caviartothegeneral's Profile
Joanne Kates retires
There is a short note at the end of Joanne Kates' review of The Saint in today's Globe and Mail announcing that it will be her final review after 38 years as restaurant critic -- a farewell column is due next week.
Gilead Cafe review - The food is EXTRAORDINARY! A must for any foodie!
Haven't been there for brunch, but I do like the Gilead Bistro as a pre-Soulpepper theatre alternative to the cartel that runs the Distillery District restaurants. Service at dinner has been attentive and professional and the food has been good if somewhat unexceptional.
Joey's - Eaton Centre
I've had the burger a couple of times, with and without bacon/cheese -- prefer it without. For a $15 burger it's alright. They put a 1000-Islandish dressing on it that gets kind of sloppy. Fries are skinny and addictive.
Pearson restaurant upgrades
Coming soon to Pearson International Airport: Claudio Aprile, Mark McEwan, Rocco Agostino, Hemant Bhagwani ...
http://bit.ly/HwaLyF
Toronto Life Best New Restaurants/Best Restaurants App
April issue of Toronto Life features their annual Best New Restaurants list -- this time by committee (no bylines on any of the reviews):
1. Yours Truly
2. Acadia
3. Aria
4. Keriwa
5. Ortolan
6. Barque
7. F'Amelia
8. Modus
9. Volos
10. Mideastro
As well, they've launched an iPhone/iPad app for which they're charging $1.99.
Massimo Capra at Rainbow Room - Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls...
Now open according to Kennedy's Twitter feed.
Massimo Capra at Rainbow Room - Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls...
I get it now -- the Sheraton website is confusing. Capra's Rainbow Room is physically located in the Crowne Plaza, while Kennedy's Windows is opening in the Sheraton, two separate but connected hotels that are part of the vaster "Falls Avenue Resort" complex. http://fallsavenueresort.com/
That said, I share your hope....Suffice it to say that I am tired of the Keg in the Embassy Suites being the default 'fine dining' choice in town.
Massimo Capra at Rainbow Room - Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls...
This is a review of a restaurant in the Crowne Plaza ... not sure what this has to do with the Sheraton or Jamie Kennedy?
Openings 2012 (Toronto)
And just down Gould St on Ryerson Campus, there are signs up announcing that Stratford's Balzac's Coffee Roasters is opening soon.
LOBLAWS Maple leaf Gardens
Walked by it on Sunday and it is starting to look like an actual store is emerging from all that construction -- but I think it's more than 8 days from a proper opening. (Incidentally, MLSE will insist that you cease and desist from calling the building by that name.)
bars/pubs/lounges/places for drinks where 40somethings aren't out of place, where conversation is possible without straining your voice, and the music isn't turned up to nightclub levels between 10:30 pm and midnight....
The King W Biermarkt is ear-splittingly loud, especially when they have a live band playing. Wheat Sheaf is a lot quieter and fits the down-to-earth criterion nicely.
Boulud @ Four Seasons Yorkville Rumor
Confirmation in the Globe and Mail that it will be a Café -- and a Bar:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/superstar-chef-daniel-boulud-to-open-toronto-restaurant/article2215347/
Grant gone at the Black Hoof
There is nothing tongue in cheek about the article she wrote for the CityBites magazine distributed with the Globe last week. Cocktail Bar (formerly Hoof Café) does not have any vodka: "You have to believe in the products you sell. I don't believe in vodka." This kind of supercilious fundamentalism with respect to alcoholic potables is completely ridiculous. Good luck to her, but I won't be darkening her door.
Toronto Life restaurant critic - gone
Chris Nuttall-Smith tweeted that he has left Toronto Life and will be a staff writer at the Globe and Mail.
Mestemacher breads (Germany) -- does anyone have a source in Toronto?
Reither's at Church and Wellesley has them, by the deli counter.
Openings 2011
Joey appears to be open now at the Dundas St side of Eaton Centre. Western Canadian chain with prices (and menu) to rival Milestones and Baton Rouge in the neighbourhood -- curious to know if their food is any better.
Summerlicious 2011
Pretty good selection here:
http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/de-licious/2011/06/23/summerlicious-2011-chris-nuttall-smith/
Summerlicious 2011
The restaurants and menus for Summerlicious 2011 are now on-line:
http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/summerlicious/2011/index.htm
AMEX cardmembers can make reservations starting Tuesday June 21st, everyone else has to wait until the 23rd.
dining in Stratford, 2011 season
Interesting to see that the Old Prune's menu now offers a la carte in addition to the 2- or 3-course prix fixe. My last meal there 2 summers ago was very disappointing so I am curious to find out if the new ownership will restore them to their former glory.
French Bistro in the GTA?
I've been going to Bistro Tournesol for years and have never been disappointed. Warm, friendly service and excellent value.
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Bistro Tournesol
406 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R1V9, CA
Superb food near Union Station?
Biff's does credible French. Nota Bene is a not-too-far trip up Simcoe from Front. I have had some good experiences at Epic in the Royal York hotel.
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Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA
Salad King - What the !@#$%^&*
Googs, the comment you are replying to is actually a reply to ttraveler's crack about the 'huge downtown hipster market'.... no disrespect intended to VVW, who does raise a good point about Bangkok Gardens' lunch buffet.
Salad King - What the !@#$%^&*
Fair point about the price of Bangkok Gardens lunch buffet (if the steamtable sneezeguard presentation suits your fancy) -- but I find the trapped-in-amber room anything but cheerful. Dinner price is another matter -- $19.95 for red curry chicken does not compete, with anyone.
Salad King - What the !@#$%^&*
I thought the "downtown hipster market" eats entrails at Black Hoof -- impoverished students and harried office workers eat (really not that sweet and not that salty) at Salad King.
Distillery District - Best Bet for Dinner?
One caveat about the Boiler House's menu -- they changed it last year to try to be 'upscale chophouse', and I frankly did not find the steak I had there a couple of months ago to be all that special (particularly since a baked potato now counts as a $6 add-on).
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Boiler House
55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A3C4, CA
Distillery District - Best Bet for Dinner?
It's now a private 'events room' called the Cannery Room, operated by the concern that runs Boiler House/Archeo/Pure Spirits.