October 12 2012
Brass Taps Pizza Pub
934 College Street
So if you notice the address to this place, it is not far down the street from our last "epic" fail place!!! We actually walked over to this place that last night, and because it was so full and there was a hockey game on, we didn't go in! That was all me! Too bad for us!
This night was just myself and Brandon and trust me I heard the whole night about why we didn't go to this place to begin with.(the last time we went out)
It was a Tuesday night and we needed food. There were some tables that had people, but nothing like that last night we when debated coming in!
We decided to sit in the back at one of the booths. This is not a fancy restaurant. This is a neighborhood pub, that has always had really good food. The place is kinda dark, and always is, but I like it like that!
I ordered a 1/2 litre of wine and Brandon ordered a beer (draft).
We ordered an appetizer to start, but for the life of me I cannot remember what we had. It would have been wings, or nacho's or garlic bread with cheese.
This is pub food, nothing extravagant, just good old pub food!!
Brandon had what they called a "Basic Calzone" for dinner, (he just picked the toppings). It was massive, and needless to say, he didn't eat it all and took some home.
I had a pizza, which I picked the items for. They just make a "personal size" pizza. Of course I could not eat it all.
They make really great pizza's!
The food was really good!
I did have dessert, but I don't remember what I had.
It was a good night, and we had good old pub food. Sometimes you have to go to these little pubs just because its the kinda food you crave, (not necessarily need).
1 smiley face today
Number 46 out of 50 restaurants
Wednesday, 11 September 2013
Saturday, 13 July 2013
New blog?
July 13 2013
Hi everyone I have started up a new blog!! Don't worry, I have abandoned this one, but I felt I needed a new outlet for me to "enrich" people's lives!!
Please check it out at
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Bait and Switch...........Dam it! I fell for it!
October 25 2013
Habits Gastropub
928 College St.
From the street, this place looks like a really nice place to spend some time. It looks newly renovated, in a retro kinda of way. If that makes sense? When you walk in the place, you can tell someone has taken some time and money setting this place up. The open kitchen is to the left of you when you walk in, and the place has an inviting atmosphere right away. The entire right wall is brick which reaches to the back of the restaurant and it is scattered with black and white photo's. The only seating that is available is "high-tops, which normally I do not like, but these were not bad. I am afraid this is where my praise for this place ends, and the nightmare known as the "Habits Gastropub" begins.................
Read on.............
A young girl came and greeted us and we were led to a table about half way down the restaurant. (Us) today, is myself, Brandon and Stephanie. I had my finger's crossed that we were going to find something Brandon would eat because we had walked along College for a bit checking out where to eat tonight. I hoped we had a winner, or I would never hear the end of it from Brandon.
So this guy strolls up to our table. Now you need to get the full picture. He looks like a used car dealer from the eighties. He has his shirt unbuttoned, a little too much, but that was so you could see all his chest hair and the chains that were hanging from his neck. He was staring at us rubbing his hands together. I was holding my breath at this point....and we should have gotten up right then and there and left. As I looked at him and I just wanted to jump up and say "Hurrah", "the eighties are here again!". I didn't. I just asked for a wine list.
When I was researching this place on line I could not find the wine list anywhere but I would've ordered wine, or I would have snapped on someone. They have an extensive list of "booze". Single malts, tequila's lot's of beer. Very impressive. I guess they figure if they get people drunk enough they won't notice what else is going wrong with their evening.
So this guy(I am assuming he is the owner), brings me my wine and then as rubs his hands together again, asks us if we wanted to know what today's specials were. We all nodded in agreement and say sure, yes. He grimaces and says "Oh I don't know them, I will get you someone who does". WTF?? We all just looked at each other, with our mouths open, and Brandon chuckled to himself. If I hadn't ordered the wine, I would have gotten up and left. The girl that had seated us, was brought back to us, literally he pushed her over to us, and she told us the specials. Specials, which were obviously so unforgettable that I cannot remember a single one at this moment, and needless to say we did not order any of them either.
We ordered some starters and I had my fingers crossed.
onion rings & sweet chili
warm marinated olives & chourizo with pita
grilled pita & seasonal dip
Brandon had the onion rings and Steph ordered the grilled pita, and I had the olives. They all looked really good. Steph and I shared ours, while Brandon ate his rings. I noticed a really strong SALT taste in my mouth, but I chocked it up to the fact that I had ordered olives. But little did I know that Brandon and Steph were also tasting SALT as well. In fact, it was on everything. Brandon's onion rings were on a board with a stick on it, so they were stacked. Both Steph and I had one, and there really wasn't a lot, and he just couldn't finish them because of the SALT.
The "guy" came over to collect our dishes and made a remark about Brandon not finishing his rings. "Oh a big boy like you can"t finish these rings?"
