Restos on your "to-do" list

[goldendelicious]

or should i say, "to-eat" list?

My top 3:
School Bakery & Cafe
Splendido
Nota Bene (!!!)

What about you? Any places you've been planning on going to but just haven't gotten around to it?

[todc1996]

i love this post!
my list is long but here are a few:
foxley (i've been & left 3+ times -too long of a wait)
rosebud
sushi kaji
zen sushi

[Pincus]

Mistura
Agostino's
Yang's (for the dim sum first, then after we shall see)

[Pincus]

Following up!

Yang's for dim sum -- made it, loved it. Will return any time.

Mistura -- nice meal, wasn't particularly blown away but would go back because of service/ambience and those cheese sticks in the bread basket. Everything was competently made but nothing gave me a wow. Most memorable was the octopus appetizer.

Still have to go to Agostino's. A nice reminder for spring.

[banjoman2375]

I've been to Mistura twice now and I was blown away both times. I had beef carpaccio with shaved black truffles both time. The first time I had gnocci with braised veal cheek ragu, and the second time I had veal ravioli with fresh peas and white truffle. I had a molton chocolate cake with caramelized banana both times too. It was off the hook!

[Pincus]

Oh, I will be returning to Mistura again. Will try your suggestions next time.

[Yum2MyTum]

Great posting idea!
Pizzeria Libretto
Black Hoof
Mildred's Temple Kitchen for brunch
And Union (which seems to have gotten positive reviews all round)

[emilychoi18]

I second Black Hoof - so many reviews, and it appears to be a different dining experience than other restos in the GTA.

Also on my list:
-Gilead Cafe (Run by Jamie Kennedy in Riverdale)
-Any of the restaurants along Harbord St

[Yum2MyTum]

Ah yes. Harbord St! I've read so many good things on the Harbord Room and also Loire and Tati. If people who have tried all three had to rank these, what would the ranking be? Thanks!

[drjolt]

Loire is on my "to-do" list, but I would definitely rank Harbord Room above Tati. I've never been particularly impressed with Tati, although it's certainly nice enough.

[Yum2MyTum]

Thanks drjolt! I will definitely try out Harbord Room first.

[Yum2MyTum]

Made it to (and posted about) Pizzeria Libretto (disappointed), Hoof Cafe (... um... also disappointed... but less so than Libretto.), MTK but not for brunch - for dinner (disappointed... oh dear), and Union (not disappointed!!! Expectations were more in check here, I think).

[grandgourmand]

Sushi Kaji
One of the Chinese places mentioned by you know who
Ceili Cottage

[graydyn]

I love this thread.
I'd really like to see 'you know who's' list! Assuming there is a place he hasn't been yet.

my top 3:
Stone Road Grille
Black Hoof
Yang's (hoping to cross this off my list today!)

[vidkid]

Charles Yu, where are you? What's on your list?

[tuttebene]

Great post! And if we're not limited to just T.O., here's my short list:

Black Hoof
Sushi Kaji
Stone Road Grille

[pearlD]

My list goes as follows.....
Grace
George
Nota Bene
Pangaea...so close to us and yet have never been
Auberge du Pommiers...haven't been since the renovation

[pinkskittles]

i like pangaea a lot actually... it was very good. pricey but good! do dessert. the chocolate thing with ice cream on it is pretty yummy.

[JaclynS]

I highly recommend School - had a fantastic lunch on the patio there - but is it open for dinner yet?

On my list of "to eat" are:

Weezies
Black Hoof
Harbord Room
Splendido - but I just did I tasting menu and my waistline tells me to hold off!

[gastronom]

Awesome post..

O'mei (or some other high end place uptown)
Lai wah heen
Ribs place on st claire
Chiado
George (again, went when it first opened but it's a vague memory now)
Cowbell

[joellita]

great post!

On my to do list:

Lai Wah Heen
Sushi Kaji
Mildreds Temple Kitchen

[aser]

harbord room (I never plan early enough to snag a res, only been for late night drinks)
93 harbord
union

[TorontoJo]

Still haven't made it to Weezie's, damn it.

Also:
- Sukhothai
- Cafe Polonez for the goulash in potato pancake
- Mildred's Temple Kitchen
- School for brunch
- DT Bistro for dinner (have only had brunch there)

[TorontoJo]

Hmm, my record is bad -- I've only been to Sukhothai (a few times!) since I posted this. However, Mildred's Temple Kitchen and School have both dropped off my list, so I really only need to get to Cafe Polonez, and soon. DT Bistro is still one of my favourite brunch spots, mostly for the laid back, leisurely atmosphere.

[jennjen18]

Lots of people say Sukhothai! What's up with that?

