Momofuku Daisho
Posted on April 25, 2013 by TOFoodReviews Staff in Downtown, Financial District
3 Stars
- Torontonians have welcomed Momofuku with open arms and with satisfied stomachs. Last month, David Chang, founder of Momofuku and internationally renowned chef, was in Toronto to play host in an unexpected arena: The TIFF Food on Film series. He joined a sold-out theatre of fellow foodies (including us) to watch his favourite culinary film, Ang Lee’s “Eat Drink Man Woman”, and then engaged the audience in an informal Q&A session that spanned topics ranging from film to the trappings of celebrity chef-hood.
Three hours of salivating over delectable Chinese food on the screen left us craving more than popcorn, so we decided to check out Chang’s Momofuku Daisho shortly after…
Momofuku Daisho’s ambience is definitely the highlight of the experience. It’s open concept and top to bottom glass gives it a simplistic, modern feel. After a successful debut in NYC & Sydney, Chang was lured to Toronto by what he says was a ‘perfect and unique’ opportunity presented by the Shangrila Hotel: to house three, different takes on his cooking in 1, single building.
With the accessible Noodle Bar already a favourite of ours and a recent lacklustre (and wallet-busting) venture to the top-rated Shoto, we were eager to try our hand at Momofuku Daisho a mid-level offering that centers the menu around pre-ordered, ‘family-style’ dishes.
As you can probably imagine, it can be challenging enough to pick options in the moment, let alone coordinate an order for our group of 7 a week in advance (of which we were), but eager to get the full experience, we pre-ordered the much hyped about fried chicken and beef short ribs. The waitress kindly cautioned us to tread lightly when considering the rest of our order, on account of the deluge of food on the way. (Warning: Consider your wallet and alternative menu opportunities prior to committing to the pre-order. On a do-over, we would have banked one family style dish and ordered the rest off the menu.
First we enjoyed two dishes of lightly pickled, chilli-infused cucumbers. If these cucumbers are the Asian take on ‘bread and butter’ the West is in more trouble than economists predict!
Next came the Spicy Sausage and Rice Cake dish, inspired by Chinese Szechuan cuisine: these melt-in-your-mouth rice cakes punctuated by spiced sausage and Asian greens are a quintessential menu creation, packing flavour of Momofukian proportions!
We then indulged in a Momofuku classic: a pork-style bun, this time of the deboned chicken wing variety, coupled with dill, a glazey hot sauce and crudité; a real crowd pleaser for our group of 7.
And then, the massive plate of fried chicken arrived in all of its glory. Included with vegetables, scallion pancakes (oily and delicious) and a fancy soya type sauce.
Lastly, we tried the beef ribeye shortribs flanked by white Kimchi, bean sprouts and some sticky white rice. In our not-so-humble opinion, the ribs were a tad on the fatty side,
We decided to end the night right and order the chocolate – five different textures of it. A healthy spectrum of liquid to solidity; an interesting experience, but we’d suggest the more intimate smaller size, even for a larger group like ours.
All in all, we were blissfully overfed at Momofuku Daisho. It was lovely dining with David Chang in town and we luckily caught him at the restaurant to snap a pic. Good friends and good food – what could be better?
- Marissa and Moez
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Nota Bene
Posted on July 27, 2012 by TOFoodReviews Staff in Entertainment District
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(6 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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5 stars
- Beautifully modern and discerning, Nota Bene provides the perfect setting for special occasions and casual dining alike. What makes the experience at Nota Bene so incredible is the total lack of pretense in a restaurant that could easily come across as pompous, and still attract a devoted clientele.
You might find yourself dining with a local politician or celebrity, and a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary, all in the same place. The price is accessible, the quality of the food impeccable, and the service instant without being overwhelming.
