On Summer Luving Day, Bier Markt tempted guests with Radler samplers and fresh oysters, free alongside their new shellfish menu. May 20th was an unusually hot day and patios were filled with sun and seafood worshipers.

Summer Luvin Day promotions mark the arrival of Bier Markt’s annual Shellfish Feastivül from May 16th until July 1st, at all three restaurant locations in Toronto.

By chance some representatives from Toronto City Events attended two of the three Bier Markt locations on that festive afternoon.

10:30 am Sunday morning  and the first person outside on King St W location is the hostess putting out the sandwich board signs to tell passers-by about the restaurant.  The King St location is tucked away pretty good, but it has a sun-baked western exposure patio along Portland St, and a large cool downstairs eatery inside.

We were parched after our morning bike ride, and smiled with enthusiasm when James, the manager at the King St Bier Markt offered us a free sample of Radler. This is a signature summer drink at Bier Markt and quite popular with urban professionals that prefer low calorie and lower alcohol by volume beverages.  James related to us the origins of the drink, and the ingredients, and how it got its name.  He started by complimenting us on riding bikes instead of driving, and segued into how after WWI  bicycle riding was popular in Europe, particularly so in Germany. The word Radler is another name for cyclist in German.  The creation of the drink is attributed to Franz Xaver Kugler, an early 1900s innkeeper with a tavern in Deisenhofen up in the mountains near Munich. After the Great War, when bike riding was gaining popularity, Kugler arranged for the construction of a bike trail through the forest from Munich straight to his establishment. It was a big success. Too big, for on a big race day he did find himself overrun by 13,000 cyclists demanding beer.  Kugler didnt have enough brew on hand,  and so he had to dilute the ale he had with lemon soda, which he had in plenty, to make the stocks last.  A talented spin doctor, Franz Xaver Kugler presented the beverage on that day in June 1922 to his thirsty customers as a special creation he had invented in their honour, with lower ABV to help ensure they made it safely back down the trail.  And so was born the Radler.

Shellebration Boil is the Centerpiece of the Shellfish Feastivul Menu

The Shellebration Boil at $59 is the biggest ticket item on the menu during Shellfish Feastivul.  It satiates two hungry people and transports them to the seaside for half an hour. The menu also mentions that the meaty flavours in this marine dish are perhaps best paired with Leffe Blonde Ale.

The Shellebration Boil is composed of Canadian Lobster, Blue Moules, Littleneck Clams, Black Tiger Shrimp, braised fennel, fingering potatoes, Ontario corn, tomato and palm ale broth and is served with grilled bistro bread.  The dish is spectacular to behold and smell and taste.

In accordance with the challenge of consuming shellfish, a plate full of strange looking utensils precedes the arrival of the hot dish at the table.  The unusual metal cutlery includes tongs, pry bars, scoops and crackers. Its an adventure just using these tools and digging into the bowl to find something new to try alongside the taste of your beer, and your friends’ beer.  We found the flavorful meat was excellent and cooked perfectly, but dipping the crusty bread into the tasty broth was the best part of the whole meal.

Amid much laughter and suntanning we tested the theory that shellfish are best enjoyed with cold beer and we were all pleasantly surprised by the taste experience.

And yes of course we sampled the appetizing free oysters that were served to us before and after the entree. They were delicious both times!

The Shellfish Feastivul menu was created by Bier Markt Executive Chef, Michael Cipollo who designed each dish to offer restaurant patrons a fresh assortment of shellfish perfect for the patio, sharing and pairing with one of Bier Markt’s more than 100 biers.

The Schlurpin and Schmakken Shellfish Feastivul is occurring simultaneously at all three Bier Markt locations in the GTA including: • 58 The Esplanade • 600 King St. West • 7 O’Neill Road (Shops at Don Mills) until July 1st 2012.

Here is the patio at Bier Markt on Esplanade at around 1pm.

Inside the front door to the patio there was a young lad playing acoustic guitar and singing soulful Led Zeppelin covers.

