Attknee's Profile
One Weekend In Buffalo with a "Wing Nut"
Hello, I will be spending a Friday and Saturday night in Buffalo with my girlfriend whose favourite food is wings. I have taken her to the Anchor Bar before and, to be honest, she was not all that impressed. In reading other posts it looks like there are several good wing places to try. The kicker is that we are staying downtown and I would prefer not to drive, if possible.
So, the question is whether there are any excellent wing places within walking distance of the downtown area?
If there is a place that will knock her socks off and I do have to drive I am prepared to do it.
And now...in case I would like to go to a place with a more general menu, are there any really good places again within walking distance of downtown? All types of food are possible.
Thanks.
Natrel Dark Chocolate Milk
Yes, I had the same sample at Galati and yes they do sell it. Find it tough to beat the Harmony Organic though. 3.8% mf and 230 calories per cup. Whoa! Almost have to use a spoon to eat it.
Fat Phil's Marlee no more-R.I.P
Lived right around the corner on Romar when the original opened. At times it was just Phil and me in the place at the beginning but the reputation deservedly grew and it became very popular. And now....it's BAAAACCCK! And so will I be. Haven't lived in the neighbourhood since 1994 but still go back to hit Camarra's, City Fish Market and Lady York. Now I have another reason.
ISO Kosher Meat Restaurant
Marky's at Wilson and Bathurst. Have no idea how good it is but it certainly serves meat.
The best chocolate chip cookie in Toronto?
I like the ones at Yitz's at Eglinton and Avenue Road. Soft and chewy with lots of chips.
Old-fashioned and generous service @ Harbord Bakery
Try the gingerbread person. If you can, get it without the candy face on it. The best!
Big Bone BBQ in Vaughan fantastic smoked ribs and wings
If they are the same owners as Big Bone BBQ in Newmarket then also try the brisket. They also used to have beef ribs one day of the week but not sure if they still do.
Fishbone - It's Worth the Drive to Stouffville
Went for dinner to Fishbone on Main Street, Stouffville, on Friday night. In a world of bistros this one stands out for a number of reasons.
First, the ambiance. It is very understated but very European. The tables are far enough away from each other to allow a diners to converse with each other without having to shout over the voices from adjoining tables. The room is very attractive. An excellent first impression.
The staff is small but very knowledgeable and helpful. Pedro, the owner, has worked at Zucca, Quince and Joia and has picked and trained his staff properly. He also is the creator and former owner of the Chicken Place on Wellington in Aurora. It is very different but gave him the experience of starting a successful business and it shows.
The menu is not large but is diverse enough to satisfy all tastes. Pedro gives his chef and sous-chef, both with experience in some of the more well-known Toronto restaurants, the ability to create their own dishes. I had a salmon fillet which was smoked and then crisped. The taste was quite unique and the texture very pleasing to the palate. There is duck and steak and a whole fish etc. so enough variety for all. I noticed from the adjoining table that the frites were served in a mini fry basket...a nice touch. Mains are about $25.
The wine list is all Portuguese. Pedro is very knowledgeable and also has good connections in the Portuguese wine industry and so the prices are fair.
A thoroughly enjoyable dinner. They are not open for lunch right now and I know of no plans in that regard. It is a small restaurant and so they like to do a couple of sittings on Friday and Saturday nights as they are apparently very busy. They also have wine dinners, cooking classes etc.
Weezie's - meh
Headed there this Saturday night. Haven't been for a while but have always enjoyed it in the past. For those in a rush I am sure that if you tell the waitstaff you are in a hurry they will get you out of there quickly. Will report back.
Surprise Birthday Trip - First Time in Chicago
Thanks for that advice. We did try Pizano's and it was very tasty. Shared a small pizza. Probably could have had a medium it was so good. Also tried the tomato and blue cheese on a bun. Awful. One small slice of tomato and a tiny bit of blue cheese hardly discernable. For my birthday dinner we went to Perennial Virant. Small plates, very inventive, lots of taste, very helpful server who made sure we didn't order too much and a nice treat at the end. Highly recommended.
Really enjoyed my first visit to Chicago. Hope to be back soon.
