You must have the cured salmon - whether you have to beg, steal or borrow to get it.

Also - there are some pics from a recent tasting menu at the Chef's table at the end of July - look for my post 10 from the bottom.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/792993

If they're all ordering well done steaks - I think I agree with OP - it doesn't really matter where they go. It'll taste like leather or well-seasoned leather.. but that begs the question, why go to a steak house? there are many other great restaurants that won't break the bank, and they can actually enjoy their food (in spite of themselves). ha.

Unfortunately, so do I (have too much time on my hands - ha). Let's say our family of four goes and orders NY strips at both restaurant. Now, you said that the Keg is "less than half" the price of Ruth Chris (pretty adamantly, I might add - as if to say it will be significantly less than half).

So Let's see:

Keg RC
A 34.95 $51.95 8.95
B 34.95 $51.95 8.95
C 34.95 $51.95 8.95
D 34.95 $51.95
139.8 $234.65

I figured 3 sides are good enough for 4 people. Maybe even 2. Those are bigs steaks. But never the less, let's say 3. I'm not counting salads, as just because it's included, it doesn't mean the persons' going to want it. I certainly wouldn't want a salad on a greasy plate with finger prints on them and wilted lettuce from the kitchen from the Keg - but who knows. To each his own. In any case:

The totals become $139.80 and $234.65 respectively.

Half of $234.65 is $117.33. $139.80 is more than 10% higher than the half you theorized. Now, going back to your rule of the Keg being "less than half of RC", we see that unequivocally, we have a potential real world scenario where this simply isn't true - and that isn't even counting wines, because the ones at the keg won't be 50 percent less than the ones at RC, which would further narrow the gap percentage wise - and they'd also be better quality.

So, can you say that the Keg is significantly less expensive than RC? Yes, definitely. Like 40 percent less expensive. But is that less than half? Clearly not. And as a bonus, you get better food, better steaks, nicer decor, you've taken your family out to a nice meal instead of the trough that is The Keg - and yes, you've spent significantly more - but so what? If we all wanted to just spend money on the cheapest food we could find, this board wouldn't exist - n'est pas?

" The Keg is LESS than half the cost of places like Ruth's Chris (Keg around $25 including sides, bread; Ruth's Chris $50)"

I dont' know about that. Keg steaks seem to average around $30, and go as high as $35.
http://www.kegsteakhouse.com/media/fi...

Ruth Chris' steak house average around $50, and I'm not sure what there most expensive is, although I'm sure it would be a dramatic difference.

Yes, you order sides a la carte, but those sides are enough for the entire table.

So, you spend a bit more - say 25-40%, but you get better cuts of meat, better quality meat, bigger cuts of meat, better atmosphere, and better food in general. Of course, I may be biased, because I avoid the Keg like the plague - but even if I had to stretch my budget a bit, I would still try and get to RC over the Keg.

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Ruth's Chris
77 City Centre Dr., Mississauga, ON L5B 1M5, CA

Not certain - I've never been to Tulip - it is on my list of destinations, however. Thanks for reminding me. With that said, I'm 99% certain I'd personally like the streak at Tulip much better than one of the aformentioned chains - however, my impression, right or wrong, is that it's not a very nicely decorated place - more of a 'diner' than a 'restaurant', per se - not somewhere you'd want to bring a family, perhaps a place almost solely dedicated to foodies and/or passers-by/regular customers... my impression is that if I had to choose (while dining with the 'fam), I'd go to the Keg/Canyon creek before I'd go to Tulip, although I would go to Tulip before the Keg or Canyon Creek, myself - but if I were willing to spend a little extra, without spending too much, I'd go to Ruth Chris.

I agree. The lower-end steak chains leave much to be desired. Spend a little extra and go to one of the better chains - Ruth Chris, Morton's, etc - if at all possible. You can view their menus online as well. My impression is also that Morton's will be substantially more expensive than Ruth Chris - and given, Ruth Chris' steaks are a little beefy - but they do serve a purpose. They also drown them in buttery goodness. Arg. I think I just talked myself in to a streak tonight.

Or most, for that matter.

You'd be better off travelling the 20-25 minutes to Toronto and attending any number of restaurants. I don't think anything from Mississauga qualifies as "great" or "eclectic" for that matter (I lived in 'ssauga for 27 years).

Eclectic can mean many things gastronomy wise, but you might try Beast, The Black Hoof, Foxley, or other similar restaurants.

