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
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
Today we decided to stop...
October 6th 2012
Villa
2277 Bloor st West
(Bloor and Runnymede)
It was one of those days when Cindy and I had gone to our nail salon in the Bloor West Village. The place is just east of the Jane subway, but for the life of me I can't remember the name!! Great place, you and your friends can go and get your feet and nails done all at once, no line ups. New place, many pedicure chairs with all the massage features working!! They also keep your utensils in a little box for you. Try it some time. Sorry, got off course!!
Food.
As I said Cindy and I often find ourselves in the Bloor West Village, so we decided after nails today, we would have some food. We had passed this place a few times, but again had never really stopped and taken a look.
Today we decided to stop and read the menu and it had us hooked. We liked the place from the very beginning. The pizza ovens were just stunning, done in this great red tile. The place was busy, as it should of been, it was a Friday night.
We got seated in the back, at a rather small table, which was actually very uncomfortable, because we had to keep moving things around to fit them on the table. I prefer a table that tells me, "Thank you for coming in and dining with us tonight, I want to make you as comfortable as possible". This was not one of those tables. It was situated in the back bank of tables along the right wall. They really wanted to pack the people in, it was obvious!! We had done a bit of shopping and quite frankly there really wasn't any room for our bags either. This was not making me happy. I was hoping that the food would not disappoint.
I ordered some wine. I found the wine list a little pricey, so I only ordered a half litre instead of a bottle and it was $28.50. That's normally around the price I would pay for a bottle. Any way!!
We both ordered appetizers. Our server seemed to be I don't know, not really happy to be there? He seemed to ignore us a bit.
Our appetizers came, Cindy had a mixed green salad, it looked yummy!!
I had ordered the marinated grilled calamari & tiger shrimp. It was served with warm black olives, tomatoes, capers & baby spinach. It was amazing!! It is listed under salads, when you look for it. It was really good.
Our mains were next. I ordered potato gnocchi with walnut, gorgonzola cream sauce drizzled with arugula oil. I added grilled chicken to it. Cindy's main I am afraid, (it was some type of pasta) I can't remember, but whatever it was, she ordered grilled chicken to it as well.
They were both amazing, or to die for, which ever you prefer. We both could not finish and choose to take doggie bags home.
I did notice that there were quite a few families with children in the restaurant, but they were obviously children who had been to "restaurants" before and were not running around screaming! The hint of any of that and I would have been "check please"!!
Also I did notice, it was quite warm in the restaurant. They had opened a back door, after several people complained about the heat. Then there was a bit of a breeze!!
I ordered chocolate truffle for desert, it was very good.
Overall this place is very good. The decor is just gorgeous! The great food seems to make up for the lack of service. I am hoping that it was just an "off" day for him. I would recommend this place to anyone. It is a little pricey maybe for some, but we found it in line with any of the restaurants we have been to.
1 smiley face today
Number 41 out of 50
Villa
2277 Bloor st West
(Bloor and Runnymede)
It was one of those days when Cindy and I had gone to our nail salon in the Bloor West Village. The place is just east of the Jane subway, but for the life of me I can't remember the name!! Great place, you and your friends can go and get your feet and nails done all at once, no line ups. New place, many pedicure chairs with all the massage features working!! They also keep your utensils in a little box for you. Try it some time. Sorry, got off course!!
Food.
As I said Cindy and I often find ourselves in the Bloor West Village, so we decided after nails today, we would have some food. We had passed this place a few times, but again had never really stopped and taken a look.
Today we decided to stop and read the menu and it had us hooked. We liked the place from the very beginning. The pizza ovens were just stunning, done in this great red tile. The place was busy, as it should of been, it was a Friday night.
We got seated in the back, at a rather small table, which was actually very uncomfortable, because we had to keep moving things around to fit them on the table. I prefer a table that tells me, "Thank you for coming in and dining with us tonight, I want to make you as comfortable as possible". This was not one of those tables. It was situated in the back bank of tables along the right wall. They really wanted to pack the people in, it was obvious!! We had done a bit of shopping and quite frankly there really wasn't any room for our bags either. This was not making me happy. I was hoping that the food would not disappoint.
I ordered some wine. I found the wine list a little pricey, so I only ordered a half litre instead of a bottle and it was $28.50. That's normally around the price I would pay for a bottle. Any way!!
We both ordered appetizers. Our server seemed to be I don't know, not really happy to be there? He seemed to ignore us a bit.
Our appetizers came, Cindy had a mixed green salad, it looked yummy!!
I had ordered the marinated grilled calamari & tiger shrimp. It was served with warm black olives, tomatoes, capers & baby spinach. It was amazing!! It is listed under salads, when you look for it. It was really good.
Our mains were next. I ordered potato gnocchi with walnut, gorgonzola cream sauce drizzled with arugula oil. I added grilled chicken to it. Cindy's main I am afraid, (it was some type of pasta) I can't remember, but whatever it was, she ordered grilled chicken to it as well.
They were both amazing, or to die for, which ever you prefer. We both could not finish and choose to take doggie bags home.
I did notice that there were quite a few families with children in the restaurant, but they were obviously children who had been to "restaurants" before and were not running around screaming! The hint of any of that and I would have been "check please"!!
Also I did notice, it was quite warm in the restaurant. They had opened a back door, after several people complained about the heat. Then there was a bit of a breeze!!
I ordered chocolate truffle for desert, it was very good.
