Porto's Profile
Rec's in Vegas
Hi BLover33,
I'm just back from 5 nights in Vegas and stayed at Aria as well. A must go to is Sage in the Aria hotel. Spectacular meal. Highlights, Wagyu Beef Tartare, Heirloom Tomatoes, Maine Day Boat Scallops.
An excellent bottle of wine around $69 is Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella I believe 2007. Great value and greater fine dining food in a truly quiet modern and chic restaurant. Don't pass this by. Truly great refined service too. My wife and I each had apps, mains, a bottle of wine and shared a dessert with two cappuccinos for $235 before tip. This caliber food and service are not easily found in Vegas. Trust me on this....Enjoy
Wife craving good Italian - has chosen five possibles....
The Just Desserts being discussed would be that in Woodbridge. It's on Weston Rd just north of Langstaff. Very casual place, usually busy with the local's (italians). Also they often have a birthday or babtism celebration going on in the rear and upper rooms. Family run and has solid italian fare, not fussy at all. Pasta, Pizza, Salads. Portions are of fair size.
Again not fancy by any strech. Great for a family meal, this is italian comfort food done very well.
Tried To Have Lunch At Fabbrica.....Never Again
Walked in on my own to be seated in the main dining at about 12:20 this afternoon.
Waiter came by to take my beverage order, bottle of sparkling water $7.91
No issue with the price, it was as expected.
Room was empty but for a large table of 8 - 10 people.
I waited, waited and waited seriously for 14 minutes, was looking at my watch.
I understand my waiter was busy with the large table describing the food and taking orders.
As he should, but with an empty room and at least 2 - 3 other waiters having nobody to tend too,
one may just possibly think of the guy sitting for almost 15 minutes with placing his lunch order.
I asked one of the non busy waitresses for my water bill as it was ridiculous I've been left to sit unattended in an empty dining room for so long. My waiter when told of my request did appologize and said he spoke to the manager who was willing to comp the water. I insisted to pay for it, although only having drank one glass from it and I was off.
It's most unfortunate the manager could not take a moment to come to my table himself.
Not impressed................
Porto
Where to find Real Fresh Italian Buffalo Mozzerella
Thank you to the entire group, I will try About Cheese and Quality Cheese out and see what I find. Great feedback ...
Porto
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About Cheese
483 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2C6, CA
Where to find Real Fresh Italian Buffalo Mozzerella
Just back from a trip in Italy.
Buffalo Mozzeralla that easily pulls apart with your hands that has an almost
stringy inside as you pull it apart. Fresh and tasty. Does anyone in the Toronto Area
actually import or make such a cheese that can be purchased fresh.
I live in North York are but will travel anywhere into the GTA to find the real thing.
Thanks,
Porto
first time to italy: rome & sicily (& possibly aeolian islands)
Hi there,
I recently returned from visiting both Sicily and Rome.
Here is my take on a couple of things.
Sicily, do visit Taormina, it's too wonderful a landscape to miss.
We stayed at the Hotel Villa Schuler which comes with an amazing breakfast offering.
The view of the sea from one balcony and Mt Etna from the other, wonderful place.
Don't be put off by the tourists, it's now the slower season.
Go to the western town of Erice which lies atop Trapini. Stay in Erice, wonderful medieval walled town. Eat at Restaurante Monte San Giuliano (have the S. Giuliano Busiate, and the pasta a La Norma) Amazing dishes.
Rome
Ice Cream - Gelato, I tried several, go to Giolitti, located behind the Italian Parliment building, near the Pantheon, the ultimate Ice Cream in Rome - Seriously.
I was recommended to go to Osteria La Gensola for Fish although found the dishes to be nothing special and would not reccomend due to their prices.
So many great places to eat in Rome. Good Luck....
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La Gensola
Piazza della Gensola, 15, Rome, Lazio 00153, IT
Monte San Giuliano
Via San Rocco,7, Erice, Sicily 91016, IT
REC'S NEAR VISCONTI PALACE HOTEL, VIA FEDERICO CESI 37 "ROME" in SEPTEMBER
Thank you Elizabeth and Jen for your feedback. I will follow through certainly with the Saturday option with respect to La Gensola, that's a great tip Elizabeth I would have never known. Jen I will do some work through the list you provided as well. This is a great help and start for me.
Porto
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La Gensola
Piazza della Gensola, 15, Rome, Lazio 00153, IT
REC'S NEAR VISCONTI PALACE HOTEL, VIA FEDERICO CESI 37 "ROME" in SEPTEMBER
Hi there,
Coming into Rome with my wife for first time Sept 2,3 and 4th.
Staying at Visconti Palace, looking for any non touristy great food restaurants, dinners and possibly lunch, with any must not miss street food or gelato places.