Really? Now you are insulting the customer's?
We asked for water and I secretly prayed that our mains would be better.
Brandon ordered the
Habits burger, smoked brie stuffed in Ontario beef, puttanesca relish, pancetta, house-made spicy ailio, hand-cut fries. Sounds good right?
Steph ordered the
Smoked fried chicken, panko-crusted Ontario free-range capon con fit Portuguese cassoulet, chili & smoked cheddar biscuit, sweet chili sauce. Again sounds really good right?
I ordered the
Fish and chips (2 pc) you had a choice of 1 or 2 tempura-battered haddock, house-made tartar sauce.
How can they screw up fish and chips right?
Well it all looked really good when it arrived, it looked like they had spent some time preparing our meals. It looked like they been prepared with some care. Oh it was prepared all right!
You know the main ingredient in all our meals??
SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT
This could not be possible? Everything was just coated in it.....it was unbelievable. None of us finished our food. I think we all took doggy bags with us, but I don't think anyone ate their food once they got it home.
I know I tried it the next day, just to see if we were all crazy from the night before, but no there it was again, SALT!!!
I am surprised we didn't die of coronaries there in the restaurant.
Needless to say we did not order desert, and got out of this place as quickly as possible.
When I was researching their web site to write this blog, I could not help but notice some reviews that they had posted on their page. These people were going on and on about how great this place and the food was?
Seriously??Are you people are drugs or what? Did you got to the same place we did?
One other thing I forgot to tell you was that our table as I had mentioned earlier was in the middle of the restaurant. So we got the music from the front of the restaurant and the "warmings up" of the musicians from the back of the restaurant. No one bothered to turn off the music that was playing while the musicians warmed up which is what normally happening in a normal establishment. What added as well to the increasing "noise" was the banging of the dishes from the back kitchen which we could hear because we were right beside the swinging doors to the kitchen. This was not just going on for 5 minutes or so, but it lasted our entire meal.
It was VERY VERY ANNOYING! You couldn't just hear one thing, it just blended together and what it was , was just very annoying NOISE!
It made you feel very irritated! Just remembering it now, makes me cringe!
I would NEVER GO to this place ever again in my life! Even if I was offered a free meal, I would say NO!!!
So many restaurants struggling to get noticed in Toronto, and this place has the nerve to serve that stuff they called food to us.
PLEASE I BEG YOU! SPEND YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
No happy faces today...A HUGE FAIL!
Number 45 of 50 restaurants
Habits Gastropub
928 College St.
From the street, this place looks like a really nice place to spend some time. It looks newly renovated, in a retro kinda of way. If that makes sense? When you walk in the place, you can tell someone has taken some time and money setting this place up. The open kitchen is to the left of you when you walk in, and the place has an inviting atmosphere right away. The entire right wall is brick which reaches to the back of the restaurant and it is scattered with black and white photo's. The only seating that is available is "high-tops, which normally I do not like, but these were not bad. I am afraid this is where my praise for this place ends, and the nightmare known as the "Habits Gastropub" begins.................
Read on.............
A young girl came and greeted us and we were led to a table about half way down the restaurant. (Us) today, is myself, Brandon and Stephanie. I had my finger's crossed that we were going to find something Brandon would eat because we had walked along College for a bit checking out where to eat tonight. I hoped we had a winner, or I would never hear the end of it from Brandon.
So this guy strolls up to our table. Now you need to get the full picture. He looks like a used car dealer from the eighties. He has his shirt unbuttoned, a little too much, but that was so you could see all his chest hair and the chains that were hanging from his neck. He was staring at us rubbing his hands together. I was holding my breath at this point....and we should have gotten up right then and there and left. As I looked at him and I just wanted to jump up and say "Hurrah", "the eighties are here again!". I didn't. I just asked for a wine list.
When I was researching this place on line I could not find the wine list anywhere but I would've ordered wine, or I would have snapped on someone. They have an extensive list of "booze". Single malts, tequila's lot's of beer. Very impressive. I guess they figure if they get people drunk enough they won't notice what else is going wrong with their evening.
So this guy(I am assuming he is the owner), brings me my wine and then as rubs his hands together again, asks us if we wanted to know what today's specials were. We all nodded in agreement and say sure, yes. He grimaces and says "Oh I don't know them, I will get you someone who does". WTF?? We all just looked at each other, with our mouths open, and Brandon chuckled to himself. If I hadn't ordered the wine, I would have gotten up and left. The girl that had seated us, was brought back to us, literally he pushed her over to us, and she told us the specials. Specials, which were obviously so unforgettable that I cannot remember a single one at this moment, and needless to say we did not order any of them either.