Overall this place is very good. The decor is just gorgeous! The great food seems to make up for the lack of service. I am hoping that it was just an "off" day for him. I would recommend this place to anyone. It is a little pricey maybe for some, but we found it in line with any of the restaurants we have been to.
1 smiley face today
Number 41 out of 50
Thursday, 21 February 2013
It was a Thursday..........
October 4th 2012
The Espanade Keg Steakhouse & Bar
26 The Esplanade
We had worked yet another long day and we needed food. Steph & I headed down town. I didn't really know where we were going but I had an idea. Years and years ago I used to frequent a little strip of bars and restaurants down by Front street. I just couldn't remember where it was. Esplanade was the street, where it was?, was the mystery.
I distinctly remembering that there was a keg on it or around it. We got out by Front street and wandered around for awhile, then Stef. got her phone out and goggled the address. Technology eh? Just amazing! We were actually quite close, we were just headed in the wrong direction! (so don't ask me for directions!)
We arrived at the restaurant about 5 pm, it was a Thursday, it really wasn't busy yet.(magic starting now)
From the moment we walked in, it didn't feel like a "keg". It seems more luxuriousness!!
We were seated at a nice little table, it wasn't too small(you know those ones, that are just barely big enough to hold your plate) or too big, it was just right!
Our server appeared and introduced herself as Jill. What came out of her mouth next was really quite remarkable! It actually left us speechless for a second, sitting there with our mouths open. "What brings you here today?" she asked us. We looked at each other (with mouths open) and we both just laughed.
"Well", I gave her the whole "50" restaurant speech & she was genuinely interested in what we had to say. She inquired as to where we had been, even suggested some places for us to go. (we went to one, review coming soon.)
I ordered a bottle of wine, (wine list was good) Steph ordered one of her "girlie drinks" and she left us.
Upon her return, she informed us that she had been telling the other staff about our adventure, and they thought that it was just the coolest thing. She left us to look over our menu's, it was nice having the choice to just relax and look at the menu. Not to be forced into ordering food.....(sorry bad experience coming back.)
As we sat there we began to notice other staff walking by looking at us and smiling. I leaned in to Steph and said "Hey Steph, we're celebrities!" We both looked at each other and cracked up laughing!! (we are both so NOT celebrities!)
We were having trouble deciding what appetizers to order, we had narrowed it down to 3, and were still debating what to get. We chose two, and Jill left to place our order.
We were feeling really great about our chose of restaurants today. We just felt so comfortable here.
When she returned with our appetizers, she had brought the 3rd one as well, the one that had not made our cut. We were very surprised, and very appreciative. She smiled and said maybe this would sway a few "happy faces" their way.
I wanted to say here, (but I didn't) that there was no need to bribe us with food. They already were well on their way to quite a few "happy faces".
I was having the scallops with bacon, Steph had the crab cakes, and we shared the Mushroom Neptune. We actually shared all of it, it was really, really good.
We hadn't chosen our mains yet, there was just so much selection. We eventually did. I mean how can you come to the KEG and not order steak?
We both had steaks with something. I had the Top sirloin combo with grilled tiger shrimp. Steph had a steak with crab legs. Today when I asked her if she remembered what she had, I said to her I just remember her having a bowl of butter....
The steaks were to die for!! We both were in heaven. We just sat in silence for a few moments as we ate!
OMG! We were taking doggie bags home for sure tonight!
A manager at some point in our meal came over to talk with us. He had heard the "buzz" in the kitchen about us and wanted to talk to us ourselves. He was checking on our experience and the amount of " happy faces" I felt they deserved today. I told him that it was looking good, and not to worry.
Again the two of us, just laughed to ourselves (celebrities we are not!)
I can't say enough about this place. The atmosphere was just amazing. The decor was soothing and comfortable, not stuffy! Also the place looked really clean. That's a big thing for me, if the place isn't clean, how am I to enjoy my meal?
Jill just seemed to be there to serve "us" and only "us", because she was there "just the right amount of times". She didn't hound us, and she didn't ignore us either. We knew she had other tables, because as we sat, we noticed the place filling up. She made it seem effortless.
She came to tell us that they (the staff) had decided because of us that they were going to start going to a different restaurant every month. Hey, you know really that's what people have to start doing. If this blog does anything, that's what I want it to do. Get people to go out exploring the cities they live in. Don't just eat at the same old place you always do, go and explore, maybe you will find your "new favorite place"!
Back to the food!
Desert was next......................
There was this wonderful chocolate cake that I just had to have. This is the description, you tell me!
"Layer upon layer of dark moist chocolate cake with a silky chocolate filling......."
Ah hello!! 1 please!
Steph had the creme brule, which she usually always has. She was smiling and very quiet, which is a good sign!
Reflecting back, on past places we had been, this was probably one of the better places. I could only think of one other, that I felt this good about.
The prices were in line with other places we had been going to. I still had money left over to pay rent & buy groceries.
I urge any of you wanting a great meal with great service to explore the Esplanade. There you will find a great little spot called "THE KEG".
3 smiley faces today folks(tied as best score)
Number 40 of 50 restaurants
The Espanade Keg Steakhouse & Bar
26 The Esplanade
We had worked yet another long day and we needed food. Steph & I headed down town. I didn't really know where we were going but I had an idea. Years and years ago I used to frequent a little strip of bars and restaurants down by Front street. I just couldn't remember where it was. Esplanade was the street, where it was?, was the mystery.
I distinctly remembering that there was a keg on it or around it. We got out by Front street and wandered around for awhile, then Stef. got her phone out and goggled the address. Technology eh? Just amazing! We were actually quite close, we were just headed in the wrong direction! (so don't ask me for directions!)
