As visitors to Chicago (not residents, so experience is limited) I rate L20 as one of the most disappointing fine dining experiences of all time; the room is rather hushed, making it difficult for a convivial, fun atmosphere-with sort of dated "tricks" (with napkins, moving geometric boxes) and a feeling of being, well, ripped off for food that just didn't excite, tantalize, or even satisfy the palate---we're talking unexciting "gellees", aspics, and wierdness all around. My husband to this day refers to L20's cuisine as a "make work project." We visited Alinea on the same visit, perhaps this is why it was hard to be impressed----and, furthermore, the prices of L20 actually approach Alinea if you get upgrades on certain items (i.e. $50 for wagyu beef, other dessert surcharges). This was shortly after chef LG left--and, we were 26 when we went, and definitely found the crowd to be older....hope my sharing our experience helps inform your choices!

Hi Veggo,

Thanks for your fast reply! We arrive at 2:30 pm. Do shops close for the afternoon and then reopen for dinner? And, conch shack or Bugaloo's as a first meal?
We're going to rent a car based on how far all the food is :)

Whole grouper-my husbands eats them, head and all until not a bit is left. Maybe we'll save that for the hotel kitchen. You mentioned fin fish getting scarce, which worries me, and I read that conch is sometimes caught outside of permitted areas. Any fisherman/ways to make sure we're eating things that won't harm the local ecology? I truly appreciate your helpful tips.

Thanks!

Hi Friends,
Thank you for the sharing of knowledge on food in Provo, especially Veggo & others who are in the know :)
I will be staying at Alexandra for 3 nights, Friday Feb 1- Monday Feb 4th, and trying to sample the best of what the area has to offer.
Since I have a limited stomach space, I need some help planning!
Places I've decided on after hours of reading these reviews:

Dinner at Mango reef on arrival day for the ease-factor
Smokeys
Bugaloo's
Anacaona-for my birthday dinner, for it's romantic views. (However, the food doesn't actually look awesome, and does seem extremely overpriced--is there another place I should consider for a special night?)
trip to Middle Caicos, and Daniel's Cafe
caicos bakery for coffee

Questions: My husband and I are basically seafood fiends, and will travel anywhere for the freshest fish and seafood.
-is there anywhere to eat at the airport upon arrival, or on the way to Grace Bay area?
-best lobster
-freshest conch
-best grouper (whole)

Appreciate all of the feedback! Peace!

You rock. Thank you.

I really appreciate the comments, especially Fintastic's description of food enclaves.
Plateaumaman, Au P'tit plateau is a memory of a grad school trip-the perfect little spot, if cramped. I have a husband who prefers lighter fare, now, so we'll see where we end up!

Au Pied Du Cochon-confirmed, 22h, Sunday

What is open Mondays in Montreal? For lunch, I'd like anything nearer to the Vieux Port that doesn't suck? (Want to stay nearish to here as I need to be back by 2pm)

Club Chasse et Peche-confirmed, lunch Tuesday (it was closed Mondays).

Dominion-confirmed, Wednesday dinner

Still calling around, still deciding! Thank you for your great feedback! Merci a tous!

And, does anyone have experience with the Club Chasse et Peche menu midi? Apparently, this place is open Mondays for lunch, so we are going to try to eat here for lunch with Milos for supper. Unfortunately, I wish we could switch, but Club C&P are not open Mondays for dinner service!

Thank you for your replies-one thing is that I've been absolutely DYING to try Le Filet. Things which attract me are the "little sister" qualities, as well as the fact that they have a Japanese chef de cuisine (I'm biased).
Is Salle A Manger a reservations-only place? Would we have success walking in on election day? :P
The thing is---I don't yet know if have a dinner free Tuesday-Thursday, as the Taverne is a work function, and I may have others. These Mardi-Samedi places really tempt me!

Merci a tous! Keep your opinions coming!

Blue Hill at Stone Barns is absolutely worth the visit. My husband and I remember this dining experience as one of the most memorable. If you're into local farming, care about sourcing and preparation of food as a traditional, artisanal craft, then you will love this place.
Especially now, with the harvest season, you'll be in for a real treat as most of their food is super-seasonal. It'd be a beautiful, romantic place to walk around and have a meal.

