While penning this post, I’ve been chowing down on a steamy bowl of Cajun chorizo-chicken wild rice soup laced with parsnip, carrot and cilantro suspended in a good earthy chicken stock; the ingredients found items from my fridge and pantry. It feels good to be cooking for myself again.

Of late, I’ve been uber busy flogging my new cookbook The Fridge Whisperer: Condiment Confidential on TV. And at book signings, cooking classes and writers’ events. Suffice to say, I’ve been eating out a lot. And I know what you’re thinking. Some Fridge Whisperer she is.

Hear me out.

Sure, I still detest paying 33 per cent (13% HST + 20% tip) for the privilege of placing bum-in-seat to eat mediocre chain restaurant food. Who wouldn’t? Especially when — Fridge Whisperer-speaking — one can make WAY better for WAY cheaper at home in WAY less-er (sorry, had to keep the rant moving) time. But when the kids wanted to treat their father and I to lunch the other day (okay, older son Jeff picked up the tab but cash-strapped undergrad sib, Kayla, was there in spirit), how could I refuse? I did, however, insist on picking the restaurant. (I knew I couldn’t sustain a smile the entire luncheon held hostage at an red-checkered oil clothed East Side Mario’s. Or, God forbid, an Applebees. YIKES!).

As way of backstory, in the early ’70s — fresh out of high school — I worked for a prosthetist in Toronto’s east end. The Astoria Shishkebob House was a new upstart that had recently opened across the street on the north side of the Danforth at the corner of Chester Avenue where it still is today. Back in those days this part of the Danforth wasn’t considered Greektown and The Astoria — with it’s robust Greek-Mediterranean fare — was the only kid on the block. It was known for its humungous fork-tender marinated pork souvlaki; its devine grilled octopus; its succulent lamb offerings; entrees sided with generous portions of al dente herbed rice, perfectly roasted potatoes, really, really fresh Greek salad and garlicy tzatziki. It’s still the same today. And, truth be told, I was glad I had no time to cook. Our lunch was amazing. Even better than I’d remembered. I ordered the pork souvlaki dinner thinking I’d eat half and bring the rest home for dinner that night. Wrong. I scoffed down the entire plateful, sopping up the residual juices with more crusty bread. Shameful, I know. And it made me wonder why I’d not been back in this many years. One thing’s for sure. I will be returning — new cookbook or no new cookbook — often.

Astoria Shish Kebob House
390 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON
(416) 463-2838
www.astoriashishkebobhouse.com