My life changed last November when, with some of my new found Twitter friends, I first paid a visit to The Black Hoof around the time of my 36th birthday. I will remember the 27th of November, 2009 very fondly, with memories of making new connections and finding new friends. Many of these new friends would form the core of a group that strengthens every day, and where people feel like friendships have spanned decades. Like-mindedness is hard to find late in life, some may argue, but I can prove them wrong.

This story, however, is not about the love for friends, but rather the love affair I have with all forms of meat, especially the lesser used cuts known as offal. Being of Eastern European and Jewish heritage I did grow up quite accustomed to eating cuts of meat that required long braising or slow cooking, as was the culinary custom of my grandparents. The necessity of poor Eastern Europe has morphed into a world where people pay good money to eat such items on a chalkboard menu at one of  Toronto's more creative eateries; and in fact at restaurants all over North America. I say bring it on! 

Those who know me, or follow me on Twitter, know of my love for The Black Hoof and the Hoof Cafe, and I make no secret of this fact by often enticing those around me with pictures and tweets of what I am experiencing. Some even say that I should be offered shares in the business, as all I seem to do is promote the restaurants on a full time basis (Jenn, Grant, are you listening?). Just having these places to eat is more than enough reward, and even introducing people to the food there is a great joy and honour as we open people's eyes and mouths to the wonders that exist beyond the basic food that is out there. 

The Black Hoof is a gem in the city, and I encourage you to go and support what they are doing. They focus on local, fresh ingredients, and trying new things. This inspires me, and I hope it will inspire you in your eating and cooking endeavours. I want to share the majority of the pictures I have taken in my many, many meals and will gladly share more in the future through this site, in “Get the foodie 411” and in my Twitter feed. I hope you not only enjoy these pictures, but that they open your mind and influence you to try new things in life. Thanks to Jenn, Grant, Geoff, and all of the staff at The Black Hoof and the Hoof Cafe for all of the great meals and memories, and for the ones to come.