Must-do Activities in Tokyo (Part 2)

Our Part 2 of Must-Do Activities is more of a list of Must-Eats!

Must-do Activities in Tokyo (Part 1)

So you want to visit Tokyo? Great - can we come along?

In no particular order, here are our must-do activities in Tokyo! This is no way an all-encompassing list - we know there are SO many things we haven't done in this amazing city yet so please let us know if we're missing something or what some of your favourite things to do are!

Hot Chocolate - Superfood Version! (Paleo, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Whole30 Approved!)

Ever since starting Whole30 (I'm on the 2nd week - woohoo!), I've been finding more unique and creative ways to recreate foods I love. Enter this superfood hot chocolate that I whipped up over the weekend. What's better than hot chocolate on a cold winter's day? How about a hot chocolate drink that's chock full of antioxidants!

10 Things We Learned From Visiting Tokyo

Heading to a new country is always fun. In 2015, we visited Tokyo, Japan for the first time. We loved it so much that.... in 2016 we decided to go again.

Over the two visits we cumulated several cultural things that we always tell everyone who decide to vacation there next. Tokyo is easily one of our favourite cities - its culture is incredibly charming, the technological quirks of the city will blow your mind and the city is always bustling with energy. For a first timer though, we know how confusing and overwhelming it can be. Read on to hear what we learned.

And we're back!

Can you believe it's been nearly a year since we've last posted?

When we first started this blog back in 2012, we did it - as most foodies do - as an outlet to share with friends and family new restaurant finds.

As the years progressed, I'm sad (and not very surprised) to say that we've grown accustomed to taking the lazy route - aka Instagram.

I'm not going to shit on Instagram - it has opened up SO many doors for us. It has given us so many opportunities that I could never have thought possible. I've made friendships with the most amazing people both in and out of the industry and it's given me an experience of a lifetime.

But... I've found that over the past couple of years on Instagram, we've lost our voice. Sharing good food turned into sharing good photos. We lost our sense of self and nothing we posted really seems authentic. Things seemed forced. We started to lose interest, we just weren't into it.

Writing this post, I still feel a bit like a fish out of water but I know that the more I get used to writing a blog post, the more easily it'll come. Kinda like muscle memory.

I guess this post is more for me more than anyone else so we can remind ourselves why we started this. Im making it a goal this year to return to my roots and head back to blogging. I don't expect anything to happen but I'm doing this for myself for once. I'm a big believer that if you enjoy what you're doing - if you're truly passionate it about it, everything will fall into place. And if it doesn't at least you'll have a heck of a good time doing something you love.

Cheers to 2017 and to doing things with intention and a passion.

Reel Asian x CJ Noms - Foodie Films! Plus - A Giveaway :)

We were recently approached by Reel Asian regarding their new foodie films and let me tell you, we are ECSTATIC because we're both huge food and movie buffs. As foodies, you're exposed to a lot different cuisines, cooking styles and a LOT of buzzwords but we often find the education of food is lacking especially in this day and age. Everyone now a days is a foodie but no one really understands the work, sweat, blood and tears that go behind preparing a dish from beginning to end. Enter the food series with Reel Asian.

Home of the Brave

via Toronto Star

We FINALLY got around to visiting the Home of the Brave (HOTB). Located upstairs at the corner of King Street West and Portland Street (right above Lou Dawg's!), it is quite accessible by public transit - which we recommend because parking will not be easy to find. Along with a plethora of raving reviews, this restaurant caught our eyes a while ago with a photo of their Kentucky Fried Handshake Sandwich. We went in with very high expectations and weren't disappointed!

Home of the Brave
Where: 589 King Street West, Toronto, ON (Upstairs!)
Price: $$$

Copa Cabana by Sea

via

If you're looking for something new to try in the Financial District, Little Fin is the place to go. Service was amazing (shout out to Jaden who walked to each table and serviced every customer).
My friend and I opted for the small and large lobster poutine, $12 and $16 respectively. Our orders took quite some time to get ready but to be fair, it was quite busy.

Copa By Sea
Where: 230 Adelaide St W., Toronto, ON
Price: $$$

CJ PLAYS: Archery District

Archery District recently opened at Eglinton & Birchmount and definitely brings a new activity to Toronto. They specialize in "archery tag" which is basically an archery-dodgeball crossover. We visited them around 5 days after they opened and therefore, we realize many things may change since this review. We had really high hopes for this place but unfortunately it just didn't deliver for us.

Archery District

Where: 770 Birchmount Road, Unit 22,

Toronto ON

M1K 5H3

Price: $$$ ($30 per person)

Keeffaa Coffee

Keeffaa is definitely one of Toronto's greatest hidden gems. On the quiet street of Queen Street East, you'll find this Ethiopian restaurant that serves in our opinion one of the best coffees we have ever had. This restaurant is perfect for lunch with friends, family, or colleagues.

