theel's Profile
Ling Long Legend - a pleasant surprise
The texture was certainly not what I expected but I didn't find it unpleasant at all. Reminiscent of cooked intestine or stomach. I enjoyed the ear, but found the the vinegar based dressing too tart. But, I am not a big fan of tart flavours.
Ling Long Legend - a pleasant surprise
Ding Tai Fung was busy today and the wife and kid were hungry, so we decided to try Ling Long Legend a couple of doors down. Pictures of the food outside showed Northern Chinese dishes similar to Ding Tai Fung. We weren't expecting too much so our meal was a very pleasant surprise. We ordered 5 dishes.
1. Pig ear and celery salad. The pig ear was cooked until soft and tender, not left crunchy like some recipes. I have only had crunchy versions but this was a nice change. dressing was vinegar based which the SO liked more than I did but overall a pretty good dish.
2. Xiao Lung Bao. Only 4 to an order but the price reflected that. Each was slightly larger than DTF but well constructed and very tasty. Dumpling skin had good texture and filling was slightly sweeter than DTF and was made with pork and fennel, nice amount of 'soup' in each dumpling. This should please any dumpling craving.
3. Pot sticker dumplings. 4 to an order. Pan fried (menu says deep fried and we heard several tables inquiring about that before ordering, just as we did). Filling was different from the xiao long bao but equally tasty. Again very well constructed with good texture and juicy filling. Another very good dumpling.
4. Ling Long special dumpling. A steamed dish, 3 per order. The dumplings were topped in 3 separate sections with finely chopped carrots, wood ear fungus, and egg. Pretty to look at, quite tasty but too big for a single bite. All in all an ok dish but I will try other things on the menu before returning to this dish.
5. Hand pulled noodle with braised beef. The hand pulled noodles can be ordered thin like shanghai noodles or thick, thicker than ho fun, almost like italian parpadelle. I have only seen the thick version on tv and never noticed it available anywhere else in toronto (not that I made a huge effort to look). Of course we tried the thick version. I really enjoyed this dish. The noodles were surprisingly smooth in texture. I was expecting a little courser texture from the look of the noodles. But the noodle did lack the nice chew I expect to find with hand pulled noodles. A very rustic looking noodle with a surprising silkyness, and a pretty good braised beef and broth. I will be ordering more hand pulled noodles from the resto, but next time it will be Dan Dan noodles.
Overall Ling Long Legend definitely deserves a few return visits to try the rest of the menu. Service was very friendly and pleasant, food was really quite good and if you sit near the open kitchen, you can watch the chefs work. The only draw back is the bathroom which were single occupant and a little tight for space.
Soba Tuesdays
Went as a party of 6 just before x'mas. I wish I lived in the neighbourhood and could become a regular. I can't remember all the specific special ingredients (too busy eating, sorry) but everything was delicious. Service was very friendly although the food did take a little while to come. Pics attached.
1. Zarusoba with crab leg
2. Zarusoba with tempura and warm dipping sauce
3. Cold broth with housemade tofu
4. Cold broth with seaweed (can't remember what kind) and grated daikon
5. Fried soba in warm broth with crab leg
'Fishermen Clubhouse' - A most impressive Chinese 'Seafood' Restaurant
Dinner tonight. 6 adults and a toddler. We had a set dinner for 5 with the 'lobster' upgrade, steamed fish instead of fried, and added the fried rice with lobster tamale. Total cost was $195 incl. tax. The lobster upgrade (according to them and appears to be accurate) is the use of hard shell (cold water) lobster instead of soft shell lobster. Denser and more meat per wt. and we were quite happy with the choice to upgrade.