We started the evening with Chef David’s lobster tacos and the margarita fiesta specials. The lobster tacos were served in a lettuce shell, with a chipotle cream, veggies and cilantro ($8). They tasted like something you would find in a great coastal city, and not at all heavy. The lobster special is a great way to settle in to a long evening of wonderful food. The margaritas were phenomenal, served on the rocks with Avion tequila. We tried a couple of the cocktails and loved “Chef David’s” traditional margarita with smoked sea salt. The blueberry and pine tips margarita sounds like a bit of an odd marriage, but worked so wonderfully together that we ordered another.
For appetizers we started with the Hamachi ceviche, which is a yellowtail Pacific fish, infused with coriander, lime, avocado, and jalapeño ($16). This dish came highly recommended by our server, and was absolutely worth the hype. The jalapeños offered a very spicy take on the dish, tempered by the avocado and lime.
Next we tried the cavatelli pasta, with a truffle-scented mushroom Bolognese ($16). This dish was surprisingly soft and creamy without any cheese in it, and the truffle mushrooms were divine. We also had the crisp duck salad with sumac green papaya slaw and cashews ($15), and although I am self-admittedly duck averse, I am told it was perfectly crispy and flavourful, and ending up being the favourite appetizer of the evening for my companion.
For our mains we ordered two Nota Bene favourites. I went with the wild Digby sea scallops with avocado purée, Thai curry paste, mango, papaya and peanut salad ($28). For such a tropical sounding dish, the scallops actually had a very Canadian East coast feel to them, the avocado puree adding a creamy compliment to the scallops. Nota Bene specializes in preparing excellent seafood, and I would absolutely come back for this dish again.
We also tried the braised beef short rib with corn truffle, pickled red onions, queso añejo and coriander ($29). The short ribs were tender, succulent and combined with the sharp taste of the queso añejo and the acidity of the pickled red onion, they were layered with flavour and flat out delicious.
With dinner, we ordered a glass of Ontario Pinot Noir and an Argentinean Malbec. The wine list at Nota Bene is extensive, with the full spectrum of bottles, ranging from the $70 to several hundred.
For dessert we sampled sticky toffee pudding ($12) and S’More ice cream ($10). Needless to say, the sampling turned into finishing. Both desserts were exploding with flavour, the pudding a great combination of traditional pecan praline and spotted dick ice cream, taken with a strong espresso; this is dessert to die for. The S’More ice cream was a fun take on the campfire favourite, with a chocolate and graham cracker crumble.
Go try Nota Bene, twice. Once to become familiar with all that this brilliantly conceived restaurant has to offer and then a second time to cement the relationship in your black book of regular haunts. Service, quality and ambience are all top rate, yet you still feel the passion Nota Bene has for creating a wonderful experience and forming personal relationships with its guests.
See you there…
- Janine
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Foxley Bistro
Posted on March 23, 2012 by TOFoodReviews Staff in Ossington Village
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4 Stars
- Tapas seem to be all the hype recently. And it’s easy to see why. Not only does it allow you to try more things on the menu, but it’s also perfect for when you’re with a larger group. And that is just the reason why a couple of my friends and I headed to the Ossington area to try out Foxley, an Asian-Vietnamese inspired tapas house.
The restaurant ambiance doesn’t mimic anything I typically associate with a traditional Vietnamese restaurant. It has a classier fine dining style of décor with ginger brick walls and soft lighting; it’s a perfect romantic date spot. In fact, we saw lots of couples there that night all dining on a few plates and enjoying wine.
My friends and I decided to follow suit, so we split a bottle of red and ordered the most interesting dishes that caught our eyes on the menu. This however, was a task easier said than done. The menu comes on a single-sided laminated sheet, with no pictures. It was hard to distinguish where the descriptions of one dish started and the next one ended. It felt a little like reading an essay! But once you get over the poor formatting, you’ll be amazed by the variety of dishes that they offer. There is no shortage of exotic meats and dishes, like frog legs and beef hearts. But if you’re not feeling that adventurous, rest assured they also do have many good old reliable classics, like deep-fried shrimps, steamed mussels, and spring rolls.
