CheddarCheese's Profile
Luci Restaurant in the former Momo's Bistro space (Queensway & Royal York)
I know there were some big fans of Momo's and you seem to be one of them but have you tried Luci? If not, give it a chance. You may be nicely surprised.
Luci Restaurant in the former Momo's Bistro space (Queensway & Royal York)
I was just there last Friday for an impromptu after work drink with a girlfriend as Luci is located exactly 1/2 way between our houses. The one-martini-end-of-week tipple turned into a 2 course meal. We didn't want to leave! We met Fernando, the proprietor and as it turned out, I had met him before as he was at Bistro 990 for nearly 14 years and I had eaten there a couple times over the years. What a sweet guy. I am so rooting for him. I am a little worried as The Queensway can be so hit and miss.
We sat at the bar and Sybil was our bartender/server. She was pretty effervescent and shakes a pretty mean martini. We ended up sharing the calamari fritti and it was well fried, not overly coated and beautifully presented. We then both opted for pastas and I have to say I was coveting my gf's dish the entire meal. She had the gnocchi in gorgonzola. Not necessarily an original thought but it was so well executed I actually can't remember if I've had a better gnocchi in Toronto. I ordered the fettuccine al salmone (sp?). It was tossed with a tomato lemon sauce. It was a little too lemony for me but still very well executed. All pasta were made in-house and the fettuccine was cooked to perfect al dente. We then were offered a dessert menu and we hesitated for a moment but when Sybill came to take our order, she informed us that Fernando was taking care of our desserts. It was unnecessary for them to do that as I think we gave them an instant impression of how happy and satisfied we were with our food and experience but I think they 'went in for the kill' cuz we are now Luci converts.
And to add to the experience, we convinced our men to join us after they finished their work week and we ended the evening wooping it up at the bar. (Sorry Fernando if we were too loud)
I'd also like to add that Sybil had the best idea for a martini. I don't know if it's original but it includes espresso, vodka and liquer in a martini glass. Worth a trip to Luci just for this martini.
So excited and happy that Luci has landed in no man's land Queensway. I'm hoping people will help support this place.
Saturday afternoon date... cocktails and snacks (Parkdale/Queen W.)
You might want to try Bar Salumi as they may open @ around 5pm. You will have to check with them as I am not quite sure.
Their bar seating is quite cozy and comfortable for lingering about and although they may not have the biggest selection of apps, they have great salumi and cheese plates. Does anybody know if they have expanded their food menu? Perhaps they now serve a few plates from their sister restaurant 3 doors over, The Local Kitchen and Winebar.
And if I can remember, they also have a small cocktail list.
Bar Salumi
1704 Queen Street West.
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Bar Salumi
1704 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6R 1B2, CA
Black Raspberries - does any where sell them?
My SO and I took a drive up north today and took a detour over to Scotch Block Winery. The winery specializes in fruit wines and attached to the wine retail room is there food store. In their chest freezers are pounds upon pounds of strawberries, blueberries, wild blueberries, currants AND black raspberries. They are about $3.50/lb and they package them in 2lb bags. It might be a nice drive up to visit the winery if you had the time.
Directions: Hwy 401 W to Trafalgar North (Exit 328). Drive N approximately 7 km to Sideroad #10. Drive W to farm.
Website: www.scotchblockwinery.com www.andrewsscenicacres.com
Telephone #: 905-878-5807
The arrogance of the owner at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar Queen West
Just to clarify - there are 2 co-owners. Fabio and Mike are long time friends and co-own both The Local and Bar Salumi. Fabio is the chef and Mike runs the front of the house. The are also both known to serve tables.
It's unfortunate to hear of the snippy service and diminishing value of their food. Admittedly, I have eaten their many times and have thought the food a bit hit and miss however, I've always been so happy with the service and warmth that come from the owners and staff. To be honest, it is the main reason I keep returning.
Didn't they just get on some list declaring them 3rd out of all the restaurants reviewed in Ontario?
I suspect that they may be feeling the pressure of the spotlight and the demands that come with it.
Port-Salut cheese
Port Salut is now a very available cheese in Toronto. I have seen it at Alex Farms in the past and I know for a fact The Cheese Boutique and Costco (atleast the one @ Royal York and Queensway) carry the cheese on a regular basis.
Seeking a good restaurant with a big round booth or table for 8 people
Mildred's Temple Kitchen has a big round table (just one) in the back of the restaurant. It's quite a nice spot.
