estufarian's Profile
Mad Michael's - BBQ near Midland
2012 UPDATE - OPEN AGAIN
Made it for dinner - can only order after 5:00 - lunch menu applicable until then (same overall hours 12-8 on Thur-Sun).
First the familar news - the cornbread, spring salad and summer salad are all terrific. Confirmed the cornbread as my favourite ANYWHERE.
A new item (special on the past weekend) was 'Macau Sole'. Not sure what the Macau relates to - but the sole itself was very moist - mild flavour with a hint of smokiness - good alternative to the meat-heavy menu for those looking for something different.
The brisket semed a little less smoked than I recall - although the smoke ring was clearly visible. I found the sauce 'different' this year - MUCH more Bourbon and seemingly more watery (I used to rave about the buttery mouth feel). Mentioned this to Michael, as he cleared our (completely empty) plates, and he revealed that we had been served the botom of the jar. When refrigerated the butter tends to separate to the top, with the alcohol on the bottom. But he usually shakes it up before serving - and speculates that the earlier (lunch?) diners ended up with a more buttery version, as he hasn't changed the formula. He guarantees a 'shake-up' for my next visit.
Still a worthwhile detour if you're in the general area.
Rhubarb and Banana Pie was OK - rhubarb flavour dominated the taste, but the texture was interesting.
Gourmet Farm to Table find in Barceloneta: Somorrostro
I didn't know kangaroos were farmed in Spain!
Diver XO
DiverXo was on my 'top choice' list - but I mis-interpreted (I think) the spanish and attempted to book 1 month early (to the day) - except they open reservations on 1st of month for subsequent month - so it was sold out when I attempted to go. One of the few places I've wanted to go, where I wasn't able to get in.
Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives (Canadian Version)
Its hours are aimed at the cottage country people - so are perfectly logical.
Open Thu-Sun at Noon for lunch and 5:00pm for Dinner - what's strange about that?
It's called Mad Michaels Restaurant & Bakery - not sure where you get the Southern BBQ clainm from that.
Indeed they do smoke their own meat (including Elk, Bison etc) - not exactly Southern staples and instead of using Wonderbread they actually use something edible.
Pricing has never caused me a problem - I find them reasonable for what you get - the best brisket I've found in Canada (better in Texas tho') but the best sauce I've found ANYWHERE.
Their pork is 'texas-style' - NOT ribs. Their cornbread is, again, the best I've had anywhere.
If you don't like their style (or prices) - that's fair comment, although you haven't given any examples. But to criticize them for not doing 'real southern BBQ' is totally unfair, when they don't even attempt to mimic that style (at least the ones I'm familiar with).
2012 Food and Restaurant CHANGES and CLOSINGS
Yes - it's back again - same name, new menu.
Fourth time around.
Any bids on 5?
Scarpetta (Thompson Hotel) - Voted BEST OVERALL Restaurant for 2012
Which dishes did you try?
Mars Food (College St.) Voted BEST AUTHENTIC 24/7 DINER for 2012
Wasn't 1995 when Mad Michael left - now the best BBQ I've found in Ontario - I'm pretty sure he was originally at Vesta.
Is there Singaporean Laksa in Toronto?
Definitely the place to try.
But isn't it now Gourmet Malaysia?
Good quality ice cream to take home?
I think there are some 'cross-purpose' misunderstandings here.
Most of the discussions recently have been on gelato (and similar products) which tend to be 'purer' (or single) flavours rather than 'dessert products' which tend to contain pieces/chunks/candies etc. They are really two different groups.
Your examples of what you like are mostly these desserts - but I speculate that many posters here are mostly fans of gelato.
if you want the 'chunky bits' , they're available in many (most?) supermarkets - and I'm not sure it matters too much what the ice cream brand is - my taste tests on Kawartha Vanilla a few years back were unable to distinguish it from most supermarket brands (actually it didn't even have any vanilla aromatics). As such, if you want pralines/caramel/butter tart etc - I'm not sure there's a significant difference in most brands. Personally I can detect a difference in the texture of Haagen Dazs - but not the flavours particularly.
When it comes to flavours - there are huge differences between Brands. But what you'll like is, of course, personal.
Of the supermarket Brands - Haagen Dazs is consistently good across its line - I ascribe that to superior ingredients (in the mass-market category). But for pure flavours I patronize (some of) the various smaller places - but they are extremely variable - some are just badly made.
