Where should Anthony Bourdain (No Reservations) go while in Toronto?

[stonedtoronto]

So Mr. Bourdain has annouced that Toronto will be featured on a show in season eight. Just thinking for fun, where do you think he should go to best represent Toronto?

The St. Lawrence Market to me, is a given.

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St. Lawrence Market
92 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E, CA

[Matt H]

The Season 7 lineup has been released and it appears that unfortunately Toronto did not make the cut:

http://anthonybourdain.tumblr.com/pos...

Does sound like another great season nonetheless.

[Matt H]

I just realized that Season 8 was where TO was slated. My mistake. Glad to see that hopefully TO will still be featured.

[k4kashi]

He should visit the city during one of the summer food festivals - Spicy food fest or Taste of Danforth. I'm sure other cities have food fests also but no one does it like us. Where else can you get paella, souvlaki and sushi all with in a 2 minute walk and all for under 10 bucks?

[Davwud]

After having been a couple times I think he needs the pork belly souvlaki at Folia Grill.

DT

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Folia Grill
1031 Pape Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 3V9, CA

[meatnveg]

CONVICTION By THUET!!

It's a perfect fit for the show. I would bet that the whole concept of only hiring ex-addicts and prisoners would greatly appeal to Bourdain's sensibilities

[dubchild]

Conviction is closed.

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

Ok. So since I am currently watching No Reservations, I definitely think that we are all on the wrong track when it comes to guessing where he would go...mostly. I still agree with a few, like Greg's ice cream and the St. Lawrence Market, but I doubt he will go to something as recent and popular as Caplansky's...too mainstream but without the history. I think that he may go to something the Blue Chip truck for poutine at city hall. And before you say no way, I am currently watching him eat a hotdog from a vendor in the middle of the Hudson River. I also think he would go to a the Farmer's Market at Dufferin Grove...it is less trendy yet much cooler, neighbourhoodish, and delicious than then one at Brickworks, IMHO. I am also watching him do a shot right now so I am thinking that he may go to a restaurant or place that has its own microbrewry, since us Canadians do like our beer. In terms of asian food, I do still think he will go, but I think any place he does go will be at 3am with either chefs that are grabbing a bite after leaving their own place, or piggybacking with partiers after last call somewhere. In terms of Italian, maybe something like Commisso Bros. Good old-school homemade Italian food with a shady history that is open 24/7; can't get much more No Reservations than that.

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St. Lawrence Market
92 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E, CA

[plasticanimal]

Black Metal Brunch at Graffiti's!
A. It's a great brunch in a great brunch town.
B. Bourdain is into heavy music.
C. It's in Kensington Market.
D. It's got a good story and is loved by locals.

[meatnveg]

A visit to to Michael Schmidt's farm for raw milk would be a good stop. Probably not a tasting UT his show would an ideal vehicle for the story

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

Ok. I've thought about this and think that he will celebrate both the multicultural aspects of the city as well as the foods based on local recipes. Therefore, here is my final list (I think we should get a sort of bet going and whoever has the most locations on the show gets bragging rights.)
1. Something from each of the major cultural "towns" in Toronto (Chinatown --the largest outside of SanFran, Little India, Little Italy, Little Korea)
2. Pacific Mall--largest indoor mall of its kind in N America
3. The Stop
4. St. Lawrence Market
5. Niagara on the Lake-specifically ice wine (does he do alcohol?)
6. Maybe something First Nations? He does really find things off the beaten path
7. Cheese from a local(ish) creamery, preferably unpasturized.
7. A locavore kitchen like Local which makes their own charcuterie and cans their own tomatoes and veggies which they use for the winter.

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Little India
255 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V1Z4, CA

St. Lawrence Market
92 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E, CA

First Nation
, Stratton, ON P0W, CA

[koknia]

He's not into wine, he's into meat.

[k4kashi]

Not too many aboringinal food joints in TO. In ottawa, however, there is an aboriginal cafe which serve things like buffalo bone marrow and the like.

