Where can I pick up POP sweetened by splenda rather than asparatame?

I've bought Waist Watchers from the Longo's on Bremner - that would've been about six months ago.

Also, Diet Orange Crush and Diet Crush Cream Soda are sweetened with Splenda and available anywhere. Saw it on the shelf at Metro at Front/Jarvis just yesterday.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Ematei - Any recent visits?

It's been a few years since I last visited Ematei, and I'm planning to take a group there for a birthday dinner next month. Going to reserve the tatami room.

Any recent experiences that folks could share? And what to order?

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Ematei
30 Saint Patrick St, Toronto, ON M5T3A3, CA

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Grocery Stores Open Thanksgiving Monday?

Anyone know of any GTA grocery stores that might be open on Monday? I live downtown but have a car.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Tofu in packages (not water packed)

Try Ying Ying Soy Food, located on the lower level of the St. Lawrence Market. Their flavoured varieties are vacuum-packed as you described, and the sweet and sour variety (my favourite) has sesame seeds in the mix. Fairly inexpensive too.

www.yingyingsoyfood.ca

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to find Hungarian ingredients?

Second Honey Bear. I took my Hungarian-born dad there a few months back for the first time and despite the tiny size of the place, he found everything he was looking for.

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Honey Bear
249 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON M2N, CA

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Last-Minute Cocktail Party Food Needed!!!

I'm in a last-minute bind for food for a cocktail party for 30 people tomorrow night. The person who was taking care of this, bailed at the last-second, so now I've stepped up.

It's a very casual get-together with folks who don't care too much about the food, as long as they're something. Just looking for simple - and relatively cheap - options, whether it's decent sandwich platters, large containers of chinese takeout, etc., - or even completely out-of-the-box suggestions. I'm right downtown, so location is important.

Please, please help!

Lily

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Halal Kebabs?

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Ended up buying marinated chicken tawook from Nasr and lamb from Iqbal. Both were a big hit.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Halal Kebabs?

Hi Embee - thanks for the reply!

He's totally fine having halal food cooked in a non-halal kitchen. Good point though, I completely forgot about that. I don't think he'll consume Kosher though.

Anything in the GTA is relatively convenient. I live in the SLM neighbourhood, but I often shop around Nasr. Typically I'd make my own kebabs but I'm short on time, and if there's a tasty, ready-to-bbq option, I'll travel wherever!

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Halal Kebabs?

I'm headed to a potluck Saturday evening, and a friend who's attending only eats Halal meat. I'm happy to accomodate, and since I've signed up to bring kebabs I'm looking for a butcher that has chicken and lamb ones (no beef - also have a Hindu friend who'll be there), that are seasoned/marinated and ready for the BBQ.

I've seen Iqbal Kebabs mentioned on the board, but have never shopped there - would that be a worthwhile place? Or maybe a butcher near Nasr?

Thanks!
Lily

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

If you live close to the SLM, is the trip to Diana's Seafood in Scarborough still worth it?

I was just at Nasr early Tuesday evening, and I won't be going back. They were completely out of pistachios (which were jacked up to $8.99/lb) and most other nuts, and the pita bread shelves were empty, as were the availability of many other items. Granted, it was a day before New Years Eve - so maybe that explains it, but what surprised me most were the signs at the registers signed by the "new management" saying they were only accepting cash - no debit or credit cards.

Time to pay Arz a visit.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Farhat - An off day?

I've been a huge fan of Farhat for the longest time, especially when we lived a short drive away and would stop by at least once/week for chicken and lamb sharwarmas. It was six months since the last time we stopped in (we now live downtown), after the experience we had yesterday, we likely won't return.

My husband ordered two chicken shawarma's ($6.99), and I had the lamb platter ($7.99). Staff were friendly as always - no complaints there. The sharwarmas were teeny - half the size that they usually are, and for some reason, they just didn't taste like the old Farhat shawarmas - more like chicken on a bun. The garlic sauce is still great though.

My lamb platter was disappointing. No tabbouli, just chopped parsley, and the lamb was very fatty and gristly - much more than in the past. The hummous was runny and the pickled turnips were replaced with pickled cabbage dyed red.

I don't know if the place is under new management, since I didn't recognize any staff there - anyone know?

So fellow Chowhounders, did I catch these guys on an off day - because I'd hate to say goodbye to a place I really loved.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

Fun Wedding reception.. Toronto Harbour Cruise boat?

I've only attended one boat cruise wedding reception, but it was enough for me to decline two other invites since then. Imagine being held hostage for 5 hours with a DJ who loves playing Living La Vida Loca, and the food at the buffet served in blue Coleman coolers. No joke.

Oh and the bride "forgot" to tell us it was a cash bar. Longest 5 hours ever.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

What is good for breakfast at St. Lawrence Market?

Just went to Carousel this morning for a Big Hog and it's now part of the regular menu. The guy at the counter said that since it was mentioned on Chowhound, they've had tons of people ordering it.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Shirataki Noodles

Just an update on my end: I went to T&T on Cherry St on Saturday and found them - thanks everyone! Ended up buying the angel hair, spaghetti and fettuccine ones.

If anyone's looking for them, they're in aisle #1, about 3/4 of the way down the aisle heading towards the fresh fish counter.

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Sugar Free DaVinci or Torani Syrups

Has anyone come across either of these brands in Downtown Toronto? I've found the DaVinci ones over at Low Carb Grocery at Yonge & Lawrence, but haven't found the Torani brand anywhere.

Thanks!
Lily

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Shirataki Noodles

Where in T&T at Cherry Street should I look? In the refrigerated section near the tofu perhaps?

Thanks!

Lily80 in Ontario (including Toronto)