suddenly susan's Profile
If I eat nothing else when in Toronto - I need to try/eat
JPJ said, "Some dishes are more successful than others at TBH. For Toronto the charcuterie is overall very good, I would even say among the best. For someone coming from New York, it would be good, but it is all available in New York, better and cheaper."
That is why I did not recommend the charcuterie. I recommended the Raw Horse Sammy.
I am just curious what you mean by "4-star food" and that you have eaten a few "actual rated 3 star dishes?"
If you are referring to stars from a newspaper review, those stars usually take into account the level of service and factors other than what is served on the plate.
FWIW, I am a New Yorker (recently transplanted in Toronto) and I was very impressed with the Raw Horse Sammy at The Black Hoof, and would definitely take my friends from NYC there to try it--whether or not the restaurant itself was given 1, 2, 3, or 4 stars from any publication. Any Joe Shmoe can read a restaurant review online but the original poster, I believe, is seeking personal recommendations for specific dishes.
If I eat nothing else when in Toronto - I need to try/eat
My point is that people often look for fancy trappings when they want "4-star" food; a maitre d', sommelier, coat check, the guy who comes around to crumb your table, etc.
I do think the food at The Black Hoof is worthy of 4 stars. It's innovative, made from high-quality ingredients, and most importantly, delivers big on flavors and taste. But in most people's books, it would rate low because of the decor and service. That's why I refer to it as "4-star food" and do not say that TBH is a "4-star restaurant."
For the majority of my restaurant ventures, I would prefer just amazing food and competent service. I don't need the other bells and whistles. David Chang in NYC has long been a champion of this style of dining with his Momofuku restaurants, of which I'm a big fan.
You may disagree with me but that is your opinion. And isn't that what this site--and essentially all food reviews--are based on? Our opinions?
If I eat nothing else when in Toronto - I need to try/eat
Agreed. Their Raw Horse Sammy is the best thing I've eaten in Toronto in the 5 months I've been here.
I also love that they serve 4-star food in a relaxed setting -- you'll look more out of place in a suit, than in a t-shirt and jeans.
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Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto M6J, CA
moving-suggestions for last meals in Toronto?
I'm in the reverse situation; recently transplanted New Yorker in Toronto :)
Something you won't find easily in the Big Apple is horse meat and the Raw Horse Sammy at The Black Hoof is one of the best things I've eaten since I arrived in this city.
TURKEY in Toronto
The Healthy Butcher 416-ORGANIC
Just called today and they had a few left so I grabbed mine ASAP!
$4.49/lb for a free-range, organic bird
Suggestions, please (not too expensive): Portuguese, Greek, Korean, bistro, etc. in Toronto
Two Korean places worth checking out on Bloor St:
- Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu for soon dubu jjigae
- Jinmirak for Korean BBQ
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Buk Chang Dong
691 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6G, CA
What's your most disappointing dining experience?
OMG. I hate when that happens! Or when they seat you near the bathroom and you are overpowered by the stench of the urinal cake.
Terroni- disappointing experience
goldendelicious, I had a near identical experience when I went for dinner recently at Terroni on Queen St. West. Overly thick pappardelle that tasted doughy and pasty. The scant add-ins of shrimp, artichoke, and mint were barely noticeable. The entire dish was pretty dry and bland.
The pizzas that my companions ordered were much better. But would I wait in a line snaking out the door for it? Absolutely not.
I don't mind brusque service and no substitution policies if the food is good enough to back it up. Sadly, I don't think it is here. Suzeo hit the nail on the head.
What's the expected wait time at Torito on a Sat nite?
They do indeed take reservations although they couldn't guarantee the backyard.
But I feel much better knowing that we have a table with my name on it.
Thanks for the advice!
What's your most disappointing dining experience?
Terroni on Queen St. W
Pappardelle with shrimp, artichokes, and mint. The pasta was too thick, doughy, and pastey. I picked out the few shrimp and 'chokes leaving the pappardelle barely touched. $16 for a primi portion.
T.O.'s Best Fro-Yo
I'm also a fan of the Pinkberry/ Red Mango-style frozen yogurt that oddly has no presence in Toronto. I managed to find a similar strain at BnC Cake House on Bloor Street's Korea Town.
It's a small Korean bakery that dispenses "Yogoberri" frozen yogurt.
A small (5 oz.) is $2.97 + 95 cents per topping. Medium (8 oz.) including three toppings is $4.99.
They don't have a zillion toppings but do have a small selection of fresh fruit, nuts, and cereal.
BnC Cake House
631 Bloor St W
between Euclid & Palmerston
What's the expected wait time at Torito on a Sat nite?
I'm taking my out-of-town friend there. How long do you think the wait will be for a 3-top if we arrive around 8:30?
Charcoal Restaurants of Ontario.