We ordered some starters and I had my fingers crossed.
onion rings & sweet chili
warm marinated olives & chourizo with pita
grilled pita & seasonal dip
Brandon had the onion rings and Steph ordered the grilled pita, and I had the olives. They all looked really good. Steph and I shared ours, while Brandon ate his rings. I noticed a really strong SALT taste in my mouth, but I chocked it up to the fact that I had ordered olives. But little did I know that Brandon and Steph were also tasting SALT as well. In fact, it was on everything. Brandon's onion rings were on a board with a stick on it, so they were stacked. Both Steph and I had one, and there really wasn't a lot, and he just couldn't finish them because of the SALT.
The "guy" came over to collect our dishes and made a remark about Brandon not finishing his rings. "Oh a big boy like you can"t finish these rings?"
Really? Now you are insulting the customer's?
We asked for water and I secretly prayed that our mains would be better.
Brandon ordered the
Habits burger, smoked brie stuffed in Ontario beef, puttanesca relish, pancetta, house-made spicy ailio, hand-cut fries. Sounds good right?
Steph ordered the
Smoked fried chicken, panko-crusted Ontario free-range capon con fit Portuguese cassoulet, chili & smoked cheddar biscuit, sweet chili sauce. Again sounds really good right?
I ordered the
Fish and chips (2 pc) you had a choice of 1 or 2 tempura-battered haddock, house-made tartar sauce.
How can they screw up fish and chips right?
Well it all looked really good when it arrived, it looked like they had spent some time preparing our meals. It looked like they been prepared with some care. Oh it was prepared all right!
You know the main ingredient in all our meals??
SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT SALT
This could not be possible? Everything was just coated in it.....it was unbelievable. None of us finished our food. I think we all took doggy bags with us, but I don't think anyone ate their food once they got it home.
I know I tried it the next day, just to see if we were all crazy from the night before, but no there it was again, SALT!!!
I am surprised we didn't die of coronaries there in the restaurant.
Needless to say we did not order desert, and got out of this place as quickly as possible.
When I was researching their web site to write this blog, I could not help but notice some reviews that they had posted on their page. These people were going on and on about how great this place and the food was?
Seriously??Are you people are drugs or what? Did you got to the same place we did?
One other thing I forgot to tell you was that our table as I had mentioned earlier was in the middle of the restaurant. So we got the music from the front of the restaurant and the "warmings up" of the musicians from the back of the restaurant. No one bothered to turn off the music that was playing while the musicians warmed up which is what normally happening in a normal establishment. What added as well to the increasing "noise" was the banging of the dishes from the back kitchen which we could hear because we were right beside the swinging doors to the kitchen. This was not just going on for 5 minutes or so, but it lasted our entire meal.
It was VERY VERY ANNOYING! You couldn't just hear one thing, it just blended together and what it was , was just very annoying NOISE!
It made you feel very irritated! Just remembering it now, makes me cringe!
I would NEVER GO to this place ever again in my life! Even if I was offered a free meal, I would say NO!!!
So many restaurants struggling to get noticed in Toronto, and this place has the nerve to serve that stuff they called food to us.
PLEASE I BEG YOU! SPEND YOUR MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE!!
No happy faces today...A HUGE FAIL!
Number 45 of 50 restaurants
Thursday, 20 June 2013
OPA!
October 22 2013
Christina's
492 Danforth ave
(Greek town)
My adventure would not have been complete had I not included a visit to that little strip of the Danforth lovingly known as "GREEK TOWN." I don't go there as much as I should. When I am there, I want to kick myself for not going more often. Its really is just a subway ride away, and the entire "strip" is walk able.
Today my adventure included my good buds Stephanie, and Cindy. Cindy and I had gone for pedicures and manicures at that wonderful place we go to on Bloor by the Jane subway station. (Serenity is the name). Anyway we were to meet Steph., when we were done. We headed to Greek town, with no idea where we would eat. We decided that we would walk a bit and if a place caught our eye, then that's where we would go.
It was a nice evening, so the walk was enjoyable. There were a lot of places to choose from but we eventually decided upon Christina's.
The place had some people at a few tables when we walked in and were seated. We got a table in the window. The restaurant kept filling up as the night proceeded. We sat there looking at the menu which quite frankly was from heaven.
I hadn't had some real Greek food in a very long time. There was so much to choose from. I was faced with a dilemma that often finds me. WHAT SHOULD I ORDER? WILL I MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION? I JUST DON'T KNOW!! I didn't know..........there was just so many choices. Also remember I was only 1 person, how could I eat it all.......(but I did have friends along).
I ordered some wine........that calmed me down for a moment. They have a really great selection of wine(from all over the world) and I should have ordered some Greek wine, because as they say...."when you're in Rome, do like the Roman's", but my knowledge of Greek wine is very limited. YES! I should have asked and they would have recommended a good one, but I didn't. In hindsight, that is something I will do the next time.
