How much was tea?! lol

Thank you both, J.L. and VCB133, for putting my mind at ease!!!

SUPERB review! Many thanks. Heading there in February; cannot wait! Was a tough decision to go there, considering I am have kaiseki in Kyoto on two occasions....But hard to pass up....!

Amazing review! Thank you so much for sharing. I was wondering how your trip went as you can see from the other thread lol!!

I have a reservation there in February, and am a bit apprehensive since I do not eat pork or onions...I asked the concierge to let the restaurant know, but even still, I am wondering whether there are onions in the ratatouille, for example, and wondering what the chef will do to substitute or work around his usual serving of rillettes de porc...

I am kinda freaking out....lol...Anyone have any comforting words, or should I seriously consider dropping my reservation based upon my food issues...

So please let us know how your restaurant selections turned out and report on the culinary adventure, please, J.L.! :)

Many thanks for the great advice and insight, Pauliface!

Sorry to kinda hijack the thread, but I am Toronto chowhound and have been following this thread and researching others, for my own 'short solo food trip to Japan', so I felt compelled to ask a question or two on the topic of Ryugin and other recommendations...If this is rude or inappropriate in the Japan forum, kindly let me know and i apologize for same.

I have read that the chef used to be more contemporary in his keiseki interpretation, but was more recently traditional. Is this accurate? The reason why I ask is that I will be enjoying a traditional Keiseki in Kyoto at Hiiragaya, and since I have only 5 dinners or so available, want to perhaps avoid 'two traditional keiseki' dinners...But perhaps they will be different enough and worthwhile enough to try both....? Thoughts?

Also, can someone chime in about how a high-end sushi place such as Mizutan compares to Tsukiji market, which is also much enjoyed, but is a fraction of the cost....

Lastly, and I know I am pressing here....but I can't help but ask for your views on whether some high-end tempura places, such as Kondo, are more vegetable or more seafood, in their focus....Although I would love to try some nicely done asparagus for example, I would definitely be disappointed if the mainstay of the lunch or dinner was vegetable as opposed to seafood, especially at those prices....

Just an update, have been there three times since my previously reported perception of being cut-off, and didnt have the problem on any of the three subsequent occasions..

Looking to have dinner there in a couple of weeks. Its supposed to serve USDA prime, but the only review on the web (opentable user) was negative. Would like to hear feedback from someone...

I was really looking forward to the opening of French Quarter as soon as the awning went up. I have been there several times since their opening to buy their fresh croissants and baguettes. I used to think Celestine`s had the best croissants in the city, I think French Quarter is as good or even better! Their Almond Croissants are to die for, their chocolate croissants are excellent. I would have really liked if they had their own pastries and desserts, however, French Quarter is a very welcomed new bakery on Avenue Road. In search of these pastries and desserts I stopped in at the new Sesbastians Pattiserri on Yonge & Fairlawn, they were totally cleaned out, not a crumb left in the joint. Must be a good sign.

Anyone know where I can find coffee like I had once in Marbella and Malaga in Spain? it was an extraordinarily rich and smooth cappucino-style drink. I am thinking that it may be ``Cafe Torrefacto`` - which I understand is a coffee bean that is sugar-roasted. I found that Thomas Hinds (the tobbaconist) carries a Cuban brand of Torrefacto beans. Has anyone tried these or know a cafe or store where I can try this Torrefactor style coffee or beans?

Good point - youre referring to Paka Paka - a little far for most, but yes - those are the best beef ribs I've had at a restaurant in Toronto. Good portion and good price and fairly decent. I'd forgotton about this palce.

I've never been there for lunch but have been there for dinner a few times and have always really enjoyed it. In fact, I really, really like it. I love the meats.

I therefore hesitate to point out on CH, that on the last two occassions that I went there, I got the distinct feeling that I was being cut off on the AYCE. Since I was already satisfied and basically full, I did not conern myself with the appearance of being cut off, but upon more reflection, I felt somewhat upset by this. Especially because we were paying $40 per person, and the palce was nearly empty.

What happened was that on two occasions that I went there, two separate waiters came over and basically said, 'OK, can we get you anything else or just the bill...?" When we said we were going to have more, they only came back a few minutes later and discretly turned off our "more meat" sign (they give you one at the table), and then actually cleared the table down to the salt and pepper shakers without even consutling us. The impression given, was 'You are done, you have had enough'. Now I need to mentioned that we did not pig out; we were not excessive, and did not even remotely gorge ourselves. We had a well paced and moderate dinner over the course of maybe an hour, so dont get the impression please that the management was making a 'good call' on us...

After the first time that this happened, I thought maybe it was just because it was busy and the waiter wanted to turn the table, but on the second occasion it was empty, and there was an appearance of almost a 'policy' of sorts that they dont want people to stay or eat after a certain point of trying every kind of meat once. In other words, when the rotation ends, youre outta there....

