Halibut x2 + chips x 1 + pop x 1 = about $23. Friendly service I suppose makes up for it a bit - at least your moola is going toward nice, hardworking owners who try hard to make customers happy.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Harbord Fish and Chips
The final verdict -highly tasty but not very healthy (obviously) and possibly a bit overpriced (at least vs what we recall paying a few years back).
Halibut x2 + chips x 1 + pop x 1 = about $23. Friendly service I suppose makes up for it a bit - at least your moola is going toward nice, hardworking owners who try hard to make customers happy.
Halibut x2 + chips x 1 + pop x 1 = about $23. Friendly service I suppose makes up for it a bit - at least your moola is going toward nice, hardworking owners who try hard to make customers happy.
Oliver and Bonacini
The final installment of Summerlicious '09 was Oliver and Bonacini. A $15 lunch was well worth the trek out to Bayview mall. We managed to fight off crowds of families and seniors and snagged our table after a minor reservation system glitch.
We enjoyed our drinks - $6 glass of Inniskillin pinot grigio and a $4.50 juice of the day.
Appetizers started very well for Ian was a shrimp pate and cracker, but less well for me with a chilled spicy tomato cucumber soup. I kinda suspected I wouldn't be a huge fan, but it sounded more promising than a salad with my arch nemesis blue cheese dressing (well I guess #2 nemesis after the evil olive).
Main courses improved lunch. A gigantic bass fillet with Israeli couscous with corn salad.
The star of the meal was a braised short rib and monterey jack quesadilla with corn salsa and coleslaw. Much more meaty than I expected and three rather large triangles.
Stawberry-rharbab buckle for dessert was a delightful white cake with fruit and cream.
Ian of course, went for the chocolate in the form of chocolate caramel tart with toasted nut gelato. Mmmmmm....
We enjoyed our drinks - $6 glass of Inniskillin pinot grigio and a $4.50 juice of the day.
Appetizers started very well for Ian was a shrimp pate and cracker, but less well for me with a chilled spicy tomato cucumber soup. I kinda suspected I wouldn't be a huge fan, but it sounded more promising than a salad with my arch nemesis blue cheese dressing (well I guess #2 nemesis after the evil olive).
Main courses improved lunch. A gigantic bass fillet with Israeli couscous with corn salad.
The star of the meal was a braised short rib and monterey jack quesadilla with corn salsa and coleslaw. Much more meaty than I expected and three rather large triangles.
Stawberry-rharbab buckle for dessert was a delightful white cake with fruit and cream.
Ian of course, went for the chocolate in the form of chocolate caramel tart with toasted nut gelato. Mmmmmm....
Monday, July 20, 2009
T&T Supermarket
Seriously get yourself to the local T&T for a quick and easy dim sum replacement meal!
Pan fried pork dumplings, steamed shrimp/beef balls and a pork/egg sticky rice package for about $7.
Packed with authentic looking asian people with a minimum of white people like ourselves!
Pan fried pork dumplings, steamed shrimp/beef balls and a pork/egg sticky rice package for about $7.
Packed with authentic looking asian people with a minimum of white people like ourselves!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Burritos from the Last Week
I've had a few burritos over the last week and bit. I've been to all of the places before but here my most recent thoughts:
Z-Teca (on King ) - Janice and I go here frequently. It's her number 1 in the Toronto area and she specifically likes the beef barbacoa. I find the burritos a little dry and of course I dislike the lack of free guacamole. That said I still go once a week. The overall product is tasty. Chicken though isn't their strong point so go for the beef or pork.
Burrito Fresh (on Bloor) - This is my lunch time favorite. It's close to work and the burritos are decent. Again no guacamole and the amount of meat you get is fairly variable depending on who is serving. Once when I went for dinner they burnt my burrito which was upsetting. That only happened the once though. I usually get the chicken on whole wheat.
Que Bueno (in DEN) - This is the family favorite for the Denver airport. I had a chicken. They seemed grouchy about everyone (myself included) getting waters with their burritos and they were secretly discussing (well it wasn't really in secret since they spoke in the language that is native to 400 million people) that they should charge 15 cents or something for each water.
