John K. wrote: > Any suggestions? I am told that there are many ethnic neighborhoods > there, so such suggestion would be welcome. Also, what are the "three > star" (Michelin, not Mobil!) restaurants? Try the Moghul. Great Indian food around the corner from the Delta Chelsea Inn, off Yonge Street. TED FEUERBACH Scientific Systems Consultant Trilogy Consulting, Inc. Lake St. Louis, MO (314) 537-6603 [email removed] Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are MY OWN and obviously not the opinions of Trilogy, Monsanto or either of my two ex-wives.
Toronto, Canada
Toronto
John K. wrote: : Any suggestions? I am told that there are many ethnic neighborhoods : there, so such suggestion would be welcome. Also, what are the "three : star" (Michelin, not Mobil!) restaurants? Time to repost this: If you want ethnic food, Toronto's the place to come. I believe Toronto has been officially recognized by the United Nations as the most multicultural city on earth. We have the largest Italian population outside Italy, and someone on the net recently said we also have the largest Chinese population in the Western World (I hadn't heard that before). We also have large Indian & Pakistani populations, as well as many French, Portuguese, Greek, German, Polish, Ukrainian various Caribbean and countless other ethnic groups. There's even a few of us WASPs left (but you wouldn't want to eat in our restaurants :-) If you're here in late June, there's a major multicultural festival called Caravan, where each ethnic group has a pavilion featuring the traditional food, music, dancing, etc. of their culture. It lasts 9 or 10 days, and a $15 or so pass will get you into all the pavillions for the whole week (food and drinks are extra). Restaurants: =========== You don't say which part of town you'll be in, so I'll give you some restaurants in different areas. Most are downtown. These are the restaurants I go to a lot, so I've undoubtedly left out many good restaurants. If you're here for a while, check out Toronto Life magazine - they have a lot of restaurant reviews. If you want a book, get Joanne Kates' book of restaurant reviews (somewhat dated, I'm afraid, but she's a very good reviewer). She also has a very interesting collection of essays on food (not reviews). I have added the nearest major intersection. Downtown Area: Bombay Palace (Jarvis & Front): Part of an international chain of Indian restaurants. Has very good lunch buffet (7 days a week). Good dinners. There is also a branch near Lawrence and Markham Road in Scarborough. Sangam (Bay & College): Good Indian restaurant. I think they have a lunch buffet too. Bangkok Garden(Dundas & Bay): excellent Thai restaurant. A little on the expensive side. Try the emerald curry. Champion House(Dundas & Spadina): Szechuan and Peking food. Outstanding Peking duck. Mu shu beef, Tung An chicken and "Double cooked pork string" (?) are also very good. Monday nights they have a special vegetarian menu (I haven't tried it). PETER's Chung King (College & Spadina) (NOT the one called just "Chung King"): Good Szechuan food. Orange beef is very good. La Bodega (Dundas & McCaul near the Art Gallery): Good more or less French restaurant. The rack of lamb is excellent. Entrecote with Bearnaise sauce is too. Fairly expensive. Anesty's (Church & Front): Reasonably good Greek restaurant. Penelope's (Yonge & Front): Ditto. Hughie's (Yonge & Front): Upscale burgers, fries and pies. The lamburger with mint mayonnaise is wonderful. Simcoe (University & Richmond): Nouvelish (New American??) cuisine. Movenpick (York & Richmond) [NOT the one on Yorkville]: Part of the Swiss-based chain. Has a nice Sunday buffer brunch (reservations recommended), including an ice-cream buffet (try the apple & cinnamon). Reasonably good lunch & dinner, too. Has a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. Lick's (Yonge & Dundas): Wonderful burgers in frenetic 50's rock atmosphere. Will cook to order (most of the staff don't know what "rare" really means, so keep a close watch on the cook). Toppings include Dijon mustard, hot peppers. They have several other locations. If you're here on a warm, sunny weekend day, and you like people-watching, take a walk along the boardwalk in the Beaches (east end of the city), and stop at Lick's on Queen street for an ice cream or burger. Midtown (mostly Yonge-Bloor-Yorkville-Museum area): Pink Pearl (Avenue Road & Davenport): Great Dim Sum. Supposed to be good Szechuan/Peking food too, but I've only had the dim sim. Several other locations around town. Le Rendezvous (Avenue Road & Bloor): Good French restaurant. Fairly expensive. Truffles (in Four Seasons Yorkville hotel near Avenue Road & Bloor): Very good French-ish food. Very expensive. The Sultan's Tent (Bay & Bloor): Moroccan restaurant (be prepared to eat with your fingers). Fairly cheap. Southern Accent (Bathurst & Bloor): A New Orleans or Cajun (sort