I am still not 100% sure about this, but I sure have that feeling, and it sure makes me feel awkward because I have never encountered such a thing in my life - anywhere. Especially at $40 per person plus $4.00 soft drinks. (and I left 20% on each occasion).

Thought has crossed my mind....But a stunt like that would probably end up with me arresested after an altercation....

I doubt very many wing places, if any, would have the cook actually way out a pound of wings before cooking them, although I agree, that their refrain is always the "pre-cooked weight"...

I spoke with someone at Honey's Beestro and he told me that they (unlike other places he said) dont partially pre-cook the wings in order to save frying time, and that is why their wings take longer to cook and are better.

Yeah the whole 1/2 pound full pound thing can be very frustrating. I have seen it happen often when it comes to wings at various places.

Nortown has Miami ribs, but what I think he wants are not the Miami Ribs. Nortown has these too. They are large boned beef ribs, not cut miami style.

OK, this question, you might say, is right up my alley. I can say (and my wife would verify this, albeit with a snicker and a grimace) that one of my life's pursuits, is good beef ribs.

The short answer is that the only good beef ribs in Toronto are ones that you make yourself. I have tried em all and they are all lacking. The closest that good beef ribs came, was at the now defunct Le Bifteque - which had all you can eat beef ribs and they were decent and I think a byproduct of their steak and/or prime rib menu.

The ones that I wouldnt try for sure, are at Highway 61. They are the absolutest nastiest thing ever to grace my plate (See my review of Highway 61). Also not really worth trying, but arguably passable, is Bistro, as they are dried out and not very tasty. Dangerous Dan 's has them, but it is a revolting place (I threw out my pants after sitting there) and could barely keep my food down due to the lack of hygene and decor. I literally ran out of there, nauseous. Montana's is also passable, but not great and definitly underwhelming. Plus there sides and everything are pathetic big box style....

Ultimatly, I had to go to mephis in tennesse, on a road trip, and even there didnt find any good beef ribs (even at Jim neely's Interstate).

The best, by far, are slow cooking on a bbq at home, with wood chips, and excellent rub and sauce. the best beef ribs are from Cumbrae's, but Pusaterri's has decent ones sometimes, and other butchers as well.

I would (with all due respect to patricia Yuri) NEVER go to Red Violin. Its pathetic...Go to Copacabana on eglinton...I have been there three times and it is awesome (for Toronto) brazillian Rodizio.

Yeah, Nick told me nobody had ever complained about the food before me...LOLOLOL....that was while he was staring right at the big bowl of fat left after the two spoons full of meat from the beef rib....

I think that many of us genuinely wish that Highway 61 was good because we want good BBQ in Toronto so badly...unfortunatly, this place is just a dud, and the owners are even bigger duds apparently...We should just let the place rest in peace.....

Highway 61 at least gets a perfect score for consistency: Consistently awful food and consistenty obnoxious service.

"There >>must be<< places in Ontario like the ones the host visits in each episode."

...Should be, but there isn't.....

Yeah - I noticed that the article probably gave out the wrong impression that the restuarant would be actuallu Kosher, rather than Kosher style. i cant for a minute image Zane doing a strictly Kosher restuarant, as the sandwiches would have to be probably about $20 BUCKS EACH...and he would have to have a mashgiach - Kosher supervisor, and pay all kinds of certification fees etc., so No - its impossible. Anyhow, very few of the fressers who love the fresser sandwiches need a strictly kosher restaurant. The only time I went to a strictly kosher deli in toronto, marky's - I threw out the sandwich.

Thanks - can anyone point me to a schedule of local GTA ribfests?

Thanks for the interesting info embee!

Do any of these ribfests have brisket, chicken, or beef ribs?

I just went to spice Route with a group of 16 in a private room, and had one of the best priced fixed course meals ever. It was amazing selection and huge quantity for $35 a person plus booze, with a required minimum. We didnt leave the room except to go to the bathrooms, which are the strangest things I ever saw.

Sounds like you and your friends might enjoy remington's on Yonge Street, but I am not sure if they are still serving a dinner buffet. See: www.remingtons.ca.

A few months ago I ran down the street after a Hebrew National truck that I saw on Avenue Road, but couldnt catch up to it on foot. Anyhow, I think that it was only delivering hebrew national mustard, as I have NEVER seen those US dogs here in toronto.

In Toronto, my favorite, by far, is the Olympic brand Hot dogs sold at Costco. these are the ones they use at their snack bar. They are not super organic no filler, etc. etc., but they are all beef and very flavourful. I would highly recommend them, and if you like them, make sure to stock up, as they tend to run out often and dont get them back for a while...

Yeah - Dickson Home Hardware has a new BBQ center attached to their store at Avenue and Wilson, and will assemble and deliver, and even hook up a gas connection for you (at an additional fee). They provide outstanding service.

Great post Fwagra.

I walked by Highway 61 on my way to Duff's yesterday (Sunday) at around 2 pm. Duff's was full. Every restaurant had people in them and on patios, except for HIghway 61.