Liberte Coconut Yogurt
Ahhhh....This yogurt is my treat to myself everyweek. Love the stuff. I take a trip to The Cheese Boutique every week for it and get a couple containers.
A vegetarian at the Black Hoof? Am I crazy?
The Black Hoof is closed for holidays until September 9th.
What do you think is the most romantic patio in Toronto?
You know, I totally agree with you. While their plates are well thought out and executed, I have never left that place full. That may serve the romantic atmo well as it would be conducive to a little hand holding across the table, a good get-to-know-you conversation while swirling a glass of wine without the complications of concentrating of big plates of food. There's nothing like serving somebody else tiny itty bitty food!
I actually remember that back patio when it was a home and garden store. The store owner had created the most exquisite little city garden oasis to showcase his wares among ferns, antique and weathered urns. I was sad to see it go but I think Fat Cat has respectfully maintained it's quiet and tranquil atmosphere.
First time in Toronto - what are the must trys?
Toronto is also unique in that we have a huge and hungry Portuguese population. It has been put on record that our Portuguese cuisine is among the best outside of Portugal.
The premiere 'go-to' restaurant has been the somewhat pricey restaurant Chiado for many years. As Portuguese cuisine is heavy on seafood, this restaurant is considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Canada. (Yes, I know. Toronto is pretty much landlocked if you ignore the little puddle that we sit on.)
But I do not want to lead you down a path of eternal debt. Chiado very savvily opened up a sister (or brother) tapas restaurant by the name of Senhor Antonio. It's a tapas style menu that comes out of the same kitchen as that of it's pricier counterpart right next door.
And if you are intrigued by the other pricier menu, they are more than happy to accommodate cross menu ordering. Last time I was there they were not taking reservations. Oh, and the wine list is like no other. Heavy on the Portuguese vines and it opened the eyes of a novice oenophile! Who knew but I heart Vinho Verde now.
I couldn't recommend this place more.
Here's a link to their website (both restaurants' menus are featured on this site):
http://www.chiadorestaurant.ca/
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Chiado
864 College Street West, Toronto, ON M6H 1A3, CA
What do you think is the most romantic patio in Toronto?
The Fat Cat Wine Bar in the west end.
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Fat Cat Wine Bar
331 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R2M8, CA
Reasonably priced Italian restaurant with great food. Ideas?
I second Marcellos on St. Clair Avenue West. A great traditional establishment with phenomenal pizza.
I also just recently discovered Mangia et Bevi. It's an unassuming casual restaurant just east of the downtown core just off King St. E. The address is actually a King St. address but the entrance is off Ontario Street. It's a family run resto that seem to do everything well. The menu is succinct and hit all the traditional notes. Good Antipasti platters, great soups, pastas are well portioned and fresh and the pizzas tick all the boxes. Great sauce, well cheesed, great toppings and the dough is spot on and well baked.
It's fairly casual and the location and atmosphere seems to lend itself well to the after work crowd. The only slight wobble is the wine selection as it's a little on the small and unimaginative side but prices are reasonable and you are guaranteed a glass that would work with many items on the menu.
As well, if you go to the website, they have a 15% off coupon that they're happy to honour.
Here's link to the website for more information and the coupon:
http://www.mbresto.com/
First time in Toronto - what are the must trys?
We have a very vibrant West Indian (Jamaican, Trinidadian, etc) community and have some great places in this city to grab a roti, caribbean stewed meats, jerks (pork and chicken) and west indian curries.
Here's a couple popular places.
Island Foods (Great Trinidadian rotis and stews)
Mr. Jerk (Great Jerk Pork)
Just a word of warning. These establishments are more hole-in-the-walls that have counter service. Nothing fancy but our Caribbean cuisine is not to be missed!
Just a note: The Dundas W location of Island Foods is in a foodcourt in the mall next to the Art Gallery of Ontario called Village By the Grange.
Enjoy Toronto!
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Island Foods
275 Dundas W, Toronto, ON M5T3K1, CA
Island Foods
1182 King St W, Toronto, ON M6K1E6, CA
Mr Jerk
209 Wellesley St E, Toronto, ON M4X1G1, CA
Diners, drive-ins and dives
May I recommend Easterbrooks Hot Dog Stand. It is a old footlong hotdog place that is right across the street from The Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington. It's been there for well over a half century housed in a long trailer like building. There's 1/2 dozen or so counter stools and 3 or 4 booths. The draw seems to be that it's thrived and maintained it's original charm of doing footlong hotdogs in a dozen or so different ways with topping such as chili, cheese, bacon, pepperoni etc. Hamburgers, fries, onion rings, ice cream and real milk shakes are also on the board. They haven't changed a thing in this space probably since they started and there's a nice back grassy area with picnic benches where the seagulls look longingly from a distance at your leftovers.