of) restaurant. Reasonable food. Probably not very authentic. Ask for the hot sauce. Reasonably priced. Uptown (North Toronto/North York): Pronto (Mount Pleasant & Eglinton): Started as Italian; now California with an Italian accent. Expensive, but be worth it [maybe - the latest review I saw said they are slipping, but it might have been an off night]. Cafe Pleiade (Mount Pleasant & Eglinton): Small, fairly expensive, great lamb chops. Tandoori House (Yonge & Sheppard): Very good Indian restaurant near North York City Hall. Dr Kim's (Yonge & Sheppard): Supposedly good Korean restaurant near above (good reviews, but I haven't tried it myself) Angelini's (Avenue Road and Lawrence): Good Italian restaurant. The downtown branch is apparently more French (haven't tried it) than Italian. Camarra's (Dufferin & Lawrence): By far the best pizza in the city. My favourite combo is bacon, black olives, capers and Parmesan cheese. Camarra's salad is good. Haven't tried anything else (e.g. veal on a bun, lasagna) but they certainly look good on other people's tables. East End (Beaches/Scarborough) Armenian Kitchen (Victoria Park north of Eglinton): Very good middle eastern restaurant. Moderate prices. Your best bet is probably a whole bunch of appetizers. Bombay Palace (Markham Road north of Lawrence): see above Lick's (Queen St E near Woodbine, & Kingston Rd near Midland): see above Hope this helps. If you know need more info e-mail me. If you're a non-smoker, be aware that most of the municipalities in Metro Toronto (Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, East York) require that restaurants over a certain size (includes most restaurants) have to set aside a portion of their seating for non-smokers. (Unfortunately non-smoking doesn't always mean smoke-free, but you can usually avoid sitting right beside a smoker). Be sure to ask for non- smoking when making reservations. The city of Toronto (the central area of Metropolitan Toronto) is currently debating making all restaurants totally non-smoking (be still, my heart!). It will probably never happen :-(
Hi! I'm going to be spending a semester in Toronto starting next month and I have heard that the city is full of interesting ethnic restaurants. Is this true? I am interested in any kind of restaurant, but especially in ethnic and cheap to moderate places. I will be living and working near Eglinton and Don Mills (IBM Canada), so restaurants in that area would be helpful. Thanks. Carolyn Seaman University of Maryland [email removed] (don't forget the 's')
carolyn S. wrote: |> |> Hi! I'm going to be spending a semester in Toronto starting next month and |> I have heard that the city is full of interesting ethnic restaurants. Is |> this true? I am interested in any kind of restaurant, but especially in IMHO, the absolute *best* steak I have ever eaten (and I have heard similar stories from others) was at a restaurant in Toronto called the Black Angus (not to be confused with the chain of lesser quality steakhouses of the same name formerly found at least in the Midwestern US). The grill is right in the restaurant, so you can watch them cook your steak if you like. I believe they cook over a wood fire, but maybe my memory is failing me. The restaurant is located in northwestern Toronto, so I'm not sure if this is close to where you will be or not. In addition, it is not necessarily inexpensive either, but the steak was well worth it.
carolyn S. wrote: >Hi! I'm going to be spending a semester in Toronto starting next month and >I have heard that the city is full of interesting ethnic restaurants. Is >this true? I am interested in any kind of restaurant, but especially in >ethnic and cheap to moderate places. I will be living and working near >Eglinton and Don Mills (IBM Canada), so restaurants in that area would be >helpful. Thanks. >Carolyn Seaman >University of Maryland >[email removed] (don't forget the 's') Unfortunately, you will be not be in an area near the ethnic restaurant areas, so you're going to have to travel. The quality of the ethnic restaurants in Toronto is highly overrated, compared to say San Francisco, Chicago or New York, so you have to look harder than you might expect. Anyway, here's a few suggestions: The Indonesia (Indonesian Obviously) : Yonge above Wellseley (downtown) Cuisine of India (Indian Obviously): Yonge near North York Centre Young Lok, Champion House, Lee's Garden: in or near Chinatown Satay Satay (Thai): Bloor West Le Kashmir (Indian): Bloor West Ole Malacca (Singapore): St. Clair West Country Style Hungarian): Bloor West (or any of zillion of other Hungarian ones along the same strip) Havana (Cuban): College St. The Real Jerk (Jamaican): Dundas East? Thai Garden: Sheppard & Warden Astoria Gardens (Greek): Danforth Ave. (or most any Greek restaurant on the same strip) Some overall hints: first rate Chinese is very hard to find. (This should be good for a few arguments). The ones I mentioned are good, but not outstanding. Several independent sources tell me that the best Chinese restaurants are out in the boondocks (aka Scarborough/Agincourt), but that is not yet confirmed. Also, the term "cheap" is relative: there is nothing in Toronto which would seem cheap to someone coming from the US. Lastly, I'd rate Cuisine of India tops, followed by Thai Garden and the Indonesia.. Marc Green Trent University
