Guy Fieri Spotted in Toronto

[Bobby Wham]

Quote from the Star "He’s been dining, and filming, at some of this city’s most popular joints, such as Hey Meatball, Caplansky’s Delicatessen and, rumour has it, the Stockyards on St. Clair and the Lakeview Restaurant on Dundas St."

I for one think the only restaurant on this list that should be on the show is Stockyards, how do you guys feel? what about missed restaurants, etc? Really surprised to see the Lakeview on this list, not sure where he's getting his information from.

[youdonut]

did a little digging on the food network and there seems to be 2 more episodes to come.

S17E02 airing april 29th 2013 desc::"Toronto the smokehouse kicking burgers and fried chicken up a notch and turning a traditional BLT on its head" Stockyards maybe??

and

S17E05 airing May 20th 2013 desc:: "Toronto the decades-old bohemian joint servin' up sticky Asian pork ribs and a Canadian staple." no idea on this one.

these airdates are for the US as far as i know.

[Davwud]

The last one is Rosedale Diner.

DT

[kwass]

It's definitely Stockyards, because I know that they filmed an episode there.

[PoppiYYZ]

For those trying to track down the DDDs Episodes with Toronto:

S16E09 - Eurocentric (Hey Meatball)
S16E11 - Unlikely Partners (Lakeview)
S16E12 - Layers of Flavor (Ace)
S16E13 - Real Deal Roots (Caplansky's)

Real Deal Roots is on this Friday at 9pm on FN Canada.

[justsayn]

thanks!

[Davwud]

So I guess Caplansky's is this Friday night then??

DT

[ylsf]

It looks like it will be on in Canada this Friday but has aired in the USA already... so, you can find it in the "usual" places if you know where to look.

[PoppiYYZ]

Yes,

Just Google Diners Drive Ins and Dives along with the Episode number.

[Davwud]

I can wait.

I generally don't have a lot of luck with those TV episodes over the internet. Probably because the only time I think of it is at work and the filters are pretty strict.

DT

[PoppiYYZ]

Then use this link to check up coming episodes (Thanks for the tip MissBingBing !). Way easier than panning through the TV guides.

http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/diner...

And I assume you are where at this time of day ? ;-)

[Davwud]

Well thanks but I have my DVR set up to record only new episodes of DDD. When they're on the server, I watch.

DT

[Bobby Wham]

Gotta say, Guy looked really impressed with Caplansky's. They pulled out all the stops, He loved the smoked meat sandwich and the Knish. he was enthusiastic as well. He didn't go crazy for the donuts though. I was also impressed with the young chef, he did a good job.

[kwass]

Since when does Caplansky's have doughnuts?

[GoodGravy]

I've had them from the truck. Bacon donuts covered in maple syrup. Not sure if they're available in the restaurant.

[kwass]

Oh. Ok. Thanks.

[pakmode]

I watched that new Donut Showdown show the other day (terrible btw) - and Zane was actually a guest judge on the show. Go figure..

[Davwud]

Ya, he was rather effusive during the episode and not to try to read too much into it but the look he had on his face when he wrapped up with Zane looked to be <sigh> I can't believe I have to go already. He seemed as genuinely excited as I've seen.

DT

[Herne]

Are the Toronto episodes finished yet or still more to come?

[kwass]

There's still an episode that they shot @ Stockyards.

[EverymanJack]

these names don't mean anything!

[Bobby Wham]

just watching the episode on The Ace, I haven't heard much on this place, menu looks good though. Guy's eyes looked very dead and seemed bored throughout the episode, he said his favourite part of the burger was the ketchup, to me that's a straight insult.

[justsayn]

I went 3 or 4 times within their first few months of being open and there wasn't a single wow to be had.

[magic]

I still don't know why The Ace or Lakeview were chosen to be featured. Baffling.

[Davwud]

Clearly because of the history/appearance of them.

I haven't eaten at either but both places show well. The Ace episode he looked as absolutely disinterested as I've seen him in any episode.

