insideman's Profile
Molecular Gastronomy in GTA
Immersion circulating and/or cooking sous-vide isn't molecular gastronomy. Also, the chef from YT didn't train at either Noma or Alinea. He staged. Big difference, but it seems to be lost on the dining population in Toronto on a whole. Just needs to be clarified.
Where to find Prague #1 Powder in Mississauga for making a ham...Superstore just had a big sale on pork leg...
if you're interested in ordering in bulk and other producst for home curing/sausage making, try here...
www.yesgroup.ca
Where to find Prague #1 Powder in Mississauga for making a ham...Superstore just had a big sale on pork leg...
Prague Powder #1 is pink salt or sodium nitrite. Used for short terms cures and meats that will be cooked ie. Bacon, Pancetta, Ham. Not a substitute for NITRATE and should be used following correct guidlines. Most butcher shops should have it on hand. Shouldnt need more than a dozen teaspoons for that pork leg, but google anything from Brian Polcyn or Len Poli for accurate measurements
Lucien: Scot Woods out, Grant Van Gameren in.
Don't recall implying any story other than the facts.
Scot Woods leaving. Which he did.
Grant and Guy heading up the kitchen. Which they are.
Thanks for coming out.
Lucien: Scot Woods out, Grant Van Gameren in.
Scot has since left Lucien(since last Thursday) and Grant Van Gameren will be heading up the kitchen along with Guy Rawlings.
-Insideman
Best Eats In Monterey+Surrounding?
Hey gang,
Heading to Monterey in a week w/ 3 friends who are all enthusiastic and knowledgable about food and wine. Have to plead ignorance to the Monterey food scene and from what I've researched on my own- only turned up-what looks like- a lot of run-of-the-mill, touristy "traps". Anyone here have some solid reccs on a place(s) that can deliver some solid California focused food. From contemporary to food trucks. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
YOU GOTTA GO TO BARQUE FOR BBQ!
Barque is mediocre bbq at best. Pretty good for Toronto but that isn't saying a whole lot. Compared to authentic bbq joints, this place falls way short. First, I don't need a bbq joint to have a casual/fine dining atmosphere. I don't need the requisite young, attractive female hostess greeting me at the door. I don't need a creative cocktail list or micro-brews or any booze for that matter. I want a good product. Not smoke and mirrors. Which is all this place is.
Agave Y Aguacate - delicious Mexican
Went back here this past weekend and it hasn't gotten much better on any level. Having eaten some superior Mexican streetfood in Chicago, NYC and LA I can't understand what all the fuss is about here at all. First, the wait for food is just flat out ridiculous. It isn't even because of mass lineups either. This knucklehead simply cannot organize himself properly. While I waited 30+ minutes for TWO TOSTADAS!!! I watched this guy scramble like some greenhorn who was thrown into the trenches. No clue at all! Spinning around, useless steps and a staff of two who were just as confused and useless. Part of me just wanted to ask :
"What the fuck are you doing?"
I don't want to hear the excuse of him not wanting to "compromise the integrity of freshness". Ok? Sounds like an excuse to be stupid. He's using tomatoes in winter/spring and the rest of the components are likely coming from China and South America. Which is fine. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hung up on that. Just give it to us! It's a fucking Tostada! I could be halfway through a tasting menu at Canoe in the time it takes to get a deep fried tortilla with some cooked chicken on it.
Secondly, this food just isn't that good at all. His guac is pretty good, I'll give him that but the rest is mediocre at best. There is no way the food stacks up close to anything by Rick Bayless at all. Someone mentioned the similarities between this place and the excellent XOCO. No way! Not even close. Roy Choi also does cirlces around this guy with a superior product(by that I mean Mexican streetfood). Food that is designed to be fresh, quick and excellent. This place just continually falls flat on a level where his American counterparts thrive.
Not to hate on homie here but the fanfare for this food is just not justifiable. He needs to get his act together on many levels. There is no reason for a wait more than 10 minutes. No reason to not have menu items at all. No reason for the owner/operator not to engage his customers. No reason to be spinning around like a shit house rat!
This place is not the real deal!
Agave Y Aguacate - delicious Mexican
The food was good here. Good, not great. The meatball sandwich was tasty but needed much more zip to claim it as a "Mexican Meatball". Tostadas were tasty and the soup was decent. It was mega-slow!!! I know some of you are fawing over his passion and attention to detail but alot of the slow down would be avoided if he tackled some proper mise-en-place before he opens shop. There is no justifiable reason to hold things up while you julienne tortillas, sorry. If a major portion of this work was done before service he'd have more time to lift his head up, charm customers and most importantly serve customers and turn over customers. I'd mos def hit him up again but if there is a line 10 people deep I'd most likely not wait it out. Which is unfortunate because the food doesn't equate to a wait like that. Good food, quickly.