We arrived at the restaurant about 5 pm, it was a Thursday, it really wasn't busy yet.(magic starting now)
From the moment we walked in, it didn't feel like a "keg". It seems more luxuriousness!!
We were seated at a nice little table, it wasn't too small(you know those ones, that are just barely big enough to hold your plate) or too big, it was just right!
Our server appeared and introduced herself as Jill. What came out of her mouth next was really quite remarkable! It actually left us speechless for a second, sitting there with our mouths open. "What brings you here today?" she asked us. We looked at each other (with mouths open) and we both just laughed.
"Well", I gave her the whole "50" restaurant speech & she was genuinely interested in what we had to say. She inquired as to where we had been, even suggested some places for us to go. (we went to one, review coming soon.)
I ordered a bottle of wine, (wine list was good) Steph ordered one of her "girlie drinks" and she left us.
Upon her return, she informed us that she had been telling the other staff about our adventure, and they thought that it was just the coolest thing. She left us to look over our menu's, it was nice having the choice to just relax and look at the menu. Not to be forced into ordering food.....(sorry bad experience coming back.)
As we sat there we began to notice other staff walking by looking at us and smiling. I leaned in to Steph and said "Hey Steph, we're celebrities!" We both looked at each other and cracked up laughing!! (we are both so NOT celebrities!)
We were having trouble deciding what appetizers to order, we had narrowed it down to 3, and were still debating what to get. We chose two, and Jill left to place our order.
We were feeling really great about our chose of restaurants today. We just felt so comfortable here.
When she returned with our appetizers, she had brought the 3rd one as well, the one that had not made our cut. We were very surprised, and very appreciative. She smiled and said maybe this would sway a few "happy faces" their way.
I wanted to say here, (but I didn't) that there was no need to bribe us with food. They already were well on their way to quite a few "happy faces".
I was having the scallops with bacon, Steph had the crab cakes, and we shared the Mushroom Neptune. We actually shared all of it, it was really, really good.
We hadn't chosen our mains yet, there was just so much selection. We eventually did. I mean how can you come to the KEG and not order steak?
We both had steaks with something. I had the Top sirloin combo with grilled tiger shrimp. Steph had a steak with crab legs. Today when I asked her if she remembered what she had, I said to her I just remember her having a bowl of butter....
The steaks were to die for!! We both were in heaven. We just sat in silence for a few moments as we ate!
OMG! We were taking doggie bags home for sure tonight!
A manager at some point in our meal came over to talk with us. He had heard the "buzz" in the kitchen about us and wanted to talk to us ourselves. He was checking on our experience and the amount of " happy faces" I felt they deserved today. I told him that it was looking good, and not to worry.
Again the two of us, just laughed to ourselves (celebrities we are not!)
I can't say enough about this place. The atmosphere was just amazing. The decor was soothing and comfortable, not stuffy! Also the place looked really clean. That's a big thing for me, if the place isn't clean, how am I to enjoy my meal?
Jill just seemed to be there to serve "us" and only "us", because she was there "just the right amount of times". She didn't hound us, and she didn't ignore us either. We knew she had other tables, because as we sat, we noticed the place filling up. She made it seem effortless.
She came to tell us that they (the staff) had decided because of us that they were going to start going to a different restaurant every month. Hey, you know really that's what people have to start doing. If this blog does anything, that's what I want it to do. Get people to go out exploring the cities they live in. Don't just eat at the same old place you always do, go and explore, maybe you will find your "new favorite place"!
Back to the food!
Desert was next......................
There was this wonderful chocolate cake that I just had to have. This is the description, you tell me!
"Layer upon layer of dark moist chocolate cake with a silky chocolate filling......."
Ah hello!! 1 please!
Steph had the creme brule, which she usually always has. She was smiling and very quiet, which is a good sign!
Reflecting back, on past places we had been, this was probably one of the better places. I could only think of one other, that I felt this good about.
The prices were in line with other places we had been going to. I still had money left over to pay rent & buy groceries.
I urge any of you wanting a great meal with great service to explore the Esplanade. There you will find a great little spot called "THE KEG".
3 smiley faces today folks(tied as best score)
Number 40 of 50 restaurants
Monday, 18 February 2013
The end is near (final posts of the 50)
February 18th 2013
Hello everybody!
I have to say this has been one of the harder things that I have tried to do. Especially trying to make it interesting enough for folks to keep reading. Got to say I love it though!!
here's the last bunch of my 50.
Number 40 The Keg (Esplande)
41 Villa
42 Hard Rock Cafe
43 Terroni
44 Christina's
45 Habits Gastropub
46 Brass Taps (College street)
47 Old Spaghetti Factory
48 The Sister
49 Regina's
50 Standard
Don't worry when I am done my 50, I plan on visiting the "foods" of the world, in my city. A different country every visit. Or we might go through the alphabet............
Don't worry every day is an adventure, or you should be making it one!
I truly believe that!
Marilyn
Hello everybody!
I have to say this has been one of the harder things that I have tried to do. Especially trying to make it interesting enough for folks to keep reading. Got to say I love it though!!
here's the last bunch of my 50.
Number 40 The Keg (Esplande)
41 Villa
42 Hard Rock Cafe
43 Terroni
44 Christina's
45 Habits Gastropub
46 Brass Taps (College street)
47 Old Spaghetti Factory
48 The Sister
49 Regina's
50 Standard
Don't worry when I am done my 50, I plan on visiting the "foods" of the world, in my city. A different country every visit. Or we might go through the alphabet............
