Wandering Foodie's Profile
Scarborough To-Do List - What have I missed? What SHOULD I miss?
Malaysian Garam Masala. A dive but the best made-to-order roti canai and murtabak (so you have to wait) in GTA and surrounding area. Not the super oily crap you get at food fairs. One warning though, there's only one spice level: spicy. Luckily it's my level of spiciness (roughly equivalent to Anjappar Chettinad's level). The owner is the chef so if he's sick, the place is closed.
Scarborough To-Do List - What have I missed? What SHOULD I miss?
I think Fratelli's might be closed. There was a local newspaper which reported a significant fire there a few weeks back.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
Tried it when I had a dining companion the other day. They were offering the "2 for 1" app+main prix fixe that night (regularly $32 so it works out to $16 pp). Good quantity of food and the taste was ok. Lower on salt content (which I prefer) compared to majority of other Italian places. But I probably won't return for regular priced menu items.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
Crown and Dragon's half price wings is no more. Now they just give $2 off their wings. Large size wings and the habanero one is much spicier than the Dragon's Breath.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
I was looking of Pho Hung but unless I missed it, I think the Bloor location is now closed. Replaced by... wait for it... a condo construction site.
Joanne Kates retires
Isn't it ironic the interview was on blogto? I find most of their food writing horrendous and ill informed. Even though my tastes different quite significantly from Chatto and Kates, I find they at least do some research.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
This is definitely interesting but unfortunately close before I finish... I'm done around 8. Nuts. But definitely a lunch if I'm in the area early.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
Thanks! I just tried Wow Sushi. It reminds me of Japango before Japango started being inconsistent. Also slightly over budget but maybe once in a while because I do like it.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
Wow, that's a good list. Thanks, I'll check them out!
Some others I've tried recently:
Ginza: A la carte AYCE sushi. Yuck.
Okonomi House: Pretty pedestrian okonomiyaki (not the cooked at your table type). Not enough variety of ingredients in the mix but I think they were shooting for a low price point.
Any good Sake at the LCBO?
Yeah, unfortunately it's all the ones from the George tasting (except the common ones we already have). :(
Any good Sake at the LCBO?
Good tip. I've got to make my way there. My fridge is empty and we've to wait till fall for the orders to arrive. :(
DonDon also has a sake tasting set (3 for $15) with some Hakkaisan, Otokoyama, and Nanbu Bijin but I've seen those in other restaurants for a while now. Also according to some reviews DonDon still have some kinks to work out.
Any good Sake at the LCBO?
Ask and you shall receive! Make sure you get your orders into Vintages. Some ones I've not tried as well.
$10-$15 dinner around Yonge and Bloor
I've been working around this area lately and have been really hard pressed to find some decent/simple meals in this area in the $10-$15 price range (not the fast food chains). Things start getting expensive walking towards Yorkville. I'll list some places I've tried below but I'm really trying here. I'm still unfamiliar with the area so any recommendations would help tremendously. Thanks!
Hue's Kitchen: Hodge podge of tasteless stuff.
Bonga Buldak: their chicken special tastes more sweet than spicy. And the chicken also tastes off... maybe that's why they overcooked it.
Zyng: Ouch! Super overpriced noodles!
Oja: Substandard Korean food but tolerable.
Spring rolls: Personally I'm not a fan of this chain's food.
Ginger: Not too bad, but give me a normal Pho place any day. And other issues make me want to avoid eating here too much.
Na Siam: tried one of their "signature dishes" and it was a watery mess. And let's not get started on the capsicums thing.
Crepes a Go Go: Okay, this I like but they're usually closed by the time I'm off.
Lee Chen asian diner: Bland tasting version of Asian Legend.
Star Anise: They just need to make something tasty and stop trying to make it fancy and "pan asian" (an excuse to bump up the price I'm sure).
New Pho Vietnam location now open
Scarborough foodies rejoice, you don't need to trek all the way to the Kennedy furniture strip anymore. It's in the new-ish mall northwest of Midland and Finch. According to the waiters it opened yesterday. Still the same awesome food which is much better than your average Vietnamese restaurant. My broth was missing the usual long herb they usually serve at the Kennedy location but that herb is not available all the time.
Any good Sake at the LCBO?
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised seeing the new releases every time I go there. If I've any complaints it's that we don't get the higher end (in quality) ones here... Hey, if they can bring in the big wines from France, why not sake? And the price is high if you compare. But I'm not complaining because it's a good start! MUCH better than the crap we got only a few years ago... but if anyone gives me another Hakutsuru 3 pack, I'm gonna...