Burger and shake places downtown?
FYI. Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder is doing flat top burgers as well. Also, "griddled" and "squashed" burgers aren't an exclusively New York thing. They are really a diner/drive in thing. Fact, the original McDonalds burger is the template for this style of burger and most of the big chain fast food joints all started in the same manner ie. Burger King, Wendy's et al. You can find burgers like these in most places throughout North America. In & Out Burger has easily been the most visable place serving burgers in this style and they are based in California. Just for clarification.
Brunch with a vegan option
I'd give Mitzi's a go. Def. not vegan but would probably be able to work-some of their dishes to be vegan friendly. Plus, they have bacon!!!
Top 10 Food Experiences in Toronto
Hmm, I am going to argue and say that 360, indeed, sucks! Also, with mains that start around $35 a pop you are most definitely paying for that ride up the tower and at that price point it better be more than 'not bad', sorry.
Recs: Bahn mi across the city.
BA LE 2, is always on the mark for me and at a mere $2.75 it doesn't leave much room for complaints
Chicago Watering Holes
The Violet Hour looks perfect! Many thanks in adavnce!
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Violet Hour
1247 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Chicago Watering Holes
Hey gang,
Headed to your city this Thur.-Sun. for eats and a good time. I just realized the past few months have been so devoted to planning the food portion of our journey that I completely neglected the booze portion-WTF?
Any who. To get to the point what are the best watering holes in town? Looking for a place that may be a post-dinner destination with a good selection of spirits, wine and beer and hopefully a quality mixologist. What are some of the best spots to tip a few, have a convo and slink into the other half of the night?
Thanks in advance!
Chuck & Co (Liberty Village)
Yay! Another boutique burger joint! How original...blech!
Is it too soon to ask? Who's the best in outdoor dining? George, Loire, Opus, Origin?
Origin? Have they even had a body on the patio to serve yet?
Chicago Food Trip-Do I Have It Right?
Thanks gang.
I don't necessarily have a problem paying upwards of $30 for a main, it's just if I do I want it to be worth it and memorable instead of just good.
I have been told of a late-night take-out spot in the city where the staff berate customers with foul language while they order and where it is encouraged that customers do the same. Can't remember the name of the place though. What's the deal? Worth checking out post-bar for a laugh and bite?
Again, thanks. You guys are really helping me in making this trip memorable. Since the food hinges on my decisions I really appreciate all your input.
Chicago Food Trip-Do I Have It Right?
^^^ Thanks for the tips nsxtasy.
Had a peek at North Pond. Menu looks good but are these price points common in Chicago? It seems like most of the price points for mid to top tier restaurants are really high. Are there any outstanding places whose mains aren't riding in the 30-37 dollar range?
Chicago Food Trip-Do I Have It Right?
Wow. Thanks for the feedback gang. I knew that the search for the best pizza would draw some fire from you lot :)
I am not married to the idea of Burt's but Bourdain's knod to it is definitely a reason I would make the trip but it's not a deal-breaker by any means. If this place, Pequod's is at the level of Burt's and is relatively in the core of downtown I may decide on that. We don't plan on renting a car and certainly don't want to burn upwards of 1.5 hours on travel time to eat some pizza if we can get a product just as good closer to where we will be staying.
As for Bayless, I think Frontera might be the best bet all in all. I really appreciate mexican cuisine but I think some of the price points at Topolo might be hard to swallow.
As for Avec. Well, from what I have read about Kahan and his cooking philosophies it seems like he has a lot of similar ideals that are in line with many chefs and restaurateurs here in Toronto. I just really want to see how it translates and hopefully draw inspiration and ideas from a chef who shares a very similar style to my own. after seeing pictures of the restaurant I can see ho it may be uncomfortable. What about his other places Publican and Blackbird?
Are there other chefs in Chicago that are doing similar contemporary cooking styles? I am not looking for specific cuisines but more a more encompassing representation of honest cooking that draws inspiration from a melting pot metropolis such as yours.
As for Hot Doug's, well I would like to make the trip just to say I've been. Again, it's most likely a trip me and my mate would make while he gals are shopping so the travel time is not important. What is important is that it's worth it.