The first dish that came was the Lamb and Duck Prosciutto Dumplings ($7). These were served hot,crunchy and with jam-packed with minced lamb stuffing. They’re tasty, but nothing too special..
Next came the Sea Bream Ceviche with Yuzu and Shiso ($15). They’re bite sizes pieces of thinly sliced sea bream sashimi, covered with coriander and some lime puree. I actually found them to be a little too citrusy for my liking, but it is undeniably fresh. It was paired well with the crunchy fried onions generously sprinkled on top.
After that, a whole slew of dishes came at the same time, and it was difficult to figure out which one to dig into first; they all looked and smelled so appetizing! The Grilled Marinated Beef Short Ribs ($14) came on a small plate with about 3-4 pieces. A little too chewy for my liking, but it was at least well marinated and flavourful. In comparison, the Grilled Side Ribs with Caramelized Shallot Glaze ($9.00) were delicious. They were made up of two long pork ribs covered in a savory sweet glaze, with meat that fell right off the bone. We literally demolished that dish in a couple of seconds!
If you’re a big fan of pork belly as I am, then you’ll be in for a real treat at Foxley. They serve a Slow-braised Pork Belly in Muscatel Reduction ($15) with nicely marbled fat and cooked in a delicious smokey barbeque sauce ;it just melts in your mouth!
And while all those dishes were great, my favourite of the night was the Grilled Beef Heart with Chili Lime Salsa ($8). We ordered it just to try something new, and it was the best decision of the night! It came nicely grilled on two skewers so that the hearts are slightly charred on the outside for flavour, and still tender on the inside. Don’t be afraid to try this one, it actually doesn’t taste as farfetched as it sounds!
To balance out all the meat we ordered, the chef recommended the Kale Salad with Pecorino Toscano and Lemon Dressing ($8). I love kale, so in my books this salad was definitely a good order. My only complaint was that the lemon vinaigrette was a bit too sour.
Upon finishing up the meal, the first thought I had was that Foxley is not as “Asian fusion” as I had anticipated. There are some influences, but not nearly enough for me to notice the Asian aspect of the menu. That does not go to say that I didn’t enjoy my meal though. While I found it was a little on the pricier side, I did enjoy the food and the romantically sophisticated atmosphere. Keep Foxley in your books for either your next date night venue or for a quiet relaxing dinner out with friends.
- Guest Contributor
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Origin
Posted on November 7, 2011 by TOFoodReviews Staff in Downtown
4 stars
- I have been itching to get to Origin for months now after a friend of mine had gone and raved about the food. I dug the concept: tapas with a twist. This is definitely not your traditional, Spanish tapas. At Origin, you’ll sample small plates with Asian, Italian and Latin influences. I didn’t find the menu overwhelming, but our server was more than happy to help steer the meal so that similar and complimentary flavours were eaten together.
It was tough to narrow it down, as we would have been happy with just about anything on the menu. We started with the tostones: smashed, flattened and deep-fried plantains with guacamole on the side. The plantains were very well seasoned, with generous use of kosher salt and a light dusting of curry powder.
Next up were the deviled eggs with smoked bacon and gremolata and the smoked cod croquettes with saffron aioli. Both were a big hit at the table, disappearing in a flash. I preferred the croquettes of the two, but I didn’t exactly NOT eat my share of the deviled eggs either.
Those scrumptious bites devoured, we ordered another bottle of wine (three cheers for Monday night dinners with lots of wine!) and anticipated the arrival of more delectable plates. While we waited, we marveled at the strangeness of the cutlery provided. The only way to balance your knife was blade up. That seemed…dangerous. Especially after the third glass of cabernet sauvignon.
Our next dish appeared and we dove right back in (carefully, so as not to cut ourselves on our upturned knives). A gorgeously-presented order from the Mozzarella Bar: bufala mozzarella with pear, rosemary oil, pine nuts that was drizzled with honey and placed on a crunchy, toasted slice of calabrese bread.
