Friday Dim Sum, Chinatown East or Danforth area

[dinin and dishin]

My friend and I are looking for some good dim sum close to the areas mentioned above. I know the topics have been covered before in various posts. I recall some mention of place on the Danforth. But either area works for us. Quality is more important than locale, and I don't mind carts or off a menu. We won't be ordering chicken feet or organ meat, just the basics thanks, great har gow, chow fun, siu mai etc.

Thanks in advance for your recommendations fellow hounds!!

[dinin and dishin]

Soon Foon Tai was great. Thanks for the suggestion. Not at all fancy. They sat us with another diner, even though the place was over 1/2 empty. But it didn't matter. The staff were quite funny, even with their limited English. Taunting us with chicken feet when they knew full well that the two little caucasian girls weren't not going to try them. They were also very good about getting us anything we specifically asked for.

I am so full of dumplings right now, I am waddling. MMmmmm. And the cost...$13.95. Such a deal.

I grabbed their Take-Out menu. I've been looking for good chinese dinner food for some time. Has anyone tried their other dishes? Could this be the takeout authentic chinese food find I am looking for?

[Leslieville]

Glad you liked Soon Foon TAi. That chicken feet maneuver seems to be the standard joke. It amuses them and the more exagerated your reaction the more they enjoy it!! Their regular menu is very good also. We go there at night, and unfortunately it is very empty then. We usually have the beans with xoxo sauce and pork and also short ribs in a honey sauce. Delish!! Always have something good there.

[seymourcat]

Um, Bamboo right on the Danforth is ok. Lacks the "character" of Chinatown east - it's clean friendly. Ok for friends that are not hard core dimsummers. A good introduction for the uninitiated?

[dinin and dishin]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Bamboo was the name I was trying to recall on the Danforth. We are going a little before noon, so we might go for Soon Foon Tai.

I should clarify my comments for you though. We really aren't uninitiated or squeamish. The more authentic the restaurant, the better in my book. I just have favourite dishes that I want on my now infrequent dim sum meals. I used to go for dim sum alot when I lived in Vancouver where you can find a great Chinese restaurant just about on ever block (at least in my old hood). But here in TO, it just isn't as accessible (to me), and sadly, I haven't found a favourtite yet...except for the lovely and pricy and not close enough to home Lah Wah Hen.

Thanks again!!!

[hungryabbey]

Where is Bamboo? Im trying to think of the name of a little place called like Chinese Dim Sum Cafe or something... right beside Christinas.. is this Bamboo? Does anyone know what Im talking about ?

[dinin and dishin]

Hungryabbey, I can't help you because I am also looking for the name of the place beside Christina's. I wasn't sure if Bamboo was the place or not. Maybe we'll get some clarity here.

My friend and I have decided on Soon Foon Tai. Can't wait. Mmmm.

[chalenegirl]

yes very busy, the earlier the better!

[Leslieville]

I like Soon Foon Tai on Gerrard, just east of Broadview. The cart ladies have limited English, but are very friendly and helpful. Always lots of choices and they serve every day. Very busy right at 12:00, so perhaps try a little earlier or later.

[Danybear]

Really good dim sum, especially if your squeamish is a tad difficult in TO. You could try Super Grand on Gerrard East of Broadview, or Bright Pearl on Spadina. Neither is great, still looking for great, when I cant afford LaWei Hein, or whatever its called bin the hotel behind City Hall. There the service is beyond belief excellent, and the prices are astronimal, but not really enough better than the two previous suggestions to warrant the sky high prices.