FrankDrakman's Profile
Visiting Toronto from Houston
Yes, but Mon-Fri, that's $9.99 per person - you can't use it for both of you. For two people, TTC there and back, the tokens are cheaper. Now we've thoroughly confused our visiting friends!
Only 15 ingredients week-in, week-out
Take away the squash, add pizza, Chinese food (OK, not one ingredient, but one food group in 1970's London, Ontario..), and burgers and fries, and you've replicated the university diet for virtually every off-campus male at the University of Western Ontario in the 70's. ....
One city in the US for food, and one city in the entire world for food
I wondered if someone would mention Paris. My feeling is it's Paris, and then pick a US city. My only two choices stateside would be NYC or SF, although if you would just open your eyes and go north of the border, I would add Vancouver and Toronto to that list.
$20 supermarket challenge
Great week for this question! At my local store, they had boneless pork loins at $1.59/lb (Cdn!). They were pre-sliced, so I got 12 boneless chops for $7. (Actually, I bought three of them; for less than $25, I now have at least 13 meals in the freezer, plus the 4 meals I've already had.) Red/orange/yellow bell peppers were $1.99/lb - two pounds of those is another $4. Mayo was $2.97 for 950g. 10 lbs of potatoes was $2.99. Bagged salad was $1.99 for a huge bag, and $.0.99 for baby carrots.
So for $20 Cdn (about $18 US), I got at least six meals' worth of protein, and could combine the peppers, mayo, and potato for a colourful, flavourful potato salad, and make other salads out of the bagged salad, peppers, and carrots, plus have a few carrots as snacks.
If I wanted to diversify a bit more, I might buy a smaller, "no name" salad dressing instead of mayo ($0.99), and add some tomatoes, a Bermuda/Spanish onion, and some celery.
OK, now I am hungry...
Six nights in Toronto
Caplansky's may or may not be open next week. I passed by today, and it still looks like they have a lot of work to do; on the other hand, having watched "Restaurant Makeover" a few times, I'm also amazed at what can get done in a short period of time. Probably best to keep checking the website if our visiting friends are interested.
New poutine spot - Poutini
I tried Poutini today, and that's exactly what I did as well. Agree, the gravy on its own is kinda bland, but the malt vinegar was a good help.
Fries were OK - not great, but certainly not awful. Reminded me of NY Fries. I asked for just a little salt after seeing how much they added to a regular batch, and they were quite accomodating. I also asked the counter person to layer the curds with the fries, and he was happy to do so. This meant the inner curds were more melted and I thought they tasted better than the ones on top.
Big portion - I just finished it. I'd had a hot dog for lunch around 2 pm, had the poutine about 5 pm, and it's now midnight, and I'm still not hungry. If I were going out for lunch or dinner, this would be a good place to stop for an appetizer if you had someone to split the poutine with.
Summary:
Food - OK, not "knock your socks off" good, but certainly not anything to criticize
Service - The place was almost empty, so my server was friendly and willing to accomodate special requests. Don't know if I would get the same treatment at lunch time (see below)
Value - Very big portion, but also $7.00. A bit expensive (I do give them credit for figuring out the tax on $6.19, and making that the base price, so you're not digging into your pocket for change).
Decor - Clean, simple. According to the server, they are packed each day from 11:30 to 1:30, and then empty until 8 pm, when business picks up and then rocks to closing.
Would I return? If in the neighbourhood, and with someone to split it with, sure. I do recommend Sarah's technique of spritzing a little malt vinegar on the poutine. Or, if I'm alone, I might try the poutine baked potato, which is about half the price, and one assumes, slightly smaller.
Visiting Toronto from Houston
You can only get the daypass on weekends. It is a better deal, you're right, but only on Saturday and Sunday.
Candybar Themed Meal main course suggestions
I have no idea if this could work, but could you get a dark gelatin, partially fill some ice cube trays with it, chill, and when partially set, push in cubes of pate, then top with more gelatin for a take-off on the Caramilk bar? And if you had a nice airy mousse, you might be able to form it into an Aero bar.
