urbnmns's Profile
canned sour cherries
I think it the brand is S&F (I just checked my pantry); I think you can buy them at just about any of the big supermarkets (I think I bought this jar at Sobeys). 28 oz glass jar, Product of Hungary. Just sour cherries, water and sugar. They really are like the canned cherries your granny would make. And as someone mentioned above, the leftover juice is great in cocktails.
Prairie Style Pizza in Toronto?? Please??
Sorry, like Magic, I've only had the Water St. pizza as well. (And per above, only like it cold!)
Prairie Style Pizza in Toronto?? Please??
Pepi's has a really sweet sauce, and I think sauce is integral to the overall pizza experience. I don't enjoy it fresh for that reason, and I don't know how it stacks up to the prairies. But it does have a nice fluffy crust, and is one of the best "morning after" pizzas going. Easily a pizza to pack up in your trunk for after the journey home.
Help me throw the ultimate latke cocktail party
I attended a Dutch pancake party years ago where they did just that and it was really fun. Encouraged a lot of mingling and "topping preference'" debate - really useful icebreaker for a larger party where some of the guests don't know one another (though this doesn't seem to be the case here).
Liberte Greek Yogurt
Thanks - I will have to re-try. The batch I had actually made my mouth feel dry (odd, I know!)
Liberte Greek Yogurt
Really? I've only tried the PC once (a promo), and was put off by the graininess. Perhaps a bad batch? We eat a lot of Liberte at our house, but not the 0%.
Easy dinner ideas for beginner?
And deserved! I do try to sear when I have the time, but roasting (or haha baking!) seems to produce decent results for me with minimal effort (which drew me to the "easy thread!). Sometimes that two minutes makes the difference between a real dinner and a depressing scrounge (and it's good to be a hero to my starving spouse!). I have to try brining some time; as for brown sugar my husband marinates lamb chops with olive oil and molasses. It tenderizes the meat and is very tasty and not conspicuously sweet tasting after grilling.
Kitchener/Waterloo
True! Encore is really good - the steaks and crab legs are excellent.
Easy dinner ideas for beginner?
Hank, you're awesome! Pork tenderloin is indeed a good basis for a delicious, easy meal. Another SUPER easy pork tenderloin recipe (I make it all the time - not as sophisticated as brining, and I don't bother to sear, so this this literally takes only 2 mins of prep time (hence a great go-to dish when you're super busy!). Per 1/2 kilo tenderloin: mix approx 2 tbsp olive oil, approx 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard, and approx 1 tbsp dried rosemary (of course you can use fresh and add some fresh or dried thyme if you wish). Coat the tenderloin, sprinkle the top with a bit of kosher salt, fold over the litttle end and tuck underneath so diameter of loin is reasonably uniform and bake at 400F for about 35 mins or until cooked thoroughly. This is ridiculously easy and I find the top gets nice and caramellized while the meat stays moist. I make this with roasted apples or a simple applesauce (sliced apples + water + currants + maybe a pat of butter if I am feeling decadent). It's actually also great for sandwiches the next day too. Fantastic for something that needs zlmost zero prep.
Waterloo on Sunday night
If it's not too late, I recommend Bhima's Warung, which I think does the most delicious and interesting food in town (a few years ago, I posted that service was insanely slow, but I've been back and pacing is reasonable, and the food is definitely worth the slightly longer wait). The food is Asian fusion; they also make some really nice non-alcoholic drinks, if you're driving. I haven't been to Sole in awhile, and while the food is decent, I don't think you'd find it an exceptional experience as a foodie. Also (in my admittedly limited Sunday dining experience) I don't think it would be as lively as some of your other posted choices, if atmosphere is an issue for you.
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Bhima's Warung
262 King St N, Waterloo, ON N2J2Y9, CA
Guelph evening out
Awesome - thanks very much!!! (Especially for the "over-and-above" investigation!)
Guelph evening out
Thanks all for the recs - I'm now torn between La Cucina and The Fat Duck (sparing them the probably short drive to Envers in Morriston!)! Fat Duck actually looks perfect, except their site indicates "no reservations" - Does anyone know whether it would be a problem getting a table at 7:30ish on a Friday or Saturday night?
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Fat Duck
210 Kortright Rd W, Guelph, ON N1G4X4, CA
Envers Restaurant
42 Queen St, Morriston, ON N0B2C0, CA
La Cucina
130 Thomas St, Oakville, ON L6J3B1, CA
Guelph evening out
I would like to gift an "evening out" to a couple in Guelph (new parents; an evening without the kids!), but really am not familiar with the local food scene, and the postings on this board seem a bit outdated (generally 1-3 years old). Seafood's not an option (shellfish allergy), and they don't appreciate "fussy food." I am leaning to solid bistro as they tend to be fairly casual, but I would like this to be a bit of a treat. We've all been to Babelfish, which we found quite delicious (wonderful beef & stilton main on our visit last November), and I've recently been to Artisinale, which I found underwhelming. Earlier recommendations from this board that I am considering are:
Bin 23
Bistro Six
La Cucina
The Other Brother's
Could anyone comment on current experiences at any of these places, or recommend other comparable options?
Thanks!
