farmgirl1836's Profile
Passover shopping again...
We divided our Passover shopping between three stores and we believe that the prices were pretty good. We started at Costco on Wilson and although there isn't much, we bought whatever they had -- matzoh meal, matzoh, chocolate covered matzoh, a dark Passover seder plate, cheeses. We then went to No Frills at Wilson & Bathurst and got jams, tins of stuff, Mrs. Unger's Gefilte Fish loafs, potato starch, bags of chips, boxes of stuff, soups. We finished at Freshco at Bathurst & Steeles and bought chocolate bars and boxes of chocolates and more chips, marshamallows, essentially all the "goodies". We went last Sunday and found it quite effortless and painless, both in terms of crowds and cost. I would go sooner rather than later if I were you (and, it's already kind of getting late). Saturday (tomorrow) would be best. Happy Passover.
Winterlicious 2012 menus are out - anything CH worthy?
We have a $400 Oliver & Bonacini gift card. So, we are going to Canoe and Auberge for dinners. We also have a $100 Cadillac Fairview gift card, so we are going to Fabbrica and Linda's, both of which are in the Don Mills Centre, and are part of Cadillac Fairview. We thought it was a great way to make use of our gift cards! I have in the past been to Canoe during Winter/Summerlicious for lunch and thought it was "special". Auberge is a restaurant we never miss during a Winter/Summerlicious. We have always been treated with respect and feel that the staff go out of their way to be gracious. Haven't been to either Fabbrica or Linda's and are looking forward to them.
Do all Costcos carry the same things?
Not all Costcos carry the same things. For example, the Costco on Wilson near Dufferin, in Toronto, carries a wide variety of Kosher meats. I have never seen this at any other Costco in the Toronto area. Also, some Costcos are out of some items, while others still have them in stock. But, for the most part, I think their stock is generally the same, with a few exceptions.
Burgers in Toronto
I would suggest Five Guys. Great burgers, even better fries and all you can eat peanuts!
Can we revisit the PATH?
Touch is under the HSBC at the south/east corner of Adelaide & Yonge. Just walk down the stairs and turn to your right and it's right there!
Kosher ideas in Toronto
There is a Kosher chocolate store in the plaza where Grdzinski's is on Centre Street at 1118 Centre Street, called Praline Chocolate Creations. I recently found out about them and have used them a few times for gifts. I haven't actually eaten their chocolates. It is a very small shop, a few doors away from the bakery.
Any Southern U.S. style breakfast sausage available in stores? (a la Jimmy Dean or Bob Evans)
I have bought Bob Evans sausages, both patties and links, at Longo's. My husband loves them. They also sell Bob Evans mashed potatoes (which I haven't bought). Enjoy.
Need help picking restaurant in Financial District.
Went to Modus for lunch today and it was absolutely delicious. It's on the main floor of 145 King Street West, at York. Not stuffy, but definitely not a sports bar! They definitely do take reservations. We were three people and had three different appetizers and three different entrees. Everyone enjoyed!
Progresso Light Soups
We were just in Buffalo over the weekend and bought 4 different varieties at Wegmans -- Santa Fe Chicken, Italian Wedding Soup, Meatball and Chicken and Dumplings, Haven't tried any of them yet and didn't know that they were sanctioned by WW. I think they were $1.29 each. Too bad they aren't in Canada yet. But, eventually I'm sure they will be.
Duck confit at Costco!
I buy duck legs at Longo's on Bayview north of Steeles and Longo's on Bathurst & Rutherford. Each package containing one leg and thigh is between $2.50 and $3.00! I don't make duck confit out of it, but I make delicious roast duck in the oven putting on some concentrated o.j., garlic powder, orange zest and baking it and pricking the skin every so often.
Duck confit at Costco!
I bought it on the weekend at the Wilson Costco near Yorkdale. It was oversalted for sure. I put it in a frying pan and found there was way too much duck fat to brown the skin -- it just seemed to be steaming in the fat. So, I took the duck out of the fat and put it in the oven to crisp up. It was okay, nothing fantastic. I would not buy it again. $16 for two duck legs and thighs (one large and one much smaller) is a lot of money if it doesn't taste great. For $6 I can buy the same amount of duck and make it myself in the oven and it tastes better. Just my opinion.
Tim Tams
Just saw them on sale for $2.49 at the Real Canadian Superstore at Dufferin & Steeles!