DT

[PoppiYYZ]

For years, I've used DDDs as a travel reference for restaurants (with great success). Watching the episode and Guy's body language tells it all. The fact that it has taken him this long to get to Toronto also says a lot about our food scene.

For you other road travelers, check this out :
http://www.tvfoodmaps.com/

[Davwud]

"The fact that it has taken him this long to get to Toronto also says a lot about our food scene."

I'm not sure it says anything. It's the second city he's visited outside the US.

If it says anything it may say it about us. All Torontonians do is beat down anything Toronto.
Then some moron takes him to places that simply aren't that good. The places Catucci has been to are far superior.

DT

[Googs]

Problem is, Fieri's not about to crib YGEH. THAT show, on the other hand... If they had an idea of their own they'd probably take it out back and shoot it.

[Davwud]

"If they had an idea of their own they'd probably take it out back and shoot it."
That may be true but who cares?? They're showcasing some great places that most wouldn't know about or care (or dare) to try.

DT

[Googs]

The salient point being that Fieri's turf is kinda limited. I couldn't care less how bad YGEH is. My remote has a channel changer.

[justsayn]

Yea maybe with the volume muted and eyes squinted.

[kwass]

I think I might be the only person that actually likes John Catucci. I find him charming :)

[justsayn]

Some sort of chemistry. Like mixing bacon with chocolate. Just works.

[kwass]

Bacon works with everything :)

[Davwud]

He seems okay. He's responded to some of my tweets. Give him credit. He's not a cook or chef or anything like that and he doesn't pretend to be either. He just loves food.

DT

[kwass]

Exactly! I don't think he's ever pretended to have formal knowledge or training. But, you can tell that he's having fun, and he's warm, funny, and endearing.

[justsayn]

yes dear.

[kwass]

:)

[MissBingBing]

He's not much of a comedian either.

[magic]

I think he's fine too! I have no problems with him at all, and sometimes he's pretty funny.

[kwass]

I think he's really funny :)

[magic]

Ditto!

[Googs]

While I don't really care for Catucci, my issue is content. The production could be a whole lot better. The host could have been a knowledgeable entertainer.

[Davwud]

I have no problem with the production. The show looks fine to me.

I wonder how much a "Knowledgeable entertainer" would add. If you watch enough cooking shows there's not a whole lot of information, technique or anything else that can be added.
I kinda think it's a bit of a refreshing change to have "Just a guy who loves to eat" do this.

DT

[kwass]

And a guy that you can tell is having so much fun doing his job.

[Googs]

Production is about so much more than just the footage shot. I suppose if I lived somewhere that D, D, & D wasn't available (wherever that is), then I wouldn't mind how derivative YGEH is. There are aspects I'd change to make it more intelligent. They hang the whole show on pictures of food and Catucci's humour. Not really all that creative of them.

A knowledgeable entertainer comfortable in their subject matter makes for a more relaxed and funnier, better targeted performance. The audience can generally sense that. Fieri excels at this. For all of his detractors, he's perhaps the most watched, talked/read about, Food Network host.

[PoppiYYZ]

"Best Thing I Ever Ate" supports your opinion too Googs. It has Chef Personalities sharing what they like to eat and how it's made along with a touch of humor. Got many restaurant tips and recipe ideas from that show also.

YGEH is just a pale shadow of DDDs.

[Davwud]

He didn't sigh while he watched him make the burger patty but he might just as well have.
You can tell he wasn't all that impressed. He wasn't particularly "Guy" in this episode.

DT

[Michael N]

Yeah, the look of amusement on his face as he watched the chef turn the burger into meatloaf was pretty priceless.

[ylsf]

I don't watch DDD much but you guys are sure good at reading Guy's body language. I wish I had that skill when it came to women :) I don't know if it was mentioned in the thread but The Ace episode is Season 16 episode 12 For those using other "sources" to find it .. Not sure why this place made so many burgers, it isn't a "burger" joint and never heard them know for "burgers" (or anything for that matter)

[justsayn]

LOL

[Davwud]

Ya well. It really wasn't hard. Watch that episode and the one with Hey Meatball in it. Night and day difference.

