AzulH's Profile
Nice place for a coffee date in Little Italy
Riviera Bakery, just east of Clinton on the North side of College, is very authentic Italian. No patio.
Peking Duck for TWO - Emperor, Brilliant, Other?
Several friends and I have always enjoyed the Peking Duck at "House of Gourmet" on the North side of Dundas, just East of Spadina. After the skin/meat course with pancakes + cucumber+green onions & Hoisan sauce there are two options for the second course. One with bones one without.
What's happening at 971 Ossington (near Hallam)?
and they will take reservations for up to 15, the rest (I guess about another 15 ) they keep open for local walk-ins.
www.actinoliterestaurant.com (Doesn't appear to have any info yet)
Dating (and dining with!) a less adventurous eater
La Tournesol might suit you both. It has a prix fix @ $29 .Dupont half way between Spadina & Bathurst on the North side. It is small, quite romantic and can accomodate a meat & potatoes, plus a little more adventurous taste.
Know any importers of the smaller champagne houses?
Arthur Sellers & Company
(905) 842-2684
www.arthursellers.com
Specialises in all the wines from Forget-Brimont, a really exceptional small producer.
Olive Oil Recommendations?
Many thanks for your very good additional research. Interestingly, they have even backed off "Aegean" and replaced it with " Mediterranean" ( so it could even come from those villians of the piece, Portugal & Spain!!)
Olive Oil Recommendations?
I had read the article with interest, and thank you for posting it for others to read. The article indicated that the Canadian authorities might be more vigilant in their testing to ensure that the claims of the various olive oils were accurate.
In your blind scramble to appear all knowing and as you say 'smug' you failed to note that the Hermes oil I invited Chowhounders to sample, without prejudice, was neither Portuguese nor Spanish but Greek.
Olive Oil Recommendations?
All I can suggest is that you try a blind tasting, you might be surprised!
For example, the number of times that Segura Viudas is rated more highly than non-vintage Champagne in blind tasting by cognoscente of Champagne, who often start their sentences with the patronising phrase "with all due respect..." is quite remarkable, and the price differential is about 4X
Olive Oil Recommendations?
You can get perfectly good, "First Cold Pressed Extra Virgin " Greek (Hermes) olive oil for $ 16 for a Three Litre can from Massellis Supermarket. North side of Danforth, West of Donlands. Excellent for salads. It does not come in a fancy package, however.
Bier Markt - Review (King St. W.)
Appreciate the review.
Did you get any inkling as to what their Fondue Special that they have going at the moment might be like?
What's happening at 971 Ossington (near Hallam)?
I was wrong. Newsrim's girlfriend was right.
The place will be called "Actinolite" after the Northern Ontario settlement from whence the husband-and-wife owners come. (Actinolite is an asbestos like mineral which is a mined at the town).
They are now planning to open in mid-March. The menu will be fairly simple with a selection of approximately 5 starters and 5 mains based on local produce.
If it passes muster, then I will try and organise a Chowhound meet there.
Simple Bistro, (619 Mt. Pleasant), update review
We had the $40 Prix Fix yesterday evening, and as on previous occasions, very pleased with everything that we had: - crispy frogs legs, – unusual and tasty, Mousse de foi, – great and a wonderful wine reduction to accompany it, steak frites, – fairly standard, and frites a bit soggy, shoulder of lamb, – strong lamb flavour, sticky toffee pudding – good combination of pudding and ice cream. There was also an excellent 2005 Bordeaux for under $50.
Other reviews of Simple Bistro from last year can be found at:-
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/815162
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/714595
full menus, hours and location:-
http://www.simplebistro.com/Home.html
Best Creme Brulee in Toronto?
This subject has been done before..
see:- http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/608494
Desserts/Sweets in The Annex
Actually, I can correct myself, I wasn't even close. it is called Madeleines:-
http://www.madeleines.ca. And they do make Cherry Pie.
Another excellent alternative is Frangipane, 215 Madison Ave. on Dupont opposite the LCBO. :- http://www.frangipane.ca/
Finally Stubbe makes good cakes ( and astounding truffles), on Dupont opposite Lloblaws.
