Rolling the Dice at City Hall

Today is the day we find out if (according to some reports) the City has truly caved in at the negotiations table.
I'm practically biting my nails except that it's a habit I'm tyring to break.

On the one hand - water testing at the beaches come back! On the down side - no negotiations truly made, just demands met. What ever happened to negotiations? Like, in season one of 30 Rock when Jack negotiates his way through an entire episode over Josh's contract renewal?
Oh, that Alec Baldwin.

What's special? You are!
Scone today is Lemon Lavender
Muffins are Candied Ginger & Red Currant
as well as Vanilla Bean & Strawberries

Soup today is Vegan Friendly.
It is Chick Pea & Sweet Potato Curry Soup.

Salads are...
Candy Cane Beets & Greens Salad
with Ontario Sweet Cherry dressing and Goat's Cheese.
Chicken Salad (Cumbrae's Chicken with green olives, cheese and other savory goodies.)
Chef's Salad (Greens with boiled egg, grilled bacon & other goodies with a Shallot Vinaigrette)
Orzo Salad filled with Ontario Goodness (Purple Basil & Friends)

All this wonderful to get you ready for the weekend.

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to Vote for Hank

Team Work

It's a teaming up kind of day full of fun and excitement. The weekend draws near and we pool our resources to get our momentum built for the final days.

At least, that's how I get through a Thursday.
(What's gonna work? Team Work!)

Lunch-a-ma-phone!

Cream of Cauliflower Soup (Made with Cream and Vegetarian Friendly!)

Chicken Salad

Chef's Salad

Riesling Dill Slaw

Soba Noodle Salad

Orzo Salad filled with Ontario Goodness (Purple Basil & Friends)

Panzanella Salad (Made with Heirloom Tomatoes)

Candy Cane Beets & Greens Salad
with Ontario Sweet Cherry dressing and Goat's Cheese.


Team work your way over to Hank's. If you get enough people you can do the Thriller dance on the way over.

Choreography is awesome.
See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to Vote For Hank

Once around the bend

It's been a while. I'm partially to blame. I got caught up in other things but otherwise I just haven't been here and no one else knows how to get into the blog. (It's not that we don't share well.)

Today for Salads...
Chicken Salad
Chef's Salad
Riesling Dill Slaw
Soba Noodle Salad
Orzo Salad filled with Ontario Goodness (Purple Basil & Friends)
Panzanella Salad (Made with Heirloom Tomatoes)

Soup is Cream of Snow Pea (It is NOT vegetarian friendly as it is made with Turkey Stock)
It is topped with Bacon & and goat's cheese quenelle (a nice scoop of cheese).

Today we are putting the spotlight on Flank Steak. While it's become a regular sandwich you should make sure you try some if you haven't yet!

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to Vote For Hank

Summer Reading

It feels like this weekend has been a long time coming.
It will also be a weekend that expects you to stay in and enjoy a good read.
Not my reading list but Oprah's, I'm more of a catch up on stuff this summer kind of girl.
I've got a few I need to read that I don't think I can do in the winter like Three Day Road & The Road. I've also got The Geography of Hope which I started and then just never finished(for no good reason). Two more books I bought and haven't got to are The End of Food which Michael Pollan recommends, as well as Marion Nestle's What to Eat.
Reading is on my list for the weekend.

To get you to the weekend!
Soup today is a vegetarian friendly Roasted Acorn Squash Soup.

Salad Department today includes...
Broccoli Salad with bacon and a delicious raw cow's cheddar from PEI.
Chicken Salad (Great on it's own or with a friend!)
Orzo Salad filled with Ontario goodness like Red & Purple Peppers and dressed with a Purple Pesto (Nut Alert! Pine Nuts).
Macaroni Salad with a little bit of chili (not really enough to hurt just enough to help)

All part of a super selection for a Friday.

See you soon,
Max

P.S. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK.

