At the corner of Stanley and Ferry in Niagara Falls is a compelling sign. 6.99 for a breakfast buffet and 13.99 or so for a dinner buffet. It was walking distance from our hotel so we went for breakfast. It seemed like a good idea at the time but it was not!
The place was fairly crowded so that seemed good and we went in and were seated right away. The waitress asked what we wanted to drink and so we asked if the beverages were included. They're not so we asked for water. We were shocked though when the waitress said it is their policy not to provide water. If we wanted water, we could buy bottles. We were shocked.
We decided to stick around to sample the buffet anyway without any drinks. The food was fairly standard: pancakes, waffles, french toast, bacon, sausage, eggs, hash browns, potatoe fries, etc. The food was alright for the price. More select than you get with Ikea's $1 breakfast but you're paying significantly more. It's tough to enjoy breakfast when you're thirsty. It's one thing for my glass to run dry during a meal but a whole other thing for there to be no water whatsoever.
We each took two plates of food and got the bill. It's apparently a good thing we didn't order a beverage. Juice is apparently $4 for a tiny portion. Anyway, once we paid we hopped across the street to 7/11 where we bought two juices which we enjoyed on our walk home. We never looked back - well except to scowl at the place when we passed it on the drive out.
I feel bad for people that paid for the drinks. The breakfast buffet at other places looks significantly better for The morale here is to save your money and go for a vegas or at least some place other than Al Mac's
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Stone Road Grille (Niagara on the Lake)
For someplace that gets two stars in the Toronto Life Restaurant Guide in the "Out of Town" section, the Stone Road Grille in Niagara on the Lake was surprisingly not busy for Saturday lunch. It was Ian and I and another table of 4. The Niagara Ice Wine Festival was even in town which probably brought a lot more tourists to NOTL than might normally be there for a cold weekend in January!
Lunch started well with a selection of sourdough bread made in house and some butter. Then it was onto a squash soup - no complaints but a bit plain ($8 for a big bowl).
Ian really liked the hearty portion of mussels cooked with chorizo & wine. They came with a hearty side of good crispy fries ($14).
For me, a sweet potato risotto with fresh parmesan tasted remarkably like the risotto I make at home except more creamy ($12). Again no complaints, but nothing too special.
Overall, it was a very good lunch at a reasonable price and we will definitely be back if we are in the area.
Lunch started well with a selection of sourdough bread made in house and some butter. Then it was onto a squash soup - no complaints but a bit plain ($8 for a big bowl).
Ian really liked the hearty portion of mussels cooked with chorizo & wine. They came with a hearty side of good crispy fries ($14).
For me, a sweet potato risotto with fresh parmesan tasted remarkably like the risotto I make at home except more creamy ($12). Again no complaints, but nothing too special.
Overall, it was a very good lunch at a reasonable price and we will definitely be back if we are in the area.
Friday, January 22, 2010
168 Sushi Japan Buffet (Mississauga)
I gave into peer pressure, ditched a potentially useful lunch-time seminar and went out with the coworkers to all you can eat sushi/japanese/korean on Dundas.
The food came out quickly despite busy-ness, the tea was replenished and the empties taken away with great efficiency.
For food:
- Edamame was decent
- Grilled eggplant excellent although too oily
- Korean style galbi beef ribs good
- Bulgogi with random veggies - good
- Skip the teriyaki sushi
- Shrimp tempura was a hit with trays of the stuff passing by regularly
- Rolls - skip the spicy salmon, but the mushroom tempura, squash tempura, avocado plain, crispy avocado, spicy tempura california roll, grilled eel, salmon etc were all fantastic
- Sushi - the coworkers devoured a lot of salmon, grilled eel and other misc fish plus a salmon rose & salmon pizza
- Skip the tempura banana for dessert. The ice cream seemed more popular with other tables.
All this for about $18 including tax & tip (at lunch). Here's the website so you can check out the menu.
The food came out quickly despite busy-ness, the tea was replenished and the empties taken away with great efficiency.
