2011

30 Dec 11

***Aria: Steak frites in a Liam-friendly atmosphere

28 Dec 11

****Torito: easily my fave #tapas spot on the city effortlessly pumps out delectable tortilla, patatas bravas, sardines, paella and churros

26 Dec 11

N/R McDo #wannabarf

22 Dec 11

****Pizzeria Libretto perfect order du jour = "La Bettolla" quartino paired w Berkshire ham, truffle paste, runny egg on spelt crust #review

21 Dec 11

****Great Cooks on 8: Upscale caf vibe caters to Bay St crowd, arrive before noon. Very tender chicken breast, root veg, spinach salad (+$1)

16 Dec 11

***1/2 Kirei: 3pce sashimi costs > 2 pce sushi. Hamachi as good as Sushi Marche. They had anago (!) and real wasabi but kinda pricey #review

2 Nov 11

****Chiado: Piri-piri quail less crispy dinner-side vs bar but OMG the catch of the day took our breath away. Fab service.1830 Madeira next?

2 Nov 11

**Tulip: Nowhere near as good as it used to be :( 10oz Angus med rare more like med, fries good, nice salad. Should really try that T-bone.

6 Oct 11

****Pho Tien Thanh, still kickin max star allowance. u can order off-menu (#33, but chicken) + even mom loves flavoruful pho on a rainy day

6 Oct 11

**1/2 Hello Toast! Hankering served by homestyle angus #burger w dill in, let's just say it, decrepit interior. Lovely waitstaff, nice dijon

23 Sep 11

**Sukhothai: Medium spicy Tom Yom Kung fresh but reminiscent of creamy ketchup, real lime leaves. Gaeng garee (potato curry) too many tastes

1 Sep 11

**1/2 Agio (Junction): Good vibe fr Chef Merino at cute,quaint homey resto despite touch o' grit in seafood pasta, drunk dude all over Sacha

1 Sep 11

****Owl of Minerva (Richmond Hill): Maybe I just have a #Korean bias? 1st time trying pork bone soup, so hearty and flavourful. And cheap!!!

1 Sep 11

**Wvrst: Kinda overpriced for a sausage-fest. Duck confit best item on offer. Ali, Ray tried Currywvrst (tomato curry sauce, country bread).

1 Sep 11

***Burger Priest (E of Leslieville) Vegetarian salvation "The Option" panko-crisp portobello mushrm caps. Regular #burger not too bad either

4 Aug 11

***1/2 Grimaldi's (NYC) A longer wait than Libretto, kid you not. Go for the margherita at DUMBO's oldest #pizzeria. Olives overwhelmed.

3 Aug 11

****Sushi Yasuda (NYC) Dreamiest #sushi ever. Most coin dropped on sushi ever. If we lived in NYC we'd go broke here, 4ever. More Tas trout!

3 Aug 11

***Jean Georges (NYC) Eye opening; I'm *not* aligned w/ #Michelin. Fab svc but most of menu heavily salted (4 US palate?) Tasmanian trout :)

24 Jul 11

**1/2 Loire: Yuzu trout tartare, ginger-garlic skate, duck a l'orange w crepe bit over-Asian. Crisp sweetbreads n sancerre help up the score

24 Jul 11

***Well, it's 'About Thyme' (good food hit Niagara)! Truly French, comfy seating, astounding duck confit mac'n'cheese & steak w hella frites

18 Jul 11

Why risk insipid/dishwater pho (ex.*HaLong Bay, Eglinton W) when the Holy Trinity (PERFECT basil/sawtooth/broth) is at ****Pho Tienh Thanh?

18 Jul 11

***1/2 drake cafe, you had me at the shrimp louis. +summerlicious buttermilk fried chicken +salted butterscotch pudding?#diedandgonetoheaven

18 Jul 11

***Against the Grain: Rises above lake-side tourist traps w/ balanced steak salad (toasty almonds, bleu cheese), lovely house malbec #review

26 Jun 11

Tango (Leslieville)'s seasonal fresh squeezed lemonade might even be worth $8 (for 2). Where are entrepreneurial tots when you need them?

26 Jun 11

***Gilead Cafe: Bit pricey 4 garlic shoot soup, velvet polenta w yummy chorizo bits, decent poutine and lovely horseradish roast beef sarnie

26 Jun 11

**Cornerstone (Caledonia): Overly busy menu, ok steak, v nice dessert (no bday freebie). I wish there was an actual 1st Nations resto here

20 Jun 11

***Queen's Landing "My cup runneth over" with *vast* selection and truly amenable service (read:flying sippy cup meets mimosa flute) #review

13 Jun 11

**1/2 Porchetta&Co presents a lovely alternative to standard&blah burger&fries w/ rapini, beans. No a/c gives developing-nation vibe #review

13 Jun 11

***1/2 Biff's authentic bistro. Sinful steak tartare, onion tartlet, perfect pasta & hearty boudin blanc drop you in Paris sans snobberie.