Marc G. wrote: >carolyn S. wrote: > > >>Hi! I'm going to be spending a semester in Toronto starting next month and >>I have heard that the city is full of interesting ethnic restaurants. Is >>this true? I am interested in any kind of restaurant, but especially in >>ethnic and cheap to moderate places. I will be living and working near >>Eglinton and Don Mills (IBM Canada), so restaurants in that area would be >>helpful. Thanks. > >>Carolyn Seaman >>University of Maryland >>[email removed] (don't forget the 's') > >Unfortunately, you will be not be in an area near the ethnic restaurant >areas, so you're going to have to travel. If you're actually living near the office it's in a wasteland. But public transit service there is excellent, The bus running south along Don Mills connects with the subway at Pape, in the heart of the "greek" area. >Country Style Hungarian): Bloor West (or any of zillion of other Hungarian > ones along the same strip) Take your appetite, the portions here are gigantic. >The Real Jerk (Jamaican): Dundas East? Two locations, Queen East at Broadview and Richmond West near John, the Queen St. one is reputed to have better food but personally I can't tell the difference. Also highly rated Carribean spots are Vijay's (on Cumberland?) and the Bahamian Kitchen on Baldwin. >Astoria Gardens (Greek): Danforth Ave. (or most any Greek restaurant on the > same strip) I would NOT recommend The Astoria as the place to go, there are many better places serving the same stuff in close proximity. My personal favorite is The Delphi, we also like Omonia and Christina's. I've never understood why people line up to get into the Astoria. >Some overall hints: first rate Chinese is very hard to find. (This should >be good for a few arguments). The ones I mentioned are good, but not >outstanding. Several independent sources tell me that the best Chinese >restaurants are out in the boondocks (aka Scarborough/Agincourt), but that >is not yet confirmed. One can still find good food in the "traditional" chinatowns (there are two) but you have to be adventerous, you certianly won't find it in a place like Young Lok. Many Asian Canadians are moving to the North-East area of the city (Scarborough,Markham) and the quality restaurants are tending to go with them. They're harder to find and reach as the density is much lower and cars are the dominant transportation.
Marc G. wrote: >here's a few suggestions: >Country Style Hungarian): Bloor West (or any of zillion of other Hungarian > ones along the same strip) Well, 4, 5 or a zillion. I prefer Korona's; large portions and relatively inexpensive. For Indian I would suggest heading over to Little India or India-town (I don't know what it is called exactly) on Gerrard, west of Coxwell. I prefer the BBQ Hut for dining and a bit of Indian music. For Indian fast food, I like Bombay Bhel in the same area. A Tai place I just discovered that is (again) relatively inexpensive, good food and surprisingly very elegant is the Golden Tai. I believe it's east of Younge and North of Adelaide. Others that I like ... Queen of Sheba: Ethiopian; near Bloor and Osslington Yitz's Deli: Jewish?; on Eglington, west of Ave Rd. Kensington Patty: West Indies; in Kensington Market, my favorite patties. Kensington Kitchen, Harbord/Major: Mid-east, good food & atmosphere. Boulevard Cafe, Harbord/Lippincott: Peruvian, serene, atmosphere. Poretta, Harbord/Robert: Italian, excellent, family run, not cheap. You might want to check out Little Italy near College and Osslington. There's also an Salvadorian fast food restaurant on Bloor, 1 block East of Christie that I like.
Dear Tracy, Check out the Thai Shan on Eglinton West. It's not much to look at, but the food is primo - about $30 for two. Don't have the address handy, but it will be in the big book. I've also had excellent reports about a brand new Thai resto on Baldwin St. Again, no address, but Baldwin is a short street in the heart of the city. Sorry, I can't be more specific, but what'san ex-Torontonian posting from Montreal to do? tmd
Someone wrote: : Can anyone recommend a good sushi bar or Thai restaurant : in Toronto? The approximate cost of a dinner for two : would be appreciated. Downtown location preferred. : Thanks! : Tracy Young Thailand at 111 Gerrard St. East is excellent. However, you have to make sure you call to reserve. There's usually a long line-up if you just drop in. Cost would be around $30 - $40. As for sushi, try Nami at 55 Adelaide St. East.
