August 29th 2012
Vannis
672B St Clair ave west
My good pal Cindy and I needed some food and we went out looking on St Clair. We took the streetcar to almost Bathurst and then decided to walk back west. We eyeballed a lot of places, and we just couldn't find the right one.
We saw a little quaint looking place on a corner, there was a couple sitting on the patio or so we thought it was a patio and we went to try to go into the place. The door was locked, and we peered in the window and there were people inside, so we just wondered why not us????
Its OK, we found out later, that the place only was a delivery only place! We don't feel so bad now!!
We continued walking along St Clair, and we came upon two spots, they both looked quite different, and we were kinda liking the one,(they had high tops, it was newly decorated) but not the other, it just a little dated. But the one we were not leaning to, had the better menu. So we decided to take a chance. SURPRISE!
As we walked in, we both looked at each other. I remember the eighties, Cindy was born in the eighties, well guess what? We were back there.
The decor was pure eighties, for a moment, I thought we should walk back out, but it smelt so good in there, so we stayed. There was 1 other table in the place eating, but there were also people at the bar paying for take out food.
We were in for quite a food ride tonight
.
Cindy ordered a salad to start, and I had grilled calamari. I have mentioned that I was eating grilled these days, not fried. This grilled calamari was probably the best I have had! It was not chewy, it was just amazing. I close my eyes and think of it once in awhile.
For mains, Cindy ordered a pizza and I ordered gnocchi. Nothing says great food, than awesome homemade gnocchi! I was not disappointed. You could tell it was homemade, and it was just amazing. Cindy's pizza was so good, I had a taste of it. I ordered one to take home.
Dessert was great as well.
One thing I failed to mention was there were people every once in awhile coming in for take out. They would show up, and leave with smiles on their faces.
Ah Ha! The neighbourhood secret........this place had great food!!!!!
Please go to this place, you will leave happy!! I am recommending everyone to revisit the eighties (I had fun in the eighties) and get a great meal!
2 smiley faces
number 25 of 50
Monday, 26 November 2012
You're where? Italy? Go east and then head south.....
August 21st 2012
Banu
777 Queen st west
So this was a first for me. My friend Dan, I have mentioned him before, is an avid restaurant goer and he suggested we go to this place on queen street. I was game, why not? It was Iranian? Sure I am willing to give it a shot.
This is a cute little restaurant and I got to say that I was more than a little nervous to go to this place. It wasn't this place itself, but it was food that was just out of my comfort zone. Would I like it? Would I make a fool of myself? The country bumkin coming to the surface. I could just smile saying it was good and hope Dan wouldn't notice. Dan assured me I would be fine, and I took faith in that.
The food was actually really good. It is served with a lot of yogurts and side dipping things, but I really liked it.
Wine was really good.
I had lamb chops for a main course and they were really good!
I would definitely recommend anyone who wants to try a different countries food, to start here, you won't be disappointed. Its not so different that you will not know what you are eating, but you can say you have tried a different countries cuisine.
Desert was just a beautiful piece of chocolate that they have made special for this place. Very cool. Oh yea, it was great chocolate too.
1 smiley face today
number 24 of 50
Friday, 23 November 2012
Back to that block on King st......
August 16th 2012
Ah yes, I went out for lunch this day as well.
Verona
335 King st. west
Stephanie and I decided we needed to go out that night for food.
We went back to the block where only earlier this week we had been so disappointed. I hoped for a different result tonight. We again walked our choices and decided tonight it would be
Verona.
We were not disappointed in our choice tonight.
I had been ordering calamari fried for many years, it was just getting so old. I tried tonight for the first time grilled calamari, it was really, really good. As was everything this evening!!!
Everything this night was very good!
We had a great table, and I really was upset that I hadn't come here sooner.
The atmosphere was very nice. It was dark and there were alot of tables filled with people, so we weren't just taking a chance here (on some lucky roll of the dice.) We had made a good choice!
You felt really comfortable here, and that is something I like!
Wine list was great!
Food was great!
Service was great!
Steph seems to order creme brulee alot, so she's the expert on that. She seemed to be smiling alot when that was delivered. Me? I just order chocolate, it usually is the way to go and most times you are very well rewarded!! Hey! it's chocolate!
The washroom was really cool, because when you walked in the light went on by itself! Hey!!
I lead a very simple life! These things excite me!
This is a place that I will definitely be coming back!!
1 smiley face
restaurant number 23 of 50
Ah yes, I went out for lunch this day as well.
Verona
335 King st. west
Stephanie and I decided we needed to go out that night for food.
We went back to the block where only earlier this week we had been so disappointed. I hoped for a different result tonight. We again walked our choices and decided tonight it would be
Verona.
We were not disappointed in our choice tonight.
I had been ordering calamari fried for many years, it was just getting so old. I tried tonight for the first time grilled calamari, it was really, really good. As was everything this evening!!!
Everything this night was very good!
We had a great table, and I really was upset that I hadn't come here sooner.
The atmosphere was very nice. It was dark and there were alot of tables filled with people, so we weren't just taking a chance here (on some lucky roll of the dice.) We had made a good choice!
You felt really comfortable here, and that is something I like!
Wine list was great!
Food was great!
Service was great!
Steph seems to order creme brulee alot, so she's the expert on that. She seemed to be smiling alot when that was delivered. Me? I just order chocolate, it usually is the way to go and most times you are very well rewarded!! Hey! it's chocolate!
The washroom was really cool, because when you walked in the light went on by itself! Hey!!
I lead a very simple life! These things excite me!
This is a place that I will definitely be coming back!!
1 smiley face
restaurant number 23 of 50
Ain't no google address for this one
August 16th 2012
Mrs/Ms Grill
Gunn's rd/St Clair
This was a goodbye for an awesome guy who we worked with. To send him off, just made sense to go to this place. We walked across and down the street to this place. It was really just a trailer on the end of a parking lot of a meat packing plant. We sat on park benches.
There was a bunch of us today paying tribute to a man/boy who was leaving us.
Myself/ Sandra/Sheri/Karen/Catherine/Stephanie/Jackie/Isabel/Brandon.
It was the meat truck down the street we had always heard about. It was actually busy, and we surprised them with the crowd we had brought. It took a few minutes, but the food came out and it was awesome. You can't get fresher food than this!
We all had steak sandwiches of some kind and they were all really good!!
They were really good!
It was the kinda send off that Nelson needed that day! He was the food eating guy we all loved. If there was food, nelson was there, and man, COULD HE EAT!!! He was an awesome guy, and we really we're going to miss him. But we wished him well!!
I have never been to this "food truck"before,(yes this is food trailer actually at the end of a parking lot, a lot at the end of a meat processing plant) but I will definitely go there again!!
Also they offer great deals on meat to buy in bulk!!! Yea to meat eaters everywhere!!! (sorry veggie lovers!) no offence!
If you are a meat lover and you love great sandwiches, you have to go here!!
1 smiley face today
good luck nelson we will miss you
*a note, I called Nelson recently to let him know that I had almost finished my 50 and that he was invited to the celebration party of 50. He told me no problem just let me know when and where and he would wear his stretchy pants !!!!! hahahah got to love the Nelson!!!
Restaurant number 16 of 50
So many choices....
August 14th 2012
Hey Lucy!
295 King St west
So most of us who have spend anytime downtown, have been to this block on King west, between John and Peter. It's there you will find this wonderful little collection of great restaurants, and usually have a hard time deciding which one to go into.
Fred's not here, Red Tomato, Kit Kat, Nawlins and Verona, just to name a few. Hey Lucy is among this little strip and had never been in till this day.
Stephanie was my dinner companion this eve, and we actually walked the strip very slowly looking at each of the menu's very carefully. They actually have people out at their gates, welcoming people in, because competition is fierce down here. That night we walked to the end and back and decided on Hey Lucy!
It was a cute place and as most of these restaurants are on this little strip it was small. Nothing wrong with that. Small is good! It was a Tuesday night and it was a little later in the evening, so it wasn't a surprise, it wasn't that busy in the place, or should it have been?
There were a few tables on the patio and 1 in the front of the restaurant, but no one in the booths at the back. We choose to sit in a booth in the back. Our server seemed to be very attentive at the beginning.
Wine list was good, and I ordered.
Food was really great and as the meal proceeded, we saw the waitress less and less. I was sitting so that I was facing the street, and I could see that the place wasn't filling up, it was actually getting emptier.
At one point Steph and I were the only customer's in the place, with just 2 persons sitting at a table on the patio.
I began to notice the waitress sitting and talking to another staff member at the bar. Searching for Cd's to play, and checking her phone. I had actually motioned to her several times and she did not see us. There I said it.
THE WAITRESS FORGOT ABOUT US!!!!!
I finally got the waitress's attention and I asked her for a dessert menu. She replied in a nonchalant manner "oh the kitchen is closed"
EXCUSE ME??????
she continued...."Oh, I can get you some ice cream"
I didn't ask for ice cream. I asked for a dessert menu. That's when I launched into my rant! I was pissed. Steph quietly sat there and sipped her water.
