markdsgraham's Profile
Sandwich delivery - Richmond and Jarvis
I'm looking to feed ten guys at a poker game around Richmond and Jarvis on Friday. We'd like to be able to eat and play so we want some easy, eat-with-your hands food, but we'd like to avoid pizza if we can.
I've done some looking around for veal/chicken/meatball/sausage sandwiches that could be ordered in for an 8pm or 830pm dinner but haven't had any luck in the area. These places aren't always easy to find online so I'm turning to you guys. Any suggestions? Thanks!!
Montrealer visiting Toronto for first time!
Just a short block south for you, on Irwin between Yonge and Bay, is Ethiopia House, which is perfect for a lunch at the low end of your price range. Not really "hidden" but definitely a gem.
A bit further out, but also fitting your lunch bill, would be Sukhothai.
Have fun!
Brew your own beer places near Toronto
Hi everyone. As a Christmas gift for a few folks, I've been thinking of buying a gift certificate for us all to go do the brew-your-own-beer thing. I'm wondering what people think are the best places for doing this around Toronto? First most important criterion would be reliability (i.e. confidence that the beer will be potable when completed). After that would be ability to customize and level of involvement (more involvement = better).
In case you're going to tell me that it will be cheaper, more delicious, and more fulfilling to just buy the equipment and brew at home, consider the following: we generally each live in 600 square feet (I barely have room for my hockey bag!) and it would be fun for us to do it all together.
Thanks everyone!
Wedding venue - Toronto, good food, large - impossible?
Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. We've decided to go with Hart House and are really looking forward to it!
Grape, we looked quite closely at the Burroughes. I think the room rental fee was about $3000. Other than that, you bring in everything you need (rentals, catering, etc) -- so you have some control over the cost but it can really add up. TJulie, who coordinates there, mentioned to us that there was a wedding planner who is hosting her own wedding there sometime soon and has been blogging about it. If you're interested, maybe try to find that blog. Good luck!
McMichael Gallery - Gourmet Cuisine - reviews?
Hi all -
We are considering doing our wedding at the McMichael Gallery. We love the venue but the food is pricey and we want to make sure it's going to be worth the cost. Does anyone have any experience with "Gourmet Cuisine", either from McMichael or elsewhere? Your input would be very helpful.
Thanks everyone!
toronto next week! - help
A great Toronto dive bar is Sneaky Dee's at College and Bathurst - cheap drinks, great nachos, great atmosphere.
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Sneaky Dee's
431 College St, Toronto, ON M5T1T1, CA
Mom n' Pop Eats For TIFF
Coffee Mill is definitely a great suggestion! I'd also add Ethiopia House, which is close enough to the Yorkville TIFF events and is basically and Mom 'n Pop type place.
A few subway stops away is Zorba's on the Danforth (Toronto's Greek town). This should really fit the bill. Mezes on the Danforth is a little more upscale and also very good.
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Coffee Mill
99 Yorkville, Toronto, ON M5R3K5, CA
Zorba's
681 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J1L2, CA
Mezes
456 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K1P4, CA
Pizza Stone Corn Meal Question
Often not, because of time constraints and also because in a small apartment like mine the heat is sweltering enough after having the oven on at five hundred degrees for the time it takes to cook the pizzas, never mind a whole additional hour in advance.
You don't always get the same crackling crisp to the crust doing it this way, but I find the difference to be relatively minor and the convenience it adds to often be well worth it.
What do you mix with ketchup?
Ketchup + Tobasco + Dry Dill is a great sauce to eat with cheddar scrambled eggs and baking soda biscuits!
Pizza Stone Corn Meal Question
We also build the crust and pizza directly on the stone when we want to avoid making too much of a mess. My stone is slightly less well seasoned, so I put some cornmeal down. Generally there are no sticking issues and the crust comes out with a bit of crisp and some good chew. FWIW, the dough recipe we've developed uses some cornmeal and a good helping of oil as well.
What does Toronto do best?
Please excuse the collective Canadian self-doubt.
Plus one from me for Guu, which will be a great night out, for a back bacon sandwich at the St. Lawrence Market, which is a good place to visit, and Chiado, which is a good Toronto experience especially because it is sort of a classic Toronto neighbourhood. I would definitely go to Bar Volo for drinks.
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St. Lawrence Market
92 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E, CA
Chiado
864 College Street West, Toronto, ON M6H 1A3, CA
Guu
398 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, CA
Business Dinner in Toronto near Yonge and Bloor, Looking for Something Different
My experience may have been anomalous, but I wouldn't recommend this place. I found it to be grossly over-priced and the seating (we were seated upstairs) to be uncomfortable and definitely not appropriate for a business dinner.
I agree with the C-5 suggestion. Another possibility is the Host (Indian). It is not too far - a nice walk or a short cab - and is formal enough for a business dinner. The food isn't mind blowing, but it's quite good and definitely reliable.
Cheap Eats around UofT?
