SQM Pick

While I hate to make my readers drool in front of their computer screens, you must understand my affinity towards food blogs. Because I’m a bit of a foodie, and because I just love food in general, I often like to try dishes from different cultures. Over the years, I’ve tried many different cuisines and I have come to know and love Ethiopian food. While Ethiopian food started to gain a bit of popularity in Toronto, it’s still not overly popular outside of its native region. But I thought I should let you know that it’s absolutely delicious… especially when it comes from my favorite spot in Toronto.

Sheba is, by far, my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Toronto. It is a great little restaurant located at College and Bathurst, it is family owned and operated by three sisters; Seble, Assi, and Blane. Now, before you start Googling pictures of Ethiopian food, I must say that Sheba’s food is always beautifully presented and it is simply delicious. If the food isn’t enough to entice you into paying Sheba a visit, you should know that the three sisters really know how to host guests with their amazing hospitality. Everything from the injera, which is the flatbread, to the meat, to the seasonings make Ethiopian food one of Miriam and I’s favorite foods. We love it so much that we often take our friends to Sheba when they’re looking to try something new and they end up taking their friends who end up loving it just as much as we do!

After many visits to Sheba, my wife and I have picked out some of our favorites that we highly recommend. I love the Cha-Cha Tibs, which are pieces of lamb served on a sizzling hot plate, while my wife tends to be a bit more adventurous and orders the Kifto Regular which is an Ethiopian steak tartar. While we’re both very much meat-eaters, Sheba’s food is so great that we love the Mama Shiro on their vegetarian menu. Their veggie menu is so delicious that it’ll convert any meat-lover into a chickpea lover! All of their food is very tasty, colorful, and super flavorful. Now, before you fill up on the main course, you should let the sisters know that you want the Ethiopian coffee for dessert. It’s freshly roasted and prepared while you eat, and it’s ceremoniously delivered to your table at the end of your meal with incense and freshly-popped popcorn that perfectly compliments this delicious treat.

Seble, Assi, and Blane, the owners of Sheba, have come to be good friends of Miriam and I. We love dining at their restaurant. Their level of hospitality and customer service is one of the best that I have experienced from a small little place like Sheba and they keep me coming back every time. So the next time you’re feeling adventurous, pay Sheba a visit!

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Recently, I had a great experience with Microsoft, which I wanted to share with everyone.

Presently, I am working on a project which involves another company, another website, and Microsoft Outlook managed email. This not an email address that I use very often, so sure enough I had an issue where I forgot the password. The way Microsoft works when attempting to retrieve your password is all processed automatically, so I had to reply to an email with answers to their questions, in order to verify that the account belonged to me.  At some point, a representative would look at the information I provide, and decide whether this account had belonged to me, or whether it is just a spam.

Since I didn’t use the email too often, I didn’t have the information the automatic emails were requesting, and started to worry about gaining access to the accounts.  In a last ditch attempt to get the work back on track, I decided to call Microsoft Canada, directly, to see if they could assist me over the phone.  Surprisingly, I managed to connect to a real, live voice at the head office switchboard.  The fellow who answered the phone was pleasant to deal with, and after I explained my challenge, he connected me to someone else, who he felt could assist me.  Since this was not successful, I returned to the switchboard, at which time, he took some details about my situation, and indicated that he would have someone contact me as soon as possible.  Within a day, someone had emailed me back, asked me a few questions about my account, and a day later I was back, up and running, with access to my email.  The very next day this same employee managed to get me access to a second email address.

For a large company, that is technology focused, Microsoft was a pleasure to work with.  Unlike many other websites, and tech companies, that only seem communicate with their customers, online, it was nice to receive that one on one customer interaction, over the phone, rather than dealing with a crisis situation through an automated voice recording  or email.  They provided great customer service and delivered results quickly and effectively during a stressful time.  It is truly reassuring to know that a large company, such as Microsoft, is available, accessible and truly willing to help out when a customer is in need.

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A couple of years ago I had come across a restaurant called Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse.

The restaurant is located on Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto, and since that time they have opened up in Niagara Falls, and earlier this year on Adelaide Street East near John Street.

Whether you are a vegetarian or the ultimate meat lover, this all-you-can-eat restaurant cooks up something for everybody. How does it work? The servers frequently come to your table carrying large meat trays and if you want a piece, they will cut thin tasteful slices off for you. There are over 20 meats to chose from including parmesan prime rib, garlic sirloin steak, rack of lamb, salmon, and BBQ chicken. In addition to this, the buffet menu options include salads, breads, pastas, mussels, deli meats, cheeses, and various vegetables. Finally, for dessert there is grilled pineapple and deep fried bananas, both of which are very tasty and the perfect end to a great meal.

The moment you step in you will notice the upbeat atmosphere. The live Latin-themed music will get your groove on while you set your eyes on some talented Brazilian dancers. You can expect an energetic 10-15 minutes show of magnificent dance routines and outstanding costumes during each dinner sitting, followed by the opportunity to take some photos.

The staff are very attentive to your requests and while I was initially concerned whether it is truly a family friendly place, they are extremely good with children.

Adults pay $45.00 each and the price for children varies depending on their age. I personally recommend making a reservation well in advance, but they also have first come first service tables.

The all you can eat meal, live entertainment, and excellent service is a perfect combination. Just don’t forget to come with your appetite!

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Even before SQM was founded, 21 years ago, both co-founders, David Lipton, and Craig Henry, were actively involved in supporting a variety of charities and charitable causes.

One of their long standing charitable initiatives dates back, over 15 years, when they moved their office into the Don Mills and York Mills area in Toronto.  At that time, both co-founders and the SQM staff, teamed up to start a holiday toy drive, by collecting items from neighbouring offices, and distributing them to various organizations.

After six years of donating toys to children, they realized there was a need to help a local teen and women’s shelter, so they began collecting other items, including movie tickets, board games, beauty supplies, and hair products.

In more recent times, SQM has become involved with an organization called Ve’ahavta. They are a Canadian Humanitarian and Relief Organization that is on a mission to reduce the negative impact of poverty on health and to make a difference in local communities.  One of Ve’ahavta’s initiatives is the van outreach program called The Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless (MJRH), where they deliver food as well as thousands of new T-shirts, jackets, socks and TTC tokens to the homeless.  In addition to collecting food and clothing, staff from SQM, and other local groups volunteer to spend an evening on the van, assisting in distributing items and supporting the homeless in a variety of ways.  As David Lipton, said, “this is an eye-opening experience, and you see the city in a different light”.

As a result of their involvement with Ve’ahavta, David learned that one item which is always in need, but often overlooked, is socks.  Socks are a valuable and precious part of our every day wardrobe, but supporters often focus their attention on donating warm weather clothes, such as toques, gloves, and coats.

To assist Ve’ahavta in their efforts, like last year, SQM is holding a Holiday Sock Drive.

For those that would like to participate, we ask that you:

1.  Send new and unwrapped pairs of socks, to our office
or
2.  Send us retail gift cards, which we will use to purchase new pairs of socks

SQM staff will take care of the rest of the work, packing and shipping the items off to a fantastic and hard working charity.

Socks and gift cards can be sent to:

Sensors Quality Management Inc. (SQM)
156 Duncan Mill Road, Unit 19
Toronto, ON  M3B 3N2

If you have any questions, or require additional information, please feel free to call us at 416-444-4491.

Together we can make a difference in our community!

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