Don't worry every day is an adventure, or you should be making it one!
I truly believe that!
Marilyn
Saturday, 16 February 2013
The gods were smiling on me tonight
October 3rd 2013
Banjara Indian Cuisine
796 Bloor Street West
(west side of Christie Pits)
I have decided to travel to the other side of the world for some cuisine that I have never had before. My tour guide tonight is my friend Anita. She says that this is the place to go for great Indian food and she would know. As she states many times, she is my only "brown" friend, so who better to be the expert. She is not even from India, actually she is from Guyana, I think? Anyway, she is a sweetheart and I trust her judgement for this type of food. Otherwise I wouldn't know where to go.
It's on the other side of the Chrisite Pits,(west side) and the restaurant is full when we arrive and a line is already forming outside.
That is an awesome sign!
We are told it will be at least 30 minutes for a table. We choose to wait. There is another restaurant attached to this one at the right side, (another Indian restaurant). Anita is telling me the other restaurant benefits from the overflow of traffic from Banjara with people not wanting to wait and just want food. She has never been to the other restaurant, but she has been to Banjara and she highly recommends it. Now remember Banjara is the restaurant that is furthest back when you reach the lot. Don't be fooled.
I am really excited and kinda of scared. What if I don't like the food? I will leave hungry? No I have to be positive. I am very open to try different types of food, so I am ready and willing to try Indian.
We get our table and it really is only about a 15 minute wait. It is a good table to the left up against the wall.
We are greeted right away, and I have great feelings about this place.
I ordered wine, I was happy.
I want to try a lot of things so I go to town, with my order. I order a Meat Samosa to start which is pastry with minced chicken and as well, a Seekah Kabob which was lamb minced with green spices & lemon juice.
It was so good. I knew I could come back on my own and order food and I would be OK. Another great thing was that each item on their menu, had a description of what it was and the staff was very willing to explain what things were. Actually at one point, our server told us that we had ordered too much food....but we ordered it anyway.
Next came, what we had come here for "BUTTER CHICKEN"...............Anita said it was to die for.
It is chicken with tomato/onion with a creamy gravy. Doesn't sound like much but it is SO GOOD!
With the Butter Chicken, I ordered garlic rice and NAAN bread.........man!!!! was I taking doggie bags home tonight.....
I was very impressed. It was just so delicious.
Dessert was interesting....no chocolate, but I ordered something called "GULAB JAMUN". It is dried milk balls deep fried and dipped in sugar. It was really good.
All in all it was a great meal. Food was great. Service was great.
I would highly recommend anyone who wanted Indian food to go here. I loved it. I will return!
2 smiley face today
Number 39 out of 50 restaurants
Banjara Indian Cuisine
796 Bloor Street West
(west side of Christie Pits)
I have decided to travel to the other side of the world for some cuisine that I have never had before. My tour guide tonight is my friend Anita. She says that this is the place to go for great Indian food and she would know. As she states many times, she is my only "brown" friend, so who better to be the expert. She is not even from India, actually she is from Guyana, I think? Anyway, she is a sweetheart and I trust her judgement for this type of food. Otherwise I wouldn't know where to go.
It's on the other side of the Chrisite Pits,(west side) and the restaurant is full when we arrive and a line is already forming outside.
That is an awesome sign!
We are told it will be at least 30 minutes for a table. We choose to wait. There is another restaurant attached to this one at the right side, (another Indian restaurant). Anita is telling me the other restaurant benefits from the overflow of traffic from Banjara with people not wanting to wait and just want food. She has never been to the other restaurant, but she has been to Banjara and she highly recommends it. Now remember Banjara is the restaurant that is furthest back when you reach the lot. Don't be fooled.
I am really excited and kinda of scared. What if I don't like the food? I will leave hungry? No I have to be positive. I am very open to try different types of food, so I am ready and willing to try Indian.
We get our table and it really is only about a 15 minute wait. It is a good table to the left up against the wall.
We are greeted right away, and I have great feelings about this place.
I ordered wine, I was happy.
I want to try a lot of things so I go to town, with my order. I order a Meat Samosa to start which is pastry with minced chicken and as well, a Seekah Kabob which was lamb minced with green spices & lemon juice.
It was so good. I knew I could come back on my own and order food and I would be OK. Another great thing was that each item on their menu, had a description of what it was and the staff was very willing to explain what things were. Actually at one point, our server told us that we had ordered too much food....but we ordered it anyway.
Next came, what we had come here for "BUTTER CHICKEN"...............Anita said it was to die for.
It is chicken with tomato/onion with a creamy gravy. Doesn't sound like much but it is SO GOOD!
I was very impressed. It was just so delicious.
Dessert was interesting....no chocolate, but I ordered something called "GULAB JAMUN". It is dried milk balls deep fried and dipped in sugar. It was really good.
All in all it was a great meal. Food was great. Service was great.
I would highly recommend anyone who wanted Indian food to go here. I loved it. I will return!
2 smiley face today
Number 39 out of 50 restaurants
Friday, 8 February 2013
just sad......
September 28th 2013
College St. Bar
574 College St..
Another long day at work, required a night out of food. I had been on a winning streak of great restaurants, so I should have known that we had to find a stinker sooner or later.
One of my best buds Cindy was accompanying me tonight, so I suggested college st, it had been uncharted territory on this quest of ours. We actually walked the few blocks of the congested restaurants of college checking out the menus, and decided tonight that College St, Bar would be the lucky one tonight.