DT

[BJC01]

The Hey Meatball episode of DDD just aired in the USA.
It can be found here...
http://www.watchseries-online.eu/2013...

[ylsf]

Thanks for the heads up

[disgusti]

i don't know why but i just assumed they would be doing toronto-centric episodes, actually i guess i'm glad that they didn't, woulda been a bit goofy

hahahaaha the fat guy in the leather hat

EVEN - GET THIS - VEGAN

[Davwud]

You have to create an account and give your credit card info to watch. If you don't want to, don't bother clicking the link.

DT

[C mac]

No you don't, that's only for the high def ones. You have to scroll down a pick a link like putlocker and it will play just fine.

[bytepusher]

Fair working, these sites are frequent sources of malware, not saying this one is but watch yourself

[Davwud]

Did not realize that. Thanks.

DT

[C mac]

Ive been using them for two years and never had a problem. Not only that, nobody that I know that uses them has never had a problem.

[BJC01]

When I posted this site I didn't realize that not everyone uses or knows how to use these sites, as I too use them all the time as does everyone I know and no one has any problems.
One thing that helps is to add the "adblock plus" add-on to either your Chrome or Firefox browser and it makes most of the other useless buttons not show up in the first place.

[Davwud]

I figured it out. Took some hits and misses.

DT

[BJC01]

-click the top 180upload link (there are 2)
-click the "continue" button
-click the small play button in the left corner of the video window
-click the same small play button a second time

don't click on anything else in any window as they just lead to advertisements
other links are similar--it's just that many links just make ads appear so you have to know what to click and what not too

[Bobby Wham]

Cant front, they made the food look really good

[caviartothegeneral]

According to Toronto Life, this episode airs tonight at 10 on Food Network Canada.

[Davwud]

I just checked and yes, it is on. The Hey Meatball episode.

DT

[bbbradk]

Was a great episode, Hey Meatball looked great

[pakmode]

He seemed to really enjoy it for sure.

[sgogo]

The elephant in the room (forgive me if it's been discussed elsewhere): WHERE does he get his eggs??! Those were crazy yolks.

[PoppiYYZ]

Shaw Direct is rockin mega repeat 2010 Episodes, so I am looking forward to seeing the Toronto DDD show sometime in 2016 !

[ylsf]

Curious, does anyone know if he got paid to do the charity event or if he did it out of "charity"... Good for his brand I guess... and then he uses the time to film a Toronto show... I am wondering how long before it will air.... His story is interesting, I picked up one of his cookbooks at the library and it had an story about how he got into the food world,etc. I showed it to my neices/nephews for them to read and be inspired by it :)

[prima]

Not sure. I would think he did it completely for "charity", since he can cash in on his time spent in TO.
He also makes celebrity appearances at talk-you-into-a-timeshare free breakfasts in Sonoma County, so he is business-minded. But maybe he does that for free, too, since he owns several restos in Sonoma County.

[Yongeman]

And maybe and investment in the timeshare?

[Bobby Wham]

I've watched a lot of DDD and I can tell by his body language, what he says and how he acts if he truly loves something, he always says he likes everything on the show regardless but when something is outstanding he gets really excited, gives the chef a "pound" handshake, says it's "money" or what the "kicker is" or says "you knocked that out!". If it's something he doesn't love he just says "good job" and his eyes remain dull. Look for these signs when watching the Toronto episode

[Davwud]

I understand that if he starts talking about how the ingredients interact then that's not a good sign.

DT

[Wench Foraday]

Another good sign is a reference to Flavortown. "That's right at the corner of Spicy and Sweet in Flavortown!!!", etc.

[warlock]

I doubt any of the Toronto places will evoke the "money" or "bananas is good " response.....

[Davwud]

Of course not, everything here is awful right??