Anyone Remember The Carousel Drive-In Restaurant ?
The Shrimp Kitchen was across the street and a bit south. That property was empty for about 20 years. It is now a condo, but not yet occupied.
Anyone Remember The Carousel Drive-In Restaurant ?
WOW, the Carousel restaurant -- that's a name from my past. I remember it well. I lived on Sultana growing up and the Carousel was on the north side of Sultana and Bathurst. It is now Hartmans. All I remember about it is that my friend's parents gave her money and the two of us rode our bicycles and went there when we were kids. My friend ordered ribs and I watched her eat. I guess my parents didn't give me any money. I wonder if that's why ribs are one of my favourite foods to eat (now that I have my own money and can afford to buy them!
I honestly don't remember much more about the restaurant. But, thanks for bringing back the memory.
Amazing nite at Harlem
My husband and I went to the Queen Street location for a Sunday brunch and we were pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food was and how beautiful the presentation of the plates was. I had french toast with delicious syrup with stewed prunes in it, like a compote, and also with strawberries, blackberries and blueberries and either pecans or walnuts. The portion was overly generous (7 or 8 large half slices of challah french toast) and sprinkled with icing sugar. It was yummy. I took half home for my mother-in-law. My husband had blueberry pancakes and we shared a side order of sausages. As well as the food being delicious, the music made the breakfast even more special. Our waitress wasn't overly attentive, but we didn't really need her attention. We really enjoyed it and would go back for a dinner.
Summerlicious 2011
We were a party of 5 at North 44 on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. We had a wonderful experience. Our waitress had a great personality and she interacted with us, telling us about her Winterlicious and Summerlicious experiences at different restaurants she has gone to. Three of us had the pea ravioli and two had the salad to start. The ravioli was "special" -- I have never had such delicious pasta. If they could have filled up the bowl and given me a second round of it, I would have been happy to call it a day! Apparently the salad was delicious as well. Three of us had the halibut and although the portion was small, the taste was excellent. The tempura onion ring was a real treat. The other two had the chicken supreme with spinach risotto. The chicken was large and they both enjoyed it. We have chicken breasts at home so often -- it's not something I would ever order in a restaurant (other than Swiss Chalet). Two of us had the peach upside down cake with pralines and it was yummy and the other three had the banana strudel with chocolate and they were raving about it -- it did look delicious. I had an inexpensive glass of port after dinner and my husband had an inexpensive glass of Canadian wine with dinner. They have drinks on their menu to suit every price range. The tables at the restaurant are well spaced out and you don't feel rushed or crowded at all. I saw Sash Simpson in the kitchen (he is one of the chefs on the Food Network program called The Heat) and mentioned to the waitress that I watched that television show. At the end of the meal she brought me a Summerlicious menu autographed by him -- such a nice thing to do and so unexpected. All 5 of us thought that the evening was perfect! Hope you can get a reservation.
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North 44
2537 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H9, CA
Terrible, almost laughable dining experience- has anyone been to Alize on Yonge?
Friday was the first night of Summerlicious -- you probably didn't go for a "bite", but went for a $25 three course meal.
We have been to Alize twice for Summerlicious dinners and definitely felt that we got out $25 worth. And, I actually had a glass of Sangria once and remember it being just fine. For a three course meal for $25, I don't think you can ask for more. My only complaint (and I honestly didn't mind) is that the tables are very close together. But, we didn't go for an intimate dinner. We went as a couple once and went with another couple the second time and we all remember the service and the servers to be just fine. Sorry to hear that your experience wasn't good.
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Alize Restaurant
2459 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4P 2H6, CA
What's my best bet at China House?
Hope you're going soon. The last day of eat in at teh restaurant is July 18! A condo is going to be built on the property, but in the meantime for a while they are going to keep a take-out going until they find another location.
You're right -- it's Old School Canadian Chinese Food. Their long BBQ ribs are the best. The chicken chow mein is great. Their kung pao shrimp are delicious. Their house plum sauce is great. Good honey ribs. Enjoy!
Fruit Stores Suggestions Needed
Concord Fruit Centre at Dufferin & Centre Street, if you're up in that neighbourhood! We're never disappointed.
Panago (pizza) - anyone tried this yet?
We love Panago. Unfortunately, the location at Steeles & Dufferin, which was the closest one to where we live, has just closed.
