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Where to experience Chinese New Year in Toronto
Is there anywhere in Chinatown where we can go for a decent Chinese New year's meal on the day?
Best Christmas dinner on Christmas eve in Toronto?
My friend and I will be going out for dinner on Christmas eve and were wondering, where is the best place go to that will be open and spot on fantastic? I know Globe and Harbord Room were open for thanksgiving but will they for Christmas eve? I was looking for something semi traditional with a twist!
Thoughts?
Internet Coupon meal experiences please
Fire on the East Side was fantastic. Food was simple but so delicious and perfectly executed. I would totally return.
Zelda's had some bad for you, tasty apps, so greasy that you shouldn't consume them but good in that it's grease. Service was excellent.
Toronto Underground Market - starting in September
MUCH more efficient and less manic event this time around! I had a great time. We missed the La Carnita line again, didn't realize it was back. Maybe next time. The Comida Del Pueblo stand was my favorite - the grilled cheese was so decadent, the buffalo empanada with a perfectly crisp shell, and banana/lemon beignets - delish.
The samosas - veggie, chicken and beef, had an amazing shell on them, so crisp. The veggie filling was weird though, Green Giant frozen veggies. they were also selling samosa chips which looked interesting, but I didn't get a closer look.
The braised oxtail with rice was so tender and flavourful.
the butter chicken with naan was good but steep at $8 a plate.
We also had a sausage wrapped in a pancake - it was bland, flavourless and dry :( Also bland was the meat tourtiere - nice crust but filling was unseasoned.
I'm surprised West Side Beef was back with the Po Boys - this time, Yum Tummers from Round 1 skipped this stand as sliders are so passe. It was great to see less 'sandwiches" and bread type of things.
Elle Cuisine - I had a major problem with this stand, which is unfortunate as I was so stoked to come to this one. Three tiny lobster churros for $4 and ONE beef 'perogie' for $4. I didn't taste any truffle in the perogie at all and it was more like a dumpling than a perogie. The portions were ridiculously small, which is fine if they had actually tasted amazing but I found it just OK. Her branding was a bit much too - I hadn't seen a poster sized photo of a chef at one of these events before. I saw that she tweeted "bigger portions next time in Nov" - aren't they all supposed to go to tasting next round? Or do some vendors get an automatic pass?
The agnolotti from the cooking school was really good and I heard the Aranacini was excellent as well. Hope those kids get to Italy!
Also tried the Ramen Noodles - with pork belly and a tiny egg. Delish. Was he the same guy doing tacos last time? Shinaki?
Anyway, I had a great time and I can't wait till the next one!
Michaelos Fine Foods
I've been there a few times now.
I think it's a bit pretentious and also confusing. High end gourmet food, then McCain superfries in the freezer?
The woodfired pizzas are quite good and a great value ($10 for a 10 in) as I tried a sample they were handing out. the desserts are not made in house but instead from LaRoca, Dufflets, Rahier and Wild Factory.
The markup is quite high on most basics and it's a nice store. But I thought the "complimentary valet with the purchase of a latte" is completely crazy. Who needs valet service at Yonge and Eg, when stopping for groceries? most of us just walk by anyway and live in the area.
Strange. And the security guard who stands there like a bouncer - completely unneccessary.
Best camera for food photography?
I ended up with this one. It's incredible and great for concert photography as well.
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
JennaBean, thanks for the ranking! I haven't been to any of the places so your opinion helps. Globe Menu looks great... I'd llike to see the Harbour Room menu. The staff there looks "cool" though so might be an interesting experience too.
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
Didn't see that either, thanks Magic! Love Torontonians...!
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
I totally thought about that as well. Looks like a great menu but I missed the free pie option haha.
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
Hurray!! That's the type of article I was looking for. THANKS! I find it so hard to decide though with all the options - esp not knowing what will be good,. If you had to choose between Globe, Allens, Globe, Czecoski, Harbord Room or Edward Levesque's Kitchen, which would you go with?
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
Thanks FoodyDudey! That sounds good, I'll probably head there. Any other good options?
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
Thanks Jo, you're the best as always! And also to Magic for the other suggestions too.
Thanksgiving Dinner Options?
I'm new to the city and away from home for Thanksgiving... Are there any places that serve either a) an amazing Thanksgiving dinner or b) inventive spins on Thanksgiving dinner? It doesn't need to be traditional but I'd definitely like to do something.
At the least, a place to pick up a nice dinner? Preferably in the downtown or Midtown area!
Thanks!
Best macarons in Toronto?
Bobette and Belle supplies O & B Artisan at the Eaton Centre/Bay. I asked specifically.
Best macarons in Toronto?