DT

[warlock]

Davwud,I meant the Toronto places visited by Fieri....

[Davwud]

Well I've thoroughly enjoyed my almost handful of visits to Stockyards.

DT

[kwass]

Go to Stockyards all the time, and I've NEVER had a bad experience :) Also, the Ace is supposed to be really good, although I haven't been yet.

[Herne]

I thought much of the DDD appeal was due to the strange/secret spices and cooking practices. Are any of the places visited going to have anything to show from that perspective?

[ingloriouseater]

i think the ace is average at best. it stood out when it opened on roncesvalles because it was at the front of the latest group of restaurant turnovers on the avenue.

[kwass]

That's too bad, because the menu (especially the brunch menu) looks pretty good, and it's gotten fairly good reviews.

[ingloriouseater]

i thought it average at best...didn't make me want to switch from my breakfast/brunch spots to them

[justsayn]

+1

[warlock]

Agreed,Stockyards is definitely the standout from the Toronto list...Great burgers and fried chicken...but not sure if it will be a standout for Guy...considering the fact he has been to hundreds of such places.....

[Davwud]

I see what you're saying. He still seems to appreciate a good home cooked meal so I'm sure enjoy it.
I hope Tom made some of his pastrami. It's easily the best I've had.

DT

[kwass]

Apparently, he loved the chicken, as did his crew. At least that's what the people @ Stockyards told me.

[Davwud]

Two places uptown on Yonge that I would think would be right up his alley are Uncle Betty's and Stack Smmmoked. Both are pretty much all in house cooking and have fantastic food.

I think Guy would love the Ultimate Grilled Cheese for sure at UB's and at SS the Smoked Meat would be in his wheelhouse too.

DT

[TeacherFoodie]

Uncle Betty's was on You Gotta Eat Here but if I remember correctly, it doesn't get a lot of love on here.

[kwass]

With the exception of their donuts, which are off the hook, Uncle Betty's is one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to, and very overpriced for what they are.

[Davwud]

" Uncle Betty's is one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to"

Whatever.

I've been once, hard to critique the service (which seems to be a big problem with them) due to some unforeseen circumstances. The owner took care of us personally and was very apologetic.

Aside from that, the Ultimate Grilled Cheese was "Bananas" and as you know, "Bananas is good." The donuts were fabulous as well.

DT

[kwass]

I don't know why you seem so offended by that comment. It's just my opinion. I've been more than once, and while I agree that the owners are very nice, the food is really really average, and not worth the prices they charge, since the orders are fairly small.

[Davwud]

So the worst restaurant you've been to serves really, really average food??
Lucky you. I've been to plenty of places that serve food well south of really, really average.

I try to avoid comments on price. They're in a very high rent district and as such, have huge overhead just on that.

DT

[kwass]

I guess I am lucky! But in fairness, you're right. I probably shouldn't have said "it's the worst restaurant I've ever been to". Instead. I should have said that it doesn't warrant the hype and that it's "incredibly average".

[Davwud]

And I have no problem with that. You're entitled to an opinion. Sometimes hyperbole is warranted. However, clearly your hyperbole is a million times worse than mine ;-P

DT

[kwass]

This is me embarrassed and blushing!

[kwass]

I think the reason I was so emphatic in my statement was that I really wanted this place to be special, but was disappointed when it turned out to be just average :(

[Davwud]

And in fairness, I'm tired of people who's line of demarcation between edible and inedible is somewhere just slightly south of Awesome.
Are we in a place where something that's just plain good or solid is no longer acceptable?? Unless the word "Old school" is attached to it I guess.

DT

[kwass]

I totally hear you and I see where you're coming from! And, Uncle Betty's definitely serves a purpose. It tends to be filled with families with young children, and I guess that's who it's geared to.

[kwass]

There are also places like Lady Marmelade, Hadley's, Saint, or Delux, which could have been good choices.