[Splendid Wine Snob]

Are you referring to Sweetgrass?

SWS

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Sweetgrass
108 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N5M6, CA

[jiminy]

Anyone have any idea when he`ll be here, there might be some decent festivals or something if he`s here at the right time

[dubchild]

I've never seen the show, so I have no idea about the format. Places, I believe and others have mentioned, would show Toronto as an interesting food/dining city are:
The Black Hoof
Eigensinn Farm
Events hosted by the Stop Community Centre
Soma
Ice wine at one of the wineries

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[Davwud]

The premise is, he goes to a city or country and tours customs, traditions, food, culture, that kinda stuff. The thing is, he doesn't visit the Eiffel Tower when in Paris. Everyone does that. He takes you places that you don't get to see. He eats where the locals eat. He tries to show you how life is for the indigenous folks. Not the tourists.

DT

[GoodGravy]

If that's the case, he'll probably look at the make up of the city, conclude that with huge populations from China and SE Asia that he'll strike gold there, then hit up some various Chinese and SE Asian restos all over the city, whether they're hidden in strip malls, or on the outskirts of the city or even neighboring cities. He'll probably also look up new and exciting chefs to showcase the culinary scene. Doesn't he usually get a local food guide or chef to show him around? Who do you think that might be?

[szw]

I think Charles Yu and Skyline33 are taking him around town.

[Manybears]

I would definitely watch that.

[Charles Yu]

We wish!! So far, no e-mail from him though! Ha!!

[FrankD]

"He eats where the locals eat. "

Johnny's.

[haggisdragon]

Please insert "smart" between "locals" and "eat".

[TorontoJo]

Or maybe between "the" and "locals" instead? ;o)

[FrankD]

There IS always a lineup.

Just sayin'

[haggisdragon]

oops, thats ironic. Think I'll go eat at Johnny's.

[froglegs]

These are all really good choices.

[fatman0000]

I agree. He has been every where, a true gourmand.
Let's see what he comes up with. I am sure he will do his research.

[meatnveg]

given that he prefers places that are big on using local products and such, I think he would go to Nota Bene, Canoe etc. Oh and a smoed meat comparison is possible I would imagine.

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Nota Bene
180 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2A1, CA

[Charles Yu]

Doesn't most 'good' restaurants in town uses local products from local suppliers/farms anyway?! In addition to the aforementioned two, menus from places like Scaramouche, Splendido, N44, George, Auberge du Pommier, Colborne Lane....all listed ingredients by suppliers name if sourced locally!?!

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Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

[meatnveg]

the difference is whether they exclusively use local or in season products as opposed to using them when it suits their menu, i.e. to what extent do they let the available produce govern what they have to offer.

[Toronto Fastfoodie]

Isn't the point of this show to discover the treasures of that country? Not the treasures that were brought to that country. I am thinking he will visit places that are more uniquely Canadian...simple yet culturally relevant. Maybe our bagels since we are constantly in bagel wars with Montreal: maybe Gryfes or the ORIGINAL Bagel World. Also, some of the ice wines vinyards, of course (maybe outside of T.O. but close enough) Maybe something to do with our produce? or Maple syrup? or Cheese? These are some of the locavore things that we do best. There are some interesting No Reservations things about these items: like how because of our insane dairy laws, dairy farms that make their own cheese need to sell themselves their milk, drive it off the property, and then drive it back to make the cheese. I think the restaurants to visit would be the ones to focus on local ingredients with a Canadian-focussed menu, like Canoe or Olson Food & Bakery. Or maybe even something classically canadian, like Chudleigh's apple pie? I think the main point I am making is foods with more local ingredients and histories. I think that something like Guu, which is "authentically" Japanese is not the best restaurant he would choose to exemplify Toronto. Maybe even the Tim Horton's doughnut. Say what you will about it, it is a Toronto legend. Same for Greg's Ice Cream and Caplanskys (as much as I hate to admit it...hate that place)

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Greg's Ice Cream
750 Spadina Ave, Toronto, ON M5S2J2, CA

Caplansky's
356 College Street, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

Guu
398 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, CA

Bagel World
10 Disera Dr #150, Vaughan, ON L4J0A7, CA

[Charles Yu]

Actually, yes and no??!! When he did his shows on Vietnam and Cambodia, he actually had French food.! When he featured Sydney, Australia, he ate at Tatsuya ( French/Japanese fusion usind local ingredients). So, based on that logic, your recommendation of Canoe would be a good choice.
I think he already did cheeses during his Quebec episode?!

