BuggySer's Profile
Casa Loma/Spadina House lunch
I just GoogleEarthed it for you...there's a restaurant at Davenport and Spadina (down the stairs I was telling you about) called the Corner House Restaurant, the ones on Dupont as I was saying before are called: Castle Dragon, Duponti Restaurant, Live Organic Foods Bar, People's Bar and Eatery, Hey Good Cooking and Martino Pizza. These all look like private Mom and Pop places....Otherwise...there's a HUGE choice at St. Clair and Bathurst - West of Spadina - too many to name and just west of that even more! If you go East on St. Clair then you don't get many until Yonge. Download Google Earth and search for it you'll see....you won't have a problem finding anywhere I don't think.
Casa Loma/Spadina House lunch
I know the two places are right next to each other...if you have a car, there are many little places along St. Clair that you can go to both East and West of Casaloma...otherwise, walk down the staircase at the back, past the Toronto Archives and train tracks to Dupont and there are quite a few little places on Dupont. I was in the area today there's an organic food store, one or two little cafes and a few other places on Dupont. That may be your best bet depending on how far you want to go...otherwise West on Casaloma has a huge Caribbean and then European area where you can get pretty much anything and East nearer to Avenue and Yonge there are a few little cafes and publike places. On Yonge there's a nice little Italian place just south of St. Claire that I've been to as well...but again that may be a bit far for what you want.
Non-Coffee Drinkers Left Out in Workplace
I usually have this problem because I'm a tea drinker, but I usually walk with my own supplies and sometimes my own kettle (because I don't like coffee flavoured water for my tea) in that case. I guess the world has a strong coffee culture now that it's just assumed that everyone will drink it...however it doesn't help with dehydration or thirst at all so there should be healthy options in all work places....I wouldn't get soda because I don't drink soda, but soda is one of the cheapest drinks you can get on the market today, so if they were going to supply a coffee and water alternative, then I don't think it would be a really big jump for them. You know your employer however and will know best how they will react.
Cooking (very recently) live poultry?
When we were younger we used to get chickens fresh....as far as I know we didn't have a problem, but I know people in Trinidad use lemon to wash it and a bit to season it they say to take away "freshness" but maybe it's for the toughness too? Maybe boil the stew a bit longer?
Making wonton's - advice needed for a beginner!
We used to use egg to seal it if we needed to, but usually only a little water was necessary. I know quite a few people that put egg in the actual filling htough, so I don't know if it's westernized but it doesn't taste bad at all....
Making wonton's - advice needed for a beginner!
Hi, my Mom and my sisters used to do this all the time when I was small...we used to make huge batches and freeze them on trays and then keep them frozen in plastic containters...great for a quick snack, so definitely go for it!
You do not cook the filling. You may want to add garlic to your filling and maybe a little salt and pepper...if you want it spicy make it spicy....
We used to cook them a few ways. If you deep fry them, until they are golden brown in colour and the inside is usually cooked (and as some other people said, you can always test first in any of these methods). You can also steam them in a steamer, about 10 minutes should be fine....we used to boil them (covered)in a chicken stock and garlic sauce until the sauce was a bit thick...those come out really well...and is very popular in Trinidad where I"m from....you can also add hot peppers to the sauce to make a spicy dish....it's also been used this way as an appetizer, good for unexpected company ;)
Hope it was some help.
Yonge/Eglington Dinner Recommendation?
I agree with merlot...La Vecchia was quite nice. MAKE SURE TO DO RESERVATIONS though, because we had to wait a LOOOOONNNGGG time, but the food was really nice and it was really romantic. If you don't mind the wait it's great.
Toronto's Best Mexican?
I love Fiesta Azteca! We had switched for a while because I was downtown a lot and there's a little place north of Bloor on Yonge that's not bad, but Fiesta Azteca beats it with the different stuff on the menu....the one on Yonge has typical burritos and tacos etc...while Fiesta Azteca had different things I've never seen before....I"m not an expert, but I found it was spicy enough for me and the sangria there is AWESOME (I've left there tipsy more than once *blush*). Try it if you get a chance...it's just difficult to find parking there.....we usually park on the streets behind the building.
