The Universal Grill is a great little gem that most people would drive past and not even give a second thought too. This great little diner which is painted a bright teal blue colour is located at 1071 Shaw St., right at the corner of Dupont and Shaw.
This location offers a very limited menu but numerous specials. Upon entering this very small diner you are greeted by whoever is behind the bar. There is no waiting area but you can either dine in a booth or at the counter, but that didn't matter because we were seated only minutes after we arrived. We received water right away but the refills were few and far between unless we asked. The service staff was friendly but not efficient. When we finished our meals we had to get up from the table and start putting our jackets on before we could even get our bill. Honestly I felt as though we could have walked right out the front door without anyone even questioning us.
The food was much different then the service. The menu was very small but offered unique items. We decided to steer clear from the menu and enjoy some of the amazing specials that were being offered that morning. We enjoyed an asparagus, mushrooms, and Gruyere omelet with home fries and the beet curred smoked salmon with poached eggs and home fries. The meals were absolutely delicious. We really enjoyed the food and agreed that we would love to come back to try the specials here again.
I would have to give this location an 7.5 out of 10. This location had so much more potential but lost out on the service side of the experience.
I would return to this location to give it a second chance. Just because service is below par doesn't mean you shouldn't return if you enjoyed the rest of the experience.
Happy Eating.
- The Hungry Ginger
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Bryden's on Bloor
Bryden's, the destination for unique beers. This location at Bloor and Jane in Bloor West Village has become very well known for appreciating the small guys when it comes to craft beer market. For this location though its not always about the beer selection, even though I would say its the most important start.
I have eaten at Bryden's on three different occasions. It has a great atmosphere but its not for everyone. It is a very small location and tight seating which causes for you to be involved in others conversations. The craft beer side of things actually brings out a vibe in people you don't get at most places. The craft beer industry is one of comradery, friendship, enjoyment and fun competition. These traits find their way right into the heart of this restaurant.
Moving forward, the food at this location brings different levels of interest into play. The menu is fairly impressive and diverse for this location. Its not your average pub food, but then again this isn't your average pub. Items like fruit salad and smoked salmon caught me off guard when browsing the menu.
One thing I was very surprised with is that, their menu isn't focused towards using their amazing selection of different beers to pair with the food. Which is very disappointing to me.
My experience here has been very positive surrounding the food program. Though on three different occasions I ordered wings at this location and their pound of wings has managed to get smaller and smaller. In fact the last time I ordered wings it was for two pounds, and when I got them there was only thirteen wings in the basket. THIRTEEN!!! These wings were no bigger then any average wing you would get at any other restaurant. When I asked if they had missed some they responded by telling me they weigh everything out. That's a terrible answer to tell any guest. The standard for a pound of wings in the marketplace is eight to ten wings. The worst part about only getting thirteen wings was that it cost me TWENTY THREE dollars. To me this is unacceptable. I appreciate that a restaurant needs to make money but that is just robbery. Being such a loyal person to the area I will no longer be ordering wings at Bryden's.
If you do decide to give it a try make sure you get in there for their half price appetizers. This deal is in the afternoon from 3pm to 6pm. This special gives you a great opportunity to sample the menu and appreciate the food for an economical cost, regardless of the portion sizes.
I give Bryden's a 7 out of 10. This location has great service, great atmosphere (even though the old style furniture is getting a little ratty), but has missed out on some portion control.
Give this location a try, support your local breweries, and local restaurants. Would love to hear about your experience here.
Happy Eating.
- The Hungry Ginger
I have eaten at Bryden's on three different occasions. It has a great atmosphere but its not for everyone. It is a very small location and tight seating which causes for you to be involved in others conversations. The craft beer side of things actually brings out a vibe in people you don't get at most places. The craft beer industry is one of comradery, friendship, enjoyment and fun competition. These traits find their way right into the heart of this restaurant.
Moving forward, the food at this location brings different levels of interest into play. The menu is fairly impressive and diverse for this location. Its not your average pub food, but then again this isn't your average pub. Items like fruit salad and smoked salmon caught me off guard when browsing the menu.
One thing I was very surprised with is that, their menu isn't focused towards using their amazing selection of different beers to pair with the food. Which is very disappointing to me.
My experience here has been very positive surrounding the food program. Though on three different occasions I ordered wings at this location and their pound of wings has managed to get smaller and smaller. In fact the last time I ordered wings it was for two pounds, and when I got them there was only thirteen wings in the basket. THIRTEEN!!! These wings were no bigger then any average wing you would get at any other restaurant. When I asked if they had missed some they responded by telling me they weigh everything out. That's a terrible answer to tell any guest. The standard for a pound of wings in the marketplace is eight to ten wings. The worst part about only getting thirteen wings was that it cost me TWENTY THREE dollars. To me this is unacceptable. I appreciate that a restaurant needs to make money but that is just robbery. Being such a loyal person to the area I will no longer be ordering wings at Bryden's.
If you do decide to give it a try make sure you get in there for their half price appetizers. This deal is in the afternoon from 3pm to 6pm. This special gives you a great opportunity to sample the menu and appreciate the food for an economical cost, regardless of the portion sizes.
I give Bryden's a 7 out of 10. This location has great service, great atmosphere (even though the old style furniture is getting a little ratty), but has missed out on some portion control.
Give this location a try, support your local breweries, and local restaurants. Would love to hear about your experience here.
Happy Eating.
- The Hungry Ginger
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Coppi
Well this will be my first review of three restaurants for Winterlicious.
Coppi, which is located at 3363 Yonge Street, about half way between Lawrence Ave W and Wilson Ave. I took the subway to get here and it worked out very well. My guest drove to the location and parking was not easy to find so make sure you give yourself some time. Coppi does have a valet car service, but we didn't use it.
We were greeted upon arrival by a man in a red coat. No idea who he was at first. He was wearing a ball cap at unshaven. I found this odd but continued in. We were then greeted and seated very promptly once inside the restaurant. Our young male server approached the table and introduced himself and got a drink order from us. The orginal bottle of wine that was ordered wasn't cold so we had to enjoy a different wine. The wine came out shortly after and we began to enjoy. We ordered our meal shortly after the wine arrived and it wasn't long before our appetizers came out.
To start my guest had the soup of the day which was very good, Cream of Cawliflower, and considering how cold outside it was that night it was perfect and I had the air cured beef tenderloin with grilled radicchio, topped with shavings of parmigiano reggiano. It was presented nicely and no complaints.
For our entrees we had the ½ cornish hen stuffed with vegetable farce served with rustic mash, french beans & cranberry demi and the grilled aaa beef tenderloin served with rustic mash, asparagus & mushroom demi. The cornish hen was amazing. Full of flavour and appointed very well. As for the beef tenderloin I wish I could say the same. The server only offered it to me to be cooked at either medium rare or rare. So I opted for the medium rare but arrived almost blue rare. The edges were cooked but the inside was still very raw, warm but raw. For most, they would have sent this back but having been in the industry and one that can handle a rare steak I decided to eat dinner with my guest. The presentation was accurate but nothing exciting and they had pre cut open the steak for the display effect. You would think if they had done this they would have cooked it properly. This raise alarm bells for me regarding this restaurant. It is very common that a chef believes he knows what a steak is supposed to look like when cooked to a specific degree but as I am sure you all know this can change depending on what restaurant you go to. So make sure you are clear about how you want your steak to come, describe it if you have to.