[TorontoJo]

Because the owner/chef, Nuit, makes amazing food. It's a tiny, unassuming restaurant on a bizarre strip of Parliament, but she makes Thai food with wonderfully complex, layered flavours. Mind you, much of what I've had from her is "off menu" (by calling in advance), but her green curry with young coconut is the best curry I've ever had. I would imagine that the regular green curry is similar good. The khao soi (on the menu) is addictive and comforting. I understand that service can be spotty and waits can be long, and the cooking is not as good if she is not in the kitchen. So I guess I'd have to call it a hit or miss kind of place, but when it's on, it's the best Thai food in the city.

[ms. clicquot]

I haven't eaten out very much in the past year so I have quite a few! My top picks to try:

Pizza Libretto
Stone Road Grille
Union
Zucca
Loire
Ceili Cottage
Weezie's
Harbord Room
Milgaro

[ms. clicquot]

Just following up, as others have been doing...

Made it to Stone Road Grille late last summer and had an excellent meal and service. It's definitely a place I'd recommend for people visiting the Niagara region. If it weren't for these boards, I would never have known about this hidden gem (that I've driven by countless times!)

Made it to Union for dinner a few months ago and it was very good, although I can't even remember what we ate! I seem to recall the potatoes were quite good and the service was friendly.

I've been to Ceili Cottage a few times since it opened and it's a nice neighbourhood pub. The food is simple but they have good oysters and the mac 'n' cheese is pretty tasty. I also like their house made potato chips. Great atmosphere for a pint on a chilly night. We've always had good service, despite some complaints people had in their early days.

I guess I'll have to get out more - there are a lot of places still to try! (not to mention some newer places that weren't even on this list like Hoof Cafe, Negroni and Buca).

[ms. clicquot]

Another update: I finally made it to Weezie's a couple of weeks ago. What on earth took me so long?!! It was fantastic - really good food, cozy space and the chef came out and chatted briefly with everyone which was a nice touch. I had a salad and the burger - simple but well executed. It was the best burger I've had in Toronto in a long time. I will definitely be back.

[fickle]

Black Hoof
Weezies
Celli Cottage
Colbourne Lane
Gallery Grill
Samosa King
Buster Rhino

[swissmissy]

George
Pizza Libretto
Harbord Room
Grace
Splendido

[mmmmm.....]

Supermarket
Weezies
Caplansky's

[jamesm]

Colborne Lane because we receieved a gift certificate.

[fickle]

Progress report time! It's been 6 months since we made our "to-do" lists. How is everyone else doing? Sadly I have only made it to 3 (hoof, celli & buster) of my 7 (still need to check out weezies, colbourne lane, gallery grill & samosa king). Guess I better get cracking!

[Rabbit]

- Splendido
- still haven't made it to the Harbord Room
- new Caplansky's please open soon!!

[bytepusher]

At this point for me the only one I have on my must do list is
Black Hoof

Those that want to do Sushi Kaji, you're in for a treat
Those that want to do School, you're in for a big letdown

[jamesm]

School's brunch isn't terrible but I've experienced a few service issues and wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.

[dubchild]

my to do list:
-Hashimoto, Union, and Sukhothai.

[Googs]

Black Hoof
Sidecar, but that's mainly for the cocktails.

[Wahooty]

These are both on my list, as are:

Lai Wah Heen (going to check it off in just a couple of weeks!)
Cafe Michi and Maple Yip (both unforgivably close to my house for me never to have been)
Cafe Polonez
Zen
Milagro

[Googs]

Skip Michi and proceed directly to Zen. Especially if you live in the middle of the coordinates you just provided. Having a special night out place 10 minutes from home? Priceless.

[Wahooty]

Michi is walking distance for me - Zen is not, and while not far, requires at least two buses from my house making it a bit more than 10 minutes, even on a good day. Oh, to live the carefree life of an automobile owner again!

It is, however, a reasonably easy bike ride, so I will try to check it off before the weather turns cold. But only to make you happy, Googs - it will be a thoroughly selfless act. ;)

[tjr]

Do it for yourself -- Zen is far better than Michi (though Michi is certainly a great place if it's within walking distance), and the second best sushi restaurant in Toronto (after Kaji)!

[Googs]

tjr, I see you're not familiar with Wahooty's dry wit.

Laugh and a half girl. I ddn't realize it was a bus thang for you. Here I was thinking you'd be all pleased with the free parking lot out front. Though in that hood it's something you come to expect. Assuming you work downtown, you could always catch the Eglinton bus out of Kennedy Station after work. At least the trip would start easier.

[Wahooty]

Yes, a stop a wee bit out of my way home from work is precisely what has been on my "to-do" list. Being TTC-bound does tend to force you to be a bit more creative in your approach to chowing, but it's also part of the fun.

That being said, my chowing gets much more adventurous when I have good biking weather, and I hadn't even put Zen on my cycling radar yet. So thank you for helping me think outside the bus.

