Tag Archive for restaurants

| January 28, 2013
2 comments

Un-pho-gettable!

pho1

Vietnamese Noodle Soups on Gerrard Street East

By Daniel Polowin

In these long, dark winter months, with frigid temperatures and rampant seasonal cold and flus, there is nothing quite like a big bowl of steaming-hot soup.

I have been a soup nut my entire life. For a long period of my childhood, as a picky eater, the only food that would make me happy—not chocolate, ice cream, or pizza—was chicken noodle soup. Now as an adult, I will still have soup nearly every day of the week. Sometimes at restaurants, if the soup is good enough, I will forego the entrée and just double down on the soup.

No food culture supports my addiction more than Vietnamese cuisine with its signature soup: pho. Frequently mispronounced (it doesn’t rhyme with “go”), pho is essentially a gigantic, meal-sized bowl of soup consisting of the following: a clear beef, chicken, or vegetable broth; copious amounts of vermicelli rice noodles; aromatic herbs and vegetables; meat or vegetarian proteins; and an assortment of garnishes.

pho2The standard bowl of pho will be made with a beef base and seasonings like cinnamon, star anise, ginger, onion, cardamom, and coriander. The broth is rich and flavourful but still delicate enough to allow the eater to garnish it according to taste. Thin slices of beef will be added, generally a mix of rare lean meat and tender well-done brisket. For more adventurous eaters, variations include beef tendon, tripe, and meatballs. Watch Anthony Bourdain wax poetic about pho in the video below to understand my passion.

When I first moved to Toronto, I was overcome with excitement when I discovered I lived near a plethora of pho restaurants in the east Chinatown area of Broadview/Gerrard. With so many different pho joints to try, I could anonymously indulge my pho addiction and seek out the best bowl of soup in Toronto.  Here are some of my favourites.

Read more

Category: Food & Drink | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
| March 1, 2012
One comment

Warm and Caffeinated

scottsnyde, sxc.hu, 2007.

When a latte is required for your caffeine-fix or to stay warm during the long winter, there are multiple options in the area. Reviewing five cafés to help you make your decision.

by Cassandre Cadieux

scottsnyde, sxc.hu, 2007.

There are at least a dozen coffee shops in the East York area. In order to make it easier to decide where to get your next caffeine fix, I tested five vanilla lattes and compared them in terms of espresso, foam, temperature, taste, and price. Here are, in no particular order, the results:

Crema: Danforth (508 Danforth Avenue)
Crema has four locations throughout Toronto, but it nevertheless has an independent coffee shop feel. Unlike most baristas these days, this café’s employees use a lot of old-school techniques, including tamping espresso by hand and testing steamed milk by touch instead of using a thermometer. The result is quite amazing: a deliciously equal combination of fresh espresso, real vanilla, and foamy steamed milk. The latte was hot, without being undrinkable, meaning it was perfect from the first sip. It also meant that it had to be drunk right away in order to keep its temperature. At $5.03 for a double-shot latte, it is at a higher price range, but it is one of the best in the area. Crema also does latte art, which distinguishes it from chain coffee shops; I’m pretty sure my latte had the silhouette of a woman’s head in the foam, something I’ve never seen in my coffee before.

McDonald’s McCafe (1045 Pape Avenue)
Grabbing a latte from McDonald’s is a different experience than at any other coffee shop since the customer has no interaction with the barista at all. The latte is made behind the counter, and its contents are a mystery. With the initial sip, the espresso seemed really strong and slightly burnt or stale. Though as I kept drinking, it faded into the background and it seemed like I was drinking vanilla steamed milk. McDonald’s vanilla syrup was definitely the strongest taste in the latte. It tasted slightly artificial, but the temperature was perfect and stayed hot for quite a long time. It was definitely not the most personalized latte experience, but at $3.35 you can’t beat the price!

Broadview Espresso (817 Broadview Avenue)
This café features a vintage-looking espresso machine, but everything is automated except for the temperature, which is controlled by the barista who uses a thermometer. The latte was beautiful with a nice, thick foam and the shape of a heart delicately drawn in the coffee. The espresso was fresh and subtle, and while the vanilla syrup was slightly overpowering, it didn’t taste artificial. The latte’s temperature was nice and hot, drinkable from the first sip, and stayed warm for quite some time. Broadview Espresso competes with both Starbucks and Crema, but it is the most inexpensive of the three, priced at $4. It would be the perfect stop on the way to or from Broadview subway station.

Starbucks (604 Danforth Avenue)
Starbucks thrives on the fact that their entire process is automated or controlled, and therefore they can produce the same latte every time. Their milk, espresso, and vanilla combination is almost perfect with nice, thick foam. The espresso is slightly stronger than any other latte I’ve tested, but since the coffee is fresh, the taste does not distract from the rest of the latte. Starbucks’ vanilla syrup is quite popular, but tastes a little more artificial than both Crema and Broadview Espresso. Although they do not make latte art, the temperature is perfect for drinking and stays hot until the last drop. Consistency is key for Starbucks, and at the same price as Crema ($5.03), they are definitely comparable.

Coffee Lime Deli (160 Floyd Avenue)
Although Coffee Lime considers itself more of a deli than a coffee shop, serving sandwiches and baked goods, they do offer lattes (original, no vanilla) on their menu. After asking for the drink, the barista turned the machine on, informing me that it would take about five minutes to warm up. After tamping the espresso by hand and steaming the milk with a thermometer, the result was slightly disappointing. There was an airy foam that disintegrated within thirty seconds of leaving the café, and the taste of espresso was stale and overpowering. It was about the same price as McDonald’s but not comparable in my opinion. Since the barista machine was manual, there may be an entirely different experience for a customer served by another employee. Coffee Lime is a great place to go for a fresh sandwich, an extra large doughnut, or soft serve ice cream, but perhaps a latte should be sought out elsewhere.

Category: Food & Drink | Tags: , , , , ,
| February 22, 2012
No comments

6 Places to Eat on a Budget

2F_gphoto1

Ever wonder where to eat without breaking the bank? These are some of the best (affordable) meals in the area

by Cassandre Cadieux

Eating out is generally considered a luxury, but sometimes with our busy schedules and lives on the go, it can become a necessity. Between having to find a place to grab a quick meal and discovering a new location to meet a group of friends, people are always looking for inexpensive places where they can get quality ingredients without having to eat unhealthily or from a chain restaurant. Here is a list of six places in East York where you can enjoy the atmosphere and the food without spending over $12 a plate.

California Pub and Grill
(914 Pape Avenue – 416-461-1251)
This pub has a little bit of everything, catering to any kind of palette. They serve breakfast until noon, including three eggs, meat, home fries, and Texas toast for only $4.95, and French toast for $7.95. If something a little heartier is what you’re after, there are multiple inexpensive options like a sandwich and fries for $7.95, and a Banquet Burger or Fish & Chips for under $9. This location is not just great for a greasy spoon meal; if you’re looking for something a little nicer, they offer special dishes like a Vienna schnitzel with potatoes and tartar sauce for a reasonable $14.95.

Mocha Mocha Café
(489 Danforth Avenue – 416-778-7896)
This café has nothing on their menu over $12 and serves a wide variety of food, including crepes (of both the sweet and savoury assortment), all-day breakfast, sandwiches, salads, and even a pasta-of-the-day. One of their most surprising menu items consists of a smoked salmon plate for only $9.80 with slices of smoked Atlantic salmon, mixed salad, half a boiled egg, onions, capers, and organic whole wheat toast. Although the restaurant is small, it promises a friendly and lively atmosphere.

Katsu Sushi
(572 Danforth Avenue – 416-466-3388)
Sushi is not usually a type of cuisine that allows for a customer to leave with a full belly and a full wallet, but Katsu offers an all-you-can-eat lunch menu for only $9.99 Monday through Thursday ($10.99 on weekends) and dinners that range from $14.99 to $18.99, depending on the day. Although the dinner can get a little pricey, the all-you-can-eat lunch menu provides a variety of Japanese specialties that will satisfy any sushi-lover. The price really can’t be beat anywhere else in Toronto.

Jean’s Vegetarian Kitchen
(1262 Danforth Avenue – 416-778-1388)
Although this little gem is a little farther east, closer to Greenwood station, it is worth the trek for the quality of the food. Their short menu consists of only vegetarian food, but meat-eaters will appreciate this family-owned Thai-Malay restaurant, which doesn’t serve anything over $10. Some of the appetizers come highly recommended, including Jean’s Pumpkin Soup and the Papaya Salad. A lot of the dishes are curried but several items also contain imitation meats to imitate other Asian restaurants, and you could never tell by the taste that you weren’t eating real meat.

Folia Grill
(1031 Pape Avenue – 416-424-2800)
This restaurant is quite tiny but don’t let its compact size fool you; the food is delicious. Folia specializes in Greek food, but unlike many places in the area, it is both inexpensive and of high quality. It has an even smaller menu than Jean’s, but everything on it is under $12, including an 8oz. New York Strip Loin steak. If Greek fries and a pork souvlaki pita is what you’re craving, then look no further. But here, everyone is talking about the romaine dill salad for only $4.75.

The Family Thai
(785 Danforth Avenue – 647-977-6439)
This is my one exception to the rule, because although The Family Thai has a clever name you will probably never leave with a bill under $12; although their entrees range from $7.99 to $12.99. They offer everything a diner could want, as well as a good delivery reputation, which is convenient for those days when you don’t feel like cooking or leaving the house.

Category: Food & Drink | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
| January 26, 2012
3 comments

No Meat, No Worries!

The Big Carrot

Vegetarian/vegan restaurants on the Danforth

by Christelle Agboka

Fellow vegetarians (or vegans) may relate to the following scenario — going out to eat with friends only to find food options limited to pasta or salad. Luckily, amidst restaurants serving pork or chicken souvlaki, roast lamb, and other meals suited to the meat-eater’s palate, the Danforth boasts several restaurants focused on vegetarian or vegan fare. For those of you wanting a variety of delicious and meatless meals, look no further than the following Danforth and area eateries:

Big Carrot, 348 Danforth Avenue, 416-466-2129

Bustling regardless of day or time, natural food market the Big Carrot’s vegetarian bar attracts customers from all across Toronto. With over 40 certified organic dishes, desserts and baked goods prepared fresh in-house, the possibilities for vegans and vegetarians seem endless. Customers can sit in a small, but cozy dining area. The Big Carrot also offers Ecotainers for takeout, as well as a 25¢ credit for customers who bring their own takeout containers.

Green Earth Vegetarian Cuisine, 385 Broadview Avenue, 416-778-9199

A family-owned restaurant, Green Earth Vegetarian Cuisine offers a creative, 100% vegan menu with an international flare — dishes come from Asia, Europe and North America. The restaurant also has a sustainability mandate with all takeout containers being environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. Furthermore, Green Earth uses organic ingredients in as many dishes as possible.

Jean’s Vegetarian Kitchen, 1262 Danforth Avenue, 416-778-1388

Photo taken by Sarah Efron and posted on Aug. 18, 2010

Voted the Danforth’s “Best Veggie-Friendly Restaurant” by NOW Magazine, Jean’s Vegetarian Kitchen is a meatless take on authentic Thai-Malaysian cuisine. Their wide-ranging menu includes papaya salad, spring rolls, pad thai, hot and sour soup, noodles and curry dishes, with several faux meat choices.

Toronto Life magazine describes the green curry as “a heady sauce . . . redolent with herbs.” As Chef Jean prepares each meal — including the spices — from scratch and preservative-free, it’s no wonder customers can’t get enough!

Teatree Cafe and Eatery, 867 Danforth Avenue, 416-901-9089

Photo credit: Dennis Marciniak

The menu ranges from organic sandwiches (such as their popular tomato melt sandwich) and weekend brunch items, to main courses (lentil shepherd’s pie, vegan chilli and homemade quiche). Teatree also offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian desserts, and ensures that all its menu items are healthy, local and homemade. Opened by twenty-something proprietor Erin Pim, in less than two years the cafe has become an oasis for herbivores and carnivores alike.

Category: Lifestyle | Tags: , , , ,
| January 11, 2012
One comment

Keep on Truckin’

Can gourmet food trucks survive in a city with four seasons?

by Leslie Clark

There’s no denying that the street food trend is booming these days. It’s easy to see the draw of inexpensive meals you can grab on the run. The newest incarnation of food trucks has been reaching beyond the typical street meat and fries to include offerings like specialty tacos, Asian fusion and classic French cuisine. Unfortunately for Torontonians, our participation in the trend has been limited to Food Network shows like The Great Food Truck Race and Eat St. that profile the unique and inventive delicacies served on wheels to the lucky inhabitants of sunnier cities. Places like San Francisco and Los Angeles play host to an abundance of food trucks. Is this something that could ever translate to Toronto?

Ken Ho’s Chinese food truck is a common sight around the University of Toronto campus in good weather. Photo by nayukim on Flickr, March 24, 2008

A select few seem to think so. Back in July, the first ever Food Truck Festival rolled into the Distillery District. Visitors devoured wood oven pizzas, barbecue pork buns and grilled cheese sandwiches made on trucks that hailed from places as varied as Hamilton and the Niagara region. Then, on November 18th, the Food Truck Eats Mini-Festival brought the flavour and creativity of six different trucks to the vacant lot at Yonge and Gould. These events were well-received and encouraging for cheerleaders of the food truck trend.

Fish and Chips outside city hall. Photo by Benson Kua on Flickr, July 26, 2011.

There are, however, logistical concerns to be dealt with. In good weather, it’s easy to imagine lines stretching around the block. But what about during the city’s harsh winter months? It remains to be seen if patrons, no matter how enthusiastic, will brave the snow in high enough numbers. If not, the operators of the trucks won’t be able to make a profit, or regain what they’ll spend on their hydro bills. The only way to know if the trend will survive Toronto’s climate is for a few adventurous entrepreneurs to try it out. In the meantime those trusty yellow hot dog carts, with their quick-to-prepare menus and much lower operating costs, may have to tide us over this winter.

Category: Food & Drink | Tags: , , ,