Big Boots to Fill

I always feel like when the weather is a little glum we've got big work to do at Hank's. We try to offer a brighter smile, a little more caffeine, more cheery lunch items and certainly even a little bit more smile.

Here's a fun pick me up: I'm no expert but I enjoyed this little ditty about Vista and it's future reputation.

For lunch today, with love, from Hank.
Hot Tamales! Okay, just warm...
Cream of Broccoli Soup to make your stomach sing in the rain.

Salad Guys:
Broccoli Salad makes it return to the case o' salads. It's got bacon and a delicious raw cow's cheddar from PEI.
Chicken Salad (A tasty treat)
Orzo Salad filled with Ontario goodness like Red & Purple Peppers and dressed with a Purple Pesto (Nut Alert! Pine Nuts). I just tried some and it is so good the word RIDICULOUS comes to mind.
Macaroni Salad - Now with a little spicy kick!
Hank's Super Soba Noodle Salad (Yummy & Vegan Friendly)

Also, I don't think all of you know that we have Fruit Cups. They hide on a low shelf beside the Lemonade and Iced Tea. They are pre-cut, washed up, ready to go delicious desserts (so super healthy). All featuring Southern Ontario's finest pickings, we have Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry and a mixed berry cup that even has Gooseberry in it.
HOLY COW, gotta get me some of that.

See you soon,
Max

P.S. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK

Today in History, Max Mini-Feature

Today in history 2 fun famous birthdays, Oscar de la Renta and Rose Kennedy (Mother of such Kennedys' like JFK, RFK & uh, TedK).

On this day in 1967 Jimi Hendrix quit as the opening act of The Monkees' Tour. Some accounts say that their crowds didn't warm to him and that The Monkees had simply asked for him because they wanted to see him play.

Today in Hank's History...
We've got Salads!
Orzo Salad filled with Ontario goodness like Red & Purple Peppers and dressed with a Purple Pesto (Nut Alert! Pine Nuts). I just tried some and it is so good the word RIDICULOUS comes to mind.

Cucumber Salad dressed with a
Carrot Top Vinaigrette (Fresh and wonderful)

Hank's Super Soba Noodle Salad (Yummy & Vegan Friendly)

Summer Lovin' Chicken Salad (A treat for office goers and picnic lovers alike)

Macaroni Salad - Now with a little spicy kick!

Today in the Hot Stuff Department we have a Summer Vegetable Curry Stew on!

I'm looking forward to seeing all of you Monkees' fans today for lunch.

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK.

Tuesday at Hanks

It might be a tuesday, not hump day or the first or last day of the week, tuesday doesn't get much in the way of cred, but it's a good solid day. It's the kind of day you need to make special with a little jaunt out of the office and into somewhere that has the kind of food made with love. We all know where that place is. Today we've got a tasty homey little beef stew. For all of you who've been looking for stew, it' s back with a homemade vengence today. We still have the pulled pork sandwich which I was still thinking about before I went to sleep last night... is that weird?

Salad line up
Chicken Salad, meaty and tangy goodness
Pork Rib Confit
Broccoli Salad, if you're mom made this when you were a kid, this one is unbelievable!
Good ol' Soba noodle salad with tofu and Kimchi

See you soon.

Congratulations!

Hank's would like to congratulate Chris Tellez of the Espresso Post in Collingwood for taking the cake in this year's Central Regional Barista Championship.
Chris, a dedicated 19 year old barista has worked his tail off and it came through for him yesterday at the Gladstone Hotel where the event was held.
As an Espresso Post Alumni, I am mighty proud of him.
Samuel James (Of Famed Sam James Coffee Bar) was a close second and Mommi from Dark Horse took third.
All excellent baristas, these folks raise the bar all great Ontario baristas strive for.

Today for lunch!

We have a Smoked Turkey and Wild Rice Soup.

