miketoronto's Profile
High end dinner for executives
George or Colborne Lane would have been my first thoughts as well.
There's also Lucien which is definitely on the higher end of things, as well as Swish by Han (although some mixed reviews on this board).
Hip Toronto restaurant ideas needed - good food, service with terrace or outdoor space
Origin and Black Hoof both have great patios, but reserving a patio anywhere will be difficult especially for a 'hip' spot.
Late Lunch / Happy hour on a Monday
I believe The Saint on Ossington is open Monday afternoon. Would be a good place to spend the afternoon.
Street Food Block Party (TUM/Food Truck Eats) - May 5 @ Brickworks
Was fortunate to get tickets for this Saturday, looking for any tips/recommendations based on past TUM or Food Truck Eats events as I have not been to one yet.
Admission is $20. Did your admission get you anything or is it simply admission? I felt like 20 bucks was steep if it's just to get you in the door.
Average price of food ? Guessing in the $3 - $5 range?
Also guessing I should get there early to avoid lineups and vendors running out of food. Since shuttles stop running at 5:15 pm and the Davisville bus stops at 6 pm, do most people just take cabs once the event is over?
Any other good nuggets? Good vendors you'd recommend from past events?
Thanks all.
Toronto Momofuku set to open July 28th
According to this:
http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2012/04/david-chang-momofuku-daisho-toronto-openinig-july-28.html
I thought it would be closer to December. This is awesome news!
Analysis Paralysis - Help me choose a restaurant: Nota Bene, Acadia, Campagnolo, Frank's Kitchen? Other?
I feel like Acadia best suits your criteria - a bit of hip (although there room was pretty bare/minimal when we were there), but inventive tasty food, great cocktails, fun vibe.
need hip, trendy, delicious resto recommendations please
The Bowery would probably be right up your alley and is literally steps from Origin.
DonDon NotNot NOW Now NoNo
David Ort (FoodWithLegs) just gave a pretty positive review just this afternoon - http://www.foodwithlegs.com/don-don-izakaya
$5 meal?
If you're ever in Rexdale - transcendental doubles at Drupati's or Lena's at Albion/Islington, amazing pupusas At Mi Pueblo at Weston/Sheppard area.
need hip, trendy, delicious resto recommendations please
Origin fits your request to a tea, exactly where you should go. Buca is also be a great spot which fits your wishlist.
Spotted - Ravisoups Restaurant near Dundas W station
There is a great restaurant location that's been closed up for months on Dundas between Bloor and Annette/Dupont. It used to be a sports bar like place blessed with a great patio, but just driving by this morning I saw signs for Ravisoups Restaurant in the Ravi style font. Really exciting to see what's potentially in store!
Assuming this is Ravi's answer to a more full on restaurant rather than cheap and cheerful lunches? Regardless, this stretch of Junction Triangle / West Bend area needs more patio love like this.
Restaurants at Bloor/Bathurst
No mention of Banjara? West of Christie station, one of the better Indian places in the city.
Bar or pub near Massey Hall
Now that Duggan's is gone, my pre Massey go to usually one of the Terronis on Victoria or Adelaide.
Piola Toronto - Queen W. - Now Open
Went to the opening last night as well.
I'm not a pizza nerd, but I had a great margherita there last night. Fresh, bright tomato sauce, great chew to the crust with a nicely distributed char on the bottom. They use a hot stone rather than a wood oven to encourage even cooking.
Only Organic and Tankhouse on tap and about 6 other bottles to choose from. Euro-beat friendly music, somewhat flashy decor, and service was eager and friendly. Everyone seemed very happy to be there on their first night!
To me it's better than Terroni, and close to Libretto.
Recommended lunch restaurant near University and King?
The Gabardine is close and is loved by many on and off this board.
' Ortolan ' - Anyone?!
Really enjoyed my meal there. Solid cooking, pretty good value too.
Could be just me, but I had the feeling like the FOH and BOH staff were both passing the time by making fun of their customers. I know most places do anyway, but at least be decent enough to it behind our backs. :)
Markets/restaurants to buy plain steamed buns (west end)
I'm guessing T&T sells plain steamed buns (to make your own Momofukuesque pork buns), but are there other places in the west end that sells them?
I've heard some restos would be open to selling them to you, but I don't know of any. Hoping some in Chinatown or Kensington area could (e.g. Chinese Traditional Bun?). Looked around briefly yesterday but had no luck.
Any help is appreciated!
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Chinese Traditional Buns
536 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T, CA
Mildred's Temple Kitchen Dinner?
Essentially agree. Food was beautifully presented, nice service, but small portions, exorbitant prices, and the dishes tasted average. Once was enough.
Breakfast place halfway between Toronto and Ottawa
Windmills in Kingston does a decent weekend brunch.
