Affordable/Decent/Safe near Mount Sinai?

[LemonLauren]

Looking for good eats in tough times - my dad is in hospital at Mount Sinai and my family and I wandered the streets last night trying to find somewhere to eat after visiting hours closed. If it were just me and my SO, sushi anywhere on Baldwin/Dundas (or Indian or Thai) would be great, but my mum and brother have more mainstream tastes. We ended up at Cafe La Gaffe and were pleased with our meals (caprese salad - lovely bocacini, chever salad - generous amount of cheese, shrimp salad - yummy but small, gorgonzola pizza - very tasty, thin crispy crust) but would have liked more efficient service or larger portions for the price tag. Is there anywhere other than Red Lobster or Pickle Barrell where we can find burgers, pastas, salads, sandwiches, stirfry, lean meats, etc, at a reasonable price with good service and quiet ambiance? We all just want something simple, we've got enough drama at the hospital already. Thanks hounds!

[5andman]

The hot dog lady in front of the hospital.
There was a write up on her in the Star.

[pescatarian]

Has anyone tried Mangiacake on McCaul? Someone was telling me about it, but I haven't been. Wondering if it's good.

[paper_bag_princess]

Used to be good, changed owners in January has totally gone down hill since then.

[pescatarian]

interesting, thanks for the info

[LemonLauren]

Thanks everyone! This is a great list and I've printed menus to keep in the room for the next round of stuff in a few weeks. What a great, supportive community we have here!

[redhead]

It's not gourmet but you will find Subway, Quizno's and Mr. Sub on Dundas east of University (or just close by) - you can see them all from the police station...along Dundas West of University they have opened a new Wimpy's Burgers, which may be great for some who just want something really mainstream...there are also a few thai/indian spots along that strip (before Bay on the south side) - on the north side, you will find a "nicer" restaurant called One Up - which has a nice menu, though I've never been..there is also Runyx which does pizzas and pastas..if you feel like doing a little hike over to Victoria (just east of Yonge) there is a Terroni at Victoria and Queen (I think) - it's about a 15 minute walk from Mt. Sinai. Over lunch, there is the Standard LIfe Office building on Elm and University -they have a good cafeteria (very reasonable) on the 5th(?) floor..lots of staff from other places eat there because the food is quite good...sorry that you have to spend time at the hospital...never a nice place to be

[ekammin]

You are not that far from all the Chinese restaurants on Spadina south of College. or, on College itself, just west of Spadina, Peter's Chun King - best Chinese dumplings I have ever tasted.

[kikicoelacanth]

There is a wonderful sandwich place on McCaul just a smidgen south of Elm called Mangiacake. They have paninis and not-too-fancy Italian baked basics like lasagna and cannelloni.

[LemonLauren]

i would go there if it were just me, but the sibling/mum prefer north american options :(

[robgm]

Is Runyx stil there or has it changed owners/names?

[robgm]

As I thought, Runyx is now Alio

[caddie]

I think Midi Bistro is your best option in the area. Calm, good food and basically right behind Mount Sinai. I go for lunch quite often and it's really reasonable - a bit more pricey at dinner but no more so than Red Lobster (ugg).

Here's the website:
http://www.midibistro.com/index.htm

There are also a couple of other choices on Baldwin that might work:

Sambuca Grill (pretty much across the street from La Gaffe) - was there once quite a while ago and don't really remember it being either very good or very bad so I suppose it was passable (Italian food, btw

)

There's also another one on the same side as Cafe La Caffe a few stores down - on the corner. Some of my friends like it but I haven't been and can't remember the name right now. Sorry to be so vague but those are the only places I can think of with semi-varied/mainstream menus in the area.

Hope your dad is home soon.

[pescatarian]

Sage is near Midi Bistro, and is another good place for a quick, light bite.

[Zengarden]

Sage has delicious sandwiches (terrific choice and size re fillings). A number of hospital personnel go there for meals.

Best wishes to your dad on a good recovery. I hope that all goes well.

[morrigan]

I have enjoyed Midi, but I have found reservations to be essential if you plan to go at any time around "lunch." When I have walked in at 11:45, there have been reservation signs on every table. That said, it really is a nice, calm, and relaxing place. Sage is nice too.

[pescatarian]

Hope your dad fares well. My mom was at TGH recently for a few weeks, so I found a few of my favourites in the area.
On level "G" in TGH, closer to the Elizabeth Street entrance, there is a Lettieri. They have a salad there, where you can pick 4 add-ons to the lettuce for about 5.95. It's a pretty big salad. I would get mine with the egg, chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, etc. with the poppyseed dressing. I also like their mint tea. They also have some decent sandwiches. They are pre-made, but they will stick them on the panini press for you.
There's also a Jugo Juice on that level if you feel like a smoothie.
There's also a Hero Burger on that level. I know they are controversial on this board, but given the choice around there, the veggie burger is pretty good. I didn't try the regular burger.
A bit south of Sick Kids Hospital, on the east side of University, I can't remember the name, but there's a restaurant there that's open for lunch and early dinner during the week, that has surprisingly good sandwiches, pastas, salads, etc. It's not a chain. If I think of the name, I'll add it to this post.
On Dundas, just west of Bay, is Green Onion, pretty decent pan-asian food.
There's also Spadina Garden there, next to Green Onion.
If I think of anything else that I've forgotten about, I'll add on.

[hautecocoa]

That restaurant on the south of Sick Kids, east side of University, are you perhaps referring to Pesto?

I also like Avenue cafe for sandwiches and salads. It's near CIBC. But I think they're only open until 4 or so.

[pescatarian]

Yes, Pesto, thank you. We only went in there once. But it seemed pretty good.