Is there anything bacon DOESN'T go with?
Oh, baby! Coming home during frosty February, to find Mom cooking bacon, pork sausages, and pancakes, all served swimming in maple syrup. Beyond good...
Visiting Toronto from Houston
I feel like I'm repeating what I wrote in the "six nights in Toronto" thread, but..
You don't have to take cabs - your hotel is just steps from the Toronto subway, which is inexpensive, clean and convenient. (8 tokens - 2 roundtrips for both of you are $18 from a token machine - put in your $20, get the tokens and $2 change). Ask your concierge for directions.
First, head up to the Danforth. Here you can stroll, and choose from dozens of Greek spots, from quite reasonable souvlaki joints (where you can get lamb chops, roast lamb, moussaka, etc. - for when you just feel like meat and potatoes), to more upscale places like Parthenon, Mezes, and Ouzeri. (I'm particularly fond of the chicken and rosemary in filo at Ouzeri).
Second, if you're up for some walking, take the Queen St. streetcar west to Spadina and the Spadina car north to College. From there, walk south along the east side. You'll see many different Chinese spots (New Sky and Swatow both have extensive followings) to choose from. When you get to Dundas, turn back east, and wander past the grocers on your way to Kim Moon Bakery (Huron at Dundas) where you can try their wonderful buns or cakes for dessert. When your feet give out, you can hop the streetcar and take the University subway one stop south to your front door.
Not that I have any objections to what others have suggested, but these walks will give you a feel for some of Toronto's atmosphere as well as its tastes. Enjoy!
Difference between meatloaf and Salisbury Steak?
Oh, I am so disappointed with Swanson. I used to enjoy their TV dinners a few years ago, when I was working 12 hour days, and really didn't have the energy to cook when I got home. Their plates were divided into four sections - main course, potato, veg, and dessert. Some were OK (SS, turkey, sliced beef) and others not so good (the chicken as you noted).
Then someone got the bright idea of putting the meal into a three section dish. This lumped the potato in with the main, and the result was neither was cooked properly. At the same time, some bright boy came up with the idea of replacing the fruit dessert with a brownie. Previously, you peeled back the plastic from the spuds and the dessert, threw it into the zapper, and kicked back until it was done. Now, with the friggin' brownie, you have to stop part way through cooking to fuss with the brownie, which doesn't taste very good any way. Feh.
Luckily, the "No Name" version of TV dinners at our local supermarket continues to have the 4 section plate, with fruit, not a brownie, and at $1.99, they're a bargain. The fried chicken is still awful, though.
Cooking in primitive outdoor kitchens
Probably a lot easier to find, and I think I might find any residual beer flavour slightly more appetizing than kerosene!
Cooking in primitive outdoor kitchens
BBQ's/smokers made out of old 45 gal drums are pretty common in rural Quebec where our cottage is. Cut 'em in half, put on a hinge, and away you go. But we've also had our share of grills which were nothing more than some old rack placed over a circle or square of basalt rocks (the basalt reflects the heat from the fire nicely). Some charcoal briquets with a few branches from our apple trees thrown on for smoke.. lots of fun.
Windsor, ON: Smoke & Spice or Tunnel B.B.Q.?
Haven't tried Smoke & Spice, but my experience, after living in and/or visiting Windsor weekly (my mother-in-law lived there) for over 10 years, was that the food at Tunnel BBQ was "meh" at best, but the desserts - especially those brownies! - were great. Accordingly, we always picked up a half a dozen before heading back to Toronto.
Denny's sued for sodium count
OK, I went to the Kellog's US site, and looked up nutrition information for Bran Buds. (And you are right - there are differences between Bran Flakes and Buds.) The US version lists 200 mg of sodium per 31 g, and the Canadian 190 mg per 28 g - that's pretty much within the bounds of measurement error in terms of difference when you adjust for the serving size.
Only 15 ingredients week-in, week-out
It's also about time, isn't it? I mean, clearly if you were going to try it for two weeks, the live cow/raw milk, make my own cheese and butter route just isn't going to be practical. If you have a bread making or pasta making machines, that makes those jobs easier, but I have neither.