Places that have raised some interest from reading thid board are:
Not far from my hotel.
Pizzarium - Is this a sit down restaurant or more of a takeout.
Planning this as a possibility when we get into our hotel around 8pm Friday Night.
Saturday going out a little further I like what I have read about La Gensola.
Any Specific Dishes not o be missed.
Flavio al Velavevodetto - Can anyone provide me with some feedback on this for Sunday night.
Should I leave Gensola for Sunday and possibly do Sforno Saturday.
Any suggestions or better options will be grately appriaciated.
Thank you,
Porto
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Pizzarium
Via della Meloria, 43, Rome, Lazio 00136, IT
Sforno
Via Statilio Ottato, 110, Rome, Lazio , IT
La Gensola
Piazza della Gensola, 15, Rome, Lazio 00153, IT
Sicily First Time.... Need Chow's Help
Coming from Canada for 5 days starting August 29. Travelling by car and spending the first few days moving as I track my families roots.
Day one -
Corleone for lunch
Snack in Mazzara Del Valo and short stop in Marsala. Dinner in Erice that evening.
Day Two - morning snack in Erice before trip to Segesta and then off to my aunts home.
Day Three - Drive to Taormina - Need Lunch and Dinner
Day four - Taormina Breakfast and lunch - Drive to Palermo - Need Dinner
Day Five - Breakfast and lunch in Palermo - Fly to Rome at 7pm
I'm asking to find great down to earth true Sicillian cuisine. Both casual or Mid to Higher End Main Meals. Snacks, where do you come across the best Panelle or Aranchini or other street food.
You name it Pasta, Carne, Fish, Wine. Please let me know some thoughts as I really could use your best advice. Must Places not to miss out on.
Thank you so much in advance,
Porto
Need Help, Going To ZEN For Dinner With Group Of 4
Thank you for the great feedbck, I'm certain the Omakase is the way to go and looking to have the cod and mandarin orange pie.
Looking forward to an amazing meal.
Porto
Need Help, Going To ZEN For Dinner With Group Of 4
Thanks SkylineR33 on the sharing option, we will certainly sit at a table.
As for the cooked dishes or appetizers, any specific selections.
Thanks,
Porto
Need Help, Going To ZEN For Dinner With Group Of 4
Hi Chows,
4 of us are going to dinner at Zen this week and first time for all.
First time Sushi for one and one other will primarily focus on cooked foods.
Couple of questions,
Is the Omakase large enough & filling for one or two, my friends like a fair amount of food might it be better to order a sushi preset selection of 14 pcs and add a la carte.
Secondly, what would be Zen's better offerings in the appetizer and cooked dishes selections.
I appreciate all your help with any suggestions.
Thank you,
Porto
Whats good around Langstaff and Hwy 400?
Vicentina Meats Ltd
125 Edilcan Dr
Concord, ON,
This is located east off of Jane St, it's the first street north of langstaff.
There is a local gem here, Italian sandwiches, chicken, steak, porchetta.
It's a great sit down location, gets extremely busy at lunch hour. You will not be dissapointed.
Bonus is they have meats you can purchase to take home, porchetta and some other specialty items. Go here for lunch and enjoy, the steak sandwich is amazing.
Porto
romanian pastrami?
This is probably the best Romanian Deli, Grocer in the GTA.
Pharmacy and Sheppard, There is another smaller place in Mississauga, cant remeber the name. Go to ABC they have everything Romanian.
Follow the link below,
Porto
www.abceurodeli.com/home.html
Best empanadas in Kensington?
I went to Kensington last Thursday and did my first tastings from El Gordo
and Jumbo, right across the stree from each other. If you are going to have them then and there pleasego to Jumbo. El Gordo took my empanada back into the kitchen and put it into a microwave, horrible practice I must say, the dough beacame mush and it was overheated in certain areas, cooler in others.
Do not spoil your lunch as I did by going with this option of El Gordo.
I waited a short while and went into Jumbo, super weet lady behind the counter.
Took my Empanada and placed it into what looks like a hot convection oven, great turnout, perfectly heated through and the slightest crisp to the dough.
Really, I see this as a no brainer, go to Jumbo.
Porto
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El Gordo
214 Augusta Ave, Toronto, ON , CA
ISO Tramezzini Sandwiches in Toronto
Hi Elizabeth,
I've been keeping an eye out since I had these too a couple of years ago.
No luck unfortunatley, they certainly were wonderful in Venice, I went to both locations and the wine pairings as well fantastic. The bread component is simply white or whole wheat sandwich bread. The only place I've seen something is at the St Urbain Bagel shop at bathurst and steeles. Only they are not as fancy and filled with egg or tuna. They have them premade in the fridge, takeaway containers. Good luck.....Porto
HELP! Suggestions of awesome Italian or French restaurants in North York, Ontario, near Florence Street, please?
