duchesse's Profile
Le Roi Du Taco (El Rey del Taco) marché Jean-Talon
I go there at least once a week for the gringas, grilled pork with small bits of pineapple and onion and a tiny bit of cheese, served in a taco like a quesadilla. Mexican food fans might recognize that this is a Hildago-style place, with less fiery proclivities than some other regions and no sour cream like Tex-Mex. The Cuban sandwich is good too, really two meals. If you don't like a dirty sandwich, eat at a French bakery, with their dainty servings of whatever between two slices of white bread.
You will be given a (free) basket of tortilla chips and salsas, and, in the winter, a bowl of delicious hot soup. El Rey is indeed king.
Aga ranges
We have had a 4-oven gas AGA for over 20 years, in Toronto. We love it, and it has held up perfectly, no chipping or bubbling issues. We've had 2 tuneups in 20 years, just as regular maintenance, no operating issues. As BreeBree says, it allows so much flexibility. No electronics, no dials... it's marvelous. We do not have a hood.
We have a small kitchen; we turn it down a notch in the summer (so the hottest oven is 350, not 450- this is fine as we use the BBQ for high heat cooking. Once you have an AGA you will not want anything else.
Dinner in Leslieville....
I agree w/ Drjolt about Ceili Cottage, a great idea and well-realized concept that needs immediate attention to service issues. Patrick McMurray is a pro who began with Rodney, opened Starfish, but at Ceili Cottage, has hired young women from the contiguous Irish dance school, to serve- they do not seem to have had any training. Kitchen can't keep up, and despite Patrick's bonhomie, people are getting pissed off.
Did anyone go to summerlicious 2009?
Drake, 6:30 pm (fine with us for after-work rendezvous). Maki roll, shrimp on lemon polenta, three-cream cake, $35, and every bite delicious. We added a liter of margs for $25, another bargain. No problem reserving on a Tuesday evening.
The Drake levies an 18% tip, fine with me.
Pitcher of margs. Great vibe and professional, skilled service.
Ceili Cottage- Report
Our party of four went on Friday, July 3; the place was packed, with a few empty tables. Clearly, they were slammed: no sauces available for our oysters, a 30+ minute wait to be served beer, and a 50 minute wait for any food.
The food- oysters, sausage with mac and cheese, smoked salmon, several salads and shaved ham, were superb, tasty and fresh, laden with bright flavours, unlike heaty, greasy pub fare.
Once Patrick McMurray shakes down his ship, all should be a delight. In the meantime, I wish he'd buy a few barrels of pretzels to hurl the way of famished diners waiting and waiting. We were not even brought bread or water by the very sweet and very inexperienced waitress.
Best French restaurant
I like Batifole (and eat there every 4-6 weeks) but you have to choose, and you have to like French food- that means you are not averse to some butter or sauces. The fish soup (almost always on the menu) is the real deal. The salade verte is fresh and light, with a delicious vinaigrette- try it as a first course if you worry about heavy. The steak tartare is horse meat. If you say "neigh", get the steak, which is a cut chef has done in the restaurant, and it's superb. The cassoulet will be a heavy dish as is intended. The wine list iis extensive and novel... and priced extremely reasonably. I took a friend in the industry, super-knowledgable guy and he said it is extraordinary. The chef is a Breton and his cooking reflects his spirit and roots.
Cowbell - Not Quite Ready for Prime Time
A year later, I concur. We ere a party of six. The portions were very small , making the prices sky high: $9 for three thinnish slices of heirloom tomato garnished by four cherry tomatoes sliced in half. The elk medallions wee the size of a toonie. $26 for a piece of char the size and thickness of a playing card. The kicker was my friend, who ordered "Beef two ways": tiny filet pieces and a flattish short rib (like Korean ribs) for about $25. Not only no potato or rice, but none on offer. And no vegetable on the plate. We are straight ahead bistro/trattoria eaters (Thuet, Batifole) and like small plate formats, but this felt mingy.
Pleasant service, okay wine list. I have not left a restaurant so simultaneously hungry and broke since the days of Michael Statlander's joints in this city. And no we are not supersized people! Locavore food, sure, but there needs to be a generosity of spirit, on and off the plate.
High Tea
Try the Spice Room in Hazleton Lanes, now serving afternoon tea Wed thru Sat. Lovely ambiance and delicious treats/
Dinner and Dancing in Toronto
Lula Lounge! Absolutely a blast for salsa, charming room, and a loose, happy vibe. You can eat there too or have tapas at Senor Antonio (next to Chiado).
Fish and Chips
B&B is just about a block west of Reliable on Queen and I like it even better. When you order the onion rings, they take an onion, slice those big fat rings and dip it in that so good for you, so bad for you batter, on the spot.
Mercury Cafe
I agree Mercury's coffee is exceptional; if you want a roomier place to hang out, Dark Horse just past Broadview, is good too.
Anyone been to Tomi Kro
Delicious, carefully prepared food, mid-plus price range; attentive friendly service. Only drawback for my party of four was volume of music/conversation. SO loud you could not hear person next to you. We screamed, adding to the volume. left after great meal/wine with headache from noise.