Never been a fan of Nadege.... But I love the ones at Bobette and Belle. O & B Artisan sells them now.
Toronto Underground Market - starting in September
What was in the bahn mi? The line up was long so I didn't wait for it but I really wanted to try it out.
My friends spent about half of what I did for food so when I gripe about it, it's really about my inability to do these events properly ;) A sharing idea is better as you end up not too full and trying everything...
Next one will be good, I hope there's less pulled pork!
Toronto Underground Market - starting in September
Went and had a great time! It was pretty well run but a lot of bad vendors as well, unfortunately. A friend of mine actually busted Flying Monkeys beer vendor for charging $5 ticketed beers the size of sample glasses when other beer vendors got full sized beers. He complained to the Yum Tum people and they forced the guy to serve regular glasses. What a shocking rip.
Had an array of things - deep fried quail eggs (good, but one was enough), deep fried breakfast dumplings ($3 each was outrageous), Po Boys (good but $4 for that tiny bite?), pork belly sandwich (freshly sliced, amazing), pulled pork quesadillas (this was one of the best! crisp shell, only $3), and an array of other things. The Kale pesto pasta was actually fantastic as well and I bought a pkg of the pesto to go.
Desserts were slow going and so so.
Overall it was fantastic but I was surprised to find some of the food very ho-hum. Spring rolls? Pulled pork x 4 vendors?
The event started on time and it was pretty well organized.
I'd go again but for me, I ended up spending $60. That's a lot!
What's your most disappointing dining experience?
Was just there - found a bone in my entree. Mentioned it to the server but they didn't bother correcting it.
Foodstock - October 16th near Shelburne
Would love to go to this, though I wish it wasn't 2 hours away. Most of me and my friends don't own a car!
Where can i find the best chicken shawarma?
I tried the Shawarma Empire - not bad at all. Very fresh but small and the hotsauce was a bit much for me. It's way out there for me so I wouldn't go again unless in the area. Glad I tried it!
Shawarma King is still really top notch for me. I can't believe it's not busier. And I think they used WHITE meat!
best bakery?? midtown or downtown?
Finally went to EPI Breads and you were ALL right - AMAZING! love their whole wheat and Health Bread with the sprouts and carrots. Brilliant! Mucho thanks!
best bakery?? midtown or downtown?
Maybe the one on College is different from the one on Bayview. I've only been to the College St one.
best bakery?? midtown or downtown?
Simply Italian, best gelato I've had yet. Not sure what's happened to Il Gelatiere but it's been terrible the two times I went and I won't be going back. Service is rude too sadly.
I went to Jedd's Frozen Custard - nice late hours... Great stuff. I noticed they get their desserts from Rahier, which would explain why the mousse cake i had was amazing.
best bakery?? midtown or downtown?
I tried the Mad Italian in Little Italy and preferred it to Il Gelatiere strangely. However, I didn't like the latter at all - the service was terrible - she didn't ask me to sign the cc receipt and then yelled at me across the cafe to sign it when it was her mistake. I found the gelato not at all creamy, just watered down. How can you screw up pistachio :( But I love the gelato at Simply Italian.
Tried Patisserie la Cigogne - lovely cakes! But a little dry :( Someone told me the pastry chef is brilliant but they leave their stuff too long out... Beautiful though.
Went to Jules to pick up a gorgeous sesame baguette after having a nice sandwich at La Boheme. The cakes weren't as good though.
The macarons at Thobors are sadly awful. But I look forward to trying their bread and cakes....
Where can i find the best chicken shawarma?
Thanks for the tip on Quick Pita. I went to Shawarma's King today and it wasn't bad! The chicken was shaved freshly off the spit. I let my wrap sit for a while before eating it so it wasn't quite as fair a representation as my lettuce got soggy... But the chicken was moist and well seasoned.
I've still been trying to find something as good as the ones from Vancouver at Babylon King (all sorts of pickled veg). They had pickled turnip here...it was good but not the same. However, spades better than the Shawarma King at the Eaton centre - which was so salty I couldn't even eat it.
I really want to try Shawarma Empire but I wish it wasn't so far east. And I live in the midtown neighborhood so I guess it will have to be Shawarma King if I have a hankering. Thanks for the push to try it!
Where can i find the best chicken shawarma?
I haven't tried it yet but I might tomorrow! There's also Quick Pita but that place didn't look too authentic? Has anyone tried it?
Where can i find the best chicken shawarma?
I went to Paramount at Yonge and Dundas, I think. It was pretty good. Chicken was well seasoned and crispy, the pickled veg was excellent and the only thing missing was tomatoes.. I've heard Sarah's at Bloor and Bathurst has gone down in quality. Any other ideas for those without a car?
