bittermu's Profile
Cheap and Dirty: Thrifty Dive Bars of the GTA
Make sure you check out Googs' specifc post within the above thread. It has all the nasty places I was going to suggest:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/675983#5272797
They're all really something and, from my experience, exactly what you're looking for.
Best of Danforth Thread
Better late than never?
Best Indian: Sher-e-punjab
It's been consistently tasty for me.
Best Italian: Still looking ...
Best Thai: Gotta go with Jean's, simply because it isn't horrible.
Best Mexican: El Sol
As childofthestorm mentioned, it's slowwwwww, but the food is tasty and portions large.
Best Pub: The Auld Spot
Good taps, solid menu. I can't get enough of the mac 'n cheese with crab.
Best Meal under $100: Bistro Camino
Simple and good.
Best Wings: Allens
Not that I'm necessarily a fan, but everything else has simply been worse.
Best Pizza: Gerrard Spaghetti and Pizza House. (Take out)
Killer pizzas and they actually appreciate your business.
Best Greek: Christinas
Other bests mentioned:
Best Brunch: Threes Company (@ Pape)
Great benny and pulled pork poutine (topped with a fried egg).
Best Ethiopian: Rendez-vous
Great portions and big taste.
Best Burger: Square Boy
Could also sub in as Best Greek or, at the very least, Best Entertainment.
Pub Pints Toronto - Tuesday Specials
Penalty/loss/legality aside:
Mondays - Fox & Fiddle (John/Addy) has 1/2 price wings and domestic pitchers for $10.
Wednesdays - Fionn MacCools has 20 oz pints of Keiths for $4.99
Fridays - 2 20oz of Harp, Guinness or Smithwicks for $9.99 from 4-6.
(see: http://esplanade.fionnmaccools.com/calendar/2009-11-08/53/)
If anything else springs to mind, I'll repost.
Meating at the Bottom Line sports bar/steakhouse
I've been a handful of times to meet with friends, and have never been disappointed, but I've never never been impressed either. It's certainly nice to look at, but I've never seen any sign of life and, to me, a good sports bar has to be filled people/life.
To be fair, I've never had any food beyond appetizers, so I'm not qualified to comment on the menu.
Is your venue preference primarily based on sports atmosphere or is higher quality food a priority?
ISO a great Mac and Cheese
If you're out in the east end, try should The Auld Spot on Danforth @ Chester. The mac 'n cheese au gratin is fantastic on its own, better when with crab or bacon (or both!) and best w/ a side of Apricot Wheat.
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Auld Spot
347 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K, CA
Cool place for drinks Friday night
Though it's never had live music when I've been, I like The Bedford Academy on Prince Arthur, just east of Bedford. In fact, the last time I dined at Le Paradis, I had a few pints on the Bedford patio. I've heard a wide range of music in my patio time there from indie rock/pop to classic rock to the jazz-dancebeat of St Germain.
And since you mentioned a venue like N'Awlins that's so far south of Le Paradis, how about earthy The Rex for some Jazz?
Globe bistro - finally tried it (sort of...the patio menu)
I'm in partial agreement here.
I do agree that the patio menu is nothing to write home about, but I don't expect much of happy hour food special - I'm primarily there for some reasonably priced drinks on a nice patio. I do think it's a missed opportunity, much like the countless restaurants that keep botching their *licious opportunities.
A few comments about the food experience, in particular:
- I had the lamb a few weeks back and really enjoyed it from the first bite to the last (as did my cohorts in subsequent visits) and I'm a sparse salter at best. Maybe it was an off night?
- My s/o and friend visited for summerlicious this year and raved about it endlessly, so I wouldn't give up hope yet.
Perhaps one last ditch attempt for a dinner?
Globe bistro - finally tried it (sort of...the patio menu)
I definitely second food_whiz's comment about the staff's attitude. There was a little arrogance and a hint of attitude at each table visit. If only the kitchen staff paid the same attention to detail in their patio menu as our server did with his persona ...
Diners, drive-ins and dives
There's a little breakfast place in Stratford called "Features" that, IMHO, would fit in with the show. All of their meals are massive and I think that two of their meals would be perfect:
eggs benny (three poached eggs on ham on french toast)
The Paul Bunyon - it's in comprehensibly massive, has everything on it and it's served on a table-sized platter.
I think Ol Camp 31, arguably one of the best BBQ joints in Ontario, in Paris, with its picnic tables, tin shack walls and smokey goodness would qualify as well.
I second Itzi's posting about Weber's - it used to be something of note, but hasn't been so in many, many years.
ACC Concert
Funny. I'd started my suggestions by qualifying them each with "beer vs food", but thought it was to much detail. Never assume ...
Though I certainly agree with TorontoJo's and 1sweetpea's comments about Bistro and Markt, I'll respectfully disagree about C'est What being standard fare for pub grub; you'd be hard-pressed to find lamb burger, bison burger and tourtiere on most pub menus around the ACC.
I'm curious to see some additional suggestions from the community too.
ACC Concert
IMO, your best bets are probably C'est What at Front E & Church, The Beer Bistro at King and Yonge and The Bier Market at The Esplanade & Church, though, with three hours to kill, I see no reason why you can't stop in for a pint at all three.
Enjoy!
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Beer Bistro
18 King St. E, Toronto, ON M5C 1C4, CA
C'est What
67 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E1B5, CA
Bier Market
58 The Esplanade, Toronto, ON M5E, CA
Woodbine/Danforth - decent restaurants?
Since there's been quite a few mention of places near Coxwell, I'd throw in Djerba la Douce (Moroccan) as well. It's not licenced, and you have to be patient with the service, but the food is worth the wait IMHO.
I'll also echo the thoughts about Sarah's dinner entrees. I'm happy to visit for drinks and/or weekend brunch, but I'd stay away from there for dinner.
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Djerba la Douce
1475 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J1N5, CA
Best bets on the Danforth
If you'd like to venture a bit outside of Greektown, a little farther east there's also Rendez-Vous (Ethiopian, W of Coxwell) and Relish (tapas, E of Woodbine) that will fit your budget.
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Relish
2152 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4C1K3, CA
Rendez Vous
1408 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J1M9, CA
Coffee Shop or Pub in the East End
A correction, comment and a couple of suggestions:
Sarah's is just west of Coxwell at Monarch Park/Danforth and, as you say, their food is nothing to write home about.
10 Feet Tall, on the Danforth just west of Sarah's, has treated me well since I moved into the neighbourhood this summer. Great brunch, tasty and simple dinner entrees, friendly service, a reasonable selection of beer and live music Sat, Sun and every other Monday. And kitch. It's chock-full of it. it's definitely worth a try.
There's also Allen's just east of Broadview on the Danforth and The Auld Spot just east of Allen's. Allen's is more high-end with a large selection of single malts and the Auld Spot is far more casual, but I think it's a hidden gem for its pints and its dressed-up comfort food - the crab mac 'n cheese IS something to write home about.
All of these places have been discussed and on chow, so poke around and you'll have plenty to read for the day.
Best of luck.