Wine ordered, let's get this food coming...................
Starters (appetizers) is a huge list with both cold and hot dishes. There was grilled calamari on the menu, so I had to have that for sure. I also decided to order a few more starter's and share because I just couldn't decide on just one. Our first one was the flaming cheese (Saganaki). How can you resist?
Saganaki................Greek Kefalograviera Cheese flambeed in brandy at your table, OPA!
You can't go to Greek town without ordering this. I know it's kinda "touristy", but it is sooooo good! Cindy was not having any of this because of her dislike of cheese.(I know, don't get me started!) Steph and I had no problem with this one. I just love the caramelized cheese and that hint of lemon juice. It just makes that bread they give you so much better. I got my (Kalamari Sharas)grilled calamari next.......
Kalamari Sharas.............grilled whole squid topped with olive oil, garlic and lemon.
Now I have to tell you I was looking forward to this, just because I knew the Greeks couldn't get this wrong. It was simple and probably as good as it get's. I couldn't believe how much I got though! There were two huge squids on the plate and I could barely eat just one! It was really good! What was next? Oh yea!!(Spanakopita)
SpanaKopita................spinach, Feta cheese and herb's wrapped in Phyllo pastry.
These were just so good. They serve them in small packets........beautiful little parcels, of flaky dough, spinach and cheese.....................OMG!! I was in heaven and we were only on the appetizers.. Steph ordered (Kalamari Tiganito) fried calamari and it was really good as well. There wasn't a lot of batter on them which made them even better.
Kalamari Tiganito..............tender pieces of squid in seasoned flour, lightly fried and served with Tzatziki.
So they had the heat on in the restaurant and it was getting a little warm. So I propped open the door, as to get some fresh air. Steph was worried about the couple sitting behind us getting cold, but they waved that they were perfectly fine with the door open. As I told Steph, just for a little bit, it was too warm in there. (Just a note..........I was the only menopausal women at the table today.)
We had ordered our main dishes and our stack of "to-go" had already began piling up. Both Steph and I had ordered (Paidakia Sharas)grilled lamb chops.
Paidakia Sharas..................fresh Ontario succulent lamb chops, spiced and grilled to order served with french fries and a traditional Greek salad.
They were amazing..................but we were so full we could only eat some of it................so as always most of our food went into the growing stack of "to-go" containers. Cindy ordered an appetizer as a main, she was already kinda full.
Keftedes......................homemade meatballs baked in a tomato herb sauce.
Her meatballs looked really good, and had roasted peppers in it as well. Like Steph and I she could only eat part of her meal, and sure enough another "to go" container was added to the growing pile.
So while I was gathering the information for this post....I tried to look up the desert menu, because as you know I always want a desert at the end of a great meal. I just couldn't remember what I had ordered. I looked everywhere for it and could not find it anywhere. It was when I saw a review for the restaurant and they had mentioned that there was no desert menu and that's when I remembered......they don't have one. They only have two things that they serve for desert.(I can only remember one of them right now.)
The amazing...........
Baklava..........phyllo dough layered with butter, cinnamon and nut's baked and then topped with a honey syrup.
I just took an order to go!!!!!!!!!!! Yes another container to our huge pile!
I also had ordered chicken souvlaki for my daughter to go. (yes another couple of containers)
Souvlaki Dinner (Chicken) 8 oz of meat made to order and accompanied by lemon roast potatoes, rice pilaf, traditional Greek salad and tzatziki.
She just rolled her eyes when I got it home to her......OMG!! this is good.
We were so full, and yet with the amount of containers we left with, it looks like we didn't eat anything!
This was another great meal, with great friends.
On the weekends, Christina's have entertainment. A belly dancer, and some Greek musician's. Even better!
I would recommend anyone who want's to enjoy a Greek meal to come on down to Christina's!
OPA!
1 smiley face today.
Number 44 out of 50 restaurants
Christina's
492 Danforth ave
(Greek town)
My adventure would not have been complete had I not included a visit to that little strip of the Danforth lovingly known as "GREEK TOWN." I don't go there as much as I should. When I am there, I want to kick myself for not going more often. Its really is just a subway ride away, and the entire "strip" is walk able.
Today my adventure included my good buds Stephanie, and Cindy. Cindy and I had gone for pedicures and manicures at that wonderful place we go to on Bloor by the Jane subway station. (Serenity is the name). Anyway we were to meet Steph., when we were done. We headed to Greek town, with no idea where we would eat. We decided that we would walk a bit and if a place caught our eye, then that's where we would go.
It was a nice evening, so the walk was enjoyable. There were a lot of places to choose from but we eventually decided upon Christina's.