Also, it bears mentioning that this place is heavily subsidized, as in, the property was a donation by the Rockefellers, and many of the programs which sustain the growing/preparation of the ingredients are also the beneficiaries of other funding sources. So what you get, in terms of product, probably costs way more to produce, start to finish, than you are paying per head.

Dear Montrealers & Lovers of Montreal,

My partner and I will be visiting this week, from Sunday-Thursday.

I've searched all the CH Montreal boards. Read most of the reviews. Sorted the montreal reviewers from the rest. I'm really looking to refine what I've gained as impressions from the posts and make some decisions!

We're staying in the Vieux Port, and have a car, so can travel.
Budget is no holds barred, but what I like about Montreal is the ability to eat well for a good price.
Need some help balancing the "fancy" classics/well known places with the warm, cosy neighbourhood places which might not garner as much press.

Please help narrow down to:

Would like to focus more on Montreal bistro cuisine, with its signature whimsical touches, solid execution, and warmth. And possibly a killer steak tartare, salmon tartare, and a good cold foie gras au torchon.
-would like to find more seafood, or places that have items like tuna crudo, crab cakes, or a killer fish soup.
-not interested in Asian recs as we live in Toronto

Sunday night:

Have secured a 10:30 pm (!) APDC reservation. Although at this point, I'm thinking I may not wish to indulge on so much duck fat/pig so late at night. Don't get me wrong---I love this stuff, and cook with duck fat regularly-but will have driven 7 hours from Ontario and a quieter AVV/BYOW might be in order.

OR
Monsieur B, casual and relaxed AVV

Monday lunch:
Club Chasse et Peche. Hopefully a good seat on the terasse

Monday dinner:
Milos

Tuesday lunch: ? Something that's a change from Monday's heavyweight meals?

Tuesday dinner: Le Taverne Dominion

Will go to Olive & Gourmando for breakfasts as it is near where we're staying. But not open Sunday or Monday---so need a lunch rec for these days.

I think this list is too heavily weighted towards classic and fancy. This is not my intention, its just that these names emerge over and over!

Any advice? THANKS!!!

Perhaps refocus on restaurants in the Greater Hamilton area, special to this locale, that will generate good restaurant ideas? I'm thinking that comments about chains are okay, if they represent a particular local flavour, or do something different in the Hamilton area, but the emphasis should be Hamilton restaurants, not restaurants that just happen to be in Hamilton (and everywhere else).

This is a review of my dining experience at Rapscallion Rogue Eatery.

I had cycled past this place for weeks on my way home-finally peering in, in the former "Street Meat BBQ" digs, I saw the words "foie gras" reflected, like strange mirror-writing, on the window & chalkboard menu. Excitement all around.

Given the restaurant's "Sunday dinners only," reservations proved a bit hard to come by. Owners and reservationists were welcoming, cheery, not snobby or "holier than thou." This can be a problem in other tiny, chef-driven places. But not here.

Our party of four were cheerily greeted by Erin, Rapscallion's co-owner/server. She sat down at our booth to explain the lovingly-crafted menu, and to offer helpful suggestions of wine pairings. There are few pretensions about this place. The finest points about this restaurants, besides some of the issues with food and a new menu detailed in this review, is the fact that Rapscallion tries new things, bravely, generously. It's a new way of doing Hamilton restaurants.

Menu items shared by our party included the following:

Rapscallion Trio- a double portion of well-seasoned beef tartare, and a portion of chicken liver brulee. If you've ever wanted to eat chicken liver mousse with the candied brulee top of a custard dessert, here is your chance. Heavenly, though not too rich/heavy on the butter.

Rapscallion charcuterie plate- ambitious of a restaurant this size, in Hamilton, to do charcuterie. But I guess this restaurant has guts, literally. From a chef's perspective I can totally see the appeal of venturing into this type of cuisine. The trick is, I think we'll need a bit more time in Hamilton to help something like this stick-maybe even written descriptions of what the house selections include, would ease people like my less-adventurous dining companions into trying the meats. And the garnishes-more garnishes, please.