Next up was the Bangkok beef salad with peanuts, mint, mango, fried shallots and a sweet and sour dressing. There was a moment of hesitation while we all tried to dance around the fact that splitting this thing among the three of us might get violent. In the end however, we shared well (our kindergarten teachers would be so proud!). This wasn’t an exceptionally complicated dish, but it was done to perfection: the beef was tender and pink; the mangoes were ripe and slippery; the shallots and peanuts added the crunch the dish needed; and the cilantro added the wonderful, bright note at the end. It should be noted that my friend said it was the third time she’d had this particular dish, and it was exactly the same every time. THAT is a sign of a great restaurant.
Our final round of food was to arrive, and we were practically giddy with excitement. We had decided on the Chinois duck with pickled cucumber, hoisin and sriracha sauce on a chive pancake, the curried shrimp with naan and the miso-glazed black cod with soba noodles and a ginger vinaigrette. We knew each dish would be good, but didn’t know HOW good. We had spent the first half of the meal happily eating away and we were by no means disappointed with our choices. But these last three dishes absolutely blew them all out of the water. The duck was crispy and, I must say, substantial. The kitchen does not scrimp on the portions at all with this dish! The sweet hoisin sauce was a great compliment to the duck and the heat of the sriracha. A definite must-order at Origin.
Next up, we attacked the curried shrimp, which was intensely flavoured and perfectly spicy. The soft, aromatic naan bread sopped up the spicy broth that was left after devouring the plump, juicy shrimp. Another dish that hit its mark!
Finally (and kind of sadly), we came to our last dish: the black cod. Black cod is one my favourite fish and I have it a fair bit. When I was out in Vancouver earlier this year, I had it almost once a day. but this black cod might be the best I’ve had…ever. It was flaky, tender and moist. The miso glaze was pleasantly salty and the skin, most importantly, was nice and crispy. The soba noodles were served with the ginger vinaigrette and by the time we were done, there was literally nothing left on the plate. In all likelihood, the best dish of the night though the three of us never could decide on a clear winner in that category.
All in all, I would definitely recommend Origin to anyone who has some reasonably adventurous taste buds and who is willing to share. There is one composed plate that makes a meal – a burger combo with Spanish fries and a float. I have no doubt it’s delicious, but it seems kind of beside the point of a restaurant like this. Go with friends, go on a date, go with family. It’s not a cheap night out, but it is most definitely money well spent.
- Carolyn
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Terroni Queen West
Posted on October 25, 2011 by TOFoodReviews Staff in West Queen West
4 stars
- So lately I’ve been on a bit of an Italian kick. Maybe its the changing of the seasons, and I’m subconsciously trying to carbo-load for the winter months ahead and preparing for hibernation. Whatever it is, this past Monday I was looking for just that at Terroni on Queen West.
The camp is divided on Terroni. People either rave about it or complain about the pretentious servers, the ‘no-substitution’ rule, or the slice-it-yourself pizza. Being a fan of this place, I have a rebuttal for each of these complaints.
While (some of) the servers may seem a bit curt at first, I owe this to the fact that Terroni is busy – always busy – and their no-nonsense attitude is often mistaken for pretentiousness. Our server, although brusque, took our order diligently while complementing our choices, had our wine to the table in no time, and managed to pour two glasses of the stuff from the awkwardly shaped porcelain decanter without dribbling it everywhere (which is something we later failed to do).
As for the no-substitutions rule, if you want to choose your own toppings, then head on down to that infamous sub-par pizza joint (you know the one…with its orange boxes and redundant title) and stuff your crust while you’re at it. Since when did slicing pizza become a chore? Just a few simple back and forth motions with a knife and voila! Freshly sliced pizza.