The place had some people at a few tables when we walked in and were seated. We got a table in the window. The restaurant kept filling up as the night proceeded. We sat there looking at the menu which quite frankly was from heaven.
I hadn't had some real Greek food in a very long time. There was so much to choose from. I was faced with a dilemma that often finds me. WHAT SHOULD I ORDER? WILL I MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION? I JUST DON'T KNOW!! I didn't know..........there was just so many choices. Also remember I was only 1 person, how could I eat it all.......(but I did have friends along).
I ordered some wine........that calmed me down for a moment. They have a really great selection of wine(from all over the world) and I should have ordered some Greek wine, because as they say...."when you're in Rome, do like the Roman's", but my knowledge of Greek wine is very limited. YES! I should have asked and they would have recommended a good one, but I didn't. In hindsight, that is something I will do the next time.
Wine ordered, let's get this food coming...................
Starters (appetizers) is a huge list with both cold and hot dishes. There was grilled calamari on the menu, so I had to have that for sure. I also decided to order a few more starter's and share because I just couldn't decide on just one. Our first one was the flaming cheese (Saganaki). How can you resist?
Saganaki................Greek Kefalograviera Cheese flambeed in brandy at your table, OPA!
You can't go to Greek town without ordering this. I know it's kinda "touristy", but it is sooooo good! Cindy was not having any of this because of her dislike of cheese.(I know, don't get me started!) Steph and I had no problem with this one. I just love the caramelized cheese and that hint of lemon juice. It just makes that bread they give you so much better. I got my (Kalamari Sharas)grilled calamari next.......
Kalamari Sharas.............grilled whole squid topped with olive oil, garlic and lemon.
Now I have to tell you I was looking forward to this, just because I knew the Greeks couldn't get this wrong. It was simple and probably as good as it get's. I couldn't believe how much I got though! There were two huge squids on the plate and I could barely eat just one! It was really good! What was next? Oh yea!!(Spanakopita)
SpanaKopita................spinach, Feta cheese and herb's wrapped in Phyllo pastry.
These were just so good. They serve them in small packets........beautiful little parcels, of flaky dough, spinach and cheese.....................OMG!! I was in heaven and we were only on the appetizers.. Steph ordered (Kalamari Tiganito) fried calamari and it was really good as well. There wasn't a lot of batter on them which made them even better.
Kalamari Tiganito..............tender pieces of squid in seasoned flour, lightly fried and served with Tzatziki.
So they had the heat on in the restaurant and it was getting a little warm. So I propped open the door, as to get some fresh air. Steph was worried about the couple sitting behind us getting cold, but they waved that they were perfectly fine with the door open. As I told Steph, just for a little bit, it was too warm in there. (Just a note..........I was the only menopausal women at the table today.)
We had ordered our main dishes and our stack of "to-go" had already began piling up. Both Steph and I had ordered (Paidakia Sharas)grilled lamb chops.
Paidakia Sharas..................fresh Ontario succulent lamb chops, spiced and grilled to order served with french fries and a traditional Greek salad.
They were amazing..................but we were so full we could only eat some of it................so as always most of our food went into the growing stack of "to-go" containers. Cindy ordered an appetizer as a main, she was already kinda full.
Keftedes......................homemade meatballs baked in a tomato herb sauce.
Her meatballs looked really good, and had roasted peppers in it as well. Like Steph and I she could only eat part of her meal, and sure enough another "to go" container was added to the growing pile.
So while I was gathering the information for this post....I tried to look up the desert menu, because as you know I always want a desert at the end of a great meal. I just couldn't remember what I had ordered. I looked everywhere for it and could not find it anywhere. It was when I saw a review for the restaurant and they had mentioned that there was no desert menu and that's when I remembered......they don't have one. They only have two things that they serve for desert.(I can only remember one of them right now.)
The amazing...........
Baklava..........phyllo dough layered with butter, cinnamon and nut's baked and then topped with a honey syrup.
I just took an order to go!!!!!!!!!!! Yes another container to our huge pile!
I also had ordered chicken souvlaki for my daughter to go. (yes another couple of containers)
Souvlaki Dinner (Chicken) 8 oz of meat made to order and accompanied by lemon roast potatoes, rice pilaf, traditional Greek salad and tzatziki.
She just rolled her eyes when I got it home to her......OMG!! this is good.
We were so full, and yet with the amount of containers we left with, it looks like we didn't eat anything!
This was another great meal, with great friends.
On the weekends, Christina's have entertainment. A belly dancer, and some Greek musician's. Even better!
I would recommend anyone who want's to enjoy a Greek meal to come on down to Christina's!
OPA!
1 smiley face today.
Number 44 out of 50 restaurants
Monday, 27 May 2013
Don't worry I am not done writing.............
