What's good in Parkdale?

[Tiny Iota]

Hey, my band's playing a show in Toronto Saturday night at Somewhere There in Parkdale, what's good to eat in that general area, preferably walking distance? I've read on the board that there's a couple of good pho places on Queen and King Streets and I'm WAY into pho. Anything else good?

Thanks for your help!

[aser]

Just east of parkdale you'll find Tien Thanh (Ossington, north of Queen), one of the best pho spots in the city. They close by 10pm though.

[Whats_For_Dinner]

I've had fantastic pho at Golden Turtle on the same stretch of Ossington, too.

[Non Doctor]

I live in Parkdale myself...

Despite some detractors on this board I have never had a bad experience at Cowbell... and the wines are priced INCREDIBLY DECENTLY... Calamus "White" being an absolute steal. Service has certainly improved since my last visit a good few months ago. A party of 8 of us had a great night with thumbs-up all round.

Around a month ago my GF and I had a simply wonderful meal at Local Kitchen and Wine Bar.

It was a quiet night (Pre-Joanne Kates review) and the owners took particular attention to ensure that we were happy and satiated. I'd go back in a heartbeat but have been simply too busy as of late.

[ingloriouseater]

local kitchen is great, get there early for best seating, 5:30, 6, 6:30 or 7 at the latest. Michael will do a great job squeezing you in. despite reviews you don't need a flashlight or a reservation. we usually go as a couple, but a 4 top is very easily handled. reserve for the 6 top at the window. wines are very, very reasonably priced and order the larger sizes if sharing, and share everything...it is great fun...enjoy the bathroom movie!

[jamesm]

Agree with Cowbell. I've had several good meals there and never been dissapointed.

[Tiny Iota]

That's actually where I ended up going as it was on the way to somewhere else. The broth was ok but the meat was excellent. I was disappointed by the imperial rolls that a friend of mine had but that pho hit the spot. I was staying at a place Bloorcourt and I'm kinda disappointed I didn't get to try any Portuguese or Ethiopian/Eritrean places.

[Tiny Iota]

It didn't compare to the pho in Montreal. It's probably a French colonial connection thing. It hit the spot, though. We're pretty spoiled here as far as Vietnamese food goes, there's several amazing places that are just really, really good and authentic. I had actually wanted to go to Tien Thanh but Golden Turtle was closer and we didn't have tons of time.

[lionesse]

I second this, Golden Turtle might possibly be the best Pho in the city!

[redearth]

I don't agree with your assessment of Golden Turtle's Pho at all. Pho Tien Thanh, just a couple blocks south on Ossington, has a far superior bowl of Pho, IMHO.

[chocabot]

i agree with aser - Tien Thanh is better than Turtle but both are better than most.

[morefoodplz]

Only pho that I'm aware of in the area is Pho Asia 21. Not too far down is Island Foods, for another cheap option.

-----
Island Foods
1182 King St W, Toronto, ON M6K1E6, CA

Pho Asia 21
1208 King St W, Toronto, ON M6K1G4, CA

[Tiny Iota]

There's also apparently Thuan Loi on Queen. Thanks for the tip on Island Foods, if I'm hankering for Jamaican I'll hit them up for sure.

[fluffysouffle]

On Queen I prefer Pho Mi Thuan Lo, which is beside the Ethiopian place just east of Elm Grove Avenue.

The Cadillac Lounge has decent bar food if people are looking for that.

[ingloriouseater]

hit and miss service at cadillac lounge-mostly miss lately has me looking elsewhere. further west the food at mezzrow's and mitizi's sister is better. local kitchen and wine bar at queen and roncesvalles is my latest fave. some enjoy cowbell too.

[childofthestorm]

FYI everyone, Pho Asia 21 just got shut down by the health inspectors. I am kind of grossed out as it was my worktime takeout spot for pho and bun.

[gregclow]

Yeah, I was pretty shocked to see that when the wife and I were out walking our dogs this morning. We eat at Pho Asia 21 at least a couple of times a month - we live right around the corner, and it's one of our default "don't feel like cooking tonight" places for a cheap & cheerful meal. Sigh.

[lionesse]

Pho Asia 21 got closed down apparently :(

[frenchcustard]

M&B Yummy for some pretty fantastic vegetarian/vegan Ethiopian food
http://www.mbyummy.com/