Chipotle (on the strip but also near Yonge & Dundas) - The place was packed but the line moved so I was in and out with my burrito pretty quickly to get back to the tables. It was surprisingly spicy with the mild Salsa. It's nothing special and in terms of chains I prefer La Salsa and Baja Fresh.
Big Fat (in Kensington Market) - This is my Toronto favorite by far. The burritos are moist and tasty. Janice got a yam and I had a pork. Both have guacamole. Enough said.
Z-Teca (on King ) - Janice and I go here frequently. It's her number 1 in the Toronto area and she specifically likes the beef barbacoa. I find the burritos a little dry and of course I dislike the lack of free guacamole. That said I still go once a week. The overall product is tasty. Chicken though isn't their strong point so go for the beef or pork.
Burrito Fresh (on Bloor) - This is my lunch time favorite. It's close to work and the burritos are decent. Again no guacamole and the amount of meat you get is fairly variable depending on who is serving. Once when I went for dinner they burnt my burrito which was upsetting. That only happened the once though. I usually get the chicken on whole wheat.
Que Bueno (in DEN) - This is the family favorite for the Denver airport. I had a chicken. They seemed grouchy about everyone (myself included) getting waters with their burritos and they were secretly discussing (well it wasn't really in secret since they spoke in the language that is native to 400 million people) that they should charge 15 cents or something for each water.
Chipotle (on the strip but also near Yonge & Dundas) - The place was packed but the line moved so I was in and out with my burrito pretty quickly to get back to the tables. It was surprisingly spicy with the mild Salsa. It's nothing special and in terms of chains I prefer La Salsa and Baja Fresh.
Big Fat (in Kensington Market) - This is my Toronto favorite by far. The burritos are moist and tasty. Janice got a yam and I had a pork. Both have guacamole. Enough said.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Summerlicious Brasaii
After a successful outing to Brasaii for Winterlicious, we swung by again for a summerlicious dinner ($35). Basically I was craving steak frites and with Ian's aversion to french food, I don't think I've had since the last outing here!
I liked that they actually brought around some bread - perhaps not the norm for 'licious events" trying to cut costs.
Appetizers were 4 crispy shrimp and dipping sauce for Ian. Yummy as usual.
I didn't like the sound of the soup of the day (chilled pea), so went with baked goat cheese. Mmmm....
We both went with a medium brasaii bistro steak with shallot juice and fries. This really was too much meat to possibly eat, although it was so good we definitely tried to!! The best steak I've had in a while! Fries were crispy and good too.
Dessert was a very good take on my all time favorite - creme brulee. This version was white chocolate and orange!
I liked that they actually brought around some bread - perhaps not the norm for 'licious events" trying to cut costs.
Appetizers were 4 crispy shrimp and dipping sauce for Ian. Yummy as usual.
I didn't like the sound of the soup of the day (chilled pea), so went with baked goat cheese. Mmmm....
We both went with a medium brasaii bistro steak with shallot juice and fries. This really was too much meat to possibly eat, although it was so good we definitely tried to!! The best steak I've had in a while! Fries were crispy and good too.
Dessert was a very good take on my all time favorite - creme brulee. This version was white chocolate and orange!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Summerlicious - The Drake
For a three course lunch at the Drake for $20, it seemed worth an outing to Parkdale. We tried to walk fast to avoid getting mugged, but in general encountered no sketchiness except for the restaurant itself!!
After positive reviews by the New York Times and Toronto Life we were expecting something a little more high end.
For starters, we were seated in their cafe section that was pretty casual and that included a mix of clientele (more to come on that later).
Appetizers went poorly with a bait and switch scam whereby the website offered a "Drake Maki roll with shrimp, crab and avocado" for lunch but the printed menu only had soup or salad.
The tomato soup ended up being delightful with some nice creaminess and spiciness all in one!
Ian on the other hand, wasn't thinking clearly and got swayed by the bacon in the iceberg wedge salad and didn't pay attention to the blue cheese in the dressing. Ian making a play for my soup was the result.
