BISTRO RECO FOR TONIGHT: MID TOWN

Totally out of left field: the road closures are only until 7pm... If he is indeed a foodie from Quebec, he probably won't want to eat until well after that?

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

Good omakase for dinner in GTA excluding kaji

Kaiseki Sakura! http://kaisekisakura.com/
I dream about their food!

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

Birthday cake near the Annex/Little Italy--where to buy?

You're right by Desert Trends, 154 Harbord; it's a bakery/bistro, with lovely food and great pastries and cakes. http://www.desserttrends.ca/

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Harbord
147 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S1H1, CA

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

Good spot for a group of 20 in Toronto?

Le Select has a private room upstairs - and does seem to fit your criteria perfectly...

http://www.leselect.com/

and here's a link to their event page at their website, including info on the private rooms:
http://www.leselect.com/event/event.php

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

I'm jealous of your Vietnamese soup!

You may want to try Hu Tiu as well, which is southern (Pho Bo is northern, Hue is central). It is made with pork and shrimp (rather than a beef base), and spiced quite differently (Cambodian influence). It does not have coconut milk (not used in Vietnamese cooking, really)...

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

ISO Insulated food carrier bag

I believe Whole Foods sells insulated food carrier bags as well; don't know how much they are or how effective...

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

La Palette - Suited for special occasion?

I recommend Loire on Harbord. Elegant room, great food.
http://www.loirerestaurant.ca/

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to buy good quality stainless steel flatware in GTA or online

You can find some of the lines at Swipe (a design store in the 401 Richmond West building), but I don't think they have a storefront.

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

Where to buy good quality stainless steel flatware in GTA or online

The flatware made by Gourmet Settings is fantastic - beautifully designed and with great balance and weight in the hand. Their flatware has won well-deserved design awards, the designer is Toronto-based - Helen Kerr, and the company is Ontario-based.
I can't say enough of their offerings. I have Carry-On (in the glossy - which is now discontinued but is still available in the satin finish), and after 8 years I have not tired of them in any way, and they are absolutely as good as new.

http://www.gourmetsettings.com

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)

Saturday Brunch buffet

Does anyone know of a Saturday brunch buffet?
Originally, my friend's mother's 75th birthday brunch (large party including children) was planned for the Delta Chelsea hotel, but they found out brunch is only served there on Sundays. I checked, and both the Royal York and the King Edward also only serve brunch buffets on Sundays, not Saturdays.
Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! -J

jenCH in Ontario (including Toronto)