Keeffaa Coffee
Where: 368 Queen St E., Toronto, ON
Price: $

Duo Patisserie & Cafe

Recently opened in Richmond Hill is Duo Patisserie and Cafe. The story behind the name of the patisserie is heart warming: the two owners, Rocky & Eric have been best friends since they were 6 years old and this cafe is a celebration of the duo. 

Duo Patisserie & Cafe
Where: 230 Commerce Valley Dr E (Unit 4) Markham, ON 
Price: $

CJ PLAYS: LockQuest (Media Preview)

We would like to thank the hosts from LockQuest for inviting us out for a media preview. Please note that this is not a paid promotion and all opinions are our own. LockQuest is the newest escape location and we were quite impressed! They take the word 'theme' and immerse you into the story of the room and as always, we promise - no spoilers!

CJ Plays: Escape Games Part 1

CJ Plays: Escape Games Part 2

CJ PLAYS: Escape Places! Part 2

We're back at it again! Hitting up some escape places in Toronto :) If you haven't seen our first post, check it out here. It dives into more detail on the different escape games around Toronto.

There have a been a few new escape games opening so we decided to take a crack at the puzzles and revisiting old favorites. Here's part two into our journey through escape games. (We promise - no spoilers!)

CJ Plays: Escape Places Part 1

CJ Plays: LockQuest (Media preview)

Han Ba Tang - traditional Korean food with a modern twist!

Great music? Check. Innovative drinks? Check. Unique food? Check.

If you're looking for a new place to drink or just to hang out with friends and catch up over good food then head to Han Ba Tang (HBT) - a newly opened Korean restaurant and bar. They feature traditional ingredients with a modern twist and very innovative drinks!  Han Ba Tang actually means "one full round" in Korean. Whether it's a full found of eating, drinking, laughing, playing.. HBT promises a good time. We were invited for a blogger preview of the food and man, I can't say enough good things about this place!

Han Ba Tang
Where: 4862 Yonge Street
Price: $ (You can easily spend just $15 per person and be full!)

In the Kitchen: MINDBLOWING Potato Chips

Yes, I realize that is a bold claim but I am honestly freaking out about these potato chips! In my naive mind, I always believed that potato chips needed to be deep fried in lots of oil but man I didn't realize it was this simple. One of the main reasons why I like to cook my own food is because I like seeing exactly what goes into my food. Being able to control how much salt goes into these potato chips and seeing that all it took was some oil and potato to make some addictingly crispy chips has sold me . I am such a believer in these microwave chips now!!

Honestly, the possibilities are endless. Imagine arranging the potatoes into a spiral shape and them microwaving them to create one large spiral potato chip. You can serve steak on top of that! Or a light salad! Or I'm getting so excited just typing this recipe. 

CJ PLAYS: Tree Top Trekking @ Eco Adventure Park

Located in Oshawa, Ontario, Eco-Adventure Park was just under an hour's drive away.

Tips for first timers:

• Would definitely recommend work out gloves though it is not required. Halfway through the course, my hands were starting to hurt !
• Bug spray and sunscreen! More emphasis on the bug spray because we got eaten alive up there!

the sanctuary

My friend, Josh, recently decided to start pop-up dinners in the comfort of his own home in Waterloo. I had the pleasure of attending his first dinner and was pleasantly surprised! His theme for the night was "Market Creations" where he created the menu based on what's in season. Sometimes it'll be a menu will be entirely based on a day at the farmer's market. For our meal specifically, he drew his inspiration from fresh produce available at the farmer's market on Thursday for our meal on Saturday.

the sanctuary
Price: Suggested donation of $24
Location: Provided upon reservation
Notes: First come first serve for events; Depending on what event he chooses to do, the minimum party reservation will change. (For our event, it was 4 people minimum)

Food Issues That Truly Divide Us All

Okay but does anyone ACTUALLY put ketchup straight on to their fries like that? THEY GET SOGGY!

via Reddit

Kingyo

J is done university which is totally to be expected but worth celebrating anyways!
Kingyo
Where: 51 Winchester Street, Toronto, ON
Price: $$$ (Our bill was $72 for 2 people, tax and tip included)
Note: Reserve ahead of time because it can get VERY busy, especially on weekends

Cho Sun Ok

Craving Korean food but it's a hot, sweltering day? Have no fear, Cho Sun Ok's cold noodles are here! This restaurant specializes in cold noodles but seriously, all its dishes are pretty darn good

Cho Sun Ok
Where: 7353 Yonge St, Toronto, ON
Price: $