May 27th 2013
I just want to let everyone know that I just have been busy, but expect some new posts very shortly, I have just got a new job and have been very busy lately! I don't want to just post some CRAP, I want it to be "readable"
PS. I would LOVE some comments?? I have over 1,500 page views...some of you must have some comments?....................let me know what you think!
Marilyn
I just want to let everyone know that I just have been busy, but expect some new posts very shortly, I have just got a new job and have been very busy lately! I don't want to just post some CRAP, I want it to be "readable"
PS. I would LOVE some comments?? I have over 1,500 page views...some of you must have some comments?....................let me know what you think!
Marilyn
Friday, 12 April 2013
I stopped by Italy for a bite.........
October 16th 2012
Terroni
720 Queen St. West
While checking for the address for this place, I found out that there were several other locations. I haven't had the pleasure of dining in those locations.......only this one.
This was another place that I had walked by many, many times, glancing in the windows watching and wondering what people were eating, what they were laughing about, as they sat there sipping their wine. The food always looked amazing, what was left of it on their places anyway and every time I looked in, people just seemed to be very at ease being there. Maybe it was the food, maybe it was the atmosphere, you have to remember, this impression was based on just me glancing in the window for a few seconds. But sometimes, that's all it takes, it's just one look. I always had this place in the back of my mind, and when my friend Dan suggested this place, I jumped at the idea of going.
My dinner companions this night consisted of Brandon (whom as you all know, takes a lot of convincing that he will like the food where we are going.) Today, I just told him it was Italian food, and he would be fine. As they say, the less they know the better. My friend Anita was joining us as well, she had actually just been at Terroni's with my other friend Vanessa, and they had loved the place. Good enough for me, two recommendations? I was so there! My good buddy Dan was our fourth this night, he was kinda of regular there, as he lives close by, and pounced on the idea of joining us!
Dan was already there when we arrived, he was having a beer at the bar. The place was very charming. It was smaller than I thought it would be, but I loved it from the moment I walked in.
Dan has this strange obsession with beer, and I love him for it. He was trying to convince Brandon to have this type of beer that he was drinking, I wanted to say to him, "good luck with that", but choose to let Dan find out for himself. It would be a pretty hard sell!
We had to wait a few minutes for a table, but it was worth the wait. The tables were very close together, but no one seemed to care. No one even looked up at us, as we were seated. I loved it. The whole "hustle and bustle" of it all. It was as if, we were alone in the restaurant, just the 4 of us. The noises, the smells, I was very happy we had come here this night.
The menu was very daunting, as was the wine list........it was all in Italian, which as all of you know is my second language! HELL NO!! I barely manage the English Language! (The descriptions were in English thank god!!!) and thank the lord for Dan. He ordered wine for us, and that calmed me down. We had 2 different bottles of red wine:
Jacca Ventu Mellissa Demominazione di origine Controllata Roso and
La PIZZUTA Dol principe
They both were really, really good.
Dan decided to start with a Margherita pizza (tomato, mozzarella, basil). It was heavenly. I know this because he shared it with us.
I had to start with Calamari alla Griglia (grilled calamari, mixed greens, fresh tomatoes) It was so very, very good.
Anita and Brandon didn't order appetizers, but choose to order just mains. They both ordered pizza. I don't remember which ones they ordered, but they sure looked good when they came.
Dan decided he didn't want anymore food, and just choose to sit and watch us, he was happy just sipping wine. Who am I to force people to eat more food than they want? We shared with him, our food, don't feel bad for him, he was fine!
I ordered the Gnocchi alla Simi.(tomato sauce, fresh ricotta, basil, parmigiano). I have to tell you I am a sucker for great Gnocchi, and when it is done right. It's like heaven on your fork, those little pillows of flavor lightly smothered in sauce, whichever it may be, there is nothing like it. Today? We had heaven on the fork!!
It was an amazing meal, and a great little place. The food, the atmosphere, I loved every moment of it!
After dinner, we went to this quaint, little (Polish or Ukrainian place) east of Terroni for an after dinner drink. Another cool, little place, I would never have checked out if not for my friends. Dan had been before. It was very cool.
I have never been to Italy, but I hope to visit one day. I always make jokes, that I would like to eat my way through Italy. I have ideas as to what these little places there would be like. Small little places, a few tables, the sounds, the smells, are just wonderful!! They serve you a jug of wine, some bread, some olives and you are happy! I expect them to be serving up the best pasta's and pizza's in the world, with just a few simple fresh ingredients. This place here on the street named Queen I think best represents what I would expect if I stopped by Italy for a bite.
I would recommend to any one if you are down on Queen St, to drop by for a bite, you will not be disappointed.
2 happy faces today
Number 43 out of 50 restaaurants
Terroni
720 Queen St. West
While checking for the address for this place, I found out that there were several other locations. I haven't had the pleasure of dining in those locations.......only this one.
