Friend coming for a few days from London, England. What can't she get across the pond that we do well here?

The ability to get food between 2pm and 5pm?

Ha, sorry couldn't resist.

When my English friend came to visit we went to Woodlot on the recommendation of the board here. It's a Toronto restaurant style rather than a food style that was so appealing.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need a foodie friendly "lux dive"

I know, crazy right? CG was very non-commital on the phone about seating us, even though there are only three people. I totally understand that things change and large groups or high volume can throw off the timing, but at least a vague indication of an average wait on a Monday night would have been awesome.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need a foodie friendly "lux dive"

Thanks so much for everyone's thoughtful replies.

Based on the glowing reviews, we decided to go for County General...but as they don't take reservations my dining partners didn't want to risk hanging out for an unforseen amount of time.

Copper Chimney and Harbord House also looked great to me, but my friends overruled and chose Barque Smokehouse instead. The choose your own plates looked great to them, so cross your fingers for me that it all works out!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need a foodie friendly "lux dive"

You're right, I apologize for the missing information. Mains on or below $20 please!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need a foodie friendly "lux dive"

I need to treat a couple of friends to dinner out, but they've specified cheap, but amazing food. Think luxury dive! Ideally more suited to pairings with beer, and must have good seating so no take out dominant places. I'm thinking a step up from wings, but not too far up. Ack, am I explaining myself ok? Any ideas??

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Looking for a vegetarian friendly, quintessentially "Toronto" restaurant open on a Sunday

Thanks for the rec TorontoJo! Woodlot is pretty booked for Sunday, but encouraged me to walk in which is a bit of a risk, but I'll try it out. Worst case scenario, Grace is next door...

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Looking for a vegetarian friendly, quintessentially "Toronto" restaurant open on a Sunday

Not too much to ask right?

A vegetarian (no meat, no fish, no seafood) friend of mine is visiting Toronto for the very first time, and I wanted to take him out to Lee on Sunday but they are closed.

I'm looking for something with veggie friendly options, but not exclusively veg as I need my meat.

Any help finding something that kind of sums up Toronto would be awesome.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Looking for some cucina della nonna with a patio

Anywhere in the downtown / midtown / uptown area that is really outstanding?

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to find pea shoots in Toronto?

Thanks everyone for the very specific replies...I thought I'd have the darndest time trying to find them. Off to T&T now, cheers!!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to find pea shoots in Toronto?

Looking for pea shoots for a very specific recipe...anyone know where to find them in Toronto area?

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need cool restaurant for a group in the east end

I have to organize a group drink and dinner outing for about 15 people in the East End (Don Mills is about as far West as we want to go).

We usually hit up Joe's because the food is tolerable and the atmosphere is great, but we've done it to death now.

Does anyone have any suggestions? The night is a bit of a treat, so I'm not terribly concerned with spending...

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Sourcing Lobsters and Lobster Bibs (Downtown)

I bought five 1.5lb lobsters at Diane's Seafood last Friday, for the ridculous price of $8.88 a pound. They were divine. Not sure if that price is here to stay, but for $13.50 a lobster, I know what I'll be making much more often...

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Amazing dinner at George

Thanks to the recommendations of JennaBean and others on this board, I was taken out for a birthday dinner to George last night.

We would have loved to sit on the patio, if it wasn't for the 34 degree heat, so we enjoyed a very comfortable and private booth by the window. The restaurant wasn't crowded at all, it was a Tuesday after all, and the atmosphere was pleasant and calm.

We considered the five course tasting menu, but I was worried that there simply wouldn't be enough food. However, the seven course felt like overkill, so we settled on the five with a single wine pairing as I was driving. However, our very competent and friendly attendant split the wines for us, which was a very kind gesture.

First off, I did not expect to get a different course than my dining partner (my father) but it was a pleasant surprise. Although we each ate what was provided to us, I was pleased that we could switch if one of us took fancy to the others dish.

