peppermint pate's Profile
Gourmet Cupcakes?
Wow, I'm impressed - there are worse ways to spend your time than a cupcake odyssey but still, you've shown some major dedication to the cause.Good luck finding the perfect cupcake - I'll be curious to know if this new place works out as i have a feeling I share your cupcake taste. I don't know Party City but having recently thrown some pretty fun parties for my kidlets, I can also tell you that Bulk Barn and a well-stocked Dollar store are your friends. Enjoy!
Party sandwiches
I went through some of this analysis for a kids bday party a couple of years ago. I considered What A Bagel, Pickle Barrel, Centre Street and Lesley's. I ended up going with Centre Street, and having them delivered by cab (they didn't have in-house delivery) and they were quite good. If I recall, Lesley's was more expensive and I think that What-A Bagel was comparable. Sonny Langers would also be good, and they deliver. All of these places serve traditional egg salad, tuna and salmon party sandwiches.
For fancier, and pricier, party sandwiches, Summerhill Market has some great ones - selection includes curried chicken, shrimp salad, etc. You can custom order, mix and match, etc.
Another option is to get a bunch of pre-made or DIY sandwich fixings from Black Camel on mini buns (only available for advance orders). We've done this for a few parties - always a great hit.
iced coffee 2012
Had an affogato at Green Beanery one hot summer day last year - it was fantastic. I also really like the iced lattes from Rooster Espresso - it's just espresso and cold milk (I don't like sweetened drinks) but they froth the milk, which is a nice touch. Saw one at Te Aro the other day that looked quite good as well.
Carter's ice cream - new on Woodmount @ Danforth, West of Woodbine
Any recent reviews? Looking to pick up an ice cream cake for a children's bday party - may just default to Baskin-Robbins but the pics on Carter's website look cute. Plus they use Kawartha Dairy ice cream.
Burger's Priest vs. Holy Chuck vs. Stockyards
Love it!! I am enjoying your burger journey, you little hooligan you!
Re: your earlier comment about drinking water, I almost always drink plain water. Both times I was at HC, I ordered a couple of cups of plain water and both times, I was sweetly comped bottle water. Consistent with the overall friendly service there.
Burger's Priest vs. Holy Chuck vs. Stockyards
I'll eat that burger on a seat
I'll eat that burger on the street
I'll eat that burger on a hood
I'll eat it anywhere - it's that dang good!
(sorry, couldn't resist)
Yours Truly - new restaurant on Ossington
I was there with a group of 10 a few weeks ago. It was a Wednesday night when they serve only "small plates". We ordered every single dish with enough multiples for everyone to sample everything. My memory is a bit (okay, a lot) foggy on the specifics now but I would say that overall, the food was at least at a B++ and a couple of dishes were particularly delicious. Wine markups were very respectable. Service was okay - I thought our server was a bit shy (more than sour) but she warmed up over the course of our meal. Still, we would have enjoyed the dinner more if there was more warmth and friendliness from the staff.
But the big "wow" of the evening came with the bill. First off, even with 10 of us, there was no automatic gratuity, which was an unexpected surprise. Having eaten a solid amount of very good and varied food, 4 bottles of wine and some beer, coffee and a few desserts - each couple's bill (with tax, before tip) was just shy of $100. That was amazing. For that the food alone, I'd go back - maybe not run back as biggreenmatt says, but go back for sure. I also really liked the idea of having 15 small plates to choose from, more than perhaps I'd like a prix-fixe.
Burger's Priest vs. Holy Chuck vs. Stockyards
Not a lot to add to the many voices here but for yet another opinion...have been to BP once (loved it) and HC twice (closer to home, really liked it). Both spots would happily satisfy my infrequent burger cravings. If it was just my husband and I, I would taker the louder music vibe and amazing playlist at BP. But did I read that you can't eat in anymore - if so, then for that alone, BP would become less appealing to me. The staff at HC are incredibly earnest and friendly - I think it's one of the owners that is especially sweet with my kids, offering us free little treats on each visit and plenty of smiles. And seating is plentiful. I can't believe so many of you loved the nutella salted caramal shake, though - I loved the idea of it but it was way too cloyingly salty sweet for me.
