Toshiro's Profile
CityBites Magazine
Anyone know at what restaurant/location (around Queen/Bathurst - or near) whereI can score the new CityBites summer wine issue that just came out????
Best Indian in Toronto - where is it?
The Indian Rice factory on Dupont - 41 years strong! All small pot cooking...no "Mother" curry one-pot BS "scoop and serve" cooking like 98% of cities Indian restaurants. Takes a bit of time - but well worth the wait! Great modern room, super-clean, funky, cool vibes and attentive service...live Sitar on some Fridays and one of T.O's best backyard patios. I have been an avid Subcontinent cuisine fan for over 23 years now, and Mrs. Patel's legacy is based on "quality, authenticiy and integrity". The Vindaloo is one of the best in North America (not just a statement), it is a vindlaoo lovers perparation, straight from Goa! Don't take my word though (obviously), do yourself a favor and go see (and taste) for yourselves!
Premium Sake: Structured Tasting and Dinner at George
Sudo Honke Sato No Homare will be available again by end of May (for Kampai Toronto event). Tenzan Genshu, Ozawa is having to twist LCBO to pick it up gaian due to price jump...lets all hope!
Spiny Lobster
Hey there...I live in the Bahamas and have been using Spiny Lobster (Crawfish in these parts) for the last 5 years. I just had Maritime lobster for the first time in 5 years in NYC about 2 weeks ago...I have found the spiny lobster is inconsistent as they are speared when caught and not kept alive (or in perfect storage condition) as the maritime are (they are also a lot harder [more dangerous] to handle do to hard barbed spines - reason why they are speared). That said they can be killed and sit for a long time, this has great effect on the texture and flavour of the meat. I have personally tested this theory and found that spiny lobsters that sit awhile break down (meat also darkens fast) and both feels jiggly when cooked and tastes mushy when cooked. The sooner from the spear to the pan the better. I also find that the spiny is firmer (better for sashimi as well). The claws I fined are more refined in taste and the tomalley of the maritime mustard if much more flavourful. I also have the luxury of buying fresh on the roadside (from a known vendor)...where in T.O. you would be getting frozen...at the end of the day the freezing definitely affects both texture and taste. I would sum up that I like spiny (tails only of course - no claws) for sashimi and deep fried items...maritime claws for pasta and risotto and and maritime tails for stews, casseroles, sauteed items and terrines
IZAKAYAS IN MIAMI
Hey All,
Any suggestions for quaint, trendy "real" Iazaya style pubs (minimal and to the point) in Miami...would like actually Japanese style Izakaya (if any) and not just namesakes! Any help would be appreciated...
Thanks!
"REAL" Chinese in Miami
Coming to Miami in a couple of weeks....where is the best rauthentic chinese food. Not looking for niuce decor and frilly extras...just want authentic Mandarin (Shanghai), Cantonese and a GREAT Dim Sum spot for lunch. I heard about Tropical Chinese but it looks like its more eclectic/contemporary place?
Fellow hounders....any help would be GREATLY appreciated, we are staying in South Beach area and are w/o vehicle...
CHEERS!
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Tropical Chinese Restaurant
7991 Bird Rd, Miami, FL 33155
South Beach Cafe
121 5th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
HOCKEY & NACHOS!
Hey Chicagoans!
Where is the best sports bar in the downtown area to grab Killer Nachos and watch the Flyer-Habs game on Saturday Afternoon????
Cheers!
OYSTERS!!!!!
Coming to Chicago for the NRA Show....
I am looking for an authentic oyster bar in Downtown Area with multiple varieties of East/West Oysters. Great oyster bar atmosphere and great beers....any suggestions....PLEASE!
....also looking for a great sports bar in the same vacinity...
Appreciated all!
Cheers!
DIM SUM IN MANHATTAN!!!!
I'm heading to NYC at the end of the month and have been craving dim sum, since I'm in the Bahamas and don't get to much good Chinese! Question....where is the best dim sum in Manhattan...I have heard of Sweet-n-Tart, Jing Fong and Sun Hop but want to get some Chowhounder feedback if possible......so please feel free to critique away!
Cheers,
Toshiro
Muskoka Eating?
Dude...need more info.
High-end, family, lunch, casual, weekend brunch.....let us know my man!
yorkville bistro fare
I agree with Rabbit:
GO TO CAREN'S WINE BAR!
Great wines, staff and a funky menu. Very non-Yorkville in the way of pretence, attitude and wannabe style.
Great Restaurant in Toronto - Celebration Meal, family from London UK
If you want a truly special meal:
STAY AWAY FROM ANYWHERE OFFERING SUMMERLICIOUS!!!!!
Splendidio for sure (no view though), great wine list
Canoe and 360 at the CN Tower for the great city view and huge wine lists
Scaramouche also for a good skyline view but not as grand
With a GREAT view, that's about it.
Have fun!