1. Oysters with Honey Glaze
2 .Fried Eel with green beans
3. Steamed Bass
4. Bok Choy
5. Lobster HK (typhoon shelter) Style - 6+ lbs
6.Fried Rice with lobster tamale
7. Black sesame dessert
The Oysters were excellent, fresh and plump and great flavour. The eel was also a very pleasant surprise as I have generally had subpar experiences with eel at chinese restaurants and usually stay away. This dish was delicious and the green beans were cooked perfectly. The steam fish was on the small side which was disappointing but steamed perfectly so no complaints about flavour and it was the toddlers favorite a long with the lobster. The bok choy ... well, I looked at it as a palate cleanser as it was just cooked plain (and I mean plain, they didn't even walk past the salt shaker on the way out of the kitchen). The lobster was the star of the meal, beautifully presented, cooked perfectly and very delicious (deep fried with chilli, garlic, and small fishes that I can't name, we chinese call these fish bak fan yue, although these were a little bigger than I normally find). I personally wouldn't have minded a little more chili heat but everyone else thought it was seasoned perfectly. The fried rice was fine, nothing really that special but at only $8.99, no complaints. Overall the meal was excellent. There were many deep fried dishes and some people might find it a little on the heavy side but for a special occasion it was fantastic. Plus there was that dish of vegetables as a palate cleanser. The dishes came out more banquet style (i.e. one at a time) which isn't typical of a non-banquet dinner but it worked in this case because the lobster came at the end and there was nothing on table to distract you from it. Yes, it can become a little 'one note' after a while because the lobster was so big but the flavour was good enough that we didn't mind, plus this meant the lobster never got cold. Oh, the meal also came with soup (very good) and the dessert is not worth mentioning really (nice texture, but a little bland in flavour). The service was ok, very friendly if a little rushed but plug is right, they really do just put the food on the the table and leave, but I usually don't go to a chinese restaurant for the service. However, the impression I got throughout the evening was a real concern that you had a good eating experience from menu selection to table space. The restaurant is small and tables are tight. Plus it appears that they are at full capacity everyday so make reservations. If you like really elegant dinner surroundings ... eat somewhere else. If you don't care as long as the food is good .. call ahead and enjoy. Parking is difficult as the lot is very busy but street parking is plentiful all up and down the street off Steeles Ave. CASH ONLY so come prepared.
Emperor Chinese Cuisine - Very enjoyable family dinner ( with photos )
Emperor has been consistently good. My wife and I got married in that location (it changed name right after we got married .. but the food remained very good). They have changed their dinner 'specials' and Peking Duck is now on Wed ... or Thur?? It says one thing on the menu but we were told something different by the wait staff. You can, however, get a small serving of suckling pig for only $1 on Mondays. Value indeed and really quite tasty.
Best Sushi in Richmond hill / Thornhill? (close to dufferin/hwy 7)
Sapporo is not next to Gal which is at 7 and Warden(ish). Sapporo is on Chalmers Road between Leslie and Bayview (just west of West Beaver Creek). It is next to a HSBC though.
Best Sushi in Richmond hill / Thornhill? (close to dufferin/hwy 7)
My standard go to for sushi in that area is Sapporo Sushi, 23 Chalmers Road, just East of Bayview off Hwy 7. Small little family run place, Korean owned. Great people. Sushi and Sashimi is pretty good... reliable is the word I use but the pieces are on the dainty side. Good value on their many specials but the stand outs are the hand rolls. Best spicy salmon hand roll in the 905 (maybe even in the GTA) .. I know, spicy salmon ... laugh if you must but I really enjoy it ... so there. In the years that I have been going there, I have only had 2 less than great hand rolls, and 1 was take-out so my fault for leaving so long before eating. Feel free to laugh this place off because it is already getting too crowded most days and I share only because I care. Once again, NOT ZEN, or SOLO!! Just my standard go to once a month, reliable, cozy, know what you are going to get everytime kinda place .. with super hand rolls .. tempura is pretty good too most times.
The Stockyards Smokehouse & Larder
I was in the area 2 weeks ago and ordered the fried chicken dinner for take out. I was told it would take 15 minutes. When I returned 10 minutes later it was already sitting at the counter. I walked around the corner to my car and opened it up right away. The everything must have been freshly done because the amount of steam built up in the container had already made everything soggy, from the skin to all the fries (unless the fries are served soggy there to begin with). I can't really say much to recommend my experience. The skin was soggy, the flavour was ok but not great, fries where a wash. The slaw was, however, quite good. Perhaps they need to learn to leave freshly fried foods open in the container until the very last minute when the customer is ready to pick it up. If I have to go far before eating it and it gets soggy, then it is my fault. But if you say 15 minutes and it is ready in 5, don't let it sit in a closed container steaming. That just ruins all your hard work preparing the food and doesn't make the customer eager to return again.