8 Jun 11

#RecipeForChange Charity is delicious. $100 for your fill from 31 of our best chefs and wineries: http://www.foodshare.net/RFC2011/index.htm

7 May 11

***Sushi Couture: Surprisingly good quality fish, swank decor, attentive service. Salmon bit bland tho fine selection in lunch for 2 #review

7 May 11

****Hiro: #Sushi 1.5 again. Even the crab (yes, the crab!) was uplifting. Smoked butterfish is nowhere this good, anywhere but here #review

3 May 11

**1/2 great burger kitchen: guacamole pickle chevre caramelized onion & jalapeno a bit much on a #burger. next time try to k.i.s.s! #review

3 May 11

****Pizzeria Libretto edges out Queen Margherita #Pizza based on last wk's lunch. Spelt is indistinguishable from white flour crust #review

27 Apr 11

Likewise reserving judgement on Lucien; 3 appies split 2 ways doesn't do justice. That being said, crispy beet chips, octopus/chorizo yum.

27 Apr 11

I must return to Petit Dejeuner for non-brunch food. That Portuguese table wine was nice to sip on and did the trick; my palate's piqued.

27 Apr 11

*1/2 Soho Bistro: Poached eggs and lamb chop was, er, different... but generally menu felt like overpriced standard fare. the fries were ok.

27 Apr 11

***Guu: TO's 1st izakaya. Impeccable "karage" fried chicken w/ garlic mayo, "gomae" black sesame spinach; octoballs creamy center a bit ick.

27 Apr 11

**Orange Alert: Who's making that no fat, no foam chai latte? Walk AWAY if it's a young dude. The older folks are slow but worth every 0:01

27 Apr 11

***caféAGO: Membership CAN have its privileges (-10%)! Never been to Frank, but frankly (sorry) fast bean salad beats table service any day.

27 Apr 11

**Caplansky's has been hit by grouponitis. and there i was telling my friends this place just might be > montreal's Schwartz? disappointing.

27 Apr 11

****Hiro (lunch w/ bryan): can't afford the $250 dinner, so i supported japan relief via master chef Hiro Yoshida my way, sushi for 1 1/2 ;)

8 Apr 11

****Crush Wine Bar: Didn't try entrees, but got a lil crush ;) Perfect 'study': patient bar staff, master sommelier, exquisite cheese plate.

26 Mar 11

***1/2 Beast: Carnivore's delight. Carolina lamb ribs, chickpea stew, tongue sarnie. Local fare, lovely wines, killer sticky toffee dessert.

23 Mar 11

***Frida: Pls pump up the music so we can really enjoy 'authentic' Mexican fare. Flavorful camorones, 2 oz 1979 Spanish sweet wine freebie:)

23 Mar 11

***Gilead Cafe: Speaking of JK, love those frites. Emerald pistou nutritious but a bit blah. Burger not bad - next time try something new!

2 Mar 11

***BLD: Food isn't over-salted, but tis not for everyone: b.y.o.salt shakers? Flavorful, moist short rib burger. Jamie Kennedy-esque frites.

2 Mar 11

***Reservoir Lounge: Sultry live jazz and the best martini he's ever had (the Reservoir Red), well worth the 5$ cover. Will return for grub.

28 Feb 11

***1/2 Top Saigon (Richmond Hill): First pho memories untarnished by satisfying satay and japanese-ish curry. Oily chili chicken, fishcakes.

18 Feb 11

***1/2 QMP: Avoided meltdown via pickup: fiery Diavola and sweet Rocco. No call-ahead orders but lightning 7 min turnaround on walk-in order

18 Feb 11

***Hillebrand: Farmers Market Brunch featured creamy butternut soup, decadent candied walnut cheesecake, off put by dry rib-eye, soggy slaw.

5 Feb 11

****Peller Estates Chef's Table (Jason Parsons): Beautiful pairings, as expected. Huge value, unexpected. Ice wine marshmallow overly sweet.

5 Feb 11

**The Melting Pot (Walden Galleria): What's more bizarre than american fondue? That 'traditional' was actually palatable. Crisp green apples

5 Feb 11

*1/2 PF Chang (Walden Galleria): An oily excuse for a heart attack. Even green beans were battered n deep-fried. Table-side sauce was ok tho

5 Feb 11

**1/2 iCook: several near misses skidding thru buffet line on wax floors. sacha near miss grabbing rusty burner. sukiyaki broth hit the mark

7 Jan 11

****Harbour Sixty: Why mess around? Classic end to 2010: Bone-in ribeye med rare, glass of H60's private label Cali cab sauv, truffle frites