Winterlicious LOVE only - Where are the MUST eats?
Had a 7:30 reservation at Toula last night -- there were 4 of us. Had a beautiful table with a wonderful view of the CN Tower. The restaurant did not get busy until about 9:30 p.m. and then it was crazy! But, luckily, we were almost done by then. I had the lobster tail appetizer, the cornish hen main course and the cheesecake dessert. I was disappointed in the dessert. I also had a B52 coffee, which was delicious. My husband had the salad, the lobster pasta and the apple studel with chocolate sauce and he enjoyed. The other couple were also happy with their food, smoked salmon appetizers, one had beef, the other sea bass and the same desserts as us. All in all, I would say the service was attentive, although our waiter was odd, the food was good and the atmosphere was great. We certainly were not rushed -- in fact we had quite a wait between our appetizers and main courses, which worked for us. We sat down at 7:45 and left the restaurant at 10:15. When we left, there were hoards of people waiting for tables, some with 9:15 reservations! My recommendation would be to make an early reservation, if going to Toula.
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Toula
1 Harbour Square, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6, CA
Dried mushrooms
I have recently found two different types of large plastic jars of dried mushrooms at Costco at amazing prices! Costco used to have these, but stopped carrying them for quite a while and now they're back. One jar is a blend of 4 different mushrooms and the other, I think, is porcini. I have the two jars near my stove and use them liberally in soups, sauces, rices, etc. It's a great find and a wonderful cost.
Open Window Bakery closing?
I actually went into Kiva's on my way home from work yesterday and one of the owners assured me that they have a baker employed by them who makes the cakes right on the premises. Apparently that baker at one time did work for Open Window. The cake is $15.95 or $15.99.
Open Window Bakery closing?
I also am sorry to hear about Open Window Bakery just because it has been a part of my life for so very long. I do know that Kiva's at Bathurst & Steeles makes a double dipped chocolate cake -- I have seen it and it looks the same as the Open Window one. I have not had it. My brother has told me that he occasionally has picked one up and has enjoyed it as much as the Open Window one. I'm pretty sure the price is comparable!
Crappy clementines this season?
We bought a 3 lb. sack at Costco in Woodbridge on Saturday and they are tiny and absolutely delicious. We served them on Saturday night at a party at our home and I've taken a bunch to work the last few days and everyone loves them. They are from Morocco and I haven't seen a seed yet. Not so easy to peel, but delicious!
grocery store soups
I would definitely agree with the mushroom soup from Longo's -- it's amazing! I had it on the salad bar of the Longo's in First Canadian Place and was shocked at how delicious it was and the price was for sure right!!!
Leonidas Chocolates at Costco!
On Saturday they did not have them in Woodbridge and had never heard of them. Today they were out of them on Wilson near Dufferin. My husband was told they were available at Costco in Richmond Hill!
What's your favorite comfort soup of all time?
The Sukiyaki soup at Thai Shan Inn rocks! My husband and I sometimes drive down to Eglinton from Thornhill just to share a large bowl of it. It's absolutely delicious, brimming with noodles, pieces of meat, shrimp, vegetables and an amazing broth! Well worth the drive. My mouth is watering now just thinking about it.
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Thai Shan Inn Restaurant
2404 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON M6E 3S8, CA
Place for Steak CLOSED ?
I posted about the closing a while ago on the 2010 Closing thread. We had heard a rumour about the closing and called and they told us it was true, so we made a reservation for their final night in business and it was jam packed. Everyone there was a "regular" and everyone was shaking hands and hugging the staff as they paid their bills and left. It was definitely an institution for those of us in the neighbourhood. I think they just had enough. Most likely their lease was up and they just didn't want to continue. Anyway, there is apparently a sushi restaurant going in. It will be interesting to see if a sushi restaurant will make it in that plaza.
As a replacement in the area (or in my opinion, an even better option), I would suggest the Steak Pit, which is also an institution. Although the portions are nowhere near the size of the Place for Steak, I think the quality is far superior. Just a suggestion!
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Steak Pit Restaurant
1666 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M3Y1, CA
2010 closings
The fairly new funnel cake place on the north side of Steeles just west of Yonge has closed. I think it may have been related to the funnel cake place on Avenue Road that also recently closed. I understand the prices were ridiculously outrageous. It didn't last very long at all!
