foxymoron's Profile
Montreal group dinner for 8 carnivores, 1 pescatarian and a vegan
Thanks for your suggestions. I really like the look of Holder for brunch and I've passed the idea on to the trip organizer. For dinner, we've made a reservation at Salle a Manger. They said they would "sauté some vegetables" for the vegan.
Montreal group dinner for 8 carnivores, 1 pescatarian and a vegan
Hello fellow eaters,
We're a bachelorette party visiting Montreal (from Toronto). There are 10 of us, most of us are adventurous foodies and love to eat and drink well.
For our Saturday night dinner, we're looking for the following:
- vegan-friendly-ish: I don't expect to find a menu with a vegan dish but hope we can find a restaurant that would at least accommodate us by adapting one of its vegetarian dishes for her.
- will take a reservation for 10 on a Saturday night
- mains about $20-30
- fun atmosphere where patrons can wear a party dress or jeans
- we're flexible on cuisine
For Sunday brunch, we just need a place that will take a reservation and is relatively close to Old Montreal, where we're staying.
Thanks in advance for your help!
A
ISO Meyer Lemons
Fiesta Farms had them a few weeks ago and they looked decent.
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Fiesta Farms
200 Christie St, Toronto, ON M6G, CA
ISO a great Mac and Cheese
I gotta second (third?) the recommendation for Harlem's mac and cheese. I've also enjoyed the one that Mitzi's Sister offers. There's a bit of blue in there so it may not be for everyone.
South side of Harbord, just east of Ossington
The Roxton, one of the best burgers in the city, I think. Enjoy!
Fantaxia - any reviews?
Was there on Sunday on Mother's Day. Very good and unbelievable value. I was also impressed with the portion sizes. I'll be organizing another trip there soon.
Thai-to-Go....impressed!
I've never been there, but we just ordered from Thai2Go this week. Still like the royal pad thai. The penang sauce is good, but I find they're skimpy with beef.
City mouse, country mouse
For beer, what about Smokeless Joe's? You'll be very close by as it's on John, a few steps north of Adelaide. It's a bit pricey, but the selection is great. It's also a lot more chill than Biermarkt, Beer Bistro and Volo (though I've not been to the latter).
My favourite gelato place is still Hollywood Gelato, especially since Solferino is closed. Others might also suggest Kensington Organic off of Queen W, but I have had mixed experiences there.
Lately, my favourite brunch spots are Cool Hand of A Girl in the Junction and Saving Grace. Expect a wait if you go to the latter. It's tiny.
As for ethnic food, you'll have to be a bit more specific. Are there a couple kinds of food you're interested in?
Any Winterlicious standouts this year?
Pizza Libretto is running an unofficial Winterlicious prix fixe menu at $25. I went last night and it was fantastic. Runs til the 12th: http://www.pizzerialibretto.com/menu.html
Any Winterlicious standouts this year?
Shiro, was your lamb covered in a thick curry too?
Where to find Halloumi cheese in Toronto
I got it at Loblaws in the summer, but I haven't seen it since. I believe it was President's Choice brand, too.
Any Winterlicious standouts this year?
I'm sorry, BokChoi. We went to EDO on Sunday and unfortunately, I was underwhelmed.
The menu is here: http://www.toronto.com/winterlicious/article/629344 but please note it's slightly different at the restaurant. There are actually four courses + the salmon pizza amuse bouche. Sushi is not an appetizer option, but instead a second course.
To start, my SO got the tuna carpacchio while I chose the corn chowder and kobe beef sausage. I should have followed her lead because the chowder was just OK. I know BokChoi enjoyed them, but I found the kobe beef sausages to be little more than glamourized hot dogs. Yummy, but when I think sausages, I think thick, textured links. The tuna was relatively good, but not as nice as similar dishes we've tried elsewhere.
We chose both the non-vegetarian sushi plate and it was the highlight of the meal. On the dish: maguro, sake and spicy scallop + tobiko nigiri and a maki-like cold spring roll filled with avocado, tempura shrimp and asparagus.
For the main course, I had the lamb chops while she had the black cod. Again, my SO made the better decision. While the online menu describes it as "lamb chops with seven flavour chili pepper," my chops were covered in a thick Japanese curry. They were nicely cooked, the sauce was too greasy-tasting and rich for me. I get a little suspicious when pungent flavours overpower a meat...(perhaps its the "air of staleness" that pinstripeprincess referred to above?)
Lastly, we ended with the yuzu cheesecake and black sesame panna cotta. The cheesecake was nice and light. The panna cotta was creamy but lacked a strong black sesame presence.
Overall, it was a disappointment. We still had a nice time, but EDO wow us. I'd visit again if I was in the neighbourhood, but it's not somewhere I'd go out of the way for. If I do go, I'll stick to the sushi bar offerings.
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Edo
484 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N1A5, CA
Johnny Rockets
We went to JR in downtown Toronto and while the food was decent for diner food, we found it quite pricey. Two of us shared a malted shake, onion rings and patty melt (that doesn't come with a side) and the bill came to the high 20s, $28, I think. We won't be going back for food, but maybe the shakes and floats.
Pub for First Date?
I've also had it with C'est What. I used to go there regularly but after dealing with them in the fall, will never return. Good beer isn't enough to make me go back to terrible service and burnt food.
Pub for First Date?
Smokeless Joe's! Great beer selection and the music is never too loud. Knowledgeable staff, too!
Hidden away, independent cafes, worth making a special trip to visit.