Beyond the holy chuck and the double cheeseburger, has anyone tried any of the other burgers at HC? The owner was singing the praises of the Raging Bull - double cheeseburger with bacon and sauteed hot peppers, all fried in a homemade chipotle sauce. I tend to be more of a purist with my burgers but that combo sounded tempting.
Still need to try Stockyards. But overall, quite happy to have a variety of great burger options scattered around the city now.
Sunday brunch question
So we ended up going to Cafe Belong. I have to give it a mixed review. On the positive side, a couple of the dishes were outstanding. The oatmeal pancakes consisted of 3 large fluffy pancakes, griddled with a crispy exterior, served in a pool of honey, topped with creme fraiche and peaches. Generous portion, amazing flavours. The granola with sheep's milk yoghurt and a blueberry coulis (if I recall) was also fantastic - one of those dishes that can range from mediocre to fantastic depending on the quality of the ingredients used. This was as good as it gets. Americanos were good and all coffees were decently priced. The interior space, with floor to ceiling windows and the surrounding market and ravine, is light-filled, airy and beautiful.
On the flipside, some of the dishes were way overpriced - a fritatta with foraged mushrooms and greens was $18. It was a generous portion but that's a crazy price. Also, the service was PAINFULLY slow - it was 20 minutes after we sat down before they took our order and close to 50 minutes more till we received our food. Nobody seemed particularly aware or apologetic for the fact that it was taking too long.
I'd try them again on the strength of those 2 dishes, and because I generally love going to the Brickworks, and to see if the timing was an isolated incident - but if I arrive for brunch at 1 (when they weren't even full, by the way), I really want to go somewhere where I can eat before 2:15!
The best chocolate chip cookie in Toronto?
Gotta give a shout out to the chocolate chip cookies topped with sea salt at Te Aro. I keep forgetting to ask where they get them from but wowza, they're good. Much thinner than Le Gourmand's, these strike a pretty awesome balance of crisp on the outside with a chewy/sticky interior. Quality chocolate chunks too.
Sunday brunch question
Thanks TorontoJo! It's funny because I love the Brickworks, and I'm a huge fan of Brad Long but whenever I've looked at the menu for the Cafe, I've been totally underwhelmed. Agree that it's definitely kid-friendly and gorgeous space. Maybe I'll take one for the team and give it a whirl.
Have you tried L'Ouvrier?
Sunday brunch question
Hi there - looking to make reservations for Sunday brunch for 6 people. Should be kid-friendly, good selection of breakfast-leaning brunch items and more midtown (Eglinton to Bloor). Lola's Kitchen is always a possibility but also wondering about Cafe Belong, Globe (Bistro or Earth), others? Bonus marks for stellar espresso-based coffee. Thanks.
Lemon Liberte - so good
Just tried it now - holy crap, it's REALLY good. Tasty enough on its own but when combined with my fresh batch of trail mix (toasted coconut and slivered almonds, dried sour cherries, dark chocolate bits and banana chips), it was a lovely little "wow" moment. Thanks!
The Saint Tavern on Ossington
Did you go? How was it? I've heard some good things from a few friends.
Has anyone tried their brunch?
Summerhill Market - spring sale now on
I'm generally not a huge fan of Summerhill Market but I love their annual sale. Really good discounts and it's fun the way they change it up each day. Stopped in this morning with the goal of only allowing myself 2 non-sale items (DeliFrance frozen croissants and milk - check). Lots of great sale items - Rao's pasta sauces for 6.99, Le Cendrillon goat's cheese for 3.99, Fage yoghurt tubs for 1.99, large turkey club sandwiches on challah buns for $3.99, large chicken parmigiana cutlets for 3.00, really tasty and large chicken vindaloo rotis for 3.99, Sunflower Kitchen hummus for 2.99, etc. I even found some of the elusive Liberte lemon yoghurt - shoot, that wasn't on sale either - okay, 3 non-sale items. They also had a ton of food samples going so I pretty much ate lunch while I shopped. Thanks for the heads up, millygirl!