[Snarf]

Nice post. You are succinct and erudite in your display of the fundamental Toronto conundrum. We so stuff that sometimes others do, and we, shyly, on our own Toronto way, think that it is good. When we dare to compare ourselves to other parts of the world, we are quick to self-deprecatingly sell ourselves short on the basis that Michelin doesn't sell enough tires here to put our a local restaurant guide.

As our social fabric accepts new cultures without dilution, or the requirement that they melt into Canadian society, we embrace many cuisines which are served with their native ingredients in their native languages, and which are also embraced by many who are not of that particular ethnicity. Eating food from another's culture is considered cool, and is part of who we are, and why we are.

As for Tim's, though, some of the franchises are suing on the basis that the new donut is not as good as the old one. Some hockey purists might point out that there is an Eddie Shack donuts in Georgetown, and that he was a much better hockey player.....

[fatman0000]

How about some local walleye ??

[childofthestorm]

I get the feeling that the Toronto episode will be one of the "Tony is left dissatisfied" episodes which will lead to some crazy grumbling around here...

[FrankD]

I'm the only guy either crazy enough, or with enough cojones, to suggest it, but:

Johnny's.

[Davwud]

So you want him to come here and eat frozen burgers??

DT

[stonedtoronto]

He's done shows where he goes to the "greasy spoon" side of Jersey; but he's from Jersey, and that brings nostalgia to him...as I am sure Johnny's does for most of us...but him going to Johnny's would be akin to us going to his Jersey places...

They're good and all, but we wouldn't get each other. Tell me Johnny's doesn't bring back good old feelings...after the Greek guy yells at you of course.

[SNACKeR]

There are lots of choices for mid- and high-end places, but for hole in the wall, my vote would be Danforth Pizza House. Not that I get a vote.

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Danforth Pizza
920 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4J1L9, CA

[smudgebee]

Zen @ the bar. Cava @ the bar.

Chinatown east?

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Cava
1560 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4T 2S9, CA

[szw]

Imo there aren't many good eats in chinatown east. nothing good for chinese, some decent vietnamese if you live close by but not the best the city offers. Also no pho in toronto deserves to be showcased imo.

[smudgebee]

You are probably right. Was thinking Hanoi, but I am not totally selling myself either.

[TorontoTips]

I agree... Danforth Pizza House is the best 'old-school' grungy neighbourhood joint with awesome pizza!

[themiguel]

Black Hoof (or rather hoof cafe for brunch)
Hakka Cuisine (Federicks or Chung Moi)
New York Subway
Carousel Peameal Sandwich
Canoe (scoff if you want but its high end Canadiana)
Roti from one of the better places in parkdale
Eigensinn Farms
One of the best uptown cantonese joints
Pick one of the new generation trendy restos - Union, Beast, Brockton General, et l

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New York Subway
705 Victoria Ave E, Thunder Bay, ON P7C5X9, CA

Canadiana Restaurant
2454 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON M8V1C9, CA

The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

Brockton General
1321 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, CA

[Derksen]

Am I missing something with New York Subway? I thought it was Meh at best. Taco seasoned ground beef "burrito". Did I order the wrong thing? Was I at a different New York Subway? I was at the one on Queen W. that has the same guy working day and night. IMO, I think this is a horrible spot for Bourdain based on what I tasted.

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New York Subway
520 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[Bobby Wham]

yeah, he should not go there

[Davwud]

The one trip there saw us order the steak burrito. Steak so tough it was virtually impossible to chew. I guess I should try it again sometime.