Regardless of the division, Terroni is always packed. Monday at 9:00 found us one free table upstairs, which was where our preference lay anyway. Although I do love to pull up to the bar, it tends to get a bit clustered on the lower level, and while the upstairs isn’t exactly quiet, shouting across the table isn’t required.
Our waiter promptly brought us the menus and we poured over the apps and the twenty-nine – yes, twenty-nine – pizzas they have to offer.
We started with the Funghi Assoluti ($12.95): breaded and baked oyster mushrooms served on arugula, sprinkled with parmesan, and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. It was superb, but sharing proved to be problematic, not because the portion wasn’t large enough, but because we simply didn’t want to. Social graces saved us, but I had visions of the two of us in an Animal Planet-esque showdown… circling the last mushroom with fangs bared and hackles raised.
We chased all of this down with a velvety Piemonte that was oddly served in a jug, which made it difficult to pour. Our server made it look effortless, but us? Well, we just made a mess. I did manage to solve the problem however (pour from the side, and not from the oddly shaped lip) and fortunately for us we had a seemingly bottomless half litre.
No sooner had we finished sharing the last ‘shroom was our pizza delivered to the table. We went with the Primavera ($15.95) to contribute to our daily recommended dose of veggies and to somehow convince ourselves that we were being healthy. All of the pizza at Terroni is thin crust and ours was weighed down heavily with tomatoes, red pepper, (more) mushrooms, and artichokes with a few black olives decorating the centre of the pie.
Now when I say thin-crust, I mean it. Maybe I’m just speaking for myself here, but I have absolutely no difficulty finishing a whole pizza without any assistance at Terroni. I’m a big fan of folding slices before biting into them, and the crust at Terroni is so thin and pliable I always envision myself folding a whole pizza in half,…and then in half again…and then having my way with it. Once again, as with the sharing, social norms seem to get in the way…
- Rebecca
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Bar Salumi
Posted on October 14, 2011 by TOFoodReviews Staff in Parkdale
4 Stars
- Bar Salumi is the unassuming sister bar-come-restaurant to The Local Kitchen in Parkdale. It might be a little too unassuming for its own good, as many people seemed to question its whereabouts when I mentioned its name…but maybe Bar Salumi doesn’t like the spotlight. Indeed, its sign is almost an afterthought, with the store’s original signage for an antique shop, dominating the storefront.
My friend and I had been meaning to go ever since she discovered they served Burrata pizza. She really has a thing for that cheese, and I can’t say I blame her. It’s delicious. We went awhile back, excited at the prospect of this new twist on a Margharita pie, only to find out the chef was on vacation and they were only serving up the liquid portion of their menu. Normally I wouldn’t have a problem with this, and in some cases I would actually prefer it, but that night we were hungry and consequently, deflated. My friend entered the chefs ETA in her phone, and we vowed to return.
Two weeks later, the alarm sounded, reminding us that the chef was back to work (and also that she had golden potatoes ready to harvest in Smurf Village). We went the very next day.
As it was on our previous visit, Bar Salumi was quiet and dark, illuminated by flickering chandeliers (leftovers from the former antique shop maybe?) and tea light candles housed within mason jars. Hanging legs of prosciutto fight for space with ceiling fans, and a boar’s head watches diners from high above on the back wall. I know it might not sound like it (what with the strong presence of dangling cured meat and taxidermy) but it has a real romantic vibe happening.
There is no kitchen at Bar Salumi, so our personable apron-clad server was also our chef. The menu is a small one, focused on pizza and apps, so diners can watch as everything is prepared behind the bar. It did get a bit hot, what with the pizza oven operating from within the same room, but think how cozy that would be on a winter’s night.
