445899 Fri Sep 28 15:54:03 -0700 2007 54 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 2987062 What are your favourite restaurants & food shops in this area? I want to try some new ones. I love: Sweet Olenka's for ice cream. West Studio Cuisine has a great Saturday brunch, very reasonably priced, also good take out. Mama Martino's is my Friday night place. Il Paesno for delivery pizza. The Cheese Boutique at 45 Ripley is fabulous for wonderful meat, cheese, produce etc. I went to Mango Rain in Clarkson Village in Mississauga. A bit of a trek, but OH. MY. GOD. So happy with their Thai and Indian food and it is a straight shot on Lakeshore Boulevard West to Lakeshore Road. Fri Sep 28 15:54:03 -0700 2007 130803 Long Branch 2 1 2987161 New Toronto Fish Chips - I think its on 5th at Lakeshore. Very fresh and tasty if a bit greasy. Excellent rings too! Fri Sep 28 16:39:03 -0700 2007 2987062 48505 deelicious 1 2987587 Try Gourmet On The Go in Port Credit, they have a great gourmet hot table during the week and there prepared foods are also very good. Lakeshore and Hurontario Fri Sep 28 20:14:33 -0700 2007 2987062 127133 Food4201 1 2988622 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/105126 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/310580 The food shops/outlets on and around Jutland (between Islington and Kipling, north of Queensway) have some good chow finds, e.g. Pasquale Bros. and Food Depot Intl. There is a farmers market at the Baptist church on Parklawn north of Queensway every Tuesday from 4 to 7 which I have yet to visit. Sat Sep 29 12:30:16 -0700 2007 2987062 14906 Food Tourist 1 3104748 Pizza - Pizzaiolo Thai - Siam Princess - formerly cozy thai Butcher - the new village butcher is great Italian/seafood - al lago in longbranch Have not tried the angry chef yet, Bombay by the lake is extremely hit and miss, just depends on what chef the guy is able to get to work that night. Wed Nov 07 15:23:45 -0800 2007 2987062 11611 TCB 2 3473789 Bombay on the lake has new owners. They purchased the place shortly before my last post. Have eaten and ordered there quite a few times since then. Food quality is good now, service is consistent as well as the new owners are very pleasent. If you were turned off from previous experiences as I know some have and have seen from other diners in the past, it is worth going back to try again. Good luck Sat Mar 08 17:41:21 -0800 2008 3104748 11611 TCB 1 3473988 I'm definitely going to check out some of your suggestions. But, Mama Martino's? Huh? Sat Mar 08 19:13:36 -0800 2008 2987062 84272 5andman 2 4545414 I agree, I can skip Mama Martino's any day. My wife and her family love it though. At least its cheap. Anyone have any new Lakeshore or Mimico favourites? Fri Mar 27 19:47:42 -0700 2009 3473988 100294 Conductorchris 3 4545538 When I was in this area, there was a place with a lot of buzz called Cafe Du Lac, a sort of Quebecois bistro on Lake Shore near Mimico. Fri Mar 27 21:06:26 -0700 2009 4545414 271658 morefoodplz 4 4564255 We have eaten at Cafe Du Lac a couple of times. I think it is an asset to the area. A little more upscale then the other restaurants in the area (at least the ones I have found). Nice menu, cozyish atmosphere and the food has been pretty good. I have also become a big fan of the Albatros Pub at Lakeshore and 11th. Something about this place just makes me love it. Plus the prices I find to be quite good for Toronto. The wings are huge, you get 5 in the small order ($6.95 with fries) and I am pretty sure that they weigh a pound. Glad this thread has been revitalized. Have been in the area just under a year and never know where is good to eat. Fri Apr 03 08:51:52 -0700 2009 4545538 13095 camp1980 5 4564929 I too really like CDL. Their Duck in a Jar is fabulous! While they do have some service issues, their food makes up for it. Fri Apr 03 11:54:14 -0700 2009 4564255 53671 Davedigger 2 4545841 I'm happy to help revive this thread, as any new info on my area is always appreciated! Also, I agree - Mama Martino's? Crap. It's at the end of my street, and in the four years that I've lived here I've only been once. That pretty much says it all. Sure it's cheap, but that's because the ingredients they use in their vastly subpar dishes are cheap. Sat Mar 28 04:29:36 -0700 2009 3473988 71837 redearth 3 4562278 You have to try the