It really is like no other place I've been to in Southern Ontario. It truly is an institution and may fit the bill as a Triple D destination.
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Easterbrooks Hotdog Stand
694 Spring Gardens Rd, Burlington, ON L7T1J3, CA
Awesome Blossom
Well, at one time you could order a Bloomin' Onion at the Outback Steakhouses but I just went to their website and low and behold, as of March 23rd of this year they have closed all 9 Ontario restaurants. The restaurants are now only located in the province of Alberta.
It doesn't look like it's a very popular item in these parts but here's a blog I found that gives you a diagram of the elusive menu item.
http://petrozilia.blogspot.com/2008/0...
.....my SO just reminded me that we have actually seen them at the annual ribfests. I think there's a vendor that makes their rounds in the summer most notably the Etobicoke and the Burlington Ribfests.
Bloomin' Onions
Well, at one time you could order a Bloomin' Onion at the Outback Steakhouses but I just went to their website and low and behold, as of March 23rd of this year they have closed all 9 Ontario restaurants. The restaurants are now only located in the province of Alberta.
It doesn't look like it's a very popular item in these parts but here's a blog I found that gives you a diagram of the elusive menu item.
http://petrozilia.blogspot.com/2008/09/cruising-for-bloomin.html
.....my SO just reminded me that we have actually seen them at the annual ribfests. I think there's a vendor that makes their rounds in the summer most notably the Etobicoke and the Burlington Ribfests.
Duck in a Can in Toronto?
You may get something similar at Cafe Du Lac on Lakeshore Blvd W in the Mimico area. I have not tried it therefore I can not recommend it but they sometimes have a menu item called Duck in a jar. I can only assume this is an imitation of the APDC version.
Here's a link to their website:
http://www.cafedulac.ca/index.html
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Cafe du Lac
2350 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M8V, CA
Wednesday Dinner for 12 near UnionStation
How about Biff's Bistro. The dining room is roomy and airy. It's an Oliver Bonacini restaurant so it has a fairly good reputation for consistency. It's a french bistro so the wine list is heavy on the french vineyards but it is also large and varied.
Here's a link to their website which has an updated menu:
http://www.oliverbonacini.com/biffsmovie.html
The address is 4 Front Street East. It's just east of Yonge St.....practically right across from Union Station.
Hope it helps.
Looking for mead...
To quote redearth's post: another good bet for elderberry syrup would be Viking Fine Foods and Catering, at 133 Laird:
http://www.milbreeviking.com/
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&h...
Light & Crispy Paris-Style Baguettes in Toronto?
You may be describing the shape known as the ficelle. It is literally translated from the french as 'string'. I know ACE use to make this shape in there white baguette dough many years ago. They may still. The last time I saw this shape in Toronto was when I purchased Bonjour Brioche's Roast Beef Sandwich a couple years back.
Hope this helps.
pineapple upside down cake
All the Best Fine Foods has a rotating line-up of upside down cakes. I have not had one in a few years but they have pineapple, pear and peach from what I recall. They are baked fresh in there bakery and I always enjoyed them. Especially the pineapple cake.
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ALL THE BEST FINE FOODS LTD - duplicate
1101 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W, CA
Wankles? What the.....?
I think your father-in-law may actually be describing winkles. It is also called periwinkles which is an aquatic snail and the french love to steam than dip in butter. The chinese also are known to wok fry them with different sauces such as Black bean.
And as for places around town that serve them, I recall seeing them @ Rodney's Oyster Bar and King Seafood on Spadina (which was previously Happy Seven).
Open Xmas for dinner...near BAY & BLOOR
Yonge and Bay do not intersect. If you're south of Bloor along either of those streets, I would consider that walking distance to Chinatown. There are some Asian places along Baldwin between Beverly and McCaul that are open. My Jewish friends swear by a Chinese Seafood Place (DOWN the stairs as opposed to the resto UP the stairs) they traditionally frequent every Christmas Day. Or establishments on Dundas just west of Beverly. Perhaps Asian Legend?
