2007 October » Marz 格子

Recent Eats (Part 2)

其他 (other), 西餐 (western), 飲食 (m-food) October 26th, 2007

(III) Famous BBQ Express

Not really a downtown girl. I mean. I don’t live downtown nor go downtown very often. When I go, it’s usually for work (meeting - such as today), eating, shopping and clubbing. (Hey, that’s almost everything! LOL) OKOK, I just wanna say I don’t mean the downtown = younger/hipper and uptown = older/uptight that kind of saying. Technically, I’m neither since I’m out of town. -_-

Back to the recent eats topic. From time to time, I am tempted to go off topic or start another post without finishing the previous one. A couple of weeks ago, while walking on Queen St., we bumped into some friends and they just finished dinner (a pretty early one - 6ish pm). They told us that it’s a really good one. So we walked about 20 steps further and came to this Famous BBQ place.

The colors were catchy, very photogenic. I quickly snapped a picture of the place without even noticing the manager/boss (?) inside, posing. He is a very nice person. First thing we ordered was the Spicy pork recommended by friends. Then, he told us there’s something good off the menu - the BulGoGi with Teriyaki sauce. So, we also got that.

Sitting there, there were a few other people sitting, or waiting for take-out. It was a bit early for dinner on a weeknight. The place was kinda have that “retro” feel to it. Here’s a one-man table. For sure, there are a lot of one man eating here.

While waiting for the food - which didn’t take long. Afterall, this place is supposed to be similar to fast food (but of course, it’s much better!). There are two staffs cooking and preparing the food + the boss looking after things and taking orders. Somehow, I saw the attention that they paid to preparing the food - a bit different. There’s something more to it. Is it passion? I don’t know. Maybe not to that level yet. But definitely have more “heart” or personal touch to it.

The food was good. Both of them was tasty. Hungryman portion. Not expensive at all. Even the presentation is great. I would say it’s a good deal. Marz like.

Also got this free fruit bar as dessert. You get them everywhere on Queen W. I think the company just put them there as a promo.

Second thought. I think the manager is smart. The offering of an “off-menu” item is definitely a nice marketing strategy. Who doesn’t want something special and good? Who doesn’t like little secrets? Who doesn’t like to feel special/different?

FYI: Famous BBQ Express
385 Queen Street West, Toronto
Tel: 416-593-0713

(IV) Chef Thai Fusion

Long time no see. The first time I went to Chef Thai Fusion was around August last year. After my visit, I blogged about it. I would say… overall, I didn’t leave with a positive impression. The second time I was there, I didn’t eat anything. I think it was around this time last year. Time flies.

The third time, it was a nice surprise. A weeknight. We came to this restaurant at around 8ish. There place was 2/5 full. Looking at the menu, I just felt like eating veggie. So we ordered a yellow curry vegetable and a Thai style eggplant.

The food came. I was totally in love with the eggplant. I like it. The curry was so-so. There was an older couple sitting at another table. While they were ordering, the server (manager?) made a lot of suggestions. He was very helpful, and I would say that’s very good service. Also, their food seemed to be pretty good.

I’d say… I wanna try it again next time. I guess it really depends on what you order. The pad thai was really so-so. If I go next time, I’d ask for recommendation. Hope it’ll turn out well.

FYI: Chef Thai Fusion (王泰軒)
115 Times Avenue, Unit B2 & B3, RMH, ON. L3T 0A2
Tel: 905-882-1110

(V) The Montreal Deli & Greek Grill

Toughest question of the week - where to go for Friday lunch. A colleague googled it and someone else randomly picked this one. So here we were. I have been thinking of trying this restaurant for so long. It’s right beside Rex Saigon.

Since it’s called “Montreal Deli”. I tried their smoked meat sandwich. However, we found it’s a bit too salty… not really that good. But I’ll give it another chance. Maybe there’s something else better there.

Again, took this picture by cell phone. Not bad.

FYI: The Montreal Deli & Greek Grill
115 York Blvd., Unit #7, Richmond Hill, ON.
Tel: 905-886-DELI (3354)

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Recent eats (Part 1)

日本菜 (japanese), 西餐 (western), 飲食 (m-food) October 24th, 2007

Food adventure continues…

Here are some of the places that I’ve been to in the past 30 days. Some surprises As you can see, I haven’t really blogged about food lately (except for Batifole or my UK trip). JK was talking to me about it the other day and I said somehow I just got a bit tired of it. You know, it happens and I don’t want to force it. Sometimes I’m busy and sometimes I just don’t feel like it. Rest - because there is a long way to go, as in Chinese: 休息, 是為了走更長的路.

(I) Pulp Kitchen
The first one I’m gonna talk about is this Pulp Kitchen located in Leslieville. It is a vegetarian restaurant. Its philosophy is: Nourish your body, nourish your mind and nourish your soul. In other words, eat at Pulp Kitchen at least 3 times a week (LOL). On my first visit, we came to this place for brunch. At around 1:30ish, I sat down and looked at the menu. What I ordered? A PK sandwich. Nice! PK is also my initials. Can’t go wrong with the signiture sandwich.

Flax toasted sandwich with crispy breaded tofu, oven roasted tomato, avocado, cilantro dijon mayo, served with baked home-fries and mixed greens. Taste was not bad. I actually seldom go vegetarian to be honest. Last time I had a “veggie burger” but that was at a fast food place. Wasn’t really healthy with the pre-made high-sodium patty.

JK ordered the Granola - Home-made and voted one of the best by Toronto Life. Topped with fresh fruits and pure maple yogurt. Had a spoon of that. I like it!