Gelato Fresco (available in some supermarkets) is the one I buy most (to take home) - they have several chocolate lines that have a great texture (in terms of cost, the Devil's Chocolate is the best deal) - and texture is very important for me. Pear sorbet is probably my favourite flavour (when I can find it).
I have a couple of 'quirky favourites' - Belly Apple Crumble is possibly the only 'dessert-style' (Belly is the company) flavour I crave. Greg's Marshmallow Ice Cream has an extra 'burned' quality that sets it apart - yet I don't 'get' pistachio - which is the flavour that probably gets the most coverage on this site.
Sorry - can't help with availability of any of these in your area. But the Haagen Dazs seems to be on sale at about 40% off in rotating sales through the m,ajor supermarkets (often weekends only).
And please check for milk/cream or similar ingredients - many (most?) products you'll find have 'milk powder' or 'milk products' or similar confusing ingredients - they're NOT ice cream (whether you like them or not).
I now mostly make my own.
Joanne Kates is leaving the Globe!
I don't recall - did she do the 15 -day course at Cordon Bleu or the 30-day one?
Actually I always read her reviews - still consider her the most trustworthy reviewer of the 'recognised' reviewers.
Bloor Street Diner - Voted BEST FRENCH BISTRO for 2012
Best laugh I've had in weeks.
Of course we're not even half way through 2012 yet - so maybe there will be a worthy challenger.
Gilead Cafe review - The food is EXTRAORDINARY! A must for any foodie!
Exactly my reaction.
Disappointed the first time, but went back as two visitors wanted to try it.
They don't want to return either - adequate food at premium prices (considering the in gredients).
best salted caramel ice cream in Toronto?
Give Dulce de leche (Haagen Dazs) a try sprinkled with sea salt (I prefer Maldon - available at many/most supermarkets).
If anybody makes a better combination I'll rush to try it.
best salted caramel ice cream in Toronto?
Sorry - I disagree. While some of the Belly line are great (e.g. Apple Crumble), the Salted Caramel was a great disappointment.
AmuseGirl is a salted caramel addict - every place we visit she searches out the best. She had one spoonful of Belly and refused a second taste. I finally ate the rest, but agree it was just 1-dimensional.
Sadly, I haven't found a great one in Toronto - but there are some great Dulce di Leche flavours around - lacks the salt, but great flavour (Haagen Dazs is one of the best and widely available).
Anjappar Chettinad - Wow
Thank you - a couple of new places there for me to try.
Lahore Tikka has been poor for some time now (IMO) - so your other recommendations now carry more weight with me.
Missing the UofT food truck
I usually go to the one just North of Harbord (outside Robarts Library). Menus are similar (as are prices) but not identical.
The specific location is licensed from the city - if it doesn't return 'shortly' there is probably a way of tracking the license holder through them. My guess is mechanical problems/servicing are the probable reasons for disappearance.
2012 Food and Restaurant CHANGES and CLOSINGS
And it reopened again - and just closed for the third time!
Again, non-payment of rent.
Will it or won't it come up for a fourth time.......?
Salis Noodis - Yonge/St. Clair
I live not that far away - but as they're only open Mon-Fri noon-6pm I'm probably not going to make it.
The menu actually looks quite good - when I walked past they had no menu (or opening hours) posted and so I wasn't interested enough to remember their name and go search on-line. I used to frequent Sprout (around the corner and about half the price) but gave up there after two attempted visits when they closed earlier than advertized.
Clearly must be aimed at the lunch crowd only - that's a crowded category now.
Anjappar Chettinad - Wow
The 'race to the cheapest' has caused the demise of most of my favourites. I'm still searching.
If you want Keralan cuisine, then there is one outstanding survivor - but be aware that it's at the top end of the Indian Restaurant price spectrum (and totally worth it for my money) - Aravind (on Danforth). Proteins are organic; most ingredients are fresh and the menu is small - no repurposed sauces here. Also a well-chosen wine list. Sounds too good to be true - but it's struggling. Their price point (and location) is out of the norm for 'Indian restaurants'. But it's no more expensive than many of the neighbourhood bistros that are all around the city - just that Indian food is 'expected' to be much cheaper.
Layered spicing, full flavours and the best 'fish' I've had in Indian places in Toronto (as befits their Keralan origin). And the service is also excellent.