For dessert we enjoyed the tiramisu and the lemon flavored sorbet. Both were very good and very much enjoyed.
Other then my main course they did very well on the food part of the dining experience. It is the service that is in question for this restaurant. There were 4 servers and 1 bartender and each of them served or cleared our table. Don't get me worng it was great knowing that things were being cleared when finished but when it comes to the server that first introduced himself to us for drinks, we never saw him again, even for the bill! The problem here is that one server told us he was going to get us more bread and it never showed up. It became a running joke between my guest and myself as to which server was going to bring us something next. To me this shows that there was not enough servers on the floor and that our server who must have been new or less experienced couldn't handle the amount of tables in his section. Also we weren't asked once if we would like fresh ground pepper of parmisan cheese on any of our courses.
Our wait times between courses was also out of line. We waited about 5 minutes before our appetizers came out, then 20 minutes before our mains, then another 5 minutes for our desserts. Some bleieve this is the kitchen's fault, but in reality it is your server that has control of when your courses are sent through to be made. Usually the kitchen won't start making soemthing until they are told becasue they cannot see the table whereas the server can. This determines whether they are slow or fast eaters.
The atmosphere was too bright. They had plenty of candles throughout the restaurant and on each table and the lights were on full blast. There was also no background music. The mood was not set and the feel of being in an italian restaurant did not exist.
This restaurant did well with the food other then the beef, terrible on the service, and terrible on the atmosphere. I am giving this restaurant a 5 out of 10 and I would never go back to this restaurant.
Oh, and the guy at the front that greated us in the red jacket and ball cap, yes you guessed it, the vallet. Glad I didn't use that!
Happy Eating... somewhere else.
- The Hungry Ginger
Coppi, which is located at 3363 Yonge Street, about half way between Lawrence Ave W and Wilson Ave. I took the subway to get here and it worked out very well. My guest drove to the location and parking was not easy to find so make sure you give yourself some time. Coppi does have a valet car service, but we didn't use it.
We were greeted upon arrival by a man in a red coat. No idea who he was at first. He was wearing a ball cap at unshaven. I found this odd but continued in. We were then greeted and seated very promptly once inside the restaurant. Our young male server approached the table and introduced himself and got a drink order from us. The orginal bottle of wine that was ordered wasn't cold so we had to enjoy a different wine. The wine came out shortly after and we began to enjoy. We ordered our meal shortly after the wine arrived and it wasn't long before our appetizers came out.
To start my guest had the soup of the day which was very good, Cream of Cawliflower, and considering how cold outside it was that night it was perfect and I had the air cured beef tenderloin with grilled radicchio, topped with shavings of parmigiano reggiano. It was presented nicely and no complaints.
For our entrees we had the ½ cornish hen stuffed with vegetable farce served with rustic mash, french beans & cranberry demi and the grilled aaa beef tenderloin served with rustic mash, asparagus & mushroom demi. The cornish hen was amazing. Full of flavour and appointed very well. As for the beef tenderloin I wish I could say the same. The server only offered it to me to be cooked at either medium rare or rare. So I opted for the medium rare but arrived almost blue rare. The edges were cooked but the inside was still very raw, warm but raw. For most, they would have sent this back but having been in the industry and one that can handle a rare steak I decided to eat dinner with my guest. The presentation was accurate but nothing exciting and they had pre cut open the steak for the display effect. You would think if they had done this they would have cooked it properly. This raise alarm bells for me regarding this restaurant. It is very common that a chef believes he knows what a steak is supposed to look like when cooked to a specific degree but as I am sure you all know this can change depending on what restaurant you go to. So make sure you are clear about how you want your steak to come, describe it if you have to.
For dessert we enjoyed the tiramisu and the lemon flavored sorbet. Both were very good and very much enjoyed.
Other then my main course they did very well on the food part of the dining experience. It is the service that is in question for this restaurant. There were 4 servers and 1 bartender and each of them served or cleared our table. Don't get me worng it was great knowing that things were being cleared when finished but when it comes to the server that first introduced himself to us for drinks, we never saw him again, even for the bill! The problem here is that one server told us he was going to get us more bread and it never showed up. It became a running joke between my guest and myself as to which server was going to bring us something next. To me this shows that there was not enough servers on the floor and that our server who must have been new or less experienced couldn't handle the amount of tables in his section. Also we weren't asked once if we would like fresh ground pepper of parmisan cheese on any of our courses.
Our wait times between courses was also out of line. We waited about 5 minutes before our appetizers came out, then 20 minutes before our mains, then another 5 minutes for our desserts. Some bleieve this is the kitchen's fault, but in reality it is your server that has control of when your courses are sent through to be made. Usually the kitchen won't start making soemthing until they are told becasue they cannot see the table whereas the server can. This determines whether they are slow or fast eaters.
The atmosphere was too bright. They had plenty of candles throughout the restaurant and on each table and the lights were on full blast. There was also no background music. The mood was not set and the feel of being in an italian restaurant did not exist.
This restaurant did well with the food other then the beef, terrible on the service, and terrible on the atmosphere. I am giving this restaurant a 5 out of 10 and I would never go back to this restaurant.
Oh, and the guy at the front that greated us in the red jacket and ball cap, yes you guessed it, the vallet. Glad I didn't use that!
Happy Eating... somewhere else.
- The Hungry Ginger
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Gobo Sushi
I am a big fan of sushi. I could not tell you exactly why or even when I first tried sushi but I know that if you don't eat sushi you are missing out. Ever since working out at The Fairmont Banff Springs, I sometimes I get these cravings for sushi. Its because of the Japanese Restaurant there called the Samurai to which I may have frequented often.
On another note lets focus on the location at hand, Gobo Sushi.
This is a very new location found in the Christie Pits area. Otherwise known as the Annex at 256 Christie St. just south of Dupont.
We did take out but there is a dine in option also. It has seating for about 25 to 30 people and is becoming a very popular pick for the locals.
I was down the street at a freinds place and the decision had been made to order sushi. We ordered over the phone and they allowed us a 15% discount for paying cash which was great. We ordered the party platter which was 108 piece for $70. That was before the discount. This price is unbeatable when it comes to sushi so at that point it was all up to the quality of the food. We all enjoyed the assortment which proved everyone wrong, that it wasn't too good to be true. The platter had all the basics you would expect including sushi rolls, sushimi, vegetarian rolls, and assorted tempura. It was worth every penny and when you are splitting that much sushi everyone ends up being happy.
Customer service wise, this location also topped the charts. When we called to order they remembered my friends number and called them by name. We also forgot a full tray of sushi when we picked up the order and they brought it to us.