And tjr, thanks for your opinion on Michi. If it gets your "great place if it's within walking distance," that's all I need to give it a shot. I know the two places aren't the same league, but I still think it's criminal to have a perfectly good sushi place in my neighborhood that I've never been to.

[tjr]

Michi has pretty good uni. They use the 1:4 wasabi, so the texture is a bit better than the places just using the powdered stuff. The fish, in general, is good, the shari can be hit or miss. Having it a short walk away is definitely a good thing!

[Wahooty]

Hmmm...not sure how I feel about fickle and others holding me accountable, but here goes:

I've done Lai Wah Heen, Maple Yip, and Cafe Michi.

I guess the rest are still on the list, but may remain there for quite some time since my dining out has dropped off markedly lately. But I've spent so much time at Negroni over the last few months that not having been to Sidecar seems downright unforgivable...

[cynalan]

Great post. So many to choose from. Been to most of the high end restaurants in Toronto but here's a list of a few left to try...

Sidecar
Splendido (new owners)
C5

On my all time to do list are... WD50 (next week in New York baby... yee ha) and Alinea in Chicago.

[skylineR33]

Sidecar is high end ?! Is there a WD40 in Toronto or do you mean WD50 in NYC ?

Sukhothai is my to-do list.

[sugarcube]

oooh! My list would go on forever, soo

Toronto Area:
- Black Hoof
- Union
- Colborne Lane

York Region-
- Ambassador
- OMei

Out of Town:
- Stone Road Grille
- Bijou

[tjr]

I think Union. I have a few "to-do" blowout dinners at places I will miss though...

[pancake]

- Schools was nothing to go out of the way for. Great patio, but the food was mediocre at best.

- Side car was also a miss in my eyes :( Food was great, cocktails were decent if you order them off the menu. Try your hand at an off the list cocktail and its a miss. Plus the snob factor was a big turn off! Apparently its a big no-no asking for sangria threre.

- Libretto is on my list, but I recently sent a friend there and the review was discouraging.

[pescatarian]

Interesting about Sidecar. I loved it. Food was great. Service was impeccable. My BF ordered a spicy ceasar off menu and it was great. I didn't detect any snob factor. Can't wait to go back.

[jamesm]

Agreed, never experienced any snob factor at Sidecar. Quite the opposite actually.

[auberginegal]

having recently finally tried pizzeria libretto and black hoof, my list is:

sukhothai
poutini
weezies
swirl (not expecting a lot, but the concept sounds neat)
gallery grill

[acd123]

Nothing special about Poutini at all except for the squeak.

[haggisdragon]

Eigensinn Farm
Sushi Kaji
Via Allegro
Caplansky's
Maple Yip

[drjolt]

Nota Bene
Gallery Grill
Scaramouche
Swirl (just made plans for next week, so will be able to cross that off shortly)

[LemonLauren]

Libretto (my husband loves pizza)
nota bene
mildred's temple kitchen

[bogiegolfer]

wow,
all you experts out there,
and not one has mention a great
place like "vertical" !!!!!???
7 numbers
tomi-kro
but then again
who's to say what's is really good.
i guess we'll all have to get out and eat a
little more.

[TorontoJo]

This thread is about restaurants we haven't tried and really, really want to. I think Vertical's absence is simply a matter of people either having already tried it or just not being that interested in it.

[ace123]

Black hoof
Sukhothai
Weezies
Libretto

[MeXx]

Whenever I get a chance to stop into town:

Black Hoof
Nota Bene
Scaramouche
Some random Chinese restaurant I haven't tried yet that's sprung up since I last visited

Alas, next week when I'm in town for a wedding, I probably won't have time to try any restaurants on that list with the tight schedule I'm running.

[janel]

I'm always thinking about where I want to eat next...

Zen
Rebozos (heard it's good, authentic and cheap Mexican)
Weezie's

[auberginegal]

oh, I forgot about Rebozos, that would go on my list as well

[Jelly Belly]

Awesome post.
My try- before-you die-list is:
Weezie's
Note Bene
Rebozo's

[Chester Eleganté]

hmm..current whims:

sukhothai (friends have been raving about it as well, and go as often as they can)
mexicanada (way up in bradford)
southern rub (wait, isn't this the holy trinity of "things to avoid in toronto"?)
splendido 2.0
gallery grill
kaji
guu

[millygirl]

okay here you go....
Augostino's
Colborne Lane
Chaido
Splendido v2
Loire
Kaiseki Sakura

[tjr]

Going to try Buster Rhino's.

[shekamoo]

I am intrigued to death by the idea of a $300 dinner at Hashimoto's new location. But I will not go down that path before reading some reviews somewhere(by someone other than Chatto!). so please people, go ahead and place it on your immediate list. Hey, you get to come back and boast about having had the city's most expensive dinner....that is a huge bonus and almost singlehandedly compensates the monetary damage, as is obvious to anyone who knows anything about food :)

[JamieK]

There was a review in this past Saturday's Globe & Mail -

Hashimoto is heavenly, but bliss comes at a price
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/f...