I let the waitress have it....
"I motioned to you several times, but you chose to ignore me, there are only 2 tables in this place, so you certainly can't be run off your feet with customers! You sat and talked at the bar with the bartender. You were on your phone for a bit, and then you guys were laughing over which music to choose. Now you come and tell me the kitchen is closed, you didn't even bother to come and ask if before the kitchen closed did we want dessert?????
She started stuttering that she was really sorry and I replied
"Quite frankly" I said "I don't believe you!"
The food was really, really good!! I, we have not problem with that. Its the service, your service or lack there of."
I proceeded to tell her about my 50 restaurants, and I told her up until now I as doing quite well. Food has been great and the service as good. I told her this was for an article I was writing for the Toronto Star. (which is true, as you read this, I have submitted a sample of my blog to the Toronto star, as a hopeful future column.) That's when her eyes lit up!!!
She ran over to tell her manager all what had happened.
That's when the manager came over, and I rehashed what I had said to the waitress. She offered us a discount on the food. I told her I don't want a discount, we came with money to pay for food. I told her how we walked up and down this little block and then finally settled on Hey Lucy!!
Not impressed at all! I wish we had gone somewhere else!
She did give us a discount on our food, and we left. Steph said she had to keep sipping water or she would have burst out laughing while I was telling off the waitress!
Was I wrong what I did?
Nope she replied.
Did I say anything that wasn't true?
Nope she agreed with everything that I had said.
She said she couldn't believe that I told the waitress off like that. I said to steph, "come on, this is the business that she is in?, she forgot about us for god's sake!"
Yes steph! I am a wild woman!!!
I will not be coming back to Hey Lucy for a long time, it's just not worth the chance of getting shitty service. Our odds that night were 50-50 and we got the "bad" 50!!!
no smiley faces today
number 21 of 50
*we left here and went to another place for dessert and got entertained by the people of the street!!
Hey Lucy!
295 King St west
So most of us who have spend anytime downtown, have been to this block on King west, between John and Peter. It's there you will find this wonderful little collection of great restaurants, and usually have a hard time deciding which one to go into.
Fred's not here, Red Tomato, Kit Kat, Nawlins and Verona, just to name a few. Hey Lucy is among this little strip and had never been in till this day.
Stephanie was my dinner companion this eve, and we actually walked the strip very slowly looking at each of the menu's very carefully. They actually have people out at their gates, welcoming people in, because competition is fierce down here. That night we walked to the end and back and decided on Hey Lucy!
It was a cute place and as most of these restaurants are on this little strip it was small. Nothing wrong with that. Small is good! It was a Tuesday night and it was a little later in the evening, so it wasn't a surprise, it wasn't that busy in the place, or should it have been?
There were a few tables on the patio and 1 in the front of the restaurant, but no one in the booths at the back. We choose to sit in a booth in the back. Our server seemed to be very attentive at the beginning.
Wine list was good, and I ordered.
Food was really great and as the meal proceeded, we saw the waitress less and less. I was sitting so that I was facing the street, and I could see that the place wasn't filling up, it was actually getting emptier.
At one point Steph and I were the only customer's in the place, with just 2 persons sitting at a table on the patio.
I began to notice the waitress sitting and talking to another staff member at the bar. Searching for Cd's to play, and checking her phone. I had actually motioned to her several times and she did not see us. There I said it.
THE WAITRESS FORGOT ABOUT US!!!!!
I finally got the waitress's attention and I asked her for a dessert menu. She replied in a nonchalant manner "oh the kitchen is closed"
EXCUSE ME??????
she continued...."Oh, I can get you some ice cream"
I didn't ask for ice cream. I asked for a dessert menu. That's when I launched into my rant! I was pissed. Steph quietly sat there and sipped her water.
I let the waitress have it....
"I motioned to you several times, but you chose to ignore me, there are only 2 tables in this place, so you certainly can't be run off your feet with customers! You sat and talked at the bar with the bartender. You were on your phone for a bit, and then you guys were laughing over which music to choose. Now you come and tell me the kitchen is closed, you didn't even bother to come and ask if before the kitchen closed did we want dessert?????
She started stuttering that she was really sorry and I replied
"Quite frankly" I said "I don't believe you!"
The food was really, really good!! I, we have not problem with that. Its the service, your service or lack there of."
I proceeded to tell her about my 50 restaurants, and I told her up until now I as doing quite well. Food has been great and the service as good. I told her this was for an article I was writing for the Toronto Star. (which is true, as you read this, I have submitted a sample of my blog to the Toronto star, as a hopeful future column.) That's when her eyes lit up!!!
She ran over to tell her manager all what had happened.
That's when the manager came over, and I rehashed what I had said to the waitress. She offered us a discount on the food. I told her I don't want a discount, we came with money to pay for food. I told her how we walked up and down this little block and then finally settled on Hey Lucy!!
Not impressed at all! I wish we had gone somewhere else!
She did give us a discount on our food, and we left. Steph said she had to keep sipping water or she would have burst out laughing while I was telling off the waitress!
Was I wrong what I did?
Nope she replied.
Did I say anything that wasn't true?
Nope she agreed with everything that I had said.
She said she couldn't believe that I told the waitress off like that. I said to steph, "come on, this is the business that she is in?, she forgot about us for god's sake!"
Yes steph! I am a wild woman!!!
I will not be coming back to Hey Lucy for a long time, it's just not worth the chance of getting shitty service. Our odds that night were 50-50 and we got the "bad" 50!!!
no smiley faces today
number 21 of 50
*we left here and went to another place for dessert and got entertained by the people of the street!!
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Very fond of Italians
August 13th 2012
Mercatto Trattoria
Eaton Centre
220 Yonge Street
When I search out the addresses for you followers for each of these restaurants (like I know them off by heart)I rely on google. It just blows my mind to see some of the reviews for these places. Most of these places are getting reviews for 4 out of 5 stars.
Please!!! Are you kidding me? Most of us don't have money to waste on a place with "pretend" reviews!!! Really? are these reviews for real? Or are they done by an average person walking in off the street and expecting a meal. A good meal?
This day it's myself, Cindy and Brandon. If I could tell you anything about brandon, I would tell you that Brandon's idea of a great restaurant is if they have garlic bread, even better if it comes with cheese. Don't laugh! We love Brandon to death and are trying to cure him of his fried food addiction. Cindy is another story, she is way more adventureous to try stuff as long as it contains no cheese and is not seafood!! And she's portuguese?? See what I have to deal with?
We arrive at the eaton centre, brandon had to get something done with his watch, and we(cindy) and I had checked out on line which place we should go to at the eaton centre. We looked up Mercatto and Baton Rouge. We decided on Mercatto, because Baton Rouge's web site looked a little stuffy for us! (Remember the future entries I have listed, you will be intrigued)
So we arrive at the restaurant, and I asked right away not to be seated near the kitchen. Do they not seat us near the friggin kitchen? Really? Brandon hates when I do this. But remember my rules.
feel comfortable in the restaurant
get a good seat
I ask to be moved. And they moved us to the other side of the kitchen.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I finally said to them, maybe you don't understand I need not to be BY the kitchen, we finally got a table by the window, and Brandon was "are you sure?"
Yes I will be fine here, I replied.
The wine list was very intimidating to me, it was all italian wine, and quite frankly I am am aussie wine girl myself.
The food was ok for me and cindy, different story for Brandon. He was not impressed. We weren't dancing in the aisles either.
The washrooms were very cool, with italian type newsprint on the walls.
Again this is yet another place I will not go out of my way for. Yes the food was ok, but there are just so many other places to spend your time and hardearned money.
1 smiley face
number 20 of 50
Mercatto Trattoria
Eaton Centre
220 Yonge Street
When I search out the addresses for you followers for each of these restaurants (like I know them off by heart)I rely on google. It just blows my mind to see some of the reviews for these places. Most of these places are getting reviews for 4 out of 5 stars.
Please!!! Are you kidding me? Most of us don't have money to waste on a place with "pretend" reviews!!! Really? are these reviews for real? Or are they done by an average person walking in off the street and expecting a meal. A good meal?
This day it's myself, Cindy and Brandon. If I could tell you anything about brandon, I would tell you that Brandon's idea of a great restaurant is if they have garlic bread, even better if it comes with cheese. Don't laugh! We love Brandon to death and are trying to cure him of his fried food addiction. Cindy is another story, she is way more adventureous to try stuff as long as it contains no cheese and is not seafood!! And she's portuguese?? See what I have to deal with?
We arrive at the eaton centre, brandon had to get something done with his watch, and we(cindy) and I had checked out on line which place we should go to at the eaton centre. We looked up Mercatto and Baton Rouge. We decided on Mercatto, because Baton Rouge's web site looked a little stuffy for us! (Remember the future entries I have listed, you will be intrigued)
So we arrive at the restaurant, and I asked right away not to be seated near the kitchen. Do they not seat us near the friggin kitchen? Really? Brandon hates when I do this. But remember my rules.
feel comfortable in the restaurant
get a good seat
I ask to be moved. And they moved us to the other side of the kitchen.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I finally said to them, maybe you don't understand I need not to be BY the kitchen, we finally got a table by the window, and Brandon was "are you sure?"
