TdotFoodKing's Profile
The Great Burger Debate
THE TOTAL VOTES (so far) Please put our vote first, and clarify if its frozen. I guessed at some of these I havent had, correct me if Im wrong.
2 - The House on Parliament
2 - The Tulip
2 - The Burger Shack (frozen?)
2 - Weezie's
1 - B
1 - McDonalds (frozen)
1 - Dangerous Dan's Diner (frozen?)
1 - Fat Phil's (frozen?)
1 - Freshwood Grill
1 - Easy Restaurant
1 - Red's
1 - Goldenstar (frozen?)
1 - Jetsun's Juicyburgers (frozen?)
1 - Trevor Kitchen and Bar
1 - Perigee
1 - Rebel House
1 - Allen's
1 - Harbour 60
1 - Beer Bistro
beans are boring!
Heres a few:
make your own baked beans
Hummus (chick peas)
Falafel (chick peas)
Bean soup (ministrone, or black bean, or navy bean) oh you said soup- oh well
Pannelle - chickpea fritters
Pasta e fagioli
Atieke? Where?
Did the link I posted Kudu not turn up anything? I would think those stores have what you after.
The Great Burger Debate
"B" - 2210 Dundas West (Dundas at Roncesvaille)
As far as the food goes, Ive not had anything bad, its all very tasty. The burger is great, homemade, comes with fries or salad. Very juicy cooked to order, and you can tell its good quality meat as its not masked with spices. Good service, friendly. The only downside I would say is the size of the restaurant. its small, so tough to get a seat during late mornings or lunch on the weekend. But mid-week its a great lunch spot.
The Great Burger Debate
Continuing on with the much debated poll, Im now looking to find the best burger in Toronto. This time comments are welcomed and encourage. You may choose anywhere in the city, just please place your vote then any comments you have. Hopefully you will judge based on Food, Service, Atmosphere and Value. I will keep track of the votes, and we can see what chowhounders around Toronto think is the best.
Hopefully we will find the best homemade, and fresh burger, but if frozen is your thing, then please just clarify that you think or know its frozen in your comments.
Also if its a bit of an unknown or hard to find place, please place and address or intersection, so others can find.
Thanks!
The Great Pizza Debate- http://www.chowhound.com/topics/449442
Da Gianni & Maria Trattoria - what a mistake
You know we debated on the way to St. Clair, The Rushton or Gianni? Hadn't had either, but felt like pasta. Oh well The Rushton is next on my list.
About Egg Rolls (again) in Toronto
Look for spring rolls vs. egg rolls. They are shaped as you describe and come in different sizes depending on the place. Almost every chinese, thai and asian place serves a version of this.
Imported meats? (South African)
Take a look at this site. http://funkymunky.co.za/safood.html
Lists a bunch of SA stores around GTA. You may find what you are looking for. If you do please let us know. I'd like to experiment with Kudu as you mentioned.
Da Gianni & Maria Trattoria - what a mistake
Yes, Im probably venting a bit about the naming, and agree its not that important. But the prices are as you say pretty much double what you may expect anywhere else. I dont expect most places to use the terms correctly, however when the restaurant claims its goal is to be the most authentic italian in the city, a great place to start is the name.
Da Gianni & Maria Trattoria - what a mistake
Looking for something new we decided to try this place based on recommendations from this board. I read descriptions of wonderful gnocci, great service, and a charming atmosphere. So looking for a reasonably priced meal and something casual we thought this trattoria would be worth a shot.
We arrived and were lead to a table. A woman I assume, Maria, smiled and said hello. Sitting down, gives us a chance to check out the decor. I believe it was decorated in the late 80's, and hasn't been changed since. Dusty rose abounds with yellowish brick walls. A few family pics sit above a fire place, and I'm thinking, ok nice, family run business, I'll give them a chance despite the decor. The menu claims "Slow Food Cuisine, Chef Gianni prepares the majority of his dishes fresh to order". So, slow food I get, but fresh to order? Any decent restaurant of course cooks your meal when you order it using fresh ingredients. Didn't quite get that, but I push on not letting these quirks get in my way of enjoying good trattoria food.
Upon browsing the menu, I'm confused and baffled by the layout. The order of the menu had apps, pasta, secondi, then apps, pasta, pasta with meat, pasta with no meat, mains, meat, fish and then sides. After browsing for 20 minutes, I realize the first page is specials. Ok so, still bearing with it, I'm trying not to give them a hard time despite not getting a graphic designer on board for the menu.
The prices hit me next. The much talked about gnocci is about $19.00. The cheapest pasta is about $18.00 I believe. Caprese salad, was around $19.00. I don't mind spending big cash on food, but I'm a little confused as this is supposed to be a trattoria. Trattoria's by definition are inexpensive and casual. However the menu tries to be formal with its descriptions, the decor at one time was meant to be formal, and the prices are in the fine dining league. This by no means is a trattoria, its a ristorante. However, this is all minor and we push forward, because I assume the food must be great to justify the price.