seafood bisque soup at the Village Butcher. Chock full of huge pieces of various shellfish in a spicy chipotle cream. Yum! I really enjoyed brunch at the Lucky Dice a couple of months ago. Good peameal bacon! AVOID Bua Thai on Queensway. I just got take-out for supper and none of the dishes are a good example of Thai. I think they may even have made an error, because my tamarind curry with beef has no trace of tamarind. Thu Apr 02 15:20:42 -0700 2009 4545841 14906 Food Tourist 4 4589176 I LOVE Bua Thai! Their mango curry chicken is amazing. I crave it. We have ordered from there 4 times now and really like it. Sun Apr 12 09:09:38 -0700 2009 4562278 282118 etobicokefoodie 5 4590590 What other Thai restaurants do you enjoy in the GTA? Just trying to get an idea if our tastes are normally compatible or not. Sun Apr 12 22:56:58 -0700 2009 4589176 14906 Food Tourist 6 4590983 i've been the the Avenue Rd location a few times and it's always been good (meaning not fried items were not greasy, sauces were not excessive, gloopy or ketchupy and the food was well presented.) Mon Apr 13 07:26:55 -0700 2009 4590590 96253 chocabot 4 4590943 I've had good experiences at Bua Thai before, as well, but I have only been a few times, I'll admit. Mon Apr 13 07:12:08 -0700 2009 4562278 71837 redearth 1 4562929 There's a relatively new butcher shop on Dundas St. W. and Kipling called Medium Rare. They have 60 day aged meats, a large selection of homemade sausages, and lots of other prepared food which are really flavourful and cooked with care. Apparently, the have the same suppliers as Cumbrae's and Whitehouse. You will even find Iberico ham at a cost less than that of Scheffler's at the SLM. For me who lives in downtown Toronto, it is definitely worth the drive. http://www.mediumrare.to/home.html Thu Apr 02 19:02:17 -0700 2009 2987062 279647 Bibingka 1 4586008 Anyone been to The Waffle Works in Mimico on Lakeshore next to Birds 'n' Beans yet? Fri Apr 10 18:49:19 -0700 2009 2987062 14906 Food Tourist 2 4586026 I've had their fried chicken and waffles. Not something to travel a distance for but they are enjoyable. My SO had a waffle pizza (forgot if there was more than one) and it was okay; not something I'd order myself (when chicken and waffles could be had) but not bad by any means. Overall, nice place to go for a breakfast treat. I'll have to drop by again sometime to try a dessert waffle though. Fri Apr 10 18:55:53 -0700 2009 4586008 62309 d00n 3 4586056 Wow, that sounds good - I've never had fried chicken and waffles (never been to the South I guess). I hope the chicken is crispy but not too greasy, with a juicy interior. http://www.thewaffleworks.com/ They seem to have a big Southern influence, with grits and collard greens, and rice and black beans on the menu among other things. Fri Apr 10 19:04:46 -0700 2009 4586026 14906 Food Tourist 4 4586146 Definitely juicy chicken pieces (or at least when I went there). Skin was just right. A little more grease might have actually been better so that the waffle could soak it all up. :) Fri Apr 10 19:43:21 -0700 2009 4586056 62309 d00n 2 5153738 I finally made it for lunch at The Waffle Works last weekend. We were the only customers. Excellent fried chicken. Pretty good candied yams and savoury waffles. Too-salty collard greens. Below average biscuits (soft like they were microwaved) and white gravy. Terrible coffee. This place has huge potential and great space (love the waffle wall decor) and it's supposedly a franchise from the South. Tue Nov 03 18:06:23 -0800 2009 4586008 14906 Food Tourist 1 4874449 Thought I'd respond to this older post with an update of my favourites along Lakeshore Blvd West. I've been living in New Toronto (Lakeshore and Islington) for just over two years and enjoy all the little spots. These are not fine dining, but rather value for money. Bombay on the Lake (Indian) - tasty Indian food. It's changed owners a lot over the last few years. I was there 2 weeks ago with some vegetarian friends and we all really enjoyed it. Dinner for 4 with drinks and tip was under $100. The owner is friendly and greets my husband by name because of all the take-away he's ordered! Lucky Dice (diner) - very good greasy spoon, a regular breakfast favourite. I get french toast; breakfast special for my husband. There are all kinds of characters in here. Service is