The menu is presented on the wall in cafeteria style (or bowling alley) fashion, with those little plastic letters that slide in and out, and I half expected to see nachos and cheese listed somewhere. More menus were brought to us on mini clipboards, and because the food menu was unnecessary as we had fully rehearsed our order, we paused awhile over the drink list. They offer a thoughtful selection of reds and whites as well as some interesting cocktails. We went with two glasses of Malbec ($12 each) to go with our starter of olives & nodini with ricotta salata ($4). So far so good, except that I couldn’t help but think the nodini crackers weren’t the most functional choice for the cheese…more like basketball hoops for the olives.
Our pizza ($14), although not wood-fired, did come served on a cross-section of a tree trunk. With the creamy white Burrata blending with the red of the San Marzano tomatoes, punctuated by basil it was like an homage to the Italian flag. I wish I could say that the Burrata we were so looking forward to, made it the penultimate Margharita experience, but it was like any other made with Bufala. The two are from the same family after all, so I’m not sure what we were thinking. Cheese does things to people. That being said however, we weren’t disappointed, as the sauce was tangy, the crust was crispy, and it was big enough for both of us to eat and still take home leftovers.
I wouldn’t rank the pizza with the likes of pie giants, Terroni or Libretto, but Bar Salumi is rife with ambience where the aforementioned aren’t. The promise of Buratta may have lured me in the first time, but it’s the character that will bring me back.
- Rebecca
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Megas
Posted on June 26, 2011 by TOFoodReviews Staff in The Danforth
3 stars
- Geez. I just can’t figure it out. I’ve been looking through what other people have said about Megas, and it’s all so bad…really bad. That’s where the trouble comes in for me, because I certainly didn’t hate it as much as everyone else seems to. In fact, I actually thought I was going to be giving Megas more than 3 stars with this review. Why? This is the second time I’ve been to Megas. I was only going again because it was so good the first time. But the second time wasn’t even a close second.
The big plus Megas has got going for them is their killer patio right on the busier stretch of the Danforth. It’s probably one of the best places to sit outdoors on the street. It’s a big, covered space that’s chock full of people, and at first glance, is difficult not to gravitate towards on a sunny day.
Once you get over the patio though, and it comes to eating, you’re likely to be disappointed; but it’s completely dependent on what you order and when you order it. The food at Megas is mostly mediocre, but there are a couple of things worth mentioning. While the rice is of the reheated, overcooked, slightly warmed kind, the Saganaki (fried Feta cheese made of sheep’s milk) and Taramosalata (Cod caviar spread) is probably some of the best on The Danforth. Seriously, if you have never tried either of these, this is the place to do it. But everything else, order with caution. This place is completely hit or miss, mostly depending on how busy they are.
The inside is sorta your typical Greek place: fake roman statues, stone pillars, and lots of greenery; it’s a big space too. If you check it out on the weekend, chances are that big space will have more than one big group, which Megas can provide for comfortably. But that’s where most of their issues lie. While they may be able to provide for big groups, it’s at the sacrifice of all the other tables. Once Megas gets busy, the service, food quality, and overall experience seemingly drops right through the floor.
Unfortunately, the one thing that is truly consistent at Megas no matter how many times you go there is their lack of caring for food presentation. While most of the stuff they serve seems to be haphazardly dropped on the plate, I don’t blame Megas for that. After all, that’s pretty much a standard for Greek food; it never seems to be about the presentation. When it comes to Greek food, there’s never really a big surprise with what you end up with at your table. You order calamari? It’s probably served garnished with parsley and olive oil. You order hummus? It’s probably served garnished with olive oil and a lone Kalmata olive. The only difference varying from place to place is whether it’s tasty enough to be worth eating.
I’m still slightly confused about whether to recommend this place or not. I mean, they’ve got a few things going for them. Like I said, the first time was pretty good, and if I knew I was guaranteed that every time, I’d have no problems returning. Megas basically comes down to this: if the place isn’t busy, stop in and check it out; if they’re busy, keep walking.