Obviously we would be the unlucky ones tonight.
From the moment we walked in, we got the message that we weren't "wanted" there. From the choices of tables they offered us, to the constant questioning of the waitress, obviously in a hurry to get us out of there.
We walked in and had to wait to be seated. We inquired about a table in the window, but were told that the table was for a reservation. I wasn't born in the dark ages, I do realize that a reservation trumps a walkin any day. No problem, we took another table. The waitress seemed to be annoyed that we were here, almost to the point, that we weren't the clientele she would have in the restaurant.
We had not been there very long when three people came in and they obviously didn't have a reservation, they inquired about the table in the window, and were shown there. They were obviously the "beautiful" people they wanted in the window, to show to the people walking by that this is where you go if you are a "beautiful person". I asked for the manager and she came over, and I inquired why these people were given the table and not cindy and I. She stammered that it was being held for a reservation. "Really?" I asked, "well clearly these people were not the reservation". Again she stammered with a response, saying that the reservation had not shown up! "Really? so you hold a reservation for what 3 minutes?" I was not impressed at all, and regretting that we had even gone into the place. She couldn't even stutter out an answer. She walked away.
The food we ordered was totally forgettable.
We weren't with our appetizers 2 to 3 minutes, when our main courses came out.
It was clear that they were trying to rush us out of here.
At one point, since the waitress had been at our table so many times, I asked her if she had a problem with us, and she didn't know how to respond. I asked for the manager again.
I asked her, why her staff was trying their best to rush us out of there. She again did not know what to say, either, she was too dense to understand, or not a very good liar.
Again, the food that we had, was totally unforgettable. I didn't even bother to check their website, to remind myself of what we had, because that would be more time wasted on this place, time, that I will never get back.
Once I told the manager that the staff was rushing us out, we never saw the waitress again. I mean seriously, she never came back to our table. We sat for a good 40 minutes with no staff of any kind coming to our table. We finally had to wave someone done, so that we could get our check.
This is a joke of a restaurant and I urge all of you reading this to not bother wasting your time, or money going to this place. You could do so much better.
We both regretted going in their this eve, and to this day will never set foot in there again.
Remember its time and money you will never get back.
No smiley faces today!
Bringing out the "SAD SAD" face.
That's a good word for this place........................sad.
Number 38 out of 50 restaurants
College St. Bar
574 College St..
Another long day at work, required a night out of food. I had been on a winning streak of great restaurants, so I should have known that we had to find a stinker sooner or later.
One of my best buds Cindy was accompanying me tonight, so I suggested college st, it had been uncharted territory on this quest of ours. We actually walked the few blocks of the congested restaurants of college checking out the menus, and decided tonight that College St, Bar would be the lucky one tonight.
Obviously we would be the unlucky ones tonight.
From the moment we walked in, we got the message that we weren't "wanted" there. From the choices of tables they offered us, to the constant questioning of the waitress, obviously in a hurry to get us out of there.
We walked in and had to wait to be seated. We inquired about a table in the window, but were told that the table was for a reservation. I wasn't born in the dark ages, I do realize that a reservation trumps a walkin any day. No problem, we took another table. The waitress seemed to be annoyed that we were here, almost to the point, that we weren't the clientele she would have in the restaurant.
We had not been there very long when three people came in and they obviously didn't have a reservation, they inquired about the table in the window, and were shown there. They were obviously the "beautiful" people they wanted in the window, to show to the people walking by that this is where you go if you are a "beautiful person". I asked for the manager and she came over, and I inquired why these people were given the table and not cindy and I. She stammered that it was being held for a reservation. "Really?" I asked, "well clearly these people were not the reservation". Again she stammered with a response, saying that the reservation had not shown up! "Really? so you hold a reservation for what 3 minutes?" I was not impressed at all, and regretting that we had even gone into the place. She couldn't even stutter out an answer. She walked away.
The food we ordered was totally forgettable.
We weren't with our appetizers 2 to 3 minutes, when our main courses came out.
It was clear that they were trying to rush us out of here.
At one point, since the waitress had been at our table so many times, I asked her if she had a problem with us, and she didn't know how to respond. I asked for the manager again.
I asked her, why her staff was trying their best to rush us out of there. She again did not know what to say, either, she was too dense to understand, or not a very good liar.
Again, the food that we had, was totally unforgettable. I didn't even bother to check their website, to remind myself of what we had, because that would be more time wasted on this place, time, that I will never get back.
Once I told the manager that the staff was rushing us out, we never saw the waitress again. I mean seriously, she never came back to our table. We sat for a good 40 minutes with no staff of any kind coming to our table. We finally had to wave someone done, so that we could get our check.
This is a joke of a restaurant and I urge all of you reading this to not bother wasting your time, or money going to this place. You could do so much better.
We both regretted going in their this eve, and to this day will never set foot in there again.
Remember its time and money you will never get back.
No smiley faces today!
Bringing out the "SAD SAD" face.
That's a good word for this place........................sad.
Number 38 out of 50 restaurants
Sunday, 3 February 2013
Too good to just walk by
September 27th 2012
Queen Mother Cafe
208 Queen St west
I am happily eating at number 37 tonight. I had come downtown and I decided that I needed to eat out.
Queen Street it is, and as everyone knows if you have nothing to do just head to Queen Street and you will marvel in the "goings on" of the street called "Queen".