Forgive on the lack of details, there were a lot of courses and a lot of wine.

Amuse: Cod Salad
We both received an amuse bouche of cod salad with zucchini flower, which was tiny and exquisite. Very fresh tasting, with a great variety of layers and flavours. We received a sparkling white wine to accompany this dish.

1st Course: Deep-fried softshell crab with apple slaw (me), Mackerel Salad (Dad)
The deep-fried softshell crab was perfectly seasoned "Southern Style" and absolutely crispy-delicious. I never eat softshell crab, and it was so tender and meaty with that divine crisp exterior. The apple slaw was very fresh and a great accompaniment. To accompany this course, we received a very light rosé.

2nd course: Foie Gras with Duck (me), Foie Gras with Rabbit (Dad)
I had overlooked one thing when we were served the first course…I was so anxious to tuck in that I didn’t really think to question the server about what EXACTLY was on my plate. So, the first course was an exercise in testing the palate. There were sauces and purees that I simply enjoyed without knowing what I was eating. But when the 2nd course arrived, I really noticed that we received no explanation again. Just “Foie Gras with Duck for the lady, Foie Gras with Rabbit for sir”.

Don’t get me wrong, this dish was delicious. It was rich, meaty, and so moreish. But I had no idea what the sauce, puree, or accompaniments were. A fig was layered on top of the foie, which was layered on top of a heaping portion of duck breast (I assume) which was stacked inside some form of pastry (?) vol-a-vent style (?). Again, lots of assumptions. I should have asked, but again had not and missed the opportunity! This course was served with a lovely but light pinot noir, which I was thrilled with (dining companion was wishing for something heavier).

3rd course: Bison tenderloin (me), Alberta beef tenderloin (Dad)
This is where the problem with the different tasting plates arises…Dad looked longingly over at my bison while I scarfed it down so that he wouldn’t steal it. My bison tenderloin (perfectly rare, seared to perfection) sat on top of the tastiest, tiny scalloped potato and onion cake. It was ridiculously good. Dad loved his beef, but did pine so much for the bison that we ended up sharing. Wine accompaniment was a bold and hearty Zin, which I had our attendant write up for me so that I can seek it out. This was the simplest of the mains in terms of flavour combos and complexity, but it was hearty and satisfying.

4th course: Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese (me), Sheep’s Milk Cheese from Quebec (Dad)
Names escape me, but the cheese was a small (1oz?) portion with spicy walnuts, fig, and a fruit compote, with a side of tiny bread crisps. Wine (port) was a ten year old Tawny.

5th course: Cherry soufflé (or possibly bread and butter pudding) with fresh cherries and thyme, and chocolate ice cream (me), Cherry Panacotta, Biscuit, and two other cherry related desserts (Dad).
Desserts were presented as “Cherry Desserts”, and the panacotta pointed out to Dad, otherwise no explanation. We were having fun so none required at this point. The cherry soufflé / pudding was explosively hot and took a good ten minutes to cool to eat, so I enjoyed the rest of the dessert and wine while finishing. Dad’s four different cherry items were proclaimed “lovely”. Wine pairing was a sparkling red wine from Italy whose name escapes.

The verdict: George was a real wow for me, and will be my next go-to for an upscale dinner. Yes, the servers could have been more prolific in their explanations, but we also didn’t press for details. I felt it was enormous value for money, as the courses were not by any impression “mincy” or made from anything less than stellar ingredients. The ambiance and atmosphere would make for a very nice romantic dinner, albeit a noisy one if the room is full. Dare I say, the best meal I have had in the city since Lotus? We will be back!

Total without tax or tip: $300 for a two top.

-----
George
111 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 1S2, CA

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Family friendly Euro-style gastro-pub with beer garden in Toronto?

I'm looking for a nice place to grab a beer and a decent bite to eat with the husband in celebration of Father's Day, and was hoping to find a nice pub with a family friendly beer garden. Somewhere with an actual garden with grass instead of a patio.