Yes I will be fine here, I replied.
The wine list was very intimidating to me, it was all italian wine, and quite frankly I am am aussie wine girl myself.
The food was ok for me and cindy, different story for Brandon. He was not impressed. We weren't dancing in the aisles either.
The washrooms were very cool, with italian type newsprint on the walls.
Again this is yet another place I will not go out of my way for. Yes the food was ok, but there are just so many other places to spend your time and hardearned money.
1 smiley face
number 20 of 50
The pub around the corner
*****this is just an update!!***********
Friday March 8th 2013
The firkin has had a faceift!!
Its amazing. The place looks great, clean and it has to be seen. The pool table is gone, and has been replaced with a couch and tables, and stools. Much better!!
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!
Sunday August 12th 2012
The Firkin
2205 Bloor st west
(runnymede/bloor)
This is our neighbourhood go to place for me and cindy. We go to this great place to get our nails done down the street, and we usually go back t our neighbourhood "pub" after to rehash our day.
It's been quite an eye opener for us to not go to our "pub", and to explore new places to eat.
To discover that there are great little places to eat (close by) and all over the city if you just choose to search them out. Since I am no food critic, my rules are simple:
So today I find myself alone to eat at the neighbourhood pub.
I really like this place, it's dark, there are booths and there is always a collection of "personalities" at the bar to keep you entertained.
I usually order wine( a bottle). The reason being is usually they get busy and you spend your meal trying to motion down the waiter for another glass of wine. Not me, I want to be in control of my wine consumption or non consumption whichever I am feeling that day.
Nacho's are some of the best I have had.
Love the sweet potato fries.
Wings are kick ass too.
I eat alot of steak here too.
Great food all around here, can't complain.
I usually order off the "specials" menu and I have not been disappointed.
The only problem cindy and I had with this place was once we had a waitress tasting cindy's drink before it was served to her..
EWWWWWWWWW!
It wouldn't of been so bad , if cindy hadn't watched in horror as it happened in front of her eyes!!!
Again I say EWWWW!
I will continue to come back to this old favourite, but unfortuntately after my journey of 50, not as much as I did before. Don't get me wrong, not because there is nothing wrong with this place, but because there are just as many other places just as close and just as good.
1 smiley face
number 19 out of 50
This pub is always busy, not matter what time of day or night. I find that vey comforting.
Friday March 8th 2013
The firkin has had a faceift!!
Its amazing. The place looks great, clean and it has to be seen. The pool table is gone, and has been replaced with a couch and tables, and stools. Much better!!
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!
Sunday August 12th 2012
The Firkin
2205 Bloor st west
(runnymede/bloor)
This is our neighbourhood go to place for me and cindy. We go to this great place to get our nails done down the street, and we usually go back t our neighbourhood "pub" after to rehash our day.
It's been quite an eye opener for us to not go to our "pub", and to explore new places to eat.
To discover that there are great little places to eat (close by) and all over the city if you just choose to search them out. Since I am no food critic, my rules are simple:
- good feeling about the place
- clean
- reasonably priced
- great wine list
- good seating
- good service
So today I find myself alone to eat at the neighbourhood pub.
I really like this place, it's dark, there are booths and there is always a collection of "personalities" at the bar to keep you entertained.
I usually order wine( a bottle). The reason being is usually they get busy and you spend your meal trying to motion down the waiter for another glass of wine. Not me, I want to be in control of my wine consumption or non consumption whichever I am feeling that day.
Nacho's are some of the best I have had.
Love the sweet potato fries.
Wings are kick ass too.
I eat alot of steak here too.
Great food all around here, can't complain.
I usually order off the "specials" menu and I have not been disappointed.
The only problem cindy and I had with this place was once we had a waitress tasting cindy's drink before it was served to her..
EWWWWWWWWW!
It wouldn't of been so bad , if cindy hadn't watched in horror as it happened in front of her eyes!!!
Again I say EWWWW!
I will continue to come back to this old favourite, but unfortuntately after my journey of 50, not as much as I did before. Don't get me wrong, not because there is nothing wrong with this place, but because there are just as many other places just as close and just as good.
1 smiley face
number 19 out of 50
This pub is always busy, not matter what time of day or night. I find that vey comforting.
Catch me if you can...
August 9th 2012
Catch Restaurant
744 St Clair Ave west
I have a friend at work, that any time I have mentioned a restaurant that he should go to, he has already gone. Piss me off. Not really.
So today Dan mentions "Catch", and I have never heard of this place, and he says this place is good, so I said let's go.
We were to meet there. I got there first, so I got to look around.
First off, you have to go into the place by the side door, off rushton.
At first glance, it's a small place, and that's ok.
Open kitchen, which usually means it gets warm inside, but the air inside seemed fine that day.
The place was packed, and the hostess said we would have to wait for a table, which was fine, because my friend was not there yet. She suggested I wait at the bar. The bar had only 4 bar stools.(I told you the place was small.)
The bar is along the east side of the building, with the chairs on the north side. There was a couple in the 2 seats closest to the window, so I sat next to them.
As I sat I looked around. Lot's of people eating and talking. It was very loud in there. The music was on as well.
There was a small table in the very corner behind me, and I hoped to hell they were not going to suggest us to sit at that. It was just a very weird place for a little table. Directly behind me was a couple of hightop tables which were full of people.
My friend finally arrived, apologizing. Yea, yea! Let's eat I am starving!!
There still were no tables, and they suggessted we eat at the bar. Where we were sitting was not good. I don't know about you, but I just got to get a good feeling about where I sit or my entire meal is ruined.
It was just then that I noticed the couple beside us were paying their bill. I told my friend Dan, that let's just wait for them to leave, and we will move into the 2 chairs beside the window.
The place smelt good. that was a good sign. Another good sign was that the bartender let me plug my phone in at the bar to charge up!! yeah!!!
We ordered mussels, they were really good. So far so good.
Then we ordered a platter of meats and cheeses.......I got to say, was not my favourite. It was ok.
We ordered our mains.
I got scallops! They were absolutely amazing!!!!!! They were huge. I had stopped mid way just to rest and our server asked if I was done with them?....certainly not she hoped?
Oh no!! just taking a breather!!
Wine list was good.
Desert was excellent!
I was very happy that I came to this place. They have great food. But....
My only problem with this place was that it seemed like they kept increasing the volume of the music as the night went on... you really had to speak loud(almost yell) in this place to allow your dinner mate to hear you.......
I will defintely remember this place as a place to take someone special, but as a first pick to go to?
Not so much. This place is pretty pricey!
1 smiley face
Number 18 of 50
Catch Restaurant
744 St Clair Ave west
I have a friend at work, that any time I have mentioned a restaurant that he should go to, he has already gone. Piss me off. Not really.
So today Dan mentions "Catch", and I have never heard of this place, and he says this place is good, so I said let's go.
We were to meet there. I got there first, so I got to look around.
First off, you have to go into the place by the side door, off rushton.
At first glance, it's a small place, and that's ok.
Open kitchen, which usually means it gets warm inside, but the air inside seemed fine that day.
The place was packed, and the hostess said we would have to wait for a table, which was fine, because my friend was not there yet. She suggested I wait at the bar. The bar had only 4 bar stools.(I told you the place was small.)
The bar is along the east side of the building, with the chairs on the north side. There was a couple in the 2 seats closest to the window, so I sat next to them.
As I sat I looked around. Lot's of people eating and talking. It was very loud in there. The music was on as well.
There was a small table in the very corner behind me, and I hoped to hell they were not going to suggest us to sit at that. It was just a very weird place for a little table. Directly behind me was a couple of hightop tables which were full of people.
My friend finally arrived, apologizing. Yea, yea! Let's eat I am starving!!
There still were no tables, and they suggessted we eat at the bar. Where we were sitting was not good. I don't know about you, but I just got to get a good feeling about where I sit or my entire meal is ruined.
It was just then that I noticed the couple beside us were paying their bill. I told my friend Dan, that let's just wait for them to leave, and we will move into the 2 chairs beside the window.
The place smelt good. that was a good sign. Another good sign was that the bartender let me plug my phone in at the bar to charge up!! yeah!!!
We ordered mussels, they were really good. So far so good.
Then we ordered a platter of meats and cheeses.......I got to say, was not my favourite. It was ok.
We ordered our mains.
I got scallops! They were absolutely amazing!!!!!! They were huge. I had stopped mid way just to rest and our server asked if I was done with them?....certainly not she hoped?
Oh no!! just taking a breather!!
Wine list was good.
Desert was excellent!
I was very happy that I came to this place. They have great food. But....
My only problem with this place was that it seemed like they kept increasing the volume of the music as the night went on... you really had to speak loud(almost yell) in this place to allow your dinner mate to hear you.......