Visiting Toronto in August
Hey beb31,
Not sure what you are looking for but here are a few new places since you last visited us (In no particular order of preference):
1. KULTURA on 169 Queen Street East. Asian "tapas" style sharin g plates with lounge/ bar downstairs and dining upstairs. Beautiful building!!! Cool staff and great cocktails.
2. COCA on 783 Queen street west is a cool funky Spanish Tapas Place with a good vibe and roof-top patio, laid back wine menu (tasting samples provided via 2, 4 and 6 oz. pours), as well as some great cheeses, olives and other Spanish Fare
3.AMAYA a New Indian Place that opened up last week on 1701 Bayview Avenue south of Eglinton. Great wines by the glass and even some great sake. (Not downtown - but if you have time and like Indian - worth a trip).
4.RODNEY'S OYSTER BAR on 469 King Street West (Back Patio). If you love oysters and want to try some funky local beers - then definately check it out. More casual, but you will have a very good time!
5. KI on Adelaide and Wellington (Big Patio). Food is OK but the scene and bar area is a fun trip. Order small plates and try some great chilled sake and wines. Full sushi bar and fun if you're into people wathching (Thursday is the primo night).
Hope this helps,
Good luck and enjot T.O
Cheers!
Sake stores in Pasadena?
Does anyone out there know a store in Pasadena that has a good sake selection!
KANPAI!
Best Wine Store Between Buffalo and Erie
Premier "Gourmet" right next to Premier Wines has a bloody awesome beer selection that would put any LCBO to shame. The saddest thing about shooping there is how to get the goods over the border. They carry well over 100 beers!!!! Also wicked cheeses and gourmet coffees - Kona, etc.
Have Fun!
Sake, Terroir and Aging Sakes
Thanks Yukari, I'm a big PH fan as well, appreciate the article!
Bombay Masala? - Just Opened Today at Bathurst and Eglinton
We have had take-out once and dined in once - both times were less than memorable (to say the least). Flavours were very thin and bland, not to mention most of the meat was dry and tough. the service was also horrible (due to being short staffed they said???). For me - it's worth the trip to go out to 410 and Hurontario to dine at Nirvana. Very authentic (for T.O) and probably one of the best. For downtown Indian, I would have to say Dhaba on King is (or was) a year ago one of the better spots!
Japan in New York!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
OK New York - From an NYC lovin' Canadian neighbour to the North.....If I wanted a place in Manhattan that screamed and oozed 17th century Japan in both feel and cuisine - where would you send me!
High-End Restaurant in K/W
Emver's on the 401 and HWY 6 is the best choice for the area (if that is close enough)?
http://www.torontolife.com/guide/restaurants/out-of-town/envers/
Patrick Lin's SENSES - OK, Good or Great?!
He just got trashed in the star today by Amy Pataki!
Kobe beef
Unfortunatly -- no! It is much better than the US or Calgary stuff, but it is still very inconsistent. Even if you were to get a chance to buy some, chances are that he would be sold out. There is a new supplier trying to bring in "Real" japanese beef, but the government is not cooperating all to well.
Kobe beef
OK!!!!!!!
Here is the Scoop. Real Kobe hails from Hyogo/Nada prefecture on the Island of Honshu. There are 2 breeds of Wagyu (meaning Japanese Beef), which are black and red Tattori Cattle. The "crap" we get in North America is NOT true Kobe. There is know law governing the name "Kobe" like there is "Parmigianno" - so anyone can call there product "Kobe". The stuff we get here is not from Kobe and never will be - unless uncle Yoji smuggles some in from the old.country. The black strand of Tattori is the preferred choice in Kobe. Most the false Kobe we get is the "Calgary Classic Kobe" program, or from Harris Ranch in California. Both of these products are bread from Angus/Red Tattori offspring and are in no way true Kobe quality. That said - Kobe is not waht it used to be either. There is better beef coming out of Fukishima Prefecture and others neighbouring Hyoga/Nada. Matsuzaka and Yamakata are two rival products of Kobe that are gaining ground. There is a gentlemen just outside of Guelph that trained in Kobe and raises only 100% Tattori Cattle - but I can't say who, sorry!
Anyways, the best way to experience Japanese beef is to hop a plane and take a trip!
Cheers.
Fujiya - Japanese AYCE - Izakaya menu?
Of all the "true" Izakayas" I have been to - NONE of them dealt in Sushi. True izakayas are more robata and yakitori based item, smaller and more intrictae. Very few noodles and NO sushi!
Wolfgang Puck on Eglinton?
Fat Cat - "Better Restauarants in T.O" - You definately need to eat out more!!!
Best Wine Store Between Buffalo and Erie
Premier in Dalaware on Kenmore Ave Rocks! It's all you really need, wicked vintage section as well
Cheers
Four Canadian Designer Girls Take Manhattan - Recommendations?
A Torontonian here! Check out Kitchen 22 on 22nd. Charlie Palmer's place - it gets pretty good later on but the have a 3 course price fix menu for like $30 (or used to) - pretty good deal (at the range your in NYC is tough) - especially tip!
Good Luck :)