Lots of great places have already been mentioned. If you're on the St. Mike's/Vic/Bay St. side of campus, one other place Biryani House on Hayden (not the one on Wellesley) does a very good, quite filling lunch for about $7. There is also a good lunch special at Ethiopia House on Irwin St.
When I was a student people would sometimes go to the prepared food counter at Whole Foods (up Avenue Rd) when they wanted a healthy lunch - this is not a bad option.
There has been lots of change since I've eaten regularly on Bloor Street W, but you may want to do a search around here for falafel and shwarma places there.
There are also student run coffee shops on campus, such as Diabolos' in the University College Junior Common Room (go into the quad behind the Laidlaw Library, just south of the "back campus" field, and then go in the door that is up the stairs to your right). You can get some decent quick lunches there as well as good muffins and coffee for very cheap.
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Biryani House
25 Wellesley St E, Toronto, ON M4Y2S9, CA
Cheap Eats around UofT?
The cafe is called "Hot Yam". It runs only at lunch time. Lunch is five dollars and though it's a bit hit or miss it is definitely a good option. It will also give you a chance to meet lots of other people from around the university (including staff and graduate students).
Wedding venue - Toronto, good food, large - impossible?
Thanks everyone! I'm very glad to hear good things about the food at HH, which has some sentimental value for us as well. And thanks, Phoenikia, for suggesting the Burroughes Building. We both love what we've seen online and will definitely be going in to check it out. (They have also confirmed that any outside caterer can be used, in case anyone is wondering). Of course, I will definitely report back with any other information we get.
Wedding venue - Toronto, good food, large - impossible?
Hi everyone,
After spending a few weeks reading every thread I could find on the topic and checking out lots of online resources, I've decided to ask for some help. My fiance and I are planning a wedding for, hopefully, fall 2011. We are looking for a venue that is:
1. Somewhere in Toronto proper and has a unique feel (we really would like to avoid the banquet hall/hotel ballroom feel if possible).
2. Able to have about 300 people seated at long rectangular tables (or at least not all at round tables)
3. Able to serve good food from a customizable menu or allow outside catering.
A place that looks great but is a no-go because the speakers would need to be cut at 10:30pm is the Artscape Wychwood Barns: http://www.torontoartscape.on.ca/places-spaces/artscape-wychwood-barns/book-your-next-event-barns
I'd be very grateful for your recommendations. Some spots I can find that seem to meet these criteria are below - I'd also be grateful for any thoughts you might have on any of these (I have read most of the reviews that have already been posted):
-The AGO or the ROM
-Fermenting Cellar (Distillery) (downside: will likely be very difficult/expensive to decorate)
-Berkley Church
-The Great Hall at Hart House
-Capitol Events Theatre
-Steamwhistle Brewery
Thanks everyone!
- Mark
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Great Hall
1087 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA
cheap eats for LA Chowhounds?
I would second Sukhothai, which is both cheap and in the top three Thai places in Toronto. This area is not dodgy by the standards of any large American city. Not at all. I go there by myself in the middle of the night.
For Indian, another great but cheap place is Biryani House on Hayden Street (a few steps from Yonge and Bloor - but be careful, there is another Biryani House on Wellesley Street which is not as good, IMHO).
For Ethiopian, there is Ethiopia House on Irwin Street (just off Yonge between Bloor and Wellesley). Dinner for two (without alcohol) would be about $25. There is a great lunch special - two people could get out for $18 or so total.
-Definitely do some searches on this board for Chinese food. You may have to search more specifically (dim sum, Peking duck, etc) as there are lots of discussions.
-A back bacon sandwich from the St. Lawrence Market is a great, cheap, Canadian signature dish. For another Canadian dish, do a search on this board for poutine, which is also cheap.
Enjoy Toronto!
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St. Lawrence Market
92 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E, CA
Biryani House
25 Wellesley St E, Toronto, ON M4Y2S9, CA
Sukhothai
274 Parliament St, Toronto, ON M5A, CA
Looking for general food and beer advice for Toronto
Awesome - hope you're enjoying your visit!
Looking for general food and beer advice for Toronto
I may be too late, but just in case, a quick thought: Bar Volo is the best in the city for local beer, IMO, but closer to your hotel and also with a decent selection of locals is C'est What on Front Street.
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C'est What
67 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E1B5, CA
Driftwood Farmhand Ale in Toronto
Just updating my own post - after I mentioned it once when I was in, Farmhand turned up at Bar Volo. I've been traveling and haven't been in for a while, so I don't know if they still carry it - but another win for the great bar in any case.
Best places near the University of Toronto (no car)?
I second many of the recommendations so far, particularly: Splendido, Boulevard Cafe, Nataraj, and Ethiopian House. All of these would be great dinner options (in ascending order of formality). You could probably get into Nataraj without a reservation, but depending on the size of your group you would likely need one for the other options. Depending on what hotel you're in, I also recommend checking out some of the Chinatown options.