Just steps away from the Much Music building is a place that just gets it so right. Candlelight. Really. No I mean real candlelight! It is awesome! The music is a faint hum in the background because of the sheer volume of people jammed into this place! Every seat is taken and when it is vacated it is ever so quickly filled.
I have a view of the street traffic, the CN tower and the other stores on the street. I wouldn't want to be any other place in the world. Queen Mother's Cafe is the name of the place and I will definitely be back here.
Oh Jeez, I guess I should talk about the food. I was eating alone tonight, but that was not a problem for this place, they gave me a nice table and I was very happy.
Great wine list, I was even more happy.
My starter tonight was Dim Sum Quartet, it was so good. It was an assortment of won tons wrapped. Filled with chicken and shrimp. It was just so good! I actually wanted to order another one, but I figured I better not, because I wanted to eat my main course.
My main tonight was a Grilled Flatiron Steak, with roasted garlic/thyme/Madeira sauce and Yukon gold frites.
So, So good!!!
Service was excellent.
Desert menu is not available here. Only a large display case filled with just.....stuff you dream about! I of course asked for chocolate and yes I was not disappointed.
I have walked by this place many a time, always looked in but never ever went in. I am regretfully sorry for that. I will make a point to go to this place on a more regular basis.
You should too.
2 happy faces
Number 37 of 50 restaurants
Queen Mother Cafe
208 Queen St west
I am happily eating at number 37 tonight. I had come downtown and I decided that I needed to eat out.
Queen Street it is, and as everyone knows if you have nothing to do just head to Queen Street and you will marvel in the "goings on" of the street called "Queen".
Just steps away from the Much Music building is a place that just gets it so right. Candlelight. Really. No I mean real candlelight! It is awesome! The music is a faint hum in the background because of the sheer volume of people jammed into this place! Every seat is taken and when it is vacated it is ever so quickly filled.
I have a view of the street traffic, the CN tower and the other stores on the street. I wouldn't want to be any other place in the world. Queen Mother's Cafe is the name of the place and I will definitely be back here.
Oh Jeez, I guess I should talk about the food. I was eating alone tonight, but that was not a problem for this place, they gave me a nice table and I was very happy.
Great wine list, I was even more happy.
My starter tonight was Dim Sum Quartet, it was so good. It was an assortment of won tons wrapped. Filled with chicken and shrimp. It was just so good! I actually wanted to order another one, but I figured I better not, because I wanted to eat my main course.
My main tonight was a Grilled Flatiron Steak, with roasted garlic/thyme/Madeira sauce and Yukon gold frites.
So, So good!!!
Service was excellent.
Desert menu is not available here. Only a large display case filled with just.....stuff you dream about! I of course asked for chocolate and yes I was not disappointed.
I have walked by this place many a time, always looked in but never ever went in. I am regretfully sorry for that. I will make a point to go to this place on a more regular basis.
You should too.
2 happy faces
Number 37 of 50 restaurants
Still has some life in it....
September 25th 2012
Rocco's Plum Tomato
164 The Queensway
(across from the food terminal)
It had been yet another long day at the depot, and both Steph. and I had not gotten lunch and needed some food! I told her I knew just where to go.
We headed to Keele station and waited for the Queensway bus (the number 80) and headed out for our adventure.
Rocco's Plum Tomato has been around some some time, in varying locations. I had always gone to the one in Etobicoke, but it is closed now. I used to take my daughter there alot, it was the only place I could get her to eat something other than a burger. I used to get the grilled chicken breast for her, and some vegetables, and they would let her pick her vegetables. Hey, she would eat it, I didn't care!
I had also been to the one at Bloor and Bathurst, but it has since closed as well. This one we were going to today was the original one, and that has to say something if the place was still standing.
It was a Tuesday, and we arrived about 6 pm. There were a number of tables in the place, and it looked like there was a private party going on in the other side of the restaurant. Good sign.
We got a table which was right at the door, which I was not impressed with. I told Steph we would not be staying at this table, because it just wasn't happening for me. There was a single gentleman dining by himself, and he was almost done. When he left I motioned to the waiter that we would like to move, and he had no problem with that
.
I ordered wine and the meal went great from here.
I ordered grilled calamari to start and Steph had some garlicky bread/tomato thing. (It was a special that day) Both were very good. Not the best grilled calamari I have had, but it was very good.
There were so many choices when it came to our main dishes, it took us a while to decide. Pizza's, pasta's, steak, veal. It was alot of choices.
We both decided on the veal today. Steph. had the Veal Marsala, and I had the Veal Porcini. They were both very, very good.
Steph had to go to the washroom, and that gave me time to check out the desert menu. She came back laughing and she sat down at the table "you will never guess what's in the women's washroom?" "What?" I am curious "a freaking bathtub". We both laugh, I am the one drinking, so I know she's not drunk. She even took a picture of it... we both laughed.
Desert today was tiramisu and cheescake!!!!!
Both were excellent!!
Rocco's Plum Tomato is another good choice, if you need an evening out and you don't want to spend ever last nickel in your wallet to eat. I recommend it and I will be dining here again.
1 smiley face
Number 36 out of 50 restaurants
Rocco's Plum Tomato
164 The Queensway
(across from the food terminal)
It had been yet another long day at the depot, and both Steph. and I had not gotten lunch and needed some food! I told her I knew just where to go.
We headed to Keele station and waited for the Queensway bus (the number 80) and headed out for our adventure.