For food:
- Edamame was decent
- Grilled eggplant excellent although too oily
- Korean style galbi beef ribs good
- Bulgogi with random veggies - good
- Skip the teriyaki sushi
- Shrimp tempura was a hit with trays of the stuff passing by regularly
- Rolls - skip the spicy salmon, but the mushroom tempura, squash tempura, avocado plain, crispy avocado, spicy tempura california roll, grilled eel, salmon etc were all fantastic
- Sushi - the coworkers devoured a lot of salmon, grilled eel and other misc fish plus a salmon rose & salmon pizza
- Skip the tempura banana for dessert. The ice cream seemed more popular with other tables.
All this for about $18 including tax & tip (at lunch). Here's the website so you can check out the menu.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Oliver & Bonacini - Wall of Shame
Another entrant - this time for charging $20 to priority mail a gift certificate to Kathy in Sarnia (despite the stamp saying $9 and Kathy not wanting priority).
That being said...we still plan to go to Oliver and Bonacini for winterlicious lunch!
That being said...we still plan to go to Oliver and Bonacini for winterlicious lunch!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
La Mexicana
Last time around we were moderately happy and since I was feeling like Mexican it was time for another trip back to the Yonge & Bloor location.
At 6:15 on Friday night it was rather empty and no problems getting a seat. It was a bit odd that they didn't seem to want to give us the primo booth by the window "since there was only two of us" but then offering it to the next two people that came in. Once the complimentary chips & salsa came out, we were slightly appeased.
Like last time, I decided to go with pork tamales with beans & salad. There was two pretty sizable corn husk wrapped tamales with a sparse amount of meat and some spicy red sauce and cheese. Overall high amounts of goodness!
Ian went with the combo platter which came with 3 items of the soft taco & enchilada genre. He got some beans & rice with his meal. There wasn't much sharing going on with me, so I can only assume this means that he enjoyed!
For about $35 or so including tax, tip & tap waters, this place is reasonably priced, especially for the often overpriced yorkville neighborhood.
At 6:15 on Friday night it was rather empty and no problems getting a seat. It was a bit odd that they didn't seem to want to give us the primo booth by the window "since there was only two of us" but then offering it to the next two people that came in. Once the complimentary chips & salsa came out, we were slightly appeased.
Like last time, I decided to go with pork tamales with beans & salad. There was two pretty sizable corn husk wrapped tamales with a sparse amount of meat and some spicy red sauce and cheese. Overall high amounts of goodness!
Ian went with the combo platter which came with 3 items of the soft taco & enchilada genre. He got some beans & rice with his meal. There wasn't much sharing going on with me, so I can only assume this means that he enjoyed!
For about $35 or so including tax, tip & tap waters, this place is reasonably priced, especially for the often overpriced yorkville neighborhood.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Korea House
Tacos Al Asador (our new obsession) was absolutely packed at 6:45 on a Friday night so we back-tracked to the heart of little Korea and went to Korea House. It too was moderately busy, but it seemed to be mainly due to an inefficient (but spacious) seating plan.
Things started well with a bunch of side dishes - bean sprouts, seaweed, sliced water chesnut jelly, tofu and ridiciously hard fermented black beans.
Main courses improved things - for me bulgogi (marinated beef) with onions, mushrooms and a large side of rice. This was one of the better bulgogi we've had and it definitely compares with the authentic version in Korea.
Ian made an even better choice - glass noodles with beef and veggie with a side of rice. Great flavor and almost too much for even Ian to eat!
The price here was great too - about $30 all in!
Things started well with a bunch of side dishes - bean sprouts, seaweed, sliced water chesnut jelly, tofu and ridiciously hard fermented black beans.
Main courses improved things - for me bulgogi (marinated beef) with onions, mushrooms and a large side of rice. This was one of the better bulgogi we've had and it definitely compares with the authentic version in Korea.
Ian made an even better choice - glass noodles with beef and veggie with a side of rice. Great flavor and almost too much for even Ian to eat!
The price here was great too - about $30 all in!
