Celebrating 60 Years!

It's my father's 60th Birthday today!

To pre-celebrate his six decades of life, my brothers and I, along with our families, surprised our parents with dinner together in the same city.

An hour before heading to the restaurant, a snow storm hit Toronto. Complete with massive snow flakes, icy roads and strong winds, it made for an adventurous start to the evening. No matter - we all piled into the restaurant safe and sound, and unscathed.

We gathered at Wildfire Restaurant, a steakhouse in North Toronto. (Although it's my father's birthday, my mother deserved a break from the kitchen as well, non?!). Here, we were seated comfortably at a huge banquet table where we enjoyed a hearty and meaty meal. If anything, Wildfire offers sizeable portions fit for a king - no wonder we needed such a large table!

I ordered my standard steakhouse fare - the Fillet Mignon - with a goat cheese and pecan salad. The steak was juicy and flavourful. Although my initial reaction to my meal was, "Whoa, that's a lotta food!", my reaction was squelched when I saw Big D's meal.

He ordered the Porterhouse Steak, which I learned is a Canadian term (in the US, the cut is known as T-bone). With the Porterhouse, I'm told, you get the best of both worlds. That is, a New York Strip and a Fillet Mignon.

I'm still in awe that he ate the whole thing in one sitting!

After our meal - which lasted several hours - we trooped back through the snow to enjoy strawberry shortcake and open presents!

Happy Birthday Papa - you deserve all the dreams you wish for!