Rocco's Plum Tomato has been around some some time, in varying locations. I had always gone to the one in Etobicoke, but it is closed now. I used to take my daughter there alot, it was the only place I could get her to eat something other than a burger. I used to get the grilled chicken breast for her, and some vegetables, and they would let her pick her vegetables. Hey, she would eat it, I didn't care!
I had also been to the one at Bloor and Bathurst, but it has since closed as well. This one we were going to today was the original one, and that has to say something if the place was still standing.
It was a Tuesday, and we arrived about 6 pm. There were a number of tables in the place, and it looked like there was a private party going on in the other side of the restaurant. Good sign.
We got a table which was right at the door, which I was not impressed with. I told Steph we would not be staying at this table, because it just wasn't happening for me. There was a single gentleman dining by himself, and he was almost done. When he left I motioned to the waiter that we would like to move, and he had no problem with that
.
I ordered wine and the meal went great from here.
I ordered grilled calamari to start and Steph had some garlicky bread/tomato thing. (It was a special that day) Both were very good. Not the best grilled calamari I have had, but it was very good.
There were so many choices when it came to our main dishes, it took us a while to decide. Pizza's, pasta's, steak, veal. It was alot of choices.
We both decided on the veal today. Steph. had the Veal Marsala, and I had the Veal Porcini. They were both very, very good.
Steph had to go to the washroom, and that gave me time to check out the desert menu. She came back laughing and she sat down at the table "you will never guess what's in the women's washroom?" "What?" I am curious "a freaking bathtub". We both laugh, I am the one drinking, so I know she's not drunk. She even took a picture of it... we both laughed.
Desert today was tiramisu and cheescake!!!!!
Both were excellent!!
Rocco's Plum Tomato is another good choice, if you need an evening out and you don't want to spend ever last nickel in your wallet to eat. I recommend it and I will be dining here again.
1 smiley face
Number 36 out of 50 restaurants
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Boob's and Boy's part two
September 18th 2012
Shoeless Joe's
276 King street
(Duncan and King)
So as I left you in my last post we had just (or should I say, finally reached) our destination. I was a little hesitant, but Brandon was very eager to go in.
In was in the basement, which had very high ceilings. The decor was OK. It became very clear very fast that this was a sport's bar. There were television screens every where. Every different size you could imagine, and of course SPORTS was every where. You name a sport it was on the screens.
Remember when I mentioned every different size you could imagine? Well that was the boob size of the girls there too, The ones' working that is. Brandon was in heaven! It wasn't that busy, after all it was a Tuesday night, we were given a booth.
Oh My God?
Guess what?
It had it's own Television screen as well!
Well there would no chance of getting Brandon out of here now!
Every once in a while, a girl would walk by and smile at Brandon. "that girl smiled at me", he would comment to me, "ah yea, great Brandon!" Where's the wine list?
Good lord, I need a drink!!!!
They had wine thank god! I made sure that was the first thing I ordered, if I had to sit through this than I needed a drink
.
Brandon was smiling again, another girl walked by with boobs and a smile.....
Long night ahead, I can see it now....
Brandon ordered the "garlic four cheese bread" and I ordered the calamari which was the "chef's recommendation" for appetizers!
Brandon's bread was good, he liked it, my calamari was way too battered.....I was not impressed!
For a main I had a "grilled chicken sandwich" which again was the "chef's choice", again not impressed! The chicken had no taste what so ever!
Brandon had the "Redonkulous Burger", don't ask! It was massive!! It made him very happy.
All in all this is not a place to come for the food. Everything I had I couldn't have had some where else and paid the same amount and it would've tasted ten times better!
Not impressed with this place at all. It is what it is, a sport's bar! If you need to watch sports and you need to see boobs as well go here, otherwise, stay away!!!
What a great way to end the day, 2 dud's in one day!! I was on a good streak for awhile you have to admit, we have to go to some dud's sometimes!
No smiley faces today!!
Number 35 of 50 restaurants
Shoeless Joe's
276 King street
(Duncan and King)
So as I left you in my last post we had just (or should I say, finally reached) our destination. I was a little hesitant, but Brandon was very eager to go in.
In was in the basement, which had very high ceilings. The decor was OK. It became very clear very fast that this was a sport's bar. There were television screens every where. Every different size you could imagine, and of course SPORTS was every where. You name a sport it was on the screens.
Remember when I mentioned every different size you could imagine? Well that was the boob size of the girls there too, The ones' working that is. Brandon was in heaven! It wasn't that busy, after all it was a Tuesday night, we were given a booth.
Oh My God?
Guess what?
It had it's own Television screen as well!
Well there would no chance of getting Brandon out of here now!
Every once in a while, a girl would walk by and smile at Brandon. "that girl smiled at me", he would comment to me, "ah yea, great Brandon!" Where's the wine list?
Good lord, I need a drink!!!!
They had wine thank god! I made sure that was the first thing I ordered, if I had to sit through this than I needed a drink
.
Brandon was smiling again, another girl walked by with boobs and a smile.....
Long night ahead, I can see it now....
Brandon ordered the "garlic four cheese bread" and I ordered the calamari which was the "chef's recommendation" for appetizers!
Brandon's bread was good, he liked it, my calamari was way too battered.....I was not impressed!
For a main I had a "grilled chicken sandwich" which again was the "chef's choice", again not impressed! The chicken had no taste what so ever!
Brandon had the "Redonkulous Burger", don't ask! It was massive!! It made him very happy.
All in all this is not a place to come for the food. Everything I had I couldn't have had some where else and paid the same amount and it would've tasted ten times better!
Not impressed with this place at all. It is what it is, a sport's bar! If you need to watch sports and you need to see boobs as well go here, otherwise, stay away!!!
What a great way to end the day, 2 dud's in one day!! I was on a good streak for awhile you have to admit, we have to go to some dud's sometimes!
No smiley faces today!!
Number 35 of 50 restaurants
Boobs, and Boy's
September 18th 2012
Yes went out for lunch today too.
Shoeless Joe's
276 King street
(King/Duncan)
This is a good story, you older reader's will like this one, or not.
So Brandon and I decided we needed to eat out again this evening, so we headed out. Now Brandon is not as trusting as your Steph's and Cindy's, he is always saying "don't take me to one of those weird places you go to".
Come on Brandon, you gotta live a little! Let's explore the food world. His response "ah no!"
We headed downtown, because I knew we could find someplace down there.
I had a couple of places in mind, but I couldn't quite remember where they were.
We had walked along Duncan, where I looked for the Duncan Street Grille I just couldn't find it! Not that I couldn't find it, it was just gone. The building was still there, but it was long gone.
We also looked for the Whistling Oyster, again the building was still there, the tall building on the corner, which had a restaurant on every floor, was still there, but the restaurants long gone.
I goggled it, just to get the correct spelling, and one of the latest reviews states in bold capital letters, RESTAURANT IS CLOSED!
I goggled it, just to get the correct spelling, and one of the latest reviews states in bold capital letters, RESTAURANT IS CLOSED!
Brandon is getting a little annoyed at this point because were we kinda just walking around in circles, going up and down the blocks. Brandon had looked up the name of another restaurant on Google we were looking for and it told him there was one in Mississauga I kept telling him, this one wouldn't close, it has been here forever! He kept saying, "my point exactly, it is probably gone!!!!
Finally we found it, well let's just say we stumbled upon it........I just hung my head!
Alice Fazolli's
There it stood, in all it's glory, even with the green sign in the window, giving us the green light to eat in there, but it was closed as well...actually more abandoned!!
I really felt old at this point
I really felt old at this point
Brandon is like "see I told you, not every thing stays open for ever!!"
I stood there for a moment of silence for these places that we had lost and they we realized that we were cold and hungry and we moved on!
We got to King street and just a little past Duncan, we find "Shoeless Joe's".
Brandon is all excited and has this big grin on his face' "Now this is my kinda place"!
It seems I have run out of room for this post stay tuned to part two..........
Brandon is all excited and has this big grin on his face' "Now this is my kinda place"!
It seems I have run out of room for this post stay tuned to part two..........
"An Onion in Disguise"
September 18th 2012
Mr. Onion
603 Keele street
(Keele and St Clair)
If anyone knows the history of the "Purple Onion vs Mr Onion". It is a long sorted tale. There are many versions of what happened, and none are too pretty.
The "Mr Onion" that Brandon and I went for lunch today is located in the same building that the "Purple Onion" used to be in. Nothing has been done to change the decor, I mean nothing!! It is exactly the same. If you didn't know any better, you would think you walked into the "Purple Onion". Even the snap shots on the walls of all the patrons that have come through the doors, are still proudly posted. But remember these are all people who came to the "Purple Onion" not "Mr Onion".
We decided we needed lunch today, so we went across the street. What gets me when you first walk into this place is this strong sewer smell or something, it is very strong, and if you can get past that then you are OK Some day's it's stronger than others. It smells like a wet basement, kinda of.
We took a table about half way to the back, and started admiring all the people in the pictures on the walls. It was fun to see all the "past" Home Depot employees on the walls.
The place is what it is. A greasy spoon kinda place. I ordered a toasted western with cheese and Brandon had a burger. You can't screw that up, right?
It was good, and we were happy.
There were no other customers there, and this was lunch time. Quite frankly I don't know how they stay open?
I get take out from there sometimes, and bring it back to work.
I think they have a liquor licence, but I didn't really take the time to look. Quite frankly this is a place where I don't want to spend a lot of time.
I will eat here again, but only out of convenience, and definitely takeout.
1 smiley face today
Number 34 of 50
Mr. Onion
603 Keele street
(Keele and St Clair)
If anyone knows the history of the "Purple Onion vs Mr Onion". It is a long sorted tale. There are many versions of what happened, and none are too pretty.
The "Mr Onion" that Brandon and I went for lunch today is located in the same building that the "Purple Onion" used to be in. Nothing has been done to change the decor, I mean nothing!! It is exactly the same. If you didn't know any better, you would think you walked into the "Purple Onion". Even the snap shots on the walls of all the patrons that have come through the doors, are still proudly posted. But remember these are all people who came to the "Purple Onion" not "Mr Onion".
We decided we needed lunch today, so we went across the street. What gets me when you first walk into this place is this strong sewer smell or something, it is very strong, and if you can get past that then you are OK Some day's it's stronger than others. It smells like a wet basement, kinda of.
We took a table about half way to the back, and started admiring all the people in the pictures on the walls. It was fun to see all the "past" Home Depot employees on the walls.
The place is what it is. A greasy spoon kinda place. I ordered a toasted western with cheese and Brandon had a burger. You can't screw that up, right?
It was good, and we were happy.
There were no other customers there, and this was lunch time. Quite frankly I don't know how they stay open?
I get take out from there sometimes, and bring it back to work.
I think they have a liquor licence, but I didn't really take the time to look. Quite frankly this is a place where I don't want to spend a lot of time.
I will eat here again, but only out of convenience, and definitely takeout.
1 smiley face today
Number 34 of 50
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