- Andre
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Guu SakaBar
Posted on April 2, 2011 by TOFoodReviews Staff in The Annex
4 stars
- So, can I get a Whopper? Not anymore you can’t…
A former Burger King at Bathurst and Bloor has become the second Toronto location for this Vancouver-originating dynamo chain. It’s easy enough to almost walk past Guu Sakabar—nicknamed Guu 2—as you travel down Bloor Street; the exterior is dark and the signage is minimal, as are the windows. Once you do see it though, the slate-coloured walls and wood accents look stunning and attractive.
Inside, things are kept just as simple and uncluttered with a very open concept dining room filled with long wooden tables. Unlike the Church Street location, this Guu has a small separate dining space where patrons are expected to de-shoe before being seated on the floor. Actually, you won’t find a typical table anywhere at Guu Sakabar. In the main dining room, the idea is that you share your experience with others at large communal tables—with your friends, or with strangers. If you’re uncomfortable with these seating arrangements you can sit at the bar, but fair warning you will be right in the thick of things…
This restaurant is famous for a quirky element that is unavoidable during your dining experience; from the time you enter to the time you leave you’ll be subject to loud yells and cheers from the staff that boom through the whole restaurant. They boisterously welcome you when you enter, and give you a loud farewell when you leave. I would assume there are a handful of people out there who would be infinitely turned off by this, but I think it gives this place one of the best atmospheres around. I almost expected the Happy Birthday chant to be low-key as an ironic contrast, but they don’t miss a beat. The entire staff literally sings a birthday song to you, even the chefs behind the counter.
With that in mind, this has to be one of the most well-trained service and kitchen staff I’ve ever come across. I went to Guu 2 on a Tuesday evening, and it was jam-packed. Between seating guests, taking orders, delivering orders, cooking, clearing and processing payments, I have no idea how they manage to keep on top of their enthusiastic cheers. Guu has raised the bar for what I believe a well-working service staff is capable of. I will say that a couple of our orders that I consider starters, like salads and sashimi, came out last, but the dishes are small, and if you order a few and they come out of the kitchen so fast that the sequence hardly matters. The organization and teamwork is impeccable; we sat at the bar in front of all the action and more than once, a dish would be ready to go out and the chefs would hand them right to us. It seems like everyone knows where everything goes and what everyone is doing. Awesome.
Well to me, a restaurant is worth nothing if the food doesn’t hold up, so I am happy to say that the food on this Japanese Tapas-style menu does have a strong voice, even in this noisy dining room.
A variety of dishes are offered, from the expected edamame and sashimi to the more unique items like puffed octopus (a soufflé of tender octopus and creamy cheese) and fried skewers of quail egg. Each item’s price point is around what I expect from a Tapas restaurant, but the servings are very substantial. The sashimi salad ($7.80) in particular is large enough to be split amongst two people heartily, or four people with ease. The sashimi pieces are definitely worthy of two bites each and you can get six in a platter for only $6.80.
One benefit to sitting at the bar is watching each dish go out. One by one we found ourselves ogling at what was going past.
Quite simply, the food is great, and you certainly get more than what you pay for. It was just a fun dining experience to be a part of; and I did feel as though we were part of it. You may have to yell your conversations across the table to be heard, but at the same time, you’ll be smiling while doing it.
- Nicole
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416 Snack Bar
Posted on February 5, 2011 by TOFoodReviews Staff in Queen Street West
- Offering up “snacks and libation” from 5pm to 2am, Monday to Saturday, this brand new spot just north of Queen proves to be a great and funky stop to grab a little bite.
There are three reasons why this new restaurant appealed to me…
First, the atmosphere is very cool and casual – there really is no theme or décor; it almost looks as though they opened before they were done decorating, but in a charming way that allows it to become almost homelike in its honesty. Even the menu is printed on a piece of lined paper that remains set on the table on a (mini-sized) clipboard.
Second, someone here has tapped into that great ordeal; you have already eaten dinner, but the energy spent on socializing has left you feeling a bit ravenous. The problem is that you don’t want to go out for a whole second meal. The answer: Snack Bar. The small, inexpensive portions are a perfect pairing with after work drinks (you won’t ruin your dinner appetite) or a nightcap (you won’t stuff yourself to the point of uncomfortable).