I will defintely remember this place as a place to take someone special, but as a first pick to go to?
Not so much. This place is pretty pricey!
1 smiley face
Number 18 of 50
Mamma......
August 4th 2012
Mamma Martino's
624 The Queensway, Etobicoke
It was Sunday and we were hungry. My daughter and me, and one of her best friends vanessa and our "brandon" wanted some food and I knew just the place. I was buying so it was my choice.
Here was another place that I hadn't been to for a few years and had hoped that it hadn't closed or changed. I kept my fingers crossed as we began our journey.
It was caribana weekend so we forgot the queensway bus was not in service so we had to take a shuttle bus to the lakeshore, where they dumped us in the middle of the street and told us to walk up to the other streetcar? Huh? Thank god brandon was meeting us there or we would have been arguing about directions all the way. Well of course once I got on the streetcar, I got us a little lost and we ended up getting dropped off in etobicoke somewhere, and I hailed a cab, before Devin and I got into "one" of our arguements. We arrrived finally.
So in the future, just take the 80queensway bus and it will get you right there.
It looked the same, that was a good sign. We had to wait for a table, that was another good sign. The place was packed. I was very excited!!
The decor? How do I describe it? Best way is it just looks like someone opened up their house for a hell of alot of relatives to eat, and they ran out of room. So they just put you anywhere. It works!!
For us "munchacakes", its like going to your italian friends house, when "Nona" is cooking, you are stunned you can actually walk out. You are too full to move! As I write this, we(me and dev) had totally forgotten about the food here........the size.
The mussels were awesome, vanessa and I split then, while Devin and Brandon turned up their noses at us.
We orderd salads, they were big! that's when it hit us!!
EVERYTHING WAS BIG!!!
We ordered garlic bread with cheese, and brushchetta. We were not disappointed with anything we ordered.
The portions were amazing huge! Everthing was so good.
The girls had pasta, brandon ordered a pizza, and I had veal.
We are were so full by the time our mains came, it was laughable. But it wasn't as funny as when we saw the size of brandon's pizza, and the look on his face. It was horror and his pizza was a monster! Our sides hurt just looking at it. Needless to say he ate I think only one piece and took the rest home. As did the rest of us with all the leftover's we had.
Going to this place restored my faith, in "if it ain't broke don't fix it"!!!
They know what they are doing! and they are doing it right!
They haven't changed a bit. I LOVE IT!
I know the residents of etobicoke know and love this place. It's like their own little secret. They don't want the rest of us to find out about it. But really it's not that hard to get to on transit and if you drive its easier.
I will continue to come to this place, because, its good, good italian food at it's best.
I encourage all who read this entry to go and give it a try!
2 smiley faces today
Number 17 of 50
Mamma Martino's
624 The Queensway, Etobicoke
It was Sunday and we were hungry. My daughter and me, and one of her best friends vanessa and our "brandon" wanted some food and I knew just the place. I was buying so it was my choice.
Here was another place that I hadn't been to for a few years and had hoped that it hadn't closed or changed. I kept my fingers crossed as we began our journey.
It was caribana weekend so we forgot the queensway bus was not in service so we had to take a shuttle bus to the lakeshore, where they dumped us in the middle of the street and told us to walk up to the other streetcar? Huh? Thank god brandon was meeting us there or we would have been arguing about directions all the way. Well of course once I got on the streetcar, I got us a little lost and we ended up getting dropped off in etobicoke somewhere, and I hailed a cab, before Devin and I got into "one" of our arguements. We arrrived finally.
So in the future, just take the 80queensway bus and it will get you right there.
It looked the same, that was a good sign. We had to wait for a table, that was another good sign. The place was packed. I was very excited!!
The decor? How do I describe it? Best way is it just looks like someone opened up their house for a hell of alot of relatives to eat, and they ran out of room. So they just put you anywhere. It works!!
For us "munchacakes", its like going to your italian friends house, when "Nona" is cooking, you are stunned you can actually walk out. You are too full to move! As I write this, we(me and dev) had totally forgotten about the food here........the size.
The mussels were awesome, vanessa and I split then, while Devin and Brandon turned up their noses at us.
We orderd salads, they were big! that's when it hit us!!
EVERYTHING WAS BIG!!!
We ordered garlic bread with cheese, and brushchetta. We were not disappointed with anything we ordered.
The portions were amazing huge! Everthing was so good.
The girls had pasta, brandon ordered a pizza, and I had veal.
We are were so full by the time our mains came, it was laughable. But it wasn't as funny as when we saw the size of brandon's pizza, and the look on his face. It was horror and his pizza was a monster! Our sides hurt just looking at it. Needless to say he ate I think only one piece and took the rest home. As did the rest of us with all the leftover's we had.
Going to this place restored my faith, in "if it ain't broke don't fix it"!!!
They know what they are doing! and they are doing it right!
They haven't changed a bit. I LOVE IT!
I know the residents of etobicoke know and love this place. It's like their own little secret. They don't want the rest of us to find out about it. But really it's not that hard to get to on transit and if you drive its easier.
I will continue to come to this place, because, its good, good italian food at it's best.
I encourage all who read this entry to go and give it a try!
2 smiley faces today
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Future posts..........
My aplogizes I am still behind in my posts:
Here's a look at my future posts:
number 17 mamma martino's
18 catch
19 the firkin
20 mercatto
21 hey! lucy
22 mrs/ms grill
23 verona
24 banu
25 vannis
26 the bloor street dinner
27 baton rouge
There's a few just to keep you updated as to where I will be dining.
Also on another note, I love that guys are reading these! I love for you to leave me comments! Please! Comments anyone? Would love to hear them????? please?
marilyn
Here's a look at my future posts:
number 17 mamma martino's
18 catch
19 the firkin
20 mercatto
21 hey! lucy
22 mrs/ms grill
23 verona
24 banu
25 vannis
26 the bloor street dinner
27 baton rouge
There's a few just to keep you updated as to where I will be dining.
Also on another note, I love that guys are reading these! I love for you to leave me comments! Please! Comments anyone? Would love to hear them????? please?
marilyn
Sunday, 18 November 2012
His name was Joey
August 2nd 2012
Joey's (Eaton centre)
1 Dundas st west
I felt something in the air that day.
I had eye balled this place for sometime. It is actually a very intimidating place if you give it a quick glance. There seemed to be alot of beautiful people in there, and I am just not talking about the staff.
Pssssssh!
Was I wrong?
I was flying solo this day, so I thought I would go it alone for dinner as well. I really wanted to try this place.
From the moment I opened the door to this place, I knew I was somewhere special.
I was greeted by (a gang) (a gaggle) of beautiful girls at the entrance. I told them that I was dining alone this day and they quickly suggested I go to the bar where I would be served quicker than waiting for a table. I declined their offer and said that I wanted a table, and that I would wait. They seemed genuinely concerned that I didn't want to go to the bar, and for 1 second I felt that I was being pressured to go to the bar. I only realized after that they just don't like people waiting. I told them I wanted to wait for a table, they showed me to a bench where I seated myself and braced for "the wait"
Then it happened.....
Magic I will call it...
One of the ladies from the entrance came to me and offered me a glass of water, I declined. Wine then? a glass of wine? No I declined again. I was intrigued that they offered me this and watched every move they made. They started up a conversation with me inquiring about my day, I am not just talking about one of them but each of them at the entrance. They were all actually listening to what I had to say. Huh? Is there a hidden camera somewhere? Are they for real? It was then that I noticed that they were all gorgeous. (I am not gay, but I am just saying, they were!) They were all just beautiful, blondes and burnettes, and they were all dressed alike (a uniform I guess?) A sleeveless shift or one with cap sleeves. They all looked alike, like clones. Like the "Stepford wives" but in a good way.
The place was jammed, and as I sat there I thought to myself you can't get rid of me, because I want to be "one of you".
My extended wait time, was well over exaggerated, and I was quickly brought to a table in the outdoor enclosed section of the restaurant. It was a huge booth, which surprised me, but I accepted graciously.
My waitress was exceptional. I wish I had written down her name, but I feel it wouldn't have been necessary, because I feel like each and everyone of them would have been exceptional.
I watched with awe.
They had it down pat. From the moment you enter the premises, up until the moment you leave, you are their top priority. They made you feel like you wanted and needed to be there.
Why couldn't we all do this at our own business's? It is possible. I again was in "awe" of everything they did. They did it for you. You were the number one priority for them.
My waitress was there and actually knelt down to talk to me (she was very tall). She wanted to know what brought me to Joey's that day, and I told her of my quest and she thought that was the coolest thing she had heard of. I told her please don't do anything different, and she smiled at me and said, don't worry they wouldn't.
All I could think was this place was awesome!!!!!! I was in awe!
Everything that I ordered was absolutely amazing. The dumplings were WOW!!!! It was served to me like I was the only one in the place.
My only thing I asked for that night was no cheese on my baked potato. My potato came with cheese and I told her, there was cheese. She said Oh my gosh, no worries I will get you another. I offered her my plate back, and she said oh goodness no we will just bring you another. While I waited for another potato, a manager came to my table and apologized for the incident and asked if eveything else was ok. I said yes, and he excused himself.