brusque but very efficient. New Toronto Fish and Chips - I agree this place is great. Best to go on a Friday; it's very busy, but quick, and you'll get just fried. Love the gravy. I know it's from some kind of mix, but tasty anyway! Sweet Olenkas (chocolate/desserts/cakes) - We got our wedding cake and numerous birthday cakes from Olenka. Lots of butter and cream - yum! Great ice cream and truffles too. Also love the brownies. You really can't go wrong in here! There's also an outdoor patio in the parking lot outside. Not the most picturesque, but somewhere to eat your cone before it melts. Kalamata (Greek) - great for brunch! I A nice Greek twist to the regular breakfast fare. They do eggs benny on portabello mushrooms. I've also been for dinner and enjoyed it. So far, not many customers, so hope this one stays around. The interior is a little restaurant chain looking, but the food is so tasty, it's easy to forgive. And - a treat on Lakeshore - spotless bathrooms! Cafe du Lac (French Canadian) - Mixed review on this one. I've had great experiences. Love the duck confit and poutine and mac and cheese. And the maple tart. My husband has had the ribs, wild boar burger, and hasn't been as impressed. Service has been spotty, but friendly. Thyme 4 Pizza and Pasta (Italian) - This one's actually on the Queensway. I really enjoy the gnocchi at this restaurant, but husband says the pizza could be better, but it's our go to place when the Italian urge strikes. We have also tried Al Lago, but found the 'no menu' situation a little worrisome. The food was pretty good, but the bill was a little higher than we were expecting. Burrito Boyz (Mexican) - just opened up in Long Branch. I'm a big fan of the one on Peter Street, and very happy to have one in my neck of the woods. Hope it's just a good. Mon Jul 20 11:40:37 -0700 2009 2987062 270275 mispiggy 2 4874876 Re: Burrito Boyz in Long Branch_yep, they're just as good as the others. They've got a pretty high standard of quality. Mon Jul 20 13:34:49 -0700 2009 4874449 291383 terrycar 2 4950866 I'm sad that Sweet Olenka's didn't make Now magazine's Top 10 ice cream list this week. I guess they are too far from downtown to qualify, but their quality and flavour far exceed some on the Now list. Their new patio is shady and perfect for the 'hood, but the parking lot owner is having second thoughts and they might have to dismantle it. I'll have to retry the gelato at Sanremo Bakery and will report back. Just had a halibut burrito from the new Lakeshore location! So exciting! Sun Aug 16 12:19:11 -0700 2009 4874449 14906 Food Tourist 1 4878077 Il Paesano was the worst pizza I have ever had, unless it was a one off I don't understand why people like it. For italian I like Lenny's at dundas and islington, more homey good take out too. Tue Jul 21 13:03:57 -0700 2009 2987062 1095551 cooksified 2 4878099 I agree with your assessment of Il Paesano. I usually give a bad pizza joint a second chance, but the pizza I got was absolutely disgusting. Threw out the whole thing. I haven't tried Lenny's pizza, but their pastas are pretty good. Tue Jul 21 13:10:42 -0700 2009 4878077 53671 Davedigger 1 4880499 For pizza we buy our supplies at San Remos on royal york. They have homemade dough and sauce, and almost everything else you need, panceta, cheese etc. And we make our own pizza, its waaaaayyyyy better then anything you can get delivered. Wed Jul 22 08:19:55 -0700 2009 2987062 1095551 cooksified 1 4950334 Check out the new Portuguese bakery on the North side of Lake Shore Boulevard, at Fifth Street. It's called "Deliciosa". The shop is fresh, bright and clean, and they have a very nice looking selection of breads, cakes and tarts. There is also a small deli counter. A small cafe is set up in the front of the store, and the coffee is excellent. I would highly recommend trying the small savories as an appetizer with a glass of wine, eaten outdoors! There are codfish fritters, and a kind of cheese and shrimp variety which is delicious! The traditional custard tartlets are also fab. The croissants are not exactly the flaky French style, and in fact are a bit more like a brioche in taste and texture, but they are quite delicious none-the-less. The staff are very helpful, attentive and friendly. This is a very nice addition to the neighbourhood! Sun Aug 16 07:25:37 -0700 2009 2987062 