charxchar's Profile
Swish by Han?
Loving that everyone is hating on the service. I have been coming to this restaurant semi-regularly (I've been 5+ times?), despite the horrible service. The Han brother who cooks in the kitchen is great -- we don't have this kind of Korean food in Toronto. The other brother who works FOH has been terrible, and so have his female waitstaff, most of the times I have visited. My service expectations here are generally very low, as they have no sense of hospitality whatsoever. That said, the last few times I have visited (within the last 2-3 months), service has been okay. I think it's because they have received press from NOW and now the restaurant is actually somewhat busy. I bought the deal that sabwong is talking about, but not the deal for 4. I purchased two separate vouchers for two people each, and was turned away to use one of the vouchers in a COMPLETELY empty room. I had to go to another restaurant to dine, whilst the other half of my party was seated. The restaurant remained virtually empty for the rest of the evening, according to my companions. Regardless of the service (which, I have to say, HAS improved...), I really enjoy a majority of the dishes on the menu. The quality of the product they buy is good (i.e. the meat). The kimchi ban chan isn't so good, the beef Swish is great, I enjoy the pork buns (huge!), as well as the steamed pork buns (although Momofuku obviously takes the cake for that), the pork tacos (not bad), and I really enjoy the shrimp appetizer, for some reason. I normally hate shrimp. Anyway, I still like the restaurant despite the middling service. No one is really making food like this in Toronto in the Korean vein, so I keep going back.
Chinese New Year-themed event at a nice restaurant?
Hi fellow hounds! Looking to throw a Chinese New Year bash (cocktails/dinner) for a max of 30 guests (looks like 27-30 people).
I have inquired at the Drake Hotel for a redux of their Chinatown pop-up menu, as well as Lee Lounge (**is this restaurant no longer any good? I have never been to Lee Lounge), and also Lai Wah Heen (for the classic Chinese banquet experience).
Most of my coworkers are non-Chinese so I am pretty sure I could get away with Lai Wah Heen for impressing them (I am also considering Lai Toh Heen but want to keep this downtown)...but I'd prefer something nouveau/fusion/interesting (my first choice is the Drake but not sure if this would work entirely).
Any other fancy Chinese-y restaurants in town that would do something delicious, unique, spectacular that I might be missing?
Other food notes: One coworker is allergic to shellfish and the other one is kosher (not overly strict, bt no pork or shellfish)...so that's why I am considering that Lai Wah Heen may not be the best option.
Christmas Party -- Enoteca? Origin? Ame? Or something else?
hi peppermint pate -- the colleague is not TOO strict for her kosher requirements so it's generally very easy to accommodate. Thanks for these suggestions.
Christmas Party -- Enoteca? Origin? Ame? Or something else?
Thanks JennaBean...sigh, I have ignored Ame too long. I loved Chef Rubino's food. I noticed they did get all clubby, too bad he is no longer a part of that venue.
Christmas Party -- Enoteca? Origin? Ame? Or something else?
I'm looking for a reasonably upscale restaurant for my work holiday party, to seat about 25-30 folks.
Planning is for January 2012 so space isn't an issue. The event will be a cocktail hour and drinks afterwards. Some dietary restrictions: one kosher person and one person who doesn't eat shellfish.
I am looking for a well-appointed private room, or a social atmosphere in the main dining room.
Generally not feeling the 'rustic Italian' vibe for a swanky holiday dinner, but I would consider Enoteca Sociale given the buzz. I still feel this may be too 'downmarket' for a fancy all-expenses paid holiday dinner though -- does anyone have comments on this restaurant or any notes about the private room?
Other contenders include: Origin (although the reviews on this site have not been so great), and the dark horse -- Ame (I love Chef Rubino's food, pastry chef's desserts, the bartenders + the room)...
Am inclined to go for Ame, but would love to hear more recommendations.
Yep, I know, all three restaurants are wildly different, but that's what I'm working with, unless anyone can suggest something else.
Thanks Chowhounders, please help!
-----
Enoteca Sociale
1288 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA
want to try my first ever pork-bone soup, where should I go?
I would recommend The Owl for the soup!
Dinner for a party of 8? (Joe Beef too small!) Recos please?
I'm heading to Montreal the weekend of Nov. 19th. Am looking for a French restaurant (preferably something with a twist/modern, although I am not opposed to a classic French restaurant). I had a reso at Joe Beef for six, but will have to find a larger establishment as my party size has now increased to eight.
I don't want to eat somewhere too stodgy/uptight -- we're all in our early 30s so are looking for a resto with a good buzz and decent atmosphere as well.
I hear Europea is nice but the room seems a little too 'refined'/quiet for what I might be looking for? What about Le Cinquieme Peche? I figure APDC will take a party of eight but I have been there before so don't want to do it again.
Suggestions would be much appreciated!
Need help as I am running out of time and I must secure a large table ;-o
-----
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H3J1N6, CA
Europea
1227, rue de la Montagne, Montreal, QC H3G1Z2, CA
Trip Report - 4 Days in Montreal
Thanks for this review! Am heading to Montreal this weekend and am trying to narrow down my dinner choices. Sadly, I'm only there for 2 nights.