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Other Brother's Restaurant
37 Yarmouth St, Guelph, ON N1H4G2, CA
La Cucina
25 MacDonell St, Guelph, ON N1H2Z4, CA
Bin 23 Restaurant
6 Carden St, Guelph, ON N1H3A2, CA
Bistro Six
35 Harvard Rd, Guelph, ON N1G3A2, CA
Looking For A Butcher In Kitchener-Cambridge-Guelph Area
Second Bradys (in a strip mall at the corner of Phillip and Albert Streets). Great meat, and in my experience, super accommodating, when possible. If you're looking for something specific, I recommend calling ahead.
Elora
I've heard good things about the Desert Rose Cafe on Metcalfe St., but haven't been there myself. They seem to offer homey food and offer a lot of vegan & dairy free options - seems very "Moosewood." I'm not sure of their hours (they appear to be generally a lunch place and close in the winter - not sure whether that includes November), but you can always call - website's http://www.thedesertrosecafe.com/ .
Nota Bene tonight -- any recent/new recommendations?
Yum! I definitely second the crispy duck salad (and unlike phoenikia, found the lobster salad very pedestrian (but agree a citrussy dressing would be more suitable!) - sadly so, since the individual components were generally very nice, just too bland as a whole dish). The onion rings do tend to feel greasy once they've been sitting, but fresh on the table they're terrific - delicate and flavourful. I say go for it. When I was there in June, they had a rabbit soffritto, which looked a lot like the "PAPARDELLE PASTA, GRILLED RABBIT LOIN" listed on the current menu, but I'm not sure whether they changed the name because "soffritto's" unfamiliar to many (including me!), or whether it's a totally new dish. If it's what they were serving in June, it was (to my taste) phenomenal - on the "comforting" side (so maybe not the first thing you'd think of in August) but unqualifiedly one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. Have fun!
Opinion on Trevor Kitchen & Bar?
I walked by about a week ago and it looked like the place next door has closed (I double- checked to see that Trevor's menu was still up); mind you, I could be mistaken.
Sweetened Condensed Milk! If that didn't scare you...
Thanks a bunch - will try it in a jar. I'll have to check the Asian and Mexican markets too (I've seen it in squeeze tubes overseas but never thought to look for it at home!)
Sweetened Condensed Milk! If that didn't scare you...
Celeste, I love it in coffee too. Once opened (and decanted), how long does your condensed milk keep?) Thanks!
Toronto CH looking for a good lunch near the Met
Toronto CH here too, and wish I posted this a few days back! I was also at Sabarsky yesterday for lunch and loved it - I have to say I had the best goulash ever ($13 for lunch) (my mom's Hungarian, and I've sampled it in Vienna, Salzburg, Budapest, etc.) They do a great riff on cooked red cabbage (salad section, served with crisp apples, preserved pear, watercress and walnut) and my friend's weisswurst was great too, as was the sachertorte (notice the theme's "sampling the classics"!). The best thing about it all though was the ambiance: chatty scene, and a pretty authentic recreation of the Viennese coffee house. Great location too for a stroll. And the gallery, by the way's worth a visit - the Kubin exhibit I found fascinating.
All-Clad in Toronto
I have a bunch of All-Clad (started, I think, with the smaller set & have added pieces to suit over time). Cook with other brands too, depending on what I'm doing (prefer Le Creuset for stove-oven transfer). Agree with Apple that AC performs very well - great heat distribution, easy to maintain. I'd definitely buy it again if I had to. I recall The Cooks Place on the Danforth having periodic deals on the sets, but I haven't taken note in awhile. That said, my hub's Lagostina set (their "better quality" line - quality on the Lagostina label varies tremendously) from Kitchen Stuff Plus on Yonge (bought back in the day, but trying to stay local!) does a good job too (for under half the price), and I don't notice any difference unless I'm doing very fussy stuff (or disappearing from the kitchen a bit longer than planned).
So, you're looking for that special carton of ice cream....
Mine too (esp. the chocolate) but I like GF's ices.
macaron delivery!
That is really disappointing! I've had lovely ones there - but never from the fridge - and very fresh. I feel bad that you had such a bad experience. I worked in Paris for a few months in the early '00s and a colleague of mine was obsessed with macs so we taste-tested a new bakery every Friday and I'd say that despite a very limited range of flavours (only about 4 - no inventive tastes like lavender), Sabletine's macarons matched the best of them. That's really a shame they're not a reliable mac maker. As for things to try if you dare to go back - her little cakes are terrif, the quiches also, she does a great pear tart and I LOVE her choc chip cookies. I agree the croissants are very very bready and I don't like them either (I am a Celestin (Toronto) croissant/pain au chocolat fan; flaky and buttery's the only way to go.) Sorry Sabletine was creepy for you!
macaron delivery!
It's on King at John, I believe (not super-close to the U., but close enough...) I'd call ahead if you want macarons; I spoke with the owner and she generally makes them for orders these days, rather than as a display item.
Looking for an AWESOME pastry shop
Thanks Moimoi and co.; I will have to check out more of the "tarty stuff"!
Stratford restaurant picks
I'm with 'fresh' above (though can't personally speak for Bijou); Not the Church. Food does not match the hype or cost. Atmo's depressing to boot (think 80s chapel reno.)
Konditor gone?
Tragic. I missed out on Cake Master AND on Ebingers. Not to mention all those "don't tell *anyone*" recipes handed down from granny, now sadly extinct...