Absolutely HORRENDOUS meal at.......wait for it!..........'Fantasy Eatery, Scarborough'!!!
I APOLOGIZE to every chowhounder who has been to Fantasy (Scarborough) in the last 2 weeks. I had a terrible meal (for the first time in 10 years) but was too busy with work travel and didn't post. Not sure if Charles is talking about they Hwy. 7 or Scarborough outpost of Fantasy but Mr. Cornstarch is was definitely in charge of the kitchen when we were there. Coincidentally, Charles, you and I had almost the exact same meal ... and apparently were served the exact same mess. They must have re-written their chef training manual. My wife and I joked that the chef was probably on break until 2pm when the resto gets really busy and jr. prep chef was in charge. The half empty restaurant at 11:30pm should have been clue. Fantasy is never empty. I hope Charles was posting on the Scarborough location because we thought there would be a chance that the chef there had been moved to Hwy. 7.
Island Way Sorbet
ISO Island Way Sorbet. Preferably the sample pack. I was told that they were available in Costco but could not find any. These are delicious sorbets, presented in a hollowed out shell/peel of the fruit itself (coconut, lemon, orange, pineapple and a couple of combinations)
Visiting Toronto on a student budget.
kaka lucky which is probably right across the street from where you are staying in East Chinatown. On Broadview just south of Gerrard. Very good chinese bbq at great prices. Stick to the bbq though, their kitchen is not the greatest for noodles and rice dishes. However, dinner there is not bad. Also take yourself down to the St. Lawrence market.
Help! - Best Sushi Ambiance - Romantic, Quiet, Not Crowded, Intimate (Downtown Toronto)
Yuzu on Adelaide
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Yuzu
236 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA
The best of Markham and Richmond Hill
The Curry Crab is still quite good at Saigon Star. Doesn't always come out piping hot though. It is so popular they have quite few ready to go in the back, just ladle on the sauce from a giant vat. Hard to beat the Monday dinner special at Emperor ($19.99 Peking Duck). It is a pretty darn good duck too by Toronto standards and the staff are all very nice. Sababa (Steeles just west of Hilda) has great falafel and a very good shwarma. Their fresh made pita is also great.
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Sababa
390 Steeles W, Thornhill, ON L4J6X6, CA
ISO a sushi place in North York, Thornhill or Richmond Hill
How about teppanyaki at Akasaka on West Beaver Creek (Richmond Hill) or if it more about he kids and not the quality, teppanyaki at Taste of Japan on Woodbine Ave (Markham) or Memories of Japan (North York). Is Memories of Japan still there actually? Haven't driven by there in a while.
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Taste of Japan
3710 Richmond Rd, Nepean, ON K2H5B8, CA
Memories of Japan
900 Don Mills Rd, Toronto, ON M3C1V6, CA
Silver Carriage HK style restaurant/cafe - Gem of a find!
We haven't had a decent HK style place in the GTA for a while. After May Doh changed hands that was it. New City once in a while. Anyone try Dickens after it 're-opened'?
Hong Kong-style Western Food (HK-style "cafes")
Maydoh at Kennedy and Burloak (just north of 16th ave.). This location seems better than the one at Kennedy and Denison.
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Maydoh Restaurant
1661 Denison, Unionville, ON L3R6E5, CA
ISO PINEAPPLE CRUSH
The Apple Market in Brampton had a whole display of bottled Pineapple Crush a few weeks ago.
http://www.applefactory.com/index.htm
Anyone want Chinese recommendations for Markham/Richmondhill?
Most dim sum places now are ordered by checking items off a printed menu and all of these places will have english and chinese. Honey Garlic, Ginger Onion and one place just south of Hwy. 7 on Woodbine are the only places that i can think of that still have the push carts so it is a pretty safe bet that there will be enough english to help you order at any other dim sum joint.