It's not hard to make fresh peanut butter from peanuts (pain to clean the food processor, though!), but pressing my own peanut oil? Making my own apple cider/juice/butter? Lots of time and equipment that I doubt most of us have, and all of them take time that most of us don't have either.
But I like the idea. Maybe we should start a new thread - "15 days, 15 ingredients - Go!". I know my list for sure would change.
Only 15 ingredients week-in, week-out
No, you're clearly an engineer or related to one. They always start numbering at "0".
Only 15 ingredients week-in, week-out
Yep, that's why I mentioned the "insemination" part; if the cows aren't pregnant, no milk. But if they are, you get a calf which you can use for veal, or let it grow for a couple of years for full-fledged beef. And that repeats every year (and you have to eat a *lot* of beef to eat an entire steer in a year!). Same thing with the pig - you keep the sow, and when it litters, you get to enjoy roast suckling pig, and raise the others for lots of pork choices.
Six nights in Toronto
Can't give you much help for the entertaining others, but to entertain yourself:
First hint - buy 10 TTC tokens for $22.50. From where you are, it's easy to get around, and way cheaper than cabs.
Then: take a Queen West streetcar to Ossington. On the way, you'll pass by the "Queen West Area" (University to Bathurst) which is full of great shops and restos - that area is walking distance from your hotel, so save it for a nice night in this summer of rain. When you get to Ossington, walk north. The first block is bleak, but once you reach Argyle St. it picks up. There's a great pho spot, the Golden Turtle and across the street is Venezia, a portugese bakery with good pastries and even better bread. But if you keep heading north, you'll find dozens of new restaurants (it seems like a new one opens every week). It's a very interesting walk, as there are many interior design, etc. shops that make for fun window shopping.
Another night, take the same car, but continue one stop west of Ossington. That drops you right near the Drake Hotel suggested by another poster, and again, this is a strip where new restaurants seem to open weekly. One new spot that has generated a lot of interest here is "Poutini", which makes several versions of Canada's heart attack in a box, poutine (fries and cheese curds, drowned in gravy). It's all they serve, so it's not a place for a meal, but maybe for an appetizer to share as you walk further west.
Another night, visit the Danforth. Take the subway to Bloor, and change to the eastbound trains. If you're strong walkers, get off at Broadview, and continue east. The area from Broadview to Chester is quite eclectic, and also contains Joe Allen's, a perennial fave in "Toronto's Best Burger" races. Once you get past Chester, you enter Greektown, where there are plenty of cheap 'n cheerful souvlaki and saganaki spots like Astoria, Asteria, Friendly Greek, etc. A little more expensive, and certainly more adventurous, spots include Christina's, Ouzeri, and Mezes.
Finally, take the subway north one stop to Dundas, and then take the Dundas car west. You'll go past the Art Gallery of Ontario, which has recently had a major renovation by renowned architect Frank Gehry. (It's worth a visit in its own right, if you have the time). Once you get past the AGO, you're in Toronto's initial Chinatown. (We have about 6 to 8 now, depending on who you talk to). My family loves Kim Moon Bakery, especially their BBQ pork buns. It's an enjoyable stroll, especially walking past the many fruit and veg stands offering things not usually seen in your local Mega-mart. When you get to Spadina, you can go north, where there are many Chinese and Vietnamese spots. The usual advice is if there's a line of Chinese people waiting for tables, it's usually a good bet. New Sky has a lot of friends.
That's four nights where you'll get a chance to sample some of our wide and varied cuisine, get some exercise, and experience our big-city atmosphere, but one where the pace is just a little slower (and more livable, IMHO) than Manhattan or LA. Enjoy!
Denny's sued for sodium count
I just happen to have a box Kellog's "All Bran Buds" next to me (and I'm in Canada). They list (on the box) 190 mg of sodium per 28 g serving. That works out to .68 g of sodium per 100 g of cereal, not the 2.15 g the CBC story alleges. It's the type of accurate and well-checked journalism I've come to expect from the network "where Canada lives".
