Boom and Breakfast Co



 My new favourite Breakfast place. It's comparable with Cora's, but with a local flavour.  We went to the College location. It's a small place, and when we got there at 1pm and there was a line up. But only about a 10 min wait.


We both ordered the same Benny Boom (smoked salmon benny with spinach), because it just looked that good. I still need to go back and try that french toast, but here are the pics!! The fries were amazing!!!!!!



This place looks so yummy.

Benny BOOM ........ $10.49

2 poached eggs, fresh spinach &; applewood chip smoked salmon
Ultimate Crunchy French Toast ........ $8.49

served with vanilla ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce
Breakfast Panino ........ $7.69
omelette style eggs, mushrooms, swiss cheese, roasted tomato & fresh fruit garnish
http://www.boombreakfast.com/menu.pdf
 
#1 for Best All Day Breakfast in Blog.to

3 locations
808 College (College and Ossington)
1036 St. Clair West (St. Clair and Dufferin)
174 Eglinton Ave West (Eglinton and between Avenue and Yonge)

KOKO Share Bar

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/koko-share-bar-toronto#hrid:GMb9wzkEzOPGtigM2yc_PA

To try.

Guu Izakaya



I was SO pleased to finally try this restaurant after hearing how awesome it was, and how long people have to wait. They don't take reservations, and we heard that the average line up was 2hrs. When we got there with a party of 6 people, and heard the lineup was only going to be an hour, we were plesantly surprised.  While we waited, we got a glimpse of the interior from peep holes on the outside wall.

Let me say first that it was completely worth the wait.  We arrived at 8:45pm and unfortunately waited until 10:15pm before we got let in. The place is small, and maybe fits about 50-70 people. It's quite cozy and communal tables are the trend here.

An Izakaya is traditionally a bar that serves food with drinks. At Guu, and other izakayas like Manpuku in Toronto, they serve food then and the drinks accompany it, but it's small dishes like tapas but all authentic in it's origins.
 It even looks like the Izakayas in Japan on the wiki.


When we finally went in and sat down, all the servers and cooks shout out a greeting, and everyone stares at us. I imagine it's to welcome us to their establishment.
During our meal, we also saw 3 birthdays (I suspect that they pretend to get the attention) but the whole restaurant will clap and sing Happy Birthday.
When you leave, everyone shouts at you, Thank You for coming, or something of that sort.
In a sense, suddenly you've entered this family for about 2 hrs while you dine.

During the meal, food came pretty quickly and with our bouncy and cheerful server, she got our orders in quick and was really nice about everything. I hastily tried to take photos before the food was devoured (you can imagine after waiting to eat until 10:45pm)

Although we had 6 people, every dish seemed to be made for 2-3 people and shared. Everything was also priced on average $4-7 per dish. We ordered about 2 dishes each. This place would still be good for couples, where you can order a lot, try different things and not end up with an overly full stomach, or empty wallet.

We started with the
"ABURI SALMON" Lightly seared atlantic salmon sashimi
with ponzu sauce and wasabi mayo
(there was wasabi on this? i didn't even taste it!)
It was very good sashimi. soft, tender tons of flavour.
Next was
"KINOKO CHEESE BIBIMBAP" 
Rice, garlic sauteed mushrooms and cheese with seaweed sauce
 The cheese really added a nice creamy texture.
Then (my favourite)
"TAKOYAKI" Deep fried puffed octopus balls served
with TONKATSU sauce and mustard mayo
Not as big as the ones from Manpuku, but they also don't take 20 mins to make. Yummmm
"HOTATE BUTTER" Pan fried scallop with soysauce and garlic butter

As I predicted, the scallops were buttery smooth.  (and I forgot to take a picture!!!!)

"KAKUNI" Sweet miso braised pork belly with boiled egg 
This was very much like Dong Bo Yuk in Shanghainese cuisine, but without the thick red sauce. It was good, but Chinese version is better.

"TONTORO" Grilled pork cheek with salt and YUZU pepper
It was okay. The meat was bit tough.

"GINDARA" Grilled black cod with SAIKYO miso and white wine sauce
A little more pricier than most dishes, but SO good. Soft fish, with tons of miso flavour

"GYUTANGUE" Grilled beef tongue with salt
We got this during round 2, and it was one of the specials for each stick $2. It was very good and tender tongue.

"KAKIMAYO" Grilled oysters with spinach, garlic mayo and cheese on the top
This was pretty worth the cholesterol.  I could have eaten the whole thing myself.

"KARUBI" Salt&papper grilled beef short ribs with green onion sauce 
I liked this version of Kalbi. the meat was not tough at all. 

Lastly, this was an udon, but I'm not sure which one. It doens't look like much, but the noodles were covered in a smooth creamy miso-y sauce that made it really tasty.

Overall the highlights were:
 - takoyaki
 - kalbi type short ribs
 - cheese bimbimbap
 - oysters 
 - black cod


Insomnia (dinner)


I have to apologize upfront that I"m disappointed (although warned) that my new Blackberry Curve 8520 has a crappy camera that in dark lighting can't seem to distinguish colours.
Oh well.

On the eve of st. Patricks, I didn't want to spend the evening crowding with frat boys on Bloor Street in a sweaty bar filled with green beer and green t-shirts. I'd rather have a nice meal and do that in the streets.

Insomnia has been around for a while I know, and they also serve brunch.

The place is small, but cozy. We saw two seats in the front and it wasn't too close to our neighbours but cozy.

I got a burger ($9) with brie ($2) and mushrooms ($1) and it comes with fries and salad with garlic aioli . I wanted to diet and eat healthy, but I can't resist aioli. I also put it in my burger.
I was mess eating that 8oz tho. All the fillings and condiments sputing everywhere. I needed 2 napkins to keep me looking like a fool, which I probably already did.


Alexey got an appetizer size mussels. And it was huge! Perfect for just for him. In a spinach wine sauce, it was tasty.



would come back again.

Frangipane Patisserie

I've seen this place on my drive home everyday, and thought it might be worth a try. After parking in the LCBO lot across the street, I darted over to Frangipane.

The smells were wonderful, and their displays full of cakes and chocolates and tarts. I heard they were famous for their tarts so thought I would give it try. A medium size goes for about $17, but small is about $7. So I decided to get 2 small ones of different flavours (sour cherry and port&pear).

I took them home and took small slivers of peices to eat. It lasted me a week eating in moderation that way, and they stayed fresh. Keep them in the fridge.
The sour cherry wasn't as sour, but it was sweet with a little kick. The pear you can taste every little pear and port flavour.

Takumi Sushi

Takumi Sushi is a usual joint for the business folks that work around the yonge and wellesley area. It's a small place on yonge street, but a great find.

Lunch here is super cheap. Around $7 for a meal with rolls, salad and soup.
However, if you want any thin gmore substantial like sashami, or teriyaki, it's much more $$.

The rolls we got were good, spider roll and unagi roll. But I'm not a huge fan of just rolls. I get bored easily, and would rather have new things. But surprisingly it was quite filling. For this price, i might just have to learn to like it!





Insomnia (Brunch)

Went to Insomnia for dinner and happened on the fact that they also serve brunch!

Bloor and Bathrust

Menu here: http://insomniacafe.com/brunchmenu.pdf

to note:
Heaven on Earth $10.5

Wild berries, cream cheese and honey sandwiched between lightly tanned french toast, dusted with powdered sugar, served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

PANCAKES $10

Our signature pancakes are oven baked and take a minimum of 30 minutes,
therefore consider an item from “On the lighter side” as an appetizer while you
wait or may we suggest them as a fabulous dessert!

Berry Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with mixed berries served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

Chocolate Banana Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with chocolate chunks and bananas served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with green apple slices and cinnamon served with a side of pure canadian maple syrup
They also have  really good selection of eggs benedicts, including:
Eggs Isabelle $10
Two poached eggs with house made hollandaise, fresh tomatoes and avocado spread, served with homefries and baby greens
Who wants to come with me and share a french toast and panackes?!!!

Sandstone Grillhouse & Lounge (Niagara Falls, ON)

After much searching online for a good, decently priced, quality, but not pretentious restaurant. I had wanted to go to the Wolfgang Puck Restaurant but it was closed. Copacabana Brazilian Grill is also an option, but not really the best choice for a vegetarian. The last option was Epicure in Niagara on the Lake, but it's closed in March. Everything else seemed like fast food, or extremely ghetto.

I found this place tho, Sandstone Grillhouse. The website looked appealing, menu well priced, and quality looking food with vegtarian dishes.

Everything on that street looked ghetto and run down. I don't understand that about Niagara. But when we got there, it was a small cozy little house that fit many many people.
It's very homey with a fire place and super friendly people. I'm glad we made a reservation because the tables are full.

After ordering, we got a really big garlic bread. I must have eaten half of it. It was awesomely buttery and flavourful.

We got appetizers. Bruchetta with cheese. Yum. and a baked brie with mushroom.

Delish. I don't know how I ate so much that day.

Alexey got a steak.

I really liked the look of Alvin's pasta. Yum. Creamy and seafoody.

Both Jothi and I got the Spinach gnocchi in a rose sauce. It was SO good. The gnocchi was plush and pillowy. There was a tangy taste, but it was good. Gave it some kick.
 
We didn't get dessert, and instead when to the fudge place on Lundy's Lane.

i'd definately come back here esp when I feel there's not that much choice in Niagara. This place has so much range and quality. depends when you get it's a $$ or $$$.
Don't know anything that can top this place for the price in Niagara.

Crepes a Go Go

No pictures because it won't be as appetizing, and really doesn't do the place justice.

A small little Parisian cafe, at the corner of Yorkville and Yonge Street. It's a sign it may be authentic when the owner and everyone who works there speaks French. Even some can't speak very good English.

http://www.crepesagogo.com/

They serve breakfast from 7:30am-10am on weekdays, and open from 10:30am on weekends. This small place has few seating, but their crepes are easy to take with you.

They have a great variety of crepes. The Parisien has egg, smoked salmon, dill, mayo and red onion. Today I had the Big Ben Extra. (extra =" scarmbled egg") Raseberry Jam, Brie and Egg. It was AMAZING. I wouldn't think it would all go together.

They also serve some pastries in the morning. Fresh from a French Bakery. I found out where, and now I must visit. I just had the half of danish I saved from breakfast and it was crisp, flaky and flavourful. I don't think I've had any better.

Their crepes are cooked fresh, with the perfect thickness, and never under/over cooked.

I could totally inculdge here. I love everything about the place.
You can also call in and order ahead and pick up, rather than attempting to find parking.
I don't know a better Crepe Place in Toronto. I think it beats out the Crepe place on Queen st (but still good)

Epic at Royal York Hotel

 

So we went to Epic only because I had Fairmont $25 coupons (x4) for food at a hotel.  We have been before to their brunch, but unfortunately they have discontinued it, and we were left with dinner only. 
Epic wouldn't have been the first place I would eat at. Even looking at the menu, food seems over priced, potentially small plates, and lack selection. 

After ordering, we got a big bread
 

I ordered a squash soup with goat cheese to start.


I ordered the Scallop Pasta. It was actually very good, and I've never had such good scallop ever! It was tender and soft, and didn't even taste like scallop.  The pasta was creamy and yumy.

Alexey got a tuna. We weren't too sure about the suggestable shape to the right.


For dessert was a creme brulee that was covered by fruit and a biscotti. It was good, but with some maple syrup in it and it was weird. 
 

Overall it cost with 2 glasses of wine around $110. We only had to pay $10. It was okay... but still wouldn't go there on my own.


Pizza Express (Hong Kong)

This is my last of the 2009 Hong Kong trip food.

This was a great place, as we were looking for some comfort western food. Walking up along Soho we wanted to find something that was cheap, quality and quick.
With big glass windows we could see a two person table inside, and we quickly pointed at it and grabbed it.

It was small tho. Maybe only about 10 tables and fit about 30 people. I think they had another location somewhere in Lan Kwai, as they were always answering calls about wine orders and kept sending someone.
Seems like a good place for groups (if you can get a seat) with big round marble tables.

I was looking for somehting cheesy and creamy for the last dinner our last night in Hkg.
 

Started with a mushroom soup. Very fresh. Totally mushroom puree


 
The mushroom caps were so yummy. 
Unfortunately this was so long ago, i can't remember what we had. but with all that food it was more than enough. 

yummm i miss hong kong

Cowbell

http://www.tasteto.com/2010/02/28/sunday-brunch-cowbell/

1564 Queen Street West (between Landsdowne and Roscavelles)
416-849-1095
Brunch for two with all taxes, tip and coffee: $50

"Instead, it's a fun, quirky brunch spot with some seriously awesome food and just enough cuteness to not feel stuffy."

As a big fan of eggs Benedict, I'm always up for new variations of the dish and Cowbell's version with smoked trout ($12) was especially nice. House-smoked trout was light and sweet – neither too fishy or overwhelmingly smoky - atop homemade English muffins. There was apparently some debate as to whether this should come with a side salad of local greens (it was the first brunch service and the kitchen was still working out some details), so I ordered a side of nicely cooked home fries as well ($2).