Toronto Work Meeting: Awesome City, Delicious Food!

I travel for work. The frequency and range of trips vary. Sometimes I am in a large city and others a suburb. It all depends on the group that I am working with and where they want to meet. Many think that traveling for work is glamorous. I would beg to differ. If I had it my way, I wouldn't travel at all. I knew what I was getting into when I took my job over four years ago, so I do it without much complaint. Well, maybe. :-)

Every once and a while a good meeting place arises and I was lucky last week. I worked with a organization that decided to meet in Toronto, Ontario. I was not familiar with the city, but I had been there enough to know that I liked it and wouldn't mind visiting again.

Most of the time, meetings are held in hotel meeting rooms or conference centers. The rooms are boring and the decor is stuffy and uninviting. This location was different. We met in a Ladies Club in downtown Toronto and the decor was fabulous! Everything from the floor to the ceilings had been planned and decorated with care. The whole club had a sleek style that was both fun and elegant.

Chandelier in one of the halls.

Wall at the end of a hall on the second floor.

Chandelier in out meeting room. I think I am in love!

To match the grand decor were my lunches. I requested special vegan meals, and they were just that- special! My dishes were all just as stylish as the room. My plates looked and tasted gourmet. I had fruits and vegetables that I had never seen or tasted before and I loved every bite! Below are the pictures and the descriptions of my dish for each day of the meeting.

Day one: This was a plate of cooked soy beans and other lovely fruits and vegetables, topped with a thin piece of bread that looked like lace. The plate was decorated with pea shoots and had a subtle dressing. I could not identify all of the produce on my plate or the dressing, but it was all delicious. I did note that there were several varieties of beets. Verdict- very tasty and and a beautiful presentation.

Day two: My plate included a dab of guacamole and I have to say it is probably the best tasting guacamole I have ever had. I don't know what made is different though. In addition to this lovely garnish, I had fresh tomatoes an other vegetables on top of white beans. On top was a small mixed salad. Verdict- delicious and creamy!

Day three: The base of my plate was cooked quinoa, surrounded by picked mushrooms, miso sauce, and raspberries. Marinated vegetables were placed on top of the quinoa. Lastly, the plate was finished with a small mixed salad. The mushrooms were heavenly! I do not know what type of mushroom they were, but I would like to have them again. Verdict- heavenly mushrooms, but this meal did not fill me up.
Day four: My last lunch was just as wonderful as the rest. My plate had a dressed bean salad topped with cherry tomatoes and a mixed green salad. Next to it was a watermelon and mint salsa accompanied by two flowers. The flavors all worked well together. I had never had watermelon salsa before, but I can say that I want it again! Verdict- I really enjoy watermelon salsa! This meeting ended with a bang!

The dishes were so beautifully executed and combination of foods were inventive. It was better than any other food that I have encountered at a meeting in the past.