Third, they understand that “snack” to food-lovers means more than grabbing a granola bar or settling for a muffin for satisfaction. They have nibble-sized some of your favourite late-night snacks, including a grilled hot dog, pork belly on a bun, Jamaican beef patties and pizza pockets at an appetizing price-point of $3 – $6. There are a few other items, like oysters (coming in at $6 – $7) and latkes with gravlax, to give the menu some oomph.
I started with the pork belly on a bun, one of items I saw featured on their website – a delicious crispy pork morsel tucked inside a steamed bun, filled with Asian-inspired flavours (like Hoisin and chili sauces) and some leaves of arugula, making a wonderfully balanced salty treat.
Then, I rounded things off with a grown-up version of the nostalgia-inducing pizza pocket. This is really more likened to a mini-mini-calzone; it’s crispy and airy, stuffed with cheese and laid upon a bed of rustic tomato sauce. After the super flavourful pork belly bun this almost seemed bland, but it was perfectly cheesy and the crunch was on-point. My dining partner caved in and got the hot dog – it was smaller than expected, but hit the spot – followed by the Jamaican beef patty. Both were good, but the bun and pocket are a more interesting choice at the Snack Bar.
The drinks menu is very scant, but I won’t sneer at a cold beer. Overall, I think 416 Snack Bar is on its way to being one of those great spots in the city. I’m going to keep my eye on this one – it’s something new and unique and, I use the word again, honest. This could prove to be a new favourite for many a food-loving Torontonian.
- Nicole
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Filo Grill and Rotisserie
Posted on December 11, 2010 by TOFoodReviews Staff in The Danforth
4 stars
- Filo is a family-run restaurant that really is a hidden gem, found just on the outskirts of “Greek Town”. I went to Filo for the first time this summer, just after attending a Greece vs. Portugal soccer game at BMO Field. My father is Greek, so it was no surprise that we were going to the Danforth area for dinner. The first thing I noticed when we walked in were scattered groups of soccer fans, still wearing their jerseys, talking frantically about the afternoon’s tie game. It is a quite the distance from BMO to O’Connor and Pape, so why did so many of them come here after? Clearly, those Greeks knew something that this Greek didn’t.
After that first visit, I found the answer. Filo offers the kind of soul-warming, belly-filling fare you might think you could only get from your mother’s cooking. The restaurant itself, like the food, is simply honest. Just like at home, you shouldn’t expect anyone to pull out your chair for you, lay a white napkin on your lap and commend your every selection from the menu. You go in, grab a table, and after a quick exchange with your server, you will be given a platter of perfect, home-style Greek cuisine. You can order a-la-carte from their menu, or you can go and have a peek at the steam-table and do a “create-your-own” dinner from what they have made that day.
While there is a lot to choose from, I beg you to try my three go-to favourites: the roasted chicken, the Taramosalata, and the octopus.
I know, roasted chicken is not the most ‘Greek’ food that you could think of, but they just do it right! Taramosalata has a similar consistency to hummus and is made from a caviar called Tarama. It has a light pink hue that, to be honest, does not appeal to me visually, but it has a great smooth and salty flavour that pairs perfectly with the pieces of pita they provide for dipping. Last, but certainly not least, is the octopus. It truly has to be the best octopus I’ve ever eaten. It is flavourful, and so tender that it is comparable to a perfectly-prepared steak, rather than the rubbery texture you might expect.
If you are a less-adventurous, or are looking for the more typical Greek grub, they do offer those tried and true Souvlaki and Gyro dishes as well, which are just as enjoyable.
The sheer number of restaurants to choose from on the Danforth can be overwhelming, so when you are in the mood for some Greek food, Filo is one spot that I highly recommend.
- Nicole
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