Really hoping for some good pub grub (good homemade fish and chips, homemade steak and ale pies, that sort of thing).

The three year old will be with us. Not looking for a chain restaurant.

Is there such a thing in TO or Durham Region?

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Auberge or...where? Need blow-out birthday rec.

I am going to be treated to a blow-out birthday meal, and have been asked to choose, carte blanche.

Here are some of the restaurants I have been to and really liked:
Auberge du Pommier
North 44
Le Select
Lotus (back in the day)
Batifole
Lucien
Mortons

Here are some of the restaurants that I have been to and thought were good / solid:
Bymark
Canoe
Lee
Nota Bene
Starfish
Loire
Biffs
Scaramouche

Can anyone write me a scrip for a good, fancy-dancy restaurant that isn't on the list based on the preferences above??

ETA: Bonus points for a tasting menu / chef table!!

-----
Batifole
744 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M1Y3, CA

North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA

Le Select
432 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5V1E3, CA

Bymark
66 Wellington St. W, Toronto, ON M5K 1J3, CA

Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Service disaster at One Restaurant

Ugh, where to begin? I booked a table for two at One Restaurant in the Hazelton Hotel in Yorkville. It was a Friday, and it was during the film festival. Before the collective groans begin, yes, we knew that there may be some slippage in service during such a high profile event, but we were willing to overlook "some" service issues. Unfortunately, the service was not just average, it was terrible.

We were seated promptly on arrival. We had to run the gaunlet of people in the bar to get into the restaurant. I got goosed on the way in. We start as we mean to go on.

We waited and waited for service, but at least that gave us plenty of time for perusing the menus. When our waiter arrived, we prompted him for specials (if any), and then on the oysters available. Each request met with almost total befuddlement. Eventually we settled on a light appetizer of a dozen east coast oysters from three different beds, and a glass of wine apiece.

Oysters arrive, brought by a different waiter. He just placed them and essentially ran away with no explanation of what was what. Remember that we ordered three different types. No plates for us to use, just the ice platter. No wine. We couldn't even catch an eye of anyone to bring the wine or plates, so we just tucked in, guessing the specimens as we went! They were very tasty and fresh.

Plate was removed by original waiter who chuckled and said "oops, no plates huh?" and offered to bring us some...not clear on why plates would be useful after we had finished so we said that was ok. We also asked about the wine, and got another "oops, mea culpe". Glasses brought and an "extra pour" given. A good attempt at appeasement, and we were happy for the timebeing.

Mains brought promply by yet another waiter (I sensed a theme), and I had delicious black cod, and hubby had lamb loin. We also ordered a side of whipped potatoes and chives (sublime) and organic roast carrots (gritty gritty gritty). For $13 I was unsure as why they wouldn't have them suitably prepped, but I assured hubby that I would flag someone down and ask about the carrots, because "maybe that's just what they are like". I was reaching, even then.

Unfortunately, I couldn't flag down a waiter, let alone ours. Plates removed by another waiter (still not necessarily ours) so I asked him to send ours by so we could chat about the carrots (long eaten, albeit sandily and grudgingly).

I then ran the gaunlet through the bar for the facilities, and was just appauled. I've never felt so awful in a restaurant before. It was a nightclub scene with people clammering over one another. It was a pretty shocking juxtaposition to the dining room.

By the time I got back, I had missed our waiter but received the menu for dessert. I was done, as we were now 2 hours in, but hubby was still hungry and wished for the three berry cheesecake. It was simply cheesecake. We ordered, and just not wishing to start anything, I begged off on mentioning the carrots, the waits, the oyster issue, I just wanted to eat and leave.

Unfortunately, cheesecake was consumed promptly, followed by 30 minutes of attempting to flag down anyone, anyone who would give us our bill and take our money. It got silly. The dining room was seemingly being run by guests because there was not a person to be seen. Flagging and arm waving did no good. Waiters seemed preoccupied with certain tables and could not be dissuaded. We obviously eventually got their attention (or I may have had to write this review from my iTouch) but I was so disheartened and put off. Lovely food (in general) totally spoilt.