Right now my choice as the 'best Indian' in the city although I seem to end up at Copper Chimney (NOT southern) more often as there are more choices and it's cheaper (OK I've just undermined my own price argument - but Copper Chimney has easier access as well).
Niagara-on-the-Lake. 3 great dinners?
I'm going to generally agree with the other respondees but add a dimension. You mentioned 'food and wine' so I'll tip the scales based on wine. Treadwell's has by far the best wine selection at fair prices (for Canadian restaurants!). And the best sommelier. So use his skills - they have access to all (or most of) the small selections from all over the region.
Also, if a fine day, the patio is very enjoyable.
Of course, the winery restaurants only serve their own production.
Stone Road Grill would be on my list too - but I find their food more 'hearty' than sophisticated - and certainly service is on the friendly/casual side. Also a lesser wine list - ambiance is a challenge for me there though.
And be aware that most of the places require transportation - or a hefty cab fare - if you don't have a car I suggest you clarify to get more local places.
Yours Truly - new restaurant on Ossington
I believe he may have done unpaid stages(or claims to have done) at some of those three ( he's not mentioned on chef database at ANY of those three places) - yet also fails to mention his previous stint at Scarpetta. But hey - that's marketing - if I've eaten at Per Se, Alinea and Noma does that make my reviews better than someone else's?
And most of the staging is done through 'contacts' rather than auditions - the ex-lunch chef de cuisine from Per Se has been at Noma for two years now.
In Toronto, it would be harder to find a more respected chef than Jamie Kennedy - how many people must have worked for him over the years? And how many of those have gone on to run successful restaurants? OK the question was rhetorical.
Maybe I just got out of bed the wrong side this morning - I have a beef(!) about so many good neighbourhood places in Toronto being raved about as culinary revelations; combined with unrealistic expectations for these same neighbourhood places. Toronto Life did a disservice with its review (and ratings) for Yours Truly - I probably should have taken it up with them.
It's a good place with a few problems - both Beast and Buca are also good (not great!). Regardless of where the chefs worked! I wish them all well - Toronto needs these mid-level places where value is (generally) received.
The fish (trout) I had at Yours Truly was perhaps the best piece of fish I've had in a year (in Toronto). I failed to finish two separate desserts there! Flavours at Buca have been really good (I agree) - at Beast somewhat muddled (two visits in last 6 months). But, as always, the menu choice can result in wildly different opinions - even on the same night.
Fiscalini Bandaged Cheddar
It's back!
Bought some today at Sobey's on St Clair near Yonge, so probably at others as well.
Yours Truly - new restaurant on Ossington
Try the under $50 multi-course menus at Alinea, Per Se and wd-50 and compare them directly with Yours Truly!
Does the chef have a pedigree? - I heard he left his last place 'by mutual consent' - and I wasn't aware of him before that.
Fair enough to compare with Buca and Beast - glad you enjoyed them - at both I pay around 50% more for a meal than at Yours Truly.
I find the cooking more accomplished at Buca - just hate the noise there. Beast is probably comparable in terms of size and sense of intimacy - but the menu is less creative - probably because they have one! At Yours Truly I find wild inconsistencies but a more cohesive philosophy - food is patchy - but what exactly do you expect from a 4-course meal priced at $45 ($35 for veggie)?
Anjappar Chettinad - Wow
I've tried the Scarborough location irregularly over several years - last time a few months ago - and my BIG problem is that they don't layer their spicing - it seems to be a concentration on chilis and hence just HOT. Pricing is fair for the quality - but unless you're addicted to HOT don't really see the point in going there (although lots of parking!).
Can't argue against them - excellent range of dishes - but I prefer more layered spicing, so only go when I need an extreme fix.
Saturday brunch at a place near the Yonge subway line, between St.Clair and Union
Fire On The East Side (Wellesley) or, more upscale Holt's Cafe (Bloor).
Madagascar - Anything at all?
Thanks for the recommendations.
A few general observations:
I’m guessing many travellers will want to try Zebu (the local cattle) – it’s available everywhere, so don’t (necessarily) try it the first time you see it.
Foie Gras (duck) is almost a staple – but although it is tasty, the duck liver is less fatty than one normally receives in ‘classic’ French cuisine – so be prepared that it’s really ‘slightly fatty’ duck livers.