DT

[Yongeman]

Yeah, you guys should try the lamb satay burrito, spicy. My favourite--I find it difficult not to order it when I go there. It's not in the 50 lb lobster 10-ways category, but it's damn good.

[plasticanimal]

I always get the cauliflower or mix veg or chicken satay burrito. Love.

[Davwud]

Well Yonge, you did it again. I went, I ordered the lamb (med) and you nailed it. It was fantastic. The only thing about it was it played second fiddle to the beef burrito. It was awesome. The flavours were just spectacular.

Thanks again dude.
DT

[Yongeman]

Ok, DT. I'm gonna hit me up with one of them there beef burritos next time I'm at New York Subway. Thanks man.

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New York Subway
520 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[Davwud]

The flavour reminded me of the ground meat that goes in pastichio or moussaka. Really interesting and really good.

DT

[shekamoo]

could you say more about Brockton General? how is it?

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Brockton General
1321 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y1, CA

[summersky]

Not new york sub, but Gandhi Roti

[focioncroci]

He should definitely get some peameal bacon, and try Kolzik's mustard.

[grandgourmand]

He tries to find the local specialty hot dog, i believe. In that case, he would by default have to try some street meat. Not something we're proud of necessarily, but it's probably a necessity.

[Bobby Wham]

He shoud go to Guu, then Richmond Hill for Chinese BBQ, Hoof Cafe and Kensington and Jamaican, that's it, no smoked meat or burgers or anything like that

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Guu
398 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, CA

[Charles Yu]

Compare to Izakayas in Japan, Guu ( Vancouver ) is only passable, whilst Guu ( Toronto ) is mediocre at best. I doubt a real foodie like Bourdain ,who knows his way round Tokyo and Osaka, would find the food at Guu ' interesting'? To us 'deprived' Torontonians, may be?!

As for Chinese B-B-Q. In the two episodes of ' No reservations' where he visited Hong Kong and Sinpapore, he savoured roast goose, B-B-Q pork and roast suckling piglet in Hong Kong's town of Tai Po ( Yat Lung ). IMO, that place has B-B-Q that rivals the Michelin 1* Yung Kee. In S'pore, he also had B-B-Q at the Grand Hyatt and a Hawker centre. I too have eaten at the former. The roast pork with its crackling crisp skin also rivals the finest in the east. As such, for Bourdain to come to Richmond Hill and try out the B-B-Q here would be asking for trouble! IMO. As I eluded to in my past posting, all B-B-Q places in the Richmond Hill area has gone downhill or out of business and quality is questionable in a lot of the supposedly good places. Still, even at their peak, they are no rival to the best Hong Kong has to offer!!!

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Guu
398 Church Street, Toronto, ON M5B 2A2, CA

[jamesm]

It's amazing we don't all die of starvation given how deprived this city apparently is.

[shekamoo]

I think the show should showcase the diversity, by going from one ethnic place to the next to the next to the next. just please leave out the persian places as the cuisine can not tolerate more humiliation

[num nums]

Mr. Bourdain would definitely need to hit up a few of the hole in the wall, one of a kind places, like Gandhi Roti and New York Sub. What other in places in Toronto have this similar almost indescribable food fusion?

Then there are places like the Milvan food court, J-Town, and Pacific Mall where from the inside, it doesn't even seem like one is in Toronto.

[haggisdragon]

good call.

[Charles Yu]

I've watched all his 'no reservation' and 'Food porn' programs. To date, he had not eaten a 10+ pounds lobster cooked 4 ways a la O'Mei! Time for him to give it a try!!

[haggisdragon]

Good suggestion! That would make some good TV. A few close ups of the live beast and maybe some shots of the dismemberment and final preparation. And maybe the owner of O'Mei can sing a couple of kareokie tunes like he did the time I was there!

[Charles Yu]

Yup! He sings Bee Gee's song pretty well. Love the way he promotes his 4th generation desserts too!

[jmarcroyal]

damn thats massive, how much does that thing cost lol...