Deboned chicken wings with glass noodle stuffing and mango-mint salad-now maybe it's just me, but I am totally grossed out by the little claw piece that is not removed from chicken wings. The stuffing was ambitious, but a tad too oily owing to the way that rice noodles suck up oil and stick together. Mango-mint salad could use more chilli, and the use of ripe sweet mango, and not green mango, was a bit unusual and not entirely successful. Wings could use a spicy-sweet dip, perhaps, to up the flavour contrast.

Pork belly tacos-a lovely riff on pork belly. The meat was skillfully cooked, soft, yet with a crisp exterior. Fatty-crispy goodness. Taco shells could be kept more moist-as it were the edges were dry, not sure if it was an attempt at "crisp." Radish slaw and lime wedge garnish was just perfect.

Tongue in Cheek-braised beef cheek and beef tongue slices. This place has a thing about meat-in case you missed that. The beef cheek was lovely, supple and full of beefy flavour. The tongue could have benefitted from a gentler preparation-perhaps a longer braising with spices or sous-vide-to bring out the flavour. Tongue needs de-veining, also. Don't serve veiny tongue, that is weird. The dish, overall, could use a bit more brightness/acid/earthy balance-perhaps more peppercorns, or something.

Simple salad-
Salad made me sad. For $5, the plate consisted mostly of romaine heart/red leaf, but the salad was tossed whilst wet, and the resulting balsamic dressing was a bit of a wet mess. It was a large portion, good enough for two to share, which would be a plus. Maybe the availability of local greens will spruce this item up a bit come summer. But hey, there was more room for dessert/meat dishes/dessert masquerading as meat dishes.

Bacon Bread Pudding and Pie Duo-
Bacon Bread Pudding was an old-fashioned, southern pudding, somewhat stodgy, with a proper southern white gravy, likely laced with bacon drippings. I would order this for breakfast, perhaps, but as a dessert-so, so heavy. I've had bacon desserts at restaurants like WD-50, and Alinea-both of which were more subtle on the bacon. This is BACON and BREAD front and centre. I definitely preferred the more conservative Pie Duo-a sugar pie and a chocolate pie. Both pies were lovely, with a flaky, toothsome crust, and thick, sweet filling. Lovely.

Finished the evening with lovely conversation at a neighbouring table.

Reviewing my thoughts and dining experience, what I think I need to do is soak up the fact that this isn't just a "better than driving to Toronto" alternative. This is a place with roots down the street-providing Hamiltonians with the culinary ambition and hospitality that true restauranteurs like Matt and Erin offer so generously. The feeling of eating here, far beyond the cumulative effects of individual dishes, is excitement. Excitement for the present accomplishments, and the ones to come.

Dinner for 4 with a bottle of wine was about $160, with tax and tip. That said, I could easily stop by and eat one or two small dishes, for under $20. I look forward to the changing menu and continued evolution of Rapscallion. Curious diners should, nay, must try Rapscallion to experience it.

Thank you, Rapscallion, for being rogue, and one-of-a kind. We look forward to many more meals with you!

Note: On the Sundays-only dinner-the current business model was to start up a nice place where restaurant industry folks could grab a nice bite to eat. Plans to expand to Friday-lunch and dinner, and Saturday-Sunday dinner service are in the works.

Yep; from what I remember, many of the cakes are from Roca bakery. Not even Dufflet's-I'd pay for Dufflets. Coffee and service also iffy at Bean Bar, I'd go elsewhere.

A few more notable bakery items: savory muffins at My Dog Joe & Mulberry Cafe. Plied with cheese, bacon, vegetables, and things that generally make muffins better. Does anyone know if these are both made in-house? IMHO worth the trip for both.

Thanks for the suggestions! I did some rooting around for opening times, since "breakfast" (aka not brunch) is the objective. Here they are to help future planning...
Saturday Breakfast begins...
Patachou-8 :30 am.
Le Petit Gourmet-7:30 am
Caffe Doria-8 am
Rebel House-10:30 am
Lola's-10 am
Fire on the East Side-10 am
--
Yorkville grab-and-go suggestions including Whole Foods, Lettieri, and Pusateri's are also helpful-probably will be the way to go Sunday morning when we're in a hurry for breakfast, with time to eat a proper lunch/brunch at 1:30 pm! Thanks!

Fellow CHers,

I need to plan a few breakfasts in the environs of Yonge Street central. Looking for a good patisserie, or even a consistent downtown Toronto breakfast place-but, having never stayed in this part of the city, I don't know where to bring my early morning belly!