Welcome to Toronto,
Although 11pm is getting late to have a great meal in the area there are several options.
If you get to THE KEG by 10:30pm they may still let you in to dine and have an average
steak or lobster dinner, not fancy, casual and certainly decent food. You can walk here.
Also there is Owl Of Minerva 5324 Yonge Street, open 24 Hours Korean,
not at all fancy, more a bit of hole in the wall although respectable food.
Pizza Takeout option is Pizza Nova(416)439-0000.
Almost Forgot....http://alegno.ca , this place is at the foot of your street, literally right there, upstairs on this small little corner plaza,small casual but intimate italian type bistro with decent pasta and woodoven pizza. You would need to call and reserve a table. Tell the lady when your coming in, date and time and I'm sure this will do fine for your first evening in Toronto.
Do plan to go to Auberge Du Pommier another night. Fine upscale french.
It's a 5 minute taxi ride south of you.
Good Luck,
Porto
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Auberge Du Pommier
4150 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M2P 2C6, CA
Owl Of Minerva
5324 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2N5P9, CA
One Choice , Raku or Lotus of Siam for Weeknight Dinner
Ok,
It's going to Raku, Now for some expert advice on selection please.
I am really looking forward to this meal and trust you know what are some of the real specialties that I must have when there.
Thank you,
Porto
One Choice , Raku or Lotus of Siam for Weeknight Dinner
Need Help deciding, it's for two only. Coming from Canada and although we have great asian restaurants here I'm looking forward to trying one of these two out. Which is by far your favorite based completely on the execution of the food.
Thank you,
Porto
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Lotus of Siam
953 E Sahara Ave Ste A5, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Coming To Vegas between Christmas and New Year, Need my fellow Hounds Help Please.
I will be dining Monday to Friday.
Buffets, So many mixed thoughts I have read about. Is there one that should not be missed for dinner if I had to choose only one.
Does anyone know if any of the Buffets offer wild game type meats, Venison, Boar.....
I'm planning one evening at Charlie Palmers ( Cut of the week deal ) Friday Night.
I want to go to Lotus of Saim and possibly Ogden for the burger and souffle.
Breakfasts, where is the best in your opinion. I'm staying at Signatures by MGM,
I've read a bit about Mozen and Bouchon, any others...
Breakfast , Lunch, Dinner, any rec's would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Porto
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Bouchon
3355 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Ribs in Mississauga
You can check out Tony Roma near the airport area.
10 Carlson Court
Rexdale, Ontario M9W 6L2
P. 416-674-8488
OINK & MOO Texas Style Bbq
They did have a beef brisket sandwich although I believe it's on the Monday Daily Special only.
On the menu they also have a char broiled steak slab, Texas Burger and a bbq chicken breast sandwich. Not sure where this fit's in to Texas Bbq but they have Fish and Chips and Poutine as well. That's what I can acurratley recall.......Porto
OINK & MOO Texas Style Bbq
Seriously, everyone deserves a shot but please when it comes to the food, put your best foot forward.
Oink & Moo, just opened this past Tuesday on Derry Rd east of Dixie in Mississauga, borders on Brampton. It's location although on a main road is surrounded by an industrial area. It shares a building and parking lot with an automotive shop and gas bar. Interior completey refaced with nice barn board paneling and U.S interstate signage around. Clean and tidy, bit of a roadhouse feel.
I did not notice any achohol, only water and soft drinks. Has what you expect within the menu, Ribs,
Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, Burger ect..... What I found a bit odd was the Panini Sandwich offerings with cold cut's - 3 types. A breakfast menu is also available. Ok, onto the food.
Ordered Pulled Pork Sandwich, comes with fries, beans, coleslaw.
Baby food, that's what I felt I was eating. The Pulled Pig Bits are pulled so tiny it's like eating
mushy peas, soft and creamy feel due to the saucing, holding no firmness without any texture whatsoever, not so nice. The Bun a white generic also too soft bagged grocery store style, not nasty but brought nothing to the mix. It would do fine if the meat had some firmness, but no.
The meat itself, I'm not certain if they have a smoker, I believe the flavour was strictly from the sauce it's mixed into, then they add a bolder sauce to top it when serving. Soft, Mushy, Creamy, Yuk also the menu says its topped with coleslaw and wasn't. Beans, too small and to much sauce, clearly out of a can and not prepared on the premisis. Coleslaw, minced, whats up with these people are they thinking we like to eat our food through straws, and tasteless. Fries, ok, typical, nothing great nothing bad. Cost with taxes and a bottle of water was $8 and change.
