HelloBeautiful's Profile
Restaurant around Yonge and Bloor
Looks like plans have changed a bit. We've decided to go for a late dinner instead because the play isn't too long. Will probably be around 8:30-9 and we're willing to walk within 3(ish) blocks. Looking for something relatively casual with good food. Price isn't a huge concern, just somewhere we can get good food and have a few drinks afterwards! We're really not picky, all suggestions are welcome!
Restaurant around Yonge and Bloor
Hi,
We're going to a show at the Panasonic Theatre (on Yonge, just south of Bloor) on Friday evening. Looking for a recommendation for an early dinner around there for before the show. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Winterlicious 2012 menus are out - anything CH worthy?
Went to Mistura last night for Winterlicious and was not disappointed. Delicious and very inspired food (squid ink braised calamari was a bit daunting to look at but was so tender and flavourful) as well as attentive service. Definitely the best 'licious we had this year.
Also made it to Peter Pan for lunch... Sweet pea risotto was surprisingly tasty. They were pretty busy so service was a bit lacking.
Cafe la Gaffe on Baldwin for dinner was also very busy but my app of beef carpaccio and main of chicken breast were both good, not fantastic. 2 others had the steak and were very disappointed with it.
We also made it to Zucca Trattoria and were very pleased with it - Started w sausage and chestnut patties with polenta and the ceviche - both very good. Then had the lamb and artichoke parpadelle and the steak. Parpadelle was obviously made in house, very nice flavour and the steak was perfectly cooked with.... wait for it.... duck fat roasted potatoes. SO GOOD.
Good Mexican - Downtown and Uptown
We ended up at Milagro's on Mercer... Food was tasty but service was so-so. After our server quality checked our meals we didn't see him again until we eventually hunted him down for our bill! I had the enchiladas and my SO had the beef and bacon tacos... Both had good flavour and were a good portion size!
Cheap and Cheerful Lunch Downtown
Thanks for both of your suggestions! Do you have any favourites at those places?
Cheap and Cheerful Lunch Downtown
Hi All,
My SO recently started working downtown, around Adelaide and Spadina specifically. Being new to the area, he's looking for some new places to grab a quick bite for lunch, usually something he can take-out and eat in his office and that isn't too pricy (is less than $10 possible??). I'm thinking anything within a 10 minute walk is reasonable, say, Queen/King and University over to Queen/King and Portland. Any suggestions? He's fairly adventurous too, all suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Good Mexican - Downtown and Uptown
I'm going to try Milagro on Mercer... Any recommendations on what we should try?
Good Mexican - Downtown and Uptown
Hi All,
It's my SO's birthday on Friday and I'm looking for a Mexican restaurant that has good food and a casual, fun atmosphere. I know NOTHING about Mexican food so would appreciate anything anyone can tell me. Ideally I'd like to be downtown or uptown, around Yonge and Eglinton. I've heard of a few places, Milagro, Hernando's Hideaway and Mariachi's... Anyone know anything about these places?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
All You Can Eat Sushi
Anyone know where there's good All You Can Eat Sushi around Queen and University?
Woo Buffet at yonge & dundas
I was there 2 weeks ago. Went there on a total whim.. Wait staff are somewhat dazed, but hopefully that was just because they were so new. When I was there, they had no liquor license, and didn't seem very knowledgable about the drinks (I asked if they had smoothies, the server said yes, I asked what kinds, and he said, well, tell me what you want and I'll tell you if I have it.... yeah.) ANYWAYS, I described it as a better version of the Mandarin. A huge selection of Chinese/Japanese/Canadian food, and I enjoyed everything I ate. Not too greasy, which is always good. Very small dessert selection but we were stuffed anyway, so it didn't bother us too much. Good selection of sushi, dumplings, vegetables, meats etc.. $15 a person is worth it, I think, if it's what you're craving, but it's the kind of thing you wouldn't want to eat everyday, you know?
Rumour Re: Winterlicious
Thank you, capo, for solving the mystery! Haha, there are going to be some piiiiiissed off people in the industry in regards to that news.
Chef's House Restaurant (George Brown College)
They are VERY open to walk-ins. I'm not totally sure what it's like for dinner, but they always welcome walk-ins for lunch.
Rumour Re: Winterlicious
Word on the street, Winterlicious has been extended for 2 more weeks? Has anyone heard anything about this? Info would be appreciated!!
