664302 Tue Nov 03 05:14:06 -0800 2009 14 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 5151404 I am looking for the good bad and ugly. Storeys or reviews of the London Ontario food scene? Any suggestions or warnings ? Let me know. Cheers! Tue Nov 03 05:14:06 -0800 2009 232779 2ottman 1 5154084 Hi, Well it's been a few months since I've been in London, but from what I remember there are a few good ones. Keep in mind you can't compare London to Toronto, so if I say it's good, keep it in perspective: CHEAP EATS 1) Thuan Kieu - Amazing Vietnamese food, in fact, better than any I've had in Toronto by far. This place is an absolute must if you like Vietnamese food! 2)Spageddy Eddy's - Dirt cheap pasta and for around $10 you get a HUGE bowl. Don't expect excellent quality, you go for the price and portion size! MEDIUM/EXPENSIVE EATS 3) Cello Supper Club - $20 something entrees, it's fusion/contemporary food (the place also doubles as a lounge).. For the price point, the food is good and more on the 'hip' side. 4) Black Trumpet - More on the "pricier" side, the food is standard fare (read beef tenderloin, salmon, etc.) but at least it's tasty! Nice, cozy, and romantic restaurant It's been a while so I can't recall much, but I'm sure there are many more places. Take a look at http://www.restaurantica.com/on/london for opinions on restaurants. Hope I was able to help a little! Tue Nov 03 21:39:43 -0800 2009 5151404 1083750 jemmy 2 5186695 I concur with jemmy's opinion of Thuan Kieu. We were in London Nov 14 and 15 for Cirque du Soleil. We went to Thuan Kieu based solely on one recommendation. We weren't disappointed. We had 4 items from the menu (veggie spring rolls, chicken vermicelli, soup with beef and chicken curry) Spring rolls were on the greasy side but the other 3 items were, as jemmy commented, better than any we've had in Toronto. The chicken curry was absolutely delightful. The only downside was the decor, typical Asian tables, chairs, chopsticks. The staff were friendly and helpful. Customers were 50 Asian and 50 Caucasian, many were young. Getting a table was not a problem at 4PM but it quickly filled up. The bill, $25 and change. We will be back. Mon Nov 16 15:20:41 -0800 2009 5154084 1106616 Phillip Sticky 1 5156019 Out in the west end are two of my faves; both small and well-priced: Cafe Milagro, which is a bistro with thai undertones, and Comforts, a more traditional bistro. They are nearly across the road from one another on Commissioners Rd. W in Byron, west of Boler. Wed Nov 04 13:27:25 -0800 2009 5151404 139180 Blush 1 5156195 Check out: www.theonlyonking.ca I haven't been yet, but I have family in London and that's where I'm going next time around (and I'd selfishly love a report). Otherwise, we go to: www.aubergerestaurant.ca It's old school, but quite good. Is Prince Albert's Diner still around (in uni it was good for post-bar food and milkshakes). Honestly quite charming and very generous/reasonable. The Covent Garden Market is quite nice for foodie exploring. Wed Nov 04 14:20:00 -0800 2009 5151404 60563 Rabbit 2 5156263 I went to The Only. We received a gift certificate from family, not that it matters. I have to say I left unimpressed. It was a few months ago, so my memory is pretty hazy. We had the tasting menu. It all started out very well with a carrot and ginger soup. The presence of ginger was just strong enough to be interesting, but not to overwhelm. It was a delicious soup. Then there was a fish course, some whitefish. Perch from lake erie would have been a great local selection, but it was something "exotic" and I kept wondering about how fresh it could it . The flavour was ok, but it was terribly overcooked. The meat dish, honestly, I can't remember. I think it was duck breast. I recall a bunch of flavours that didn't work well together. And overall, there wasn't a consistent theme to the tasting menu. They all seemed like distinct dishes. You only realize the importance of a theme if it's missing, I guess. As an aside, we have some good friends who had been about a week prior to us, who had similar feedback. Sorry to burst the bubble. As an aside, pricing is pretty much on par with Toronto. Wed Nov 04 14:41:28 -0800 2009 5156195 157056 grandgourmand 3 5156426 Yeah, that's bubble-bursting... but better before than after, non? I'll probably still give it a try because it doesn't seem there are many other option in London, but I will definitely