Summer is here and the seafood is in season at Bier Markt!

Toronto is well known for its wide range of cultures and cuisines as well as an ever-evolving foodie culture. In fact, Toronto is such a food-lover’s paradise that selecting a restaurant can be a daunting task even without a Winterlicious Festival.

The ten restaurants profiled below have made this list for two reasons: 1) They have received praise for delicious, adventurous and consistent food and drink paired with excellent service and 2) They provide patrons with information of interest and a sense of community through updates online.

Here is a list of restaurants participating in @LiciousTO 2012 with active and engaging Twitter accounts:

Annona Restaurant – @Chef_JMonfaredi

‘Joan Monferedi, executive chef for Park Hyatt Toronto, including Annona Restaurant’

Chef Monferedi tweets regularly about other contemporary chefs, current food events and invitations to the ‘Masters of Food and Wine’ series hosted at Park Hyatt by the executive chef herself.

Auberge du Pommier, Biff’s Bistro, Canoe, Jump, Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill – @Oliver_Bonacini

‘What’s happening with our Chefs and restaurants’

Follow five of the big name players in Winterlicious 2012 in one fell swoop; this account is packed with delectable tidbits, twitpics, haggis races and plenty of compliments to the chef from the twitterati.

Bier Markt – @BierMarkt

‘An atmosphere that balances sociability with sophistication’

Bier Markt’s friendly Twitter approach retweets patrons’ comments and keeps followers in the know about oft-occurring specials and events, and of course, new additions to the best bier list in the city.

Cafe Moroc – @TheSultansTent

‘Admire the charms of belly dancers & enjoy a four-course Feast or create a menu suited to your event’

Twitter followers of Cafe Moroc—one of Toronto’s favourite dinner party locations—are kept aware of changes to menus, last-minute specials, weather updates and, most importantly, belly dancer set times.

The Drake Hotel – @thedrakehotel

‘Hotbed for Culture’

The Drake’s Twitter account, with over 21,000 followers, projects the spirit of Toronto’s lively arts scene with a brilliant personal touch. Take this reply for example: “@CherylKozoriz The menu isn’t vegan but we spoke to Chef Rose though + he said he’d create a vegan Winterlicious option if you’d like!”

earth Bloor West – @globeho

‘Globe Bistro, earth Rosedale & earth Bloor West owner-operator, gourmand and lover of meat, wine and cheese. Think global. Eat local’

Foodies take note: Ed Ho, owner-operator of local and seasonal Toronto establishments Globe Bistro and both the Rosedale and Bloor W. earth locations tweets about burgers, business and gives shout outs to smaller restaurants like Mother’s Dumplings in Chinatown.

Embrujo Flamenco -@embrujotapasbar

‘Enjoy with us the regional cuisines of Spain!’

An extensive wine selection pairs off with authentic Spanish specialties served tapas-style. There is dancing Wednesday through Saturday, and tune in for flamenco nights—they’re complimentary!

Prime – @windsorarms

‘Consecutively voted the #1 hotel in Toronto by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine’

Prime’s @LiciousTO offerings include an herbivore’s delight: a 100% vegan prix fixe menu served in Toronto’s premier boutique hotel. This handle communicates updates from the hotel, restaurant and Toronto herself.

Pure Spirits – @spiritspure

‘Oyster House’

Turn your @LiciousTO dinner into a date night in the Distillery District and tune into @spiritspure for specials on seafood ( $1.50 oysters), goings-on @DistilleryTO and mouth-watering meal descriptions.

Scarpetta – @ScarpettaTO

‘Famed Chef Scott Conant oversees Scarpetta – the first international outpost of the acclaimed Scarpetta Italian Restaurant’

Located in the Thompson Hotel, retweeted reactions to Scarpetta’s $35 @LiciousTO dinner menu are flooding the stunning resto’s online feed. Get online and join the conversation—if you can get a reservation, that is!