grandgourmand's Profile
BC Spotted Prawns - A quick update
Thanks for the update Charles. Had some tonight from Diana's. $17.99/lb. They were delicious. I remember last year, T&T would carry them for $14.99/lb. for the 4-day sales. Haven't seen that yet.
P.S. the prawns in your picture look amazing
Have $50-$75 to spend on dinner for one. Want something fun/interesting, possibly a tasting menu.
Thanks again for all the responses everyone.
I ended up going to Fatty Cue. I was meeting a client for a drink in the West Village and it was a convenient option (plus, the menu looked good to me).
I had:
The shaved raw vegetables. This might sound bad, but it was my favourite dish. I love crisp veggies and a spicy dip. What else is there to say?
Half a dozen oysters. Fresh tasting east coast oysters. The fatty cue version of mignonette (a chili-fied vinegar concoction) was delicious.
Heritage pork ribs. Has an interesting fish sauce tone to it. Ribs were not fall off the bone (which is good) and they were side ribs, so more flavourful.
Isaan style duck laab. A miss dish for me. Way too salty and it could have been beef for all I know. You didn't get any duck-iness out of it. I guess the spicing of the dish might be the cause for that, but still...
Buttermilk fried rabbitt. One one hand, it was nice and crispy and well seasoned. On the other hand, the rabbit i had might have been on a diet or something, as it was a little scrawny (to be fair the one fleshy piece I had was tender, moist and flavourful). $38 for half a fried rabbit also seems a tad pricy.
If I was dining alone, I probably would have gone for some of the more adventurous dishes (e.g tripe).
In any case, it was a good meal. Service was efficient and attentive. We ate at the bar. The bartender was kind of spacy, but super nice.
I should be back in NY in a few months to check out some of the other suggestions.
Have $50-$75 to spend on dinner for one. Want something fun/interesting, possibly a tasting menu.
yeah, you're probably right. and it turns out my flight is leaving at 7:30, so definitely a no-go.
I was actually looking into Fatty Cue a bit last night (based on your board posts you seem to be a fan). Menu looks good. So I was hoping to either hit that or wd-50 on the Wednesday night and cram in txikito on the Thursday, but it looks impossible.
Have $50-$75 to spend on dinner for one. Want something fun/interesting, possibly a tasting menu.
Thanks for all the info...If I may ask you for a bit more help, as I may be able to squeeze in another nice dinner before heading back to Toronto.
My last meeting is at 200 West St and it ends at 4:30. Hoping I can get to Txikito for 5, have a quick meal then to Penn Station to grab a train to Newark in time for an 8pm flight.
Have $50-$75 to spend on dinner for one. Want something fun/interesting, possibly a tasting menu.
Thanks all...just to clarify, my tasting menu comment was more wishful thinking. I know there are a lot of good lunch deals around, and wishfully thought there could be similar dinner deals.
A la carte is perfectly. fine.
wd-50 is intriguing. with the new menu (and decor?) will it be tough to get a reso this late? also, if I do three, maybe four, dishes, will I be full? seems very interesting.
oh, and this is for Wednesday night. upcoming.
Have $50-$75 to spend on dinner for one. Want something fun/interesting, possibly a tasting menu.
Thanks...I should have been more specific. $75 at the upper end is all-in (tax, tip, drinks).
Also important, considering it's two days away, I need a place that will actually take my reservation.
Another few popped up...Lupa and The Dutch.
I like the yakitori omakase suggestion (although sushi omakase not ideal, since I'm having sushi for lunch the next day).
Have $50-$75 to spend on dinner for one. Want something fun/interesting, possibly a tasting menu.
Hello all,
I've been searching the board for the "coming to NYC/check my itinerary" posts. While they are very informative, I find the recommendations skewed towards the lower-price range (shake shack, X'Ian, etc) and the upper end (per se, wd-50, emp).
I usually go to Ippudo if it's just for one night. But apparently, we have a few good ramen places opening up in Toronto this year (plus it's getting warmer, so I'm not craving ramen as much).
Places I've considered are:
Sakagura (but izakaya alone seems weird)
Spotted pig (not really able/willing to invest time into a lineup)
Torrisi Italian specialties
Ssam bar (been there for the duck lunch, was good)
and a few others...
So, I've got $50-$75 to spend. Might only have 2 beers (have a 7:30 meeting the next day). Is there a really good tasting menu in that price range that could work?
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
ISO Watermelon Seedlings
Bill's Garden has a great variety, as Prima says.
But if you're looking for cheap, check out this aquarium shop on the SW corner of Gerrard and Boulton (one block west of Degrassi). They sell garden seedlings and flowers outside. I usually stock up there for basic things then go specialty somewhere else (e.g. Bill's has chervil, for example).
Suggestion(s) needed: hipster place with good seafood and veg options
Thanks kmbar and dlw88
Just looked at the menu...looks very interesting. I like seafood too, just to clarify.
Suggestion(s) needed: hipster place with good seafood and veg options
I'm bacheloring it tonight and have plans to go out with some friends. One is a veg and seafood only person, so have to take that into consideration. I don't know the Ossington scene at all, but was hoping to see what all the fuss is about. Can anyone recommend a spot?
Alternatively, we'll go to a Japanese spot. Maybe Zen or Ematei or Guu.
Thanks.
Spot Prawns
Yeah, my wife bought some last night for my in-laws. They thoroughly enjoyed them. They should drop to $14.99/lb later in the season.
Spot Prawns
they could be another variety of "live" prawns. not spot prawns, perhaps.
