pakmode's Profile
Sunday brunch question
Wow, for a minute I thought this had ties to L'Avenue in Montreal, which has some of the best bang for your buck brunch I've ever had anywhere. Alas, it does not seem so.
Need a foodie friendly "lux dive"
Bistro Camino.
The ambience is 70's dive. But the food is excellent. Well reviewed on this board.
Favourite Cheap-and-Cheerful Indian?
Near Donlands Subway - Makkah Restaurant. Stick to the Tandoori items as the curries are too greasy.
From Broadview take the 100 bus, or from Pape take the 25 bus, to just past East York Town Centre, and go to the Popeyes/Bamiyan plaza. You will see a restaurant called Raby's there. Order any of the combo platters, along with a curry (chicken tikka masala or the mutton handi are good) and you're set.
Best Indian Dining Options
Yea probably, though I've heard the use of halls/banquets facilities is becoming the norm in Pakistan. These times they are a changing...
I still remember some of the massive pots I would see the cooks making rice/pilau/biryani in. Literally 5ft X 5ft big.
Best Indian Dining Options
Hal's referring to the atmosphere. Not sure if you've been. But from the riksha out front, to the tents, multicoloured shawls, decorations, ornaments etc. LTH tries its hardest to create the ambience you would find in Indian/Pakistan. During some weddings, they will take an empty block of land, raise a gigantic tent, and host hundreds, if not thousands, of people inside.
Very tasty food - Raby's 66 Overlea Blvd, Thorncliffe Toronto
Silver Spoon / Karachi Kitchen are of the same 'genre'. Greasy, spice for the sake of spice, and lots of quantity. Due to infighting, they have split and splintered the past few years into these different restaurants, but have the same basic premise. Not destination worthy, or Chow worthy to be honest. I've had it plenty of times when Pakistani families catered dinner parties, and each time found it too greasy, salty, spicy.
Babu is South Indian, so the spices and taste are a bit different. I liked it years ago, but haven't been back since.
I haven't been to La Sani, will try and visit it sometime.
Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I still find Raby's to be the best Indian-Pakistani comfort food in the GTA right now.
Pizzeria Libretto - Ossington vs. Danforth.
Forsberg was born in the HHOF, we just haven't found his plaque yet. He was a true warrior, whose career was cut too short unfortunately. I think Landeskog will take his place though. Did you have a chance to check out Danforth Pizza House and/or Mr. Pide?
We'll have to connect next time to talk hockey!
The Persian Palace - Richmond Hill
I got the same suspended message as well. Weird...
Restaurant with best desserts in Toronto/GTA
Bean Bar? Wow, does that bring back memories. I haven't been there in 10 years or so, since Mac days. Are the cakes made in-house?
Turkish pizza in the east end - some new players
Yea, this place is great. I usually get there once a month.
That strip on Danforth is spoiled rotten: Danforth Pizza House, Libretto and Mr. Pide.
Brunch Suggestions To Impress New York Guests
Not sure if Burlington is too far, but Spencer's on the Waterfront offers a good brunch Sunday mornings with a great view.
Pizzeria Libretto - Ossington vs. Danforth.
UHockey welcome back. Enjoyed your reviews last time you were here, you're a class act .
As someone else mentioned if you do visit the Danforth location of Libretto, then you should walk a couple blocks east and grab a small pizza from Danforth Pizza House and I would also recommend trying Turkish pizza. There is a great spot between the Libretto and DPH called Mr. Pide, order the assorted pide #18. You won't regret it.
If you like char on your pizza, you have to get it well done in Toronto.
Enjoy your trip.
Very tasty food - Raby's 66 Overlea Blvd, Thorncliffe Toronto
The restaurant is strict Halal so they are not licensed.
Recommendations for the Harbour Diner in Hamilton?
I had the Reuben last time I went and it was also really good. Pretty much anything there seems to be good, honest food.
Yorkville Espresso Bar - new spot on Yorkville Avenue
i would also heavily recommend Seven Grams - go for the Bunn Trifecta individually brewed coffee, stay for the ambience. The espresso is decent, but that Trifecta coffee machine is amazing.
GTA Gelato Wars 2012
San Remo's awesome at everything. I quite like Arte Gelato near Bloor/Ossington. It's across the street from Bakerbots and has good flavours.
Chowfind? Shahi Tiffin- Pakistani-Danforth and Dawes
Vinnie, That was us. Unfortunately I didn't see you, but next time we will definitely have to dine together! We seem to share similar tastes.
Chowfind? Shahi Tiffin- Pakistani-Danforth and Dawes
Vinnie,
I have always respected your reviews and will continue to do so.
Shahi definitely sounds inconsistent. A huge problem with Pakistani restaurants.
I actually went last Tuesday, not Wednesday, and when we went to Bistro Camino there was NOBODY there. So unless you own Bistro Camino, I don't think we've met before lol.