The Great Caesar's Salad (ever wonder if he ate it?),
Macaroni Salad,
Soba Noodle Salad &
the Pork Rib Confit Salad.
Pork rib confit on a bed of greens with Ontario Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette.
We've also got our Chicken Salad in the composed salad department today.

BREAKING NEWS!
The Pulled Pork Sandwich from our opening days is back with a huge make-over.
Heritage house smoked pork mixed with Hank's BBQ sauce, topped with an apple radish slaw and sweet potato frites. THAT'S RIGHT - ALL OF THAT IS ON YOUR SANDWICH.

If you eat pork - guess what you're having today?
I've got to get some of that for myself!

See you soon,
Max


P.S. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK

The Fastest...

Blogger in the land.
The cafe is pretty crazy right now - so here we go!

Today's soup is a warm one (in heat, not in spice)
It's an Ontario Sugar Snap Pea soup and it promises to be something you do not want to miss.

We've got a vitrine (A nice french for display fridge) full of salads!

Candy Cane Beets & Greens Salad
with a Lemon Dill dressing and Goat's Cheese.

The most excellent Broccoli Salad (think family reunion, mayo, seeds, smoked turkey bits and Goat's Milk Cheddar Cheese- this broccoli salad beats up your mom's broccoli salad).

The Great Caesar's Salad (ever wonder if he ate it?),
Macaroni Salad,
Soba Noodle Salad &
we also have a Pork Rib Confit Salad. Pork rib confit on a bed of greens with Ontario Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette.

See you soon,
Max

P.S. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK

For David

If you believe that man has actually walked on the moon (please, let us not get started on this debate - I can get ugly) here is an article that will tickle your, uh... tickley spots.
OUTER SPACE. If it's not amazing that we're hurtling through the universe at speeds I can't imagine (even given that I drive a motorcycle) then I don't know what is.
Also, if you need to have wonder in your life don't forget about Louis C.K. (on cell phones: "give it a minute - it's going to SPACE." And other nuggets like "Every thing is amazing, nobody's happy.")
These two things ought to have you looking around and remembering the wonder of it all.
WE CAN FLY. WE CAN TRAVEL TO SPACE. WOW.

Speaking of space, let's take it back to those elementary school days when your mom used to make those wicked smelling bowls of soup. Paula whipped up a big, ol' pot of Chorizo Sausage and Beet Greens Soup. It smells like home.

Today for Salads we have...
Caesar Salad
Macaroni Salad
Soba Noodle Salad
Plus...HOT STUFF(!) =
Pork Rib Confit Salad with Ontario Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette.

I've got to get back to the cafe! Talk to someone you love about SPACE today (or even Muppets from Space) and come by Hank's for some wonder between bread.
Wonder how we make it so darn good.

See you soon!
Max

p.s. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK

A Broccoli Forest

Today come by Hank's and celebrate the fine weather of the afternoon. We'll pack you up a picnic like you wouldn't believe and you can spend a leisurely lunch in one of the close-by green spots.

Hank's has some great summer drinks:
New & Awesome Lemonade, our refreshing Ice Tea and the almost-famous (whats-that-thing-called-again?) Agua Fresca.

And suddenly you find yourself in a forest of Broccoli teaming with vitamins C, K & A.
What's that - it's also delicious? Well, brace yourselves. (Latch onto a Broccoli Tree with your teeth, you're about to be blown away.)

Today we have an Ontario Broccoli Soup (Vegetarian Friendly). I've had a taste and so should you.

In our salad department today we are rocking the most excellent Broccoli Salad (think family reunion, mayo, seeds, smoked turkey bits and cheese- this broccoli salad beats up your mom's broccoli salad).
We've also got
Caesar Salad
Macaroni Salad
Soba Noodle Salad &
Herbed Slaw.

BREAKING NEWS EDIT TO THE BLOG!
We also have a Pork Rib Confit Salad. Pork rib confit on a bed of greens with Ontario Sweet Cherry Vinaigrette. GET SOME IN YOUR BELLY.



