dial's Profile
Anyone been to Three Small Rooms, 1181 Finch Ave West? Comments?
Received a gift certificate to this steak and seafood restaurant on Finch W between Dufferin and Keele. Comments/recommendations. Thanks in advance for any comments.
Donalda Club
Food at Donalda is so-so but very nice facility. You might try Thornhill GCC (Yonge between Steeles and Hwy 7) if you want private club - food is better than Donalda. Thornhill GCC was holding third wedding reception in 3 nights tonight so probably doing something right
Chic Chinoise 214 King St W - Anyone Been?
Recently opened across from Roy Thomson Hall where King's Garden used to be. Has anyone been? What type of menu and does it serve dim sum at lunch?
Terra or Tutto Bene for client dinner
I've read various posts on chowhound about Terra (mixed reviews; overpriced) and Tutto Bene (less expensive; good food; can be noisy). Any additional thoughts or recent experience? Any other suggestions for client dinner in the general vicinity?
Entertaining Client in Differin/401 Area??
Hi
Any suggestions besides Auberge du Pommier and Terra? As you can tell, not necesssarily looking to be in the immediate vicinity but looking for north Toronto/GTA. Thanks in advance.
All-Star Wings and Ribs not so starry
Will not be going back soon. Wings weren't very good (st. louis wings are much better), beef ribs were decent but we ordered baby back ribs (couldn't be bothered sending them back given how the night was going); 1/2 rack and 10 wing combo doesn't come with potatoes but full rack or 1/2 rack w/o wings does come with potatoes; charged for bottled beer but got draught; waitress was nice enough but clearly did not know the menu and how pricing worked. The good - beverages and baked potato.
JK @ Gardiner
We were there for the first time a couple of weekends ago. Food was very good including the fries (yes, $5). Had the vegetarian hopper and open face beef sandwich. Prices reflect the quality. Service was friendly. Space is airy and I think dinner would be quite romantic. It was pretty busy when we were there. I suspect it wasnt as busy on a Thurs at lunch as a) its the Thursday before Labour Day weekend when many people are going away for long weekend and/or focused on back to school, and b) the restaurant in the other cultural institution across the street is relatively new and a hit.
The Fish House on Sheppard Ave East
Went there for the first time in about 10 years. Still dependable with fish done grilled, broiled, fried, blackened, or cedar plank. Has some pasta and meat dishes to appease everyone. Fresh fish is offered in 6oz and 9oz portions. Clam chowder was okay, mussels in garlic sauce ($8) was good (execpt the dead mussels), crab cake ($11) was great with fair bit of meat - its deep fried but still good, warm seafood salad ($13) was fine, deep fried calamari with a dipping sauce ($8) was good and fresh fish platter ($17; salmon, lake trout and red snapper on this night) was good. Will go back. Its just east of 404 on south side.
Memphis Barbeque - Anyone been recently?
Last posting was end of March when restaurant was still relatively new. Has anyone been recently to this restaurant in Yonge Sheppard area?
Camp 31 - Long Review
Went there for the first time this week as a detour between Niagara Falls and Toronto (in hindsight, local highways took too long; stay w QEW and 403). Camp 31 is worth a trip and really not that far from Toronto, esp if you live in west end. Its simple to find, approx 3 km on Paris Road north of Hwy 403.
Great BBQ. Enjoyed the side ribs (meatier), back ribs, and chicken wings. Both ribs were good but I would choose side ribs as they are meatier - waitress recommended back ribs. Smoked chicken wings were very good although rib + wing combo serving size was small - 1/2 rack side ribs and 4 wings was $18.99 vs. 1/2 rack side ribs is $13.99. Pulled pork was good but a bit dry to our liking. Enjoyed the baked beans and sweet potato fries. Onion chips were okay.
Looking forward to another side trip opportunity.
Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu
Tried the new North York location (on Yonge St, 2.5 blocks south of Finch on east side; formerly China Grill) last weekend. Enjoyed it very much especially on a wintry day. Had the dumpling tofu - good, not great. Friendly and efficient service. As others noted, very reasonable.
Are restaurants open in Toronto New Years Day?
Baton Rouge is open for dinner. Decent food for a chain IMO. Service is good but can vary from war to institutional. When busy, you have multiple waitstaff visit your table but its usually coordinated.
Some/many Japanese and Korean restuarants will be open as New Years Day is an importnat day. For better Japanese restaurants, reservations are highly recommended.