The way they do baked potato's is really cool. They scoop out the potato, mash it all up and put it in a wonton wrapper and fry it up and serve it up as a baked potato! Its's awesome!
They brought me a cake for my birthday which was very cool and I appreciated it.
The washrooms were incredible.................... the path to find them was just as fun of adventure as the place itself.
I would/will come back to this place in a split second, a heartbeat!
I will tell everyone I know and then some to come to this place. Try it at least once!
Anyone in the retail business, who wants to see how it is truly done needs to go there and really feel what "retail"is all about. What retail is like when it is done right!
They could learn alot! How can anyone be so excited about a "retail" envirnoment! Its simply blows my mind.
I really felt "high" when I left that place that night.
*3 smiley faces. (top score)
number 16 of 50
Joey's (Eaton centre)
1 Dundas st west
I felt something in the air that day.
I had eye balled this place for sometime. It is actually a very intimidating place if you give it a quick glance. There seemed to be alot of beautiful people in there, and I am just not talking about the staff.
Pssssssh!
Was I wrong?
I was flying solo this day, so I thought I would go it alone for dinner as well. I really wanted to try this place.
From the moment I opened the door to this place, I knew I was somewhere special.
I was greeted by (a gang) (a gaggle) of beautiful girls at the entrance. I told them that I was dining alone this day and they quickly suggested I go to the bar where I would be served quicker than waiting for a table. I declined their offer and said that I wanted a table, and that I would wait. They seemed genuinely concerned that I didn't want to go to the bar, and for 1 second I felt that I was being pressured to go to the bar. I only realized after that they just don't like people waiting. I told them I wanted to wait for a table, they showed me to a bench where I seated myself and braced for "the wait"
Then it happened.....
Magic I will call it...
One of the ladies from the entrance came to me and offered me a glass of water, I declined. Wine then? a glass of wine? No I declined again. I was intrigued that they offered me this and watched every move they made. They started up a conversation with me inquiring about my day, I am not just talking about one of them but each of them at the entrance. They were all actually listening to what I had to say. Huh? Is there a hidden camera somewhere? Are they for real? It was then that I noticed that they were all gorgeous. (I am not gay, but I am just saying, they were!) They were all just beautiful, blondes and burnettes, and they were all dressed alike (a uniform I guess?) A sleeveless shift or one with cap sleeves. They all looked alike, like clones. Like the "Stepford wives" but in a good way.
The place was jammed, and as I sat there I thought to myself you can't get rid of me, because I want to be "one of you".
My extended wait time, was well over exaggerated, and I was quickly brought to a table in the outdoor enclosed section of the restaurant. It was a huge booth, which surprised me, but I accepted graciously.
My waitress was exceptional. I wish I had written down her name, but I feel it wouldn't have been necessary, because I feel like each and everyone of them would have been exceptional.
I watched with awe.
They had it down pat. From the moment you enter the premises, up until the moment you leave, you are their top priority. They made you feel like you wanted and needed to be there.
Why couldn't we all do this at our own business's? It is possible. I again was in "awe" of everything they did. They did it for you. You were the number one priority for them.
My waitress was there and actually knelt down to talk to me (she was very tall). She wanted to know what brought me to Joey's that day, and I told her of my quest and she thought that was the coolest thing she had heard of. I told her please don't do anything different, and she smiled at me and said, don't worry they wouldn't.
All I could think was this place was awesome!!!!!! I was in awe!
Everything that I ordered was absolutely amazing. The dumplings were WOW!!!! It was served to me like I was the only one in the place.
My only thing I asked for that night was no cheese on my baked potato. My potato came with cheese and I told her, there was cheese. She said Oh my gosh, no worries I will get you another. I offered her my plate back, and she said oh goodness no we will just bring you another. While I waited for another potato, a manager came to my table and apologized for the incident and asked if eveything else was ok. I said yes, and he excused himself.
The way they do baked potato's is really cool. They scoop out the potato, mash it all up and put it in a wonton wrapper and fry it up and serve it up as a baked potato! Its's awesome!
They brought me a cake for my birthday which was very cool and I appreciated it.
The washrooms were incredible.................... the path to find them was just as fun of adventure as the place itself.
I would/will come back to this place in a split second, a heartbeat!
I will tell everyone I know and then some to come to this place. Try it at least once!
Anyone in the retail business, who wants to see how it is truly done needs to go there and really feel what "retail"is all about. What retail is like when it is done right!
They could learn alot! How can anyone be so excited about a "retail" envirnoment! Its simply blows my mind.
I really felt "high" when I left that place that night.
*3 smiley faces. (top score)
number 16 of 50
A little taste of italy
August 2nd 2012
Marcello's
1163 St Clair ave west
Where do I start?
How about way back when I first came to Toronto over 30 years ago. I was this almost/farm girl (living in Windsor for 3 years didn't count.) Pure hick, country bumpkin. I had always had an open mind for things, and food was no exception. Always loved, loved, loved to try new things and Toronto seemed like my perfect fit. I had always dreamt of living here since I was a kid and would come to visit my sister here. I would stare out the windows at night of her apartment and think to myself I will live here one day.
My sister lived on St Clair and I explored the area. I walked into this place and I knew I would be taken care of. I ordered this thing called "bruschetta", and I was in love all over again. (I am in love alot!) I had never tasted something so incredible. Over and over I would go to this place and get this delicacy. The location of this place seemed to be right where Marcello's sits and I can't help but think this is the same place. I am goin say it is till someone corrects me. It has changed alot since I remember, if it is the same place at all. No matter, when my 50 is over I will go back there and ask them.
Fast forward to today.....
Wow!!! I love this place.
Again this was a place I had always wanted to go to but never got around to going into.
Very Italian and no matter what food you order, you will be very pleased with the results.
You have to get there early if you don't want to wait for a table. In the evenings there is always a line up for a table. I feel bad sometimes looking at the people in the line, longing for a seat and some food. I have to look away (sorry I got here early)sometimes, sorry, I'm so sorry.
Pasta, Pizza, Meats, you guy's can't go wrong with anything here.
The only thing is when the guy making espresso get's upset, sometimes the cup's fly off the back of the machine. just sayin...I told him once thank god I wasn't sitting them... He said "come on?" I said "ah you, comeon?".....it was very close.... he laughed.
I will defintely be back to Marcello's.
There really isn't a bad seat in the house and I just love the atmosphere.
They are here to serve food, great food and that's what they do.
1 smiley face
number 15 of 50
Marcello's
1163 St Clair ave west
Where do I start?
How about way back when I first came to Toronto over 30 years ago. I was this almost/farm girl (living in Windsor for 3 years didn't count.) Pure hick, country bumpkin. I had always had an open mind for things, and food was no exception. Always loved, loved, loved to try new things and Toronto seemed like my perfect fit. I had always dreamt of living here since I was a kid and would come to visit my sister here. I would stare out the windows at night of her apartment and think to myself I will live here one day.
My sister lived on St Clair and I explored the area. I walked into this place and I knew I would be taken care of. I ordered this thing called "bruschetta", and I was in love all over again. (I am in love alot!) I had never tasted something so incredible. Over and over I would go to this place and get this delicacy. The location of this place seemed to be right where Marcello's sits and I can't help but think this is the same place. I am goin say it is till someone corrects me. It has changed alot since I remember, if it is the same place at all. No matter, when my 50 is over I will go back there and ask them.
Fast forward to today.....
Wow!!! I love this place.
Again this was a place I had always wanted to go to but never got around to going into.
Very Italian and no matter what food you order, you will be very pleased with the results.
You have to get there early if you don't want to wait for a table. In the evenings there is always a line up for a table. I feel bad sometimes looking at the people in the line, longing for a seat and some food. I have to look away (sorry I got here early)sometimes, sorry, I'm so sorry.
Pasta, Pizza, Meats, you guy's can't go wrong with anything here.
The only thing is when the guy making espresso get's upset, sometimes the cup's fly off the back of the machine. just sayin...I told him once thank god I wasn't sitting them... He said "come on?" I said "ah you, comeon?".....it was very close.... he laughed.
I will defintely be back to Marcello's.
There really isn't a bad seat in the house and I just love the atmosphere.
They are here to serve food, great food and that's what they do.
1 smiley face
number 15 of 50
Really? this shouldn't even count.....
August 1st 2012
Harvey's.....they are everywhere.
Harvey's? Oh god you say!!!!
Yes we went there. It was our lunch and we needed to just get out of the building and I hadn't been there (during the 50), so Brandon and I hit the neighbourhood Harvey's.
I thought I would be good and order chicken, Brandon ordered the usual bacon and cheese, which later I realize, is what I should have ordered.
Brandon got his food, and I had to wait for mine . It took a few minutes, so brandon got us a table.
While I waited I thought I would be smart and read the nutrient chart on the wall. Just to see how good I was being ordering "chicken" instead of a bacon and cheese burger!
