Buying local / humane meat?

I checked out a new organic place on Bayview (north of Steeles & north of John st.) called Planet Organic, they are apparently a fairly large chain. They had a good deli selection, but I was really disappointed with the uncooked meat selection. I went on Sunday of the Victoria day long weekend, has anyone else been on other days and found that they had better selection?

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Cornbread in GTA?

I'm looking for a place to buy corn bread. Anywhere in North York or downtown area? Thanks!

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to go for Iranian food?

Thanks... I did some googling to find "Rose" and it seems there is a Persian place called Rose New York. 6313 Yonge St. A phone call confirmed that Rose NY has lamb brains and also beef brain burgers. But from what I can see it looks more like a fast food place then a dine in resto. Still, worth a try!

There was also a Red Rose Patisserie Cafe nearby which also served Persian food, but I was told that they only do pastries so I don't think that is it.

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to go for Iranian food?

I am an adventurous foodie. My bf remembers eating delicious Iranian stewed brain (he said sheep/goat's brain) but he doesn't remember what the restaurant was called or where it is located. We're looking for a place that serves this in the GTA.

Thanks in advance :)

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Sauerkraut & Mushroom Perogies?

Where can I purchase Sauerkraut & mushroom perogies here in Toronto? Someone purchased a bag for me at a Polish store really far away and I'm looking for a place to purchase this, perferably in the North York (Sheppard & Yonge) area. The brand they brought me is Wisla, but any good brand will do.

Thanks.

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Tundra?

I've had a good experience there last year. It's always pretty quiet though, and never seems to be on top of anyone's list.

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Horrible Rip Off at Corner House! [moved from Ontario board]

Like I said, it wasn't the cost, it was the practice of sneaking in underhanded charges, without saying at any point. Wine costs are marked clearly on a menu for you. I see tea on their beverages menu, but the hot water is not listed. Does that make sense? If they want to charge for it, then shouldn't it be a menu option?

No we did not have any cold water, only hot, it was much too cold to have any cold water.

I've never brought my own tea bag out of my purse. I'm not sure how often this happens but I am guessing it's not the majority of patrons. Other people have tried to walk out without paying, does that mean everyone should pay before they get their food?

soho in Not About Food

Horrible Rip Off at Corner House! [moved from Ontario board]

Wow, I am returning to a very lively thread. I think it raises the point of if the restaurant has the right to slip you charges without telling you, which makes it a lively discussion, beyond the scope of just what happened last night to me at dinner.

I just asked for some hot water, not hot water with lemon. But like someone else pointed out, you get ice colds and lemon with cold water too.

Often when you ask to change a dish, a waiter would tell you whether substitutions are ok, and they would at that point say, there is a charge for it. That is fine in my books. It's about telling your customer beforehand, and not about trying to gain the few dollars here and there.

I do want to write about what happened though, even if I had tip them less, because I think it's fair to let people know about the policies at this restaurant. This is part of the reason for this board, to talk about our good and bad dining experiences. In all fairness I did say the food was good. If you think it's acceptable, then feel free to go. In the end the decision is all yours.

--------
Vorpol you do have a good point. I told my guest we shouldn't tip as normal, but my guest did not seem to want to. I didn't want to make a scene at our dinner and ruin that experience for the guest. I have written to management about this incidence to let them know. I don't think a waiter would have the audacity to charge the 2 H2O if they did not think they could get away with it, especially after I had asked them to fix the bill once (asking if hot tea was a mistake, they then changed it to hot water, so either way they seemed determined to charge for those 2 slices of lemon).

soho in Not About Food

Toronto's Best Italian?!?

My vote goes to Mistura, but I haven't been to all of the places mentioned above by others. Their wild boar ravioli is excellent.

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Horrible Rip Off at Corner House! [moved from Ontario board]

I've been to Corner House a few times before, including Winterlicious, and had great experiences. It's my 4th time going back. However this time, it would probably be the last. Food was still good, but here's what happened. This was the first occasion where we did not order any wine. Plus the upstairs room was kind of cold, and my bf was just getting over a cold, so we both asked for hot water. We shared an appetizer, each had 1 main (steak and rack of lamb), and ordered 1 dessert to share. We were both stuffed and couldn't have ate more.