Spot Prawns
Was wondering that myself. Will look at the T&T flyer on Friday, maybe they'll get some in. I know Vancouver's spot prawn festival is on May 5 (at least I read that in the GLobe the other day). So would expect them after that.
Bibimbap in the PATH?
There is, but it's not particularly good.
You know the Standard Life center? It's in there if you keep walking past the Subway. There's a Asian deli kind of place.
A day and a half in Santiago
It's been a few months, and I didn't take notes to report back (usually, I keep more detailed notes in my head if I have to report back to chowhounder suggestsions, but since there were none...)
However, I did have a few memorable dining experiences. For a really good steakhouse, go to Ox. For a more varied menu, go to El Mestizo.
Pamier Kabob downtown
Been meaning to try this place for quite a while now. I'm a big fan of Bamiyan and was wondering how it would measure up. I'm glad to report that my Afghan cravings can now be met on a weekly basis. I know many of you already know of this place, but some might not.
Comparison vs. Bamiyan (chaplee meal)
Pamier has better Naan...way better
Bamiyan has a slight edge in the flavouring of the chaplee (it's a bit spicier), but texture is bang on for both
The spicy sauce salsa stuff is slightly better at Bamiyan
None of the differences is big enough for me.
$12 for a chaplee meal includes rice, salad and one naan. Great value considering the serving is large enough for two.
2012 alphonso mango sightings
Wow, that was quick. Forgot they started showing up this early.
thanks for the heads up.
Nathans hot dogs at Safeway...what varieties (Calgary)
Hi,
my mom is coming to visit me in Toronto later this week. She's coming from Calgary. I hear you lucky Albertans now have Nathans hot dogs at Safeway. Can someone tell me the varieties they stock? If they have the ones with casings, I'd ask her to pick me up a few packs for the freezer and upcoming BBQ season.
thanks.
A day and a half in Santiago
Hi, I'm heading to Santiago this Friday on business. I have the weekend, though, to tour around with some friends. I'm staying at the Ritz Carlton.
I'm trying to do some research on my own, but have some time limitations because of work and was hoping for some help on this board.
Here's what I need:
1 Lunch spot. Casual is fine, something "classic Santiago" if possible. I've come across Fuenta Allemana, which seems to be a lot of fun with nice looking sandwiches and beer.
1 late lunch spot Again, casual is fine. I really don't have any limitations in terms of what I'll eat, but preferably nothing off the beaten path (I'm travelling with others and I don't know what their willingness to travel is).
2 fine dining spots. These are for business-related meals. I want the location to be impressive, but also the meals to be delicious. Seafood would be nice, but I hear it's the red time time, and that could affect things.
Also, if you could suggest a few places where I could sit on a nice patio in the sun, drink some beer and eat some interesting snacks, that would be great.
Thanks in advance.
Morgans on Danforth
Yeah, I noticed the prices were a bit on the high side, considering the area.
We were there after ten and ordered the wings and fries combo. The wings were pretty good, but my friends wanted medium instead of hot, which I prefer. And the frieds were thick-cut and meaty. I liked those a lot.
Morgans on Danforth
I've been three times now and am planning on making a fourth time happen. Mostly, I've been there for beer. They've got a good selection of Ontario beers on tap (mill st. flying monkey, king) and a rotating cask beer (yesterday was great lakes something or other). Service is friendly, it's got nice decor and the menu options look pretty interesting. BUT, I haven't eaten there yet. Has anyone tried it out? And if so, what's it like?
Need a suggestion for a formal business dinner. Hopefully with an interesting menu.
I had one of the philly cheesesteak spring rolls too. It was pretty good. Three of the people at my table ordered the spring roll combo platter (geeze, sounds like a food court item). They thought it was great.
I regret not ordering the chicken livers off the Davio's classics menu.
Pork Belly St lawrence Market
Maybe Delisio's. That's the one near the fishmongers.
Maybe Witteveen's.
Not sure really, haven't been for a while. Always found SLM subpar for getting "off" cuts, although pork belly is pretty mainstream.
Need a suggestion for a formal business dinner. Hopefully with an interesting menu.
Dear Boston Hounds,
sorry for the late response, but work's been hectic. Thanks for the wonderful recommendation. We ended up going to Davio's. Not to sound harsh, but this is not a restaurant I would go to on my own. However, to bridge the gap between "interesting menu options" and "satisfy less adventurous eaters", it was perfect. My clients (most who had never been there) were absolutely pleased with their meals, the service was excellent and portions were ample.
My meal was the tuna tartare. It was ok. good fish, but I didn't care for the texture (seemd more like a paste than chunks) and the 16oz ribeye. It was a really good steak, what else can be said.
Can't wait until next time on my own when I can go back to Island Creek or check out Craigie on Main.
thanks for all the recommendations.
Has anyone tried the ramen at Guu?
Thanks. Good to know. The poster I saw was at the Church St. location.
Ramen
Sanko had another variety of ramen from California last time I was there. Had the tonkotsu version, I'm fairly certain.
I've been working on my own homemade ramen broth at home and have been using the Toronto ramen from Sanko that comes with no spice pack ($1.75). I find the noodles hold their texture for a long enough time to enjoy and not have mushy noodles at the end.
Has anyone tried the ramen at Guu?
Had dinner there the other day and noticed the posters for Guu Ramen nights on Mon-Tues-Wed. Can't really tell much from the picture, obviously, so wondering if anyone has tried it. How does it compare to say, Kenzo, which isn't the cat's meow, but is at least decent enough to satisfy a craving.
Need a suggestion for a formal business dinner. Hopefully with an interesting menu.
Oh really? For Monday too? hadn't thought of that. Looking at the menu again, I think it might be the winner. Hopefully they have spots.