Anyone been to the new Filipino Resto at York Mills & Don Mills?
I went a few days ago to Casa Milana (that's the name I think...) for lunch. They were VERY friendly and willing to explain what each thing was. I had their beef stew, yam leaves and rice...was tasty but not amazing. They also gave me a sample of their beef lung...definitely not something for me, but if you like liver etc. then you will like it...wasn't too strong so if I had to eat it I could....Definitely a casual place....line up, get your food, pay and then find a seat with your tray. As my mother always said "Try it you may like it"....it's not amazing, but good for a hearty lunch with a smile.
Looking for a Cake Cafe
I forgot to tell you also, there's a cheesecake place in Yorkville that my mother goes to for tea and cakes...I think it's called Cheesecake factory and it's on Cumberland...I'll have to double check for the right name though...it's not too hard to find...it's a short strip...it's a little bakery, you go down the stairs to it...?
Vinnie's or Frankie's?
I tend to prefer Vinnies, just because it's usually not as noisy (at least when I went there) and recently I've found the food at Frankie's lacking ... however, for a bunch of eleven year olds, I believe Frankie's is more fun for them....So in this case I'd probalby opt for Frankies....good luck! 30 eleven year olds are a handful!
Peameal bacon, Canadian specialties, where?
I think Finnegan was right, if there's somewhere that'll have lots of food choices for you to try it would be St. Lawrence Market....
Where do I get Tomatillos?
I love love love salsa verde and would like to try making it at home, but I haven't seen tomatillos in my grocery...has anyone seen them in theirs? Also maybe what do they look like (eg. are they sold in leaves? I think I heard something like that once)? Thanks so much! I'm in the North York area, so that area may be better for me, but if there's a particular store in Kensington or Chinatown downtown I may be able to reach there as well!!!
Getting rid of food odours
That's true, Vinegar is sometimes a lifesaver as a cleaner!
North of Lawrence restaurants
Doesn't really matter I just like family run restaurants because they are a bit friendlier most of the time...
North of Lawrence restaurants
Bombay Bhel at the location I specified seems be be family run..maybe franchise? It was comfortable like a family run place anyways. I usually like BP, but I have had bad experiences there....I guess Milestones is Bistro...
Restaurants around St. Lawrence Market?
The Sultan's Tent is awesome and if it's for dinner and bellydancing show is an experience in itself.
Tim Tams
If they're available at the Real Canadian Superstore in Vancouver, maybe there are in the one in Toronto as well? It's at Eglinton and Don Mills.
Younge and Sheppard - Any recs for group lunch?
ahhh I forgot about Mezza Notte, yes that's the place if they can accommodate you! I don't like the Baton Rouge, I've been there and not been impressed, but I'm not usuallly a Baton Rouge fan...
If you want Indian, that new place, Bombay Bhel was not bad at all and not too spicy.
Milestones of course is awesome as usual. the Boston Pizza at Sheppard Centre is horrid do not even bother to waste your time.
Looking for a Cake Cafe
7 West on Charles is an awesome place for a meetup...it's a moody little lounge with awesome desserts! Saying that maybe I"ll organise a meet up too there -- I haven't been there in a long time ;p
North of Lawrence restaurants
I'm so surprised that you have had those experiences Wordsworth, because many of those restaurants you've mentioned I've found stellar.Asian Legends has AWESOME food, once in a while their service is questionable, but I've never had "the worst service you can imagine" there.
China Grill closed down a while ago and is now a Korean restaurant, not sure of the name. Bombay Bhel, I went to and the food was very good. It's a bit pricey and you can get cheaper indian, but it's family run, just like Taste of Spain used to be in its place. Agra, we found was actually quite good, but fairly empty when we went, the food was not the best Indian I've had, but not bad, Mezza Notte is one of our favourites to go to for Italian in the area, they treat you like gold there and the food is quite good....it can be loud because the tables are quite close, but I would recommend it to anyone. It's actually THAI MANGO, not Mango Thai, and it used to be awesome, but their quality has dropped drastically. Purple Rice was okay, nothing to shout about, but their pineapple fried rice is really good and served in half a pineapple when you eat there which is always fun! Lokshen Alfredo I always wanted to go to, but I think that has closed down as well....
