647 351 1200  |   $12-$17 Pizza & Pasta

Haven’t heard of Strada241? Neither had I ten minutes before I decided to go check it out. The Rubino brothers, of Rain and Ame, opened this spot up in the center of Chinatown last week, and I happened to spot it on Toronto Life. It was close to work and I was in the mood for pizza, so naturally I walked over with a couple coworkers to sample the menu.

Photo Credit: blogTO

Food

Simple tends to be very revealing and the menu here is very straightforward: antipasti, salads, a good pizza selection, a few pastas and some salumi/cheese options. You can’t hide behind a lot of these dishes, either you get them right or you have a super mediocre restaurant on your hands.

First up, selected the zucchini fritti served with fresh parsley salsa verde. Presentation here was awesome, with each slice spiked on it’s own nail coming out of the board. It tasted great too: the light crispy breading with perfectly done cuts of zucchini and that bright, savoury sauce worked well.

Both my friends ordered paninis and really enjoyed them, but oddly, they seem to have been removed from the most recent menu posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page. In case they make a return appearance, the pollo cacciatore sandwich (above) is delicious, hearty, and highly recommended.

The other panini we ordered, a mozzarella, tomato, lettuce, and pesto sandwich is clean yet satisfying as well. Just look at that bread. There’s a bakery on site that also serves a number of goods out front, which you might have guessed anyways on the basis of the bread alone.

The final main had to be pizza. I went with the Zia Rita, topped with a beautiful tomato sauce (so delicious when done this well), great spicy salami nduja, roasted onion, rapini, parmigiano, and mint. The crust was pretty tasty as well, and had a good mix of chewy and crispy.

We also ordered a side of cold rapini with a lemon vincotto dressing and some frisee. I’d never had cold rapini, but that lemon kept it real bright and I found myself coming back for more. That said, thought it could have used something else to contrast the level of bitterness just a bit more.

After a great meal, it only made sense to go with dessert. My choice was the ‘Limone’, a cold lemon custard of sorts topped with an almond crumble, ribbons of fennel and a touch of fennel frond on top. The pairing of fennel and perfectly balanced sweet/tart lemon was terrific. Throw in the textural contrast of the biscotti-like almond crumble, and this was one hell of a dessert. Highly recommend it.

Service and Ambience

Insulated from the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, you’re more or less transported when you walk in. High ceilings, tons of brick and wood, and a very open concept make this a great space. The front area with coffee and sweets kind of reminds me of Dark Horse just down the street actually.

Our server was also good given the newness of the restaurant and the changing menu. Our waters were always full, she happily offered her recommendations, and was really cheery throughout.

The Reco?

I was so impressed by this place and will definitely be back. There’s a bunch of dishes I’d re-order and I also can’t wait to try the baked goods up front and the ongoing changes to the menu. It’s not the most ambitious food in the world, but it’s hard to find it all executed this well.

Other Reviews? 
 blogTO   |    dine.TO

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Oct 9, 2012

416 979 6763   |   $2-$12 dishes

I eat in the The Village by the Grange at Dundas and McCaul pretty frequently. If you’ve never been, the food court inside this ‘mall’ is full of independent vendors serving mostly ethnic-specific foods and very few chains. What I learned recently is that there’s actually a sit-down Japanese restaurant inside called Manpuku that’s supposed be pretty tasty. So in I went. Here’s a mini-review.

Food

The menu here is separated into noodle dishes, rice dishes and specials. There’s also a separate ‘assorted menu’ for some reason. Not really sure why it’s not part of the main menu…guess they don’t fit nicely into a category? I don’t know.

Since it was lunch and cold, most of us had bowls of udon noodle soup. The niku soup (above) with a good portion of tender sliced beef is tasty and a good deal at $5.99 given the big bowl. The kake udon is an even better deal at $3.99 coming with fishcakes and diced scallops in a slightly smaller bowl. Both good noodle soups.