I've got to agree with the Cool Hand of a Girl rec. They make a good espresso drinks and it's the best brunch I've had in recent memory.
I've got to disagree with the Dip recommendations below. Great people watching, but poor food imho.
Any Winterlicious standouts this year?
I'm glad you have good things to say about your 'licious experience at EDO. I reserved our spot there a week ago and am looking forward to it. Most of the other menus didn't interest me but your photos look great. Now I'm really excited!
Best places around Ryerson University!
I agree on Milo's. In fact, I think the food court in the Toronto Life Centre is underrated. I've had food from Milo's, Beijing Express and the Korean BBQ place there and 4/5 times it was very good. The not-so-good time was when I ordered barbecue duck noodle soup from Beijing Express. I don't recommend that at the end of the day, but the rest of the menu is good.
Rol San Restaurant - 323 Spadina Ave
I know I've said it on this board before, but I really don't understand why people like Rol San. When I was there last (a couple months ago), there was not a single dish I would call good. The rice noodles were overcooked and lacked smoothness. The fried squid was flavourless and soggy. The seafood fried noodles were the biggest disappointment. Instead of arriving crispy and hot, they sadly slouched on the plate undercooked and unappetizing.
We may have visited on an off day, but if I'm to return again, what dishes best display Rol San's quality and value?
Gastropub-y or Funky Places in Toronto
May have been an exception. We went a couple months ago and had very good service. If you loved the food like we did, I'd say give it another shot.
1st time visitor needs late dinner suggestions and other advice
I'm Chinese, too so I'm very critical of Chinese food. I have to say "avoid Rol San!" I don't know why members of this board like it but my dim sum experiences there have been less than satisfactory. If you want dim sum, Pearl (at Harbourfront) is a step up in price and quality. It's been a TO institution for years AND has a great view of Lake Ontario. Of course, north of Toronto in the suburbs of Richmond Hill and Markham is where you'll find a better selection of good Asian (specifically Chinese) restaurants.
In the Richmond St. area you'll mostly find clubs, and very few bars worth going to, IMHO. BUT there is Smokeless Joe's on John St. They have an extensive beer list and some good raw oysters and mussels if you like that sort of thing. I don't recommend anything else on the food menu, but go for a drink (or three). I can recommend other bars if you are more specific in terms of what you're looking for.
Caterer for brunch?
I'm helping a friend organize her wedding brunch. We're looking for a caterer that can do Sunday brunch for a party of about 100 people. The couple values organic, sustainable, healthy food (but organic is not absolutely required). Rather than go with one of the larger catering companies, they'd like to support a smaller one, if possible. Can anyone suggest a good, small catering company that fits this description?
Thanks,
Andrea
What's your most disappointing dining experience?
I agree. I don't get the Chippy's hype. Their fish is decent, but the chips are a constant disappointment. It shouldn't be called Chippy's...maybe Fishy's instead.
What's your most disappointing dining experience?
The most disappointing meal I've ever had was at Cowbell. We made a reservation but didn't even get to order our drinks until 30 minutes after seating. The 40-something couple IN LINE had drinks in their hands before we did. Another couple, seated 20 minutes after us, were served drinks and their meals after us. We, a party of four 20-somethings, were consistently ignored for other tables and the food was mediocre at best, but we would have been more forgiving if the service was more respectful. We would have have stayed for dessert if the service was a little friendlier. It seemed like a case of ageism. Sad because we tip well but none of us will ever go back.
looking for a good lunch around yonge dundas
Mutual Street Deli is a nice lunch joint. Good chicken salad!
It's at Dundas and Mutual.
Need Asian Resto suggestions for weekend in T.O.
I really disagree with the Rol San recommendation. I realize it's hard to get good dim sum south of Finch, but if you can't try to get uptown. The most enjoyable dim sum I've had this year was at Casa Imperial. That said, the last time I went, it wasn't amazing. Perhaps an off day, but still better than Rol San, imho.
If you must stay downtown, I like Pearl restaurant in the Queen's Quay terminal building. I haven't been in more than a year and it's pricier than uptown joints, but offers a great view of the lake if you can get a window seat.
Not too sophisticated but good under $10
I've said this before and I'll say it again: Nazarth at Bloor and Dovercourt. $8 feeds TWO people or one really hungry one. Do it up.
Like Utopia, but not
The Green Room is nothing like Utopia. Please don't go there unless it's the end of the night and you're too inebriated to know better. If you must go, just go to drink but don't expect the food to be decent and the cutlery to be clean.
I do agree with the Vic recommendation and Butler's (though I've only been there for brunch and lunch). If you're on Markham St., also check out The Central. Further north, I'd say The Rebel House for a less trendy, but nice pub atmosphere.
Honey / best of College-Ossington
I just moved from the neighbourhood and loved the food options around.
I also suggest Pantry. I've heard great things about their take out, but it's the coffee that has me coming back for more. They also have great cookies and the breakfast sandwich I had a few weeks ago was delicious. But really, they serve Balzac's coffee and it's stands as the best cup of Joe I've had all year...
If you want Ethiopian, go to Nazareth at Bloor and Dovercourt. Great food at low, low, low prices.
For baked goods, try Oh So Good. It's on the northside of College, west of Ossington.
Toronto's Best Mac and Cheese?
I tried the Victory's a couple weeks ago. I think it's a great value for what you pay (two plates of food!). Taste wise, I'd list it behind Frans, Mitzi's and Harlem's.