re-calibrate expectations. Sigh - Rab! Wed Nov 04 15:33:06 -0800 2009 5156263 60563 Rabbit 4 5156732 You never know. I might have caught them on a bad night. It's a nice (not fancy) space. Service was pretty good. And they have Chimay Reserve (750mls) for $15/bottle I think it was. If you're into beer, 'tis the time of year for Chimay. Wed Nov 04 17:33:01 -0800 2009 5156426 157056 grandgourmand 5 5186735 I will vouch for the Only, it was the best meal I've had in London. I brought my sister there (visiting from Calgary) and she thoroughly enjoyed it too, especially considering that tasting menus there often cost double what they charge at the Only. Mon Nov 16 15:34:47 -0800 2009 5156732 196347 option13 2 5156815 Prince Albert's Diner is still there and still busy. We prefer Billy's Deli on Dundas at Talbot for breakfast. Across the street from Prince Albert's is Barakat's. They make an awesome schwarma sandwich. The garlic sauce is very yummy. We went to Mystic further down Albert street for dinner in early October, the souvlakis were fair but their seafood dishes were weak. There's also Ben Thanh for vietnamese. It's along the same lines as Pho Hung. Wed Nov 04 18:15:42 -0800 2009 5156195 11750 fickle 1 5156816 Earlier thread that covers a lot: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/360290 My favourite restaurants in London right now are Massey's for Indian, Barakat for Shawarma, JJ's Bistro in Byron for continental classics, the Only for local/casual/continental, Shiki for Japanese. There's a new Italian restaurant across from the market at 119 King called Abruzzi that opened recently, but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Wed Nov 04 18:15:56 -0800 2009 5151404 10626 phoenikia 2 5182479 I had a lovely lunch at On the Fork in Museum London this week. It was the best upscale lunch I've had in London this year, after some hit or miss lunches at a couple restaurants on Richmond Row and near the Market. Artichoke cauliflower soup, followed by gnocchi with leek sauce and oxtail. This was the best version of gnocchi I've found in London. The leek sauce was tangy, with a lemony basil flavour. I'm sure I'll be back to On the Fork for dinner some time in the near future. Sent my friends to Abbruzi last night, and they really enjoyed it. One of them enjoyed the seafood stew more than the version at David's. I'm looking forward to trying it soon. Sat Nov 14 21:47:50 -0800 2009 5156816 10626 phoenikia 1 5186750 My faves: -Billy's Deli for breakfast -Hong Ping for Chinese -Shiki for Japanese/sushi -True Taco for legit Mexican tacos -El Pinolero for nacatamales -Bondi's for pizza -Rei dos Leitoes for rotisserie chicken -The Only on King -Thuan Kieu for Vietnamese Mon Nov 16 15:41:29 -0800 2009 5151404 196347 option13 1 5187098 I used to live in London, and when I was last there (a year ago) Thaifoon was quite good for Thai food. Barakat is a must for shawarma's and falafels. I still think their sandwiches beat the hell out of anything i've had in Toronto (although my SO disagrees). I agree with the other recs for sushi. Black trumpet is probably the best in terms of fine dining/ambiance and was a fave for corporate functions, romantic/ special occasion dinners. That being said, i've always heard good things about Michael on the Thames but never managed to make it there. On Richmond Row, Garlic's I never did like. Always found it was overrated. I did like the Tasting Room, but always found it loud. Enjoyed the food though. There was a fantastic Vietnamese place on Dundas (I believe) it was across the street from the Kellogg's factory. I think it was called Viet Nam Restaurant. Wonderful food, friendly service and dirt cheap. Never disappointed there. Mon Nov 16 17:48:38 -0800 2009 5151404 221351 tj2007 1 5187890 Blue Ginger was pretty decent for the 22 dollar prix fixe at the time (appetizer, main and dessert) Bakarat for the shwarma Went to an all you can eat sushi place.. I forget the name but it was on Richmond street, wasn't too impressed but it wasn't TERRIBLE I liked "On the Fork" for their tapas Went to Bertoldi's and while their pizza/pasta was decent (pizza was probably too small though) their salad had old not fresh lettuce (was turning pink) Had a great experience at Tasting Room - seared Ahi tuna, coconut lobster lollipops, crab cakes and trio of mini burgers are the appetizers I recommend!! Tue Nov 17 04:32:03 -0800 2009 5151404 260531 Muffin__Top