We have written a letter to McEwan, having enjoyed his restaurants regularly over the last few years, and am waiting for a response. What a shame.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Charlie Burger's Latest Invite is out...

Enthusiasm definitely dampened here. I was thrilled when I added myself to the Charlie Burger mailing list, because of the original mission statement. I thought that I could try something new and interesting, for a semi-reasonable price.

Now that the price is certainly upwards of the original statement, and I'm simply priced out, regardless of how much I want to attend. What a shame.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Samphire / Salicornia

FOUND IT!

Got it at McEwans after a second visit and a good scour. Named under "Sea Asparagus" and in the produce section. Looked a little wilty, but I'll give it a go tonight.

Thanks to everyone for the help!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Samphire / Salicornia

Bah, I've just come back from McEwan having raced over there after just seeing this post, and, guess what, same old story...they had NO IDEA what I was talking about!

I asked for Salicornia / Salicorn / Samphire / Grasswort / Marshweed, and I got blank stares. They looked at me like I was from Mars!!

I've been advised to come back when "the chef" is in later this week. I assume that means Mark, but maybe not? Hopefully someone, anyone, will know what I am talking about. I'm going to print out a picture from the www.westcoastseaweed.com site!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Fresh invite to CB

Got mine too. $170 per person with wine + molecular gastronomy? Not my thing this time around...I'll head to Colborne Lane when I'm ready!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Loire Restaurant Review

*blush* Ha. You are correct, of course. I have my megions rixed...

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Loire Restaurant Review

We had the pleasure of having dinner at Loire this week.

The dining room has a fresh and airy feel about it. Nicely balanced table set up (not too close, not too sparse) and even when it filled up about an hour after our arrival it had a pleasant buzz and hum. No shouting to be heard, and no overbearing music (I can't remember music at all actually).

We were greeted and seated rapidly, and were attended by a knowledgable and very professional server who listed the prize features of the paper menu, and went off to fetch a bottle of Chablis (well, when in Loire...)

Unfortunately, genetic predisposition being what it is, both my father and I ordered the exact same appetizers and mains, so this will make for a boring review.

We began with the selection of Charcuterie. First up on the wood platter was the pork rillette, covered in a thin creamy layer of fat, served in a tiny pot. The pork was moist and flavourful, eaten lustily on baguette slices smeared with the housemade maple and tarragon mustard. Superb. The French picnic continued with the chicken liver parfait; a creamy, decadent spread. The texture was delicate, bordering on mousse, and there was so much of it to eat that a second bread basket was asked for and received. A crunchy pork skin puff was a little chewier than expected, making for interesting eating. Cornichon and beet rounded out the richness of the meats.

We followed up with the confit duck leg and muscovy duck Magret, with mini Ontario potato and Gruyère cheese gratin, on top of spinach in a citrus pepper sauce. The duck leg was incredible...the salted crisp skin was reminiscent of peking duck, and hid a moist, dark, and very generous portion of leg. The flesh was the tiniest bit dry around the edge, but incredible tasty. It was gobbled up.

The duck breast was seared to medium rare, with a beautiful pink red centre. The citrus pepper sauce was very refreshing when compared to the richness of the meat. The potato was the only "miss" on the plate. While it was gooey and cheesy, it lacked punch. It was very comforting stodge nonetheless.

Desserts didn't tempt until a bread and butter pudding special was mentioned. Shared between us, it was a generous portion. Shamefully dry though. The custardy outer layer gave way to a bready interior which would have benefitted from more liquidy goodness seeping through.

Nevertheless, I can't wait to go again. What a lovely find!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Ribfests- opinions?

My favourite is and has always been Oshawa. There is never a better atmosphere for ribs. It is a very "down home" style event, and Oshawa really lends itself to that. The bands are good (honky-tonk) the rib variety is good, and the extra vendors are good too.

