Could anyone suggest an Italian resto (downtown, College St. , King, Queen Sts.) that is open for lunch on a Saturday that has great pasta, good meat dishes and great desserts?

Went to Urbano yesterday (942 Queen West)- Italian-Style Tapas Parlour. We enjoyed our visit thoroughly. We went for a snack- figured we would try a few things. They decor is very nice and relaxing....we sat at the nice patio in back, which would look great at night when it is lit. Nice cozy atmosphere good for nice long conversations. Service was good and friendly.

We were served bread with a nice bean spread upon arrival. Menu is not too long...but definitely enough dishes to choose from. Plates are smaller, but because you want to try more than one thing, that was most welcome. We tried the carbonara- excellent. We had had a really bad carbonara at Volo a few weeks back and this was the complete opposite. Sympatico. They don't use cream like most......and that was the correct choice. Not try, and pasta was tender. YUM!!!!!! We tried the sausage an polenta.....never had good polenta....this had a creamy taste that was just scrumputuous. It was well matched with the sausage and rapini. We also tried the patates, orange sorbetto and tiramisu. All very good. I will definitely be going back to try other dishes...if not fro another plate of heavenly carbonara!!!

Hello,

Where are the best places in Toronto for Tandoori? I am allergic to fenugreek which they use in many dishes....but Tandoori doens't have fenugreek. Recommendations? Thanks!

Thanks! My daughter is 24. I am in that area fairly often as I live downtown, I wonder why I have missed this gem!

Hi, I am taking my daughter out to dinner for her b-day tonight. we like to try new food. Anything good in the bloor/charles area? mains under $20-25? Hidden gem? Type of food unimportant, we like pretty much eerything. I have to say I love this sight, everyone so helpful.

Is there anything else other than Peter's Cajun?

Any recommendations for vegetarian restaurants downtown toronto?

Hi, I am having company in from outta town on Friday.......looking for comfort food, good atmosphere. Kinda a la baton rouge, milestones, pickle barrel but not baton rouge or milestones or pickle barrel. That price point area. Any suggestions? (I don't necessarily want a chain)

Golden Thai. Golden Thai. Golden Thai.

(church near Adelaide or Richmond)

Welcome back! The Golden Thai on Church (corner Richmond) and The Pomegranate Persian resto on College, near Bathurst. Both very reasonable priced. Great atmosphere included!!!

I was at a restaurant in Montreal many many many moons ago. The name was Bukhara- a Tandoori restaurant.

The decor was plush, large exposed stones, earthy, comforting. The aroma in the place was amazing. Smelled of warm naan from the tandoor oven and tangy spices from the meat marinades......no utensils, you eat with your fingers here. Service a bit slow, but gracious.

They meat was astonishingly tender, with just the right amount of spice, then naan melted in your moth like cotton candy........and ohhhhhhhhhhh those potatoes stuffed with cashews...................made me dizzy wih delight. I can giggle with excitement a such a spread!

Any good Tandoori Resto in Toronto? I can't frequent most Indian restos because I have a high sensitivity to fenugreek and curry does not agree with me........but oh...........Tandoori.........

I know I will find the tortillas, it was just an aside......the mole is another matter. I am heading to the Kensington Market tomorrow. I will post my findings!

The heading says it all! I am looking for good soft corn tortillas.....I know they are here somewhere.....often you can find decent ones at health food stores frozen....they are much better than the flour ones that are out there.

There is a hidden little Italian resto called Fusilli on Queen East just west of River.....10 minute walk from the Distillery. Reasonably priced, family owned small place. They have good bruschetta, and there pasta dishes are quite nice. I have been there twice, and was always pleased. Friendly place.

I will have to check it out, I live between Leslieville and the Distillery District. I love that bakery.....their breads are quite yummy- in a city that is so hard to find good bread (there are spots here and there but dont' think in a city this size you should have to hunt for it-go figure). And yes, I never leave without a few of their Eccles Cakes...outstanding!!!!!

