Going next month! Hope all these awesome tips are still valid. I'm definitely going to try... esp for the fresh caught fish to eat immediately. THANKS for all the superb descriptions!!

K K, you are my new favorite encyclopedia! I suspect I was attracted to the photo (from KL) with the chicken in pool of sauce because I lived in Taiwan for a number of years, so probably ate it there at some point. I suspect the photo triggered a deeply buried subconscious food longing. Like others on this board, I dream of the food of my past.

Also, my husband is Hakka Chinese and we met in Taiwan, even though he's basically CBC (Cdn born Chinese) like me. So, there's probably more hidden meaning there as well. Anyhow, KL probably does Asian fusion the right way, not like here in TO!!

I am so curious about this Pork Stomach, it will definitely be on the Friday's menu!! Look for my follow up report! Thanks K K for the great info.... I miss Taiwan!!

OK, Charles, keep it coming! I'm wiping the drool from the corners of my mouth!! Just sent you an email. Thanks for the tips and for putting a good word in for us. My Mom is really thrilled with the choice. Will report back on what we ate, etc!

Wow, thanks Charles, that is above and beyond, as always!

Lots of chicken love going on on Chowhound tonight... thanks for the education K K?! And happycamper too!

YUM!

We are thinking of this Friday. There are 6 of us only. I read your posts about the steamed fish at Maple Yip, Charles Yu, very intruiging. If I'm calling ahead for a table, should I also reserve a special fish? What would you recommend, CY, you are the expert on all things Chinese-foodie, esp N of 401!

I knew you'd come through, Charles Yu. That is a wonderful and detailed list! Thank you.

Question: if it were your Mom's 75th b.day which spot would you choose? We're going for Cantonese family fun. Doesn't have to be too swanky, but shouldn't be too grubby, either.

I grabbed the photo off the internet... it's from a fancy hotel in KL:
http://www.taufulou.com/2010/04/02/gr...
Maybe you know it? I was also curious about the pool of sauce. Would consider that a disaster if steaming at home but it looks kinda yummy in the photo, don't you think?

Nice to see you are having such success with your Chowhound parties, Charles Yu. Way to go! Sorry I can't join you tonight. Have fun and look forward to what is sure to be a mouth watering report!

TLong, I've never made it myself but definitely tastes different to me. White cut chicken (bak chit gai) is a regular steamed chicken, I think. Gwai Fei Chicken is free range chicken marinated in some special Chinese wine, and also involves certain Chinese herbs, methinks. Both are usually served with ginger/scallion/sesame oil sauce.

Looks kinda like this, if you're wondering what I'm on about.

Ok Chinese-foodie-holics, let me have it! I'd love to know where you think the best Kwai Fei Chicken in Toronto is. My Mom's 75th b.day party coming up and I'm determined to make sure her favorite dish is the best one! Will go anywhere to get it.... just tell me where. THANKS ALL!!

OK, too bad so sad for evansl. At least you didn't have to pay!

Would love to hear from the rest of chowhound on dinner at Pearl Bayview Village... sounds like the menu is pretty small....

But they like it ok over on yelp: http://www.yelp.ca/biz/pearl-north-york

So how was dinner? I have a groupon and thinking of treating my Mom for her b.day (she won't mind... we're a family of frugals!!)

Or should we do dim sum instead??

chutchut, have you been there/tried the "Cha Chang Mien"? Any good?? I think maybe what I need is a plane ticket to Taiwan....

ok, Charles Yu, I'm drooling into my keyboard!

chutchut, I have tried the Asian Legend version and was disappointed (especially because they're taiwanese... no one in Taiwan does "gan mien" like that!). The sauce is just kinda bland.... correct me if I'm wrong. Did you like them?

So glad to see this thread still lives on... nice one Spectra 21. I regret to say that even though I was passing thru the area this summer, I did not make it to Lowell. Just me and kids tax free shopping at the new Merrimack outlets. Lao-born hHubbie did not accompany due to work deadlines. And we also got a invite to hang in NYC w/ friends so did that instead. Not that Lowell doesn't rate! And I'm sure we would've had way more adventurous food at Phien's Kitchen, etc, but will have to wait for next time. Just no fun without hubbie saying, "almost as good as my mom's". But thanks for thinking of us, justbeingpolite!

We did end up hitting a little Lao cafe in Greenboro NC later in our trip. Love chowhound... Foodie heaven in every way!!

Charles Yu, this is outstanding news and a delightful share. My dad is a super fan of Shanghai cuisine and tries to make his own 'smoked fish' (also dry and not my fave) so I will tempt him with this idea. I am a dandan mien addict. Sounds like it will be worth the drive from downtown for me and from Mississauga for them. What would I do without CH? Thanks also to you and Royaljelly for the foodie fotos. I'm drooling all over my keyboard... wish I could go today. BTW, Charles Yu, did you eat at this chef's original place in HK?

