Uploads from Renée S. Suen, tagged maggiemckeown

Blooming Teas

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:53:50 -0700

Available at Great Cooks on Eight. Tea is a big part of the Great Cook's restaurants.

Kitchen Studio

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:48:52 -0700

Great Cooks on Eight can accommodate up to 100 people.

Read more about it here: www.tasteto.com/2009/09/09/of-greater-expectations/

Parpadelle Pasta

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:16 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

tossed with Chicken & Asparagus in a Mushroom Cream Sauce.

Note: *** COMP ***

Thick ribbons coated with a thin layer of sauce and topped with a generous portion of sliced chicken breast, fresh shiitakemushrooms, ample parmesan cheese, then topped with a mountain of stir-fired sliced asparagus stalks, sliced green onion stalks, and sided by a garlic-y pesto toast. The flavours were distinct, yet subtle, with slight bright tannins cutting through the richer cream/cheese components (that were neither heavy nor too rich) - comfort food to the max. Neither over seasoned nor under salted, it was just a feel good and hearty bowl of carbs, excellent on a sunny chilly day (we were in an air conditioned room, does that count?).

Poached Salmon

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:50:36 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Recipe testing? Preparation for a display platter? Preparation for the salmon course?

6oz Pan Seared organic farm-raised Nova Scotia Salmon

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:07 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

topped with a Mustard-Herb Beurre Blanc on a bed of Lemongrass Jasmine Rice & Seasonal Vegetables.

Topping a bed of fluffy Jasmine rice was a moist and tender filet of salmon (cooked all the way through) that was finished with a sear to form a slightly giving golden crust. Fresh grilled vegetables add some zing in flavours and colours to otherwise pale dish, while a creamy rich beurre blanc helps bind all the flavours together. Simple, unpretentious, consumer friendly food.

Read more about it here: www.tasteto.com/2009/09/09/of-greater-expectations/

Chef Maggie McKeown

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:41 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Although I did see Maggie for an interview/profile piece for TasteTO, I couldn't help but leave our meeting feeling like I was sitting, chatting and getting advice from an(imaginary) older sister's friend. I'll confess it was my first time up to Great Cooks on Eight (even if I've been to Tea Spot downstairs), but I could immediately see what Maggie was talking about as a warm bond between customers and the staff. If what I experienced with Chef was any indication, then I think that like attracts like, and the friendliness of the staff is due to the warmth of the Chef herself. What a lovely lady indeed.

www.tasteto.com/2009/09/09/of-greater-expectations/

6oz Pan Seared organic farm-raised Nova Scotia Salmon

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:51:56 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Please Wait Here To Be Seated

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:51:43 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

The bar and the dine in portion of the restaurant that is flanked by old and new city halls.

Chef Maggie McKeown

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:50 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

I met with Chef McKeown to chat about the many great things in her life, including Great Cooks on Eight.

Read more here: www.tasteto.com/2009/09/09/of-greater-expectations/

Beaming Chef

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:53:03 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Chef Maggie McKeown - beaming because she's a friendly and warm spirit, beaming because she's feeling warm (she does run 2 kitchens afterall, and/or beaming because she's a happy 6-months pregnant. :)

Parpadelle Pasta

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:24 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

tossed with Chicken & Asparagus in a Mushroom Cream Sauce.

Note: *** COMP ***

Thick ribbons coated with a thin layer of sauce and topped with a generous portion of sliced chicken breast, fresh shitakemushrooms, ample parmesan cheese, then topped with a mountain of stir-fired sliced asparagus stalks, sliced green onion stalks, and sided by a garlic-y pesto toast. The flavours were distinct, yet subtle, with slight bright tannins cutting through the richer cream/cheese components (that were neither heavy nor too rich) - comfort food to the max. Neither over seasoned nor under salted, it was just a feel good and hearty bowl of carbs, excellent on a sunny chilly day (we were in an air conditioned room, does that count?).

Read more about it here: www.tasteto.com/2009/09/09/of-greater-expectations/

Of Trifles and Things

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:53:41 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

It's all about the small details, including making their customers feel like they're at home. The space is open and unpretentious and I can see why it's welcoming for regulars.

Random thought: Small items like this make me wonder if it was picked up from The Bay below. :P

The Tale of Two City Halls

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:53:33 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

A view of new and old city halls at the Bay & Queen intersection.

Read more about it here: www.tasteto.com/2009/09/09/of-greater-expectations/

Candid: Chef Maggie McKeown

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:52:32 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Although this is a candid shot for to test my camera's settings (wanted to make sure that the exposure was at least at the proper level), I thought it was quite nice of the Chef. She is indeed a lovely lady and I wish her all the best with her new role as a mommy!

Equipped Kitchen

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:49:24 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

A corner of the kitchen studio at Great Cooks on Eight.

Lemon Square

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:48:29 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Dressed up and on display at the Great Cooks on Eight.

Cast Iron Elegance

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:47:10 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

More tea ware for the tea obsessed (like moi).

Entrance Decor

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:46:50 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

A sort of oriental elegance were displayed in the upper shelf of the wall unit flanking the restaurant's entrance.

Take Away Convenience

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:48:03 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

The 8th floor of the Simpson Tower houses Great Cooks on Eight, a restaurant that provides lunch time service for those who have time to dine in or those who are just stopping by for a good hearty meal.

Entrance to Great Cooks on Eight

nobody@flickr.com (Renée S. Suen) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:44:19 -0700

Renée S. Suen posted a photo:

Located on The Bay's 8th floor, the upstairs more sophisticate sister of Great Cooks and The T Spot (basement of The Bay) is a refreshing and quiet find in the middle of Queen and Yonge. Still focused on tea, the entrance showcases various loose leaf teas in windows and tea accessories, that are available for purchase.

Great Cooks on Eight
401 Bay St
Toronto, ON
(416) 203-1077
www.greatcooks.ca

Co-owner & CEO: Esther Benaim
Co-owner, COO & Executive Chef: Maggie McKeown