Yet another disappointing truffle experience ...
Couldn't agree more about truffles in Toronto. I've never had one that tastes like anything as it's described, making it a huge waste of money. I've had much more success using a good truffle oil.
Bannock (An O&B restaurant)
Just grabbed a quick bite on Sunday. Had a "tourtiere" bannock - spiced ground pork, rutabaga chutney, pickled onions. Completely inhaled it. I still can't get the thing out of my mind. Who can deny salty fried bread with well prepared toppings? Need to go back and try more.
Also had a pain au chocolat - flaky, not too buttery, and took a slightly new spin on it by adding cocoa to the flour for a double chocolate hit.
From what I know Anthony Walsh (Canoe) did most of the consulting on the menu. He nailed it.
This format would be perfect to export to other neighbourhoods or other cities for that matter. My favourite of the O&Bs that I've tried so far.
Boulud in Toronto?
Amazing! So excited that he's coming to Toronto. The more the better really. 2012 is going to be a big year in Toronto dining.
Acadia -- who else has been?
Had a great meal for my birthday there a few weeks ago. Overall it was one of the better meals I've had in the city in a while, but temper your expectations a bit. It won't blow you away, but it's a much welcomed addition to the city's restaurants.
Had shrimp and grits, flatiron, onion tart, cornbread, collard greens, boudin balls, sugar pie for dessert.
Shrimp and grits were pure comfort - I'm assuming grits are harder to make creamy than polenta, and they did a great job with them. I was expecting big shrimp to garnish the dish, but they were buried in the grits and smaller than I was expecting. Didn't matter too much, they were really well cooked. Not to mention I have no idea how he can make such a good broth so clear. Major technique I'm assuming.
Flatiron was so tender I thought it was done sous vide, but I was told it was just grilled. Amazing. Cornbread was delicious, and after trying the sweet potato butter, everything made sense. The other sides were nice, but nothing to really write home about.
Sugar pie for dessert was quite good but really could have been amazing if they simply served it WARM instead of room temperature. Didn't find it too sweet unlike other people on this board.
Go, definitely one of the more exciting restaurants right now. I hope with how busy they are they put some art up on the walls and try a few new paint colours perhaps. For a restaurant that will undoubtedly be busy for months after all the glowing reviews, I hope they set aside some money for decor to really make it a full-on experience. Warm, personable service as well.
Susur opening on Dundas (moved from Ontario board)
Don't get me wrong, could be great. But that's a big move.
Susur opening on Dundas (moved from Ontario board)
Well that sounds like a nail in the coffin for Dundas W cool.
Zocalo - Anyone been?
Have been a few times and always been great, especially for the price. Great americano in the mornings, beau's on tap, and great "deconstructed" sandwiches.
Grant gone at the Black Hoof
They do accept debit... but that's beside the point.
The last time I went and Brandon was chef, everything was great. I too appreciated that the menu had evolved, gotten a bit lighter and more balanced.
I'm just curious when they change the menu periodically, how it will change compared to when Grant changed it.
Rehearsal Dinner spots nearish to St. Lawrence Market
Trying to nail down a good place for a rehearsal dinner near Jarvis/SLM area, ideally somewhere inside Yonge/Parliament and Carlton/Front. It would be on a Friday night in early February.
- $35ish per person (food only)
- Private or semi-private area is needed for about 25 guests
- Nice/warm atmosphere a big plus
- More standard fare (Italian, North Americanesque, etc.)
- We'd prefer to err on the side of casual over stuffy, good pubs over fancy French restaurants, etc.
I thought of Terroni Adelaide, Mercatto (Toronto St), Gilead, and Harlem. Not sure if they could all handle a large group, ideally with a privatesque area. Really as long as we're not screaming over each other in a big loud place, we'd probably be OK.
Any other thoughts? Weezie's too pricey? Any good Jarvis strip places?
Thanks all !
Best Italian restaurant downtown?
Buca is my favourite. Campagnolo and Enoteca Sociale are both decent, and a lot of people on the board seem to like Paese these days (never been myself).
Although it's unpopular, my #2 Italian in the city is Terroni. Consistently great pasta, reliable pizza, and they get the best burrata I've had anywhere.
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Buca
604 King St. West, Toronto, ON M5V 1M6, CA
Paese
333 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA
Enoteca Sociale
1288 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA
Campagnolo
832 Dundas St. W, Toronto, ON , CA
The Beast's "Beast 120" menu: great way to snack or have an early dinner!
For the value, it's one of the best deals in the city that I've come across. Food has always ranged from good to great, never bad. The bread is unreal, chorizo always tasty, enjoyed his po'boys. A lot of white bread based items on the 5-7, but I don't blame them for it.
We left stuffed with 4 drinks total and we came out around 50-60. Will definitely go again.
