abailey77's Profile
Gourmet Burger Co Review
Trust me.
I had the burger late after work one night on recomendation from the bartender. I had had a more fusion-esque sandwich there before and was not expecting to be impressed. And I've heard people rave about burgers before and almost always been disapointed unless I was drunk. Dangerous Dans - Dry. Hero Burger - Just Gross. I've worked at bars where people praised the burgers and thought that they were just plain ordinary. I liked Utopia, but more for the selection of burger meats they had available.
Ciros appears to freshly hand-pack their burger when you order it. Its a big burger by anyone's standards, it comes out cooked, moist and full of flavour. I've taken friends out for this treat since I first discovered it and they have all agreed, one of, if not the best burger in town.
I also agree that their beer prices are too high btw, but they need to keep the rift-raff out in that nab' if you see what I'm saying.
Gourmet Burger Co Review
Utopia is good but the best burger in the city is at Ciros. The burger is hand made goodness on a bun, its huge, its tender, when I take friends to have it for the first time I instruct them not to get any sides as they wont be able to finish the burger and will end up cursing deepfried potatos or battered onions for taking up space in their stomachs. Its something to write home about. If your are sitting there thinking "Why the heck don't I know about this place" it wouldn't surprise me. Its a dumpy looking bar at Bloor and Lansdowne NOT the nicest of places BUT the best burger in town (no contest) and a great selection of beers from around the world (SURPRISE!).
Where to Go for 19th Birthday?
I'm going to agree with JamieK on Insomnia. Really nice space and good food. If you're doing Friday or Saturday you may have a harder time getting space for 20 unless you're willing to show up a bit early. Everybody wants the couches, especially in the winter! The couches are the furthest from the door.
Another spot may be Li'ly on College, they open up their basement for a dance space after the super hour and the reviews I've heard have the food having been good (but the food reviews are old). I do have a friend who did her birthday there this summer and I showed up for dancing which was good. Supermarket is very similar in that you can do dinner and then it turns into dancing and the food at Supermarket is fair and affordable.
Gastropub-y or Funky Places in Toronto
Several reviewers from differnt sources have put Harbord Room on their end of year list, all the creative staff have good histories behind them and you seem to want to go -- so just try it. At the very least its open late for drinks and the kitchen stays open to!
Torito is in that area, just one block south, really. I would put that on my list, it was where we ate for my 30th birthday and it was divine.
For fun people watching head north to Insomnia at Bathurst and Bloor... a popular Annex resto-bar with a big martini list and wallet friendly prices. Food is above average but not-alway "foodie fantastic".... the Chicken, Avocado and Brie sandwich is always good as are the crabcakes, there is also a nice cheese plate. The place can get packed, it serves students, hipsters, and lots of grown-ups toos. It actually seems to fit your description pretty well. Its been around for ten years and its locally owned so that may be worth a try.
Sidecar with its Pice Fix Sunday to Wednesday may also be worth a shot. It too has been getting rave reviews.
foxley- on ossington
It was before the transition, and it was poor execution that killed the experience. Not enough food runners for a Saturday night, our food regularly came up luke warm and needed to be re-cooked, re-heated doubling our wait time for dishes. The host/manager was also rude, sat us and then latter came to our table and asked us who sat us there. Our Table was on the second floor, very close to the door and jutting into a walk-way..... we were being bumped into quite a bit, by staff. A rice dish had bones in it. After two hours we were still very hungrey.
I liked Nathan's Pallet. I had had a wounderful beef brisket done up with orange and esspresso at Czehoski's. Friend's had a wonderful "French Pizza" done up on puff pastery. Many Items seemed interesting at Coca, but poor attitude from staff and miserable execution killed the deal (and I wait tables and am forgivening of mistakes.... but I could see that no one was running food, hense it was cold). As no one I know has had a good experience there I have never been asked or felt the need to go back.
foxley- on ossington
What happend?
I've enjoyed several meals at Czehoskis and now noticed that Nathan is gone from there and I also see that he is gone from Coca (although my experience there was piss poor) and that Coca is new management?
As far as Foxley's goes, the pork ribs and pork belly were our two top favorite dishes. Sorry to all you fish fans. And I loved the Lamb in La Lot. The dumplings were too rich for me but my companions enjoyed them.
foxley- on ossington
It took us far to long to hit this fab bistro. I can't understand the complaints from either group of people. This place is clearly a go to spot, not just a place in the hood for locals. How do you not like five star food in cozy restaurant without pretension? The food is very rich and I could understand someone with a very light pallet not liking that. It’s also almost all meat, so don't bring a vegetarian. As for price.... it’s very inexpensive. I know many starving artists, and I’m an artist myself, willing to spend $40 bucks a head on drinks at a bar... so $50-60 bucks a head for amazing food should not be considered expensive.
My last experience with Tapas was terrible, never go to Coca. Before that I was at Torito’s for my birthday which was very good but did cost a pretty penny. Foxley’s was on my list for a year and I regret not going sooner. Get the ribs, get the pork belly (ask for it last for desert). Take a couple of friends so you can try more food than if you were just a couple. Go to Foxley’s, you will not regret it!
Lunch near Queen and Dovercourt, no Drake
I belive the spot everyone who works in the area goes to is called Cinnamon Girls. I ate there once and it was pretty fantastic. Veg and non-Veg options. Not Overpriced.
Quail if You Want Two (help me cook it)
Hey All,
I just bought Quail from the butcher near Bloor/Duffrin, frozen, 6 in a pack, and I am looking for ideas. Never cooked Quail before, never had quail before (or at least I don't remember eating this bird before). I've done a little research and found that there are several ways of cooking this game and think that I may be leaning towards a pan sear with a quick roast but I am still willing to try anything.
Also, most recipes give a yeild of 1 person per bird.... but these birds are not very big. should I only plan to cook for for in case myself or one other want two?
Thanks!
