No, not mine. It was someone much cooler than me's birthday. And that someone likes good food and drinks and even let me make the birthday plans. So, really, it felt like my birthday when the server at Bar Isabel popped the cork on our bottle of Xarel-Lo (Colet Navazos, Extra … [Read more...] about Bar Isabel, “Thinking Whisky” and a Birthday
Toronto Restaurants
PF Chang’s: Gluten-free in Laval and Montreal
Yes, this is a chain restaurant. Yes, the one I went to is in Laval. These are two criteria that would normally mean I’d never try the restaurant. But any Asian restaurant with an extensive gluten-free menu is worth the drive to the giant shopping complex, the Carrefour … [Read more...] about PF Chang’s: Gluten-free in Laval and Montreal
Nonya Indonesian Cuisine in Montreal
When I used to live in Outremont I'd occasionally walk past this restaurant and want to go there. I recognized some of the Indonesian dishes—Laksa soup, satay, nasi goreng salad, but then I'd notice the pricetag and think, "I'll just go make my own instead..." And then I'd find … [Read more...] about Nonya Indonesian Cuisine in Montreal
My Article in Sharp for Men Magazine
Check out my latest article in Sharp for Men Magazine. It's about restaurants serving horse in my two favourite Canadian cities - Montreal and Toronto. From tartar to steaks, it's time to check out this lean red meat. Thanks to David McMillan of JoeBeef for the pro-Montreal … [Read more...] about My Article in Sharp for Men Magazine
A Smorgasbord of Sustainable Seafood at Toronto’s Hoof Raw Bar
I heard about the Black Hoof and its changing chefs, the former Hoof Café and its popular brunch, and all things pig served at said places awhile ago. And I didn't care to go to any of them because of the pig part, but if you swap out the pig for sustainable seafood, I'm in. I … [Read more...] about A Smorgasbord of Sustainable Seafood at Toronto’s Hoof Raw Bar
Tachido
A few weeks ago I discovered a new restaurant on avenue du Parc. That in itself is exciting since recently it's more likely to see a restaurant closing than opening in the construction0heavy area. But with construction stopped for the holiday season (to encourage business in the … [Read more...] about Tachido
Khao San Road: The Best Thai in Toronto?
No I haven't eaten at every Toronto Thai restaurant, but I've eaten at my fair share. Though, to be extra fair, I have been in Montreal (land of so-so Thai) for a long time and have maybe forgotten what the general standard for Thai is in Toronto. Still, newly opened and … [Read more...] about Khao San Road: The Best Thai in Toronto?
The Beet Organic Cafe: Because what do you eat when you can’t eat anything?
On the day when you're told you can digest almost nothing, what do you eat? I saw my food allergist and she told me that for a short period of time to a long period of time depending on the food, I had to lay off: 1. Dairy (used to avoiding it, no problem) 2. Wheat and gluten … [Read more...] about The Beet Organic Cafe: Because what do you eat when you can’t eat anything?
J-Town and the Best Selection of Sustainable and Unsustainable Fish, Budget Curries and Noodles, Onigiri, and Pastries Around
I’ve been trying to get to J-Town for years. But getting up to Markham is a trial for a person without a car. From the apartment where I was staying in Toronto the one-way trip would have taken 1 hour and 30 minutes by metro and bus. And I’d probably want to come back downtown … [Read more...] about J-Town and the Best Selection of Sustainable and Unsustainable Fish, Budget Curries and Noodles, Onigiri, and Pastries Around
El Fogon: Peruvian Platters and Aji Amarillo
Peruvian restaurants in Toronto are slim pickings. I figured there’d be more options than Montreal, but there just aren’t, that I know of. If I’m wrong, tell me. But I headed to the most written-about and liked place, anyway – El Fogon. Located up on St. Clair, this few-frills … [Read more...] about El Fogon: Peruvian Platters and Aji Amarillo