Ian's main course was pretty delightful - shrimp with grits and peas. The grits were particularly delicious, although from a presentation perspective, it was something we could have cooked up at home with little effort!
My main course was a very small portion of steak and a miami beef rib. Decently tasty, although the beef rib was a touch overcooked. Baked potato promised "salt baked old cheddar" but in the end only appeared to be overwhelmed with sour cream.
More entertaining than our meal itself was that of our table neighbors. They were a rather grouchy, not talking family of three. At one point, older lady had 2 baked potatoes loaded up on her plate, of which she was nominally picking away at. The younger lady had the meat from all three diners stacked up on her plate to take home. Odd to say the least..especially considering the rather puny portions dished out? Maybe they pre-ate at home before arriving?
Dessert was a favorite - Ian was very happy with his chocolate passion fruit pudding with generous amounts of whip cream and a fun take on an oreo cookie.
I really enjoyed my triple cream vanilla cake with rice krispies and strawberries.
At this point, the neighbors on the other side kicked in some entertainment. They seemed to be ex-workers of the Drake or possibly real regulars. They seemed desperate to know who was working where and for this or that person to say hi from them. At one point, they were freakin out about how busy it was and where they could possibly sit, but they were basically standing at an empty table for four at that point, thus making a freak-out seem rather silly.
In the end, a decent meal for $20, although the summerlicious experience has not converted me to a customer at regular price.
After positive reviews by the New York Times and Toronto Life we were expecting something a little more high end.
For starters, we were seated in their cafe section that was pretty casual and that included a mix of clientele (more to come on that later).
Appetizers went poorly with a bait and switch scam whereby the website offered a "Drake Maki roll with shrimp, crab and avocado" for lunch but the printed menu only had soup or salad.
The tomato soup ended up being delightful with some nice creaminess and spiciness all in one!
Ian on the other hand, wasn't thinking clearly and got swayed by the bacon in the iceberg wedge salad and didn't pay attention to the blue cheese in the dressing. Ian making a play for my soup was the result.
Ian's main course was pretty delightful - shrimp with grits and peas. The grits were particularly delicious, although from a presentation perspective, it was something we could have cooked up at home with little effort!
My main course was a very small portion of steak and a miami beef rib. Decently tasty, although the beef rib was a touch overcooked. Baked potato promised "salt baked old cheddar" but in the end only appeared to be overwhelmed with sour cream. More entertaining than our meal itself was that of our table neighbors. They were a rather grouchy, not talking family of three. At one point, older lady had 2 baked potatoes loaded up on her plate, of which she was nominally picking away at. The younger lady had the meat from all three diners stacked up on her plate to take home. Odd to say the least..especially considering the rather puny portions dished out? Maybe they pre-ate at home before arriving?
Dessert was a favorite - Ian was very happy with his chocolate passion fruit pudding with generous amounts of whip cream and a fun take on an oreo cookie. 
I really enjoyed my triple cream vanilla cake with rice krispies and strawberries.
At this point, the neighbors on the other side kicked in some entertainment. They seemed to be ex-workers of the Drake or possibly real regulars. They seemed desperate to know who was working where and for this or that person to say hi from them. At one point, they were freakin out about how busy it was and where they could possibly sit, but they were basically standing at an empty table for four at that point, thus making a freak-out seem rather silly.
In the end, a decent meal for $20, although the summerlicious experience has not converted me to a customer at regular price.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
St Jacob's Market
The market was rather busy on the Sat of the May Long Weekend, but we braved the crowds and rain. Ian ordered a rather tasty peameal, egg and cheese on a bun. Surprisingly very yummy!
From ther Perogy Palace, the $4.50 lunch special of 2 perogies and 1 cabbage roll with bacon, onions and sour cream. A whole lot of tastiness for a decent price!
And finally a maple glazed cinammon role to share.
At the market, we bought some asparagus and new potatoes. Add in some PC salmon and chives and it was a pretty tasty meal last night.
And then some rhubarb (also from the market) with apple crisp and fro-yo. Perhaps a bit tart, but overally really good.
From ther Perogy Palace, the $4.50 lunch special of 2 perogies and 1 cabbage roll with bacon, onions and sour cream. A whole lot of tastiness for a decent price!
