cywd's Profile
Family eats near the ROM?
hi freshbread, i practically grew up in the ROM with both my parents working there, and as a kid one of my favourite treats was going to lunch at Asuka Japanese Restaurant in Yorkville. It's a cozy, inexpensive little place run by real (!) japanese (an unfortunate rarity in downtown toronto) with great sushi, bento boxes, and green tea ice cream.
lobster rolls
Looks like it's lobster season! I've seen subway advertising a lobster sandwich, but since I don't put much faith in subway, does anyone know where else I can find a hearty, juicy, packed-with-seafood-goodness lobster roll that will take me back to the days of childhood visits to the maritimes?
ISO poppy seeds
I desperately want to make a lemon poppy seed cake, but I can't find poppy seeds anywhere! I've searched PA, Marche Lobo, and Provigo. Any suggestions?
sucre bleu
I walked by the St Laurent location today and it's definitely closed. The sign's down and the windows are all papered up. The St Denis branch is still around though, and it doesn't look like it's going anywhere. Most of the candy wasn't spectacular, but the sheer selection is awesome.
sucre bleu
I walked by the St Laurent location in December and it was being boarded up. I don't know what's happened to it since, though.
sucre bleu
what's happening to sucre bleu? the branches on crescent and st laurent have closed recently - is the one on st denis still open? it's finals time and i need sugar.
What was the worst food you HAD to eat as a kid?
Chinese medicinal tea/soup - it's a thick, black sludge that smells and tastes absolutely vile. I swear people 'get better' just so they can stop drinking it. My mom also went through a raw bitter-melon smoothie phase... ugh
Help me decide on a Chinese Restaurant
For dinner, i would recommend Golden Court Abalone (in the same complex as Ambassador, I believe?) - it may be a bit more expensive than the ones on your list, but it's excellent and should have a selection of set meals.
Also, if you're referring to Grand Yatt that was at Bayview and Blackmore/Springbrook, that doesn't exist any more - there was a suspicious fire some time last year.. it's been replaced by another Chinese restaurant now.
soy coffee creamer
does anyone know where i can find a soy creamer in downtown montreal? i've been looking for the silk brand, but am open to alternatives. i've tried the provigos on parc and ste catherine's, and the PA on du fort with no luck.
chinese around milton?
my family is moving from richmond hill to milton, and i know not to expect the same level of chinese food in that area, but is there anything to ease the withdrawal??
blood oranges
what's up with ataulfo mangoes - why are they such a rare sight in western grocery stores? i grew up eating them from chinese groceries (in toronto) and didn't even know green mangoes (tommy atkins?) existed until recently. in my mother's eyes, the very thought of buying a non-ataulfo mango would break some sort of unwritten chinese law...
blood oranges
they're also out of blood oranges at the PA on du Fort. :( oh well, i picked up a nice pomelo instead.
blood oranges
anyone know where i can find fresh blood oranges in montreal? preferably within walking distance of mcgill campus.
Happening Gourmand
I went to Restaurant du Vieux Port Saturday night with a large group - i'd never been before, and they and Gallianos were the only restaurants that could accommodate 10 people on just one day's notice. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of ordering the catch of the day where Vieux Port is a steak house - the halibut was *horrible* - I wouldn't pay $5 for it elsewhere, let alone $20. Tasteless, rubbery, and burnt to a crisp on the bottom. The starters were so-so - I had decent escargots and tried some crab cake, but the flavour was nothing special. On a good note, my friend's tenderloin medallions were delicious and generous - well worth $20 (though maybe not the $34 they would cost at the table d'hote's regular price). I did also enjoy the humongous slab of decadent chocolate mousse cake there was for dessert - so rich that half the people at my table couldn't even finish it (myself not included..). The resto has a really nice, warm atmosphere and it's well lit - none of that 'romantic' i-can't-see-my-food darkness nonsense. The service was remarkably speedy and attentive, and the bread came warm - always a nice touch, in my opinion. However, in a contest between Restaurant du Vieux Port and Narcisse, Narcisse wins hands down - and it's cheaper, too.
Happening Gourmand
Went to Narcisse for $15 set dinner tonight - I had duck gizzard + walnut salad, quails in raisin sauce, and chocolate banana pie. My friend had goat cheese, braised short ribs, and creme brulee. the braised short ribs were definitely the star of the evening - melt-in-your-mouth fall-off-the-bone tender and delicious. The goat cheese appetizer was encrusted in sesame seeds and also amazing. There was an unfortunate over-salting problem with some of the veg sides and the duck gizzard salad (the gizzards were like chewy little salt-bombs.. are they supposed to be like that?). The very generous desserts wrapped up the meal nicely - especially the creme brulee, which had a lavender crust. Odd... but good. All in all, it wasn't a perfect meal, but there was a nice ambience with the live jazz duo, and at $15 each (+$9 for the recommended glass of wine), it was a steal!
