I have no problem with the Michelin Guide itself. It is what it is: a resource that can provide direction when looking for high end dining. It is absolutely not for me, I find it's methodology and aesthetic old-fashioned and fussy, but I understand it can provide very valuable guidance for those seeking high end experiences in their own city or abroad.

What alarms me is the "collecting stars" mentality - especially in a city like Tokyo where the starred restaurants are only scratching the surface of the true potential and joy of dining in that city.

This obsession with going to Jiro over the many other incredible high-end sushi restos boggles my mind. Jiro is clearly, clearly uncomfortable with serving non-japanese clientele. He doesn't like doing it, foreigners who have secured a dinner/lunch often leave disappointed due to perceived animosity and no one is happy in the end.

I know the documentary and the michelin stars and the "exclusivity" of it make it sound so appealing, but at this price point and level of cuisine - Mizutani/Saito etc. are all going to mind-blowingly good. Why obsess over a restaurant that doesn't want you there?

Bestellen? Could have sworn they offer a burger. Unless you are being sarcastic like justxpete.

.......

There is little to none aesthetic difference between GE and 416. 416 is ABSOLUTELY a hipsterish spot (as ridiculous as that term is) and if memory serves me right it actually predates GE in terms of it being a "scene"

You simply like one and not the other.

Thanks, Raijin's isnt bad at all actually - on par with Santouka I would say, although the rest of the bowl doesn't quite measure up. Sansotei's egg I have never cared for.

Yo P.I.G, who does the most credible hanjuku style egg in the city?

Here would be my reccos:

Electric Mud (Grand Electrics new place)
Ryoji Izakaya
Edulis if you can get in
And maybe Porzia?

???? Only seen butter at traditional joints.

This is a good point. Disagree with everything else, but one shouldn't forget that Toronto's current awesome dining environment was built on the backs of those folks.

Also, no disrespect to Splendido, which was and is still a wonderful restaurant, but a lot of those chefs it developed didn't really go on to do anything that exciting or groundbreaking in Toronto but offer the same high-end/corporaty take on haute dining that has sustained Toronto for so long.

I mean really: Reds, Drake Hotel (the restaurant), Hart House, Nota Bene. This is what Splendido has begot? Ill take the Hoof progeny any day of the week.

Now this is a useful and fun conversation. I was going to write that I don't think Atomeyes is that crazy to say that Hoof is one of the most influential (or THE most influential) resto of the past couple of decades.

I'm not sure where all the love of Thuet is coming from here. He has a crazy larger than life personality but how many restaurants and concepts did he open and close within a year or two?

I think I read CH pretty thoroughly and I dont think I have ever seen a recco for someone to go check out a Thuet place as a must visit in Toronto.

The Black Hoof, like it or not, is the culinary reference point for the city, and its spiritual successors (Grand Electric et. al) represented a new aesthetic and style of feeding people in Toronto that has become the most prevalent trend in the city.

And no, Thuet's King Street places did not do a good job of attracting the same kind of folks that the Hoof did. Those joints gave off the same King West nonsense vibe that Spice Route or any Khabouth place did.

Man, a whole lot of monocles being dropped in horror.

The customers were being awful to her staff, so she called them douches. If you are behaving as an awful human being, then you deserve to be put on blast.

The customer is not always right, it's her place, and if you have such a problem with it, simply don't frequent it.

I'm with JustxPete. I ate those Big Macs at the Slurp Noodle event and it blew my mind.

They are insanely good.

I'll bite. Where have you had better Bo Ssam in Toronto?

Ha, point taken

Pretty much every amazing place in Scarborough would fit the bill: Canbee foods, Malaysia Gourmet, ACR Hot Roti and Doubles, Chung Moi et al.

I also love Makkah over at Danforth & Donlands for Pakistani style kabobs.

Crown Princess at Wellesley & Bay might fight the bill. Super luxurious in a hilarious over the top way, not very loud and very decent dim sum.

That's nuts. Went once in October of 2011 I think and it was a $hit show. Never again.

I went three of four times when they first opened, and then it was only one set of noodles, which were very starchy and doughy and completely offputting. Just not a fan of that place.

1. Santouka
2. Raijin
3. Kinton
4. Sansotei (hate their noodles with a passion)
5. Guu
6. AOK
7. Konnichiwa
8. Kenzo

Cant wait to try Kingyo and Ryoji

BTW Splendido/Country General had a black truffle/porcini tonkotsu at Slurp Noodle Festival that would tie with Santouka for best in Toronto. But its a one time only thing so.

Hawthorne is awesome, their four square meal is a great idea and pretty good value (not great value, its still going to run you 22 bucks with tax and tip for lunch).

It's one of those places thats beloved on Yelp and yet no one on chowhound talks about it. A must visit.

What former stampede space? This is a BBQ joint from the same two dudes that run GE???

If so I am immediately ridiculously excited.

Was going to write this also - the Queen and Bathurst store is always rammed with cashiers, it's awesome to see. It never had any basil or sriracha though. And almost everything there is premium priced due to the area. I love the shopping experience though.

Yeah ideally I would love to try a homemade version.

Awesome the christie koreatown is much convenient for me. Can't wait to down some of this with some spicy, salty, delicious Korean eats.

Oh really? Good to know. I imagine the larger LCBOs like Queens Quay or Summerhill will carry it then.

Just recently found out about this fermented rice wine drink from Korea. Pretty sure it's not available at the LCBO but do any restaurants in town carry it?

Thanks

Miguel

We got ours refilled at the Bay, Sears may do it as well. They dont actually refill the cannisters, but give you a new one and you get a discount if you bring an existing cannister in.

Hahaha we went through this same song and dance last year regarding lack of Chinese establishments!

That's a pretty cursed location isn't it? Definitely not Japanese ownership.