pescatarian's Profile
vegan/vegetarian friendly non-chain restaurants near Union Station Toronto
Go to the Food Court at Eaton Centre. Not a sit-down restaurant, but Urban Herbivore is there and they have delicious vegan food - suggest your vegan friends try the coconut curry - and take a sweet potato date muffin for the road. Probably not exactly what you're looking for since you seem to be looking for a sitdown restaurant, but I thought it was worth a mention.
Looking for good Whitefish Salad...
Ya, I haven't tried any smoked fish salads there, but I would check out Yummy's on Dufferin, south of Steeles. It's a huge Russian supermarket and they have the largest selection of smoked fish I've ever seen in one place, as well as a huge counter selling many different types of prepared salads, etc.
decent, if not good, non-chain Sunday brunch in Woodbridge or Vaughan
Don't know about Italian restos, but if I find myself in that area for brunch, I go to Bagel World at Dufferin, north of Rutherford. Nothing like my faves downtown, such as Lady Marmalade, but when in Rome...
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Bagel World
10 Disera Dr #150, Vaughan, ON L4J0A7, CA
Best Italian coffee on Danforth
I don't go to Rooster often, but the times I have been, they've been good. But nothing has beat the flavour of the roast at Broadview Espresso for me. I find it consistent. I've been going there since they opened. Plus, I love the unpretentious owner and staff. I honestly don't get the big deal about Crema. Not to mention one time I went in there. There was no one there. I asked the guy at the cash for a skim latte. He repeated it and looked kind of confused. Then he walked to the back and brought a young lady back and told her what I wanted. They chatted for about a min and then she again asked what I wanted and started putting her hair up in a ponytail slowly and looked like she was totally confused and in slow motion. It's hard to explain without being there, but I was totally put off and said thanks, but I'll pass and then I walked the several blocks to Broadview Espresso.
Best Italian coffee on Danforth
Broadview Espresso is far better than Crema IMO. The Rooster would come next.
Help with Dressing
If it were me, I would skip the mayo, and just squeeze some lemon juice over the mixture. Between the wine vinegar and oil from the marinated artichoke hearts, plus the saltiness from the olives, etc. I don't think it needs much else.
I HATE radishes, but I have a bunch. What do I do with them??
I just got a recipe in my CSA that you might like:
Glazed Radishes
1 pound radishes, trimmed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tbsp minced fresh parsley leaves
in a heavy saucepan wide enough to hold radishes in one layer, cook radishes in butter with the sugar and the salt over moderately low heat, stirring, for 1 min. Add 1/2 cup water, simmer the radishes covered, for 10-15 min, or until they are tender, and boil them, uncovered, shaking the pan occasionally, until the liquid has been reduced to a glae. cook the radishes over moderate heat, swirling them, until they are coated wiht the glaze and sprinkle with parsley.
Then you could cut them up into small pieces and put in a salad.
Can we revisit the PATH?
They list their daily specials here: http://www.naturallyyours.ca/daily-specials.htm. The hot sauce makes all of the offerings better IMO. I like the lasagna and the lentil loaf, which comes with mushroom gravy.
Need unfrosted 12" cake
No problem. Or try Nino D'Aversa on Yonge, north of Steeles.
Need unfrosted 12" cake
I would call a Loblaws bakery dept, perhaps the one on Bayview at High Tech, and see if they can help you out.
3 new places to hit
I was at Bi Bim Bap when I was in the area a few weeks ago. I am not Korean, but I've eaten at number of more authentic (I think) Korean restaurants in TO over the years. My favourite place to get bi bim bap is Buk Don Chang Soon Tofu. Bi Bim Bap is definitely different. I wish they had more of the usual banchan offerings. I could do without the miso soup (don't think it goes with the bi bim bap) but the kimchi was good). I ordered the spiciest hot sauce and it wasn't that hot. However, the Bi Bim Baps were good. Served in stoned bowls. My friend had the traditonal version and I thought it was interesting because they use more greens in their version than in the other places I've been to. I've read on other boards that the veggies we get at the typical places aren't really that authentic and that there are more local greens in a traditional bi bim bap (I can't remember the usual green that is supposed to be more traditional and I can't remember what was included in Bi Bim Bap's version, but I wonder if it is in fact trying to be more traditional in that sense). They have many different variations on the traditional bi bim bap (not traditional, I don't think to have so many variations) and I tried one of the variations, which was a seed bi bim bap, with a multitude of different types of seeds with the rice and veg. It was delicious. I didn't get an overwhelming sense of authenticity, but it was very good. They also brought a (cold) cinnamon tea at the end of the meal, which was very nice. The prices were slightly higher than the usual joints I go. Overall, the food tasted very good, the service was good (the owner was very friendly and seemed to care about the food) and I think it is worth a visit for the food, not necessarily for the level of authenticity of the food. I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but if in the area (while I will often make a special trip to Buk Don), I would go again.