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Nota Bene
I made a reservation here a couple weeks ago with Open Table and 7:00 or 8:30 came up - not exactly convenient when the Nutcracker ended about 7:15. I chose 8:30. We were pleasantly surprised when we showed up for 7:45 and they seated us right away!
Things started well with some yummy brown bread and good olive oil for dipping.
For an appetizer, Ian really liked the Tunisian octopus. The octopus was light, perfectly cooked and not all that octopus-y (so much so that I even liked it). My red curry lobster bisque with coconut milk and lime was also good and a rather large serving.
For main courses, my braised short ribs didn't even require a knife to eat and were excellent. The accompanying cucumber, pickle, lettuce salad on the side was a bit weird and probably designed to push people toward getting the sides "for the table".
Ian's seared tuna was surprisingly so-so. No major complaints, but Ian felt that he's had better. The sides were good - chickpeas and peppers.
For a side for the table - we went with onion rings. A good concept - lots of very thinly sliced onions in a light batter and deep fried. They suffered from far too much salt though.
Dessert was decent - my sticky toffee pudding was adequately sticky toffee like and the rum butter ice cream was good. Ian's molten chocolate lava cake was molten-y with a surprising orange flavor on the inside. Grand marnier banana ice cream added to the whole thing.
The evening wasn't all that cheap with dinner, a small glass of wine, tap water, tax & tip setting us back about $150.
Here's the website link.
Things started well with some yummy brown bread and good olive oil for dipping.
For an appetizer, Ian really liked the Tunisian octopus. The octopus was light, perfectly cooked and not all that octopus-y (so much so that I even liked it). My red curry lobster bisque with coconut milk and lime was also good and a rather large serving.
For main courses, my braised short ribs didn't even require a knife to eat and were excellent. The accompanying cucumber, pickle, lettuce salad on the side was a bit weird and probably designed to push people toward getting the sides "for the table".
Ian's seared tuna was surprisingly so-so. No major complaints, but Ian felt that he's had better. The sides were good - chickpeas and peppers.
For a side for the table - we went with onion rings. A good concept - lots of very thinly sliced onions in a light batter and deep fried. They suffered from far too much salt though.
Dessert was decent - my sticky toffee pudding was adequately sticky toffee like and the rum butter ice cream was good. Ian's molten chocolate lava cake was molten-y with a surprising orange flavor on the inside. Grand marnier banana ice cream added to the whole thing.
The evening wasn't all that cheap with dinner, a small glass of wine, tap water, tax & tip setting us back about $150.
Here's the website link.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Burrito Wars
Well the burrito wars just off of yorkville, ended a few weeks ago with the closing of burrito fresh. I liked the place (past roundup) but it is no more. Quesada Mexican Grill just west of avenue on bloor has won. It opened up earlier in December. Their claim to fame is the big ass size burrito on a 14 inch tortilla. It's a lot of food but when you pay 12 bucks for a burrito you end up with this empty feeling in your wallet (not your tummy - it's pretty filling). Their regular large size is OK and is reasonably priced at 7.86 (without guac). In terms of fillings:
- veggie - it's just veggies so it's cheaper
- plain chicken - note the bold on plain.
- chipolte chicken - better
- steak - not sure if I've tried
- ancho pork - best
Friday, January 01, 2010
Summit Garden
This delightful gem in Mississauga (Dundas & Winston Churchill strip mall) doesn't really advertise dim sum but it seems to be a specialty for lunch every day of the week. On weekdays, with the work crowd, we try and get there for 11:30 to beat the rush. On weekends, get there pre-noon and avoid the 30-60 min wait in the lobby.
The waiters etc aren't the friendliest, but the carts go round with decent efficiency and we usually have enough tea and water to wash things down. Perhaps not the best place to go with a whole pack of dim sum rookies. It helps to have at least one person who knows what they are doing.