I ordered the negitama gyudon, a rice dish topped with sliced beef, lots of green onion and an almost barely cooked egg. I was expecting a taste closer to bibimbap but for some reason, the beef seasoning kept bringing me back to shepherd’s pie. It was warm, hearty, and filling. Win.

I also started with some Ohitashi (cold spinach in a light dressing with bonito flakes). It was pretty bitter, chilled, and the bonito flakes added that fishy flavour. I’d classify this as an acquired taste, meaning I didn’t really like it.

We ended with what everyone says to try: Takosen. Apparently this is a popular Japanese street food, whereby Takoyaki balls (octopus dumplings) are squished between two crackers with mayo and a sweet sauce. Texturally, it’s pretty interesting and squishing the dumpling is just plain fun. You also get three of these for $3!

Service and Ambience

When you walk in, it looks kind of like a diner, with a big bar and the kitchen right behind it. Seating is also pretty limited, so get here a bit early during lunch hour. 

One of the great things about our brief drop-in was the service. Our server was really pleasant and attentive throughout and she helped accommodate the four of us during the busy lunch hour despite needing to move around some tables. Much appreciated.

The Reco?

There are two main reasons to drop in here: good value and unique dishes. The menu presents a few choices that appear to be quite authentic and difficult to come by, and you can try a bunch of them on a budget. Enjoy.

Other reviews:
 Where Jess Ate   |    Amy’s Food Adventures

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Apr 27, 2012

416 977 0056   |    $4.50 empanadas, $8.50 corn pie

I had never heard of this spot in Kensington Market until today…probably because I’ve yet to really wander around here until today (shameful, I know). If you’re looking for a frame of reference, it’s across from Agave y Aguacate supposing you know where that is. We almost went there until a friend of mine suggested Jumbo Empanadas. Why not? Here’s a mini-review.

Photo credit: blogTO

Food

There’s only a few things on the menu: three empanadas (beef chicken, and vegetable), humitas, chilean salad, and corn pie. Of course we all went with empanadas and one lucky soul with the corn pie.

First the golden brown empanadas with salsa. Each one is about the size of small paperback book, stuffed with your choice of beef, chicken or vegetables.

The interesting part starts when you put your fork through the shell (above). The fun surprises were large olives, raisins, and hard-boiled eggs. None were particular sharp in flavour which helped everything meld in with the taste of the spiced beef. Couldn’t tell you what the spices are, but I can tell you it’s pleasant.

While the empanadas are in the restaurant name, the star is the corn pie (above). Sometimes you forget just how appealing sweet corn is - thankfully this dish brought back a rush of wonderful memories. Kind of looks like a small sweet potato pie, but it’s pretty deep and lined on the bottom with beef, chicken, and a lot of the same fillings you find in the empanadas. The meats are all stew-tender, and THE COOOORN is delicious. I will be back to eat this whole thing. Mark my words.

Also, go across the street and grab some chocolate filled churros (4 for $5). Actually some of the better churros I’ve had in a while.

Service and Ambience

From what I can tell all the food prep and service is run by two people and it gets pretty busy during lunch. Kudos to banging all this great stuff out to hungry diners.

It’s too bad the patio wasn’t yet open, but given that the market doesn’t really have that much outdoor seating, I’m sure this is a hit once it get’s hot out. 

The Reco?

If you work remotely close, go for a walk into the market and see what you’re in the mood for. There are some great options (especially across the street), but I’d recommend stepping into Jumbo Empanadas, especially for the corn pie. I think I’ve said enough.

Other reviews:
  blogTO   

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Apr 16, 2012

info@banhmiboys.com   |    $5 - $8 sandwiches

I’d be surprised if you haven’t heard someone mention Banh Mi Boys over the last month or so. It opened in December 2011, but has been closed for the past couple months for renovations. Post-reopening, lines have characterized the lunch hour here at Spadina and Queen West as people hustle to get their hands on some long-awaited banh mi. 

