abigllama's Profile
Toronto Life's 25 best burgers
I've tried most of the burgers on that list and Harbord Room is the best I've had in the city and possibly anywhere. Just had one last week and it was amazing.
Hero Certified Burgers....What the $^%#!!!!!
They do seem to be spreading at Starbucks-like frenzy. You rarely see one being built, it's just suddenly there and open.
I've learned that in a pinch when being dragged there by friends the poutine isn't too bad as far as fast food versions go and suitable for a quick hang over cure. Also the onion rings are decent. Burgers are gross and best to avoided.
Harbord Room
We just had burgers here last night. I'd not been in awhile and still think it's the best burger in the city. Sometimes it's better than others but last night was particularly stellar. I actually prefer to sit at the bar though, the tables in the front are pretty tight.
Chia seeds in Central Toronto?
+2 for Bulk Barn. That's where I go for my Chia, right at the top of the stairs for the College subway stop. Chia seeds are located just as you walk in about four tubs down on the right.
Country/Chicken Fried Steak!
It's currently a dinner special at Insomnia so not sure how long it will stick around. But it's served with a bacon and cheddar waffle and sautee'd kale which is a fantastic stand in for collard greens. I've got pretty solid Chicken Fried Steak experience with family from Texas and having lived there for work. Honestly, the Insomnia special was one of the best I've ever had.
Nathans Hot Dogs
There's currently a wagjag deal for 10lbs of Nathan's for $40. Various pick up locations in the GTA, looks like they have are using Rabba in the downtown core. http://www.wagjag.com/?w=68741&vertical=grocery&utm_source=bm23&utm_medium=email&utm_term=View+this+Deal+6&utm_content=Nathan%27s+Famous+Hot+Dogs+%7C+Frozen+Fruits+and+Berries&utm_campaign=WagJag+Grocery+-+GTA+-+Mango+%2F+Blueberries+%2F+Strawberries+%2F+Mixed+Berries+%2F+Raspberries+%2F+Nathans%27+Hot+Dogs+%2F+Sweet+Candy+Creation+-+Apr+2+2012+-+Subject+Line+Test+9039
Taco Time open in Atrium Food Court
Sadly, Taco Time is no longer with us. A notice of abandonment was posted on the shuttered outlet. This was actually one of my favourite hang over guilty pleasures in the city. The manager was super friendly and always recognize me and make small talk. When he was not around the staff was disturbingly indifferent so not surprised that it folded.
Grand Electric
Fantastic time was had tonight at Grand Electric. Went for a late dinner around 9:30 on Sunday. Was told the wait would be around a half hour and they took our cell number. Went a few doors down for a cocktail and got a call about 15 minutes later.
It's loud but didn't feel it was too loud. My SO is 61 and we both could enjoy our conversation and interact with our server. There was a really drunk, loud group of women at the table by the window which was irritating. But the loudest of the group left and they all quieted down after.
Based on reviews, I expected this place to be pretentious. Our server was fantastic. He made recommendations, suggested beers and explained everything in detail. It's actually some of the best service I've had in Toronto.
The food was amazing. Highlights were the Queso Fundo. Amazing and surprisingly not greasy like it's counterparts at other places. The Guac with fresh chips was also amazing. For tacos everything was great but fish and chicken were mind blowingly awesome. We also had the fried cheese and paplano and beef cheek. Very good but not eye roll back amazing as the others. The beef cheek taco had a sweetness to it that was surprising but kind of put a speed bump on the enjoyment for me.
We got each of the desserts. There's been tons of raves about the key lime but for both of us the winner was the Chocolate Pecan. Our waiter encouraged us to pair it with a beer on tap and it was amazing. Can't remember the name but it was a chocolate/coffee beer from Montreal. The flavours were fantastic.
Finally we have some fabulous Mexican offerings in Toronto! I can't wait to get back here. This place is amazing!
Church's Chicken.... Anyone??
Sadly, no fried okra at the Toronto location! http://www.churchschickentoronto.com/Ourmenu.html
NEW Best Pizza in Toronto Thread
The Via Mercanti pizza at Via Mercante is the best pizza I've had in this city. It's sort of a cross between a calzone and a pizza, not traditional but delicious.
Runner up was the Pepperoni Pizza at Libretto which was a special. On last visit our server explained that it made it's way to the regular menu for a bit but they couldn't meet the demand with the house made pepperoni and had to remove it. But that it will return as a special on occasion.
I know that Gigi and Olympic 76 have their fans but have found them to be super bland. I live just a block from Olympic and really wanted to like it. I wish they'd pay more attention to spicing the sauce than loading on the toppings.
Pizzeria Via Mercanti
We had dinner here last night and thought it was fantastic. Walked in and there's a much more mellow vibe than dealing with Libretto or Queen, it was busy but we were seated right away. Arugula salad was meat free, fresh and delish. SO had an eggplant lasagne that was excellent. I don't particularly care for eggplant and really enjoyed this.
The winner of the nightwas the Via Mercanti pizza. It's a thin pizza with ricotta cheese, prosciutto, sausage and then topped by a margherita pizza. It's sort of like Neapolitan pizza crossed with a calzone and was awesome. All the food we had was delish and price point was reasonable. Looking forward to checking out the rest of the menu.