Today we have the Flank Steak Sandwich (spicy!) - being served on our multi grain organic bread from St. John's Bakery.

Okay. I think I'll stop bragging about lunch and sign off.

See you soon,
Max

P.S. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK

Hump Day and Other Stuff

Weird: As I was walking out of the cafe to come do the blog Emmie and I somehow started talking about Yoko Ono. And how she follows Emmie on Twitter. Random.

Other Happy News...

Hot Stuff Today is
Beet Greens & Sweet Potato Soup (and is Vegetarian Friendly).

The Salad Department is awash with wonder.
Enjoy a choice of
Bean Salad with hazelnut dressing,
Herbed Slaw,
Soba Noodle Salad &
Macaroni Salad.

The ever wonderful
Flank Steak on Baguette becomes a fixture!

It's a plethora of choice for your mid-week lunch-a-roo at Hank's.

Glad to be back,
Max

P.S. Don't forget to Vote For Hank.

Beautiful Tuesday Day

Yes it is, it's finally July. The real July we've come to day dream about in Feburary. It's not stinking hot out (thank goodness due to the stink) but it's lovely and walkable and cheery. No complaints here. So how do you feed yourself on such a beautiful day? You feed yourself well and we've got the stuff.

Marniated Flank steak sandwich on a fresh baguette. When we featured this the other day we experimented on toasted baguette. Fresh is way better and this sandwich is a staff favourite.

We have our first cold soup of the season. It's a chilled snap pea soup, delicate and lovely.

Our salads today are Soba (you know you love it) We have a bean salad, fresh and herbacious, and whatever else those crazy cooks are whipping up at the moment. Sometimes a girl just can't keep up.

I almost forgot! We have an ontario sour cherry pie! For those of you who love pie, or those pie fence sitters, this one is awesome. Don't forget the fresh whipped cream.

We'll see you soon. I hope your morning is clicking along famously.

Welcome Back!

I hope you all had a great weekend, we had all the weather one could expect in July. All in all a well rounded weekend. To kick start your week, we have a healthy comforting vegetable and barley soup, there was a little butter added to the pot so it's not vegan but it's light, healthy and loving. In fact, with the cheddar arugula scones we have it's an awesome little lunch.
For salads, soba is back in the house along with a Hanks' take on a classic chefs salad, protein and veggies, what more could you want?
The ontario strawberries are coming in in smaller and smaller numbers, we have some of the last of these beauties all sliced up and ready to go, if you want a sweet little guilt free dessert. If you want a guilty pleasure? Well you know we're just full of those.

Look forward to seeing you here at Hanks!

IT"S A SUMMER FRIDAY!!

WOOO HOOO!! I hope you have the weekend off and have plans to put your feet up. Until then, here's what we have to get you through the day.

There's a new Sandwich in town, Flank Steak with jalapeno mayo and a fresh little salsa all on Baguette. It's summer awesome.

The soup, Purple Kohlrabi and Sunchoke Soup. Strangely delicious.

The salad line up. Caesar Salad. Classic and satisfying
Soba noodle is back in the house and tasty chilly.

Come see us before you head home. We'll be waiting.

A Bowl Full of Jelly

A jolly day to out and about... as long as you've got a coat. Things to be thankful for: We haven't had sunburn weather yet. Things to be upset about: We haven't had sunburn weather yet.

The weekend is coming (I can hear it coming down the railroad tracks) so prepare yourselves with healthy, hearty meals to keep your resolve to enjoy this summer strong.

Today we have a Cream of Tomato Soup with Arugula (You don't even know yet how great this is).
And some special, yum-tastic salads.
Chicken Salad, Caesar Salad,
Fresh Garden Vegetable Salad
& Minty Slaw.

I'm off to Nova Scotia for the 26th Year of my Heather. (A friend o' mine).

See you today and then again Wednesday,
Max

P.S. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK.