This was another place that I had walked by many, many times, glancing in the windows watching and wondering what people were eating, what they were laughing about, as they sat there sipping their wine. The food always looked amazing, what was left of it on their places anyway and every time I looked in, people just seemed to be very at ease being there. Maybe it was the food, maybe it was the atmosphere, you have to remember, this impression was based on just me glancing in the window for a few seconds. But sometimes, that's all it takes, it's just one look. I always had this place in the back of my mind, and when my friend Dan suggested this place, I jumped at the idea of going.
My dinner companions this night consisted of Brandon (whom as you all know, takes a lot of convincing that he will like the food where we are going.) Today, I just told him it was Italian food, and he would be fine. As they say, the less they know the better. My friend Anita was joining us as well, she had actually just been at Terroni's with my other friend Vanessa, and they had loved the place. Good enough for me, two recommendations? I was so there! My good buddy Dan was our fourth this night, he was kinda of regular there, as he lives close by, and pounced on the idea of joining us!
Dan was already there when we arrived, he was having a beer at the bar. The place was very charming. It was smaller than I thought it would be, but I loved it from the moment I walked in.
Dan has this strange obsession with beer, and I love him for it. He was trying to convince Brandon to have this type of beer that he was drinking, I wanted to say to him, "good luck with that", but choose to let Dan find out for himself. It would be a pretty hard sell!
We had to wait a few minutes for a table, but it was worth the wait. The tables were very close together, but no one seemed to care. No one even looked up at us, as we were seated. I loved it. The whole "hustle and bustle" of it all. It was as if, we were alone in the restaurant, just the 4 of us. The noises, the smells, I was very happy we had come here this night.
The menu was very daunting, as was the wine list........it was all in Italian, which as all of you know is my second language! HELL NO!! I barely manage the English Language! (The descriptions were in English thank god!!!) and thank the lord for Dan. He ordered wine for us, and that calmed me down. We had 2 different bottles of red wine:
Jacca Ventu Mellissa Demominazione di origine Controllata Roso and
La PIZZUTA Dol principe
They both were really, really good.
Dan decided to start with a Margherita pizza (tomato, mozzarella, basil). It was heavenly. I know this because he shared it with us.
I had to start with Calamari alla Griglia (grilled calamari, mixed greens, fresh tomatoes) It was so very, very good.
Anita and Brandon didn't order appetizers, but choose to order just mains. They both ordered pizza. I don't remember which ones they ordered, but they sure looked good when they came.
Dan decided he didn't want anymore food, and just choose to sit and watch us, he was happy just sipping wine. Who am I to force people to eat more food than they want? We shared with him, our food, don't feel bad for him, he was fine!
I ordered the Gnocchi alla Simi.(tomato sauce, fresh ricotta, basil, parmigiano). I have to tell you I am a sucker for great Gnocchi, and when it is done right. It's like heaven on your fork, those little pillows of flavor lightly smothered in sauce, whichever it may be, there is nothing like it. Today? We had heaven on the fork!!
It was an amazing meal, and a great little place. The food, the atmosphere, I loved every moment of it!
After dinner, we went to this quaint, little (Polish or Ukrainian place) east of Terroni for an after dinner drink. Another cool, little place, I would never have checked out if not for my friends. Dan had been before. It was very cool.
I have never been to Italy, but I hope to visit one day. I always make jokes, that I would like to eat my way through Italy. I have ideas as to what these little places there would be like. Small little places, a few tables, the sounds, the smells, are just wonderful!! They serve you a jug of wine, some bread, some olives and you are happy! I expect them to be serving up the best pasta's and pizza's in the world, with just a few simple fresh ingredients. This place here on the street named Queen I think best represents what I would expect if I stopped by Italy for a bite.
I would recommend to any one if you are down on Queen St, to drop by for a bite, you will not be disappointed.
2 happy faces today
Number 43 out of 50 restaaurants
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Tourist Trap...........just keep walking
October 15th 2013
Hard Rock Cafe
279 Yonge st
(Dundas Square)
When I dine with my Brandon, I am limited to the places one can go! He is not much for trying "new" food. So we have to kinda find the "same old" stuff. I wasn't left to a lot of choices today, but I figured how bad could it be? They come here by the thousands................
It was after yet another long day of work, I didn't get lunch today, so I was starving. We got there about 5 pm and there was a lineup.. (it was a Monday). We got a booth, which allowed us to spread out "our stuff". You see today October 15th 2012, my blog was born. We sat in that booth and Brandon created my blog, and the rest is history.
The menu is huge, the pictures are just breath taking and they make you want to order everything.
I started off with Bruschetta, I have got to give you the description....