There are quite a few new ones in teh area, there's a new Vietnamese one, Happy Wonton (that doesn't have a big menu but is awesome for a snack or a fast lunch) and I think a Japanese Noodle Place I haven't been to yet.
However, unless you're a Baton Rouge fan, there's not much for Bistro food except maybe Milestones....(I prefer the latter to the former personally), the Boston Pizza that just opened was the worst BP I've ever been to...it was dirty, everyone in there was rude adn the food was cold...I didn't get my drinks until the appetizers were finished..and we had to beg them to pay attention to us!
There's also a small Sushi place just south of Finch called Sapporo Sushi - it's simple and small, but some of the best sushi I've had in the city. North of Finch in the plaza with food basics there's a new place called Congee something that's excellent for cheap chinese food.....the difference is Asian Legend is northern chinese, and this one is more southern style and possibly more what you're used to maybe?
Hope it was helpful!
Food of love....
Oh, if you need specific recipes, I have a few if you can come up with some meats/veggies that he'll eat I'll see if I can find some...?
Food of love....
I know a lot of people say chinese food is fattening, but there are also a lot of healthy alternatives, all the steamed things...try pak cham kai (spellings may be wrong btw) which is steamed chicken with a garlicky, gingery sauce or oyster sauce on the side. Kai lan in garlic and ginger or oyster sauce is also very good (and very healthy -- can also get Chinese Brocolli this way)....also Soy sauce chicken is basically a chicken boiled in a water/soy sauce mixture and is fairly healthy. Congees (high in starch though) are good once in a while, and any soups are a good meal at chinese restaurants...so maybe if you investigate those...but they have to be authentic, not amercanized chinese! So no spring rolls and chicken balls!
Surprise party venue?
If you want Vecchio Frak in Little Italy is a great place! It has good food and exotic drinks...the website for the place is : http://www.vecchiofrak.com/ Check it out, it's a fun place. I'm not sure what type of crowd you are looking for etc. but it's a younger crowd (26 up to maybe about late 30's?) but a really nice place. You can also book the couch area or the lounge areas etc.....check it out.
Younge and Sheppard - Any recs for group lunch?
Tony's isn't that bad, but I had really bad service there once. Their food is quite good usually though. Boston Pizza just moved there, but again I had really bad service there (hmmm this is sounding repetitive). Plantation there is a nice light lunch and coffee house....but not for that many people. There's a place on Willowdale called Paisano's that I hear is quite good too.
Do waiters really want me to order coffee/dessert?
I read that hilarious "waiters' rant" on tea...it was hilarious I ahve to say, i've never thought of it that way! I too like tea after my meal, but all they have to do is ask which one .... I'm not picky it's one of three that I like and I usually tell them immediately anyways....
I have to admit though (and this is for all the ranting waiters and waitresses)...you bringing the tea caddy for me makes me feel extra special and it is very much appreciated.....so thank you in advance :)
Getting rid of food odours
I think when you're cooking make sure your windows are open and there's a good ventilation system, then leave it like that for a bit after you're done...also wash your dishes IMMEDIATELY...I know the feeling Stale curry smell is pretty bad! I think you just have to air the place out as much as possible...candles etc. I've tried it but they tend to hide the smell till later then you ahve a stale curry + weird candley smell which can sometimes be worse!
Also if you're really picky, baking soda and vinegar down the drain after washing your dishes...take your garbage out immediately!
anyone ever done EyeSpy (restaurant evaluations for free meals)?
I've also done mystery shopping and have gotten paid for it! I got free meals at Biftheque Steakhouse as well as other restaurants and compensated for doing certain retail stores. If you ahve the time and don't mind filling out the reports it's a great way of having a little extra money, also you get more jobs as you prove how reliable you are so if you find that it's not giving you enough, have a little patience and you may get chosen to be a frequent shopper....
Need your very best chocolate frosting recipe
Did you ever try any of these recipes? I was wondering which you found was the best?