This location is fantastic and would highly recommend this location to anyone. With new sushi places openning up everyday it is important for these locations to understand the importance of hospitality and how far the simplicty of remembering someones name can really go. The value of that added customer service makes a huge difference when deciding on whether or not to go back to a restaurant.
I give Gobo Sushi a 9 out of 10. I didn't try anything crazy but from the service and what I was served they nailed it.
Yukai Kuchini! (Happy Eating)
- The Hungry Ginger
On another note lets focus on the location at hand, Gobo Sushi.
This is a very new location found in the Christie Pits area. Otherwise known as the Annex at 256 Christie St. just south of Dupont.
We did take out but there is a dine in option also. It has seating for about 25 to 30 people and is becoming a very popular pick for the locals.
I was down the street at a freinds place and the decision had been made to order sushi. We ordered over the phone and they allowed us a 15% discount for paying cash which was great. We ordered the party platter which was 108 piece for $70. That was before the discount. This price is unbeatable when it comes to sushi so at that point it was all up to the quality of the food. We all enjoyed the assortment which proved everyone wrong, that it wasn't too good to be true. The platter had all the basics you would expect including sushi rolls, sushimi, vegetarian rolls, and assorted tempura. It was worth every penny and when you are splitting that much sushi everyone ends up being happy.
Customer service wise, this location also topped the charts. When we called to order they remembered my friends number and called them by name. We also forgot a full tray of sushi when we picked up the order and they brought it to us.
This location is fantastic and would highly recommend this location to anyone. With new sushi places openning up everyday it is important for these locations to understand the importance of hospitality and how far the simplicty of remembering someones name can really go. The value of that added customer service makes a huge difference when deciding on whether or not to go back to a restaurant.
I give Gobo Sushi a 9 out of 10. I didn't try anything crazy but from the service and what I was served they nailed it.
Yukai Kuchini! (Happy Eating)
- The Hungry Ginger
Monday, February 14, 2011
Apache Vs. Jumbo Burger
The Battle of the Burgers was in full effect over the holidays and so I decided that it was time to try these vinatge locations. They both are unique and focus on being diner style to ensure their past is not forgotten.
In this Corner we have; Apache Burger.
This location was very busy upon arrival. Everything has to be purchased a la carte. This isn't terrible but I have to say, when it comes to wanting a burger, I feel as though it should just be understood you are going to have fries or onion rings with it. Having a burger and a salad just shouldn't be allowed if you ask me. You only live once so enjoy it. Just don't enjoy doing it that often!
The location was fairly clean but people didn't respect the place and didn't even clear their tables of garbage. Located right at 5236 Dundas Street West, its very close to the Kipling Subway stop, making it a very accessible place to get to.
The service was avaerage and those working there seemed to care less about what they were doing. To be honest that took away from the diner experince that one can get accustomed to when eating at any diner. It was designed with bright ansd vibrant colours to catch your attention, make you want to come in, feel welcomed and follow that up with friendly service. This location did all of the above but offer the friendly service. I felt as though when they called us up to get our burgers, the guy was just blunt, rude and uncaring as to what we wanted on our burgers. Another negative to this location is its "cash only"policy, so make sure you have cash before so you don't get hit by using their ATM. (How convenient.)
We got a Chocolate shake to split because it was $6 shake! Also, we had 2 burgers, 1 fries and 1 onion rings. You can't go to a diner and not at least try their home made onion rings. The burgers were ok and tasted salty. On a side note, it should be understood that Apache Burger has sold out to the higher costs of their location. They used to have fresh homemade burger patties and the burgers we had were definately not homemade. Its unfortunate to see a place that once had an amazing reputation for burgers, sell out to getting frozen products but keeping the prices high.
In the opposing corner, we have; Jumbo Burger.
Jumbo Burger is located at 685 Runnymede Road and looks like it is an old TTC car that has been transformed into a diner. This location might have 20 seats if its lucky. The bathrooms resemble airplane washrooms but the character of this location is AMAZING! When we first walked in it was just a one man show. He was rough around the edges but freindly. Jumbo is also a la carte, so we ordered the exact same thing here as Apache. 1 Chocolate Milkshake, 2 burgers, 1 fries, and 1 onion ring. This prices were the same but the quality of food went to Jumbo Burger. These burgers were definateky homemade and the atmosphere made you feel as though you were helping the small guy for eating there. The people in there were all locals and families. They cleared their tables and respcted the location.
Overall I would recommend heading into the up and coming Junction for the taste of a homemade burger.
Apache Burger gets a 6 out of 10 from me. Not empressed really for a place that once had one of the best reputations in Toronto for burgers. I would not go back to this location.
Jumbo Burger gets a 8.5 out of 10. The service could have been more inviting for a community focus restaurant.
Enjoy your ground beef!
- The Hungry Ginger
In this Corner we have; Apache Burger.
This location was very busy upon arrival. Everything has to be purchased a la carte. This isn't terrible but I have to say, when it comes to wanting a burger, I feel as though it should just be understood you are going to have fries or onion rings with it. Having a burger and a salad just shouldn't be allowed if you ask me. You only live once so enjoy it. Just don't enjoy doing it that often!
The location was fairly clean but people didn't respect the place and didn't even clear their tables of garbage. Located right at 5236 Dundas Street West, its very close to the Kipling Subway stop, making it a very accessible place to get to.
The service was avaerage and those working there seemed to care less about what they were doing. To be honest that took away from the diner experince that one can get accustomed to when eating at any diner. It was designed with bright ansd vibrant colours to catch your attention, make you want to come in, feel welcomed and follow that up with friendly service. This location did all of the above but offer the friendly service. I felt as though when they called us up to get our burgers, the guy was just blunt, rude and uncaring as to what we wanted on our burgers. Another negative to this location is its "cash only"policy, so make sure you have cash before so you don't get hit by using their ATM. (How convenient.)
We got a Chocolate shake to split because it was $6 shake! Also, we had 2 burgers, 1 fries and 1 onion rings. You can't go to a diner and not at least try their home made onion rings. The burgers were ok and tasted salty. On a side note, it should be understood that Apache Burger has sold out to the higher costs of their location. They used to have fresh homemade burger patties and the burgers we had were definately not homemade. Its unfortunate to see a place that once had an amazing reputation for burgers, sell out to getting frozen products but keeping the prices high.
In the opposing corner, we have; Jumbo Burger.
Jumbo Burger is located at 685 Runnymede Road and looks like it is an old TTC car that has been transformed into a diner. This location might have 20 seats if its lucky. The bathrooms resemble airplane washrooms but the character of this location is AMAZING! When we first walked in it was just a one man show. He was rough around the edges but freindly. Jumbo is also a la carte, so we ordered the exact same thing here as Apache. 1 Chocolate Milkshake, 2 burgers, 1 fries, and 1 onion ring. This prices were the same but the quality of food went to Jumbo Burger. These burgers were definateky homemade and the atmosphere made you feel as though you were helping the small guy for eating there. The people in there were all locals and families. They cleared their tables and respcted the location.
Overall I would recommend heading into the up and coming Junction for the taste of a homemade burger.
Apache Burger gets a 6 out of 10 from me. Not empressed really for a place that once had one of the best reputations in Toronto for burgers. I would not go back to this location.
