When Francis D'Souza, Citytv's CityPulse reporter and CityPulse Weekend anchor, is off work, you'll probably find him in the midst of a globe trotting adventure. So, it seemed fitting to invite him for a celebrity dinner date at Monsoon, a restaurant specializing in marrying foods from countries throughout Asia and Southeast Asia affected by torrential monsoon storms, including India, where D'Souza's ancestors hail.

We began the evening with a Monsoon Martini -a vodka, mango, lemon and cranberry concoction suggested by server Laura-Lynn Bolan. While sharing appetizers of Peking Duck with Citrus Segments, Baby Green in Pappadum Cup and Shiso Grilled Tiger Prawns in an Asian Guacamole Cup, we talked about D' Souza's life in news.

"When I anchor, I get to show the viewers my personality, when you do hard news you can't. As an anchor, I like the public to perceive me as light-hearted. I like to consider myself somewhat funny and very openminded," says D'Souza, who co-anchors with Merella Fernandez. Coincidentally, both anchors trace their roots to Goa in southwest India.

"I'm a self-professed news junkie. I love my job because every day it is different. When I report, I really get to craft my work - I write and produce the story, and I get to meet new people every day. You have to be somewhat emotive when you tell these stories. I've seen bodies on the ground and interviewed people who have lost their children, you have to have a strong mind and be able to deal with it head on. I often talk about it with family and friends, so that helps

"If you look at news - it is about storytelling. Jeannie Moost, from CNN, is one of the best television storytellers. The way she crafts stories with pictures and matches them with words is incredible," says the Mississauga-born and raised newsman.

Executive Chef Winlai Wong accompanies D'Souza's entrée of Organic Beef Tenderloin with Spun Miso Mashed Potatoes, in Pink and Green Peppercorn Jus to the table to discuss her culinary creation. The exotic flavours of the food brings the conversation to world travel. "I love to travel, I saw the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, swung on vines in Venezuela's Amazon Jungle and climbed Dunns River Falls in Jamaica. I've been to Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Europe," says D'Souza.

For dessert, we sampled Infused Crème Brûlée, Mango Monsoon Sorbet and Chocolate Heaven - a warm chocolate cake with a silk soft centre served with devil's ice cream and raspberry coulis.

"The décor and atmosphere at Monsoon is very relaxing, the food presentation is excellent - the food has a very unique taste," adds D'Souza.

Catch D'Souza reporting Wednesday to Friday on City- Pulse and CP24 and anchoring CityPulse Weekend at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Citytv. Call Monsoon, 100 Simcoe St., at 416-979-7172, for reservations.