All things considered.

Do you ever wake up feeling alive and well? Sometimes I do. Today I didn't. But that's alright.
Really, it's alright- because all things considered life is pretty great.
If you've got a bed, a roof and ate breakfast you should consider all things and realize that life is good. At least, that's what I do. Give it a shot if you're in a slump.

Also, if you're feeling a slump - it's Wednesday. And there's lunch. And by lunch the day is half over! You can fill your belly with good stuff at Hank's.

Today we have an awesome Vegetable Egg Drop Soup. Definitely a must try.

We are also featuring a Peameal Bacon Sandwich (as you know, it's full of YUM).

Lots of fresh salads going on. We've got three packed ready to run:
Caesar Salad,
Garden Vegetable Salad
and the must try Marinated Flank Steak Salad.

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to Vote for Hank.

See Also : Week 2

If you're coping with a strike by getting on with your holidays - good for you.
I haven't actually heard too much about the strike in the Cafe and that to me says that as citizens we are dealing pretty well with this negotiating match we've become spectators glued to as we await the results that hold us in the balance.
Toronto, you are one great city, strikes aside.

Come to Hank's for...

SOUP! A light summer soup of Red & Green Swiss Char, Radish and Dino Kale (Vegan Friendly).

SALADS!
Today we have a great mix-
Soba Noodle Salad (buckwheat noodles tossed with sesame seeds, kimchi, tofu croutons, and a light dressing),
Ontario Strawberry Salad (Strawberries, Poppy seeds, Fennel, Shaved Onion, Yogurt-based Poppy seed Dressing on a bed o' local greens),
Minty Slaw (Not your mom's slaw),
Grilled Vegetable Salad (Vegetables are marinated in basil vinaigrette and grilled - green zucchini, red & yellow peppers, garlic scapes and fennel. Dressed in a crushed hazelnut vinaigrette),
And possibly one more that I've missed... Stop by to check out mystery salads!
Only mystery is what they could be.

I'm going to publish this post and go grab me some lunch. All this typing has made me hungry.

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to VOTE FOR HANK.

Summer Days

Summer is full swing - so I hope you've got plans. Make lists, get things done and get out to enjoy our limited season. Plans for camping or the cottage? Come pick up some snacks before you go.
Weekend next I'm off to the East (well, our East) so come and stop by to say Hello before it's too late (don't worry, I'll only be gone 4 days).

LOVE IS IN THE AIR -

HOT STUFF!
Summer Vegetable Soup
Zucchini, Peppers, Barley & many more make an amazing melange of tasty fresh stuff in a light broth.

Ontario Strawberry Salad
Greens topped with field strawberries, shaved onion, fennel, radish & candied walnuts - dressed for the party in a yogurt based poppy seed dressing with smoked paprika (on the side).

Soba Noodle Salad with tofu, sesame seeds & house made kale kimchi. A Hank's Classic.


LUNCH IS SERVED. Woop!

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to Vote For Hank (he's no Nixon).

Post - Canada Day

I hope you got your Canada Day on with a celebration of epic proportions.
Hank's returns today with a bang - like a firecracker!

HOT STUFF!
Split Pea, House-Smoked Turkey & Ham Soup

Fresh from the Garden...
Ontario Strawberry Salad
Greens topped with field strawberries, shaved onion, fennel, radish & candied walnuts - dressed for the party in a yogurt based poppy seed dressing with smoked paprika (on the side).

Grilled Ontario Vegetable Salad (Chef's Choice)
Paula says this is her favourite of today's specials because of the dressing. Hold onto your hats, here it comes:
Vegetables are marinated in basil vinaigrette and grilled - green zucchini, red & yellow peppers, garlic scapes and fennel. Dressed in a crushed hazelnut vinaigrette (on the side).

LUNCH IS SERVED. Woop!

See you soon,
Max

p.s. Don't forget to Vote For Hank (he's no Nixon).