[shekamoo]

'Peckish' after a $700 dinner, sigh. It could still be worth it nevertheless. it remains number 1 on my list, but I need more input

[Googs]

Hashimoto is my birthday dinner wish this year. Definitely knocking that puppy off now that it's somewhat nearer.

[shekamoo]

awaiting your review. hope it would be a rave

[Full tummy]

I noticed that their website clearly states "any picture taking device is not permitted in the restaurant". Interesting. I wonder if that means cell phones must be left in the car....

http://www.kaiseki.ca/english/

[skylineR33]

Cell phone is allowed as long as you only use it to make calls. Actually Hashimoto will send all the pictures of the food you have in the dinner to your email address and the chef will come out in person to chat and take pictures with you too. Very nice service there.

[shekamoo]

their website says that they no longer send the picture Emails 'due to complications'

[skylineR33]

Complication ?! They only do one or 2 tables a night. $300 for a meal describe in Joanne Kates's article, I'll pass for sure.

[shekamoo]

I agree that the notion of encountering complications for sending an email with photo attachments seems a bit odd.
I have (not yet entirely) convinced myself that it has the potential to be a transcendental experience. but at that price tag, and with those reviews, I will have to wait and see.
but then I will be in Tokyo for some time during the summer of 2011, so maybe I should wait for that. loooong as that wait will be.

[Googs]

I prefer no pictures. I've always found that obnoxious.

[millygirl]

Ditto

[HarryLloyd]

our "fan favourite" poster is a prolific picture taker. i like it better than having to read all the words.

Chow!

HL

[haggisdragon]

Agreed, a sure sign of lack of character ; )

[piccola]

Mine are a mix of high-end (to my wallet, anyway - haven't been able to justify the expense) and affordable (haven't had time to stop by):

Hank's
Mildred's
Sukhothai
Guu
One Love
Grace

To all those who listed Kaiseki Sakura: GO. It's absolutely fabulous.

[jennjen18]

Eigensinn Farm
Guu (of course, in Toronto... been the Vancity one already)
Kaji
Harlem
Weezie's
Omei (for lobster)
Aji Sai on Queen (for AYCE... everyone's been telling me to do it)

[jennjen18]

If I may add to that:
Pizza Liberetto
Resteron Malaysia (the one in RH??)
Copacabana
Stonegrill on Winchester

[Googs]

You DON'T want to go to Stonegrill. Trust me on that.

[jennjen18]

Haha, but it's such a gimmicky place!! :P Just like Copacabana! :D How was your experience with them then?

[Googs]

Even in my efforts to support my neighbourhood I won't eat there. They take insipidity to new heights reimagining dishes leaving no flavour behind. If you're on Winchester just keep going one more door east and try Samovar.

[Googs]

Samovar link..

[jennjen18]

OH, and Dow's Noodles & Hot Pot Restaurant for hot pot (hwy 7 and Leslie).. everytime I go there's a massive line up!

[jennjen18]

And Rua Vang (Golden Turtle) for pho..

[neighborguy]

Ditto on what a great post/query this is!!!

My three:
Caplansky's
Table 17
Maple Yip

I'm curious about the Black Hoof as a fourth, but wonder if it's part of the charcuterie trend...

[banjoman2375]

I would have to say:

North 44
Susur
Auberge Du Pommiers
Ame

and I know it's not in toronto, but I NEED to go to Au Pied Du Cochon sometime before I die... maybe go there to die of a heart attack?

[bunnylicious]

au pied de cochon is fabulous. you must try the foie gras cromesquis. if anyone knows where to find these in toronto, i would be ever so thankful...

[Googs]

Save your money. Drop Ame from your list.

[skylineR33]

What's wrong with Ame ?

[Googs]

Everything except the drinks.

[skylineR33]

Thanks for your thoughtful insight.

[Googs]

You take your Japanese food seriously. Ame is strictly for beginners. You don't strike me as the type that would sacrifice substance for style.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/677153

[skylineR33]

Ah, thanks for the thread reference.

[balthazar]

Great post!

Colborne Lane
Origins (if/when it opens?)
Guu
Weezie's
Nota Bene
Susur

[banackbread]

you know there is no more Susur, right?

there's Lee and there is Madeleine. but madeleine took over the space of the old Susur.

Which is on my list by the way:
-Madeleine
- Guu
- Union

[shelleypascual]

To-Eat List as of Today:

—Guu
—Via Allegro
—Splendido

PS. Coquine Restaurant is one of Toronto's best-kept secrets.!

[plasticanimal]

Harlem Underground