Favorites for Ian are har gow and sui mai. I like the flat noodle things in the special cart with soy type sauce. Pork is especially good, but seafood lovers seem to enjoy shrimp. Other good stuff we get are: fried dumplings, mushrooms with noodles, greens - either chinese or bok choi (order specially), sticky rice, steamed dumplings with pork, seafood, greens etc, curry squid, pork in buns, fried eggplant with shrimp, fried greenpepper with shrimp, tarro dumplings with or without pork. The authentic chinese people that come with the work crew seem to like the congee, chicken feet and tofu.
If you want leftovers or have a big crowd, order some singapore style noodles or fried rice off the menu to keep the price per person down.
When it's all done - we usually end up spending about $10 each for a big crowd. Ian and I more like $15 each, but I think mainly because I favor the pork and he likes seafood so we end up with more food than we need.
Here's the website link.
The waiters etc aren't the friendliest, but the carts go round with decent efficiency and we usually have enough tea and water to wash things down. Perhaps not the best place to go with a whole pack of dim sum rookies. It helps to have at least one person who knows what they are doing.
Favorites for Ian are har gow and sui mai. I like the flat noodle things in the special cart with soy type sauce. Pork is especially good, but seafood lovers seem to enjoy shrimp. Other good stuff we get are: fried dumplings, mushrooms with noodles, greens - either chinese or bok choi (order specially), sticky rice, steamed dumplings with pork, seafood, greens etc, curry squid, pork in buns, fried eggplant with shrimp, fried greenpepper with shrimp, tarro dumplings with or without pork. The authentic chinese people that come with the work crew seem to like the congee, chicken feet and tofu.
If you want leftovers or have a big crowd, order some singapore style noodles or fried rice off the menu to keep the price per person down.
When it's all done - we usually end up spending about $10 each for a big crowd. Ian and I more like $15 each, but I think mainly because I favor the pork and he likes seafood so we end up with more food than we need.
Here's the website link.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Leftover Turkey Troubles
I recommend - turkey quesidallas!
Pile chopped turkey, cheddar, tomatoes, cilantro and peppers on a tortilla. Grill over medium heat and flip when brown. Serve with salsa & avocado or guacamole for fancy people!
Pile chopped turkey, cheddar, tomatoes, cilantro and peppers on a tortilla. Grill over medium heat and flip when brown. Serve with salsa & avocado or guacamole for fancy people!
Artisan
For a quick meal, we head to Artisan bakery on Islington. It's not extremely cheap, but still a decent deal for hopefully moderately healthy food (ie there are vegetables). For about $20, we get 1 large chicken-pesto panini, an apple, pickle x 2, a piece of french bread, a half grilled veggie & cheese panini and an arugula salad topped with good stuff like roasted veggies, candied pecans and cheese.
Also good are the turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich and the bbq chicken-mushroom pizza. Forget the regular panini bread and go with multi-grain or molasses.
Also good are the turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich and the bbq chicken-mushroom pizza. Forget the regular panini bread and go with multi-grain or molasses.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
La Veranda Osteria
In the Kingsway area (Bloor & Royal York), this is one of the more upscale places. Surprisingly, it doesn't have prices to match.
For dinner on a Tuesday night, Ian had chicken parmesan for $14.95 (came with roast potatoes and grilled veggies) and I had taghiatelle veranda - basically noodles with some veggies, olive oil and tomatoes for $12.95. Both dishes were good and of course, Ian liked the plentiful bread that came around.
We unfortunately ordered the grilled veggie appetizer for $8.95. If we had known it was going to be the exact same veggies that Ian got with his chicken, we would have saved our $8.95.
The main beef with this place is the ridiculous number of rules blatantly displayed. They have some complex "seating" scheme whereby if you book for 5 and clear your table by 7 you get 10% off, then there is the 7-9 seating and a 9 seating. Walk ins are welcome space permitting. They also make allowances for the dessert/coffee crowd! All of this is conveniently displayed on a board outside the restaurant. I know a lot of the top end places do this, but they don't make it that obvious!
Immediately afterward, the adjectives that came to our minds were "snobby" and "hoity-toity". We won't be back anytime soon. There are lots of good Italian places in the neighborhood that don't take themselves quite so seriously!!