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Foxley
207 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J2Z8, CA

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

See if County General can reserve the space for you - perfect for what you're describing!

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/809230

Just opened today.

You mentioned the prices and portions, but how was the food itself? If I was to guess based on your review, you seem to be saying it's not worth going out of your way for?

how very odd to specifically include that picture...

Astonishing. Maybe I'll have to re-visit. This restaurant was run like a swiss-chalet last time I was there.

ok, so I called and spoke to a very nice young lady at Hassai. She was appreciative of the phone call, and gave me quite a few details after telling her that I am a fan and customer of the farm.

The fire was two days ago. It was an accident and started on the upper floor amongst the tools and machinery. However, it was in the morning around 9:30am and all the animals and people are safe. So everything is ok. He just lost a lot of his stock - you know, sauces and anything that he'd harvested. So, not all that grim, and it looks like everyone got out safely.

She also mentioned that they may do a fundraiser sometime in October at one of the restaurants nearby.

Although everyone is safe, I still feel terrible for them. They are extremely nice people, and I hope I'll get a chance to go to the fundraiser. Perhaps I'll wait a week and email Nobuyo.

/edit I also got the impression that the fire was limited to the "barn" and not the entire Farm, or the house, where they live. I apologize for my lack of familiarity with farming/husbandry/agricultural terminology.

Hopefully this was the case...

I was typing that up and then got distracted for a good 5 minutes... so I didn't see your reply. :)

Eigensinn is the name of the farm - it's owned by Michael Stadtlander, who is regarded as one of the best, if not *the* best Chef in Canada. In 2002, Eigensinn's farm was considered to be the 9th best restaurant in the world.

Last time I was at that farm, it was filled with livestock. Their house is also adjacent on the property, so I hope they're all safe. This farm meant a lot to them - they'd be devastated if this is their farm.

The last time I was there I was told that the Stadtlander's had named the farm because it meant something like "a dream come true" or "arrival" or something along those lines., so I'm not sure who the Eigensinn's are...

Worst. Restaurant. Ever.

Jacob's & Co is a modern, non-stuffy, relaxed-atmosphere-type Steak house - might be a good fit.

lol, how on earth did you get suckered in to going to that place!?! It's one of those tourist traps on King street.

Splendido has great risotto as does Bymark. Not certain if they have them as a main, but great sides. Entoteca Sociale may have a risotto dish as well.

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

Bymark
66 Wellington St. W, Toronto, ON M5K 1J3, CA

Don't believe it. Last time I was at Pangea, it was a disaster of epic proportions. #restaurantfail

re: Vodka debacle - Weren't those her own words, on her website?

ala http://www.charcuteriesundays.com/201... ?

Not only is it rude, but it displays a clear lack of intellect - I cannot believe someone would write such a missive and include words like "stupid" and "dumb" for all the community to see... Her psyche must be fairly fragile for her to take such an angry disposition towards a beverage and it's imbibers. Amusing to say the least.

I suspect that she was extremely fortunate that BH took off in spite of her, and that she stumbled upon a good chef.

I'll have to try Kenzo and Folio. Will report back!

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Kenzo
138 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON , CA

I'm kind of fish-and-chipped out at the moment. There was a time when I was going to chippys on a regular basis, and then it started to go down hill - and now when I think about fish and chips i think of the last time I went to chippy's (bad).

Not about small talk - I wouldn't even consider speaking to her - and I would have went back if I hadn't learned she was the proprietor. Sometimes a restaurant crosses a line that's outside of the scope of how good the food is, and it could be anything, that causes you not to return. This was one of them.

I've never encountered such a rude, obnoxious and repugnant hostess/proprietor ever before. I went there once and never again. Can't say I'm surprised.

I only go there when really desperate.. I had it last night... which is what prompted this thread.

Sadly, I only have a few places that I go to right now (roughly) when I want something half decent and I'm hungry. They are:

Porchetta and Co.
Burger Priest
Burrito Boyz

I also go to Empire Schwarma once in a while, but it's rather far (I live on Queens Quay), and I don't find it all that good.

I'm curious, what are others' go to spots for a good meal? What am I missing? Can be any cuisine.

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Burrito Boyz
218 Adelaide St W, Toronto, ON M5H1W7, CA

Just book Splendido and call it a day already. Its better now than it was before.

(coming from someone who dined/dines frequently during both iterations)

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