In terms of Raby's the menu is a disaster. That's why it's best to stick to the South Asian stuff. Specifically their combo platters and/or curries.
All their chicken tikkas are excellent. The bihari, seekh and chicken kababs are fantastic. Their plain yakhni pilau rice is awesome - biryani rice is lacklustre.
For curries the chicken tikka masala is great as is the mutton curry.
Chowfind? Shahi Tiffin- Pakistani-Danforth and Dawes
Lol, My Mother taught me that if I have nothing nice to say, then it's better to say nothing at all.
Sure enough, I tried this out last Wednesday. Wanted to post, but bit my tongue and said I would only post if this thread came up again.
Was bitterly disappointed in this place. The rice was okay, but not good. The kabobs were fatty, and after a few minutes of sitting around they became tough and chewy. The chicken boti was well marinated and juicy, but I would not go back for it. It did taste a bit weird and off-putting as mariecollins mentioned. The naan also became dry and hard after a few minutes of sitting around.
I would have rather gone down to Makkah Restaurant on Donlands/Danforth. But I still stand by Raby's as my choice for best Indo-Pak Comfort Food in the city.
This was the first time I ever left most of my food on the plate. Didn't finish it, didn't take it to go.
I felt 'dirty' after, so crossed the street to Bistro Camino for dessert to cleanse my palate. Chef Hiro's Japanese fried ice cream is still fantastic as ever. Beautiful tempura batter and well composed berry compote were the highlight of the night. The restaurant was completely empty though. Sad because we need to ensure he stays afloat.
NEW Best Pizza in Toronto Thread
Mr. Pide and Pizza Pide are both good and have the same menu.
#18 is good to start since it's an assorted pide with all their different pides 'sectioned' off. So 1 part spinach & feta, then sausage, then chicken breast, then lamb.
I like their lamb pide alot, as well as the veggie or even the spicy lahmacun which is #3 on their menu, I believe.
NEW Best Pizza in Toronto Thread
Don't quote me on it, but I think so. If you do the 'size test' let us know. Maybe order a small and/or medium cheese with your large to test out the theory?
1 small is usually good for 2 of us, and I'm a BIG eater. If we have guests over I've ordered 2-3 smalls depending on the number of people, and it's worked out fine.
I love Angelo. He truly is a Master at his craft. I also like how he allows you to do 1/2 toppings on a pizza and charges you 1/2 price haha.
Come to think of it, it's the toppings that run up the cost on medium's and larges...I think they're $2 each right?
NEW Best Pizza in Toronto Thread
Love DPH. It's still my go-to-Pizza since it's not too far away. That and Mr. Pide, for Turkish style pizza. I like ordering either plain cheese or green olive+pineapple from DPH. The olives are salty and balance nicely with the sweet pineapple. Angelo is a master at his craft. I also always order small, as that seems to be the best bang for your buck at DPH. $8 + $1/topping. I tried ordering medium and large the past year, and the price increases didn't seem proportional - so I stick to small.
Restaurants at Bloor/Bathurst
I like Insomnia and visit there quite frequently. Their breakfast/brunch items, burgers and sandwiches are all pretty good and pretty cheap.
Leslieville Cheese on Donlands
That's turning into a pretty good little strip. Select Bakery, Simba Grill, etc..
Just ordered a dozen glory hole doughnuts
Spot on Dude. San Remo has the best apple fritters I've ever had in Ontario. Period.
I haven't tried GH yet, since they were sold out when I went to Thor a couple weeks back.
Doughnuts are a Canadian comfort food. They are not supposed to cost $51 dozen. If she finds a customer base, and niche, all the power to her. But as someone who has travelled far and wide for that elusive doughnut - I will never spend $51 on a dozen of them.
Just ordered a dozen glory hole doughnuts
Estufarian - so true. Once you've had the best, everything else is inferior. Off topic, any places you would recommend visiting when maple syrup season is upon us?
semi-formal Afghan restaurants?
Vinnie - Raby's is located at 66 Overlea Blvd. It's in the same plaza as Popeyes and Bamiyan in the Thornecliffe area just west of Don Mills Rd. Stick to a combo plate - best bang for your buck. Most of their chicken tikka kabobs are fairly mild. The beef and bihari steak kabobs are mild to medium. I like the chicken tikka masala, it's spicier then the butter chicken because they add sliced chili peppers and ginger to it.
For a first visit I would recommend the Chicken Malai Tikka combo platter and a side order of 2 Beef seekh kabobs. Total cost = $14.50, enough food for 2 people. If you want something saucy then order the Chicken Tikka Masala.
As per Persian restaurants - I would have to agree. Although I do like Pomengranate on College St. quite a bit.
-----
Raby's
66 Overlea Blvd, Toronto, ON M4H 1C5, CA