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
I'm generally in agreement that it's not a stellar food 'hood. But here a few more options to consider...Black Camel (less than a 10 minute walk north), Pho Hung (decent, not great, Vietnamese), Ichi Riki (not sure of the pricing for Soba Tuesdays), Great Big Smoke for burgers. There's also Pusateri's and Whole Foods. Haven't been there in a couple of years but I've also enjoyed the food at Camros in the past.
Toronto Momofuku set to open July 28th
I'm psyched. Love that there will be 2 or 3 different rooms and concepts. Exciting news indeed. Not surprising that they'll be open in time for TIFF.
Rehearsl Dinner suggestions for TO
I didn't check the various threads that prima linked but off the top of my head, you might try Gilead Cafe, Weezie's (though neither has a private room), Terroni on Adelaide (they do have private rooms that could accommodate a group your size and you can pre-order family platter style, which is fun). You're also pretty close to Leslieville - haven't been but maybe Li'l Baci or Goods and Provisions would work?
coffee near U of T, Kensington, Chinatown
I always love a coffee from Louie's - old market vibe, best prices and one of the best people watching spots in the city. I haven't tried Cafe Pamenar on Augusta yet but I've heard good things and the pics look cool.
The best chocolate chip cookie in Toronto?
+1 for a "well done" one from Le Gourmand.
Hawker Bar
Sorry kwass, missed this question...laksa is basically a coconut curry soup with noodles, shrimp and other goodies. I ate it a lot in Malaysia and Singapore,typically from street hawkers, also in Australia. The soup is based on a spice paste made from all the usual SE Asian goodies - lemongrass, garlic, galangal, shrimp paste, coriander, etc. Spicy, creamy goodness in a bowl, Torontonians often lament the absence of a great laksa option in this city (the one place that seems to get the most recommendations is Gourmet Garden, a Malaysian restaurant in Scarborough, which I've yet to try).
Need help with Yorkville Dinner Recommendation
Agree with the others that Yorkville hasn't had a Village vibe, nor a neighbourhood vibe, for a LONG time. I think that Ossington/Queen West is a much better combo - there are lots of cool shops along West Queen West that you could check out in the later afternoon, then go somewhere on Ossington or nearby to eat (lots of threads on this - a few suggestions are Pizzeria Libretto, Enoteca Sociale, Yours Truly, Delux, Fishbar, The Saint, Black Hoof) and then you could have drinks at The Drake, Painted Lady or maybe the cocktail bar across from Black Hoof (forget the name, never been). Alternate options would be Kensington Market or Leslieville for closest to Village vibe with various food and drink options. Enjoy!
Hawker Bar
Wow, downtown laksa!!! Great to know. If it's half as good as the laksa I ate in Oz (or frankly, just about any of the Pan-pacific food I ate in Oz), I'll be very happy. Thanks for posting - hadn't heard a peep about this place.
Zee Grill - (relatively) kid-friendly?
Thanks so much for taking the time to post. I laughed when I saw your note about the lobster fritters - funny how everything tastes better on mommy and daddy's plate! I'll definitely give it a try - sounds like a selection of appetizers is the way to go.
On the kid-friendly front, by the by, we've had some great experiences recently at Playa Cabana, Khao San Road and Pizzeria Libretto and a really solid brunch at ViVetha Bistro.
Panier Rouge - Yonge and St. Clair
I was just going to post about this spot today. Drove by and thought to myself, hmm, looks like Pret-a-Manger.
I love the idea of a petite sandwich option. I often feel like a half-sandwich. Too bad it's Country Harvest bread and not something a little more interesting. $9 for the Caesar? That's crazy steep.
What else do they have? Soups? Pastries? Coffee?
Yonge and St. Clair is lean on good food options so I hope this place is decent. Thanks for posting.