I've been to Burlington (really large, noisy, crowded, hot) and Pickering (too few vendors) so Oshawa wins in my books.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Samphire / Salicornia

I tried the St Lawrence Market a few months back, but they had no idea what I was asking for (some vendors tried offering a seaweed salad instead), so I'm sure I'm not describing myself well.

I am looking for Samphire / Salicornia / Grasswort, that is commonly eaten steamed and served with butter. Preferably to buy and cook at home, but open to restaurants serving it too.

Thanks in advance!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Interesting meal at Osteria Ciceria e Tria

Although we were meant to be eating at Black Hoof last night, a quick call to the restaurant last week confirmed that they were not open on Wednesdays, so a reservation was placed at Osteria Ciceria e Tria. A week later, I arrived at Osteria Ciceria e Tria to find my father simmering over his lost reservation and being ignored by staff. It takes quick a bit to make my father "simmer" but I hoped that it was just a hiccup in an otherwise soon-to-be-pleasant evening.

However, it was the beginning of one of the strangest / most "interesting" meal experiences I've had in Toronto. The restaurant was heaving, with a large communal table down the middle of the restaurant that was full, and many 2 and 4 tops dotted around the place, also full. Once our reservation was "found" (or we were accommodated, one or the other) we were ushered to a very tight squeeze table which necessitated my poor Dad trying to figure out what part of his anatomy to offend the diners next to us with. It was CLOSE. We were left with the menus, no explanation of concept, offer of water etc. That would normally be fine, but the menu proved to prompt some questions (i.e. the antipasti had no prices) so it would have been helpful.

The menu was paper and labelled with date, and we arrived at 6.30pm, so I assumed that the short (very short) menu would be accurate. Not so.

After our lovely yet new server opened our bottle of wine ("I'm learning how to open wine" she explained as she struggled) I asked about the antipasti. She explained that you order the whole thing and you get some of each of the five antipasti listed on the menu. Fine, we ordered for two people.

I have a mussel intolerance and was a little disappointed to see three (and I believe actually on recall, four) dishes on the VERY short menu had mussels...two of the dishes in the antipasti had mussels included. Never mind I thought, I'll have some of the remaining three dishes. Unfortunately, we were only brought three dishes total...eggplant and beef meatballs in tomato sauce (pleasant, strange texture, acidic tomato, lukewarm which may be the way it is served so I'm not complaining), mussels in a broth (can't comment personally on the preparation), and some salami, some focaccia, and "something else" that was bready and cheesy. The mussels and the meatballs were on the menu, the third dish had half of it's ingredients on the menu, and the other two dishes (a potato and vegetable something or other, and a mussel and tiger shrimp dish) never appeared. Ttwo of the five mussels were eaten by my Dad before he pushed them away. I asked him to please continue as I wouldn't be indulging, but he said they were undercooked for his liking.

Now, at this point we should definitely have asked some questions, I know that. At the time, the whole thing was just so...strange...that we didn't question. It was very much a "eat what they give you" type of place.

The primi had four (or five...memory doesn't serve) offerings, and I chose the Baked Risotto with parmesan and mushrooms. It came out beautifully, and was absolutely delicious. Never one to complain about cheese, I indulged in the rich dish. My father mentioned that it was too rich for his taste but no-matter...it was superb.

Dad went straight to Secondi, with three offerings, fried cod, steak, and another mussel based dish. Dad had the steak which came in five smallish slices, jewel-red rare and appearing seared. I would have mistaken it for Ahi Tuna if I hadn't known better. As he wasn't asked how he wanted it cooked (something we realized as soon as the dish arrived) it was a shade too rare for his normal order, but he proclaimed it delicious..."if only it was three times the size" he smiled wistfully.

His steak came with a side and he ordered the dandelion salad, which was very "meh".