Where can I find Korean Tacos in GTA?
The place on College is JangBang. We've tried twice and both times they've been sold out of food. Obviously popular but wondering if anyone here has actually tried it?
Mont Tremblant Ski Area Eats - Walking Distance ONLY
We were there last April and there was a new Mexican place that moved into the space that was formerly Les Artistes in the main strip of the village. For the life of me can't remember the name of it and it's not listed on the Tremblant list of restaurants on their site. They'd just opened the business and the food was actually some of the best Mexican I've ever had in Canada. Anyone know if this place is still there?
Village Rainbow Cafe - Church and Maitland
Any change would be for the better there. That's seriously some of the worst food I've ever consumed in Toronto.
Winterlicious
I enjoy 'licious events and we manage to get at least a couple of meals in each year.
-Avoid something like Canoe on on a Friday or Saturday night to avoid feeling rushed. Opt for something that's more of a neighbourhood gem than destination for a more relaxed meal. Byzantium is a stand by for us and the handle the 'licious like a well oiled machine.
-For a more popular restaurant like Canoe, opt for Sunday or a midweek night. We also tend to make a later reservation around 9ish. Not a problem since we usually eat later anyway but know that's not convenient for some.
-We tip 15 - 20% based on the service as we would on any meal out.
Globe Earth
We went to Yonge. Just checked the email I got on it and looks like the deal is at both.
Globe Earth
Globe Earth has a burger promotion going on through the end of the month. If you order a burger you also get a pint of beer with it at no charge. We stopped in last night to get some burgers and had a really great experience.
We split the Elk Tartar which was excellent. The offending quail egg is no longer there and everything was delish. We also split the corn fritters which had apparently just recently been overhauled by the chef and they were fantastic. There was pickled lime served with it as well and it was a perfect combination.
The burgers were fresh ground rib eye and were outstanding. Fresh, cooked perfectly and juicy. There was a corn tomato relish, and smoked ketchup on the side. Excellent fries too. $18 for one of the best burgers I've ever had and a beer was a pretty good deal. We may try to swing by again before the promotion is up!
Jangbang - Korean/Mexican tacos at Bar at College/Bathurst - reviews?
We attempted to try it out on Friday. Stopped in around 8 and were told they'd totally run out of all of their food. I suppose that's a good sign, will try again another time.
Chicken Pot Pie that I can pass off as my own
I'm pretty sure the pies that Longo's sells are from Summerhill.
Chicken Pot Pie that I can pass off as my own
Summerhill is my favourite as well. I prefer it to the Cumbrae's version.
Tamales
Thanks for the tip for Tacos El Asador, their tamales are fantastic! In a mild panic with the Salsas plan falling through made some calls to round up some tamales for Christmas Eve.
Tacos El Asador was low on tamales but the guy on the phone said they had chicken and veggie and would hold some. Apparently someone else showed before me, they thought it was me, and cleaned them out of all of their chicken tamales. They had some left with cheese and green chillies inside and they were excellent. They served it with small cut of salsa that was crazy spicy so a little went a long way. These were as good if not better than what we got at Salsas, so really looking forward to trying the other varieties. I was also told to call a few days ahead and they would have whatever I needed ready for pick up.
I tried to call La Tierra Azteca but there were some language issues on the phone. After asking a couple of different ways could not figure out of they had any tamales in stock but was assured that they do sell them.
Tamales
I bought the very same groupon in plans of buying them as well! The other food I've had there was excellent so it won't go to waste.
You have $10 for a meal, where do you go in Toronto?
Panzo! Pardon the temporary insanity! :)
You have $10 for a meal, where do you go in Toronto?
A panini at Bitondo's - Think it's around $8. Delicious and filling.
Noisy Restaurants
Yes, don't mind lively but if I have to shout to have a conversation it makes the evening awkward and unpleasant. We've actually left places after ordering cocktails because of volume. I'm 38.
Oddly we've been noticing younger people screaming at each other in not so loud places which could also be the result of this current loud eating trend. Recently at a mellow gastro pub, we were near a table of 6, probably mid 20s. It was fairly early, none seemed to be drunk but they were screaming over each other the entire meal. Long stories were told so that the whole room could hear. Management asked them to quiet down and they didn't seem to realize they were being that loud and the volume slowly went up again.
Eaton Centre Food Court - new and expanded with interesting options
I really enjoy the roast beef sandwhiches at Rare. Also have enjoyed the Saag Paneer at Amaya which was better than expected for food court fare.
Mucho Burrito gets my vote for worst burrito in the city. The chicken burrito had a weird sweetness to it which may have come from mysterious burrito sauce. The hot sauce tasted like spicy ketchup. A medium burrito and drink came in around $13 making it the most expensive fast food burrito in the city that i'm aware of.
Turkey Dinner?
Hemingways in Yorkville also does a solid American Thanksgiving dinner that includes dessert for $17. It runs from Nov 24th to 26th.
http://www.hemingways.to/
Happiness at Yonge and Lawrence -- Burger's Priest's second location
Great news that it's going to be on the subway line! Without wheels it was an event to get out the the beaches.