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Perennial Virant
1800 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL 60614
Surprise Birthday Trip - First Time in Chicago
Hello, I have been surprised by my GF with a birthday trip to Chicago. We will be staying at the Talbot Hotel which is at 20 E. Delaware Place. I have never been to Chicago before so I would really appreciate suggestions. I am not a really fancy restaurant type person so a moderate bistro with a varied menu would be great. Also, if Chicago Deep Dish Pizza really does exist, where would be the best place to go? I will not have a car so if it is within walking or transit distance from the hotel that is a bonus.
I am very much looking forward to seeing and "tasting" your City.
Thanks.
SEEKING RECS ON OR NEAR GRANVILLE ISLAND
Hello All. Returning to Vancouver for the first time in several years and staying for 5 nights on Granville Island. I have been reading the posts and there seem to be many good places to try. The issue for me is proximity, or at least ease of access, from Granville Island without using a car. Yes, I can take a cab, but to be honest I would rather walk or take public transit and spend the $ on food and drink.
I am from Toronto and so we have a very vibrant Asian dining scene here. For those of you familiar with both cities what should we try in Vancouver that we are not likely to be able to get in Toronto?
Otherwise I would be looking for perhaps smaller more intimate places with a varied menu with maybe one or two more over the top (read expensive) dinners.
All suggestions are welcome and thanks in advance.
Visiting Boston - With a Teenager
She wouldn't mind and neither would her son. Sometimes the welcome at some restaurants is strained, in my experience. They are tolerated because they are with adults but it is clear that the restuaranteur would prefer that they not be there. Or maybe Toronto (where I live) is different than Boston. Since there are so many good restaurants that do welcome everyone I would rather stick to those and since I don't know Boston I am looking for appropriate suggestions.
Visiting Boston - With a Teenager
Hello Everyone, I will be visiting Boston with my GF and her 14-year old son. His taste is quite sophisticated and he is well-behaved so no issues there but I do know that some restaurants just prefer an all adult clientele.
I am hoping that you can recommend restaurants for lunch and dinner that would be "friendly". Any type of food is good. We are staying near Quincy Market but don't mind walking or taking transit. I love seafood which I would assume is excellent in Boston.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Quince on Yonge near Elginton
Well have not been there recently but always found the food to be very good and fairly priced. They have a room downstairs that you can use for your party. Has its own bar, TV, etc. Jennifer, one of the owners, is very nice and I am sure you can work out anything you like with her.
My Weekend in NYC - Some Thoughts
That, I did not experience. After the first time we took to looking carefully at the bill to see if the gratuity was already added. It would have been helpful to see it on the menu and/or have the server mention it when the bill was delivered. It is a "trend" I have not noticed in Toronto except for larger groups of people and I hope it does not catch on here.
My Weekend in NYC - Some Thoughts
Yes, I mentioned the Hard Rock Cafe only because of their lamentable policy not to post the drink prices on the menu. Food prices are there though. I went there because it was convenient and late at night and I was unfamiliar with better places open at that time. I certainly would not recommend it for the quality of its food or its ambiance.
I agree with gutsofsteel with respect to a gratuity. As I said earlier, adding a service charge to the bill should not be a substitute for underpaying waitstaff and a gratuity should be earned by providing competent service and should be increased if the service goes beyond. One restaurant went out of its way to inform the patrons that gratuity was not included and I tipped accordingly.
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Hard Rock Cafe
1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
My Weekend in NYC - Some Thoughts
Fair comment. If the restaurant figures that the servers are deserving of a certain tip regardless of their level of service, who am I to argue?
Matzoh Bagels
Hello Everyone, yes, I know that strictly speaking they are probably not kosher for Passover but I have had some really good...and really bad matzoh bagels in the past. Has anyone run into any good ones this year? Where?
My Weekend in NYC - Some Thoughts
The Hard Rock Cafe was convenient to our hotel and we did not get into the city until about 11. My point was not to talk about the food but about their policy not to put the drink prices on the menu or post them anywhere else, a trend that I noted elsewhere and found annoying at best. It is one that one have not noted in Toronto where I live. Rosa Mexicano was a recommendation as a kid-friendly place in a previous post on this Board and since we were travelling with a 13-year old we decided to try it.
We went to John's on Bleecker Street. If that is not in Little Italy, my apologies. There seemed to be a lot of Italian Restaurants around.