So we ordered: (these are descriptions from their menu)
Appetizer was Antipasto Italiano -Prosciutto crudo, rolled pancetta, salame, cacciatorino (spicy sausage), capicollo, soppresata, bocconcino cheese, olives and marinated mushrooms.
I had Fettuccine Di Porcini Con Ragu Di Cinghiale e Tartufo -Fresh homemade porcini mushroom egg fettuccine served with Wild Boar, simmered in a savory Barbera wine sauce, made with onions, carrots and celery, seasoned with truffle, garlic and a touch of red chili pepper.
My wife had Ravioli Alla Piemontese -Fresh homemade egg pasta stuffed with minced pork, turkey, beef, swiss chard, spinach and parmesan cheese, served with a hearty meat sauce flavoured with minced celery, carrots, onions, potatoes, garlic, red wine & aromatic spices.
***now imagine reading an entire menu with descriptions like that.
Upon review of the small wine list, most wines were not available, and nothing special and regional to the North where the food comes from jumped out, so we passed. The prices for wine seemed fair.
The appetizer arrives (approx $18.00), looks a little uninspired, but full of various cuts of meat. A very large portion, so I immediately dive towards the prosciutto being one of my favourites. Sadly upon my first bite I realize this is not Proscuitto Di Parma, and I suspect by its lack of salt and sweetness not an Italian import but rather the poorer quality Canadian brands. The remaining meats were average, same stuff you can by at any local grocery store, most of it not imported. For the price we were expecting the highest quality of meats and cheeses. The bocconcino was flavorless and firm, again a sign of being local mozzarella rather than an import.
The mains arrive ( Fettuccine $26.95!, ravioli $21.00 I think), and the portions are fine. Not large, not small, decent sizes for pasta. Sadly the taste in both is lacking. My dish claims to be seasoned with truffle. And for the price I expected to see the thin and tasty truffle shavings. No truffles were seen however the distinctive taste of truffle oil was there. Both dishes seemed to not flow, as in no harmony between the flavors. Almost like the weren't cooked long enough, although the menu claims slow cooking. The wild boar was much to gamy, and from past experience I have not found this to be so. Could have been the cut used. The ravioli was ok, not great. It has an extensive ingredients list, most of which are not discernible and I wonder what they bring to the dish.
Dessert was Profiteroles ($9.75), not very regional but craving a bit of chocolate and feeling unsatisfied we decided to give it a try. Four little puffs arrived smothered in chocolate to the extent you couldn't see the puffs. Around that lay a ring of store bought whip cream, far too much of it. It lacked some sweetness and life. Didn't feel like a $10 dessert. On a good note the espresso macchiato I had was perfectly drawn.
The service was fine, good not great. It was the minimum I expect from anywhere. One thing that was very tacky was they have a serving tray on wheels. They roll this thing around which makes a racket on the tiles. Not to mention the tray is dirty. Kind of tacky.
It came to approx. $92.00 before tip, for simple trattoria food. All in all I have to say I was seriously disappointed. For the prices, we could have had some fine dining. Or we could have gone across the street to Ferro or Marcello's and had superior food for half the cost.
Regarding the price, for a comparison. Mario Battali's Babbo which is his his high end ristorante in NYC has cheaper prices generally than this. At Babbo I had Beef Cheek Ravioli with Crushed Squab Liver and Black Truffles $23 (USD) About the same price, and that dish will make you fall of your chair. How can Da Gianni & Maria Trattoria justify the prices? Its almost an insult to pay this much.
Yes, its a family business and its nice to have the owners say hello. Its meaningless however when the food and atmosphere is below average. At the end of the day if I paid about $40-$50 for that meal, I would be ok with the price but I still wouldn't go back.
just my 2 cents.
(sorry I know it was long)
B restaurant at Dundas W and Roncesvalles
I like it too, see this
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/448266
The Great Pizza Debate
Tried Dino's last night, and thought it was great. Im definitely going back. Thx!
The Great Pizza Debate
THE TOTAL VOTES (so far) - with addresses added, try somewhere new!
Thin Crust-
11- Terroni - 720 Queen St. West, Balmoral, Victoria, Adelaide
3- Pizza Roma & Restaurant - 1090 Bloor Street West
2- Mamma's - various, www.mammaspizza.com
2- Politica Resto Bar - 127 Strachan Avenue
1- John's Italian Caffe - 27 Baldwin St.
1- John's Classic Pizza - 591 College Street
1- Cafe Doria - 1094 Yonge Street
1- Dino's Wood Burning Pizza - 820 The Queensway
1- Chico's Pizza - 796 Mount Pleasant Road
1- Marcello's - 1163 St Clair Avenue West
1- Piccolo Bar & Restaurant - 226 Carlton Street
1- Pizza Banfi - 333B Lonsdale Road,
1- Bar Mercurio - 270 Bloor W.