[Derksen]

I recall reading somewhere it was $19/lb. Bring the family!

[FrankD]

Absolutely! Even the guy from "Man vs. Food" couldn't eat this whole thing by himself.

[shekamoo]

two people can finish an 8-pounder if they order nothing else. we have. it is not a huge pig out. just awesome!

[Charles Yu]

Agree! And here are some photos to show!

[shekamoo]

now I am craving it again. if only they had like a half-price special day or something. come on OMei, give out a No Reservations Promotion: 4-Way Lobster 9.99/lb

[grandgourmand]

Wow...I really have to give this thing a try. What's the suggested preparation again? I believe there is a choice between a noodle and rice course? My birthday is coming up.

[Charles Yu]

The lobster 4 ways are ' Steamed claws with minced garlic and Chinese rice wine on a bed of rice vermicellis' ( middle photo of my above posting ), 'Stirred fry lobster tail with secret House/Maggi sauce' ( right hand photo ), Fried head/body with spicy peppered salt ( current posting ) and either 'Fried rice with dried scallops and lobster roe or braised e-fu noodles with mushroom and lobster roe'. FYI, the remaining photo of this posting is a whole Geoduck Clam ( Mirugai ) sashimi style.

Have a nice birthday bash!!

[jmarcroyal]

how about maybe Lobster rolls and a massive tail with some garlic butter!

damn that looks crazy tho, arent Lobsters that size pretty rare?

[Charles Yu]

They have such a constant supply of those monsters, one does not even have to reserve for one! During weekends, their fish tanks filled with those beasts is quite a sight!

[froglegs]

OMG! Charles thanks for the photos! I have to go try this place! This week!

[LTL]

It was priced at $18.88/lb when I went two weekends ago - for the first time! What an amazing experience. I can't wait to go back for it.

[Underdog Rally]

I would really love to see Bourdain cover Toronto's food scene for what I think is our strongest asset: Hundreds (thousands?) of grandmothers from all over the world cooking simple dishes, and passing on a love of food to the next generation. There aren't a lot of cities in the world where you can taste the "signature" comfort dish from dozens of cultures all in one weekend.

[ingloriouseater]

I would agree with the variety of ethnicities and neighborhoods (albiet how some of them are becoming too gentrified to hold their origins) but polish, tibetan, indian, sri lankan, portuguese, italian, greek. I would also suggest that our current trend of hoof to tail and charcuterie may be passe by season 8 of the show

[mangolassi]

I love this idea as a thread. My little girl is19 months and I want her to be exposed to all the great comfort dishes from around the globe. We only have 2 Grandma's - so how awesome to enjoy the cooking of 1000's of others....

[fickle]

He said they would go to the Beast at the show.

[jmarcroyal]

he should go to the Danforth, It would be awesome if he hit Messini's for a delicious gyro, and maybe Athens Pastries for dessert Loukomades!

Maybe he could touch on the Shawarma trend...

[Herb]

Where was this announced?

[stonedtoronto]

http://www.torontolife.com/daily/dail...

[TorontoJo]

Here's another long thread on the same topic:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/587704

:)

[stonedtoronto]

Yeah, I remember that. But it was before he announced he would do a show in Toronto. I figured now that he has, and the chefs from Hoof, and Niagara Street Cafe are the ones influencing him; I thought a fresh tread was warrented.

[TorontoJo]

I just searched on "Anthony Bourdain" and it was at the top of the list.

http://www.chow.com/search?query=anth...

No biggie, just thought you'd like to see the other thread, since there were a lot of responses.

[stonedtoronto]

Ahh, see I searched "No Reservations". I guess I am the type to try only once :) Thanks for the links :)

[Davwud]

Kensington Market of course.

It'll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
I'm guessing Black Hoof will be a place he hits up.

DT

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[stonedtoronto]

Probably, as apparently the chef there along with a few others were the ones to convince him to do a show in Toronto. Even though it's not in Toronto, I can't help but wonder if he'll go to Eigensinn Farm...