When the bill came, they charged us 2 hot teas, $5, and $3 for the spliting of the appetizer. Now that is spare changed in comparison to the $32 mains we both had. I am not bothered because the bill came to $7 extra, but the principle of it. It really bothered me that they did not say anything or try to charge for hot water which is normally free at most restaurants. Just charge me more for my mains or raise the menu prices, if you feel you need to make more money. When I asked about the hot tea, saying we just had hot water and perhaps the waiter made a mistake, they came back with a "fixed" bill that literally said 2 HOT H2O service, $4 (so hot water with lemon apparently costs $2 each). I cannot believe that. It wasn't the amount, as we were not there on a budget. It was the audacity to charge for what would be normal service that is expected at any restaurant, and without a word beforehand. Should that not be what the tip is for? Simple water service that should come with any meal at ANY restaurant?

We tipped them well as normal, and bid the place audieu. I am not sure if management changed or whatever the reason was for this, but I don't like the way they work, and I will not be going back. Perhaps next time they will charge me for a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or the grinding of fresh pepper?

soho in Not About Food

Cozy/romantic Sunday restaurant?

I'm looking for a cozy medium-priced place a la the temporarily closed Mildred Pierce and Corner House - but is open on Sunday night for dinner. Any recommendations? Amaya is out for me, since my guest does not like Indian food.

Thanks!

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where can I find "aji"/mexican spices?

A Peru chicken recipe calls for aji, does anyone know of a store in the GTA? I'm in the North York area but I'd travel downtown/Scarb/Missisauga for it if I have to. Thanks for your help!

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where can I find "aji"/mexican spices?

A Peru chicken recipe calls for aji, does anyone know of a store in the GTA? I'm in the North York area but I'd travel downtown/Scarb/Missisauga for it if I have to. Thanks for your help!

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Take-home foodie souvenirs from Chicago?

Looking for something unique from the Chicago area... famous something, must survive a few hours travelling home (on a flight, so no wine, sauce or jam/liquids). Thanks in advance!

soho in Chicago Area

Best masala chai tea bags in Toronto?

Thanks wasabi girl. I'll try to look for "Stash".

Kashimi chai is made with green tea. For chai, I like the masala black tea :)

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Best masala chai tea bags in Toronto?

I like Leiterri's (lots of spices and strong hint of cardamon), but the store at Bayview Village did not have them in tin cans so I had to buy the teabags as if they were drinks (1 teabag, 1 drink).

Anyone have any other recommendations?

Any other leiterri has the masala chia tea bag tins?

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

storing/freezing panna cotta?

I want to premake them to last more than 2 days in advance (just 5 days). I've seen frozen panna cottas on sale at a grocery store (from Presidents Choice brand), they taste pretty good too, can I do the same? Or will it taste different because I'm not freezing it professionally?

Thanks!

soho in Home Cooking

Gourmet lunch delivery downtown?

Wanted to send someone a gourmet lunch as a surprise. What places do you recommend? It could be a caterer, but it would have to be a place that is willing to deliver one person servings.

Alternatively, can I use courier to deliver a homemade lunch?

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

wagyu beef

Wow... re: Pusateri. How much for a decent size steak? Curious...

I know Mistura and Habour 60 restaurant has Kobe beef steak, North 44 has Wayu. If you're looking to prepare it yourself I have no idea. Now I'm interested too! Great...

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

New Review - Mistura

I enjoyed Mistura for the mains & appetizers. But Modo had far better desserts.

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Flow and Truffles

hahaha, I know, I noticed after I posted to it. :P
I just did a search for Truffles...

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Flow and Truffles

Would like to help but I'll be going to Truffles the weekend after... please let me know how you find it. I'd really appreciate the feedback so I know what to expect. :) I've been to Truffles once before but not the current Winterlicious menu.

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)

Sunday lunch

Good place for an unusual Sunday lunch, or just a good place for seafood lunch? I know Filet de Sole for example have Sunday happy hour.

Thanks in advance!

soho in Ontario (including Toronto)