I believe that they share a connection with the gas bar as while I was there the mechanics would come over and discuss a leaking fuel issue with one of the crew behind the counter. Also dude behind the counter, when a mechanic with his hands just blackened with filth from working on automobiles hands you a pair of keys through the counter area, first don't accept them, secondly go wash your hands. I dont think these guys are bad people and I hold anything against them personally, they were actually all very freindly, and I liked how the room was set up, but real Texas BBQ, we are not quite there. They need to work on that Pig........Porto
This weekend - Need Blue Mountain Village and Collingwood Updated Rec's please.
Thanks so far Hounds, Snarf I will deffinetley visit the bakery and Robb thank you for the tip on Tesoro as I was planning to go there, now I deffinetly will stay away. Any other decent places in this area.....??? Thanks, Porto
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Tesoro Restaurant
18 School House Lane, Collingwood, ON L9Y4H5, CA
This weekend - Need Blue Mountain Village and Collingwood Updated Rec's please.
Taking my folks up to the Blue Mtn Village this weekend. Looking for simple but solid food rec's.
Good Breakfast - Non Greasy (Toast, Eggs, Good Coffee, French Toast)
Lunch - Salads or any good bakery where you can get a sandwich
Dinner - No Burgers (Pizza, Pasta, Steak, Salads, Roast Chicken, Schnitzel)
Anything that's specialized in and not to miss up that way, please let me know.
Thanks for any help.......Porto
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Blue Mountain Cafe
1587 Bank St, Ottawa, ON K1H7Z3, CA
Looking for restaurant around hotel on Commerce Valley drive east in Thornhill
While it's not a super fancy place it is clean and Bombay Bhel on Commerce Valley Dr serve really fresh great indian food. ( http://www.bombaybhelthornhill.com/index2.html )Other choices in the area for higher end Asian food go to the Ambassador or Omei on highway 7. If you want to drive a short distance up Bathurst St to Major Mackenzie there is a Malasian place, Restorian Malasia, great food super busy. I would call to confirm reservations at any of these places with a group of 12 people coming.....
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Commerce Valley Cafe
175 Commerce Valley Dr W, Thornhill, ON L3T7P6, CA
Visiting Pittsburg and Grove City This Weekend , (Need Rec's) Thank you
Thanks Chows,
Just back this morning and heres my notes on the weekend.
Due to an extending shopping period in Grove city we actually bypassed eating there and headed for dinner into Pittsburg after checking in.
We went up to Mt Washington and had dinner at Isabella on Grandview,
supprisingly good decent straight forward food, farm to table driven restaurant, great view of the city, not seriously high end but happily an enjoyable evening with great service, champagne was provided at no charge when they understood we were celebrating an anniversary and a courtesy drive back to our hotel when we could not get a cab to pick us up.
Visited the striparea and really enjoyed the market stores although I had the famous Enrico's biscotti which we also had a crossiant which was great but the biscotti really bland and uneventful. Further down the strip at Butler Rd we had brunch on Sunday @ the Coca Caffe, really good french toast, all thier dishes looked great. Sunday evening we went down to Mt Lebenon to Il Pizzaiolo. I have tried many a pie from New York to other Neapolitan Associate recognized pizzerias in North America and few there are. This place rocked all its offerings. True Neapolitan Wood fired perfectly charred dough with great tasting tomatoe sauce. The Oranchini rice balls....Get them and the sicillian canolli...dont leave without having it....truly exceptional. This place as far as food goes was the Gem of all my pittsburg dining expieriences. We als tried the famous burnt almond torte at Prantl’s and in all honesty it seems a waste to have spent those calories on this as it's truly a tasteless pound cake with whipped buttercream all around and sugared toasted almonds, very boring.
Pizziaolo...go there.....Thank you Chows........Porto
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Pizzaiolo
703 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
Visiting Pittsburg and Grove City This Weekend , (Need Rec's) Thank you
Thanks guys for your feed back. I'll be coming in Tomorrow morning and looking to enjoy eating my way through town. I'll be checking Chowhound through the weekend so if there are any more rec's please pass them along.
Porto
Visiting Pittsburg and Grove City This Weekend , (Need Rec's) Thank you
Hi Fellow Hounds,
Driving in from Toronto Canada spending the better first half of Saturday at Grove City Mall.
Where can I have a great fresh "Local" lunch. It's just my wife and I.
Staying Downtown Pittsburg in the triangle for two nights. I will have a car if needed.
Looking for help with great restaurants, at least one fine dine dinner and then great places for breakfast, lunch and casual to mid scale dinner and local specialties. Please don't hold back as I really like to taste the local fare of new places I get too. I have seen some posts for Pizza and Wings but not a lot more. Fresh local cuisine is always great to find. Also any great wine stores or really good Scenic Patios for good drinks.
Thanks in advance,
Porto.
