Popdoggy's Profile
Great Cooks on Eight
This past Friday, my husband and I stumbled across this restaurant on the eighth floor of the Bay on Queen Street (by Eaton Centre) and thought I should share. Someone might have written about them but I tried searching for a posting on here but failed to find one. Across from the Arcadian Court, the Great Cooks on Eight is a slick restaurant that serves the business or shopping crowds at lunch time. Apparently the restaurant does not serve dinner as it turns into a cooking school/culinary centre at night. The prices were quite decent too - a club sandwich plus caesar salad for $12 and a salmon entree with jasmine rice and vegetables for $18. It overlooks the city hall area and decor is modern and clean. The service was also fantastic (staff were fast, friendly and meticulous when it came to details).
I wish I had a camera to post some pictures but we intend to go back and will recommend it to our friends. Check out the website: http://www.greatcooks.ca/index.html and http://www.toronto.com/shopping/listing/124477
Dim sum with carts
I would recommend Pearl Harbourfront and I'm 100% Chinese, born and raised in HK. It's not a tourist trap - decent food and friendly staff. Just because they cater to foreigners (with "a fork and plate" by default) doesn't mean it's a trap. Not the best dim sum if you compare it with The Grand, Lai Wah Heen and Casa Imperial but it's pretty decent.
Chowfind at Main and Danforth
Apparently the family does follow this post to get feedback from their customers. If only more restaurant owners would do that, there would be so many better restaurants out there. It's good to hear positive feedback for a restaurant in my hood. :)
Truffles at Four Seasons - Winterlicious
We have reserved a spot for Winterlicious at Truffles in the Four Seasons Hotel. Has anyone been to Truffles? I have heard mixed reviews about the place but am wondering if any chowhounders have any opinion on the food at this place?
? re: Chinese style deep fried squid and deep fried calamari
I vote for Bamboo on Danforth. Crispy and never greasy or soggy - probably one of its best dishes (amongst many).
Looking for Good Traditional Dim Sum (Downtown)
Born and raised in HK over here.I would like to add that Pearl Harbourfront and Lai Wah Heen have pretty authentic dim sum. We used to love going to King's Garden but since it closed down, we have been regulars at Pearl Harbourfront.
There is another place called Bamboo in Greek town (yeah I was surprised too) that serves pretty good quality dim sum (fresh scallop on top of xiu mai, homemade dumplings) that I would recommend too.
Globe Bistro - Summerlicious
We went there on Saturday for Summerlicious. Couldn't agree more - the food was great, service was excellent, and we'll go back for their regular menu. The portions were small - but that's your typical fine dining portions and to be expected.
Wolfgang Puck on Sheppard?
Went to one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurant in Vegas and it was actually really good and decently priced. I support small local restaurants too but to be fair, it was pretty good.
Summerlicious 2008 must try restaurants
I booked Globe on Danforth. Has anyone tried it before?
Tommorow night (Tues) 3 buddies getting together. Looking for nice food and drinks. In the have past visited places like Bymark
Mark McEwan (Bymark, North 44) recently opened a new restaurant called One at Hazelton Hotel: http://www.onehazelton.com/ Don't know if it is any good but it looks pretty hip from the outside.
Mercatto?
Mercatto on Toronto street is my FAVOURITE restaurant! It's hip yet casual. The waiters/waitresses are fairly laid back. We go there at least once or twice a month. The food is great, especially their specials! I would recommend dinner over lunch as it is usually less busy at night.
Omonia since the renovation?
Messini, hands down is our favourite. Fast, delicious, fresh and great portions. It's always packed throughout the day and I think that says something about the place. Square Boy is pretty good but for the money, I vote for Messini.
Not The Same Old Korean Food Again!
What do you think of Owl of Minerva in North York? Is that authentic at all? I see a lot of Korean students there but can never tell if it would be given a thumbs up by Chow Foodies...
HELP! Cheap bar near Yonge and King for 20+ ppl
Irish Embassy recently renovated and it's now much bigger than it used to be. It's on Yonge and Wellington.
King West Dinner Suggestions for a bachelorette outing?
What about Politica? The food is fantastic but it's on the quieter side of King West.
Sunday Brunch/Lunch on The Danforth between Donlands and Broadview?
If you are up for dim sum, I recommend Bamboo Dim Sum Cafe. They have awesome shrimp dumplings and fried squid.
Other places such as Messini and Mocha Mocha is another favourite of mine.
New farmers' market on East Lynn (Woodbine & Danforth)
Yes, I'm very excited about that and will definitely go back and check it out to support my 'hood!
Alternative to Terroni?
I second Mercatto on Toronto street! It's our favourite restaurant in the city. Tried Quattro Ragazze the other day and was really disappointed. The pasta was tasteless and soggy. I'm not sure why it has such great reviews - it's mediocre at best.
Main & Danforth (Gerrard East) restaurants?
Relish is my number 1 choice - great relax atmosphere and fantastic food. Melanie's Bistro has great brunch. Bistro Camino is pretty good too. If you want to trek down to Greek town. The Bus Terminal has pretty good breakfast as well.
best all day dim sum and korean bbq in toronto?
If you keep heading east of Bloor all the way to Danforth. There is a place called Bamboo close to Jones. The fried squid, xiu mai (shrimp/pork dumplings) and crispy beef are to die for! You get great value for the money!
Chowfind at Main and Danforth
From my previous post, you know that I'm a supporter of Camino. However, the one constructive comment I have to the owners is that they should consider not making the restaurant what it isn't. That is, it's clear that it's a family restaurant so why not make is so? Trying too hard to make it feel like a formal French restaurant just wouldn't work in that area. Cut out the formal attire and relax a little - you can still provide great services without the formality. Otherwise the food and services were truly fantastic.
Peaking Duck
Not quite in North York but Lai Wah Heen at the Metropolitan Hotel specializes in Peking Duck - it cost $52 per duck and you have to pre-order. We went there last week and our friends loved it.
Least terrible dish at Spring Rolls?
I cannot agree more. Spring Rolls has the worst food ever - saddest thing is it does belong to a Vietnamese family. You would think they would at least try to be a bit authentic. Being fusion isn't the problem, but everything has a sour taste to it. Why? I ask, why do people keep going to a crappy place and why is the chain in every corner?
Chowfind at Main and Danforth
My husband and I went to BC a few nights ago and really enjoyed it. I think it's a little silly for people on this board to expect fine dining-type quality when you know it's only a neighbourhood family restaurant. My husband had the Oxtail and I had the Duck a L'orange set menu. We both loved our food and had good time - the waitress was professional, attentive and sweet and even the chef came over to say hello. We had a 3 course dinner and cocktails and it only cost us $65 in total. You simply cannot beat that. And regarding the French cuisine with a Japanese twist, it kind of reminds me of the original Iron Chef Japan TV show where some of the chefs were classically trained French cuisine chefs! I like the creativity and good for them for trying something different. ;)
For those looking for good food in the neighbourhood, I would like to add that Relish is by far still our favourite in the area. All of our friends rave about it. I look forward to trying Batifole and Quattro Raggaze. Thanks!
dinner for 20 people at $35 a head?
Try Mercatto on Toronto street, close to the new Terroni's. The dinner menu is amazing and definitely very affordable. It has to be one of my favourite restaurants in town.
Where to find an inexpensive cast iron grill pan in T.O.?
Home Sense sometimes has ok ones.
