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
Wednesday, 20 March 2013
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
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