Ah Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!
Was I wrong!!
I only got as far as the sodium content and then that is when it happened. That big lump in your throat that happens when you know you have done something wrong!! As I read, I anticipated my heart attack would soon follow as I couldn't believe what I was reading. The sodium content of this chicken thing I was ordering was 1350 mg of sodium.
OMG!!!
OMG!!!
Are you kidding me?
I order this thing thinking I am doing good by ordering chicken and Ah! No! Far from it!
Man, do I feel like shit, and I hadn't even got my sandwich yet!
I looked over at Brandon and he just smiled as he chowed down on his burger!
Jackass!
I learned this day you really have to watch what you order in these places. You think you are ordering something "better"for you and it is really not!!
Harvey's you really pissed me off today, I should have ordered my usual. Bacon and cheese!!
No smiley faces today.
Number 14 of 50
Harvey's.....they are everywhere.
Harvey's? Oh god you say!!!!
Yes we went there. It was our lunch and we needed to just get out of the building and I hadn't been there (during the 50), so Brandon and I hit the neighbourhood Harvey's.
I thought I would be good and order chicken, Brandon ordered the usual bacon and cheese, which later I realize, is what I should have ordered.
Brandon got his food, and I had to wait for mine . It took a few minutes, so brandon got us a table.
While I waited I thought I would be smart and read the nutrient chart on the wall. Just to see how good I was being ordering "chicken" instead of a bacon and cheese burger!
Ah Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!
Was I wrong!!
I only got as far as the sodium content and then that is when it happened. That big lump in your throat that happens when you know you have done something wrong!! As I read, I anticipated my heart attack would soon follow as I couldn't believe what I was reading. The sodium content of this chicken thing I was ordering was 1350 mg of sodium.
OMG!!!
OMG!!!
Are you kidding me?
I order this thing thinking I am doing good by ordering chicken and Ah! No! Far from it!
Man, do I feel like shit, and I hadn't even got my sandwich yet!
I looked over at Brandon and he just smiled as he chowed down on his burger!
Jackass!
I learned this day you really have to watch what you order in these places. You think you are ordering something "better"for you and it is really not!!
Harvey's you really pissed me off today, I should have ordered my usual. Bacon and cheese!!
No smiley faces today.
Number 14 of 50
You can go back, but it's just not the same...
July 31st 2012
Peter Pan
373 Queen Street West
What can I say about Peter Pan's? They have been a fixture of Queen street for as long as I can remember. It's been over 25 year's, if not more. I have simply adored the place from the moment I set eyes on it.
Way back in the day when I worked at Garbo's which was just down the street (Queen & Spadina) with the crew, I always went there to chill out when I was doing a split shift. My boss back then hated the place. He couldn't understand why the place always was busy....I told him there was just something about the place, that I couldn't explain.
From the 14' ceilings(at least) to the booths,the worn out wooden floor, and bar that has seen its share of life, to that slanted back beer fridge, that I still am amazed hasn't fallen over by now. I have been in love with place for many years.
I have brought many a friend and many a "boy" to this place.
Always awesome food. Even my daughter(back in the day) would come especially for the desert....."Dealth by Chocolate".
Stephanie and I came here this day hoping to recover from our experience from the day before.
I ordered lamb, Steph ordered steak. I was very disappointed in my meal, but I ate it anyway. Steph loved her food and I didn't have the heart to tell her, mine sucked the big one.
My disappointment this day is that why couldn't both of us have had awesome meals? Why? That's the way it used to be, anyway. Back in the day you could go there and no matter what you ordered it was awesome!
Desert was good and no it was not "Death by Chocolate", that's been gone now for awhile, but it was still good.
This makes me sad......that nothing lasts for ever.
Don't get we wrong, I will continue to come to Peter Pan's and sit in those booths and stare at that worn down bar and wonder why that slanted back beer fridge hasn't fallen over, I just have to.
Back in the day, I would bring Devin and my friend Pat and her son Dylan. I used to read Devin the riot act in the car. 'You be good in there, or you will get put back in the car and left there, while the rest of us sit in there and eat!" (I think both of us did that) because it worked. On many occasions, the waitress or another restaurant patron would come over to our table and comment on how well behaved our children were. Ha!!! We would burst in laughter, and try to react as politely as possible to the comments, knowing full well "the fear of god talk" we had with each of them. Ah the memories!
Peter Pan's will remain one of my most favourite "go to" places in the city. It reminds me of why I love to live in this city. Maybe I just went on a bad day, maybe not.
I will be back as long as Peter Pan's sits at the corner of Peter and Queen.
1 smiley face today
Number 13 of 50 restaurants
Peter Pan
373 Queen Street West
What can I say about Peter Pan's? They have been a fixture of Queen street for as long as I can remember. It's been over 25 year's, if not more. I have simply adored the place from the moment I set eyes on it.
Way back in the day when I worked at Garbo's which was just down the street (Queen & Spadina) with the crew, I always went there to chill out when I was doing a split shift. My boss back then hated the place. He couldn't understand why the place always was busy....I told him there was just something about the place, that I couldn't explain.
From the 14' ceilings(at least) to the booths,the worn out wooden floor, and bar that has seen its share of life, to that slanted back beer fridge, that I still am amazed hasn't fallen over by now. I have been in love with place for many years.
I have brought many a friend and many a "boy" to this place.
Always awesome food. Even my daughter(back in the day) would come especially for the desert....."Dealth by Chocolate".
Stephanie and I came here this day hoping to recover from our experience from the day before.
I ordered lamb, Steph ordered steak. I was very disappointed in my meal, but I ate it anyway. Steph loved her food and I didn't have the heart to tell her, mine sucked the big one.
My disappointment this day is that why couldn't both of us have had awesome meals? Why? That's the way it used to be, anyway. Back in the day you could go there and no matter what you ordered it was awesome!
Desert was good and no it was not "Death by Chocolate", that's been gone now for awhile, but it was still good.
This makes me sad......that nothing lasts for ever.
Don't get we wrong, I will continue to come to Peter Pan's and sit in those booths and stare at that worn down bar and wonder why that slanted back beer fridge hasn't fallen over, I just have to.
Back in the day, I would bring Devin and my friend Pat and her son Dylan. I used to read Devin the riot act in the car. 'You be good in there, or you will get put back in the car and left there, while the rest of us sit in there and eat!" (I think both of us did that) because it worked. On many occasions, the waitress or another restaurant patron would come over to our table and comment on how well behaved our children were. Ha!!! We would burst in laughter, and try to react as politely as possible to the comments, knowing full well "the fear of god talk" we had with each of them. Ah the memories!
Peter Pan's will remain one of my most favourite "go to" places in the city. It reminds me of why I love to live in this city. Maybe I just went on a bad day, maybe not.
I will be back as long as Peter Pan's sits at the corner of Peter and Queen.
1 smiley face today
Number 13 of 50 restaurants
Friday, 16 November 2012
Sometime's you just can't go back....
July 30th 2012
WHITLOCKS
1961 Queen St East (Beaches)
For year's and year's I came to this place. I brought alot of boys(dates) to Whitlocks, because it made me feel like home. I grew up in a small farm town, and only a few miles away was the best beach town in the land (well one of them)...Grand Bend... took a few boys there as well..hahahaha.
Anyway...back to reality.
Whitlocks, is one of those places I just always went to, great place to bring a date, and a great patio to boot.
So brings us to this day.......
My wonderful and beloved friend Stephanie were out for the day. She is very willing to just go along with whatever stupid adventure I decide to go out on, and I just love her for that. She's knows I will not lead her into danger or somewhere she won't get good food.....Until today!!!
It was a great summer day.... not too hot.. and we were walking... we went into the fabulous "ends" which I love .. if you have never been you have to go Great prices for clothes.... anyway on to the food......as I said we were walking and she asked where we were going? As always I told her, I have no idea, I will know it when I see it.
I saw the bank that has been converted into a restaurant, I knew it was close. There it was. Whitlocks
There was a big sandwich board out in front that day, and we read it
"Half price appetizers"... We are so there!!!!!
Let me just describe Whitlocks.... it is located on one of the main corners of "the beaches", it has 9 foot(or higher) ceilings, and the decor refects that. The dark wood chairs and tables seem timeless, as does the patio which is just the place you want to be. I feel when I went there that day that I was just there yesterday.
Unfortunatley(is this spelled right?, I can't seem to get my spell check to work on my new laptop) I haven't been here for some time, or I wouldn't have brought my friend here this day.
Back to the half price appetizers...we were all in for those, Steph and I are not about to let good food go to waste.
We went in the restaurant, and there were a few tables with some people, always a good sign. We got a great table with a view of the patio and I found myself very pleased that I had made yet another good choice for restaurants to eat in.
As we sat there and looked around we were pretty pleased with ourselves and we glanced at our menu's and that great "half price" appitizer menu... we were stoked!!
Wine list looked awesome I was feeling good about this place.