Need a Guide!
When are you visiting Toronto? Winterlicious occurs Jan 26 to Feb 8, 2007 (http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/wintercity/winterlicious.htm) with bookings starting Jan 11. Winterlicious and Summerlicious have become semi-annual events in Toronto and feature promotions at a number of restaurants. The great news is many restaurants including many top notch establishments make it very affordable - the not so good news is some of the resturants serve smaller portions. The other not so good news for those willing/wanting to pay full price and order from the regular menu, is the popular restaurants get very busy. It varies by restarant as each restuarant does things a little differently. This Board has many related Winterliciciou/Summerlicious postings.
Ferrovia - Bayview north of Steeles
Decent Italian/bistro in Thornhill for all those looking for decent restaurants north of 401. Have been couple of times. This week, the lamb shank ($21.95) was very good as was the veal tenderloin w mushrooms. The steamed mussel appetizer was disappointing - good tatse but the mussels were not the freshest. Bread was so-so and accompanying hummus was decent. Reasonable wine prices. Good service.
Coconut Grove (Dundas West b/w Centre & Chestnut)
Went for the first time today. Busy little spot considering most people were off work today. Tried the butter chicken w basmati rice ($3.50 plus tax) - ok, obviously very reasonably priced. Would return but would order something else. A number of other people were having roti which looked good. Goat was almost sold out if that's an indication of what's good.
P.J.O'Briens
Had dinner there this week before a Leaf game. Its at 39 Colborne diagonally behind King Edward. Very comfortable irish pub which has now expanded adding pat quinn's lounge next door. Food cntinues to be above average pub food and the prices reflect that although still reasonable for downtown core. Had lamb shank (approx $16) and burger (approx $11-12). Both were very good. I forget what they are called but their home made potato chips (approx $5) Service was good. Food was tad slow as it was very busy - stand up room only befitting a pub.
Vertical - Review
Went there in early dec for lunch. I thought they had turned the corner but alas. Service was okay and institutional. Food wasn't very good - had lamb osso bucco and fish of the day. Not worth the prices. they are trying to compete with reds, far niente, etc. Didn't cut the mustard.
Back Alley Woodfire BBQ Recommendations ?
Went this week for lunch. Had the rib combo for lunch $8.99. Started with good side salad. mongolian ribs (like korean ribs) are very good and the pork sparerib was good. scaliion pancakes are very good - plump and not greasy (too many chinese restaurant versions are greasy). very reasonable prices - $3.00-3.50 for bottled beer; $5.00 for glass of wine. owner (frank hsu) is proud of his bbq ovens. worth visiting.
Laterna Restaurant - looking for input
Agree souvalki on pita is very good - better than most on the danforth! pizza is decent.
Back Alley Woodfire BBQ Recommendations ?
Has anyone been recently - thoughts and recommendations?
Coming to TO this weekend, need food itinerary
Pangaea on Bay just north of Bloor is a very good restaurant. excellent desserts.
Another suggestion is Jamie Kennedy's restaurant in the Gardiner Ceramics Museum (Avenue Rd just south of Bloor). Havent been but has received great reviews. Open for lunch Sat not sure about sunday. Only night they are open for dinner is Friday - not sure how late; no reservations.
Dinner for two in TO next Friday
We enjoyed Lee's - tapas type menu - very good food, nice wine selection and very busy on weekends. As you probably know, its the more casual eatery sister restaurant to Susur - chef extraordinaire whether you love him or hate him.
Mr. Jerk keeps on delivering
Had the jerk pork lunch special this week at the Mr Jerk in Peanut Plaza (3050 Don Mills). Same old hole in the wall where you squeeze by the pople lined up. Lunch special is $4.99 plus tax for heaping serving of rice topped with jerk pork, gravy and a bit of slaw and a private label soft drink. Very satisfying meal. Had my first dumpling (70 cents) which turned out to be giant fried dough ball - very dense - okay.
Vertical - Review
The 3 times I have been there have been disappointing - twice at lunch and once for drinks. Went by one Friday after work - patio was devoid of poeple...packed at Bymark, Ki, Duke of devon. Drink prices need to come down. Service with attitude doesn't work when the place is empty. Food was oversalted. Too bad as it is a great location.
Japango
Wonderful little restaurant. great sushi. butterfish is to die for. although little, never had to wait too long which probably reflects its location.