Off topic (sorry) request: I used to live in Taipei in the 90s and had the most amazing "Cha Chang Mien" at a place called Lai Lai. The chef made all the noodles by hand in house (lots of prizes on the wall from competitions won all over China, etc) and the sauce on top was like a fat free pork & root veg ambrosia, just 100% quality. At this spot, apart from a few small appetizer dishes, the cha chang mien was the only dish on the menu. Serious stuff.

Anyhow, I'm still dreaming about those noodles, and have tried lots of spots all over TO and everytime we travel to major cities, but am always sorely disappointed. Korean friends have recommended various Ja Jang Myun places, but it's just totally not the same. The sauce is all starch! If any of you expert Chinese foodie chowhounders out here know of any good spots worth trying, or other threads I could check out, I'd be forever grateful. Many thanks!

Tasty, handy and cheap, piccola! can't go wrong

Mouth is watering! Thx Bhangra Pimp... lots of new ideas to try. Love me my chowhound peeps!!

Good question, piccola. I always get the combo so have never tried other options. Urbanspoon says there are veg:
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/10/149149...
Worth a try for under $3? Sandwich boss lady (Mrs Le?) is ready to please, so I'm sure she'd do up something for you to make you smile. Happy noshing!

Hey Bhangra Pimp, just checked Avani and it does sound awesome. Is it kinda formal?

If anyone is looking for super delish Pakistani takeout (ie. not veg, but lots of meat options), try Karachi Kitchen in Mississauga (and also Brampton I think):
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/karachi-kitche...

Can't beat the value and always busy with Pakistani/Indian families lining up everytime I'm there. A little wait but it's fresh and yummy. Our fave is the fried fish. Get two orders because 1 is never enough. Perfectly spiced and always moist and fresh inside. Consistently mouthwatering! And recently reno'd

Hey West enders, you can try Le's Sandwich at 1119 College (just w of Dufferin on S side). It's a little Viet grocery that also does sandwiches. Recommended by a Vietnamese nieghbour. Just went and bought a huge bag on the weekend and they were a big hit. If you buy lots she may cut you a little deal on the tax, etc.... nice Ma & Pa shop.

Discussion from 2011:
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/asian-...

Sounds like a toss up between views vs food quality. My 2 cents is you can't taste the view.

Here's another 2 cents:

Went to a couple weddings at Dynasty back when it was in the Colonnade but have not been to new location. Used to live right around there and the food quality was always consistent and fresh and good, even up to my "food snob" HK parents' snuff. Definitely not cheap.

Pearl Harbourfront is a great location and nice space for a wedding. I think the food is sort of 80s. Was there for dim sum a couple months ago and really enjoyed all these dishes that I used to eat with my dear old Popo/grandma way back when. Was yummy, just not trendy. Price is ok.

Have you been to Atlantis recently? I know Ont Place managment is in flux and last couple yrs it looks like they have not been spending much on building upkeep. Definitely can't beat the views but would recommend giving the managers a good shake down on what exactly they can promise you.

Looks like you're going for somewhere splashy... did you consider Crown Princess on Bay St (great food :& location, not sure if it would hold 150 in 1 room + dance floor), or Lai Wah Heen in the Metropolitan Hotel on Chestnut? Good luck and happy planning.

I wouldn't pay for all that food without eating it first! Get the caterers to whip some stuff up for you to try and then you can judge. Good luck!!

Have had take out from Brar Sweets in Brampton on Advance Rd:
http://www.brars.ca/brar-restaurant/l...
Buffet looked yummy. Was recommended by an Indian friend and was busy and packed with lots of Indian families, which, to me, is always as really good sign. Have fun! So many good choices in Brampton you can't go wrong, I suspect.

You're close to Dundas W which has lots of reasonable Chinese options. Try Lee Garden for the Hong Kong style quick and delicious experience. It's one of the cleaner fresher options.

Sorry not for St Clair W but we had a fantastic experience with the private cellar at Enoteca Sociale on Dundas W (betw Ossington & Dovercourt). At least it's still west end?

Table laid with amazing starters on arrival. At $50/pp they served delicious family style dish after dish until we were ready explode, but kept on eating thru dessert as the cheese and everything were scrumptious. Also great service. Worth considering maybe?

I have a wheat free daughter and she has tried all of them and doesn't really like any. Expensive and cardboard-like. Not to mention skimpy on the toppings. Don't know if you've checked out Bunner's (gluten free bakery in the Junction on Dundas w) but they recommended Buddha Pie to us recently. Huge improvement, but they are only open 5-9, Tues - Sun and they don't deliver (yet). Mom & Pop shop. Best value we've tried, and spoiled gourmet kid says thumb's up.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/buddha-pie-toronto
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/bunners-toronto

Also the Magic Oven local chain does gluten free I think. Good but not cheap.
http://www.magicoven.com/

Chowhound rocks, meatn3, eat on!!