Jumbo Burger gets a 8.5 out of 10. The service could have been more inviting for a community focus restaurant.
Enjoy your ground beef!
- The Hungry Ginger
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Delay
Ok, so I know it has been a while for those who had been following along and for that I am sorry. :(
As we all know Christmas has passed and budgets needed to be watched but I have a great line up of great small spots that you can try out for some great value.
So expanding outside of the box, you will find some small new hidden gems, some very high end restaurants, and even a few box stores. I know I know, you just read box stores and think I now have no idea about what I am talking about when it comes to hospitality but I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what you will have to read.
Hope everyone is having a great new year so far and have been enjoying some great restaurants over Winterlicious as it just finished on Thursday Feb. 10th.
Enjoy the posts as they are going to be coming out everyday this week!
Happy Eating!
- The Hungry Ginger
As we all know Christmas has passed and budgets needed to be watched but I have a great line up of great small spots that you can try out for some great value.
So expanding outside of the box, you will find some small new hidden gems, some very high end restaurants, and even a few box stores. I know I know, you just read box stores and think I now have no idea about what I am talking about when it comes to hospitality but I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what you will have to read.
Hope everyone is having a great new year so far and have been enjoying some great restaurants over Winterlicious as it just finished on Thursday Feb. 10th.
Enjoy the posts as they are going to be coming out everyday this week!
Happy Eating!
- The Hungry Ginger
Monday, December 6, 2010
Dr. Generosity - Look no further for a cure for hunger.
This is a very well known destination for brunch in the Bloor West Village area. I want to share with you my most recent experience there. It seems wedged into its location and most would hope that it was bigger when it came to weekends because of having to wait for a seat.
This vintage location sports a great rustic look that gives you a warm welcoming feeling. The staff was very friendly but are far from mature servers. The menu is great and offers a solid variety. The price point may seem a little expensive but you are guarenteed to not leave hungry.
I have eaten at this location three times and I have yet to have a bad experience here. This is the most consitent restaurants I have been too. I strongly recommend you give this locally friendly location a try. They have a great wine list and a wide variety of draught on tap for all to enjoy.
I enjoyed the Classic Eggs Benedict which is very straight forward. I always say never go out to eat somewhere and order something you would make at home. I will never make hollandaise sauce at home so that answers the question of why Eggs Benny. It was very good and cooked perfectly. The homefries were awesome as they seemed to be freshly chopped potatos. One of my guests had the Dr. G's Clubhouse Sandwich with sweet potato fries which is an added cost of $2. They are not worth the added charge. The sandwich was very tasty and the meat was very juicy and fresh. It had a great smoky taste and the joy of added bacon makes this sandwich happen. My other guest had the Stuffed French Toast Special. This was served with freash fruit and maple syrop. The concensis was that each meal offered something different to satisfy everyone. The deversity but simplicity of the menu makes for an easy choice for a perfect middle of the road and reliable restaurant.
This location also offers take out if you decide you want to eat at home.
With the deversified menu, great specials, and youthful servers Dr. Generosity gets a 8.5 out of 10.
If hungry was a disease, I would send you to Dr. G's for a cure.
- The Hungry Ginger
This vintage location sports a great rustic look that gives you a warm welcoming feeling. The staff was very friendly but are far from mature servers. The menu is great and offers a solid variety. The price point may seem a little expensive but you are guarenteed to not leave hungry.
I have eaten at this location three times and I have yet to have a bad experience here. This is the most consitent restaurants I have been too. I strongly recommend you give this locally friendly location a try. They have a great wine list and a wide variety of draught on tap for all to enjoy.
I enjoyed the Classic Eggs Benedict which is very straight forward. I always say never go out to eat somewhere and order something you would make at home. I will never make hollandaise sauce at home so that answers the question of why Eggs Benny. It was very good and cooked perfectly. The homefries were awesome as they seemed to be freshly chopped potatos. One of my guests had the Dr. G's Clubhouse Sandwich with sweet potato fries which is an added cost of $2. They are not worth the added charge. The sandwich was very tasty and the meat was very juicy and fresh. It had a great smoky taste and the joy of added bacon makes this sandwich happen. My other guest had the Stuffed French Toast Special. This was served with freash fruit and maple syrop. The concensis was that each meal offered something different to satisfy everyone. The deversity but simplicity of the menu makes for an easy choice for a perfect middle of the road and reliable restaurant.
This location also offers take out if you decide you want to eat at home.
With the deversified menu, great specials, and youthful servers Dr. Generosity gets a 8.5 out of 10.
If hungry was a disease, I would send you to Dr. G's for a cure.
- The Hungry Ginger
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant - Nose
This restaurant catches your attention from the moment you come across it at 1220 Queen St. E. in Leslieville. This old bank branch has been transformed into a casual to fine dining restaurant. This front entrance hasn't been changed other then the massive nose at the front. It's very hard to describe the interior design in one word because the the art work was beautiful, the chandeliers where a great touch but cluttered. They did however have a bunch of burnt out light bulbs, the paint on the walls was unfinished, still the original old ceiling tiles, and a bunch or wires that looked like a spider web the lead to all the light fixtures.
The service here was spot on. There was a very minimal wait for absolutely everything. The drinks came at a very respectable rate, food came out all at the same time, and nothing was forgotten. There isn't much more to say about the service other then it was great.
The menu here is very traditionally Italian. The courses are designed and sized for guests to have at least three courses. Because I attended Nose with a group of people, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to try multiple dishes. They are as follows;
Antipasti:
Scotty's meatball in ragu sauce - a must have if you are a meat eater. This light in weight but full in flavour meatball makes your taste buds swirl throughout your mouth. (Yes,just one large meatball)
Classic beef carpaccio with Grana Padano, arugula and olive oil - prepared very traditionally and fanned out on the plate. It is raw meat so you have to be aware of what you are getting here.
Italian Mozzarella di buffala with roasted tomatoes, balsamic and pesto - This dish was tasty but small in size and should have been served with a piece of bread because other then the cheese you have no way to enjoy the rest of the roasted tomato puree on your plate.
Italian prosciutto with Gorgonzola stuffed fig and honey - sounded very appealing but the only problem here was that it is served with only half of a fig and a lot of prosciutto.
Primi:
I had the pasta special which was a homemade pasta in a tomato sauce with veal sausage. The dish was surprisingly bland and disappointing for a special. Stick with the menu.
Potato gnocchi with Bolognese - this was fantastic. Large gnocchi pieces absorbed the sauce and allowed for great flavour and pure satisfaction.
Secondi:
Pesce:
Black Cod "cartoccio" with spicy tomato, fennel and herbs - perfectly prepared, light in taste but strong with flavour. It had a strong onion and fennel taste so if you have a hard time with those tastes then stay clear from this dish.
Carne:
Braised ossobucco finished with mushrooms and asiago - sounds amazing and was fall off the bone but was very bland. I unfortunately would not recommend this dish.