The waitress came, or should I say "gramma" came and I say that with the most ulitmate respect. I couldn't figure out why she was serving us, this place was a gold mine, she certainnly couldn't be the owner serving us.... OMG... It started to go down hill from here.....(i just didn't let on to steph, or we should have just ran out of the restaurant long ago).
We ordered my wine, and stephanie's "Fuu Fuu Drink". Many don't know but Stephanie loves really girly drinks.....I love it. Then we ordered our appetizer's.......
We ordered 4 of the 6 appetizer's on the appetizer menu... then it happened.. "Oh we are out of those appetizer's" she says........we only have these 2?? Really???, then why would you give us a menu listing all these items, if you don't have them? You obviously didn't serve them to anyone,(they weren't that busy) you just don't have them????
It went down from there, to my horror, thank god I was drinking......
My steak got sent back 3 times, it just was not the Whitlock's I remember...
I just am in horror that, this place is let to just fall into such disarray....or should we call it "the end", someone should just swoop in there and take over. It is just a crying shame. You wouldn't have to do anything with the decor, you just need to bring back some life into the menu...someone has to, its just so sad.
no smiley faces here today
12 of 50 restaurants
WHITLOCKS
1961 Queen St East (Beaches)
For year's and year's I came to this place. I brought alot of boys(dates) to Whitlocks, because it made me feel like home. I grew up in a small farm town, and only a few miles away was the best beach town in the land (well one of them)...Grand Bend... took a few boys there as well..hahahaha.
Anyway...back to reality.
Whitlocks, is one of those places I just always went to, great place to bring a date, and a great patio to boot.
So brings us to this day.......
My wonderful and beloved friend Stephanie were out for the day. She is very willing to just go along with whatever stupid adventure I decide to go out on, and I just love her for that. She's knows I will not lead her into danger or somewhere she won't get good food.....Until today!!!
It was a great summer day.... not too hot.. and we were walking... we went into the fabulous "ends" which I love .. if you have never been you have to go Great prices for clothes.... anyway on to the food......as I said we were walking and she asked where we were going? As always I told her, I have no idea, I will know it when I see it.
I saw the bank that has been converted into a restaurant, I knew it was close. There it was. Whitlocks
There was a big sandwich board out in front that day, and we read it
"Half price appetizers"... We are so there!!!!!
Let me just describe Whitlocks.... it is located on one of the main corners of "the beaches", it has 9 foot(or higher) ceilings, and the decor refects that. The dark wood chairs and tables seem timeless, as does the patio which is just the place you want to be. I feel when I went there that day that I was just there yesterday.
Unfortunatley(is this spelled right?, I can't seem to get my spell check to work on my new laptop) I haven't been here for some time, or I wouldn't have brought my friend here this day.
Back to the half price appetizers...we were all in for those, Steph and I are not about to let good food go to waste.
We went in the restaurant, and there were a few tables with some people, always a good sign. We got a great table with a view of the patio and I found myself very pleased that I had made yet another good choice for restaurants to eat in.
As we sat there and looked around we were pretty pleased with ourselves and we glanced at our menu's and that great "half price" appitizer menu... we were stoked!!
Wine list looked awesome I was feeling good about this place.
The waitress came, or should I say "gramma" came and I say that with the most ulitmate respect. I couldn't figure out why she was serving us, this place was a gold mine, she certainnly couldn't be the owner serving us.... OMG... It started to go down hill from here.....(i just didn't let on to steph, or we should have just ran out of the restaurant long ago).
We ordered my wine, and stephanie's "Fuu Fuu Drink". Many don't know but Stephanie loves really girly drinks.....I love it. Then we ordered our appetizer's.......
We ordered 4 of the 6 appetizer's on the appetizer menu... then it happened.. "Oh we are out of those appetizer's" she says........we only have these 2?? Really???, then why would you give us a menu listing all these items, if you don't have them? You obviously didn't serve them to anyone,(they weren't that busy) you just don't have them????
It went down from there, to my horror, thank god I was drinking......
My steak got sent back 3 times, it just was not the Whitlock's I remember...
I just am in horror that, this place is let to just fall into such disarray....or should we call it "the end", someone should just swoop in there and take over. It is just a crying shame. You wouldn't have to do anything with the decor, you just need to bring back some life into the menu...someone has to, its just so sad.
no smiley faces here today
It's all in a name.....
July 25th 2012
Dinner time...yes sometimes I go out twice a day to eat....
PURPLE ONION 2998 Dundas Street west.
This place has been around for ever. They have moved now, but before there were in a location on Keele/ St Clair across from the depot. It was there, when I had my first experience with the Purple Onion and I really liked it then, just haven't been back in many years.
If I remember correctly my past visits have been very good. I mostly remember, as always, the wine......they seemed like a greasy spoon but served a mean wine list. I like that kind of place.
This day I went with my beloved adopted son Brandon, if I had had another child, Brandon would be my choice.
The new location on Dundas is great, and the food is good as always.
Brandon's eye's lit up when his garlic bread came, it was a hot dog bun with cheese.....but it was awesome.........
That's the kind of food that they serve here, diner type food, but whatever you order is awesome.
I am partial to the Toasted Western with cheese on brown, can't go wrong there, just can't.
They have moved, and they still have their great wine list, and they still serve great diner food.
I will always go here. You should to.
1 smiley face
number 11 of 50
Subway....not the kind you travel on
July 25th 2012
It was another long day at work and this was just lunch.
A long time "lifer" as we call ourselves, was leaving and we needed to have this lunch.
Subway is now our staple go to place at the Depot. Long gone are the day's of the greasy fries and those awesome greasy burgers.....you could hate fries and burgers, but after a day of smelling them, it was like an obsession, you had to have one. You could only hold out so long. Alas Harvey's in no more, at the depot.
Supposedly we have evolved and now dine on freshly baked breads, veggies, and deli meats. It's almost impossible not to notice the smell of freshly baked breads waffing through the store.......
I never seem to order the right sub on the right day so the subs's are always's $55.00 dollars, plus tax and oh yea the drink is extra...... just kidding....
My problems with Subway? I have two.... (1) that even if you pay $5.00 for a sub you have to pay $45.00 for a drink. Ok, Ok, I am exaggerating... but it feels that way. You go to the cash with your $5.00 sub and then they ask you for $9.89 or $12.00??? like what the hell?
(2)The other thing, is that I always have to wash my hands after eating the sub?? Don't know why, but that smell on my hands drives me crazy!!!
I paid more attention to my lunch conversation that day, than the food we were having. I didn't realize it at the time, but I would soon learn how much I would miss those wonderful talks with that "lifer".
She may not realize it but she made a deep impression on me, on all of us. An impression that she doesn't even realize that she has made on us. She was the light that shone so bright for us, and it gave us hope. She was the friendly smile, that person to lean on and that shoulder to cry on. I was on that shoulder alot.
She didn't die, she left us,(she got another job) she left us very sad..... we still miss her very much.....
We still have Subway.........
No smiley faces here..
But I will return, and I will always remember my last conversation here.
number 10f 50
It was another long day at work and this was just lunch.
A long time "lifer" as we call ourselves, was leaving and we needed to have this lunch.
Subway is now our staple go to place at the Depot. Long gone are the day's of the greasy fries and those awesome greasy burgers.....you could hate fries and burgers, but after a day of smelling them, it was like an obsession, you had to have one. You could only hold out so long. Alas Harvey's in no more, at the depot.
Supposedly we have evolved and now dine on freshly baked breads, veggies, and deli meats. It's almost impossible not to notice the smell of freshly baked breads waffing through the store.......
I never seem to order the right sub on the right day so the subs's are always's $55.00 dollars, plus tax and oh yea the drink is extra...... just kidding....
My problems with Subway? I have two.... (1) that even if you pay $5.00 for a sub you have to pay $45.00 for a drink. Ok, Ok, I am exaggerating... but it feels that way. You go to the cash with your $5.00 sub and then they ask you for $9.89 or $12.00??? like what the hell?
(2)The other thing, is that I always have to wash my hands after eating the sub?? Don't know why, but that smell on my hands drives me crazy!!!
I paid more attention to my lunch conversation that day, than the food we were having. I didn't realize it at the time, but I would soon learn how much I would miss those wonderful talks with that "lifer".
She may not realize it but she made a deep impression on me, on all of us. An impression that she doesn't even realize that she has made on us. She was the light that shone so bright for us, and it gave us hope. She was the friendly smile, that person to lean on and that shoulder to cry on. I was on that shoulder alot.
She didn't die, she left us,(she got another job) she left us very sad..... we still miss her very much.....
We still have Subway.........
No smiley faces here..
But I will return, and I will always remember my last conversation here.
number 10f 50
Monday, 12 November 2012
Always walked by never went in.....
July 24th 2012
QUEENS PASTA 2263 Bloor st west (between runnymede and jane)
We spend alot of time in bloor west village, it's close to our work, and we get our nails done down there. It's a cute little place on the corner, that my friend cindy and I walk by all the time. It always looked a little too pricy for us till we actually stopped.