[abigllama]

There's a stencil autograph thing of Guy on the wall of Stockyards when you walk in. Was just there on Sunday.

The odd one on the list is Lakeview. Each one of those restaurants have something special they feature and cook on the show. I can't imagine what that would be at Lakeview.

[magic]

The Lakeview is really REALLY odd. To say they dropped the ball on that one is an understatement.

[Davwud]

I've often wondered if they do a series of places and maybe a couple never see the light of day.

DT

[magic]

As have I.

[Davwud]

Not saying this is true of Lakeview but I've noticed that, in a significant number of places, the locals don't get why they're there.
Perhaps familiarity breeds discontent.

DT

[prima]

You might be right, Davwud.

Now readers voted Lakeview "best diner" in 2011 and 2012, which probably brought the Lakeview to the attention of Fieri's team. http://www.nowtoronto.com/food/story.cfm?content=189391

Maybe Fieri will try the cornflake chicken sandwich: http://www.postcity.com/Eat-Shop-Do/E...

Maybe Fieri's team was looking for a crowded retro-looking diner with poutine on the menu with a somewhat hip-looking younger clientele, so he can cash in on the Canadian poutine thing, while visiting TO? I realize Caplansky's have their take on poutine, which I would think also might also end up in the episode. Poutine is still a novelty in parts of the States.

I'm so over poutine.

[magic]

I've noticed that as well, yeah.

[prima]

Maybe they chose the Lakeview in the hope that all the people scratching their heads about the choice of the Lakeview would tune in, to see what Fieri or anyone could possibly find special/delcious at the Lakeview?

[magic]

As I mentioned above, the vast majority of the DDD places I've been to are great. But even I have left a few scratching my head in wonder. I guess there might be future tourists doing the same after experiencing the Lakeview.

Shame really. So many great, interesting places in Toronto and they choose that to help represent the city?!

[kwass]

Toronto Life interviewed Guy, and here's the official list of the restaurants that will be featured on DDD's: Caplansky’s, Hey Meatball!, Rosedale Diner, The Ace, The Lakeview, and Stockyards

[kav23]

So only 6 places in Toronto then? Guy went to 8 places in Vancouver.

[terrycar]

I figured Burger Priest would be a natural for that show.

[damonster]

They were filming at The Ace on Roncesvalles as well.
https://twitter.com/TheAceToronto/sta...

[kwass]

Well that's a good choice.

[LexiFirefly]

I'm surprised about Caplansky's, you'd think there would be contract issues with You Gotta Eat Here filming there recently.

[szw]

The Lakeview is pretty horrible. So many better places could have been chosen.

[justsayn]

Yes, like The Senator for one.

[crawfish]

Fully agree on the Senator. It's a vintage diner with great food.

We were thinking it would have been interesting if he'd tried some of the iconic ethnic restuarant types like dim sum with carts, pho or roti places. But that would probably be too weird for his audience.

[warlock]

I have seen him do Roti at 2 different places and he has done pho as well.....

[magic]

What?

DDD features a lot of ethnic cuisines. They featured a traditional style Chinese dim sum place in Vancouver!

I could go on.....

[crawfish]

Apologies, I've probably only seen episodes from the first season. My impression was it was all burgers as big as your head type places.

[magic]

Definitely not :)

[warlock]

You must be thinking Man vs Food.....

[Davwud]

I ate at the Senator a couple months ago and wasn't particularly impressed. Great place, decent at best food.

DT

[justsayn]

Out of curiosity - what did you have? Brunch? Lunch? It's objective of course, but I have never had a bad meal there and I am always very happy with freshness, high quality ingredients, preparation, selection and value. I think it is a winner across the board. The only area they would get low marks from me is for innovation, but others may claim that is a plus as they stay classic diner. They are one of the most consistently reliable restos in the city IMO.