Here's the website link.
For dinner on a Tuesday night, Ian had chicken parmesan for $14.95 (came with roast potatoes and grilled veggies) and I had taghiatelle veranda - basically noodles with some veggies, olive oil and tomatoes for $12.95. Both dishes were good and of course, Ian liked the plentiful bread that came around.
We unfortunately ordered the grilled veggie appetizer for $8.95. If we had known it was going to be the exact same veggies that Ian got with his chicken, we would have saved our $8.95.
The main beef with this place is the ridiculous number of rules blatantly displayed. They have some complex "seating" scheme whereby if you book for 5 and clear your table by 7 you get 10% off, then there is the 7-9 seating and a 9 seating. Walk ins are welcome space permitting. They also make allowances for the dessert/coffee crowd! All of this is conveniently displayed on a board outside the restaurant. I know a lot of the top end places do this, but they don't make it that obvious!
Immediately afterward, the adjectives that came to our minds were "snobby" and "hoity-toity". We won't be back anytime soon. There are lots of good Italian places in the neighborhood that don't take themselves quite so seriously!!
Here's the website link.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Cora's
While previously against Cora's due to poor quantity to price ratio, we have lately become addicted now that one has opened up near the IKEA in Etobicoke (ie exceedingly convenient for us).
Our major error in the past was mis-ordering. Stay clear of the overpriced pancakes, waffles and crepes and instead opt for 1990's harvest or rosemary's sunday.
For about $10 - Ian likes his big "brioche" aka cinnamon bun. One half with fresh fruit, the other half with an egg and bacon. Pour some syrup over the whole thing and it's a pretty tasty meal.
I on the other hand prefer the 2 blueberry pancakes, 2 eggs, bacon with fresh fruit and toast. Also somewhere in the vicinity of $10.
Our major error in the past was mis-ordering. Stay clear of the overpriced pancakes, waffles and crepes and instead opt for 1990's harvest or rosemary's sunday.
For about $10 - Ian likes his big "brioche" aka cinnamon bun. One half with fresh fruit, the other half with an egg and bacon. Pour some syrup over the whole thing and it's a pretty tasty meal.
I on the other hand prefer the 2 blueberry pancakes, 2 eggs, bacon with fresh fruit and toast. Also somewhere in the vicinity of $10.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Momiji Sushi
Now that we live in the Kingsway, Momiji is part of our regular dinner spots.
It unfortunately comes with expensive Kingsway-esque prices, but I guess that comes with the neighborhood.
Ian and I usually share the tofu teriyaki or beef teriyaki dinner. Both exceedingly tasty and enough meat/tofu for two to share. Also comes with soup, salad, tempura and the like. The beef is about $17 and the tofu about $12 I think.
Also good is the grilled eggplant with magic orange/ginger stuff (hard to explain). Chicken yakisoba is decent although a little salty for Ian. We usually opt for a cheaper roll or two - avocado for me and salmon for Ian ($4 each).
For a higher end food place, the service is surprisingly bad with the hosts/table seaters particularly rude and un-responsive.
We generally end up spending about $35 for dinner, so certainly not in the same cheapness range as New Gen for example.
It unfortunately comes with expensive Kingsway-esque prices, but I guess that comes with the neighborhood.
Ian and I usually share the tofu teriyaki or beef teriyaki dinner. Both exceedingly tasty and enough meat/tofu for two to share. Also comes with soup, salad, tempura and the like. The beef is about $17 and the tofu about $12 I think.
Also good is the grilled eggplant with magic orange/ginger stuff (hard to explain). Chicken yakisoba is decent although a little salty for Ian. We usually opt for a cheaper roll or two - avocado for me and salmon for Ian ($4 each).
For a higher end food place, the service is surprisingly bad with the hosts/table seaters particularly rude and un-responsive.