Anyone been to Marben?
Wondering what you think: food, ambience, service, value?
Thanks!
New Thai restaurant in Leslieville
Give it up, Vorpal: the name, even if you don't have time for your review... I will be so grateful.
Thuet - WTF?
I have eaten dinner there a half dozen times in the last year, and have had capable, attentive service. One time, the hostess remembered not only us but the couple who were our guests the last visit. I enjoyed the food, and had one truly memorable game tasting menu there. I've made many trips to France... while not formal, Thuet is authentic and enjoyable. PS If you are not getting your drinks, go up to the bar and tell the bar manager. They care more than the hostess.
Queen Pita
Someone in the family eats there at least twice a week. Have the chicken shwarma, it's fresh, delicious and if you like hot, get extra hot sauce. The baba ganouj is smoky velvet.
Another bakery in Leslieville!
It's the Icing on the Cake's founder, Linda, has a new partner, a baker. So she has expanded from cakes and cookies to breads and pastries. The new location is Queen just east of Leslie. As to not having much, when mostly a clake buisiness, it is for custom orders. I've seen fabulous and funky cakes come out of there and the price is great.
Moti Mahal menu?
Samosas! No one has mentioned theirs and I am addicted. Moti Mahal has the best, flaky pastry with delicate filling. Two makes a mea but try to stop. BTW they are closed Tuesdays.
Any gems for dinner on subway on west side?
Visiting friend requests location on subway between Royal York & St. George. Hoping for really good bistro or even gastro-pub. Not fusion, asian or chain resto.
Any help for this east-ender appreciated, thanks folks!
Yet another client dinner in TO?
Starfish, even if not a seafood fish person- good steak and duck too.
Best food in Leslieville!?!
New resto in Leslieville, Baldini: After one lunch and one dinner, very, very good. Not fancy but they really care: chiecken, pastas, really beautiful eggs Benny for brunch. Here's hoping they make it. Go for brunch before it is mobbed.
Also- no one has mentioned POP Bistro (Queen just west of Broadview)- i have had a few good meals there but twice they told me they "ran out" of desserts on a Saturday eveing before 9 pm.
Best Beaches Eats?
Beach= bar food. It seems that's what people want when they visit, and there needs are well-served. In Leslieville, Gio's (NW corner Queen & Lelsie), Baldini (Queen near Carlaw), Tomi Kro ("Special occasion") and we like the tapas at Barrio.
eats in the beaches?
The Beach is mainly bar food; judging from date of your request you now know. Baldini on Queen near Carlaw is very good- just opened in July 06.
good food east of don valley
In Chinatown on Gerrard, there's a vietnamese restaurant, MiMi, that is one of great bargains in the city. order a platter of rice roll-ups, and down will float an enormous tray laden (depending on the combo you order) with those transparent wrappers, succulent tiny sausages or shrimp on sugarcane (which you remove to eat) marinated beef or pork, fresh sprouts, carrots zuccini, lettuce, fresh mint and basil, some vermicellli with peanuts and sauteed green onions.
Roll another one. You will have a hard time spending more than $12 as you waddle away from the table. Beer available. It's clean.
Also great pho and a curry chicken soup that's tasty and packs a punch for around 6 bucks. BTW that's homemade stock you're eating.
Queen Pita (c.f. Ghazale)
I am addicted to Queen Pita's chicken shwarma: the melting chicken, the subtle freshness of the tabbouleh, the crunch of onion. My 20 yr old son gets extra meat (yes, it's in there) but I prefer the healthy harmony of some meat, some veg. And the baba ganouj is to die for. Signing off now, must.have.more.
Nachos in T.O
A shout out for Coyote Willies at Queen & Broadview, near the s/w corner. Not gloppy- so if you like ground beef, beans, etc, maybe too plain- but good chips with real pico de gallo, real guac.
Foodie moving to Danforth and Greenwood
If you want romance, head due south of your nabe on occasion.
One of Batifole's French Martinis is pretty romantic by candlelight; his cuts of steak are unique and incredibly good, and the wine list will please a discriminating palate. Tomi Kro on Queen near Leslie for foodie fusion, Vervine, or if your romance likes a party, Gio's (Queen,& Leslie, n/w corner). It is not haute cuisine but with gorgonzola-stuffed figs with proscuitto, it's pretty close.
Any suggestions for a steak house in Manhattan
Sparks! Enough said, you can read all kinds of reviews.
Batifole - Opinions?
We're there every month or more- it's that addictive. JJ, the chef, is a fanatic: he buys his ducks to make rilettes. I could drag you through my memorable meals, but hey, make your own party and just go.
The value is solid; and (I know you know): you get what you pay for in the bistro world, and Batifole is very good quality.
Weezie's @ King & Power
Decent food, divine sightlines onto a charming patch of old King E. They are really trying. IMO the drive to keep prices low is harming the food quality. Reds served too warm.
