerful flavours and crunch. It actually made me happy while eating it! Hawaiian for ‘chunk’, poke is essentially tender cubes of raw tuna served in a salad form.


At Liholiho, they toss theirs in a fragrant sesame oil and soy sauce, adding dollops of aoili for an extra richness. The soft tuna and creamy sauces contrasts against a crispy deep fried nori that’s similar to a cracker, rather than the thin slivers adorning soba. Micro greens, green onions and toasted sesame seeds cut through the oiliness of the nori; each ingredient merging well to make a fantastic dish.

Although the meat in the beef tongue steam bun ($12.50) was succulent and full of flavour, once you hit the kimchi its heat completely takes over the dish. I would have much rather have it paired with a lighter condiment (maybe a sweet coffee sauce and the existing cucumbers), something related to Liholiho’s Hawaiian flare.


Perhaps additional slices of tongue could help, to make the meat more prominent. Indeed, it would aid in holding up against the doughy naan-like bun. Covered in poppy seeds, the bun is hit or miss depending if you prefer soft pillowy bread or the contrast it provides (I rather liked the seeds). However, it’s definitely not the most date friendly ingredient… there’s so many you’re bound to get one stuck in your teeth.

The glaze on the lamb ribs ($16.25) had such a great fragrance on it, especially when combined with the spice mixture. The typical gaminess of the lamb was neutralized by the slightly sweet black vinegar based glaze …  so sticky that small pieces of crushed peanuts hold onto it.


Everything topping the ribs – almonds, dates, grapes, radish and peanuts – was too much. I understand the Chef likely wanted to provide contrasting textures and flavours against the soft ribs, but I found it started taking away from the lamb: literally burying it under a mountain of secondary ingredients.


If the curry Manila clams ($25.75) was paired with steamed rice, rather than naan, it would be even better. The soft bread was heavy and all the garlic oil on it blocked the carb from soaking up the wonderful fragrant curry sauce. A cross between tom yum and coconut curry, the sauce had tons of heat that mellows out.


With plenty of clams and loads of cubed butternut squash, the dish is rather substantial and heavy – something I didn’t expect from clams. Luckily, Liholiho added some crispy snap peas into the mixture; a great choice to lighten the dish a tad.


Answering my own question of why would anyone just not stand and eat? Well, it makes any meal feel excruciatingly long. Although we were only there for about an hour, I was starting to get stiff and fidgety. Even though I really wanted to try their baked Hawaii for dessert, there was no chance of waiting another 20 minutes.

As much as I’d like to say what matters for a restaurant is their food, your surroundings while having the meal really makes a difference. So, despite the food being inventive and delicious, one can only be so impressed when you back is sore and balancing a napkin on your knee. Therefore, heed my warning: get a reservation – if you can’t, make sure you go as soon as they open.  

Overall mark - 7 out of 10


How To Find Them
 Location: San Francisco, USA
 Address: 871 Sutter Street

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Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!
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