Slow cooked beef ribs with fried gnocchi - this was a good dish. Full of flavour and fall off the bone meat. The fried gnocchi was an interesting touch but didn't absorb any of the great flavour because it was fried. Make sure you request regular gnocchi with this dish.
Involtini - pulled pork wrapped in ribeye with goat cheese and jus. This is the most amazing dish on the menu. This was so packed with flavour and very well appointed. If you go to this restaurant and you or someone from your group doesn't order this dish you have all missed out.
Desserts:
Tiramisu - was very good. Well prepared and perfectly moist just the way it should be.
Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Lemon Curd - this full of lemon flavour cheesecake was a great but the lemon sauce was a little too bitter. The goat cheese was an interesting avenue but worked well so not to worry.
The atmosphere which kept you guessing, the great service, and the hit or miss on certain dishes results in me giving this restaurant an 8 out of 10.
Let your senses take over.
- The Hungry Ginger
The service here was spot on. There was a very minimal wait for absolutely everything. The drinks came at a very respectable rate, food came out all at the same time, and nothing was forgotten. There isn't much more to say about the service other then it was great.
The menu here is very traditionally Italian. The courses are designed and sized for guests to have at least three courses. Because I attended Nose with a group of people, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to try multiple dishes. They are as follows;
Antipasti:
Scotty's meatball in ragu sauce - a must have if you are a meat eater. This light in weight but full in flavour meatball makes your taste buds swirl throughout your mouth. (Yes,just one large meatball)
Classic beef carpaccio with Grana Padano, arugula and olive oil - prepared very traditionally and fanned out on the plate. It is raw meat so you have to be aware of what you are getting here.
Italian Mozzarella di buffala with roasted tomatoes, balsamic and pesto - This dish was tasty but small in size and should have been served with a piece of bread because other then the cheese you have no way to enjoy the rest of the roasted tomato puree on your plate.
Italian prosciutto with Gorgonzola stuffed fig and honey - sounded very appealing but the only problem here was that it is served with only half of a fig and a lot of prosciutto.
Primi:
I had the pasta special which was a homemade pasta in a tomato sauce with veal sausage. The dish was surprisingly bland and disappointing for a special. Stick with the menu.
Potato gnocchi with Bolognese - this was fantastic. Large gnocchi pieces absorbed the sauce and allowed for great flavour and pure satisfaction.
Secondi:
Pesce:
Black Cod "cartoccio" with spicy tomato, fennel and herbs - perfectly prepared, light in taste but strong with flavour. It had a strong onion and fennel taste so if you have a hard time with those tastes then stay clear from this dish.
Carne:
Braised ossobucco finished with mushrooms and asiago - sounds amazing and was fall off the bone but was very bland. I unfortunately would not recommend this dish.
Slow cooked beef ribs with fried gnocchi - this was a good dish. Full of flavour and fall off the bone meat. The fried gnocchi was an interesting touch but didn't absorb any of the great flavour because it was fried. Make sure you request regular gnocchi with this dish.
Involtini - pulled pork wrapped in ribeye with goat cheese and jus. This is the most amazing dish on the menu. This was so packed with flavour and very well appointed. If you go to this restaurant and you or someone from your group doesn't order this dish you have all missed out.
Desserts:
Tiramisu - was very good. Well prepared and perfectly moist just the way it should be.
Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Lemon Curd - this full of lemon flavour cheesecake was a great but the lemon sauce was a little too bitter. The goat cheese was an interesting avenue but worked well so not to worry.
The atmosphere which kept you guessing, the great service, and the hit or miss on certain dishes results in me giving this restaurant an 8 out of 10.
Let your senses take over.
- The Hungry Ginger
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Shakey's - The New Look!
I decided to check out a local pub called Shakey's located at 2255 Bloor Street West. I had been in 4 months ago when I was in Bloor West Village and to be honest with you I walked right back out. I had to pass a few homeless looking fellows when I went in and the exterior matched the interior. It was a very boring sports pub with old TV's, a musty smell, and a boring atmosphere. At this point food was out of the question.
Three weeks ago I walked past this location again and was in a state of shock. They had shut down for some renovations and man did it work. Shakey's is an entirely new place. The revitalized bar with a new display of draught taps, the reduction of clutter on the walls, 7 brand new large TV's, fresh new warm colour choice of paint, and new ceiling lighting makes for a new look that is 100% different then before. I was very impressed and followed up a week later for some lunch.
The menu didn't have more the 15 items on it which seemed a little disappointing. Though there is two ways to look at a simple menu. If there is enough to satisfy the standard patron looking for a quick bit to eat then the basic menu works. But from the new look it seems as though they are looking to attract more of an upscale crowd and that means you need to have some unique different menu items that will intrigue people to purchase them. Regardless I had the chili fries and a caesar salad and my guest had the burger with a side salad. The food was great but the only issue I had was that the lettuce was wet. It watered down the dressing and made the caesar salad very bland.
I went back again one evening with a small group and we were enjoying some beers and decided to order some nachos. They are the BEST nachos I have had in the Bloor West Village area. I was very impressed once again.
The service at lunch wasn't that great as the bartender socialized with some regulars. One might argue that they are there everyday and tip well but I would say that it is those guys that should understand when you need to focus elsewhere to ensure new guests become regulars. The evening server seemed a little bitter upon arrival but started to warm up as the night when on.
I would recommend Shakey's to a group of guys looking for a place to go to watch the game. There isn't a lot of seating, so for any big event I would get in there early.
The best part about Shakey's is that at the bottom of their menu they indicate that all of their food comes from local suppliers in the immediate Bloor West Village area. It is great to see a local company supporting its neightbours.
If you are looking for a quick lunch, a bite with the guys, or simply drinks in a pleasant atmosphere then this is your place. With a basic menu, fairly good service, and a great atmosphere I would rank it a 7.5 out of 10.
Enjoy the Game.
- The Hungry Ginger
Three weeks ago I walked past this location again and was in a state of shock. They had shut down for some renovations and man did it work. Shakey's is an entirely new place. The revitalized bar with a new display of draught taps, the reduction of clutter on the walls, 7 brand new large TV's, fresh new warm colour choice of paint, and new ceiling lighting makes for a new look that is 100% different then before. I was very impressed and followed up a week later for some lunch.
The menu didn't have more the 15 items on it which seemed a little disappointing. Though there is two ways to look at a simple menu. If there is enough to satisfy the standard patron looking for a quick bit to eat then the basic menu works. But from the new look it seems as though they are looking to attract more of an upscale crowd and that means you need to have some unique different menu items that will intrigue people to purchase them. Regardless I had the chili fries and a caesar salad and my guest had the burger with a side salad. The food was great but the only issue I had was that the lettuce was wet. It watered down the dressing and made the caesar salad very bland.
I went back again one evening with a small group and we were enjoying some beers and decided to order some nachos. They are the BEST nachos I have had in the Bloor West Village area. I was very impressed once again.
The service at lunch wasn't that great as the bartender socialized with some regulars. One might argue that they are there everyday and tip well but I would say that it is those guys that should understand when you need to focus elsewhere to ensure new guests become regulars. The evening server seemed a little bitter upon arrival but started to warm up as the night when on.