200422 daverblond 2 4951011 It's called Delicia and it looks great from the outside - including outdoor seating. Can't wait to try the natas and beer tarts. Sun Aug 16 13:54:02 -0700 2009 4950334 14906 Food Tourist 3 5126783 Delicia has a hot table. You must try their salt cod and potato casserole (resembles lasagne) -- it's divine! Fri Oct 23 21:00:19 -0700 2009 4951011 14906 Food Tourist 2 4955648 Bought chocolate cannoli there last week. Delicious! Such a nice addition to lakeshore. And good prices. My total came to $5 for 2 cannoli and 100 grams of salami. Looking forward to sampling the hot table. Will still stick to Chelsea Bakery for bread and Olenka's for cakes, but love the extra shop to add to my list of options! Tue Aug 18 08:09:06 -0700 2009 4950334 270275 mispiggy 1 4952887 where is sweet olenka's? i tried going online but the site is 'under construction'. tks! Mon Aug 17 09:33:53 -0700 2009 2987062 79997 lilaki 2 4953000 2834 Lake Shore Boulevard West, on the North side of Lakeshore near 3rd. If you are looking for chocolates I also recommend Sitting Around Eating Bonbons a bit farther down at 3308 Lakeshore. Mon Aug 17 10:05:01 -0700 2009 4952887 69220 FrenchSoda 3 4953156 thank you! is sweet olenka's open in the evenings? maybe we'll pop by some time this week after dinner... Mon Aug 17 10:47:52 -0700 2009 4953000 79997 lilaki 4 4953290 Now that I'm not sure about. I think I've only been in on Saturday afternoons. They're listed in the Canada411 though, you could call and see. Mon Aug 17 11:26:44 -0700 2009 4953156 69220 FrenchSoda 4 4955640 I think Olenka's is open til 7pm or 8pm. Pretty sure it's 8pm, but wouldn't bet my life on it. Sitting Around Eating Bonbons has nothing on Sweet Olenka's. The chocolate is okay, but not to my taste. Tue Aug 18 08:06:45 -0700 2009 4953156 270275 mispiggy 5 4955742 Sitting Around... is now history, though their website is still active. Tue Aug 18 08:37:43 -0700 2009 4955640 291383 terrycar 5 4957601 Sweet Olenka was still open at 9:00 pm when I passed by just now (Tuesday evening, summer hours). Tue Aug 18 18:17:54 -0700 2009 4955640 14906 Food Tourist 1 4956572 Has anyone ever eaten at K lounge/Konrad Lounge on Lakeshore? I got a coupon last month for perogies and wanted to try, but chickened out in the end. That place might be too scary for me, but I may be enticed by the promise of good perogies... And what about the vegetarian elephant place with drumming workshops? What's their menu/food like? Tue Aug 18 12:34:32 -0700 2009 2987062 270275 mispiggy 2 4957604 Both places scare me! Tue Aug 18 18:18:56 -0700 2009 4956572 14906 Food Tourist 3 4957637 Nothing to be scared of at Sweet Olenka. The Konrad lounge on the other hand- it got the restaurant makeover & there were crackheads trying to steal the chairs during filming. Tue Aug 18 18:34:00 -0700 2009 4957604 291383 terrycar 4 4957781 That is just so typical of the 'hood! Line-ups at The Beer Store at 10 am daily. BTW, I meant I was scared of the Jade Elephant. When it first opened, we walked through every room. The ocean-themed bank vault room is cool but not for claustrophobes. And I don't think a place serving food should smell like incense. I had a really good shish kebab special ($2.99) at Falafel Royal this evening. Juicy and tasty meat. Tue Aug 18 19:27:06 -0700 2009 4957637 14906 Food Tourist 5 4958497 Well, good to hear that my fears of both places (K lounge and the elephant) are not unfounded! Now I won't feel too bad for continuing to give them the miss... I also love Falafel Royal. Had a great falafel wrap there two weeks ago. Nice plump falafels for under $2. And it's the special on Saturdays. My husband prefers the shish kebab place further west, south side of the street for chicken wraps. It's the one by the thai massage place, smells a bit like cinnamon? But they don't have falafel there so we are at an impasse. Wed Aug 19 06:17:51 -0700 2009 4957781 270275 mispiggy 1 5063915 I just tried Freshwood Grill (Long Branch) for the first time on Sunday. I had a lamburger with feta and sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo. My husband had the bison burger with poutine. Bill came to $28 pre-tip with two drinks. I liked my lamburger and loved the fries - nice tang to them and crispy. My husband's burger was a little burnt and the gravy was very smokey (and not to either