[Launch] Zomato

If you haven't heard already, Zomato has recently launched in Toronto! Zomato is similar to Yelp, which is an online and mobile restaurant search and discovery service. So far, they have details of over 11,000 restaurants in the GTA, including menus, photos, reviews, and more! They allow for users to even upload photos from their Instagram accounts! (Cause who hasn't taken a food photo on Instagram at least once?).

Here are some interesting facts about Zomato!:

• Zomato employs over 800 people across 17 countries.  
• Zomato announced, last year, a US $37 million round of funding from Sequoia Capital and existing investors Info Edge. This has taken Zomato’s total funding to over USD 53 million.  
• Available across web and mobile, Zomato sees over 30 million visits across its web and mobile platforms every month. Traffic has grown by over 300% in the past year. More than half of Zomato’s traffic is seen on its mobile apps – testimony to the fact that local search is moving to mobile very fast. 
• Zomato has acquired 4 companies globally within a span of 3 months. New Zealand-based restaurant search service MenuMania became a part of Zomato in July 2014. Lunchtime.cz and Obedovat.sk, the Czech Republic’s and Slovakia's most popular restaurant guides respectively, became a part of Zomato on August, 22nd 2014. Zomato acquired Gastronauci, the leading restaurant search service in Poland in September, 2014.

You can check out the website at www.zomato.com and/or download the app! I already have an account on Zomato, which you can follow me at if you wish: www.zomato.com/torontocafefood

[Launch + Product Review] Shopbake.com

Hate making that long trip to your favourite bakery? Wish there is a way to get all the sweets for the party or wedding in an easier fashion? Look no further with Shopbake.com! Shopbake.com is a new Canadian online marketplace for all things baked. It's like Etsy, except all edible goods! The site launches today and anyone can sign up to sell their baked goodies.

To help spread the word and check out some participating shops, I was sent an adorable gift box full of sweets to try. This box finally satisfied the crazy cravings I had for chocolates! I decided to give my thoughts on everything in the box, so you know what to try out!

Review

Chocolate Chip Cookie by Cookie Scoop: The cookie was soft and yummy. I have tried other chocolate chip cookies that I would prefer over this one, but it was still enjoyable.

Salted Dark Chocolate Cake Truffle by Petal Dust Bake Shop: This was absolutely delicious! Despite the small size of the cake truffle, each bite packed a punch. It was very decadent and would fulfill a chocolate lover's craving instantly!

Milk & Cookies Sandwich Cookie by Petal Dust Bake Shop: The cookie sandwich was slightly hard by the time I ate it (which was a couple of days after receiving the package), but I still liked the concept of it. I think it would be better fresh.

Baby Macs by Dollop Bakery: All of the baby macaroons were hard and unsavoury. I guessed they were no longer fresh by the time I tried them, which was a disappointment.

Chocolate Fudge Mason Jar by Short & Sweet Cupcakes: By far my favourite item in the box! The mason jar sealed the freshness of the cake inside. I loved the different layers of the cake in the jar. The middle was the yummiest and gooiest of them all!

Chocolate Lollipop by Branded Bites: This company makes chocolate lollipops with any business logo or picture of your choice on them. The chocolate lollipop tasted like any basic chocolate in my opinion. Though I liked that the chocolate was in lollipop form and was perfect for any company event.

My recommendations: Cake Truffles from Petal Dust Bake Shop and Mason Jars from Short & Sweet Cupcakes!