smr714's Profile
Chowfind at Main and Danforth
I am going there today with a friend for a later lunch, I will let everyone know how it we find it.
Nasr: yuk :-(
Not sure the brand, but I know it is not Basturma King. They have two types normally in stock, an egyptian style -- my preference and a Lebanese style which is stronger in taste and a softer texture.
Anyone have any updates as to what might be going on at Nasr's?
Winterlicious debate continued- gratuity (tipping) (moved from Ontario board)
I always base my tip on what the meal should have cost before any discounts, less taxes. I tend to increase from that base amount for better service, or if I have had to many any special requests during the dining experience. If I am alone, I always add extra for good service since the value of the meal is decreased with most tables having two patrons.
I will decrease in tip if I get bad service (not food, that is not the server's fault) and I tend to let a manager know why I am unhappy with either service or food.
Winterlicious - Majority terrible, why people still bother going?!!
I went to 2 Winterlicious, one lunch and one dinner. I had a good time and good food at both. I based my choices on the menu's and not the name of the places. I went with the expectation of having a decent meal with some good company in a restaurant I had wanted to try but never got around to it. Winterlicious can be a good experience, just do your homework, decide from the menu and not the name of the place.
Looking for Downtown "diner"
I know the New York Diner has a good breakfast, but for dinner, I can't advise.
Nasr: yuk :-(
I will miss it if it goes, Nasr has one of the better bastarma around, and I have gone almost everywhere to find somewhere that has goood Bastarma.
PC Products Total about $125.00
We cooked one of the PC's Blue line sheppard's pie last night for dinner. It wasn't as good as some but, it was tasty and filled three kids that are picky eaters. (I am babysitting this weekend.)
The PC's Sirloin Pie is also a staple in the winter in this house, so are the wellingtons -- chicken and shrimp/sole.
and for junk food, the hot wings are good and a decent size.
I have heard their rack of lamb is good. And I love their piri Piri bbq sauce and chips -- not traditional since it is more orange in colour but it is very tasty.
Jaaadu or Amaya's Bread Bar?
my friend when to Jaaadu last week and cannot stop raving about his meal. Says it is the best he has had for Indian food in a long time.
Hamburgers in London
Any suggestions for a place to take 3 kids (Tween/teens) to for a decent burger and fries over the weekend? I am in London babysittig for my cousin's kids and have no idea what to do with them this weekend!!!
Indian....again
Due to my food allergies I have to stay away from alot of Indian food, but my friend went to Jaaadu on Yonge Street last night and he cannot stop raving about his meal.
Anatolia Turkish Restaurant (Bloor & Dundas) - Disappointing & Overpriced
A number of Middle Eastern meat places use pastirma and basturma interchangably.
Feta Cheese in Toronto
If you are in Scarborough, try Nasr's foods on Lawrence/Warden area. They have a good bulgarian feta in a tub in the brine or at the counter. That is where I get mine when I am in the city
Where can I buy parchment paper downtown?
I get mine at Loblaws on Queens Quay, or at Food Basics at wellesley just over from sherbourne.
any good restos anywhere in south Scar close to guildwood?
Other options for fish and chips, are by the bluffs on Kingston Road and Fenwood, on the south side, or a little greek place on the north side of Eglington (I can't remember the name) but it is just east of Markham Road (in the same strip plaza as Little Barvarian). The fish is huge and their chips are great. I haven't been out there in a bit since I moved to Hamilton, but I used to be at Kingston road and Pine ridge (between McCowan and Bellamy)
Crosstown Kitchens' Stop For Food
I might be blind, but I have looked at the site and could not see the menu's being offered. I would have to see that before I can decide if it is worth it for me and my picky eating tastes.
Looking for wedding wine
Have you thought of contacting a winery itself? Depending on your volume they might even do a special label for you.
Lunch/Brunch on Sunday in the Niagara Region?
I have had good food and service at Cafe Amore in St. Catharines, they are on Martindale.
Lunch at Cantine at Av and Dav
I went there last year, found the same and will not go back. I also found that our service wase less than poor as soon as they noticed one of the guest had a disability.
Winterlicious - Majority terrible, why people still bother going?!!
Some of us have had good experiences at Winterlicous/Summer, but I am choosy as to the menu rather than the name of the place.
Some of the big name restaurants tend to be too crowded, where I would rather try one or two of the "lesser" knowns and give them a chance. What I had on the winterlicious menu was part of thier regular menu at Cafe Califorina -- and for a 25 price point it was economical.
When picking my desitnations, I review the menus, send the ones I am interested in to my dinner companion, and then he reviews and we narrow the choices based soley on the offerings and not the name of the spot. I think this is a reason I tend to have a better expereience -- I am looking for what IWant to eat rather than where. I will save the popular places for a less crowded time.
NYer asks: Any diners, greasy spoons or regular food in Niagara Wine country?
Good wings are at a little hole in the wall called Ivan's at the corner of McLoed and Dorchester. This is a local place, decor is sparse but the wings are really good.
Also in Crystal Beach/Ridgeway is "The Crystal Chandelier" (http://thecrystalchandelier.com/ ) They have live bands so it might be good to give them a call to see who is playing and if they are full.
Any Winterlicious standouts this year?
We had a suprisingly good meal at Cafe California on Church last night. Service was impeccable and the food was enjoyable without being too pretentious. I was surprised because I have had hit and miss meals before in this establishment. My review is posted on the site.
Extended Winterlicous??
I am wondering who is staying on the list, it just means I can try a few more places I have not been.
NYer asks: Any diners, greasy spoons or regular food in Niagara Wine country?
I posted a review of Cafe Amore earlier this week. (Feb/09).
For breakfast there is a greasy spoon right in Niagara Falls, called Basel's. It is on the main street in downtown Niagara Falls. This place is always packed for breakfast.
Cafe Califorina, Winterlicious menu
Tonight a friend and I were at Cafe California on Church, at a price point of 25 dollars. They also had a regular menu available and I saw some other tables using that, but I stuck with the winterlicious specials. Service was attentive and efficent without it being hovering. We also went for an early dinner so the restaurant was about 1/4 full when we started but tables were filling when we left.
I ordered the artesian goat cheese appy, with a fruit compote and my friend had the soup of the day -- veggie with chick peas. Both servings were a good size and we both enjoyed the taste of the appy. My goat cheese was smooth and the fruit compote was a good contract t the goat cheese. My friend enjoyed his soup, and judged the meal a success just based on the soup alone.
The mains were the Tilapia fish in saffron sauce for my friend, though he changed the side of rice for potatoes and was impressed with his dinner. I had the brandies peppercorn steak with frites. My steak was perfectly cooked, tender and the sauce was thick and rich. I would order this dish again.
Dessert was a choice of a apple raisin crumble, which was fresh baked for the table, and a lemon tart. John had the apple raisin crumble (I had a taste) it was good, a bit sweet for me, but still good. I had the lemon tart, it was very good, the shortbread crust was a nice contrast to the silky sweet-tartness of the lemon filling.
We would both go back.
Rumour Re: Winterlicious
The restaurant I was in tonight (Cafe Califorina,review posted on its own thread) told us they were extending the winterlicious menu along with their regular on for the rest of February.