Requirements:
Open before 10 am
Consistent, good breakfast

I'm good for Yorkville, Church, Cabbagetown places, I'd rather be close by. Staying at the Delta Chelsea for a conference (meh meh meh) but wanting to take advantage of eating. Too bad DB bistro isn't open yet!

Meals for 2 days will be expensed at a moderate rate, so I'm open to trying new things! The night before, will try to catch a meal at either Guu or somewhere with soft-shell crab-Malena, or Scarpetta.

Thanks!

Cake and Loaf cupcakes are amazing. They also make a variety of artisanal breads.
For some really lovely, classic cupcakes, also try Let Them Eat Cakes, on James Street South. Delicate sponge cupcakes and some lovely seasonal flavours with the most wonderful icing I've ever had on a strawberry cupcake. http://letthemeatcakes.com/ The owner has serious creds as a pastry chef, though her business focuses mainly on wedding/custom cakes.
The Bitten cupcakes are a bit sweeter, American-style, but feature quirky flavours.
Bakery: For portuguese baked goods and bread that will set you back only pocket-change, try Cafe Ola on James Street North. You can walk in at any hour of the day and request hot-out-of the oven portuguese breads, tres leches cake, and flans of all sorts.
A favorite Saturday ritual is to wander over to the downtown Farmers' Market, to pick up a couple of really lovely pastries from Karlik pastries including custard-filled chocolate eclairs (owner used to be a pastry chef at the Royal York in Toronto), a cup of lovely, aromatic Colombian medium roast from Julia's, and to wander where the wind takes us!

So, I've been trolling this review, and i've decided to pipe up!
I'm currently balancing a choice between Fude and Mise for a dinner tomorrow night with about 8 colleagues.
Fude's menu looks more interesting, and a friend who ate there abotu 5 years ago remembers it fondly. However, many online reviews of late seem very dissappointed with the service. Mise's menu, on the other hand, says "fusion" a bit too much for my liking-but in the end, I'm looking for flawless service, and a good time. Segovia is out because of the no-reservations policy, and the fact that tapas amongst 8 can be awkward.
Another place I've heard good things about is the Peasant Cookery-is that on anyone's radar?
Thanks for the recs and the good discussion on food in Winnipeg!

-----
Mise
222 Osborne St, Winnipeg, MB R3L, CA

I'm also able to probably fit in one "traditional" european meal, and knowing that these are quite different, am trying to choose between Gasthaus Gutenburger and Bistro Dansk!
Anyone been to the Thursday lunch buffet at the Gasthaus?

We're headed to Winnipeg tomorrow, and I've amassed a rather large list of "to eats" and "to dos" based on past board posts.

Recognizing that restaurants change, I was hoping for some up-to-date assistance in making restaurant choices; I am also gearing this dish towards places that either have a history in Winnipeg/Manitoban food, as well as places that use local products in their offerings.

Blufish Sushi-near our hotel, sounds reasonably decent for a lunch
Bistro Dansk-dinner
Mise-dinner
Choice between Infernos' Bistro or Peasant Cookery (seem similar in terms of bistro cuisine, but I could be wrong!)
Choice between Baked Expectations, BDI, and Eva's Gelato (travelling with a dessert hater, so I imagine I'll only be able to get sweets in once!)
Where to go for Ukrainian "soul food" now that Alycia's is closed?

We're good with bakeries, market stalls, and greasy spoons, as well as with finer dining-it's more about the experience and uniqueness of the meal!

-----
Mise
222 Osborne St, Winnipeg, MB R3L, CA

Coincidentally, I'm also a Toronto CHer looking to plan my Chicago trip, meticulously scouring the boards/trolling :) The "dim sum brunch" at the James was actually quite a memorable Chicago experience. Don't be fooled, its not actually dim sum, which we pretty much rock in TO. On our last trip, we were too lazy to leave the hotel in search of food, and the brunch pretty much had a taste of their menu, including mini-burgers made with good aged beef, and a carved prime rib. A mini dessert tasting is included, and featured tiny creme brulees. I know that if you go to the bar for drinks, you can often pick up coupons for dinners/subsequent meals at David Burke's Primehouse. Honestly, the smaller tasting at Alinea is good value-compared to what you would pay for more upscale experiences in Toronto. And if you're comparing the prices at David Burke's for supper to Alinea, I'd so splurge for Alinea, and eat street mexican, hot dogs, and chicago beefs the rest of the time. Bongo room was also not insane in terms of wait times. Do report back!