Just to give you a feel of how this place look like… I took this picture at around 3:30pm… I think they were closing around that time. The servers were friendly. Took all these pictures with my cell phone but the quality is surprisingly good.

FYI: Pulp Kitchen
898 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON.
Tel: 416-461-4612 (for take out)
Open: M-F 8am-5pm; S/S 10am-4pm

(II) Gal’s Sushi
Second place - an over-due dinner with TC and also return of my DS Lite. On a weeknight, we picked this Gal’s Sushi place because it’s conveniently located near both of our workplaces. At around 7pm, I arrived and seated. There weren’t a lot of customers at first, but half an hour later, people started coming in. Rough estimate, this place can seat 200 people. It is a relatively large dining place. From all the buzz I’ve heard from my colleague and friends, this place has been getting good feedback. Before I even try the food, I would say one thing that make them standout is their logo outside, facing Hwy 7. There aren’t a lot of restaurants in those two new office building near Warden and Hwy 7, so this place really caught my attention everytime I drove by at night.

It is a Japanese-Korean restaurant. Actually there is another Gal’s sushi (near Bayview/Hwy7) opened by this group of people (I heard), and then they later sold the other location and opened up this one. There are both Japanese and Korean dishes on the menu. A Katsu don costs like $11.99 at dinner time, which kinda imply this restuarant isn’t really cheap. The lunch combos, however are pretty good priced. Also, FYI, they open early around 8am and offer breakfast. At first both of us wanted the “egg-wrapped rice” 蛋包飯 but they only offer that during lunch.

So, instead, we ordered a rainbow roll (portion isn’t that big), a Dwen Jang Chi-gae, and a BulGoGi.

The food was good overall. As usual we get the Korean side dishes although there are not a lot of them unlike the usual Korean place. There are 4 sushi chefs at one time - quite a lot compared to many other non-AYCE places, but second thoughts, maximum capacity is 200, of course they need more chefs. The final damage was about $32 before gratuity. We were still chatting towards the end but the lady already gave us the bill - kinda rude in a way since that there is no one waiting. Felt like a take-out place instead of a place for you to stay for the night and enjoy the dinner.

Aside, another comment - I think they have a pretty good website.

FYI: Gal’s Sushi
3621 Hwy 7 East, Markham, ON.
Tel: 905-305-7753
Open: 7 days a week, 8:30am - 11pm

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Batifole - Best French Food in Chinatown

西餐 (western), 飲食 (m-food) October 21st, 2007

After the last endeavour, we have selected our next destination - Batifole, a French restaurant located in the East Chinatown of Toronto. The original date was supposed to be the 20th. As usual, we expected to reschedule a few times, but it was not as embarrassing this time around since we only rescheduled once. It was also the first time we’ve ever done Friday dinner. Since we always came out on Saturday night, last Friday night felt a bit like Saturday to us.

One of the reasons why we chose this restaurant was that it was recommended by one of the staff at Perigee. Originally we were planning to enjoy a brunch at Batifole after hearing so many good comments on their brunch. However, when I called to make the reservation, I was told that they no longer offer brunch (*note: their website is not up-to-date*).

That night, I felt like dressing a bit differently - so I put on a dress that has a touch of the 70’s. Too bad, MR didn’t quite buy that (LOL). It was okay. I just wanted to wear that at least once.

Around 8:45pm, we arrived this place. While we were on our way, I saw all the Chinese stores on the side of Gerrard. It wasn’t until then I realized we were in the East Chinatown. I seldom go there. Maybe… back in 1999, I came back once… to revisit the kindergarten that I used to go to, and the house that I used to live in.

It was a full house again, which is good. It means we picked the right one. The restaurant was cozy and a bit different from the usual ones that we visit. This one, no tasting menu but you (we) can visit more often.

First of all, MR and I ordered the French Martini. It was okay - didn’t quite like the after taste. Looking at the menu, JK and I decided to go for the prix fixe menu and MR ordered a la carte. The bread was good… I love bread and butter. Like MR said… can live with bread, butter and cheese. I had Escargot as appetizer…and butter-dipped bread.

Lobster and crab soup for JK.

Carrot soup for MR. Had a sip of both of them. Pretty good - but it was from a sip. Gotta ask MR/JK how they like it after they’ve finished a whole bowl. JK and I selected the oven baked bass filet with shaved fennel in saffron infused French vermouth. Sounds sophisticated eh. The portion was pretty large. With the wine and spice, the fish was aromatic. The flip side is that you can’t really taste the taste of fish. Really depends on your taste.

MR’s thick cut Ontario Angus steak with peppercorn sauce w/ bone marrow. I tried quite a big piece and IT WAS GOOD! so Yummm. But I don’t know if I could finish the whole piece all by myself though.

MR ordered French Fries… and we didn’t know our meal also comes with French Fries. They were really really good… I felt like in heaven. The server saw that we didn’t finish the two whole baskets and our explanation was… we were just too full. Yah, this place’s portion is good.

Desserts: Tiny Vineland Pear Drunk in Calvados (came with the prix fixe) - … Had a small bite of the pear. No comment -_- but the wine was good. Cognac scented crème brûlée (again, came with the prix fixe) - I liked it.

Around 10:30pm we got our bill. The total damage this time was about the same as the usual 1-person damage (around $170 before gratuity). I was feeling a bit dizzy after the Martini, Champagne (yes we also ordered a round of that), Calvados, and mix with crème brûlée. Our gathering continued at Y Not @ Yorkville (just 1 level above Sushi Inn) - Didn’t feel like drinking but it was very nice place just to chill. Good suggestion MR.