bestandworst's Profile
What I Would Change About Chowhound
Yea, thats what I do too. But maybe by rating posters, they will be less likely to blow things out of proportion and take a bit more responsibility for what they write about a place...like on ebay. Perhaps it would keep people more sensible and honest.
Great time at Lee
I am with you pescatarian! I have never had a problem with Lee. Some of the dishes don't work for me on occassion, but that is the exact risk I am willing to take, because I rank most of the dishes from great to outstanding.
I like the look and vibe of the room a lot. As well as the service/staff.
Canadian Version of "Burgers to Eat Before You Die" ?
Re: Shang, Lib, Beac...sorry I really don't know. When I BBQ at home I leave pink, but because these burgers are so tasty and really very juicy, I have never asked for pink. I realize that texture of pink is part of it too, but I guess I just love these burgers so much just as they are...
Admittedly, I may be just too adaptive in that I allow different types of burgers to completely satisfy me, but I can't see holding a grudge against the gov't and never enjoying the burgers that Toronto calls a burger.
I may not be a purist, but I do know quality, and these are real burgers made with care.
Canadian Version of "Burgers to Eat Before You Die" ?
I have three burgers to recommend. Not sure they qualify for must have before you die, but...
In order of least to most expensive...sorry don't know exact prices.
1) Shanghai Cowgirl - awesome beefy backyard burgers - great fries $10.00?
2) Liberty in Liberty Village - again, great beefy backyard taste - comes with a barely blue cheese dressing that is excellent and great fries too.
3) Beaconsfield - Gourmet taste and quality all the way. Really great. Awesome fries. Now the chef has changed since I was last frequenting the place (I seem to change my patterns every once in a while) but I am hopeful it is still great. It is about $15.00.
Agreed to stay away from Hero and especially Hal. Licks is OK in my books when in a pinch.
Other recs are Epicure Cafe and Utopia for fresh beef and great fries.
Where can I buy Austrian Chocolate - Mozartkugel?
Thats good news! Thanks for reporting back.
cabbage rolls
I think the place downstairs at the St L. Market is called Bellas and it is still very very good.
Pickle barrel used to have good cabbage rolls, but it has been years for me...not sure they still do.
Chicken Soup
So glad to hear that! Pressure is on when a reco gets so specific so one just hopes it is enjoyed by all, especially the real hounds. They renovated almost a year ago and changed the name from deli to fine foods. I still use the old name. Glad you found it!
Now I have to try the pea soup!
PS: Although a bit greasy, their onion rings are home-made batter style, and very tasty!
New Sky?
It's awesome. Get the lobster, dumpling soup, crispy beef, lemon chicken, XO beans, sliced chicken with eggplant is awesome. Little clams, steamed fish of the day, fried oysters, honey pepper beef ribs, any noodles.
I have had favourites and less than, but never a bad dish.
Beach Eats: Let's Be Honest
Back then they also had amazing garlic bread...do they still?
Swatow rec's
Goldstone is best for VERY authentic chinese mixed with americanized.
I find all of their BBQ window items to be top notch.
The salt and pepper squid really can't be better.
They make a very tasty Shrimp Dumpling Noodle in Soup. I happen to prefer their noodles to Swatow, but noodles being Swatow's specialty, that is certainly open to much debate. I prefer Swatow's broth to Goldstone because Goldstone can be a bit weak at times. And I love the dumplings at both places. All in all, I don't bother with Swatow anymore - personal preference.
Goldstone has great fried rice too.
Honestly that is the extent of my menu items from Goldstone because when I want a more well rounded chinese meal I run to New Sky.
I haven't tried most of Goldstone's offerings.
They are on Spadina just south of Dundas on the West side.
PS: It is always bright and very clean inside.
Fish and Chips
Thanks Savannah! Great rec. I finally got around to trying New Toronto. I am not a fish expert as I eat it fried so seldomly (at most twice a year now), but I would describe everything exactly the way you did...very good, great tasty batter and I would add also that it seemed to be a generous size. We also had onion rings, again a bit greasy as you indicated about the food, but they were really very good. The fries were great. That is one thing that I do eat often and I loved their old school method.
I forgot that you wrote about it being run down, and actually came away without any feeling of that. It just felt like a shack type fish and chips spot you might find beach-side, very basic and utilitarian.
Thanks!
Swatow rec's
Try the salt and pepper deep fried squid at Goldstone. Always tender, crispy, non-oily and a bit spicy...addictive
Things I want to see on a restaurant's website
Yes I know. I didnt want to mention their name because I hate the sites they put out - SO MUCH!
Chicken Soup
Prague deli soups are RICH and REAL in flavour. All made from scratch and they taste of the wonderful ingredients. Sometimes they have noodles and other times I have had Spaetzle. I spose rice and dumplings appear at times too. Meat wise, it is beef, veal or chicken, depending. I believe they have a borscht too, not sure. I love their soups but they are not full of chunky meat, so dont expect a meal in a bowl, just excellent soup.
Churrasco, I have only had once. My memory of it to be honest was that it was a bit overpriced. Very very tasty chicken noodle, with body, but my memory was that it cost too much. I do love their chicken and potatoes or fries - awesome.
Chicken Soup
Not all PB locations serve the chicken soup now...this is a good thing, because it is only good when fresh. Not sure which locations do, but within your grid, there is Atrium on Bay.
Sorry to recommend outside of your area...but Prague Deli on Queen W (east of Bathurst) is great for chicken soup when its the daily special. Also really good, is Churassco Villa on Eglinton at Mt Pleasant.