Balsamic tomato bruschetta
Fresh diced Roma tomatoes marinated with chopped garlic, fresh basil, and aged Balsamic vinegar on olive oil toasted sliced Ciabatta bread. Topped with parsley, grated Romano, and shaved Parmesan cheese.
It's a shame what I received, did not even closely resemble this. I got this mashed mess on hard bread, that looked like someone was in one hell of a hurry in the kitchen and just threw it together. I would have sent it back, but I was starving, so I muddled through it. It was OK, but I have had so much better.
Brandon ordered Hard Rock Nachos, again I have to give you the description...
Hard Rock Nachos
Fresh corn tortilla chips piled high with Jack and Cheddar cheeses and seasoned pinto beans. Served with sour cream, chopped green onions, Pico de Gallo, jalapenos and a side of fresh Hard Rock grilled Salsa. Big enough to share.
Well Brandon doesn't like half of the stuff mentioned in the above description, so what he got was a plate of nacho chips and cheese. Obviously it lost its height from the walk from the kitchen,(this was a guess). It was just a flattened mess of cheese and chips, (not a lot of cheese), quite frankly, it was disappointing. Brandon, just shrugged his shoulders and started eating, he was hungry too.
The rest of the meal went as the above descriptions went. It was all the "bate and switch" method. We sat there looking forward to what was about to appear, and were sadly disappointed when it appeared. (well I was).
I had a steak for my main and Brandon had a burger. Nothing special about either. Also the thing that gets me is that this place is NOT CHEAP by any means! I don't mind paying the money as long as you get what you pay for.
My recommendation to any body travelling to the city of Toronto, or just for the people that live here, if you want to go out for a good meal, don't go here! There are so many restaurants here in the city to choose from and you will get your moneys worth. If you are a tourist, walk by, go in have a drink, and then go have dinner somewhere else. Money better spent elsewhere! (Drinks here are expensive as well, 10-12 dollars for half a glass of wine.......oh yea I am so over this place!)
My final word....just keep walking......
no happy faces today
Number 42 out of 50 restaurants
Hard Rock Cafe
279 Yonge st
(Dundas Square)
When I dine with my Brandon, I am limited to the places one can go! He is not much for trying "new" food. So we have to kinda find the "same old" stuff. I wasn't left to a lot of choices today, but I figured how bad could it be? They come here by the thousands................
It was after yet another long day of work, I didn't get lunch today, so I was starving. We got there about 5 pm and there was a lineup.. (it was a Monday). We got a booth, which allowed us to spread out "our stuff". You see today October 15th 2012, my blog was born. We sat in that booth and Brandon created my blog, and the rest is history.
The menu is huge, the pictures are just breath taking and they make you want to order everything.
I started off with Bruschetta, I have got to give you the description....
Balsamic tomato bruschetta
Fresh diced Roma tomatoes marinated with chopped garlic, fresh basil, and aged Balsamic vinegar on olive oil toasted sliced Ciabatta bread. Topped with parsley, grated Romano, and shaved Parmesan cheese.
It's a shame what I received, did not even closely resemble this. I got this mashed mess on hard bread, that looked like someone was in one hell of a hurry in the kitchen and just threw it together. I would have sent it back, but I was starving, so I muddled through it. It was OK, but I have had so much better.
Brandon ordered Hard Rock Nachos, again I have to give you the description...
Hard Rock Nachos
Fresh corn tortilla chips piled high with Jack and Cheddar cheeses and seasoned pinto beans. Served with sour cream, chopped green onions, Pico de Gallo, jalapenos and a side of fresh Hard Rock grilled Salsa. Big enough to share.
Well Brandon doesn't like half of the stuff mentioned in the above description, so what he got was a plate of nacho chips and cheese. Obviously it lost its height from the walk from the kitchen,(this was a guess). It was just a flattened mess of cheese and chips, (not a lot of cheese), quite frankly, it was disappointing. Brandon, just shrugged his shoulders and started eating, he was hungry too.
The rest of the meal went as the above descriptions went. It was all the "bate and switch" method. We sat there looking forward to what was about to appear, and were sadly disappointed when it appeared. (well I was).
I had a steak for my main and Brandon had a burger. Nothing special about either. Also the thing that gets me is that this place is NOT CHEAP by any means! I don't mind paying the money as long as you get what you pay for.
My recommendation to any body travelling to the city of Toronto, or just for the people that live here, if you want to go out for a good meal, don't go here! There are so many restaurants here in the city to choose from and you will get your moneys worth. If you are a tourist, walk by, go in have a drink, and then go have dinner somewhere else. Money better spent elsewhere! (Drinks here are expensive as well, 10-12 dollars for half a glass of wine.......oh yea I am so over this place!)
My final word....just keep walking......
no happy faces today
Number 42 out of 50 restaurants
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)