Thanks for all the feedback..........I will try El Trompo. I have lived in the States where Mexican food is primo. I would just think there is a market for good Mexican food here....Look at all the interested CH's.....considering Mexico is a popular tourist destination. I have been putting off learning to cook Mexican due to the time & involvement it takes. But with the last issue of Gourmet having such wonderful recipes, I think I will dive in. Thanks Chows!

I have figured out WHY we don’t have good Mexican restos here. The Mexican food here is so horrible, people go, eat and think if this is what it is, I don’t want it. They have given up. Case in point. We went to Margaritas on Carlton near Parliament. Walked in. Plenty of people. Place looks homegrown. Fair enough. Perhaps in for a nice surprise?? This was the worst Mexican food I have ever tasted- no just resto food in general. I was INSULTED. The nachos were cold, and soggy. How can you have soggy nachos? Well, if you water down sour cream, two-thirds water one-third sour cream, add watered down salsa, you end up with a pool of liquid at the bottom of the plate. And I mean water- food never tasted so bland. And cheese……scanty. My blood pressure started to rise. How could anyone serve something like this? Next. I had the mole, my guest the chimichanga. We were so hungry, not finishing the nachos, waiting forever for food….we ate, barely a pass. The degree in which they try to “extend” their food is beyond compare. Peppers are inexpensive, so are beans, and water. I kid you not. We decided to have the Mexican fried ice cream for dessert, as we were with a child. How does one water down ice cream? And no, it was not ice milk; chunks of ice cream (perhaps diluted and re frozen?) sprinkled with soggy corn flakes and watered down strawberry sauce (scanty). This wasn’t bad Mexican fried ice cream, no; it wasn’t Mexican fried ice cream at all. It was a sorry excuse of a sundae. That was it. It was inedible. I called over the waitress, who was pleasant and unfortunately very overworked. I told her this was not Mexican fried ice cream AND that is was inedible. She tried to explain, but none was needed I said. I couldn’t hold back and told her the nachos were unacceptable as well. I apologized and let her know it was not about her, but about how the food is unacceptable. She was kind and gave a discount off our bill. I appreciate places like Chowhound where one can vent; share good tips, and WARN people.

Hey Chows,
Good places in Cabbagetown? Has anyone been to Margaritas Mexican?

Where is the best saganaki in Toronto?

Maybe give it another shot? I went there on a recommendation from a friend that said it was amazing.

Went to the Golden Thai last night. 105 Church St. at Richmond. With a plethora of Thai in Toronto, and everything ok but not overwhelmingly good, I wasn't expecting much. WOW. Was I wrong. Excellent. And inexpensive to boot! The ambience is very nice, comfortable. Chandeliers of varying styles are a nice touch. Servers very helpful The place was jammed and we were lucky to get in without reservations. The food was amazing. I don't like heat and all the dishes had kick without major heat (there are hot dishes for those of you who like heat) Try the Tom Yum soup (chicken). Tamarind broth was exquisite. Spring rolls with black mushrooms, very yummy. Basil chicken was excellent and everything VERY fresh. Phad thai......wonderful. Definitely returning on a regular basis.

It is very difficult to get good bread here in Toronto. I hear Thuet's is amazing. Also there is a decent bakery in Leslieville, not too far form logan, south side with decent bread. I also recommend Premiere Moissan......which is from Montreal. If you can't get to Thuet...it is sold at Dominion. Thank God, a city this size you shouldn't have to search for good bread.

I second the establishment on Merivale (forget the name). Quite a selection of goods. Also next door was a Peruvian restaurant with pretty good chow and great pupusas.

They may have it there but be forewarned the food & drinks there are HORRIBLE. And I wish I could use a bigger font when saying that.

Looking for recommendations for reasonably priced (9-15$ for main) restos in the Riverside/Leslieville/King East area, I am having a frind in from Montreal this weekend.

What are your thoughts on the Pomegranate resto on College near Bathurst?

What about Calendar on College, I have just been there for a drink. How are the eats? It is near Ossington correct?

These are good ideas. Intimate, candles, is always nice, and you must be able to hear each other speak. I forgot about Seven West, good idea. I will check out Julie's Cuban for me! This is such a great site.

My daughter is looking for somewhere to take her BF......entrees10-15$ ROmantic....is it possible?

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