Any Winterlicious standouts this year?
I went to Bymark the other day for lunch and thought it was fantastic. Very generous portions for lunch, to the point where we couldn't finish our mains even though we thoroughly enjoyed them. We started with the tuna tartar (very good, however I prefer the version from Jump as I find it more flavourful) and I had the daily soup which was butternut squash with pumpkin seeds and pancetta. It was DELICIOUS. And a huge bowl of it. Then we had the macaroni and cheese (very good, but not spectacular) and the halbiut which was also delcious. Baked in a banana leaf, had great, strong flavor. We finished with the carrot cake and ice cream (can't rememember the flavor) that was filling and satisfying. And the pear strudel with a peacan crusted truffle, which in my opinion was a little small, but I was so full at the time, I didn't even care. All in all, a delcious meal, great service, and we both said we'd go back for the regular menu!
Jump Cafe - Winterlicious
Has anyone been to Jump for Winterlicious? I was wondering how it was...
Green Eggplant Restaurant?
Living so close to the Beaches, I've been to the Green Eggplant many times. I wouldn't go expecting OUTSTANDING food, but I've never had a bad experience. They have a tasty (and reasonably priced!) brunch menu, really yummy (and huuuuge) salads and tasty panninis! I've also tried some of the seafood dishes and the pasta and those are pretty good too.
So don't go expecting a gourmet meal, but it's definitely good, well-priced fare that has something for everyone!
Winterlicious at Celestin
I definitely agree that if they gave fair warning about the 18% autograt, that would make it a little less offensive.
After working the past 2 nights at the fine dining establishment I work at, I have seen the many of the penny pinchers 'licious brings out. It is unfortunate, because the server's are expected to deliver the same service, despite the reward being much less. It's also much more work, as the restaurant I work at was completely packed all night long. Regardless though, I do still think the autograt, of any amount, is unfair. Even though I am obviously someone who takes into consideration the servers (and everyone they have to tip out) I still don't think it's right to decide for the customer how much they are tipping.
I'm going to Bymark for lunch, and Matignon for dinner, so we'll see what their policy is!
Winterlicious at Celestin
While that is true, in most fine dining establishments, you are more likely to come across people who actually know how to tip. Although there are still the occasional guest who will stiff you, server`s tips generally work out to 15% at the end of the year.
And, although it is expected in our society today, tipping is not a requirement. That`s part of the reason why I think it`s ridiculous that Celestin automatically assumes they deserve an 18% tip.
Winterlicious at Celestin
Thank you for clearing that up! It is disheartening to hear that while they are winning points for participating in Winterlicious, they are doing their best to grab any extra pennies they can! Regardless, the regular menu does look quite appetizing, so however disappointed I am by my Winterlicious experience, I may try the regular menu at some point in time. Granted, with your dwindling experiences, I may reconsider once again!
Thanks again for the info, it`s really appreciated!
Winterlicious at Celestin
I started with the Ricotta Ravioli with Winter Black Truffle Sauce.. The pasta was very light as was the filling, a nice start, however I didn't love that it was served lukewarm, rather than hot. My partner had the B.C. crab soup which was very good. Excellent crab flavour, with a very nice spicy hint in the background. My main course was the Hokkaido scallop and lobster in the shell.. I guess I should forgive the small portion because of Winterlicious. I received 3 small-medium scallops and 1 piece of lobster. Flavor was good for the most part, however I wasn't expecting the cauliflower taste. My partner had the Tender Banyuls braised buffalo rib which were VERY good. Incredibly tender, very nice flavor, good portion size. For dessert, I had the pecan chocolate moelleux (cake-like) which was very good, although it would've been nice if it was served warm. My partner finished with the flambeed apple and raisin with calvados gratin.. Again, very nice, good size, nice flavor.
All in all, a good meal, although a little disappointing. I'd love if something could clear up my questions about the gratuity because I am very curious!
Winterlicious at Celestin
So, I just got home from a "pre-"Winterlicious dinner at Celestin. The meal was good, however not outstanding. Service was fine. On the Winterlicious menu, it informed us that there would be an 18% gratuity added to the bill. I was completely shocked by this. Can someone explain this addition of gratuity on our bill? Is it something Celestin does or is it Winterlicious specific? And is this the new norm for all Winterlicious participants?