-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

David Burke's Primehouse
616 N Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611

A few suggestions off the top of my head:
-Photo set from Melissa and Brandon's elegant little shindig at Crush Wine Bar. An unusual pick, but amazing for the wine bar and intimate venue that is close enough to Grace. Plus, they have a very organized events planner. Good rates, also.
http://crushwinebar.com/gallery/?mode...

-Auberge Du Pommier: could inquire into the booking of one private room. Not the same vibe as Grace, but classy/classic.

-Hart House: perennially popular but maybe booked by this late in the game. contact their planner at weddings.harthouse@utoronto.ca

-----
Crush Wine Bar
455 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1K4, CA

I had the very same "drive by observation" of Rolly Rockets! Except that I cycled by it last summer, and was able to breathe in the enticing aroma of proper wood smoke...
The owners learned to pit-smoke with pecan and other woods in the South, and have set up a decent shop---with rather inexpensive prices to boot--
They do a more vinegar-based marinade, and have good smoked wings, as well as ribs, hush puppies, beef brisket, and smoked pulled pork. Accompaniments include a selection of draught beers, and deep fried Mars bars. It's worth checking out.

Check out an older thread on Restaurants in Hamilton:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/514581

I second Mex-I-Can for a family-friendly, delicious lunch within close distance to Hamilton Place. It's a close walk, through Jackson Square, or less than 2 mins. drive. Harbor diner is good, but can be busy and requires reservations on the weekend. Plus, its a bit of a hike to Hamilton Place.
If your little one likes hot chocolate, Mex-I-Can's is wonderful, with mexican cinnamon sprinkled on top, and fun finger foods like nachos, the chips made in-house, are sure to please.
You could also take a walk to the downtown Farmers' Market, and snack at various stalls. I recommend Latin Foods & Products, which makes tamales, tostadas, and sells neat soft drinks in the old school bottles.

I was craving a juicy, handmade burger to chase away the "is it STILL winter" blues.
I found the equivalent of the burger shacks' answer to a warm blanket on a freezing cold day---O'Neills on Upper Wellington (tag line-"Home of the 1 lb. Pugger Burger). Nothing on the outside is exceptional; except for the opening hours being listed as "feeding times," I would have passed this place by.
Inside, I found a gem of a burger shack, old fashioned, with milkshakes (made with real ice cream), hand-battered fish and chips, and burgers, ranging from the 1/4 lb.-1 lb. burger patty. I didn't want to get the smallest and cheapest burger, but alas, the 1/2 lb. burger looked daunting, and I had a supper to go to. O'Neils' on Upper Wellington exceeded expectations; a juicy, handmade patty, with ground beef, well-done as requested, with a side of onion rings, and a drink: $4.50. Topped generously with whole slices of smoked bacon and cheese, $1.00 more. The order came out in a neat little basket, and was perfectly cooked, crisp edged, while still juicy. The affable owner, Tom, who has run this place since the late 1990s, regaled us with banter. He told us that the burger patties are hand-made by his mother, who also keeps the place spic and span, and ornamented with plants. O'Neill's also delivers for a modest fee, and is open to the wee hours of the morning. Which means I might *just* have a hankering one of these nights...
Truly, a family-run homestyle burger place that should emerge as a "go to" spot amongst local Chers, delivering great quality for modest prices. Well, now you know.
Give 'er a go for St. Paddy's...

-----
O'neills 84
601 Upper Wellington St, Hamilton, ON L9A3P8, CA

Dinner at Ame was memorable only for how ridiculous the entire experience transpired.
I shall begin with the good points: the lovingly-crafted, artisanal cocktails were innovative, and the bartender affable, flexible, with an almost clairvoyant ability to accomodate my likes, dislikes, and allergies. I made a bad Monty Python joke about elderberries, and he laughed. That made my day.