Cappuccinos excellent. Dessert (flourless chocolate cake) lacked something, maybe sweetness? Otherwise standard fare.

$120 before tax with bottle of wine. Hungry afterwards and should have ordered more food.

It doesn't sound that bad in this review and honestly it wasn't bad...it was just so odd. There seemed to be a complete disconnect between the kitchen and the diners about what was being presented and how, as well as big shortfalls in front-of-house (reservations, seating, menu explanation, and water) and very new staff. I look forward to returning in a year or so for another go because I think it may improve with age.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Great fast-food burger fix at Jetsun's Juicyburger

OK, so it's not as good as MY homemade burger, but it was pretty darn good.

Thick, juicy, meaty, flavourful pattie. Fresh toppings. Fresh "homemade style" onions rings (I can't guarantee that they are homemade, but they tasted great). Friendly service.

Definitely my go-to from now on for burgers in Scarborough.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

Port Restaurant Review - Pickering

We had high hopes for Port, after being swayed by news of a fabulous upscale casual bistro at the Lakefront in Pickering.

We were ushered through the empty restaurant to the bar area thanks for forgetting to make a reservation on a Friday night. At 6pm, the bar was already full and buzzing. The bar area is very nice but with a casual vibe thanks to several flat screen tv's showing sports and news. The tv's were a bit of a shocker to me, but hey, we were in the bar area.

We were served promptly with drinks and ordered shared appetizers and mains. Appetizers ordered were Gyoza with three sauces (not my choice) and Gambas al ajillo. Gyoza were small, standard fare and reminicent of slightly upscale pub food. I didn't expect much more though. Chewy and doughy, the sauces didn't improve things much.

Mains were the real disappointment. My husband ordered the 16oz cowboy rib steak with "herb deconstructed compound butter" and garlic mashed potatoes. He claimed the potatoes a disaster, and while the steak wasn't great it wasn't bad either. But for $34 he expected a better grade of beef as it was a little chewy and sinewy. Strangely, the "compound butter" was placed on the potatoes, not the steak.

I had the trio of duck, which was "seared duck breast with cognac and black cherry preserve, confited leg of duck with bourbon and blackberry pan jus, and smoked bacon terrine and blueberry veal stock reduction on sweet potato rosti, string beans, and red pepper". What a shame though. The breast was beyond overcooked and tasted either reheated or left under a heat lamp until all pinkness was gone. The slices were cold and dry. The confited leg was tasty but cold. The terrine was not great and a very thin slice. It was cold also but it may come that way? Each item was topped with a very similar fruit based jam or jelly that didn't taste any different one to the other, and appeared to be made of frozen fruit. The worst though was the "rosti" which was barely beyond cooked on the outside, and soggy and undercooked on the inside. Certainly not a rosti. Each piece was placed on top of a rosti and they were huge.

Our dining companions had the special, braised short ribs, and the supreme of chicken. The short ribs got a shrug, by the supreme of chicken was enjoyed, although I do question her judgement! She left most of the yukon gold croquette that came with it, proclaiming she was full. I had a bite and it was flavourless and had no texture. Hideous.

Dessert eaters amongst us had New York style cheesecake which was very good.

We paid $360 for 4 people including tip, cocktails, and a glass of wine.

For the price, we expected better and have received better, even in the Pickering area. Burb's Bistro springs to mind as a bistro with better food and more reasonable prices in the same upscale casual dining atmosphere. We wouldn't return to Port though except maybe for drinks on their large lakefront patio.

http://www.portrestaurant.ca/

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO: Imported Italian Eggs

I'm looking for the best eggs...THE best. Ideally Italian free-range.

Any idea where I could purchase this side of the pond? Price really no object!

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)

St. Lawrence Market on Christmas Eve. Am I kidding myself?

Thanks for the honest reply. I am heading down there at lunch time today to secure a nice roast. Thanks for all the insight and replies...I just won't risk Christmas Eve, just in case.

Suburban Gourmand in Ontario (including Toronto)