We generally end up spending about $35 for dinner, so certainly not in the same cheapness range as New Gen for example.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
My Thai Kitchen
Should you happen to be in the Kingsway area of Toronto, get yourself to the My Thai Kitchen asap. The rest of the neighborhood agrees and it's consistently busy throughout the week for dinner.
Start with a mango salad ($6.75 - enough for 2). For main courses - red curry vegetables with rice is generally good ($8.95) and Ian likes their version of pad thai (10.95).
Start with a mango salad ($6.75 - enough for 2). For main courses - red curry vegetables with rice is generally good ($8.95) and Ian likes their version of pad thai (10.95).
Monday, December 07, 2009
Mama Martino's
This popular Etobicoke placed was packed at 5:45 on a Saturday night with a line-up outside the door!!
Once we got in, it was eggplant parmesan with pasta ($9.95) for me and veal parmesan with pasta for Ian ($8.95) plus a double of garlic bread (free).
The eggplant was about 10 layers covered with tomato sauce and lots of cheese. Ian liked his veal. The entire dish was so big that I took most of the pasta home for lunch the next day.
The rather large restaurant appeared to be equally split between lasagna, pasta, sandwiches and pizza. At this price and tastiness level, we'll definitely be back!
Once we got in, it was eggplant parmesan with pasta ($9.95) for me and veal parmesan with pasta for Ian ($8.95) plus a double of garlic bread (free).
The eggplant was about 10 layers covered with tomato sauce and lots of cheese. Ian liked his veal. The entire dish was so big that I took most of the pasta home for lunch the next day.
The rather large restaurant appeared to be equally split between lasagna, pasta, sandwiches and pizza. At this price and tastiness level, we'll definitely be back!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Tacos Al Asador Round #2
The last time around Ian and I were rather pleased by the price to quantity ratio and did not comment on tastiness which tells me it was only ok. Round #1 review here.
Round #2 was a Friday night about 7:45. This unfortunately meant a line-up right to the door for this popular El Salvadorian taco joint in the Annex. Also unfortunate was the argument Ian had with one of the owners who got upset at him for monopolizing a tables while I waited in line to get my order in. In the end, there were enough tables for everyone, but I think we had better give this place a cooling off period before going back.
On the menu this time was a chicken burrito, pork quesidalla, beef quesidalla, mixed pupusa, plantain and a coke.
Ian thought the chicken burrito was plain and the corn tortillas wrapped around the beef quesidalla (real chunks of beef and lots of cheese) were amazing. Both items came with a mini salad useful for stuffing into the quesidalla. Also on the table was a bowl of misc. fixins including jalapenos, onions and cilantro and a bowl of yummy hot sauce.
The plantains to share were good, but plain. Who can argue with fried members of the banana family?
My pupusa was interesting - it was a corn pancake type item with a mystery cheesy filling. It came with a side of pickled purple cabbage. All around good stuff. I ate with a fork and knife, but I later saw some authentic Latin Americans eating naan bread and curryesque - using the pupusa to pick up the slaw. I guess I'll know for next time.
Total price was $18.10. By my count, it should have come to $17.10, but no need to argue, we just tipped less to compensate.
Round #2 was a Friday night about 7:45. This unfortunately meant a line-up right to the door for this popular El Salvadorian taco joint in the Annex. Also unfortunate was the argument Ian had with one of the owners who got upset at him for monopolizing a tables while I waited in line to get my order in. In the end, there were enough tables for everyone, but I think we had better give this place a cooling off period before going back.
On the menu this time was a chicken burrito, pork quesidalla, beef quesidalla, mixed pupusa, plantain and a coke.
Ian thought the chicken burrito was plain and the corn tortillas wrapped around the beef quesidalla (real chunks of beef and lots of cheese) were amazing. Both items came with a mini salad useful for stuffing into the quesidalla. Also on the table was a bowl of misc. fixins including jalapenos, onions and cilantro and a bowl of yummy hot sauce.
The plantains to share were good, but plain. Who can argue with fried members of the banana family?