BAROLO! BAROLO! BAROLO! There is a small restaurant in Toronto called Barolo. The chef is Italian and his wife, who runs the dining room, is Romanian (maybe Bulgarian..?). It is without a doubt one of the best restuarants in North America. I had very little luck in Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver but Barolo stands out in my mind. Vancouver was so bad that I cut my trip 5 days short and went to Seattle, instead. Montreal was slightly better but still disappointing when compared to France. At any rate, try Barolo. I think you'll love it. ds
In [email removed] (rene villemure) writes: > >I will be in Toronto on business sometimes in June and would appreciate >suggestions as to where to go on Thursday + Friday night when you don't know >anybody in town (btw, I am a man) There are some really interesting restaurants next to the King St. Holiday Inn. I don't remember what that side street was called, but it's on the same side as the Holiday Inn restaurants. One was called something like The Red Tomato. They had really good and down right fascinating food! The atmosphere is bistro-like. Then there was one called Naw Lins (sp?), which of course had Creole-type food. Again, great! They had a jazz/blues theme. Try not to sit at the table next to the door, though. It looks like people have opened the door into the glass window a time or two. The door on that side is locked, but when I sat there people would unlock it without thinking and just walk out. (I figured out real fast why the wired glass was there, though.) These two restaurants are on the opposite side of the street from the HI. Teri
Someone wrote: > In article , [email removed] (b reismann) wrote: > > > I will be in Toronto, Canada next week and would appreciate any suggestions > > for good restaurants there. I prefer restaurants which are not in > > hotels and not too stuffy. All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks! > > Toronto is a great restaurant town. Try Marketta on Avenue Road. Also Lotus. Although Lotus is definitely not stuffy, and is one of the best restaurants in the city, patrons should be aware it is also one of the most expensive. (approx $100-150 for a couple). Linda
SPLENDIDO on Harbord Street would get my vote. Reserve well in advance. Someone wrote: b R. wrote: : > I will be in Toronto, Canada next week and would appreciate any suggestions : > for good restaurants there. I prefer restaurants which are not in : > hotels and not too stuffy. All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks! : Toronto is a great restaurant town. Try Marketta on Avenue Road. Also Lotus.
The competition for Splendido at this point in time: North 44 and Borgo Antico. Enjoy!
For a good Italian restaurant, try La Bussola at 3434 Bathurst St.
I'd suggest Diamond Palace in a basement on the north side of Dundas Street one half block east of Spadina Avenue. Of the ones in the Spadina chinatown, it's the least seedy and the food is really excellent and very authentic. Expect to be the only non-oriental patron! Enjoy. Someone wrote: : I'll be in Toronto for about six days, starting this week. What are : my best restaurant jaunts, given a taste for the Oriental? : - : -- : Michael Feld | E-mail: : Dept. of Philosophy | FAX: (204) 275-2411 : University of Manitoba | Voice: (204) 474-9136 (Office) : Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2M8, Canada (204) 269-9889 (Home)
Vanessa G. wrote: >Michael F. wrote: >> >>I'll be in Toronto for about six days, starting this week. What are >>my best restaurant jaunts, given a taste for the Oriental? >>- >>-- >>Michael Feld | E-mail: >>Dept. of Philosophy | FAX: (204) 275-2411 >>University of Manitoba | Voice: (204) 474-9136 (Office) >>Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2M8, Canada (204) 269-9889 (Home) > > >You may want to check out a newsgroup called tor.eats >and re-post your message there. > >Have fun! > Vanessa: If you like Japanese food and sushi, try Sasaya at 257 Eglinton Ave. West in Toronto just east of Avenue Rd. Their telephone number is 416-487-3508 and they are open 7 days a week. Hope this helps. Iain Burraway [email removed]
Pudman wrote: > > I'm looking for a few suggestions for moderately priced but interesting > places to eat in Toronto...creative food or a funky atmosphere would > be great! > It's hard to pick just a few of the great restaurants in Toronto to recommend to you. There are a lot. There are also several areas in town which you may want to check out just for the scene. Yonge Street, Queen West, Yorkville, King West, Yonge and Eglinton, the Danforth, Bloor West among others. It may also depend on where you are staying. Some of my favourites are: Jambalaya (Yonge St. and Alexander) - a small, funky, cheap place serving cajon, creole and carribean food located on Yonge Street, the main drag. The Bamboo (Queen Street West) - a long-time favourite in the funky, artsy Queen Street West area - Thai, carribean mix (Thai noodles are great). In the summer, check out there great roof-top patio. Also live Reggae and world beat music in the late evenings. Moderately expensive. Kit Kat Bar and Grill(King Street West) - great pastas etc. Not really cheap but worth checking out. Hang out for musicians, artists and various celebrities. C'est What? (Front Street) - Basic road house fare but done well. Inexpensive. Located in the basement on Front Street near theatres and concert halls. Great casual, pub / local artist hangout atmosphere. Huge selection of beers and wines including their own home brews. The Butler's Pantry (Roncesvalles Ave.) - - Reasonably cheap and good food which is hard to categorize. Some comfort food, some pasta, some thai, some veggie. Odder than funky decor. Kensington Kitchen (Harbord Street - near University of Toronto) - Good middle eastern food. An old house with persian rugs and wall hangings. Reasonably cheap. Some areas have lots of cheap funky places to eat. I would suggest Queen St West, the Danforth and King St West as the most "prolific". Good luck!