http://www.chow.com/boards/23 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:53:21 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/102934#5211420 Does anyone know of any places that are TTC-accessible that sell Sinterklaas food and candy? We can get stroopwafels at pretty much any grocery store, but i'm thinking of pepernoten, chocolate letters, speculaas etc. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:36:47 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/102934#5211420 http://www.chow.com/topics/419031#5211381 Unfortunate but true. However, a distributor can fix the labeling problem. Just put a sticker on the package. DT Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:16:35 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/419031#5211381 http://www.chow.com/topics/476788#5211364 Sorry to reply to an old thread, but I was wondering if anyone has had any luck sourcing liquid nitrogen in the GTA for cooking applications? If anyone could point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 21:06:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/476788#5211364 http://www.chow.com/topics/669775#5211351 I have heard the Highland Farms has them, but I have looked at the one on Matheson and have yet to find them. Thanks for the tip though. I will stop by again for a look. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:58:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669775#5211351 http://www.chow.com/topics/670089#5211344 hello folks, thoughts on Crush wine bar? TSO tomorrow night, can't beat the location, but is the food good? other recommendations in the area? thanks! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:56:43 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670089#5211344 http://www.chow.com/topics/639008#5211304 What's the address of Danforth Pizza House? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:28:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/639008#5211304 http://www.chow.com/topics/659732#5211301 Ok...went and had lunch at Chicago Pizza Kitchen. Called ahead to order the patty melt to expidite lunch (had some meetings that I could not be late for). It is a small place, and when I got there, there was a long table of women with their kids.....and the kids seemed to delight in screaming, and I mean SCREAMING....my ears were ringing at one point. The women didn't seem to mind, but I wasn't there for the ambiance, I was there for the food. So, originally I was going to get the patty melt to go, but after the drive took longer than I assumed it would, I figured I would like the sandwich to still be a warm rather than cool off on the drive back, so I decided to eat in. To be perfectly objective, I was a little underwelmed. The patty seemed a bit overdone and it was really thin. I wasn't expecting a 1 inch thick burger, but this was about the same thickness as a McDonalds burger (maybe less). I wasn't sure about the cheese, couldn't really discern whether they were Kraft Cheese Food singles or not. The onions were nice though. I do not like my sautéed onions to be wilted, gelatinous, semi-solid goop. These were done really nicely. I guess you could call them al dente, and he used vidalia/sweet onions which was a nice touch. The only issue I had with them is that they may have been a tad too thick. The sandwich, as a whole, was kind of greasy, and I really didn't taste too much of the meat. Between Chicago Pizza Kitchen, and the Pilot, I will take the Pilot patty melt. However, I haven't had a patty melt from the Pilot in what seems like an age, so I am only going on memory here....but that said, it was a great memory. Anyhoo, I will go to Chicago Pizza Kitchen again, but not for the burgers. The table of women and screaming ankle biters had ordered a Chicago Style deep dish pizza, and it looked amazing....had a bit of "food envy" going on. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:26:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/659732#5211301 http://www.chow.com/topics/670056#5211292 Thanks, Royaljelly. Should I be considering other places too, then? We didn't feel rushed at all at Magic Wok and O Mei. Our two little guests aren't rambunctious at all. We don't need a private room. I simply want a place where we can take our time with the menus and then again after we're finished eating. Some places are a bit brusque with dropping the bill the moment you're finished eating. Our guests are Cantonese speakers, so they can certainly communicate to staff that we will be socializing with one another as well as eating. My list of great places to try is the following, in no particular order (bear in mind that we've already hit Magic Wok and O Mei): Xam Yue Fantasy Eatery Maple Yip Elegantview Sun Star Magic Wok John's Chinese Barbecue Tanchikee Big Mouth Kee Yang's Emperor Regal Palace Casa Imperial/Victoria Ambassador Regal 16 O'mei Grand Chinese Dragon Dynasty Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:23:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670056#5211292 http://www.chow.com/topics/670081#5211287 mitizi's sister at queen west and sorauren is gay owned and has very decent food, give them a shout, either mary or tracey should be able to set you up. very hip/alt place www.mitzissister.com Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:19:38 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670081#5211287 http://www.chow.com/topics/669571#5211286 I will have to check both Kathmandu and Jaipur as soon as I get over this lousy flu. I haven't had good tandoori (or a good Indian buffet) for too long. Most restaurant tandoori is bland and uninteresting. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:19:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669571#5211286 http://www.chow.com/topics/669427#5211269 Thanks for the tips. I should have specified 2.5 and 7 year old girls. Pity the area has such a mediocre benchmark. Puzzling but but not surprising these days though. I will give Archeo a try.Tomorrow is festival of lights at Nathan Phillips, make an evening of it. I hope they take reservations. Great help! thanks again. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:07:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669427#5211269 http://www.chow.com/topics/670077#5211232 We will be coming back from a friend's cabin on lake Sunday around 7 and wanted to have a great last night dinner in Toronto. We are staying Downtown. We went to Papillon and also to Colbert Lane and had drinks at Pravda. Any suggestions?? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:41:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670077#5211232 http://www.chow.com/topics/670044#5211227 Syrian style mulukhiya would be a great. Thanks for the tip - I'll try it out in a few weeks. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:37:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670044#5211227 http://www.chow.com/topics/670068#5211225 Thanks for the quick response Vinnie (love your reviews btw), but we weren't quick enough. It has been decided....by a majority of two (!), that we are going to Ten Feet Tall. I think I was there a couple of years ago and was not too impressed. I will keep your suggestions to myself and try them out on my own. thanks again. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:36:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670068#5211225 http://www.chow.com/topics/669637#5211205 Do both of you find Table 17 to be inconsistent or unsatisfactory? I have not found them to be either, particularly relative to other restaurants on Queen E. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:25:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669637#5211205 http://www.chow.com/topics/669907#5211202 Thanks for letting us know! I just signed up for one. My one experience with District was just okay, but for $20 off I figure I can give them another try. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:20:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669907#5211202 http://www.chow.com/topics/670069#5211188 I know it opened last night (Thursday, November 26) did anyone go? I was thinking about going this weekend but would love someone's opinion. Thanks! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:17:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670069#5211188 http://www.chow.com/topics/670029#5211164 Kirkland is, in my opinion, the best value for everyday use. Yes, it's the Costco brand. I always keep a bottle of something a little more special for specific fancypants uses (like drizzling over strawberries or pannacotta or very excellent tomatoes) but don't use that for marinades or salad dressing. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:08:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670029#5211164 http://www.chow.com/topics/667030#5211156 as a guy who likes to review burgers, I didn't want to bash that review. but there were parts where I questioned it. And I wish my oh boy burger was just some salt away from perfection. but to be fair, of the burger places that were reviewed, there isn't much better in Toronto along the same price scale. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:02:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/667030#5211156 http://www.chow.com/topics/657587#5211141 I'd still suggest Nortown - order a whole bird sliced and put back on the frame. They don't stock these in their stores. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:51:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/657587#5211141 http://www.chow.com/topics/375855#5211127 Someone told me that Amico's in Parkdale makes a good one. That would be great because they deliver. Anyone tried? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:41:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/375855#5211127 http://www.chow.com/topics/669157#5211044 Homo milk in Ontario is limited to 3.25% bf. Anything above is skimmed off for other products such as butter or cheese. Goat's milk is above 4% bf and not subject to the marketing board rules. Hewitt's is in most large marts. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:52:30 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669157#5211044 http://www.chow.com/topics/670041#5210975 Alto Grande is a good substitute for Jamaican Blue Mountain, if you can find it: mild smooth and a hint of chocolate, no bitter aftertaste. Here is another substitute from the Caribbean http://www.greenbeanery.ca/bean/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=102_103&products_id=7490&osCsid=d1a5cfb336accad0dc2e8b6f10242581 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:17:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/670041#5210975 http://www.chow.com/topics/454683#5210956 I don't know, it's just delicious. Go try for yourself. Cheese and veal inside. But they aren't heavy-handed with the cheese, which is nice. Makes it a lot more digestible and a tad lighter than other lasagnas. But yes, there is cheese there. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:07:27 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/454683#5210956 http://www.chow.com/topics/668753#5210919 Just tried their Wednesday special of potato pancakes -- SO good. The line-up never stopped the whole time I was there with everyone ordering potato pancakes. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:48:29 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668753#5210919 http://www.chow.com/topics/595544#5210840 Patisserie Sebastien I dropped by yesterday around noon to grab a quick 'quiche & salad'. The quiche Lorraine was wonderfully light and moist (I thought I was eating cotton candy) and the crust smacked of french butter (airy, decadent and delicious). I also purchased a couple of bagettes and some pasteries for dinner. The whole wheat bagette was somewhat dense and not to my liking. The white flour bagette was flavourful, but still a little dense and not thick enough. The crust was fantastic and I'm still searching my mind to figure out what that 'extra' taste is...I'm assuming it is the type of olive oil the chef uses. I actually did not purchase enough desserts and at dinner I was the odd person out. But my dinner guests were thoroughly enjoying them. I hope to pop by again and try some for myself. Bonne Chance to Sebastiens ! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:04:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/595544#5210840 http://www.chow.com/topics/669724#5210821 What it would take to get a taco truck would be somebody willing to operate outside of the law. Somebody who will serve you a taco and then disappear into the night. Like Taco-Batman! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:52:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669724#5210821 http://www.chow.com/topics/653166#5210806 This place is now closed after a couple months in business. I live around the corner from it but the gaudy pink and teal colours kept me away. It's been closed for the past few weeks but there was a sign up and lights were on saying something about getting new equipment. Today or yesterday a For Lease sign went up so it's done for good now. I doubt anyone will miss this place. Now we're left with an ugly eye sore on Queen West that's bound be covered in graffiti and people sleeping in the doorway over the winter. Between this place and Madras Pantry closing after 2 or 3 months in business, it makes me wonder how Oh Boy and the new Smokes location at Queen and Bathurst will fare in the coming months. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:43:40 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/653166#5210806 http://www.chow.com/topics/611900#5210804 Just noticed 'Wok on Yonge' the Chinese fusion place that featured rare tasting menu has closed down and will become another Thai cuisine restaurant on the strip. ( Phuket Palace?! ) Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:43:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/611900#5210804 http://www.chow.com/topics/669946#5210793 Most bacon jam recipes call for the bacon to be rendered, slowly cooked in it's own fat, spiced then pureed. How is preparation completely unlike that of a rilette? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:36:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669946#5210793 http://www.chow.com/topics/668684#5210752 Los Arrieros has great food!! Service is always on the slower side but worth the wait. Make sure you have an "aguardiente" while you wait and you won't mind the wait so much.. :) Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:11:26 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/668684#5210752 http://www.chow.com/topics/617716#5210750 I find that it's usually quiet around 8pm, if that's not too late for you. Mind you, it's usually not filled with suits on weekends...though no need to be timid - they're quite nice, I promise! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:11:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/617716#5210750 http://www.chow.com/topics/669992#5210681 We like the Nachos at the Unicorn, but stay away from the burgers, they are terrible. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:09:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669992#5210681 http://www.chow.com/topics/651764#5210626 radiopolitic's hummus recipe has been split off and moved to the Home Cooking board. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/670011 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:43:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/651764#5210626 http://www.chow.com/topics/599436#5210594 You may want to contact the fairly new Blush Berry on John Street. I'm fairly certain their yogurt is pro-biotic. It is in swirl form. They have very plain and low fat flavors and rely on their spread of fresh and exotic fruit and toppings. They could be a good resource. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:22:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/599436#5210594 http://www.chow.com/topics/669945#5210534 I think you might mean the Greek stall next to Mustachio's. I think it's called Yianni's. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:58:11 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669945#5210534 http://www.chow.com/topics/669594#5210511 Never heard of this place. I'll be downtown tomorrow so I will check it out. Love trying a new burger and the price is quite reasonable from their website. I don't think I'll mind the waitress uniforms. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:46:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669594#5210511 http://www.chow.com/topics/655993#5210416 I haven't been to Oliffe since the ownership change, but the Wagyu burgers from there a couple of years ago were fabulous. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:30:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/655993#5210416 http://www.chow.com/topics/339781#5210384 Hey Gang, Another great butter tart (as well as pecan tart, apple-pecan tart, etc. and gorgeous chicken and tyrkey pot pies) is just north-east of the city in Goodwood at Annina's Bakery at 300 Hwy #47 - 905-640-0691. I'm told they have a serious mail-order business all over the world for their pies, and they make a nice cup of coffee if you want to sit and enjoy one and save your car the crumbs and sticky spots - let's be honest, they aren't ALL gonna make it home, are they? Two words of warning: 1 - everything here is EXPENSIVE, but super-high quality. Love their family-size (10inch?) turkey-stuffing-veg-gravy pie that tastes like thanksgiving, but costs $20 2 - I am from the non-runny camp, preferring the chewy caramel that results where the sugary filling meets the pastry edge, especially if it boils over and escapes down the side of the pastry before it stiffens into sticky candy caramel bliss :-) Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:55:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/339781#5210384 http://www.chow.com/topics/628193#5210375 Picked up from this location a couple of weeks ago. Lots of really good things....great concept.....really nice staff.....cool oven.....spotless (it is only 2 weeks old).......really intersting pizza choices and dips.....they give you a thermal bag to keep your pie warm....Only I negative...the pizzas sucked-I mean really sucked. Lousy flavor...very acidic sauce...toppings are under the cheese so every bite causes a large exodus of toppings.....crust was like cardboard....wanted so much to love this place. Reminded me a lot of bad Pizza Hut pizza. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:48:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/628193#5210375 http://www.chow.com/topics/101843#5210297 Just got back from my first trip to Danforth Pizza House, based on a recommendation from a Chowhounder, and it's my new candidate for best old-school neighbourhood style hand-tossed pizza in the city. No sundried broccoli hearts or pro-biotic free-range organic spelt crusts here: just old-school, genuine, GREAT pizza! Toronto's best Chicago-style stuffed pizza (and a really good Italian Beef sandwich too!) is Chicago Pizza Kitchen in Maple. +Bonus points for having a really charming, passionate owner, Spiros, that if you go, you WILL meet and converse with :-) I've scoured the city, and you'll be hard-pressed to find better than these two joints, anywhere in TO! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:28:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/101843#5210297 http://www.chow.com/topics/514886#5210275 Well, I'm baaack! We tried to phone in an order for pick-up, but they had taken the phone off the hook, because they had too many orders. So we walked-in, ordered from the owner's daughter, who was awkwardly taking walk-in orders while entertaining the grandchildren, and proceeded to wait about 45 minutes for our pizza at one of the creaky old tables in the back, surrounded by pizza boxes and an old fridge. While we were waiting, I watched a number of customers come to pick up their pizza orders from the tiny little 'Nonno' who was making each pizza one-by-one with a surprising amount of care and attention - watching him proudly open up the pizza box to show the customer just how nicely the pizza turned out. And the result? OUTSTANDING! Sorry, Andy, Pak-Man is right-on, this is some seriously delicious old-school neighbourhood pizza, truly one of the very best in the city. If your idea of great pizza is crunchy cracker-thin spelt crust with duckfat poached pears and goat-milk gorgonzola then this is not your place, but if you like hand-tossed yeasty dough, thin enough to crisp up, but thick enough to balance a generous topping of stretchy cheese and simple tomato-y sauce, (plus pepperoni, mushrooms and onions, in my case) then I would be surprised if you'll do better than this anywhere in Toronto. The pizza was beautifully well-done (without me asking) properly cooked right on the stone, turned faithfully so that the crust was evenly toasted with air pockets creating nicely-charred spots, with a generous amount of sauce and cheese (if perhaps a little light on the other toppings) - this was a GREAT pizza. If you've read my other posts, you'll know I'm pretty fussy, and I'm giving Danforth Pizza House an enthusuiastic 4 stars out of a perfect 5. I've had pizzas better than this, but none in Toronto - this place is a throw back to years gone by when pizza was about care and quality, not catchy phone-number-jingles. So, needless to say, I WILL be going back! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:06:21 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/514886#5210275 http://www.chow.com/topics/669972#5210270 I'm looking for a recommendation for an independant cafe in Mississauga that serves great lattes and maybe even some desserts? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:01:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669972#5210270 http://www.chow.com/topics/644488#5210247 Maybe some of the time, but not reliably. Had one of the worst restaurant experiences in a long time. Expectations were no higher than decent diner food. Burger was a burnt hockey puck served on cold bun, fries cold. Service a complete disaster of items forgotten, extra charges for things not ordered, food not brought out for different people within 15 minutes, etc. Complete disaster. An hour and a half for three people when place not even half full. Guy next to me sent plate back to kitchen three times. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:32:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/644488#5210247 http://www.chow.com/topics/669964#5210245 One of my favourite places in the city. Everything is just delicious and they make everything themselves. Great service and great beer! Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:31:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669964#5210245 http://www.chow.com/topics/636339#5210231 For us, the closest Loblaws is in the west end, at College Square. Like I said, service is non-existant. One day, I picked up a product in their natural food section, and there seemed to be a price discrepancy with what was indicated on the shelf. I went to "customer service" (and I use that term losely), and the two young clerks actually got into an argument about who was going to go do a price check...it was "too far" to walk!!! Actually, when I'm desperate for friendly, helpful service, and a better stocked store, I go to the IGA Extra in Gatineau. Cashiers are nice, produce tends to be fresher, and they seem to focus more on local (or provincial) products. Also, they have a nice little natural food section... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:19:09 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/636339#5210231 http://www.chow.com/topics/669949#5210222 I liked them a lot when I lived in Scarborough. They are very reasonable and as you said, they don't skimp on the toppings. I really liked their wings, they have a very unique flavour and are pretty decent for a baked wing... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:11:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669949#5210222 http://www.chow.com/topics/669335#5210148 Domus, yes A family member told me to go there...thanks for remind me the name.... Mhhh Niagara on the lake I am counting the days just to taste the great wine that Ontario have to offer... Thanks Again. :) Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:47:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669335#5210148 http://www.chow.com/topics/669955#5210147 There is a place called Elite, which is at Kennedy & Progress. I love their cookies. But I haven't tried anything else there so I can't vouch for the rest of it. Cookies - damn good. Good luck in your search. Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:44:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/669955#5210147