South Beach (and beyond?) can't-miss Miami-only foodstuffs?
Toronto hound looking for delicious, can't-miss, only-in-Miami foods around South Beach. Here for work until Sunday and am looking for some fun places to eat with colleagues. Will probably go to News Cafe and/or Jerry's Famous since they are close and open late. Am staying at the Loews. Will have a car on Saturday and am willing to roam. Updated reccs please? Good Cuban food anywhere? Or seafood? Thanks!
Celebrity restaurants on cruise ships -- (Nobu, et al.) -- has anyone tried?
I'm wondering if anyone has tried the 'celebrity' restaurants on various cruise lines --
Nobu or Piero Selvaggio's restaurants on Crystal Cruises, Todd English on the Queen Mary 2 from Cunard Line? If so, I am curious to know what you thought...
Lee (Susur's New Place)
Anyone been here in the last month or so? I'm curious. Went to Susur 3 years ago, was never sold on the concept of expensive/glorified fancy dim sum, etc.
raw/vegan food options in chicago
hey all -- toronto hound here looking for raw/vegan suggestions in chicago.
ovo-lacto vegetarian eater (and i eat meat),...but prefer eating vegetarian/raw.
i have heard the name green zebra bandied about, and i will check it out, but need some cheaper/regular-priced restaurants.
your suggestions would be much welcomed -- need to get my veg on!
Sichuan restaurant uptown...need reccs
I usually head over to Mississauga (Red Lotus/Manjianghong) for my Sichuan fix, but I will be uptown and am looking for somewhere to go. Most of the threads are several years old, so if anyone can point me towards an authentic Sichuanese restaurant uptown, I would be grateful.
Could you please recommend a good lunch restaurant close to Yonge and Wellesley?
Fire on the East Side - great lunch chef and decent meals there consistently. But do not, I repeat, do not go for dinner - it's a different chef and the food is terrible after 6.
Quick takeout lunch at Yonge-Bloor
Another vote for Camros, if you want to eat something healthy and delicious. The staff are really genuine and friendly. There's also a frequent diner card program - nice.
Claudio Aprile Origin...any word?
from his twitter (claudioaprile):
March 1st Origin will open. To reserve 603 8009.
about 19 hours ago from web
Service/atmosphere at Didier?
estufarian, I didn't mean to be rude when I made my comments about what to expect about the room. Just wondered what the crowd was; my partner and I are under 40, and I don't know the usual clientele or how quiet/noisy the room is. Regardless, I think we will try Didier tonight because most people on the board have commented favourably on the tartare.
Parisian Macaroons?
You can also find freshly made macarons at Nadege, just at Queen St. W, by Trinity-Bellwoods. They also have other pastries such as croissants, etc. The proprietess is French.
Service/atmosphere at Didier?
I have been looking at past reviews of Didier and the (uneven?) service some diners have received. Anyone been there lately and have anything to say about the service there?
My impression is that the room is a little stuffy/stiff with older clientele (hey, I could be wrong) -- not the kind of atmosphere I prefer, but if the steak tartare is the best in the city, I'll suck it up and try it at Didier. Please correct me on any point if needed.
Merci,
Malaysian?
I have been going to Gourmet Garden for years, and am a 1st-generation Canadian-born Singaporean (who has been lucky to eat the home specialties in Singapore, and some other things that my mother and aunt make...chicken rice and beef rendang and others)...things we normally order are the laksa, the char kway teow and the roti canai (personally, I love how the roti are crispy and also just greasy enough...!. We usually order the chicken curry).
Recently went to Restoran Malaysia as well to try it out. We had the satay (it was ok, I think one could make it better at home....beef was not too dry, decently seasoned; chicken was a tad on the dry side....and it was served only with cut-up cucumbers. I was hoping to get it with cucumbers, cubed rice, and onions, but alas, no dice).
Ordered the Penang CKT, and was disappointed - noodles were gummy (pan not hot enough?), noodles broke apart and did not look attractive on the plate. Also, noodles were a lighter tan colour and not seasoned enough (not seared in a hot-ass wok) for me to enjoy a little bit of 'burnt' flavour...prefer the Gourmet Garden CKT. But my mother tells me Penang CKT is different than other kinds...I can't verify that though.
Nasi Lemak - coconut rice with various sides (pickles - cucumber/cauliflower/carrot; slightly curried [dry curry] pork(?) chunks; slices of boiled egg; peanuts). Enjoyable to eat. No ikan bilis (anchovies) though.
Penang Laksa - only available that day (not always available on the menu - you have to ask), perfumed with a strong fish flavour, nicely pungent, but my only complaint about that dish is that the noodles were mushy (not al dente with a little bit of toothiness/spring to them), and the soup itself was served a tad more lukewarm than I would have liked, which is piping hot...This dish is what we came here to try. I am not generally a fan of the heavy fish flavour which is typical of some dishes, but I did enjoy this nonetheless.
State of the broth at Pho Bang NY's 'new' location?