I walked by there yesterday and saw that Sejong has closed down.
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
Four of us went to Il Bun Ji and had table top BBQ in one of the private rooms. Were you by yourself or just ordering one portion? Most Korean restaurants only allow table top BBQ for a minimum of two portions.
Single best dish you've had in Toronto?
At Nota Bene, a chilled zucchini soup which came garnished with sun-dried tomato pesto, croutons, and a drizzle of grassy e.v.o.o.
So refreshing, so flavorful, so delicious. (And I am not a vegetarian.)
ISO seltzer maker/ sparkling water machine downtown
I live downtown and don't have a car so it's hard for me to lug back bottles of sparkling water from the remote supermarkets. Has anybody bought one recently? Would love to hear brand recommendations and places to get one. I live near the Eaton Center. Thanks!
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
I had lunch at Buk Chang Dong recently and thought it was awesome. All the stews were hearty and delicious. I had the Mandu Soon Dubu and the S.O. had the Kimchi Soon Dubu. I also loved the rice cooked in the stone pot served with water at the end. It's clear that they don't take short cuts here while some of the other places in the nabe do. The food is good enough that you don't mind the cramped and charmless decor.
Thanks for the recc!
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
Thanks! Of the three you mentioned (Korea House, Seoul House, Il Bun Ji), which do you think has the best decor and is good for a group of 6 people?
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
Sariwan is kind of far for me. What's the best Korean restaurant in downtown Toronto, preferably near Bloor St?
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
I had lunch at Onara Onara yesterday. Good dolsot bibim bap. The place is smaller and cozier than Ka-chi down the street but I'd say the food is similar in quality.
Also scored two bags of Korean groceries at the P.A.T. market nearby. Yay! More kimchi!!
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
Awesome. I love soon du bu chigae and I can't wait to try the stews at Buk Chang Dong. Thanks for the input.
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
I went to the big Korean market (down the steps) on Bloor St. and walked out with four grocery bags full of K-goodies. (Of course, one of the bags contained a huge 4-liter jar of kimchi!)
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
The S.O. and I went to Ka-Chi on Bloor St. today. Chalenegirl, you were right about the prices; sooo cheap! The two of us ordered three dishes and struggled to finish them all even tho they were delish and the S.O. eats like a horse.
We shared the 떡라볶이 (tuck-ra-bokki) which is something i don't usually see in Korean restaurants in the States. It's chewy rice cakes simmered in a spicy-sweet kochu-jang sauce with ramen noodles and fish cakes. It's the kind of comfort food dish you get in cheap-o fast food joints in Korea for $3. The version served at Ka-Chi (still a bargain at $6.50) was less spicy than what you get in Korea but I actually preferred it that way because it didn't sear the taste buds off my tongue and I was able to taste the rest of my meal.
I also had a gynormous bibimbap with bulgogi and the S.O. had soon du-bu chigae (a bubbling bowl of silky tofu in a brick-red spicy broth). Both were pretty good, considering their low price tag of $7.50 or so each.
The service was friendly enough. A word of caution: Do not use their washroom unless you REALLY have to. You've been warned.
I walked along Bloor and I can't wait to try the other places.
What do you guys think of Korea House and Buk Chang Dong Soon Du Bu? I'm figuring that Buk Chang Dong is pretty authentic because they only have the sign in Korea. LOL.
I'm here till mid-October so please keep the Korean recc's coming.
Thanks!
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
Cool. Thanks for the recc's, everybody. My friend tells me that aside from Onara Onara, the other places are a bit far from where we are. I think I'll check out the Bloor St. restaurants then pick up a big jar of kimchi to stank up the fridge. LOL.
Korean restaurants in Toronto?
I'm visiting the city for a few weeks and need to get my kimchi on. What are some of your favorite picks for Korean food? I'm looking for everything from hole-in-the-wall joints to nicer places where I can take my K-food newbies in Toronto.
(I've searched the board on this topic but all the posts are more than a year old. Love to have more recent opinions.)
Thanks!
restaurant that serves jokbal (korean pig's trotters?)
excellent! thanks for the tip ^ - ^
restaurant that serves jokbal (korean pig's trotters?)
i think i have seen slice pig's trotters cooked, sliced and pre-packaged at some of the korean supermarkets. but are there any korean restaurants in NYC that serve jokbal?
http://www.trifood.com/jokbal.html
korea
seoul has two 6-star hotels: the W and the park hyatt. both are fabulously swanky but the park hyatt is more centrally located. ditto HKtraveler on the westin and shilla hotel.
the traditional high-end meal in korea is royal court cuisine: a set menu of what seems like an endless procession of little dishes. my fave is "durae" in insa-dong. (see attached photo)
also be sure to try grilled han-oo, the local korean beef that is outrageously expensive but worth every penny (or won).