:- http://www.stubbechocolates.com/
Desserts/Sweets in The Annex
Santaguida
966 Bathurst Street
http://www.santaguidafinefoods.com/santaguidafinefoods/
Rapido , just south of Dupont , on the East side, ( and I think it may be connected to Santaguida in some way), 416 535 3500
Next door to Rapido is a pastry/ pie making shop whose name escapes me just at the moment, Estufarian will correct me, I think it is called something like the Cherry Pie. They make excellent, if somewhat expensive, pies.
Playa Cabana, Mexican -111 Dupont, a quick review
I was surprised to find nobody else had posted some comment on this restaurant here already.
It is a small Mexican restaurant just East of Davenport on the North side of Dupont close to the corner flower nursery.
When we went at 8.15 PM last night, Tuesday, it was bustling, crowded and noisy. The service was cheerful and efficient.
The food was very tasty, more authentic than most other Mexican establishments. The portions were not large. In particular, we enjoyed the Chile Rellenos, Tacos Carnitas, and the Nachos. (These are just two small corn torillas with tasty toppings – not a bowl full of commercial corn chips). There is also a selection of burritos. The full menu is to be found on the website below.
There is a selection of margaritas, tequilas, and fairly standard wine list.
We found it a little bit expensive for what we got – $8-$12 appetisers, $17 –$24 mains but it was interesting, well-prepared and enjoyable.
www.palayacabana.ca
What's happening at 971 Ossington (near Hallam)?
What is in a name!! I think it is called Aconite!
They are waiting for a liquor licence to come through before opening, which they hope will be shortly. They have no web page. They intend to serve locally grown food with menu changing accordingly. They come from somewhere in North Ontario.
where to find top quality pain de mie,ideally in central Toronto
Try Pan Perdu, 736 St Clair West, just west of Chrisite. They sell completed Croques which they make on the premises.
What's a good price for Lobster in Toronto?
Chinatown supermarkets around Dundas and Spadina have a high turnover of lobster at between $6 to $8 per pound depending on the day.
Moist organic dried prunes
Sunsweet Gold Label moist pitted prunes can be found in Lloblaws
Elle M'a Dit
A few people seem to have had a different experience from you.. see these recent threads on the same subject....
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/797257
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/809160
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/799303
Alsatian restaurant on Baldwin
Here are three recent threads that deal exactly with your question...
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/797257
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/809160
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/799303
Best Sachertorte in Toronto and GTA
Try Stubbe:-
http://www.stubbechocolates.com/cakesandpastries.html
I have found all of their chocolate excellent and thoroughly enjoyed several of their cakes, including Sacher Torte.
Do report back when you have found.
-----
Stubbe
375 Dalhousie St, Ottawa, ON K1N, CA
Where to go for GOOD SOUP
Riviera Bakery (College/Clinton), good italian soups at lunchtime.
Yellow Griffin....WTF happened?
I was there just last week and it took 40 minutes for food to appear. ( We were warned that it would be a 20 minute wait) and as said above the burger was dry and not at all special. There was just one pleasant wait staff rushed off her feet.
Wine clubs to TO?
If you ask him he will send the latest several issues, they just haven't been posted on the site.
(www.arthursellers.com)
Wine clubs to TO?
Arthur Cellars wine club. Based in Oakville, mainly imports from Southern France, especially good Langdoc whites, some Champagne, plus good Rhones. No Canadian, No fees. Delivery to your door. Has a slightly sweet taste. Good value on the whole.
http://www.arthursellers.com/Cellar.html
Quiet, old-school Italian in GTA?
Fusilli may fit your description, it is small, traditional and quiet. There are several posts on it if you do a search.
And if you are really into reading, here is a thread with149 recent posts on the subject of "The best Italian"
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/101326
Lucien
To concur with other posts here. Four of us had an indifferent and very expensive (Just under $500 incl. 2 btls but no desert) meal yesterday, 21stOct, and the owner said he had the new people in the kitchen.
Grocery Chains - Favourites?
You echoed my thoughts completely, I'm at Bathurst &North of Bloor