Hiro Sushi - a laughable, embarrassing experience
That was my thought too, pinstripe, I don't think that Hiro uses real wasabi often. But in my experiences so far, Kaji does. I am a fan of both types.
I have seen Hiro basically yell at his servers to 'get moving'. I think sitting at the sushi bar, eating omakase, is the only way to go at Hiro.
Hiro is HIGHLY reputed to use only the best fish and best parts of the fish. He serves traditional combinations and knows what he is doing. If it matters, I can tell you that Susur has personally told me that he respects highly both Hiro and Kaji.
As far as busy or not...I agree that what neighbourguy wrote is a very good rule of thumb generally speaking, and especially when it comes to raw fish. But I personally have to trust that Hiro is the last place you need to worry about this.
Anyway, I didn't plan to chime in again, but I really wanted to back Hiro because although not perfect in his ambience, the integrity of his execution has been so well preserved through the years. For a true Japanese experience, I believe we are lucky to still have him available to us.
Sunday brunch recommendations
Dessert trends serves great food and coffee in a modest cafe setting. The apple pancake is quite amazing. The crab sandwich too!
Brassaii is very nice for brunch and Thuet is awesome!
Haven't been to Kultura yet, but as I have read, the hounds love it for the most part.
Then there is The Senator. Fresh diner breakfast that always satisfies.
Hiro Sushi - a laughable, embarrassing experience
Sorry to hear about your experience at Hiro. It isn't for everybody.
Kaji is my favourite restaurant in Toronto. But I still enjoy a visit to Hiro. I am by no means a regular there, but I have always had fabulous sushi, and yes it is expensive. Sorry but the fish is so much better at Hiro than any place on Bloor St. You can't compare it. And now I must add that I love New Generation on Bloor. But the calibre is different, as are the prices. There's a time for everything good.
Not getting soy with your meal is very unusual no doubt, in fact Hiro makes his own soy sauce, so this can only be because of poor service. Because the wasabi is served in the sushi, just as you described, extra would need to be ordered if you wanted more. Ginger is served to help cleanse the palate between different fishes but Hiro doesn't accompany every type of fish with it for some reason lost on me.
It is traditional to serve sushi with wasabi between the fish and the rice. Restos in Toronto have altered that to suit our palate by putting it on the side instead. Spice to your own liking sort of thing.
As far as the room at Hiro, there is no doubt that it is shabby and borderline dirty. I can never understand why no profits can go back into cleaning the place up. Removing the stains from the wall. It is just weird that the place is so off putting. We go back because we love the food. Sitting at the sushi bar is always an experience as Hiro pays close attention to your likes and dislikes. He loves to entertain with his food. Compared to Kaji though, the cooked food doesn't come close.
Some of my favourite chinese experiences were had at "dumps" on Spadina/Dundas, and I go back for more. Hiro is the same to me. YES Hiro is way more expensive than any chinese "dump", but the food experience is well worth it to me.
Toronto Hungarian Restaurants
Atahualpa is right; no fusion, simply side by side. And personally, after 2 visits, maybe 3, I will never go back. I give it a 2 out of 10.
Celebration Dinner -- Where to Eat?
I love North 44 too. From apps to dessert to wines. It is a great place. I like the big open room too. Sitting by the kitchen window can be fun!
I guess I just lean toward recommending a tasting menu for Atahualpa based on his list. Does North 44 offer one? That would be great to try!
And Kudos to North 44 for staying relevant. I remember going when they first opened and boy was that a TREAT by Toronto standard.
Celebration Dinner -- Where to Eat?
You are sure to enjoy any choice from your short list.
If it were me, I would be choosing between Kaji - at the sushi bar (my fave resto in TO) or Perigee - reserve a table where the chefs work, Susur or Splendido.
I would think that Splendido is the best dressed of the above as I have actually seen jeans at Susur and Kaji.
I have only been to Splendido twice in as many years, and I loved it both times. But I have friends in my circle who enjoy it regularly. I guess I find the room and the patrons too formal for me to fully relax and enjoy. I suppose I have subconsciously reserved it for very special celebrations only.
Between Susur and Perigee IMO, the difference is the room. If you would enjoy sitting right next to the chef station, watching them create everything for the room, you have chosen Perigee. The room is otherwise extremely modest. If you want a trendy, modern and somewhat faster paced room, you have chosen Susur.
You can't go wrong. Enjoy!
Things I want to see on a restaurant's website
WOW. There is a big market open to web designers that know what they are doing. Those examples are the norm and WOW - such crap.
My city, Toronto, is over-run with flash sites and crappy musak.
Bread charge at JK Wine Bar [moved from Toronto]
Once upon a time....rice and tea were always free at chinese restos....alas...
How far would you drive for good chow within Ontario?
Camp 31 is a small roadhouse type eatery. They smoke fresh everyday and finish on the grill. Great Value too!
You can't go wrong with anything. The ribs and pulled pork or brisket are fantastic, but my absolute favourite has to be the ribs. The grilled steak is also above average - great charcoal flavour! I like to switch between the side ribs and baby back - very different and both great. I also ask them to not finish my ribs with the sauce as I find it to be way too sweet. The cajun style on the table is my preference so I just use that.
The other special thing about Camp is how fantastic the sides are. You must try the cornbread and baked beans - great combo. The sweet potato fries are awesome and almost like a desert. As well they make great regular fries. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the mashed potatoes.