1- Faema Cafe - 672 Dupont Street
Thick Crust-
6- Danforth Pizza House - 920 Danforth Avenue
3- Regina Pizzeria & Trattoria - 782 College Street
2- Massimo's - 302 College Street
2- Venice Pizza - 2636 St Clair Ave East
2- Olympic 76 - 8-A Gloucester Street
1- King Slice - 1598 Bloor Street West
1- Columbos - Danforth/Coxwell -address ?
1- La Lucciola - 965 Eglinton Avenue West
1- Pizza Memo's - 407 Queen Street West
1- Camarra's - 2899 Dufferin Street
1- Gerrard Spaghetti & Pizza House - 1528 Danforth Avenue
1- Bellissimo Pizzaria & Ristorante - 164 The Esplanade
1- Amico's Pizza - 1648 1/2 Queen Street West
1- Golden Pizza - 1201 Broadview, 2360 Danforth Avenue, 516 Danforth Road
1- Pizza Pizza - various
The Great Pizza Debate
Yes I agree that asking for no comments was not a good idea in this poll. I think if its done in a way, that you vote first, then if you choose to add comments you can and should. Its easy to see the choice and add it up if done that way. But if you want to see why the person chose it you can read on. It should be an all around vote based on the total experience.
The Great Pizza Debate
I was kind of thinking burgers myself. Im looking for some new places.
The Great Pizza Debate
Well it seems there are some obvious favorites. But thanks for your thoughts, I tried some new places because of this and they were pretty good. There was some debate on whether this format was good or not. I kind of like it. For example there is a best Italian post floating around now. Try and read that and tell me what the majority of Chowhounders feel is the best? Its difficult to tell. Im not saying this place should be full of polls, because it would be boring. But for some foods I think it works. Want to try another? Best Sushi, Best Burgers, Best Italian?
Best Piri Piri Chicken in T.O.?
Ok, I just finished my dinner from Cantanhede O Bairradino. Firstly the price; a whole Frango Brasa (bbq chicken) is $9. Frango Espita (rotisserie) is $8. Includes tax. So we got the the whole BBQ chicken, $9, a large container of rice and potatoes, and a large salad. $17 including tax. It was way too much food and have left-overs. A whole chicken with rice and/or potatoes (reg. size) is $10.50 or $11.50 depending on which chicken you get.
As I said before your paying a premium in places like SLM and Brampon/MIss. They dont have the volume of people to keep the prices down. Also, you find the people who eat at SLM are tourists and shoppers. Whereas places like Cantanhede O Bairradino, are filled with Portuguese, mostly construction workers on their way home from work. (note its take out only).
I suggest you try some of the daily specials which are always great and cheap. Today they had porco a Alenteja which is pork cubes with clams. They also had a few other cod fish dishes. I think you'll find its more authentic and cheaper than some other places.
Be good to hear your thoughts if anyone gets a chance to go.
Soft-shell crab
I believe Wah Sing Seafood Restaurant has it, although Ive never had it there.
47 Baldwin St.
Anyone know where to get Sorrel In the West end of Toronto?
Someone mentioned it but Boncheff Herbs should have it.
Boncheff Herbs
374 Olivewood Road
Etobicoke
(416) 233-6922
Shanghai Cowgirl Warning!!
Ive never been thrilled with this place, but more due to the atmosphere. Yes old diners are cool, but try scrubbing them so they tables and menus aren't greasy. Some the old places seem to give a dirty vibe. Maybe they aren't but, its the appearance.
Anyway, speaking of burgers has anyone tried "B"? I think its pretty good, heres a post I did on that place-
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/448266
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Try Sweet Factory in Bloor West. If I recall they have them.
Best sweet potato fries in Toronto
They do crisp up however the problem lies in the fact they get soggy quickly. Much faster than a potato.
(this should be moved to recipes, we've gotten off topic)
Best sweet potato fries in Toronto
Yes, well technically not the same. However, the word is used interchangeably although incorrect. I assume they were sweet potatoes and they just call them yams, lots of people do.
Best sweet potato fries in Toronto
Ive heard of a batter of milk and flour which would give a fairly light batter depending on how thick it is, never tried it though.
Best Piri Piri Chicken in T.O.?
Im thinking of going to place I mentioned tonight. And I'll be sure to check the bill, and let you know. Ive been known to be wrong before (well once lol)
Also, your paying a premium for everything living where you do, so I wouldn't be surprised if its cost you a few dollars more than in the city.
I'll let you know, tomorrow the costs.
Takeout Queen and Bathurst
Ive heard Bacchus Roti is one of the best, however never tried. Came from a friend from Trinidad, so could be reliable. Queen between Duff and Lansdowne.
Takeout Queen and Bathurst
Im surprised they kept the Mex/Thai deal. Ive yet to find a place that can do multiple styles of food well. Its tough without focus. Instead of one great food, you get 2 mediocre. And yes, a bit tacky inside.
Best Piri Piri Chicken in T.O.?
On a side note to everyone, almost all these places serve "Bife a Chef", basically steak with potatoes or fries dripping in a gravy served with an egg. I love this dish, and usually go for that over chicken.