There are a lot of Thai restaurants in Toronto but one that is an easy walk from the campus and in my view one of the best in Toronto is Pi-Tom's, just east off Yonge, north of College. This would also be a good place for a group outing. I think the pad thai there is just bright with flavour in a way it's not most other places in the city. And the mango (and papaya, IIRC) salads are fresh (note: if you search for Thai restaurants on this board you will find hundreds of posts lamenting the shoddy state of Toronto Thai food - IMO, Pi-Tom's avoids most of the common mistakes, even if it's not like eating at your ยาย's house).
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Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA
Ethiopian House
4 Irwin Ave, Toronto, ON M4Y1K9, CA
Cheap eats - two nights - 5 guys on a road trip
Thanks everyone for these great suggestions. Sounds like we will definitely try Coop's and Johnny's, in addition to Cafe du Monde and Central Grocery. We will probably also try Mena's Palace and for breakfast and may try Maspero's as well. I'll be sure to report back on these and any others we check out.
Thanks again for all your help.
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Mena's Palace
200 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Maspero's
601 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Cheap eats - two nights - 5 guys on a road trip
Hello NOLA hounds,
I'll be in town with four friends on Aug 14-15 (Saturday and Sunday). We will be in the first week of a three-week long road trip. We are looking for some good local specialties at very affordable prices. We'll be eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We are staying in the FQ (Canal St. side) but can drive for lunch, in particular, if it's worth it. We are also willing to walk long distances for good value eats.
I've spent a few days looking through this board and am starting to get a sense of what is recommended. But I don't feel like I've found very many places where meals can come in under $10. Maybe that's because there aren't very many - but if there are, I'm sure you guys can tell me!
The places I've flagged so far as potentially worth checking out are:
-Cafe du Monde
-Central Grocery
-Coop's Place (there seems to be some controversy about this place - I think it's worth trying the jambalaya?)
-Napoleon House
-Mahony's Po Boys and/or Jonny's Po Boys (thoughts?)
I've also heard great things about the Green Goddess, but it's a bit above our ideal price range.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated by this first time visitor from Toronto. Thanks!
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Green Goddess
307 Exchange Place, New Orleans, LA 70130
Lunch@Yonge and Bloor?
Not sure what your timing is like at lunch, but Ethiopian House (on Irwin between Yonge and Bloor) has a good, cheap lunch special. I'd also second Mela. And I have liked Biryani House on Hayden, where you can get a lot of very competent food for an unbeatable price.
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Ethiopian House
4 Irwin Ave, Toronto, ON M4Y1K9, CA
The Biryani House
, Toronto, ON M5G, CA
Catered lunch for 25 at College and Spadina
Hey folks,
The g/f is hosting a work lunch for about 25 people in the College and Spadina area and needs a caterer that can meet the following two criteria:
-Able to provide for vegetarians
-Less than $10/person
-Able to deliver food ready-to-eat; there is not kitchen at the venue.
There is no need for anything too formal, just something reliably good. Some places that we could use some feedback on are Churrasqueira Oliveira, Baraida Churrasqueira (is it possible to feed vegetarians from these places?), and Buddha's Vegetarian (will the omnivores feel ripped off?). Of course, any other suggestions are more than welcome.
Thanks everyone!
stratto pizza - avenue road
I've not been to Trio, so I can't compare, but I want to say a word in support Terroni. The last time I was there was right in prime dinner time and the place was packed. Still, our waitress was exceedingly friendly, making good recommendations for those who hadn't been there, happily putting up with indecisive orderers, spending time talking to the GF's dad, who is from Italy, about the maker of the wine we were drinking, etc. Actually, it was some of the best service I've had at a restaurant in Toronto--genuine, personable, friendly, but not at all in-your-face.
"Happy Hour" Cocktails Downtown Toronto?
A good local place to go for drinks is "C'Est What?" You'll be able to get all kinds of local craft beers, local wines, and there is an extensive whiskey bar, etc. They do have food there as well, although I don't think I've ever eaten there. There are other restaurants in the area as well. The one problem you might have is getting twenty people around the same table. If you don't mind doing a few different tables you should be fine. (http://www.cestwhat.com/)
Note: you will be able to get cocktails as well as beer and wine just about everywhere you might consider going downtown.
Good Eats at Bay/College
Thanks... I have done okay at the Bay location a couple of times. I'll try this one out.
(And just to correct my post above--it's the west side of Bay, not the east side.)
Good Eats at Bay/College
Is this the same "Mercatto" as on the east side of Bay at Adelaide?
Good Eats at Bay/College
I am a block north of you but Pi-Tom's is, for me, the best neighbourhood restaurant around here. I also like Ethiopia House on Irwin. Other than that, I am not as upbeat about the offerings in the immediate vicinity as are some others. I've noticed a few positive mentions of Hernando's Hideway (on Yonge) here on this board but still haven't found an appropriate time to try it. You are probably far enough south to check out some of the Baldwin St spots.