Question about Pho Bang New York: What is the state of the broth they are serving for pho? I need a report! (Toronto Chowhounder here). I remember going about 3 years ago, when they were still located in their cramped, small, location with crazy lineups, and I was impressed by the broth. Normally, to me, most Vietnamese restaurants are serviceable and acceptable with the quality of pho broth I get, but not blow-my-mind-away-aromatic-pho-broth-good.
The old incarnation of PBNY, at the time, at the small location, served me some flavourful beefy/anise/coriander-infused broth - clean, fresh, with excellent balance of aromatics and a really great taste (oh, umami) - something I have yet to find at any other establishment (not just in Montreal, anywhere I go for pho).
I think most places do not take the time to really brew their beef broth for hours and days and weeks - you just get beef-flavoured water - and so what I had at PBNY impressed me.
The second time I went to PBNY was very soon after they had moved (maybe even the week they moved? not a month after they moved to the bigger location?), and the broth was definitely not the same...so I was sad/disappointed.
I was recently in Montreal but did not have time to stop in to PBNY. Still with the big location there were lineups.
Now, if anyone can report to me if the broth is still "good", I would love to know. With specific details. Thanks!
Ja jang myun in Koreatown Manhattan - trying to find hand-made noodles
What is the difference between gan-JJM or JJM?
I have no word from my brother, perhaps he has not yet gone.
I am hoping, because I really would like to find this place again. But, in the window I distinctly remember ads or signage indicating they made hand-made noodles.
I would also like to add, NativeNYer, that the sauce was a thick texture (but not overly thick, i.e. too much cornstarch...).
I do hope this JJM place can be located, as I have never, ever had anything remotely close to it, ever, and I do not even try any more. Probably the only remedy would be attempting it at home.
Ja jang myun in Koreatown Manhattan - trying to find hand-made noodles
Hyodonggak looks to me the closest approximation of the restaurant. I remember the restaurant had a Korean name - I would remember Shanghai Mong if I had gone there. I won't know for sure until I get a report back from my brother who's in town right now.
Regarding the Ja Jang Myun, I had only been exposed to the fast-food instant-noodle style of JJM (Chapagetti!), and had never had the real thing until I stepped into that particular restaurant. As of now I cannot confirm whether Hyodonggak is the place where I went, but I will post back shortly if I get news from my brother.
The JJM at this restaurant was incredible (and I have never had such a dish prepared as well; a strong bean seasoning, salty and rich umami-laden sauce, nice aromatics of onions, and excellent noodles, cooked yet with a little bit of springiness and toothsome texture) - I have tried to find this dish in other cities (Toronto, where I live) but have not even come close.
Thank you for the suggestions and I will post back with news, if my brother ends up ID'ing the right place.
Ja jang myun in Koreatown Manhattan - trying to find hand-made noodles
About 3 years ago I stumbled upon this Korean-Chinese restaurant that, in the sign, advertised their specialty in making only fresh, hand-made noodles, and ordered some delicious ja jang myun. I don't remember what street it was on, and would really like to find it again.
I don't live in NY anymore but would like to locate this restaurant. All I remember was that it sold Korean-style Chinese food, and advertised the fresh noodles, etc. in the window, with many magazine clippings, etc.
If anyone knows of the name and address of this place I would be grateful! Would like to return to it next time I am in town.
Thanks!
Boston for visiting (mostly) veggie 'hounds
I just got into Boston last night - staying at Back Bay/Copley Sq. area...I usually like to do my research way beforehand. I'm going to check out some of these places and report back soon. Thanks for your recommendations, there's a lot to try!
Boston for visiting (mostly) veggie 'hounds
Hi David_A, thanks for tip on Grasshopper. The website looks scary.
Regarding Le's, is the broth for Pho beef broth or vegetarian broth? I don't really care either way but the boyfriend likely would.
How was Grezzo 'not good?' I am curious about the specifics as to why you did not like the meal there. Thanks!
Boston for visiting (mostly) veggie 'hounds
So, you get the idea. I'm coming to Boston with a hungry stomach and a vegetarian boyfriend (cheese on his pizza, otherwise vegan) in tow. I'm an omnivore but usually eat vegetables about 90% of the time. I fully intend to get myself a Speed's hot dog if I can handle it, but otherwise plan to be eating vegetables.
Are there any good vegetarian restaurants or other veggie-friendly establishments local 'hounds can recommend? We are mostly looking for sit-down restaurants for lunch and dinner, reasonably casual, nothing overly fancy. Fancy I could do for one special evening, though. I don't mind eating ethnic foods as long as they're very delicious and exceptional; I come from Toronto so we have a lot of variety. Am interested in Boston specialties or stuff I can't get at home.
Thanks for your help! I tried doing a search but no dice.
Nota Bene - Amazing experience yet again - review + pics
I wish I worked close to NB so I could eat the lunch specials...going to check it out on Saturday, super-excited!
Where to purchase Irish moss in Toronto?
thanks for the suggestions everyone...Apple, I plan to use it for raw vegan dessert-type applications. In this case, it will be used to thicken a mousse-type strawberry cheesecake/pie of sorts. I'm definitely not a raw vegan, but I cook all kinds of weird stuff at home for fun.