Article about The Butchers [split from Ontario]
I didn't buy a coupon, but I've been following this thread and I saw the Global News piece, listened to the CBC piece, read the posted article, and between all three, the biggest problem I see is a lack of accountability and humility from the OWNER who created this mess in the first place. He made arrangements for too many coupons with too many discount companies because it appears that he thought he could use all of the cash (apparently for renos and the new store) without thinking of the consequences of not being able to provide supply for the new demand HE created with the coupon. You can't sell all those coupons and then hope that people will use them over a year. You can't blame the customers who purchased the coupons when they actually show up to try and redeem them. All I hear is him blaming the coupon purchasers, ie short term loan providers to him. Terrible way to behave for a small business owner who needs as many happy customers, whether coupon holders or "regulars", in my opinion. I'd have more respect for the guy if at some point throughout all of this he said, I screwed up, sorry. I need to fix this situation and I hope people give me time to make amends. Instead, I remember hearing him say about halfway through this debacle how well things were going and he was entering into more deals. This was when there were already problems with supply. With all the coverage, he's never said, sorry for any part I played in creating this mess. Blaming the customer and being greedy doesn't usually bode well in the long term for expanding a business.
College and Ossington - looking for a lunch spot
Had dinner at this place a few months ago and it was good: http://hadleys.ca/. There's also Mitzi's on College in that area: http://www.mitzis.ca/college.html. Haven't been to Mitzi's on College but a friend who works in the area swears by it.
Korean restaurant to open at Bathurst & Eglinton
Went there tonight because I happened to be in the area. Tried the seed bi bim bap with brown rice and it was really good. The extra hot sauce had good flavour although could be a bit spicier for my liking, seeing as it was the spiciest. Not as many or traditional banchan (kimchi and a pickled veg were brought out with a miso soup). The cinnamon "tea" (it's cold) at the end was a nice touch. The owner was very friendly, as I see others have mentioned. We sat outside and he joked "if I forget about you guys, just call me there and he pointed to the number on the store sign". You could tell he was joking and it was cute. Plus, they didn't forget about us at all. I would go back.
Are there any deli's that make their own sauerkraut?
Try Victoria's Eastern European Deli on Pape. Not sure if they make their own. Youc an call them and ask: (416) 423-7713
I bet Yummy Market on Dufferin near Finch would have lots of varieties as well at their ready made counter.
Kensington Market?
For a snack, I love the sweet potato date muffins at Urban Herbivore.
What to serve with stuffed pork tenderloin?
I think sauteed broccoli rabe would be nice with the prosciutto/red wine.
Bridget, the roti lady is back!
She was there today. It's in front of the building where I work.
Danforth & Woodbine, O'Connor Drive Best bets For Late Saturday Lunch
I went to Jawny Baker's once around the time I moved to the area a few years ago based on recs on CH. I'd pass. It tasted like what I would get at Kelsey's.
Crema coming to Danforth
Timothy's, Second Cup and Cafe Frappe have run of the mill coffee. If it's like the Crema in the Junction, that would be great (I don't like the one on Bloor). In a different league from the others. The only good coffee in that area is Broadview Espresso (which is great, not just good). I like the idea of Crema coming to that location.
Distillery District - Worth mentionings?
Caffe Furbo looks like a beautiful space, based on the website.
Frankly Eatery opening on Queen
I've been to Frankly Eatery twice now and really like it. I had the Gobhi Parantha yesterday and it was delicious. All the mains come with a side salad. Last week I had a dish with two mini buckwheat crepes topped with bacon, fried egg and avocado. Delicious. Their coffee is ok. I find that none of these brunch places have superb coffee, but it is fine and free flowing. The service is pleasant and efficient. I love Lady Marmalade, but this is a great alternative in the area. It's a small restaurant, but right now, it's been pretty easy to get a table. No line ups a la Lady Marmalade.
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Frankly Eatery
1118 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M, CA
New BBQ joint coming to Roncesvalles.
I had take out from this place tonight with some friends. We all loved it. We tried the brisket, beef rib, and pork ribs. All the meat was tasty and moist. I tend to be a brisket fan in general and it was so good. Very moist and full of smokey flavour. The corn on the cob was fabulous with smokey spices. We had combos which included green beans and asparagus. We also had the coconut corn soup which was delicious and had bits of bacon which also made it nice and smokey. The sauces for the ribs were good - one had a strong taste of mustard. We also had a fresh tasting spinach salad. Looking forward to checking it out again soon.
iso decent food at Danforth and Broadview
Can you go a bit south to Gerrard? If so, you could try Hanoi 3 Seasons. Cheap, fresh and tasty. There is also Green Earth Vegetarian on Broadview, north of Gerrard: http://www.greenearthveggie.com/about-toronto.html. The food is pretty good, pleasant service, although sometimes a bit slow. They have a tv playing some kind of organization they follow, but I've never found it intrusive.
In terms of Danforth and Broadview, not much other than the usual Greek - Mezes, Patheon, etc. There are a couple sushi places that are ok, not great. If you wanted to go really casual, you could always eat at the prepared food cafeteria area at The Big Carrot. Another option is The Auld Spot Pub. I find the food is pretty good there, for what it is. Not a lot of veggie options, but some if you are lacto-ovo. There's also Mocha Mocha: http://www.mochamocha.ca/contact.html. Pretty good salads, vegetarian club, that kind of thing.
Vegetarian Passover recipes
i don't know. With all the sides, soups, etc. at the seder meal, I'm not sure anything else is necessary. Especially if they eat dairy/eggs. At our family's table, b/w the veg cabbage borscht, salad, boiled eggs, roasted veg, potatoes, potato kugel, salad, etc., there's enough to make anyone full without the meat mains. We have had different vegetarian matza lasagnas (there's tons of recipes out there) also.