I would recommend Shakey's to a group of guys looking for a place to go to watch the game. There isn't a lot of seating, so for any big event I would get in there early.
The best part about Shakey's is that at the bottom of their menu they indicate that all of their food comes from local suppliers in the immediate Bloor West Village area. It is great to see a local company supporting its neightbours.
If you are looking for a quick lunch, a bite with the guys, or simply drinks in a pleasant atmosphere then this is your place. With a basic menu, fairly good service, and a great atmosphere I would rank it a 7.5 out of 10.
Enjoy the Game.
- The Hungry Ginger
Sunday, November 28, 2010
FAT BASTARD BURRITO - fulfills its name!
This little walk in Mexican oasis is found at 1180 The Queensway in Etobicoke right by Hollywoods. The first thing that went through my mind when I decided to finally eat here was, "I better feel like a fat bastard after I eat here." For me that is a lot to live up too.
So when I walked through the front door of this little stripmall location you are quick to discover that they do not want you there to eat. They do have a few spots for people to wait for their food but thats about it. I noticed right away that it was amazingly clean inside. Whether its just a new location or not, it was CLEAN! Also everything is laid out for you on the menu board off to the right. You also can't get very lost on the menu board because it is very straight forward, not like other places that decide they want to serve you the world.
So we were greeted from a pleasant younger female from behind the counter who was very understanding that it was our first time there. We then ordered two medium size burrito's. I had Buffalo Chicken and my guest had the Steak. The choice of topings where plentiful and the nice part is that there wasn't any extra charges for certain ingredients that you wanted to add. Everything you could see was included in your price. So with beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, feta cheese, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, garlic sauce, and fresh steak and chicken we had our very own burrito's. These are just some of the ingredients that were behind the glass.
The cost of this massive meal of simply two Burrito's and a bottle of water was less then $20. After consuming my burrito the name of this location fulfulled itself. I was so stuffed and so satisfied. There wasn't anything else I would have needed even as side dish with this meal.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a casual meal to take home with them while watching a movie, sports game, or your favourite TV program.
For the experience, quality food, and the right price I would like to give this location a 9 out of 10 for walk-in dining.
Arriba Arriba Andale Andale.
- The Hungry Ginger
So when I walked through the front door of this little stripmall location you are quick to discover that they do not want you there to eat. They do have a few spots for people to wait for their food but thats about it. I noticed right away that it was amazingly clean inside. Whether its just a new location or not, it was CLEAN! Also everything is laid out for you on the menu board off to the right. You also can't get very lost on the menu board because it is very straight forward, not like other places that decide they want to serve you the world.
So we were greeted from a pleasant younger female from behind the counter who was very understanding that it was our first time there. We then ordered two medium size burrito's. I had Buffalo Chicken and my guest had the Steak. The choice of topings where plentiful and the nice part is that there wasn't any extra charges for certain ingredients that you wanted to add. Everything you could see was included in your price. So with beans, rice, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, feta cheese, guacamole, salsa, hot sauce, garlic sauce, and fresh steak and chicken we had our very own burrito's. These are just some of the ingredients that were behind the glass.
The cost of this massive meal of simply two Burrito's and a bottle of water was less then $20. After consuming my burrito the name of this location fulfulled itself. I was so stuffed and so satisfied. There wasn't anything else I would have needed even as side dish with this meal.
I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a casual meal to take home with them while watching a movie, sports game, or your favourite TV program.
For the experience, quality food, and the right price I would like to give this location a 9 out of 10 for walk-in dining.
Arriba Arriba Andale Andale.
- The Hungry Ginger
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Curry Twist in The Junction
So this past week I decided to try something a little different and opted for some local Indian Cuisine. This restaurant has been around for years, and under new ownership for only the past four years. Anant Singh became the proud owner of this restaurant in the Junction and has only watched it grow. The popularity of his restaurant has resulted in some great press, knowing this I decided it was time to check it out.
When my friend and I walked in for dinner the restaurant was very busy. We sat down and had to wait a few minutes before getting waited on. This wait seemed long because we weren't being acknowledged. Now in all fairness to them I was on my phone checking a message when he came the first time to get our order. So as it got busier, so did he and it took a while to have him come back. Regardless, on the tables was some traditional Indian bread called khakra. I found it very salty and it dried out my mouth, but we were hungry and it passed the time. During this time, I had the opportunity to check out the open concept miniature kitchen, where all the cooking is done. The brightly yellow painted walls created a warm and inviting feeling. The decor was very basic, except for the artistic pieces of Indian fabric which were pillowed in squares on the back wall creating a colourful mural.
For dinner we had Butter Chicken - $12.95, Chicken Tikka Masala - $12.95, side order of Naan Bread(Large enough for two to share) - $1.95, Plain white rice - $2.95, and Raita(cooling yogurt) - $2.95. Now to elaborate on the "cooling yogurt" from the previous statement. This saved my mouth since I am a mild to medium type of spice guy. When you have this on some Naan bread, it puts out the fire in your mouth which came along with Chicken Tikka Masala.
I really enjoyed the food, and the simplicity made it even easier to enjoy it. Everything came individually in its respective dishes which allows even vegetarians to share meals with meat eaters.
As for beverages, water was readily available which is handy when you have something a little more spicy. We did decide to share a bottle of wine which was Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio for $29.95. The amazing part was that if you decide to purchase a bottle you don't have to worry about not finishing it because they allow you to take the bottle home with you. (corkage fees apply)
When dinner was finished to ensure we had experienced everything I decided that we should have dessert. We shared Ras Malai with pistachios for $2.95 and Alfonso Mango Kulfi for $3.95. Both of which we would not have again. The first was a rice pudding in coconut milk and the second was an overly sweet mango ice cream. It was way to much and not worth it. They were nice enough to take the Alfonso Mango Kulfi off the bill since we didn't really eat any of it. Now I am sure the authenticity of the desserts where above par but they were not welcoming for my taste buds.
Other then the wait at the beginning of this adventure, and the intriguing desserts, this authentic Indian Cuisine experience was amazing. I really enjoyed myself and I would recommend this place to anyone.
I give this location a 8 out of 10.
Enjoy this cultural adventure.
- The Hungry Ginger
When my friend and I walked in for dinner the restaurant was very busy. We sat down and had to wait a few minutes before getting waited on. This wait seemed long because we weren't being acknowledged. Now in all fairness to them I was on my phone checking a message when he came the first time to get our order. So as it got busier, so did he and it took a while to have him come back. Regardless, on the tables was some traditional Indian bread called khakra. I found it very salty and it dried out my mouth, but we were hungry and it passed the time. During this time, I had the opportunity to check out the open concept miniature kitchen, where all the cooking is done. The brightly yellow painted walls created a warm and inviting feeling. The decor was very basic, except for the artistic pieces of Indian fabric which were pillowed in squares on the back wall creating a colourful mural.