[prima]

What do you order most frequently?
I haven't been for lunch since it changed hands, but I used to like their Cobb and fries.
I thought the breakfast I had in Sept was ok, but I like breakfasts at my regular greasy spoons better. Even though it was ok, I wouldn't order their huevos rancheros (with cornbread instead of a tortilla) again. My friends ordered the special (eggs, bacon, beans,toast, I think?), good value, but also a similar value to any decent greasy spoon downtown.
Ps- it's subjective. Almost everything we read and write on Chowhound is subjective. ;-)

[justsayn]

Some of the best French toast in the city
Great pancakes with fresh fruit
salami and eggs
onions and eggs
greek salad
grilled cheese
burger and fries
peameal
omelette with chili sauce
used to have great yoghurt/fruit/granola

[Davwud]

Had breakfast. Huevos Rancheros.
I didn't say it was bad. I said I wasn't particularly impressed.

DT

[PoppiYYZ]

The really funny thing is how difficult it will be to actually find and watch this episode amongst the hundreds of tired DDD's repeats regurgitated on our crappy Food Network.

PS. I am a fan of DDD, just not Food Network Canada. I have riffed on many a good recipe from the show.

[dlw88]

fyi Poppi...

I've spent the last 6 months living in the US, and Food Network programming is actually far worse down here. How would you like at 3 hour DDD marathon repeated twice daily, and shown every day of the week?

[PoppiYYZ]

Sounds familiar...

At least the US Food Network (with the carriers I've watched), show the original air date of the show and whether it is a "new" show or not. Giving viewers that type of info here would make us crazy (and make my PVR recording a little more effective).

[MissBingBing]

Zap2it listings show the original air date for DDD on FNC.

[PoppiYYZ]

Thanks MBB,

I never looked at Zap2it before. It would be nice if Shaw provided the original air dates, but at least now I can check Zap2it occasionally for some new episodes. Thanks again.

[principessa del pisello]

He's hosting a "Chef's Challenge" fundraising event for Mount Sinai Hospital on Saturday.
http://www.chefschallengeforacure.com/

[hal2010]

I'm not sure he or the producers of DDD have the same criteria for restaurants as the people on this board.

[childofthestorm]

There's a discussion going on here, in the big honkin' thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/619901

[kwass]

I know, that's why it was time to start a new thread...waaaaay too long!

[kwass]

I agree with you about Stockyards. And what about the School Bakery...that should have been on the list. Lola's Kitchen also probably should have been on the list.

[bytepusher]

Seriously, School Bakery? a 40 minute wait for a stone cold eggs benedict with a skin formed on the hollandaise is worth being on DDD? Well reality is a solid 50% of the places he visits on the show are actually pretty bad.

Been to a few in my travels, and you never know what you are going to get, sometimes it's exactly what it should be, good homey stick to the ribs food in an unpretentious environment, and other times you wonder how they managed to tart this hole up for the filming (see also "Dangerous Dans on "You Gotta Eat Here")

[prima]

I think my wait was over an hour, but sounds like we had a similar brunch, foodwise.

[magic]

50%????

I disagree!

I've been to 28 DDD spots so far. The vast majority are actually amazing. Only 4 of my 28 were real disappointments. The rest have been either close to 10/10 or at the very least quite good.

[prima]

I've been to 3 DDD spots (that I know of), and I'd return to all 3. But then again, I'm only going to be going to DDD spots that appeal to me, anyhow!

[kwass]

Sorry that your experience was bad @ SB. I love that place! You do have to get there early though.

[bytepusher]

We were there at opening, no lineup, the 40 minute wait was from being seated until food arrived, given that we were maybe the 3rd table served that day how they managed to pull off stone cold food is a bit of a mystery

[kwass]

Well that's ridiculous! There's no excuse for that.

[Davwud]

"Well reality is a solid 50% of the places he visits on the show are actually pretty bad."

I've been to 11 so far and only one would I not go back to. I'd say it was good but nothing special. Outside of the owner that is, he's quite the character. Anyway, were it more along the way, it'd be a stop but having to drive about 30 mins off track, we'll skip it.
Most have been remarkably good.

DT