The staple is rice (eaten locally 3 times a day) – if you see alternatives (e.g. potatoes) be aware that these are not as common, so you might want to grab them when they’re available.
Outside the major centres, transportation is patchy and/or impossible, so be prepared (mostly) to ‘dine’ where you stay – although every village has its roadside stands.
In general much of the food is overcooked by western standards, although the intrinsic quality of the ingredients is excellent. Most of the food is locally raised – free range for the animals and extremely tasty. The trick is to find a place where the ‘chef’ allows the flavour to come through, rather than overcooking and/or over seasoning. Your mantra should be ‘Keep It Simple’.
On to specific experiences:
Antananarivo (downtown)
The downtown area(s)(where I stayed) are up to an hour taxi ride from the airport, so I was able to try KuDeTa quite early in the trip. Breakfasted at the upscale Hotel Colbert. Excellent pastries, then circled around to find potential dining places. Colbert itself seemed unexciting, but Varangue menu looked good – was on our short list, but we settled for KuDeTa - it had Zebu and Foie Gras on the menu and a reasonable wine list (mostly South African and French Regional). Service and welcome were both good and food was ‘safe’. We had appetizers of seared Foie Gras with a Cinnamon Honey and Baked Apple; and Zebu Maki Roll (yes, sushi fans, it was a maki Roll with thin strips of rare Zebu meat – and actually one of the better courses). Mains were Zebu with 3 mashed vegetables (two of which I recognized); and a shrimp kabob threaded on a vanilla bean. Desserts were Madagascar cheese (that was the first and last time we tried that!) and what was described as ‘Pan Fried Flambé of Vegetables with Lemon Ice Cream and Pepper Chocolate’ (we deduced before it arrived that it was probably ‘fruit’, not vegetable – accurately as it turned out!). We encountered flambé many times on the trip – almost always with the ubiquitous flavoured rums that juliadevi refers to above (incidentally we didn’t get to Nosy-Bé - but a friend’s son is up there with an NGO – was that why you (juliadevi) were there?).
Overall a solid meal but more expensive than I had anticipated – discovered they added 20% VAT (or local equivalent) – this was the only place on the entire trip that added this – all others included the 20% in the meal prices (exactly as with VAT in Europe).
Andasibe
Stayed at Feon’ny Ala. The closest other place to eat was Mikalo (about 30 minutes’ walk in pitch darkness) and it turned out to be closed at lunch (on Good Friday) (never found Chez Steph – another place mentioned in Bradt) – so all meals at Feon’ny La.
These were a mixture with a couple of standouts. The things to order are the fried potatoes – caramelized with garlic and super-addictive – the best ‘starch’ I had on the entire trip. And, for dessert, the ‘flaming pineapple’ – a flambéed pineapple wedge (in rum, of course) where the flames gave a bruléed edge to the thin parts of the wedge, giving a superb balance of sweet caramelization and tartness. I’m guessing the rum was flavoured with vanilla as well.
The owners are Asian, so there was a good choice of Chinese foods (Cantonese mostly), although these really didn’t interest me. Among the Malagasy dishes I quite liked the Eel and Pork Stew – slight correction, the Eel was excellent – the pork less so! Zebu was quite well cooked – best dish Zebu with Onions and Potatoes. Most other dishes improved with addition of the local hot sauce – which is SUPER-HOT – add a drop at a time.
Ambatolampy
This was our Easter Sunday stop – not a lot of choice – at Rendezvous des Pecheurs. Despite its name (Ambatolampy is a long way from the sea) I played it safe with Magret de Canard (with potatoes) and Grilled Pork Chop (actually seemed to be deep-fried, not grilled, hence way overcooked). The specialités were claimed to be frogs legs and crayfish – I ignored at that time but subsequently discovered that the crayfish were fresh from local streams – and most other patrons ordered those. The frogs legs seemed to be breaded and deep fried. But order the crayfish!
Antsirabe
Finally a place with a good choice of restaurants – although a local carnival meant the place was packed and any transport other than foot was impossible. Bradt identified Trianon as the top place so that was our choice. However, food was overcooked and/or difficult to eat (a crab dish was chopped into large pieces and drowned in a sauce making it virtually impossible to remove the crabmeat without getting covered from head to foot in sauce). All in all a very unsatisfactory meal. If you go avoid both the shrimp and Calamari with Ginger; and the aforementioned Crab & Pork Matelot.