Adzuki (red) Bean Paste
You could probably find some in K-town. There are at least 2 grocery stores that will likely have adzuki.
Swatow: Are you kidding???
E-Pan was a pleasant surprise when they opened up. Consistently decent food but now I am bored with the menu. Still a good fall back because they can be relied upon to serve decent food and the service is very good.
RICHMOND HILL SUGGESTIONS
There's always all the asian selections at First Markham Place. Order wisely at Ding Tai Fung (shanghai style food) and you could have a very good meal. VIP is ok for a pho fix but I agree with Charles ... the curry crab at Saigon Star is delicious, order extra baguette to sop up the sauce. John's BBQ at Hwy. 7/Chalmers for some very good chinese bbq and cantonese food. In the same plaza is a little neighbourhood sushi joint (Saporo) that has a great spicy salmon hand roll. There's always the Keg if you want to walk across the street and a huge bubble tea place near the Keg as well.
Swatow: Are you kidding???
Everyone's palate is different and what you find tasty may be horrible for someone else so don't get your knickers in a bunch when someone doesn't like what you like. Relax people. My parents enjoy Hi Shanghai and I don't like their food at all. I also still enjoy some of the food at Ding Tai Fung and lots of CHers will say that their food has been slipping .. but so what, I like it and that is what matters to me. I happen to think that the dim sum at Rol San is mediocre at best and some of it is pretty bad. I like the Beef Hor Fun at Swatow. They make it a litttle spicy which I really like. That is pretty much the only think I order when I am there and they are open in to the wee hours of the morning which is usually when I go in.
Quail eggs
I think any asian grocery store will have quail eggs. Cook them the same way you would chicken eggs ... maybe not scrambled unless you want to use a half a dozen for a single amuse.
moving-suggestions for last meals in Toronto?
My friends tell me that West Indian food is much better here in TO so you might want to hit your favorite Jerk joints before you go. Jerk chicken/pork, Cow foot soup, Ox Tail, doubles etc.
Portuguese Chicken in or near Richmond Hill?
There is a new Churrasqueira on Yonge immediately south of King Rd on the west side. Generous portions, food not bad but the evening wait times were horrible whenever we went. Stopped bothering for now because I don't like waiting for an hour or more for my order. Nice folks though and their chicken is freshly roasted or put on the grill right before your eyes. That's part of their problem of course, they try to time the cooking of the food for the dinner rush and haven't seemed to get it right yet.
Let me try that again...
Yonge between Finch and Hwy. 7 is the growing Persian and Lebanese corridor, particularly south of steeles. You should also check Lawrence avenue between Victoria Park and Birchmount for middle eastern flavours. As you are finding out from all the various replys, there is plenty of ethnic variety in TO. Have fun reading all the previous TO boards.
Let me try that again...
Welcome to TO munchieHK. I hope you find TO food as food worthy as Thailand and Turkey. I am sure all the regulars on Chowhound would love to know how the ethnic flavours we are so proud to have at our doorstep compare to the rest of the world and indeed to their lands or origin. I used to enjoy the naan at Lahore Tikka House further east on Danforth from Makkah in Little India. However, I haven't been in a couple of years.
best pho in toronto revisited
I frequent Pho Con Bo (Jane and Wilson). Best pho in town that I have found. I added them to another board sometime last week (best chow finds).
Akasaka Japanese restaurant - Omakase ?
Akasaka does not pop to my mind when I think omakase. They have been there for a long time but I never found their sushi/sashimi to be worthy of their price point. It is a pricey place for the 'not bad, pretty good' sushi that is available. Teppanyaki is pretty good but again for that price and 'sameness', more of a 'take some visiting friends for something different' kind of thing. Solo up in Newmarket if you don't mind going another 15 minutes up the highway would be a way better choice and better price too if there is nothing mind blowing in the house (i.e. blue fin). I haven't found any place in Richmond Hill that really comes to mind for omakase. If anyone knows a place, please lead us there. Charles?