What other little gems hide in your city? What little hole in the walls that are serving up destination bites? Places that we could pop in while we stroll around. Where is a great place to grab a cold one and people watch during the day?
I am uber-excited for this trip and all of your suggestions are truly appreciated so, please keep them coming. Many thanks in advance!
Chicago Food Trip-Do I Have It Right?
Hey Gang,
A crew of us are going to be in Chicago for a long weekend in early June. Now, I have been trying to plan the trip food-wise to the best of my ability while seeking out certain spots that I think will resonate with myself (a chef) and my food compadres. Just looking for some advice from the locals if my plan will be met with success or failure.
Here are the deets...
For deep dish I have decided on Burt's. Good choice? Just looking for the best possible. This will most likely be a drop in, smash some pizza and few beers and be out but leave satisfied and content that we got the best your city has to offer.
I love mexican food so obviously Rick Bayless was no question. I have decided on Frontera over Topolo. Right move? Topolo's price points seem pretty steep for authentic mex, no? Maybe i'm wrong or is there something I don't know about Frontera. It just seems like better value and options. What's the vibe like between the two? Does the vibe at Topolo warrant seats. If so, I'll book it.
For the more culinary experience I am opting for Avec. Just want this to be the right choice for a fun, long dinner with great food, wine and ambience. I am a fan of boisterous and bustling restaurants with chatter, laughter and easy attitudes. Good choice?
Also during the day I plan on hitting Hot Doug's. How far away from the core is it? I don't mind trekking out with my boy while the gals are out shopping at all. Just want to know from ya'll if its worth the drive to Acton( Toronto expression ;).
So? Many thanks in advance.
Torontonians Touching Down In Chi-Town, Looking For Serious, Real-Deal Recs!
The wife and I are planning a trip to Chicgo in the early days of summer. It has been on our to do list for far too long and we are finally crossing it off the list. We are both serious about food and serious about having a solid time during our stay. I work as a Chef in Toronto so I know all about the Trotter's, Alinea's, Moto's et al. Not coming for a over-wrought, cliche gastronomique experience, I am coming for what has sustained your city as a food destination for decades ie. the pizza, the dog, the italian sandwich and of course the steak. Not that we are looking to avoid any decent/solid contemporary restaurants, we definitely want to drop some coin on a couple quality meals and are planning on hitting Frontera for 100%. So if there are any hot new contemporary spots that are grinding out solid food please share. Not interested in pompous molecular crap, more along traditional, comfort treasures from Chefs who know food culture front to back and are cranking out timeless dishes without all the trappings of old school, fusion or whatever hot food trends the groupies are currently jizzing in their dockers about.
We will also be travelling without our newborn son for the first time so we will be also looking to tie one, two or several hundred on during our stay. We are both in our early thirties so we would like to frequent some spots that have an air of cool but aren't trying to hard, that aren't too douche-baggy(read no chi chi martini lounges), that aren't too hipstery(read no one under 25) and definitely not touristy. We both love wine and I have a serious penchant for the classic cocktails so some spots that perhaps do these things well and that manage it without pretension would be great. They can be classic or recent, as long as their good then we are good.
We will be staying in the dowtown core and plan on doing a lot of walking and soaking it in so please fill us in on places to hit on foot during the day and/or late at night for some gluttony of epic proportions. We also love to shop and love music of all kinds as long as its good and timeless, so please share some of your favourite areas to spend money you don't have. Also nice spots for pre or post dinner conversation, music and of course booze.
I know that there are as many different opinions as there are personalities so please share, just want to make the most of our trip.
Thanks to all in advance and can't wait to reach there, cheers!
Toronto: ISO Italian pasta condiment "aglio olio & peperoncino"
Just for your clarification Pasta Aglio e Olio isn't a pasta condiment, it's an actual pasta dish consisting of noodles(generally speaking of spaghetti, linguine, fettucini) tossed with olive oil, garlic, breadcrumbs, parsley, chilies and pecorino). It's pretty common in the households of italy as a cheap staple dinner and is almost always made with fresh ingredients not pre-packaged dry ones. I would imagine the dried packaged stuff is the equivalent of instant soup mix or mr. noodles.
Anyone been to One Love Vegetarian on Bathurst
The corn soup is good, but hardly great by any means. It seems very loose each time I've had it. Sometimes it is perfectly seasoned and balanced and a lot of the times it is bland and underwhelming. For a place that is attempting to anchor it's business on this one product I think it might be a good idea to at least employ some strict methods when making it each time.