For dinner we had Butter Chicken - $12.95, Chicken Tikka Masala - $12.95, side order of Naan Bread(Large enough for two to share) - $1.95, Plain white rice - $2.95, and Raita(cooling yogurt) - $2.95. Now to elaborate on the "cooling yogurt" from the previous statement. This saved my mouth since I am a mild to medium type of spice guy. When you have this on some Naan bread, it puts out the fire in your mouth which came along with Chicken Tikka Masala.
I really enjoyed the food, and the simplicity made it even easier to enjoy it. Everything came individually in its respective dishes which allows even vegetarians to share meals with meat eaters.
As for beverages, water was readily available which is handy when you have something a little more spicy. We did decide to share a bottle of wine which was Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio for $29.95. The amazing part was that if you decide to purchase a bottle you don't have to worry about not finishing it because they allow you to take the bottle home with you. (corkage fees apply)
When dinner was finished to ensure we had experienced everything I decided that we should have dessert. We shared Ras Malai with pistachios for $2.95 and Alfonso Mango Kulfi for $3.95. Both of which we would not have again. The first was a rice pudding in coconut milk and the second was an overly sweet mango ice cream. It was way to much and not worth it. They were nice enough to take the Alfonso Mango Kulfi off the bill since we didn't really eat any of it. Now I am sure the authenticity of the desserts where above par but they were not welcoming for my taste buds.
Other then the wait at the beginning of this adventure, and the intriguing desserts, this authentic Indian Cuisine experience was amazing. I really enjoyed myself and I would recommend this place to anyone.
I give this location a 8 out of 10.
Enjoy this cultural adventure.
- The Hungry Ginger
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sakura Sushi - Bloor West Village Secret
For those who know me they know that when I eat sushi I am the standard eater. Don't get me wrong I love to try new things but sushi has been something that when I have found what I like, I stick to it. I have enjoyed Sakura Sushi on two different occasions so you get two for one in this post.
Located on Jane Street just before Annette St. north of Bloor is where you will find this small sushi restaurant. When I dined at the location it was very peaceful and simple. Nothing fancy. The perfect spot to get away from all the traffic of downtown busy sushi restaurants. The decor was mostly IKEA which is seeming to be the first choice for new small restaurants. I mean who can blame them though its inexpensive and consistent plus it looks good. I can't be one to talk as my apartment is furnished with IKEA.
So now for the food. I have to say I was very impressed. The person I was dining with and I ordered a pop each, edamame to start, 2 spicy tuna rolls, 1 California roll, 1 green dragon roll, 1 salmon and cream cheese roll, 1 shrimp tempura roll, 1 tuna roll, 1 avocado roll, 4 sushi salmon pieces and 2 sushi tuna pieces. Yes the answer to your question is we were very hungry. The sushi was very good and it arrived very quickly. The restaurant did only ever have one other table other then us but still did about 3 or 4 orders for take out orders also. The sushi was very fresh which is a big must for a place this size. You can tell right away when fish has been sitting for too long just from the taste.
The service was very good also. Language is usually a partial barrier for small locations like this and I will admit that at times I didn't understand a word that was said to me but at the end of the day we got exactly what we ordered and for me that's the most important part.
The best part of the meal was that all of that food came to $56. You really can't beat this for a local spot that has great fresh sushi and here's the kicker, THEY DELIVER! When I discovered that they delivered I was in heaven. Now they won't deliver all over Toronto but if you are in the Bloor West Village area and the order is over $25 then you get free delivery also. So the second time around I decided to order in and there is nothing better then having sushi delivered to your door. The sushi was just as good the second time. Just be sure to ask for extra soy sauce because they don't give too much.
This was a great overall experience and would recommend this sushi secret to anyone. I give them a 8.5 out of 10.
Arigato gozaimasu!
- The Hungry Ginger
Located on Jane Street just before Annette St. north of Bloor is where you will find this small sushi restaurant. When I dined at the location it was very peaceful and simple. Nothing fancy. The perfect spot to get away from all the traffic of downtown busy sushi restaurants. The decor was mostly IKEA which is seeming to be the first choice for new small restaurants. I mean who can blame them though its inexpensive and consistent plus it looks good. I can't be one to talk as my apartment is furnished with IKEA.
So now for the food. I have to say I was very impressed. The person I was dining with and I ordered a pop each, edamame to start, 2 spicy tuna rolls, 1 California roll, 1 green dragon roll, 1 salmon and cream cheese roll, 1 shrimp tempura roll, 1 tuna roll, 1 avocado roll, 4 sushi salmon pieces and 2 sushi tuna pieces. Yes the answer to your question is we were very hungry. The sushi was very good and it arrived very quickly. The restaurant did only ever have one other table other then us but still did about 3 or 4 orders for take out orders also. The sushi was very fresh which is a big must for a place this size. You can tell right away when fish has been sitting for too long just from the taste.
The service was very good also. Language is usually a partial barrier for small locations like this and I will admit that at times I didn't understand a word that was said to me but at the end of the day we got exactly what we ordered and for me that's the most important part.
The best part of the meal was that all of that food came to $56. You really can't beat this for a local spot that has great fresh sushi and here's the kicker, THEY DELIVER! When I discovered that they delivered I was in heaven. Now they won't deliver all over Toronto but if you are in the Bloor West Village area and the order is over $25 then you get free delivery also. So the second time around I decided to order in and there is nothing better then having sushi delivered to your door. The sushi was just as good the second time. Just be sure to ask for extra soy sauce because they don't give too much.
This was a great overall experience and would recommend this sushi secret to anyone. I give them a 8.5 out of 10.
Arigato gozaimasu!
- The Hungry Ginger
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
eggsmart - a value size breakfast
This is a chain location but a place I have driven by quite a few times and have wanted to try. There are quite a few places in the Bloor West Village area to go for breakfast but they are mostly pubs so to avoid going somewhere for breakfast that I had just finished having beers in 10 hours earlier just doesn't seem appealing.
When I arrived I stood at the front for a few moments before I was acknowledged but once that happened I was seated in under 5 minutes. A lady named Dar was my server. She seemed a little rough when she first approached the table to get the drink order but became nicer throughout the meal. In all fairness she was working a larger section of tables.
So eggsmart got the call one morning and was it worth the drive. I had the Big Breakfast which consisted of 4 eggs cooked any style, which I had over hard, 2 sausage links, 2 strips of bacon, 2 slices of ham, which I replaced for more bacon, and 2 buttermilk pancakes. The meal was very good and very large. I was pleasantly surprised.
The value of my meal was fantastic for what I got. So for the Big Breakfast I paid $8.99 which to me fantastic. Most places for a breakfast of this size you would paying well over $11. It might be small savings but a dollar here and a dollar there really adds up.
When eating at some breakfast locations it is understood that you are to pay at the cash. The problem is that it is never explained to you to do so. A common mistake that can be made in a lot of locations like this is that your server needs to be the one that cashes you out and you are forced to wait for them. You never want to make someone wait who wants to pay because that is there last experience and you want that one to be positive, not negative. Also tipping someone at a cash register while they are standing right in front of you is also a negative. Stores like that should have a cashier so that way you can feel comfortable tipping what you want, related to the service and food quality you received.
