Tasting Together

André joins Miroki diving into his recent trip to Halifax and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, where he put Canada's 100 Best Bars list to the test. He visited two spots on the list - The Narrows Public House (#12) and Dear Friend (#15) - and while The Narrows delivered a great, cozy meal, it was Dear Friend that truly blew him away. They take a look at what it takes to get on these lists - and how it feels when you find that restaurant that delivers a near flawless experience. Places visited/mentioned - Canada's 100 Best BarsThe Narrows Public House Dear FriendFortune OystersThe Canteen on PortlandMystic Nova ScotiaArt Gallery of Nova Scotia - not food... or drink... but worth the visitYou can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

Happy Canada Day from Tasting Together! We’re reaching into the way-back machine for one of our favourite episodes from our radio days: a Canada Day special that unpacks a hard to define question — What is Canadian food?André and Miroki dig into a deeper conversation about Canadian identity, multiculturalism, reconciliation, and the way food carries history, culture, and politics whether we like it or not.They’re joined by Chef Tawnya Brant, a Mohawk Nation chef helping revive the traditional foods of the Haudenosaunee, for a thoughtful and delicious conversation about Indigenous cuisine.They takes the episode coast to coast with a look at Canadian wine beyond Ontario, heading to the east coast with Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay and sparkling wines, to Quebec - the next emerging Canadian wine region, and out west to find out what is happening in British Columbia.You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

This episode is a litteral roller coaster - starting on a high note as Miroki got the opportunity to check out Playa Bowls a new restaurant that opens in Toronto on June 18. They then reflect on nomad culture - and proper etiquette when camping out in a coffee shop - especially given that so many restaurants are in a tough financial spot these days. And move to entertaining - André has been itching to get out the smoker - but the price of beef is ... well insane. You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

André joins Miroki fresh from a short trip to the east coast. He had a chance to visit two wineries in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. He had a chance to visit Benjamin Bridge, and Lightfoot and Wolfville. There were many surprising moments he experienced while visiting the wineries - but none were more surprising than when he tasted a sparkling Rosé from Benjamin Bridge that gave him goosebumps. He was further moved tasting the still hybrid wines from Lightfoot and Wolfville. These delicious wines got him thinking about the way we look at hybrid grapes - and how Miroki may have been right all along about how we vinify these often maligned varieties.You can hear our interview with Haley Brown from Wines of Nova Scotia from when we were on the radio here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vaQDchypZpFwbCTx2FGGP?si=T9e2EXSHRvmc7y2c1RZVWQYou can listen to us taste through Tidal Bay with Danny Longo here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5izo88iwfp4tuUQNJexmQ6?si=qgP8C_9SQeGQLiVGVDWpEQWineries visited -Benjamin Bridge - https://benjaminbridge.com/Lightfoot and Wolfville - https://lightfootandwolfville.com/You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

The cocktail scene has come a long way since Strawberry Daiquiris and Sex on the Beaches. Toronto has become especially rich with innovative cocktail spots, a number of which recently made it into's Canada's Best 100. Miroki was particularly thrilled to learn that Suite 115, the place that currently makes her favourite cocktail (what is it?), is among the other prestigious locations on the list.She and André catch up with Suite 115 co-founder Oliver Leung to see if they can figure out the secret sauce behind their delicious beverages, how they stand out in a sea of talented mixologists, and how they pair cocktails with their menu. Oliver also drops some deep philosophy on the difference between hospitality and service, something all folks in the industry should take notice of.You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview

As wine aficionados, Miroki and André are always asked what is their favourite wine? If you don't know André's, you may have been sleeping on previous Tasting Together episodes. Miroki, however, has often said her favourite depends on her mood...until you see how her eyes light up when Syrah is mentioned.When folks talk about Rhône wines, it's often in reference to Southern Rhône, with its very warm climate yielding wines of jammy and stewed fruit ripeness. Northern Rhône is made of different stuff. At a recent media event, André connects with several producers to learn about this underrated gem of a region, the terroir and winemaking style.Back to Syrah. It is the only red grape in any Crozes-Hermitage bottle. While tasting a few bottles live on air, the two dig into what makes this particular Syrah so interesting, and even get the opportunity to taste a bottle of the even lesser available Crozes-Hermitage white. With a very limited selection available in Ontario, will they convince you to go hunt down an elusive bottle to enjoy?Producers Interviewed:Marc Romak from Domaine MelodySandra Combat from Domaine des CombatYann Chave from Domaine Yann ChaveWines tasted:Domaine Laurent Veyrat 1600 (not represented in Ontario)2024 Domaine des Combat Bacchus Crozes-Hermitage (not represented in Ontario)2023 Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage You can follow Miroki on Instagram @9ouncespleaseYou can follow André on Instagram @andrewinereview