Toronto restaurant recommendation

For patios I'd add cadillac lounge and rhino.

Any opinions on Jamie Kennedy's much publicized demise?

One caution about blowfish, drinking there is super expensive.

Originally Posted by snuffy

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Cafe Dip is so over-rated. I like the patios overlooking Yonge-Dundas SQ. Jack Astors and Milestones.

Ahh - you see, since I work almost facing that area, I never got the mystique of Dundas Square. Work mates try to drag me out to Jack's and Milestones there every couple of weeks. Was surprised City Grill cratered a month ago - their patio is usually well received and now whoever is moving in there will miss out on the (lukewarm) summer.

Originally Posted by doink

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For patios I'd add cadillac lounge and rhino.

Any opinions on Jamie Kennedy's much publicized demise?

One caution about blowfish, drinking there is super expensive.

Thanks for the patio tip! Sadly the weather's been rubbish for patios.

The Wine Bar or the Gardiner? I personally haven't been to the Gardiner in something like 10 years so I can't imagine how much business he's drumming up taking a second rate exhibition place (sorry craft, sculpture and clay fans). I did see the article in The Globe - very negative. My work mate's brother is the chef who runs the one downstairs in the ROM. That one always seems packed.

I did say I racked up $200 worth of bar bills at Ki for 2 right? But I'll keep that in mind. Drink whores like me have to be aware.

Originally Posted by fwiffo

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The Wine Bar or the Gardiner? I personally haven't been to the Gardiner in something like 10 years so I can't imagine how much business he's drumming up taking a second rate exhibition place (sorry craft, sculpture and clay fans). I did see the article in The Globe - very negative. My work mate's brother is the chef who runs the one downstairs in the ROM. That one always seems packed.

I did say I racked up $200 worth of bar bills at Ki for 2 right? But I'll keep that in mind. Drink whores like me have to be aware.

Article said pretty much everything was closing up or being reworked the wine bar is closing/changing, and the gardiner is moving from fine dining to the cafe model.

Blowfish is Ki expensive for drinking. I always like to know what I am getting into for $ before I go. We did not have any of the "saketinis".

Anyone been to colbourne lane?

Originally Posted by doink

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Article said pretty much everything was closing up or being reworked the wine bar is closing/changing, and the gardiner is moving from fine dining to the cafe model.

Blowfish is Ki expensive for drinking. I always like to know what I am getting into for $ before I go. We did not have any of the "saketinis".

Anyone been to colbourne lane?

I might have but I have no recollection! You mean Colborne without the u right (the little street between Wellington/King)

Last Friday, I was tricked to go to Eggspectations for lunch. I'm not sure which was worse - the fact that I had to wait for a table or the fact that we ordered a veggie omelette and a cheese omelette and couldn't tell the difference.

Drinks at Fairmont Friday - they're closing next week so I need a new watering hole. Chinatown dim sum on Sunday - beautiful pastry with egg shells in it! Yum! Monday, I went to Sweet Lulu for lunch only to notice Rodneys was full across the street and I should make it a point to go there. Yesterday, I went to Hoops...which I realize is only a place for drinking because the food is overpriced and sucks, but the waitress was kind enough to make me a custom cocktail and got my lunch partner some bandaids for her heels.

If I wasn't stuck at work because of quarter end, I'd do more varied things...

Spent the evening at The Spoke Club last night.

Well, evening is a misnomer - because of a work emergency I had to run back.

Spoke Club hasn't changed from last year - guess they're still selling a good amount of memberships.

Went back to the suburbs for Father's Day weekend. Monday spent lunch at 143 Dundas St W at a place previously known as Siji. I think it's pretty much the same owners except now there's an all you can eat sushi for $12. I didn't want to keel over so I just chose a teriyaki chicken that was so burnt I thought the bbq chicken I ate over the weekend was microwaved.

Tuesday night spent some time at the Marche patio on Front. Bartender lady was so nice as to plop my drink on the bar with such force that the drink spilled out of the top of the glass. Another patron complained to the same lady that she already pre-filled the total so there could be no tipping on the bill. I guess she was expecting it?

Most of the people are off work today, so I'm crossing my fingers I'll get to hit a patio this afternoon with a work mate before the evening.

Used to hit up this obscure Japanese place, Ematei, downtown on St. Patrick's St when I lived in TO.. fantastic place. Fresh, immaculately prepared, tasty.. pretty hard on the wallet though.

Oh, and the okonomiyaki place near HR, if anyone's been there.

Originally Posted by red120

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Used to hit up this obscure Japanese place, Ematei, downtown on St. Patrick's St when I lived in TO.. fantastic place. Fresh, immaculately prepared, tasty.. pretty hard on the wallet though.

Oh, and the okonomiyaki place near HR, if anyone's been there.

Ematei is still there. I haven't been there in almost a year though but I always enjoy the black cod while I'm there. It is a bit pricey (and a bit of a walk from me at Yonge & Dundas). I haven't been there for dinner but lunch times move pretty briskly.

Made it to the patio for a couple pints of London Pride yesterday and got a work mate hooked too.

Today - Spring Rolls for lunch.