My Last Restaurant Week in Manhattan
How about Shang? It's a chinese fusion restaurant that just set up shop in the new Thompson Hotel in LES. Susur Lee is the executive chef and has quite a good track record and has worked internationally. His food is always meticulously thought through, service is to the point and his taste in design is luxuriously minimal. He arrives in NYC from his hometown of Toronto where he is considered a bit of a culinary hero. While New York is on the road to perfecting the art of Italian cuisine, Chinese cuisine is in need of a new infusion of energy and ideas and Shang is just what the doctor ordered.
Shang
Address: 187 Orchard St. New York, NY 10002
Phone: 212- 260-7900
Tapas-like restaurant
I second Torito. It's quite a comfortable space and their take on traditional spanish tapas is spot on. As an example, their Patatas Bravas has whole chunks of Chorizo in it! Though not traditional, at least that I know of, it is in keeping with the traditions of their home cuisine with an added twist. The Camarones al Ajillo is among the best I've had this side of the Atlantic They also have a bar tapas space (the name escape's me. I think it's Pepe's) that's open on the weekends (Fridays and Saturdays). It is very spanish in its style and vibe. I have held a few gatherings in the upstairs space and they were very successful. Both refined and novice palates seem to really enjoy it.
Oh and lastly, the beef cheeks are delicious. You should try them!
IMO this is the only restaurant that claims to be a tapas bar I would recommend in the downtown core. While the space may be reminiscent of a typical canadian sit-down restaurant and untraditional to a tapas-style bar in Madrid, the food could quite possibly transport you across the pond!
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Torito
276 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON M5T2L9, CA
(je veux) Tourtière
I have quite enjoyed the All the Best Tourtiere in my past. I haven't had one in about 8 years but it was quite a popular menu item back in those days. If they have not changed the recipe than I would vouch for it.
French bistro ideas!
La Palette is nice. Their 'off the menu' Quack and Track (Duck Confit and Horse Tenderloin) is always a winning menu item. It's quaint and has a bit of a bohemian quality to it and the price point is typical of a bistro.
Le Select is not a restaurant I have been to since it moved from it's Queen West location so I can not say how it fairs now.
Here are some other options:
1. Le Paradis near the Ave and Dav area. It epitomizes a typical french bistro from it's decor to it's menu. It's a neighbourhood haunt that many residents frequent on a regular basis. Their frites are great and the wine list is limited but affordable. The only item I would avoid would be the Cassoulet. Perhaps I had it on an 'off' day but I found the legumes to be undercooked.
2. Tati Bistro on Harbord. A great new bistro. Does fish extremely well.
3. Batifole on Gerrard Street East. Though I have not been there, I have been informed by somebody who's palate and judgement I wholly trust that it is a well executed french bistro.
Out of curiosity, where is your ladyfriend from? It may very well influence where you would take her.
please help critique my NOTL vineyards for trip tomorrow from Chicago!
MIght I suggest Royal De Maria Icewine Vineyard. It is a little known vineyard that has some of the most distinguished international awards. Celebrities and collectors fly in from all over the world to purchase his wines. Apparently Richard Branson flies himself up here just to get his stock from time to time. I started collecting his icewines a few years ago. He also uses some very unconventional grapes that most would not think to use. And if price is indeed no object than this is the place for you! The owner has an unlikely history. He is, in fact, a hairdressser living in Toronto. His showroom is not the best designed or decorated but his icewines speak for themselves. This is a must if you're up here.
And as for quaint little towns, I suggest Jordan Station. It's a hiccup of a town but on the main drag is a lovely little winery called Cave Springs. They are known for their whites but have an interesting varieties of Ice Wines.
As for Malivoire, their showroom is unique (it's a quonset hut) and have a reserve (Moira's Vineyard) that produces some interesting red varietals. Stratus is known for their blends and is a beautiful vineyard. 30 Bench has great whites. Henry of Pelham is a nice lunch spot. They also have a few interesting icewines. Crown Bench focuses a lot of their energy on late harvests. I believe they are the vineyard that has a hot chili pepper ice wine.
Hope some of these comments and suggestions are of use. Have yourselves a great time!
Here's the link to his website:
http://www.royaldemaria.com/
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Royal Demaria Wines
4551 Cherry Ave, Lincoln, ON L0R, CA
Lunch near Queen and Dovercourt, no Drake
Cafe Bernate is a great lunchspot that is reasonably priced, quick with an extensive sandwich menu, salads and fresh homemade soups.
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Cafe Bernate
1024 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J1H6, CA