Only 15 ingredients week-in, week-out
That's an interesting concept - I wonder if livestock fits in with the rules of the game? And, you'd need a rooster with your hen, a bull with your cow, and a boar with your sow. Or, is artificial insemination allowed? If it is, I would change my list:
1 - Cow - milk, cheese, butter, etc., plus all cuts of beef - steaks, roasts, etc.
2 - Sow - As the Chinese say "Everything but the tail"
3 - Hen - As you note, eggs, and all the chicken parts
4 - Salt
5 - Pepper
6 - Apples (to eat alone, juice, cider, cider vinegar, apple sauce, apple butter, and with entrees)
7 - Onions
8 - Flour
9 - Yeast
10 - Tomatoes
11 - Brown sugar
12 - Peanuts (PB, peanut oil, snacks)
13 - Spinach
14 - A spice - after twenty minutes, couldn't choose between cinnamon, basil, or garlic
15 - A fruit - again, after long deliberation, couldn't choose between a citrus (lemon? orange? lime?) or grapes (to eat alone, jam/jelly, and maybe even wine?)
What's amazed me about this exercise is how much more variety you can get in your diet from a few ingredients the closer you get to the food source. Of course, this list would require you have a small farm, and an enormous refrigerator and pantry.
Favorite Julia Child "moment"?
I doubt Martha Stewart has been nervous since she was twelve years old.
Cruise Line food, some better than others?
My last cruise on NCL was before they were acquired by Star Cruises of Malaysia. It's quite possible the food has gone downhill since then.
But I'm curious about dinner dessert buffets; I can't remember a cruise that had one of these. Midnight buffet, sure. Chocolate special midnight buffet, sure. But at dinner, we always ordered off the menu.
Sometimes a doughnut is just a doughnut!
Interesting, in that I just read a newspaper article that says women will actually eat fewer calories when dining with a man than they do when dining with a woman.
I wonder if men are more polite (smaller bites, better manners, etc.) when dining with women than they are when dining with men? I mean... naaah, forget it. Not possible.
Chinese Table Etiquette Question
I'm white, and I married a Chinese girl. I made a few "Joy Luck" errors, which I found about in no uncertain terms afterwards. I'm much better now.
Cruise Line food, some better than others?
There are cruise lines with really great food - Crystal (which I know from experience), Seabourne and Cunard (by reputation) - but you really pay through the nose for them - as in 3-4 times the price of a bargain cruise.
Norwegian is a middle between the truly good, and the Celebrity/Carnival bottom; we enjoyed most of our meals there, although they didn't serve lobster. Steaks, chops, fish were all very good, and with my mother-in-law on a low cholesterol diet, our waiter was conscientious about making sure all her fish were broiled, sauces on the side, etc. Dining was a very pleasant experience.
Brian Boitano starring in Food Network show, "What Would Brian Boitano Make"
Really? I wonder what episode Mr. Hanky will show up in.
The Best Combination of Two Distinct Flavors
I just checked their current flavour list, and Pulp Addiction is not listed. However, they did have a new flavour "Orange and Cream" which is orange sorbet swirled into vanilla ice cream - sounds like a Creamsicle in a cup!
Orange and also Pistachio Ice Cream Flavors
If you have a Filipino area in your town, check out the various flavours of "Magnolia" brand. They offer many fruit flavours, such as lychee and jackfruit (and of course, durian, which has me leaving the house screaming in terror whenever my wife opens it). They also have an ice cream "con queso", which means "with cheese". Never tried that either, but some of the fruit flavours are interesting, and out of the ordinary.
What is the coolest thing that a restaurant has ever brought you instead of a basket of bread?
At the eponymous "Souffle" in Madrid, Spain, they bring out a small bowl of the glorious souffle potatoes - these are little puffed pillows of spud that are to potato chips like crack is to Diet Coke. It's actually a clever marketing ploy; they're so delicious, everyone orders a large bowl to go with their dinners.