Ambositra
Very difficult to find much here. Had an acceptable Kudu Pot Roast, but basically stuck to fresh fruit. However, for breakfast had eggs (free range and excellent) with smoked kudu strips (think bacon – excellent).
Ranomafana
Stayed at Domaine Nature – no other places to eat anywhere close. Food was generally bland (although excellent eggs/omelettes in common with most places in Madagascar). Several veggie based soups that were either over- or under-seasoned. There was a good Crayfish Bisque – and an excellent Shrimp Omelette and a couple of interesting dishes (more in concept than realization) Pork and ginger (possibly the best pork dish I had anywhere) and Zebu Tongue which was marred by a bland sauce.
Ranohira
Once again no real restaurant choice – you eat where you stay. This was the Jardin du Roy which was easily the most luxurious place we stayed. Essentially they only offer Full Board with a single menu du jour (with a couple of choices). The same menu is offered at their ‘lodge’ and a separate restaurant (for visitors) but one can eat at either. The separate restaurant (Relais de la Reine) had much better service. Menu (at Relais) was quite sophisticated – but again seasoning was erratic and cooking mixed. For reference we had Foie Gras Terrine and Pumpkin Soup; Zebu Bourguignon (great concept but way too salty) and Duck Confit with Foie Gras Sauce; Pear in Chocolate with Ice Cream and Tarte Tatin of Pineapple (that’s what the menu said – but it was actually an upside-down pineapple cake).
Breakfast at Jardin du Roy was excellent – amazing how good toast tastes after a couple of weeks without any!
The second night (in Jardin) was Pork with ginger & honey sauce and shrimp (way overcooked) in a mystery sauce (can’t read my own handwriting), with a cheesecake (unlike any I’ve ever had before – more of a sponge cake) and Caramelized Pineapple Sorbet.
Toliara
Stayed in the suburbs (Victory Hotel) so again only choice for food. However, for lunch had Smoked Zebu with Fries – definitely worth having, and a decent Calamari with Fries (Fries were a rarity so maybe that influenced my choices here!). Followed up for dinner with Magret of Duck and Shrimp (both with fries!).
Anakao
Esentially a place to chill out – no electricity or hot water – just a beach. Not really worth a visit. Stayed at Safari Vezo – meals were essentially ‘catch of the day’. Fresh fish (no refrigeration) cooked into oblivion. I ‘upgraded’ to finally try the crayfish I had bypassed earlier – eventually came on the second day as none were landed the first day and they were over baked to the point of inedibility. Particularly nasty was a Coconut Tart. Best of a bad bunch was calamari in an unidentifiable sauce.
Antatananarivo (Airport)
Back to Antananarivo staying near the airport at Au Bois Vert (in Ivato). A couple of days here to tour around a little and await our flight (a day late as our original was cancelled). Visited the Lemur Park where the food was both expensive and inedible. Don’t eat here if you can avoid it (or settle for the ridiculously expensive omelette). Had originally planned to try the Apprentice uncle recommendation (above) of Relais des Plateaux (another hotel) but the food at Au Bois Vert was spectacular – and reasonably priced. A full meal there for two was about the same price as a taxi one-way to the airport/Relais de Plateaus (I think it’s a standard price/trip regardless of distance), so we had all of our excellent meals in-house. A very tasty Zebu Steak cooked perfectly medium-rare. The best Duck and Shrimp of the entire trip. A wood-fired thin crust pizza (Zebu Bolognaise). The veggies were a bit overcooked and were identical on each dish, but the prices here were competitive (maybe cheaper) than anywhere else on the trip.
Not sure I’d recommend staying there (the only place without mosquito nets, so I’m hoping Tana is malaria-free) – but definitely the best food we had anywhere in Madagascar.
Burger's Priest vs. Holy Chuck vs. Stockyards
Johnny Prassoulis and Bill Koutroubis.
Toronto Momofuku set to open July 28th
Iwas at Momofuku Ko last month and met the chef who is coming to Toronto.
He was either closed-mouth or still not sure about exactly what was going to actually occur in Toronto.
Or maybe he considered it a punishment..... (only kidding!).
Ko is superb - but I didn't think Ssam was anything special.
Best Toronto fine dining with tasting menu AND a view and/or great service/decor
OK I'll bite.
Where were those places in the past 3 months.
I've had a couple of great meals (and Splendido qualifies on that point) - but none with great views.
