City Bites BBQ Spices Up The Evening

The City Bites VIP BBQ at the University of Toronto's Hart House was a hit Thursday night.  Summer's all about friends, BBQ and fine drink creations. And that's exactly what happened at their first summer BBQ party.  City Bites is Toronto's cool and well-informed guide to great food and drink. The print publication and corresponding website have all the scoop on Toronto's best chefs and restaurants.

The party was in the Hart House courtyard which looks a lot like a section of Princeton or Oxford University. I was invited by Zoltan Szabo, who along with John Szabo, writes about wine for the publication. These talented gentlemen are also very busy as wine consultants. I was quickly introduced to such engaging personalities as Aman Patel (Indian Rice Factory), the editor and the publisher of City Bites, Deepa, Ajay, Sommelier Lindsay Groves, Steve, and Thirsty Traveler Kevin Brauch. It was nice to run into friends Michael Pataran and Doug Towers. 

I especially enjoyed the Ontario microbrews by Mill Street Brewery and Steam Whistle. They both make real beer!  The music was spun magically by the night's DJ, Jamie Drummond. His day job is Wine Bar sommelier for Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar. Thanks to Jamie, there's not a mediocre wine on the entire wine list!

My favorite wine of the evening was Henry of Pelham's Cab Merlot. An affordable wine with good distinction.