Shopping Mall Food Court Favourites
You might as well include Manchu Wok and it's cousins (junk Chinese passed off as Chinese).
You have $10 for a meal, where do you go in Toronto?
East Toronto... specificially Scarborough. Lots of yummy ethnic food with unpretentious prices. And almost all my fav places have meals for less than $10. And you won't get a dinky small plate.
Chinese vegetarian downtown (take-out preferred)
Are there any places downtown that have take-out Chinese vegetarian fare (like the mock meats, etc...)? I bought a pre-packaged container from T&T Cherry St and it was way too sweet.
Found this thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/798191 but not all are downtown. I also don't the need strict Buddhist vegetarian version. Thanks.
-----
Cherry St. Restaurant
275 Cherry St, Toronto, ON M5A 3L3, CA
New on Queen East??? - Ruby Eats, Tavern, Olive & Olive
Took a look at the prices of familiar products a couple of months back and I walked back out. BTW, Costco also sells Olive & Olives products.
unico premium san marzano tomatoes - where to find in TO?
I don't recall the price but Costco's one is much more than $1/can. But it IS worth it. When I first tried it, I thought they added sugar but it's not on the ingredient list unless they're sneaking it in the tomato puree (2nd ingredient). It's by La Regina Di San Marzano di Antonio Romano s.r.l. It has replaced my "go to can" which was the Thomas Utopia.
Korea town downtown going downhill?
Agreed. But now I've be near Korea town at least once a month and I've got to find some place to eat there.
Thanks for the recommendations! I tried Sunrise House yesterday and it was nice. Much better side dishes than the other restaurants. I'll try Il Bun Ji next time I've to be in the area.
-----
Il Bun Ji Restaurant
668 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G1L2, CA
Any good Sake at the LCBO?
I think some of the fresh sakes under the Izumi brand would match your criteria.
Any good Sake at the LCBO?
I like the Okunomatsu. If you see the Wakatake Onikoroshi, you should also grab it as it's one of my favourites (and sells out quick). However, you have to match your foods wisely with that one.
For more white-wine like sake, go for fresh sakes which you can get from Ontario Spring Water Sake Company. Look for them in the LCBO under Izumi. I think they only have one product at the LCBO but you can buy more at the brewery. Definitely go for their tasting if you visit the brewery because tasting fresh sake can be an eye-opener.
Korea town downtown going downhill?
I haven't been down there in years but recently ate at Thumbs Up and Joons. I noticed both places are now more bland and less spicy. Perhaps to cater for the increased amount of non-Koreans I see in the neighbourhood (that itself was another surprise to me)? I noticed Joons now has a "suicide sauce" option and maybe that would match the levels I remember? Even the side dishes were very toned down.
Anyway, are there any places down there that are still good?
Ethiopian - Queen and Parliament
Stopped by today and tried the coconut latte. It was very good. I think it's the first flavoured coffee I tried that I like (I usually have espresso or macchiato, or maybe a cappuccino if I need more volume). They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast sounds interesting. I'll have to try some of their food the next time I'm there.
It's called Keeffaa Coffee and they said it opened 2.5 weeks ago.
HK style cafe with kick*** milk tea?
Apparently Marathon Donuts & Coffee Shop near Finch & Midland won a few awards for their milk tea. I've very limited experience with the HK style milk tea and found their version just "ok". I prefer my own version :) Here's the article from The Star: http://www.thestar.com/living/food/article/1015612--bain-the-new-king-of-kam-cha
Murtabak
Malaysian Garam Masala, NE of McCowan & Finch. Not open for lunch. Nice and spicy (not for whimps).
Authentic Malaysian Sambal Belacan!!!!!!!!
Nice! Might be worth the trip just to see what other stuff they have.
Authentic Malaysian Sambal Belacan!!!!!!!!
If you remember, please post your source :)
Authentic Malaysian Sambal Belacan!!!!!!!!
I've never seen fresh pandan leaves, only frozen ones. I make my own sambal belacan so I can't help you there. You can substitute the Japanese / Korean ikan bilis (just remove head, internals, and dry / crisp).
All 3 are ingredients used by Gourmet Garden so you might be able to convince them to sell you some?
-----
Gourmet Garden Restaurant
4465 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON M1S, CA
