aser's Profile
Is there Singaporean Laksa in Toronto?
aka it's for white people because Ossington is a "happening" street.
go to gourmet garden.
Shun Reserve Line
I'm sure it's a decent knife but in that price range you can get something even better for less.
Investigate Tosho Knife Arts, Knife, JCK and ebay. Brands cheaper and better than this line would be Konosuke, Sakai Yusuke, Carbonext.
Brewpubs
if you like higher abv and adventurous beers (ipa, baltic porters, trappists) then Bellwoods is it.
While you're in town, try Black Oak Ten Bitter Years. It's available on tap at a few select spots (Rhino, C'est What, Volo).
Kinton Ramen - First Taste
perhaps you should compare it to totto and ippudo instead of momofuku. What they make isn't really ramen.
why must there be a lean version of everything? ramen is unhealthy, it's fatty. Have soba or udon if you want something healthier.
I haven't been to Kinton yet, but am looking forward to it.
Grand Electric
They tend to exaggerate the wait times to cover their asses. I've been told of hr+ waits and then receiving a phone call after 20 mins saying a table opened up.
Then again, I never go on Fri/Sat.........Just head across the street to Rhino and have a pint of 10 bitter years for $6!
BC Spotted Prawns - A quick update
if you see black spots in the heads, avoid like the plague. That means the enzymes are being leeched into the body, making it mushy.
that is why I only order spot prawn dishes at restos w/ a live tank, which generally are the Cantonese ones.
Continental restaurants don't know how to handle spot prawns properly imo. The knowledge about the head thing isn't there w/ people I've come across in the industry.
Joanne Kates is leaving the Globe!
oooooh burn.
this thread is hilarious.
The only thing I have to say about tthis is.......What will Amy Pataki do now? Her reviews are always the exact opposite of Kates.
Hattori kitchen knives
you're not getting the kd line, the waiting list is long. Also it's pointless to have such an expensive knife as your first Japanese knife.
jck is very reliable.
Hattori kitchen knives
kono hd are better than hattori hd by a wide margin, go check them out. Damascus is all show no go.
if buying at jck, look into carbonext for a good value.
I have a misono ux10 240mm gyuto that I'm trying to get rid of if western handles interest you more.
Hawker Bar
The food wasn't good, why is it pretentious to call a spade a spade.
Go try Gourmet Garden and compare for yourself.
Tap Phong..
in that price range, they'll be flimsy.
the best one on the market imo is....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsbIIQoJKCI
perhaps too much roll for you.
Analysis Paralysis - Help me choose a restaurant: Nota Bene, Acadia, Campagnolo, Frank's Kitchen? Other?
m......
Best nabeyaki udon in Toronto?
It's $13.95 if I recall, their most expensive udon option.
They do get busy on weekends, call for reso if you need primetime seating.
lunch spots in parkdale?
at the edge of the 15 min mark, I vote for Tien Thanh's pho at Queen & Ossington.
Another option for roti besides Ali's is Island Foods at King & Dufferin. Then again, roti is some heavy ass shit, not really a good thing to eat too often. Oh so tasty though....
Need a foodie friendly "lux dive"
I'm w/ sws on this one, county general isn't cheap if you order enough to fill your stomach. It's like most new restaurants, menu prices are deceptive low, but portion sizes are appetizer esque.
Prima mentioned a good one in Copper Chimney. "Cheap, but amazing food" screams ethnic for me. Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, indian, etc......
Do you care about decor or hipster appeal? Does it have to be in a trendy area? Does the restaurant have to use "reclaimed wood"?
Beer Bistro is another decent choice taking beer into the equation.
Best noodle soup near Queen & Spadina?
Swatow beats everybody hands down, not even close.
Analysis Paralysis - Help me choose a restaurant: Nota Bene, Acadia, Campagnolo, Frank's Kitchen? Other?
that's pretty much it, I save my money for continental eats when I travel.
in town I eat very similar to you, ethnic and cantonese.
D. Lee is opening a new place though, in a hip area. So perhaps he'll experiment more than he does at Nota.
La Carnita finds permanent home on college st
I'm a big fan of Grand Electric, but I'm just as big a fan of Rebozo's and Tierra Azteca. They both serve different needs.
Given one or the other, I would choose the bodega esque joints for everyday value. Still love me some craft beer at Grand Electric though.
Squab + wonton + other info for Markham/Richmond Hill
If you want to have a seafood dinner, try Win's on 16th ave.
Hawker Bar
You reminded me of the ginger tea, which was gross.
It was literally just ginger boiled in hot water. Add some citrus, add some honey, add something to tame the peppery notes of ginger.
I also had the cucumber salad, which was under seasoned. The nam prik pao on the son in law eggs had a terrible consistency. It was literally stuck onto the plate/leaf like silly putty. Took real effort to get it attached to the egg.
The food just wasn't polished enough, I didn't get my money's worth. Rather spend my money at Gourmet Garden for the realness.
Chinese foodcourt stalls (authentic cantonese)
There's the Metro Square food court by the IBM/Lenovo offices on Steeles.
Not Cantonese but I love the Malaysian brisket curry there.
Hawker Bar
Let's just say it wasn't anything to write home about.
The fish was decent, but it needs way more sauce. The satay tasted like the sauce was put on after the fact, plus it was overcooked.
It's no Gourmet Garden that's for sure.
Best Pho in T.O.
The pho there is a bit greasy, very homestyle. I still like it a lot though, but yes their bun bo hue and banh cuon are stronger.
they close at 7pm so beware.
tacos within walking distance of kensington market area
rep that! love me some tierra azteca.
tacos within walking distance of kensington market area
la bella managua makes a great ceviche, give that one a shot.
tried to warn you, heh, la tortilleria is only good for buying tortillas and assorted grocceries.