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Rosa Mexicano
9 E. 18th St., New York, NY 10003
Hard Rock Cafe
1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Bleecker Street Bar
56 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012
My Weekend in NYC - Some Thoughts
Hello, just back from a weekend in NYC with my GF and her 13-year old son. I wanted to share some thoughts.
There are a couple of trends that I was not crazy about. Several places we went to did not post their drink prices on the menu. When I pointed it out at the Hard Rock Cafe I was told that they change frequently. I was then given an inaccurate price for the drinks I did order. Do they charge different prices to different people? Come on, be upfront.
The second trend is adding service to the bill. I know that they do it in Europe, but I always thought that a tip was a reward for good service, not compensation for underpaying staff. And in at least one case I just paid the bill with the 15% tip where I likely would have added more if I was calculating it myself. Yes, I could have increased the tip but I was put off by the fact the service was added in the first place. One place even added 18%. Not worth it.
Really enjoyed John's Pizza in Little Italy. Had to wait for a while but the food, and chatting with the people in line, was worth it. And the cannoli at Rocco's after dinner...really good. Although I did not have the coffee there I was told it was really good too.
Liked The Green Table in Chelsea Market and in fact liked the whole market. Looks like a lot of great food, prepared and otherwise, available there.
Was not thrilled with Rosa Mexicano at Union Square. Guac made at the table had a nice consistency but although medium spice was requested, none was tasted. I had a Chicken Tortilla Pie which was covered some kind of white goo and was surrounded by a tasteless green sauce. Too bad. I realize that it is a chain restaurant but it is Mexican after all. The food should have some taste.
You certainly have a wonderful, vibrant city. I am looking forward to my next trip and trying lots of new places to dine, eat, drink, and have some fun.
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Rocco's Pastry Shop
243 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Rosa Mexicano
9 E. 18th St., New York, NY 10003
The Green Table
75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
John's Pizzeria
278 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Hard Rock Cafe
1501 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Feeding a 13-year Old Boy
Yes, you are right. He is pretty much a meat and potatoes type kid. But we have gone to dim sum and he did enjoy some of the dishes. Sushi, likely not, but Thai, I think he likes. I will certainly give him input but I know he would enjoy a real NYC style pizza experience. I see that both Keste and John's have been suggested for pizza. Any thoughts on which is the best?
Feeding a 13-year Old Boy
Unfortunately I have no way of judging the quality of the restaurants listed in menupages and so I am asking for your suggestions. Which ones do you recommend?
Feeding a 13-year Old Boy
Hello Everyone, visiting from Toronto for 2 nights in April with my GF and her 13-year old son. I have no kids and therefore no experience in feeding them and also don't know NYC restaurants. We are staying in midtown Manhattan with no car, but with good feet and are happy to take public transit.
I would appreciate both lunch and dinner recommendations. He loves wings, pizza and the usual foods for 13 year olds. Even deli. To be fair, he also enjoys a bistro style restaurant, good food but not too fancy.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Looking for Cinnamon Basil
Tried a dish with cinnamon basil for the first time and was blown away by the taste. I cannot recall ever seeing it for sale in any of the stores I have been in. Does anyone know if it is available in the GTA? Thanks.
The Best Anguilla Restaurants from a Foodie!
Just returned from Anguilla. Best "high end" dinner we had was at Oliver's. Try the Cinnamon Basil Shrimp on Angel Hair for a very unique flavour. I also enjoyed the Crayfish baked in the oven. Very creamy. Loved Sand Bar for Tapas. The owner who is behind the bar makes incredible mixed drinks. More reasonable than the "high end" places. Went to Veya for soup and appetizers. Was not blown away by the shrimp cigar. Went to Hibernia. Did not enjoy as much as Oliver's. Le Bon Pain for the coconut danish. Koal Keel for the pain au chocolat but get there early. Chef, maitre d' and some of the staff from Luna Rosa have opened a new Italian restaurant on Sandy Ground just this week called Dolce Vita. Uncle Ernie's - lousy service and not great food. Tratoria Tremonte for panini late in the afternoon and really good rum punch and friendly service. Smokey's on Sat. afternoon for music and lunch. Now...I diet.