Overall, miniscule portions and frigid service. Despite having emailed the owner to clarify dinner reservations could be had at 5:30 (he said yes), I was not phoned the day of to confirm; when I called to confirm, I was told by a disinterested hostess, "we don't open 'till six." I asked if there was a bar or lounge, and she reiterated, "we don't open our doors "till six." When I arrived at 5:45, I attempted to open the massively heavy doors-a hostess peered up from behind the glassed-in windows and generally ignored my attempts to open the doors. We found that the doors were actually unlocked, but just Mofo heavy, and walked in. No greeting. Nothing. I walked into the lounge area to find one of our dinner guests already seated, reading a magazine. She had not been offered a thing, not a menu, water, or a drinks menu, for the entire time that she had been waiting. We sat together, actually thinking that we had been seated for dinner service in the lounge, all for the empty restaurant. About ten minutes later, we were asked, "are you ready to be seated at your table?" (What table? Had anyone asked my name, or the number of my party?) This was strange, but we agreed to be seated in the empty restaurant. We were not given a drink menu for 20 minutes following, which was disappointing considering the fact that I was quite excited to try their cocktail program. I did the schmoozy thing and approached the bar myself, which turned out to be a good idea.
Fast-forward to the ordering part. We asked the waitress what she suggested for a group of 5, and explained plaintively that the chefs had requested that all orders be put in together. We took her suggestions, and ordered well over the quantity mentioned (two more "mains" and an extra rice). The market price striploin was miniscule, such that it was embarrassing to share. The fluke sushi was fresh, and contained an interesting pickled vegetable mixture, and was decorated with a nice mix of grated wasabi. Other dishes were not memorable. The actual table service was pleasant enough, but it was hard to get her attention. By the time 7:45 rolled around, all of the order had not yet come out, and so we left without tasting the duck or the quail or the second bowl of $9 rice. Our party left hungry, and generally underwhelmed for a $300 meal.
Would I return to Ame again? Maybe if I wanted a kick-ass cocktail (I'd have to gear up to put up with the clubby, fake sceney atmosphere), but nothing more. And some more Monty Python banter; that's priceless.

-----
Ame Cuisine
19 Mercer St, Toronto, ON M5V 3C6, CA

Are the plates in your photos sharing portions? I can hardly imagine a rabbit large enough to provide so many courses, save for in sharing form...thank you for the report!
I sooo wish I'd gone for this option instead of the truly terrible birthday dinner experience at Ame, Nov. 22nd. Too bad Beast does not have an updated website, or we would have jumped at this.

Ok, the birthday boy is getting spoiled:
Pre-birthday lunch is at Splendido, to enjoy their $75 5-course prix fixe "european lunch" (on Fridays now till mid-December)
Pre-birthday dinner, we'll try for the Black Hoof, or some other place that requires me to wait in a line...
Birthday dinner is at Ame (his choice, I'm not terribly exicted, too sceney with bad food for me...)

I agree that something like Colborne Lane would be ideal...alas, there are more birthdays to be had...

And thanks, estufarian, for the Blacktree rec. I've been meaning to try this place for a while, but I never quite make it...

Thanks everyone!

-----
Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

Colborne Lane
45 Colborne Street, Toronto, ON M5E 1P8, CA

Blacktree
3029 New St, Burlington, ON L7N, CA

The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

Admittedly, some of us in the humble town of Hamilton (to which Dundas is *technically* attached) get rather excited over such praise....Air Canada's en route has the word "Canada" in it after all, meaning some national press, which might mean the start of something to address the badly executed, mafia-run, overpriced Bistro cuisine that passes as "fine dining" over here.... not to mention our municipal identity crisis....will report back when I have the chance!

For a pleasant change, my family has decided to head to Grand Chinese Cuisine, located in the Doubletree Hilton Hotel at 655 Dixon Road. This is a bit of a jog away (technically on the edges of Malton/Etobicoke), but for fine dining Chinese, this is one of the best, and not too far to lure my folks from Brampton! Will report back!

-----
Grand Chinese Cuisine
655 Dixon Rd, Toronto, ON M9W1J3, CA

I've had two very frustrating experiences waiting to be seated at the Black Hoof. Sure, I'll put up with it for the food, but I think the sib needs more good experiences before he'll sacrifice 3 hours of his time to wait for food...no reservations, no deal. but thanks.

-----
The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA