W Burger Bar

Friday evening. 6pm. Dinner with Conrad.

W. Burger bar

With advice from Kat F. I made reservations and so glad that I did. I was a bit late, but they still held the table for us. There was a lineup with about 3 parties, and we walked right by like VIPs and got seated at our table. AWESOME.
I guess this is the type of place that don't really need to allow reservations, but I'm very glad they did.

However, the table was right in front of the kitchen kind of in the middle nowhere. I commented to my friend that this was awesome, but we got the crappiest seat in the house. My friend said, are you gunna yelp about it? I said probably. Then... maybe he heard me, maybe he didn't, but the manager (? guy with glasses) passed by and said "you can see the kitchen? sorry about that. would you like free drinks?"
I'm like... uhh. SURE!!! and i got a half pint of beer :) :)

Onion rings are superb.

I took a long time to decide. My ultimate burger would be Bison + Egg + Pineapple + Mushroom + Cheese + avacado + Bacon ... but that's just heart attack waiting to happen.
Had to be selective.
Got a Bison ($9.95) + Chipotle Ketchup (free) + Monteray Jack Cheese ($1.25) + Portobello Mushroom ($2.50)

To be honest, it was good, but could have been better. The cheese was thin (i.e. melted, I can see thru it) and the ketchup was only in the middle of the sandwich so only tasted it with one bite.  The mushrooms were there, but didn't really add much to the burger.
However, I will come back there one day and try this infamous frilled cheese with egg.

Conrad got the egg + tomato + beef burger +onions

They were also good about subsitutes

We were a little hurried, to get our bill and sod off, but I could see why: there was at least another 5 parties waiting (and line up out the door). As we walked past them, I wanted to shout, You can CALL AHEAD!!

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

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!

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.

Lah Wai Heen

I've been here many time with parents before, but I always complain that with their expensive "innovative dim sum" because I don't get exactly what I want (i.e. bbq with zucchini chung fun, no fung tsao, or my classic dishes with some odd twist).

This visit turned out very good, and I was really pleased. They also do a really good job on presentation.

Ham in pastry.

 

Braised Duck Web (duck feet). It was actually quite yummy

 

Pig Belly

Satay

 

Crispy Fish Skin

 

BBQ pork in puffy pastry

  

Waygu Dumpling ($8/piece!)

Black Seasame (tong yoon) fried.

Bodega

One of the only more classier restaurants on Baldwin, although I do like Bocca as well, Bodega typically serves really good french food, esp for lunch and dinner, but on this Valentine's Day, Alexey surprised me by going here for Brunch!

I didn't even know they had brunch. It was quite good. Quiet at 11:30am, but being inside the house, wooden floor and fireplace made it really romantic. 

We started with the Foie Gras. Thought we'd splurge on Vday. It was super filling and super yummy. Their house speciality they said.

I forgot to bring my camera, and I'm impressed with the Iphone photos, given the proper lighting. 

The menu selection included some omlettes, salads, pancakes, french toast and eggs benedict. I can't resist not ordering the eggs benny.

 Plenty of home made hollendaise. Eggs perfectly cooked on top of peameal and on a croissant (i love when they do that).

On the side wasn't potato, it was radish, which was a healthy change. 

But I really disliked the bak choy that was on the side. And it was kinda dirty (i know it won't kill me, but if I see it, it upsets me). 

I don't get my a regaulr green salad wouldn't do.

Alexey got the pancakes. and THEY were the "best pancakes I've ever had"

They don't look like much, but these blueberry filled pancakes were moist, and not dry, and filled with sweet goodness. And the super french cream and maple syrup were awesome. 

Woo Buffet, Restaurant and Lounge

On the top floor of the formerly Toronto Life Square, Woo is an asian fusion all you can eat buffet.  The decor looks like I walked into a bar lounge, it's dark, fushia with sleek lines. It's not as comfortable as I would like.  The clientle is also not what I expected.

I've been here before, but it was late, and not much was left over, nor did they want to refill anything. i wasn't impressed at all, but where can you find an affordable ($20.95 Sun-Thur Dinner, $24.95 Fri-Sat dinner) asian buffet downtown?

Round 1:

Pho. With added Wontons. The pho was prepared and the beef broth was to be added. However, the sign above the beef broth said Hot and Sour Soup, and vice versa. I feel sorry for anyone with out the common sense to NOT use the beef broth.  The soup was a little bland, but nice for a beef noodle soup.

  

Hot and Sour Soup. Very hot and very sour. Didn't finish.

I was very pleased with the sashimi.  Smooth and buttery Salmon and white tuna.

Round 2:

Alexey got (clockwise, starting on the top left), some rolls, Hargow shrimp dumplings, Shrimp cocktail (cold), Egg custard bun, Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

The Shrimp cocktail was terrible. I was impressed that each shrimp was de-veined, but the sauce was a little gross, too much of a flowery taste.

The Egg custard bun was okay. It should be in the dessert section, and there was too much bun vs custard ratio.

The Vietnamese Spring rolls "tasted like small fingers". Well, it had that consistency.  The skin (expecting it to be crunchy) was tough and rubbery. I had a hard time biting into it.  It was filled with Shrimp and Pork, and tasted a bit 'fishy'.

Bottom to top...

Shanghainese noodles were oily and plain.

The Tempura was good, but again the signs were all messed up at the buffet and I had to fix them.

The Pineapple Fried rice had potential. The rice was hard (but i like it that way), but WAY too much pepper in it. I couldn't finish it.

The Edamame could have added salt.

The seaweed salad was very good.

Round 3:

Clockwise starting on left..

I really like the braised ox tail. Not sure what it's supposed to taste like, but there was tendons and tender meat all over that bone. I should have gotten more.

The pork rib. It was cold by the time I ate it.  The meat came off easy, but the glaze was a bit too sweet.

The hor fun was plain and oily.

The Honain chicken rice, without the chicken. They had it but it was gross looking. The rice was okay, but didn't taste anything like it was supposed to.

Sweet and sour pork.  I figured that if they can't make a decent s+s pork, they have problems.  It was okay actually.

The shrimp fried rice was okay.

Mussels were not good or fresh.

The Roasted chicken (bottom left corner) was very good.

So was the fillet of steamed sole beside it.

The Snow crab legs were also very good, and came with butter to dip it in.

Round 4:

Apparently this was butter chicken....hmmm...

I quite liked this deviled egg, but who knows how long it was sitting there in the buffet.

Round 5, dessert:

From top to bottom....

Apple tart, with some blueberry or bumbleberry. It was pretty yummy.

The Sago + I think Mango soup. Was terrible. A bit too sour, and some solid bits floating in it. Barely touched it.

I fully enjoyed my greentea and chocolate ice cream. It tasted like a green tea kit kat. I think the chocolate on it's own tasted too artificial.

The sugar croissant filled with cream. It was good. Flakey, crunchy and some cream that didn't taste fake, but it might have been.

The chocolate cake was actually okay. It tasted like a mccains cake. And i finished it all! booo :(

Overall

The place is hit and miss. Great selection, but the quality was poor. They really need to step it up a notch, and this could be really good. Could involve chefs that care about the food, and actually taste it.

The service was good, as everytime we came back our plates were gone.  The place isn't huge, but lots of huge parties there.

Just like how I feel about the restaurant, the plate on our table to put our utensils, shows how I felt...