Taking a look at menu's posted at the front of a restaurant is a way to get your first glance at what a restaurant has to offer. Which I quite frankly think is an absolute wonderful idea. Yes! Yes! there is the internet, but if you are just out for a walk, it's great to take a peek at the menu's posted and decide on the street whether you want to go in or not. Anyway back to the retaurant.
It is quite small inside, but we got a great feeling from the moment we walked in. There is a patio on the side, but we are going sit inside today. (you know the cindy outdoor thing). We sat close to the window and had a great view of the kitchen. (open kitchen)
Above the kitchen there is a HUGE chalkboard with all the specials. They all looked so good.
We both had pasta and it was absolutely amazing.
As we sat here eating, we talked about what had prevented us from not coming into this place sooner, and couldn't really figure it out? But we did vow that we would come here again.
The service was good, and wine list was great.
We will defintely be coming back to this place again for sure.
1 smiley face today
number 9 of 50
Don't worry I do go to "real" restaurants!
July 23rd 2012
BOSTON PIZZA on Dixon road is part of the "airport strip". There is Jack Astor's, A tucker's Market, there was The Outback, but it was getting torn down last time I checked, and there is a Montana's there.
Devin (my daughter) was back from a visit from Kincardine and she had her rental vehicle still. She is let's just say fussy about where she goes to eat, as she always says to me "I don't want to go to one of those restaurants mom" That is why we are here at the Boston Pizza on the airport strip.
Its kinda of funny walking into the place, because year's ago I used to work in this very building way back in the day (for a very short time). It was called Walt's back then. It used to take me 40 minutes each way to get there, 2 buses and they would give me a 4 hour shift and I would make 20bucks! thanks so much!!!! That's why I didn't stay very long.
Anyway, back to the present. We went there for a bite to eat and some mother and daughter time.
It wasn't very busy, we got a booth, I had asked for a table not near any kids. The waitress smiled and knew what I meant. If I don't mention it later our waitress was a very wonderful girl.
The seats in the booth were ripped and had duct tape on the rip.
The food was as aspected. It was ok.
I did have wine, but had to really search the menu to find something that I could drink.
Again, what made this visit great was the fact I was with my daughter and that the waitress, was wonderful.
I will not go out of my way to go back to a Boston Pizza anytime soon, just because there are so many restaurants that are priced just like Boston Pizza and offers much better quality food.
Devin and I had a great talk, but food was meh!
no smiley faces today
number 9 of 50
Sunday, 11 November 2012
His name was Jack
July 20th 2012
JACK ASTOR'S
Dundas and Younge
other locations
John and Richmond
University and Front
I got to say I love the new Jack Astor's.
For year's my daughter Devin would drag me to the Jack Astor's just because! But really because it was the only place she would eat and the only reason I liked going there was they had the wine that I like. It made it all better. From the obnoxious staff singing, to the kids, and there were lots of them throwing stuff everywhere, I cringed everytime I had to go there. Their food was nothing to rave about either.
Now I love Jack Astor's. They have so to speak "cleaned up their act". Gone are the outrageousness of just the whole place. The music is still their, and the food seems to be a hell of a lot better. They seem to be attracting an older crowd and I like it very much.
This day my two wonderful friends Cindy and Stephanie came with. We went to the location at Younge and Dundas which I didn't really know was there.
The bruschetta is to die for, I can't get enough of the garlic sauce on it. The steaks are excellent. The calarami (fried) is great. The chicken fingers are real, and Cindy never seems to order anything else besides them. I never seem to have a problem at "the Jack's", I really enjoy this place.
They have a great wine list so that makes me happy.
My favourite location is the one on John and Richmond.
I will defintinely be coming back to this "chain" of restaurants.
2 happy faces.
number 7 of 50
Our neighbourhood watering hole
July 18th 2012
Shoxxs 2827 Dundas St. w. (Dundas /Keele)
It was after a long day of volunteering with Team Depot on one of our wonderful projects that we decided that we needed a drink after work and some food. This place was close by so we went. Any reader's who work at the "Depot" know this place very, very well. It is the place where everyone goes for a drink after work, pool on thursdays,birthday's, and if anyone leaves(quits) the depot, this is the place that they go.
It is not your typical corner pub/bar, what I mean is that it is not a rundown hole in the wall, it is kept up very well. It has a new owner, and he seems to be keeping the regulars very happy. They have a huge bar to sit at, lots of TV screen's, and pool tables ( more than one).
We came this day, there was a bunch of us, and we sat in a both. I ordered a bottle of white wine that day, had a feeling for white wine. The staff seemed a little confused, because they were searched behind the bar for awhile, little did I know they were trying to find something to put my bottle in. It seems not alot of people order bottles of white wine there. What did they find you ask? They found an old container that you would put a champagne bottle in from the 1940's. It was almost too big for the booth. My friends just all shook their heads. I don't think I will ever hear the end of it.
The food here what can I say. Its pub food, but it is pretty good. Burgers, fries, nothing spectacular.
I think this is more of a meeting place for friends and that's ok.
I will come here again, not necessaryily for the food, but just because I like the atmosphere.
1 happy face
Saturday, 10 November 2012
Sometimes the grass is always greener...
Tuesday July 17th 2012
My great friend cindy and I always go out for food whenever its been "that" kind of day. We would always go to a pub at runnymede and bloor and that was that. We never really tried anywhere else, because we were happy going to that pub. Just a block away sits this really cool looking place with lots of glass windows, I had always wanted to try it and now was the perfect time.
THE KENNEDY PUBLIC HOUSE is in the bloor west village, at 2199 Bloor St W. From the outside, looks very nice.
We (cindy and I ) decided to try this place and went when it was about supper hour. There were a few people on the patio and inside looks busy. We choose not to sit on the patio (cindy doesn't like outside and food together, don't ask) and we waited for the hostess to seat us. She said there would be a wait for a table and offered us a table outside, I said no, how about a booth. She shook her head and said no, none were available. I inquired about the booth at the very back which we could see was clearly empty beside the kitchen. She responded by telling me her manager was doing her paperwork there. I said then what's the problem? You are a restaurant no? we are customers here to eat? She said oh, well I will see what I can do. The manager moved her papers, and was none to happy. Come on it was dinner hour???? what's she doing paperwork when it's obviously your busy time. Anyway we (cindy ) and I both looked at each other, and we knew what each other were thinking....."we're getting a bad feeling about this".
The stools (hightop's) have no place to put your feet, so my legs were dangling, after awhile I had to move to the bench with cindy because the back of my legs hurt.
The staff seemed always too busy to help us, either they were on us every two seconds for us to place our order or they walked around and ignored us.
The wine list was ok, but not great.
Our food was good, but not spectacular, which I was expecting by the look of the place. (come on it is bloor west village). Cindy will have nightmares for ever about the coleslaw which did have a really weird taste. They told us it had apples and cinnamon in it but, I think there was something else there as well.
I was just checking google for the address for this review, and I saw a review from someone else on their web site. It claims 81 % of the people like it, but I beg to differ. Its the reviews like this one that gets me.
"I am not a restaurant critic, but I won't be coming back to this place"
My sediments exactly. I am no restaurant critic, but this is a place I will never go back to.
Number 5 of 50
no smiley faces here only 1 sad face
Friday, 9 November 2012
Going down memory lane
July 16th 2012
Number 4
Yes I did go for lunch today, but it was that kind of day. I knew just the place to go.
THE RED TOMATO 321 King St. west.
I have been going to the red tomato since I moved to Toronto over 25 years ago. I loved it then and I still love it now. I have never been there to just drink, but I do realize a lot of people go there for just that purpose. I have always gone there for the food.
The food!! Where do I start? Well let’s start with the concept of the restaurant. It’s in the basement of the restaurant Fred’s Not Here (same owner), at the red tomato, you order appetizer size food all night. There are full size entrée’s, but it’s cool just to order nibbles all night and sit there. Back in the day, you could go there and get a lava stone at your table and you could cook your own food. That was a blast, but unfortunately the stones didn’t last that long and they are gone now.
How about the time when the owners of the red tomato decided to change the menu!! Ah they didn’t realize what would happen. They had such a revolt from the regulars that they had to change it back.
My all-time favourite there is the coconut shrimp. Yes a lot of places have this dish, but if I am not mistaken they were one of the first in Toronto to have this. For me it was really weird to order this because I hate coconut, BUT! Once I had their coconut shrimp I was in love. It is also the Thai dipping sauce they serve it with. I know at some time in my past visits I have had thoughts of ordering a lot of it and secretly taking it somewhere and get it tested for its ingredients. It’s that good. They had great pizza(not anymore) and pasta’s. You can’t go wrong with anything you order here.
They have a great wine list by the glass and by the bottle, or if you are like me and am one of “those” kind of customer’s, they will give you the wine list from upstairs, and you can order from that. They also have a great selection of beers by the bottle.
I don’t know what it is about the red tomato, but I have also felt very comfortable and at home there. I will continue to go there as long as their doors are open.
2 smiley faces
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