My pupusa was interesting - it was a corn pancake type item with a mystery cheesy filling. It came with a side of pickled purple cabbage. All around good stuff. I ate with a fork and knife, but I later saw some authentic Latin Americans eating naan bread and curryesque - using the pupusa to pick up the slaw. I guess I'll know for next time.
Total price was $18.10. By my count, it should have come to $17.10, but no need to argue, we just tipped less to compensate.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Peruvian in Toronto
Here's the official best of Peru in Toronto
1. El Fogon
Ian, Anne and I went on Friday night. Things started well with the obligatory Inca Kola and some bread with aji (spicy pepper sauce). For appetizers, papas a la huancaina (potatoes with creamy egg sauce) and calmari were delightful. Main course of pescado frito (fried white fish with rice, plantain and salad), lomo saltado (beef with tomatoes, onion, fries and rice) and chicken with rice, beans and coriander sauce were all excellent and reasonably priced. Dessert was a highlight with flaky alfajor cake (dulche de leche filling) and creamy creme caramel.
Review #1
Review #2
Best of all - high marks for authenticity!
We've been about 10 times, and it's always consistently tasty with good service and decent prices.
2. Boulevard Cafe
Ian has been a number of times and me once. No major complaints, although much of the menu is Peruvian "influenced" rather than dishes you would actually find in Peru. It's a bit higher end and higher priced than El Fogon.
Review #1
Review #2
3. El Plebeyo
See our previous issues with this place. Not noted on Ian's post is the horrendously large multipage menu. For a small, not very busy joint, how could anything possibly be fresh? I suspect quite large portions of the menu are coming out of the freezer!
Ian's El Plebeyo vs El Fogon showdown post
4. Chachy's in Etobicoke
Ian and I went on a Friday night about 7:30 and were moderately disturbed to find only one other table eating and a couple of crusty bikers drinking at the bar. The live music was ok, but kinda loud. Crusty guys at the bar kept giving us the evil eye when we didn't applaud the musician after every song.
Even worse, the waiter was rather unfriendly and we felt like we were intruding and bothering the staff.
The lomo saltado was ok, but the beef was somewhat chewy. Ian had no major complaints with the really cheap roast chicken and fries.
The poor service combined with drinking bikers means we'll keeping making the trek to El Fogon.
1. El Fogon
Ian, Anne and I went on Friday night. Things started well with the obligatory Inca Kola and some bread with aji (spicy pepper sauce). For appetizers, papas a la huancaina (potatoes with creamy egg sauce) and calmari were delightful. Main course of pescado frito (fried white fish with rice, plantain and salad), lomo saltado (beef with tomatoes, onion, fries and rice) and chicken with rice, beans and coriander sauce were all excellent and reasonably priced. Dessert was a highlight with flaky alfajor cake (dulche de leche filling) and creamy creme caramel.
Review #1
Review #2
Best of all - high marks for authenticity!
We've been about 10 times, and it's always consistently tasty with good service and decent prices.
2. Boulevard Cafe
Ian has been a number of times and me once. No major complaints, although much of the menu is Peruvian "influenced" rather than dishes you would actually find in Peru. It's a bit higher end and higher priced than El Fogon.
Review #1
Review #2
3. El Plebeyo
See our previous issues with this place. Not noted on Ian's post is the horrendously large multipage menu. For a small, not very busy joint, how could anything possibly be fresh? I suspect quite large portions of the menu are coming out of the freezer!
Ian's El Plebeyo vs El Fogon showdown post
4. Chachy's in Etobicoke
Ian and I went on a Friday night about 7:30 and were moderately disturbed to find only one other table eating and a couple of crusty bikers drinking at the bar. The live music was ok, but kinda loud. Crusty guys at the bar kept giving us the evil eye when we didn't applaud the musician after every song.
Even worse, the waiter was rather unfriendly and we felt like we were intruding and bothering the staff.
The lomo saltado was ok, but the beef was somewhat chewy. Ian had no major complaints with the really cheap roast chicken and fries.
The poor service combined with drinking bikers means we'll keeping making the trek to El Fogon.
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