And finally a maple glazed cinammon role to share.
At the market, we bought some asparagus and new potatoes. Add in some PC salmon and chives and it was a pretty tasty meal last night.
And then some rhubarb (also from the market) with apple crisp and fro-yo. Perhaps a bit tart, but overally really good.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Mildred's Temple Kitchen
After a mostly glowing review by the sometimes slightly snobby (but generally right) Joanne Kates, I thought we should check out Mildred's Temple Kitchen for my birthday dinner.
After a rather long detour through Liberty Village, we finally found the place hidden away in a building. Perhaps I should have paid closer attention to the website directions. Reservations the night before for Friday night at 8 were no problem.
It was a great dining room - double height ceilings with lots of light and a partially open kitchen. There was an odd assortment of people here - the older crowd who were talking about the old mildred's and a 30 and under crowd like ourselves.
Dinner started off well with ricotta gnudi with berkshire bacon and baby tomatoes. There were 5 delightfully light gnocchi and really who can argue with bacon in anything!
Ian had the soup of the day - squid with crab in curry sauce. It was even fun - the squid was already in the bowl, then the waiter came over with the crab curry and poured it over top. OK, now that I write this, it was perhaps only of moderate interest. Anywho, Ian seemed to enjoy.
Main course for Ian was Arctic char with potatoes and some greenery. Ian enjoyed but generally agreed with Joanne that the crust on the fish was a little salty.
I went light and ordered the grilled eggplant with stewed tomatoes on cous-cous. It was fantastic, although was heavy handed with my arch-nemesis, the olive (no mention of this in the menu). The tomato sauce made this dish - sweet and rich. Cous-cous was of the larger grained variety and was creamy and green.
Dessert for me was caramel chocolate tart with sponge toffee - no complaints but was similar to the presidents choice chocolate tart.
Ian had the profiteroles (cream puffs for regular people) with chocolate ice cream and chocolate sauce. Tasty!
Total bill was $160 including tax, tip and a cheap bottle of white.
After a rather long detour through Liberty Village, we finally found the place hidden away in a building. Perhaps I should have paid closer attention to the website directions. Reservations the night before for Friday night at 8 were no problem.
It was a great dining room - double height ceilings with lots of light and a partially open kitchen. There was an odd assortment of people here - the older crowd who were talking about the old mildred's and a 30 and under crowd like ourselves.
Dinner started off well with ricotta gnudi with berkshire bacon and baby tomatoes. There were 5 delightfully light gnocchi and really who can argue with bacon in anything!
Ian had the soup of the day - squid with crab in curry sauce. It was even fun - the squid was already in the bowl, then the waiter came over with the crab curry and poured it over top. OK, now that I write this, it was perhaps only of moderate interest. Anywho, Ian seemed to enjoy.
Main course for Ian was Arctic char with potatoes and some greenery. Ian enjoyed but generally agreed with Joanne that the crust on the fish was a little salty.
I went light and ordered the grilled eggplant with stewed tomatoes on cous-cous. It was fantastic, although was heavy handed with my arch-nemesis, the olive (no mention of this in the menu). The tomato sauce made this dish - sweet and rich. Cous-cous was of the larger grained variety and was creamy and green.
Dessert for me was caramel chocolate tart with sponge toffee - no complaints but was similar to the presidents choice chocolate tart.
Ian had the profiteroles (cream puffs for regular people) with chocolate ice cream and chocolate sauce. Tasty!
Total bill was $160 including tax, tip and a cheap bottle of white.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Barbados
One of the things that sold us on Barbados was the food description in Lonely Planet. Barbados did not disappoint! Added bonuses were you could drink the tap water and neither of us got sick! And that we found a $450 flight on Air Canada!
Some scenery shots first, then the food. Our beach at the Coconut Court on the South Coast.
Typical East Coast with cool rocks in the Ocean
Oistins Fish Fry was fantastic. On Friday nights (and Sat too a bit), locals and tourists gather by the fish market for a fry and party.
You must wash the fish down with the local Banks.