of our tastes). Wondering what anyone else has thought of this place? Mon Sep 28 09:12:13 -0700 2009 2987062 270275 mispiggy 2 5124876 My wife and I have been to and gotten take-out from Freshwood many times (we live in New Toronto). We've never had bugers but have found the food to be the best available in NT, LB, and Mimico. Next time try one of the wraps, our favorite being the Cuban, the sourdough wraps they make are fabulous. Overall enjoy the place, just wish it was in New Toronto instead! Regarding previous posts on Konrads and the Jade elephant. I agree, stay away from Konrads. As for Jade Elephant, is it even still open? I've never eaten there but don't desire eating in a place full of used/dirty couches and only a microwave to cook food. Why would anyone want to go out specifically for food cooked in a microwave? We don't even have one in our house for that reason among others. Fri Oct 23 07:00:28 -0700 2009 5063915 11611 TCB 1 5125565 One place that my wife and I enjoy is the Chicken Shawerma from The Kebab House at 2977 Lakeshore W. The shawerma is very good from here, one of the best we ever had. The chicken is well seasoned; also it is a combination (so I believe) of breast and leg meat, which imo is far better than just breast meat. The sauces are of good flavour, not some runny colored stuff. Even the hot sauce has a bite to it. Add the fresh toppings and this is good eats! Never eaten the beef but my wife said that it is also good. I spoke with the fellow who owns the place and he said that at times they also sell ground lamb shawerma, but unfortunately I’ve never had the lamb. If we are going to eat inside then we always order the Arabic style shawerma. It is a de-construed chicken shawerma, the meat is wrapped in a pita but the sauces and greens are served on the side. However, the pita is place on the hard-top and fried until the pita is crispy. The resulting texture is amazing. Also served are fried real potato wedges, not frozen potatoes, real potatoes. On a few occasions we have gone later in the night and he is sold out of chicken. This is a very good sign, because someone is eating all the chicken shawerma! I had the falafel a few times; it is a good as any falafel, but not as good as the chicken imo. Fri Oct 23 11:12:00 -0700 2009 2987062 193247 Pastryrocks 2 5126520 hi pastryrocks, thanks for the reco for the kabob house ... hubby and i went tonight and it was AWESOME! we both had the chicken shawarma plates ... DELISH! we'll definitely be going back ... and we'll also take advantage of the catering! we had a good talk with the owner and apparently he does quite the catering business. i was really impressed that everything is homemade ... Fri Oct 23 18:14:13 -0700 2009 5125565 79997 lilaki 1 5125610 I've heard good things about West 39th Bistro from friends recently. Has anyone tried Kalamata? The menu looks good. Fri Oct 23 11:25:55 -0700 2009 2987062 53671 Davedigger 2 5125797 I've been for dinner and a brunch at Kalamata and enjoyed both. Nothing ridiculously fancy but good food. The avgolemono soup in particular was very tasty though a touch salty for my particular taste. Lots of fresh fruit with the brunch and I especially liked the sauce on my poached eggs. West 39th had an amazing quail and pepper risotto the night I was there. My dining partner ate a steak that was so tender he used a butter knife to cut it. Fri Oct 23 12:30:43 -0700 2009 5125610 69220 FrenchSoda 2 5144153 West 39th bistro does not serve brunch. Kalamata has a 2-4-1 brunch coupon in this month's local coupon booklet. Fri Oct 30 17:17:09 -0700 2009 5125610 14906 Food Tourist 1 5126237 Has anyone every bought anything from Taste of Europe on Royal York? I pass by there nearly every day and wonder if it's worth popping in for a look. Fri Oct 23 15:26:42 -0700 2009 2987062 21152 tinybites 2 5126263 Yes, a long time ago - I bought bourek. Seem to remember it being decent. Fri Oct 23 15:39:55 -0700 2009 5126237 14906 Food Tourist 1 5153757 I don't recommend The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop though I commend them for using fair trade beans. The women who work there don't seem to know enough about coffee or how to make a proper latte. I have become addicted to Birds 'n' Beans' lattes. Warning - high caffeine content! Tue Nov 03 18:17:11 -0800 2009 2987062 14906 Food Tourist