Then finally Blowfish. I got the same stick about having to give up my table in 2 hours. My cousin made out Belinda Stronach eating there and some other bloke - he says he's famous but what do I know. Damage isn't that bad as I switched away from the martinis after the food came. I have to say the hot plates are bigger than Ki so it's not too bad.

I did eat the mango tempura - it was pretty good - very rich, the caramel was a bit too sweet for me. Maybe I stuffed myself during the main course too much.

Washrooms reminded me more of Denmark - actually Spoke Club has the same set up less the communal sinks.

It looks like I have to work on Saturday night too, which will suck because I won't get to see the TFC game but if I can wrap up early, another chance to eat out! Did 4 Japanese places this week so I'm looking for a change.

I actually went to Philthy McNasty today on John St (where Peel Pub used to be). I kept going west and it was the only patio open at lunch. The nice bloke there was kind enough to set up a table with an umbrella and all right near a corner for me. I started at the TD Jazz Festival but they don't serve alcohol at lunch anymore(?!?!!?!?! )

Then I lounged outside at Duke of..uhm..one of those for a couple of pints.

And then at the Marche patio where as a single guy you just open yourself up to being stalked by cougars.

Finally the work day ended - somewhere in there, I was "working."

Anyone been here? It's close to Riverdale: http://www.rasputinvodkabar.com

$2.50 rail drinks Tuesday-Friday!

Had lunch at Thai One On @ Dundas. The stale air is killing me. They revamped the lunch menu too.

Then for dinner I went to Mashu Mashu in Forest Hill with a friend. She had the salmon, which looked like an entire salmon. I had this 12 oz steak with kiwi sauce, which I finished 6 oz before giving up. Absolutely nothing kiwi about it unless the cow came from New Zealand. The starter salad (which was "free") looked like a meal salad and then the side dish of vegetables was twice the size of a usual side. Oh yeah, they threw in some free pita too! Quite the crowd there on a Wednesday night.

I asked for hard liquor and they said the bar was closed (WHAT?! WHY!?!?!) . Then I said, what's this wine list and apparently they only serve wine & beer so I grabbed some bottled beer but the service was shite slow at alcohol refills.

Pretty pricey for some unspectacular dinner choices - but it's Forest Hill. Chilled at Second Cup al fresco for the rest of the evening...wishing there was a place for after-dinner drinks.

Still recovering from a cold that had me bed ridden on the weekend but I figure what the heck, I'm turning into a mormon. Tomorrow should be more fun as I'm heading out for lunch with some old school mates and then dinner at Queen Mother Cafe. Hopefully the patio holds up and I can knock off another one on the list.

Spring Rolls for lunch - the only redeeming thing is I grabbed a pint to cool my nerves after starting a war with a peer today. I figure I dug myself out of a ditch long enough that I can fall into another one comfortably.

Anyway, the evening was for the Queen Mother Cafe. It started with one long trip to get to the patio but we made it there and had some Thai food. Although the specials were all Italian looking fare, most people there just had the (cheaper) Thai stuff. I grabbed a couple Apple martinis, which were wholly unspectacular and then we grabbed the bill. The place was pretty empty at 6 but was full around 8, including a bar wait for patio seats. Those people were in for a surprise considering the plants from above like to shed seeds at sunset and deposit them into unsuspecting meals and glasses below. Drinks were not that great. Food was so so (medium is mild! spicy is what you want) but portions were big and service was so so.

For the nightcap, we headed off to Jack's (had some free drink coupons) and finished the night on Front with my "jacked up" vodka & diets.

Any reccomendations on a good cocktail bar in the city outside the hotel bars at the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt?

Originally Posted by racetrack

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Any reccomendations on a good cocktail bar in the city outside the hotel bars at the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt?


How about The Keg on York Street. Have you been here Fwiffo?

Originally Posted by snuffy

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How about The Keg on York Street. Have you been here Fwiffo?

Yes. I went when it first opened and a few times since. I try to avoid it - because I work for an insurance company and that's an (infamous) insurance brokerage hang out.

Lunch is so so. Dinner is loud and the lounge is usually full. I think most people go there to network because I don't find it any different than any other The Keg other than it has more wine bottles in storage as part of the decor. If it helps, they did mix up my bill once.

Originally Posted by racetrack

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Any reccomendations on a good cocktail bar in the city outside the hotel bars at the Four Seasons and the Park Hyatt?

I've been thinking of the question all weekend. I've tried plenty of $15-20+ martini/cocktail places in the city and I'm trying to think of where it was REALLY good.

Today's lunch at Yonge & Alexander on the patio at Pi Thom. Patio's pretty windy and it feels like some decorative plant is going to fall off. I wasn't too impressed with the cashew chicken combo I got but the soup and spring rolls were good. $22 lunch for 2 including tip.

Been traveling for work the last couple of days but finally got back to TO. Lo and behold, an Asian Bowl opens up right across from my office next to the Three Brewers (?) just south of Dundas Square on Yonge.

Seating is kind of like Made in China up the street with singles mixed with tables of two and the usual Fusion Spring Roll like decor. One bloke walks in and says, "Isn't this menu like Spring Rolls?" Anyway, I had pho and the work mate, she had some kind of red curry Thai thing. The Thai portions are large. Pho is average sized. $7 for pho though is a bit much isn't it? $10 for fried rice.