Flying fish with rice and beans, salad and macaroni pie. Mmmm...
And a slightly different take - flying fish with coleslaw and roast potatoes. With a banks beer of course.
2 Barbados = $1 US so this is a pretty good deal for $10!
Business people in Bridgetown go to Brown Sugar for buffet lunch. This was a great open air restaurant.
Rice & beans, flying fish, bbq chicken, greens, spinach fritter, candied potato, roast pork....
Desserts where tasty - bread pudding with currants and rum sauce!
Waterfront Cafe in Bridgetown - good location and good food! Flying fish with cou-cou (cornmeal/okra dumpling I think).
Ian has a flying fish sandwich.
And our favorite of the island was Pisces in St. Lawrence Gap. It was not cheap though as both times we went, we ended up averaging about $100 US for 2.
Seafood Gumbo
Shrimp Roti
Flying fish with rice
Tasty bread pudding with ice cream
All over the island there are a bunch of rum huts that also serve simple food for cheap.
Bridgetown Farmers Markets:
Fish Markets are serious business in Barbados
And finally how can you go wrong with cheap and tasty fast food roti from Papa Johns. It's literally as big as your face for about $ 5 US I think.
Some scenery shots first, then the food. Our beach at the Coconut Court on the South Coast.
Typical East Coast with cool rocks in the Ocean
Oistins Fish Fry was fantastic. On Friday nights (and Sat too a bit), locals and tourists gather by the fish market for a fry and party.
You must wash the fish down with the local Banks.
Flying fish with rice and beans, salad and macaroni pie. Mmmm...
And a slightly different take - flying fish with coleslaw and roast potatoes. With a banks beer of course.
2 Barbados = $1 US so this is a pretty good deal for $10!
Business people in Bridgetown go to Brown Sugar for buffet lunch. This was a great open air restaurant.
Rice & beans, flying fish, bbq chicken, greens, spinach fritter, candied potato, roast pork....
Desserts where tasty - bread pudding with currants and rum sauce!
Waterfront Cafe in Bridgetown - good location and good food! Flying fish with cou-cou (cornmeal/okra dumpling I think).
Ian has a flying fish sandwich.
And our favorite of the island was Pisces in St. Lawrence Gap. It was not cheap though as both times we went, we ended up averaging about $100 US for 2.
Seafood Gumbo
Shrimp Roti
Flying fish with rice
Tasty bread pudding with ice cream
All over the island there are a bunch of rum huts that also serve simple food for cheap.
Bridgetown Farmers Markets:
Fish Markets are serious business in Barbados
And finally how can you go wrong with cheap and tasty fast food roti from Papa Johns. It's literally as big as your face for about $ 5 US I think.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
And..More Korean...but at Home
I have very few regrets in my life, but not buying $1 stone dolsat bi-bim-bop bowls at the dollar store in Korea is one of them. I put 100% of the blame for this on Ian. I hope he feels bad (but he probably doesn't).
Only a very minor amount of genius on my part has saved us from this dilemma. The bop for 2 in a common pan (with a handle) is a little unorthodox, but seemed to do the job when baked in the oven!
And here's the final product, all mixed up!
Only a very minor amount of genius on my part has saved us from this dilemma. The bop for 2 in a common pan (with a handle) is a little unorthodox, but seemed to do the job when baked in the oven!
And here's the final product, all mixed up!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Yellow Griffin
Ian was the winner today with the Calypso on Chicken. Bacon, mango, avocado and cheddar. With a gigantic mound of yummy sweet potato fries for $11.95.
I unfortunately got thrown off by not being able to order my creme caramel (onions, mushrooms and bbq sauce) and salmon and instead ordered with pork. It turned out dry and too saucy all at the same time. Extremely tasty onion rings, but a sparse compared to what we later saw coming out of the kitchen. $11.35.
I unfortunately got thrown off by not being able to order my creme caramel (onions, mushrooms and bbq sauce) and salmon and instead ordered with pork. It turned out dry and too saucy all at the same time. Extremely tasty onion rings, but a sparse compared to what we later saw coming out of the kitchen. $11.35.
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