The website for eggsmart is http://www.eggsmart.ca/welcome.aspx. It is a very good website that has a lot of information for you to look through.
The great size of the meal, the amazing value, the efficient table side service were fantastic. Unfortunately the communication issues of where to pay and the lack of acknowledgment when arriving and departing left a bad taste. I give this breakfast location a 7 out of 10.
Happy eating!
-The Hungry Ginger
When I arrived I stood at the front for a few moments before I was acknowledged but once that happened I was seated in under 5 minutes. A lady named Dar was my server. She seemed a little rough when she first approached the table to get the drink order but became nicer throughout the meal. In all fairness she was working a larger section of tables.
So eggsmart got the call one morning and was it worth the drive. I had the Big Breakfast which consisted of 4 eggs cooked any style, which I had over hard, 2 sausage links, 2 strips of bacon, 2 slices of ham, which I replaced for more bacon, and 2 buttermilk pancakes. The meal was very good and very large. I was pleasantly surprised.
The value of my meal was fantastic for what I got. So for the Big Breakfast I paid $8.99 which to me fantastic. Most places for a breakfast of this size you would paying well over $11. It might be small savings but a dollar here and a dollar there really adds up.
When eating at some breakfast locations it is understood that you are to pay at the cash. The problem is that it is never explained to you to do so. A common mistake that can be made in a lot of locations like this is that your server needs to be the one that cashes you out and you are forced to wait for them. You never want to make someone wait who wants to pay because that is there last experience and you want that one to be positive, not negative. Also tipping someone at a cash register while they are standing right in front of you is also a negative. Stores like that should have a cashier so that way you can feel comfortable tipping what you want, related to the service and food quality you received.
The website for eggsmart is http://www.eggsmart.ca/welcome.aspx. It is a very good website that has a lot of information for you to look through.
The great size of the meal, the amazing value, the efficient table side service were fantastic. Unfortunately the communication issues of where to pay and the lack of acknowledgment when arriving and departing left a bad taste. I give this breakfast location a 7 out of 10.
Happy eating!
-The Hungry Ginger
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Dakota Tavern - Bluegrass Brunch - All you can eat!
So after a night out on the town I decided it was time to head out to a brunch spot. I have heard from a few people that the Dakota Tavern has a Bluegrass Brunch on Sundays and being one to want to experience something new it was my pick this Sunday.
The Dakota Tavern offers a $14 all you can eat brunch. The food arrives on platters so it's perfect to go with friends and share. A simple breakfast, live music, and social atmosphere is what you will find when you head down the stairs. If you are looking for a formal experience this is not the place for you. This is a very casual spot with not a lot of seating and there is also a live Bluegrass band that plays so if live music is unnecessary noise to you when hung over you also might want to avoid this spot.
So the platter that came out had scrambled eggs, home fries, farmer’s sausage, and pancakes. The eggs were very basic with nothing in them, the home fries were good but with no seasoning, the sausages were good, and the pancakes were great. Salt and pepper was the seasoning used for this breakfast. Also the fruit that we got unfortunately was cut with an onion knife so it left the fruit with an onion after taste.
Now don't get me wrong the food was plentiful and came out very quickly but was only warm at best. The service was very good, quick, and pleasant. I would suggest this place for those on a budget, hungry, or looking for some good live Bluegrass.
I am giving this Brunch location a 6 out of 10.
Here is the website you can check out for yourself if you would like.
Also I have posted the brunch menu below. Please remember I am only critiquing the brunch aspect of the Dakota Tavern not the night life.
SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU
11AM - 3PM
Adults $14 Kids $7
This is an all you can eat family affair, your server will bring you platters of:
Fruit Salad
Scrambled Eggs
Sausages
Potatoes
Pancakes
Orange Juice
Coffee/Tea
And you can listen to some of the city’s best bluegrass bands!!!
Yeehaa!
- The Hungry Ginger
CN Tower 360 Restaurant
Here is a prime example of the tourist restaurant. I mean who wouldn't want to eat at the top of the CN Tower? The atmosphere is absolutely stunning as you sit window side to a view of Toronto. Soaring high above any other building in Toronto you get this feeling of being on top of the world. An experience that all Torontonians must embrace. But I am sure you are asking yourself by now about the food.
So when looking through the menu there were some fancy dishes that were very well appointed but it was not very extensive. There is only one pasta dish on the menu which I found to be very surprising. The advantage also is that this is a Vegetarian Friendly restaurant. 360 now boasts a Vegetarian menu. Not vegan, vegetarian.
The price point is high but you have to also factor in that with dinner you get a free ride up the CN Tower which is $35 for anyone just going up to explore the glass floor and outdoor observatory. All these things are free of charge when you eat at 360 Restaurant. Wicked perk if you are taking a date to this location.
360 also has a prix fixe menu which is what decided to enjoy when visiting. It was a four course meal for $68 which is amazing value when you compare to the prices on the main menu. So for a per person cost it would be $100 for your ride up, an amazing meal, great service, including tax and gratuity. I believe this is a great deal and if you pass up the opportunity then all I can say is: "It's your loss!"
Meal: I had a Lobster Tortilla as my amuse bouche, then Smoked Salmon with pumpernickel bread, then a massive piece of cooked to perfection Canadian Prime Rib with Yorkshire pudding and steamed vegetables, finished off with a fruit filled pastry shortcake with ice cream. Unbeatable!
My servers name was Mohammed. He is a very good mature server and precise with his tables. Not the most social server but who needs a server trying to have a conversation with you when you are trying to enjoy the food and view. Meals were timed very appropriately and were delicious. His support staff always asked about food quality, topped up water, and will even take your picture for you if you ask.
The 360 restaurant receives an 8 out of 10 for an overall experience, lasting expression, vegetarian menu, and prix fixe option. Feel free to check out their website at: http://www.cntower.ca/360_restaurant/overview/
Enjoy 360 everyone.
-The Hungry Ginger
Saturday, October 30, 2010
About The Hungry Ginger
I am just an average guy with an average job that has been in the hospitality industry for over 13 years. I have worked for companies like Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Cameron's Brewing Company, and Moosehead Breweries.
My career timeline has taken me through many different positions. From dishwasher to kitchen manager, fine dining server to beverage manager, and from junior marketing assistant to beer sales representative.
Now I want to share with you the pros and cons of my dining experiences. Have you ever had a terrible dining experience? Walked down a random alleyway and found a hidden gem? Enjoy new and different cuisines but are unsure of where to go or what to look for on the menu? Have you had a server that was so awful or amazing and wanted so badly to tell somebody about it? Well look no further.
This blog is designed to save you time while deciding where to go or what to eat by documenting my appetizing journey of palate satisfying or destroying locations that I discover. It might be a restaurant, diner, bistro, pub, gastro pub, fine dining, or the independent 'mom and pop' shop somewhere in the city of Toronto so keep watch as I start my crusade to find you the best places to go or avoid.
I look forward to hearing from you about your experiences at the restaurants I have gone to or hearing suggestions of places you would like my opinion of.
Happy Eating!!!
- The Hungry Ginger
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