Food

The menu is composed of ten banh mi (BM) sandwiches, five tacos and five steamed baos (SB). Popular fillings include pork belly (BM/SB), squid (BM/taco), beef cheek(BM/SB) and duck confit (BM only). There’s also kimchi covered fries and and a yummy jicama papaya slaw offered as sides.

As a big fan of baos and banh mi, I decided I’d have one of each. I started with the five spice pork belly bao (above for $3.49). The belly was tender, maybe not quite as fatty as you might expect and the spice didn’t really stand out; nice pickled veggies and a room-temp steamed bun completed the snack. I wouldn’t rave, but I just love open-face baos so much that I’d easily eat this again.

Next I ordered the kalbi beef banh mi ($5.99, zoomed in above). The beef and accompanying sweet sauce had some decent flavour and a bit of a tang. The baguette wasn’t too thick, fluffy soft, and crusty on the outside - all good things. It’s also a nice size overall and would satisfy many people for lunch. 

I’d heard great things about the duck confit ($7.49, picture above), so I recommended it to my vietnamese friend who came along. She claimed it was banh mi ‘done right’. I had a bite too. Sometimes duck confit doesn’t really taste like duck and is kind of dry, but this was both moist and supremely duck-y. The onion chutney added some sweetness to contrast the pickled veggies and bunches of cilantro (in all BMs offered on the menu). 

I didn’t have the kimchi fries, but I’ve heard rave reviews from people I trust so I’d recommend it for sure.

Another side note: apparently banh mi often has pâté in it. I didn’t know this before my friend told me, but I hope that shows up on the menu at some point as an add-on. I’d take them up on it in a second.

Service and Ambience

The redesign has made the restaurant ‘nicer’, but with limited seating and lots of take out orders, it’s not a highlight. I think the real reason this place is popular is the unique concept, good execution and value. The prices are very competitive with a lot of take out options in the area and the food is clearly better quality.

One thing I’ll comment on service-wise is the speed. We showed up 11:45am on a Wednesday and ended up waiting about 20 minutes from lining up through to receiving food. Around 12:15pm, people just saw the line and left because they knew they’d be there forever. It’s worth the wait if you beat most people to the line, but I’m not so sure it’s worth 30+ mins unless you’re REALLY craving it.

The Reco?

As I said, the unique concept and value make this place a success. It’s niche food done pretty well, and there are enough options to keep you coming back without getting bored. It’s like if your favourite shawarma place had 20 legitimately interesting options. You’d go back too. 

Other reviews:
  NOW Toronto    |      blogTO 

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Apr 4, 2012

416-492 5292    |    Ton of variety, can eat cheap or not

If you’ve ever been to Guu Izayaka, you’ve wished there was more than two locations in the TO area (wish I’d had this blog when I ate there). No one’s really come up with something as potentially captivating, until Don Don came along with promises of awesome izayaka. Was it? Keep reading to find out.

Food

No it wasn’t. See you didn’t have to wait that long (I know, you saw the 1.5 stars already).

I dropped by for the lunch menu, which is decidedly simpler than the dinner offering. That said, I think the uneven execution speaks for itself. There are noodle dishes, bento boxes, a variety of less conventional apps, and of course sushi/maki. 

We started with the black croquettes (above), who’s inviting name I couldn’t pass up. The aesthetic was interesting, with squid ink used to create the darkness but the promise of shrimp and cod roe was a lie. It’s essentially a creamy potato popper. It’s also pretty poor value given the size of the croquettes and the $7 price tag.

Also gave the yakitori (skewered food) a chance and again was disappointed. From left to right (above), you’ve got mediocre chicken, chewy pork something, boring eggs, and two bacon wrapped options (mushroom and asparagus) neither of which were creative, hot, or ultimately satisfying. 

The seafood stir-fried noodle dish was actually good for the most part. All the bonito flakes on top moved like living things, the noodle texture was nice and starchy and the majority of the seafood was grilled tender (calamari included, some other pieces not so much).

Then came the spicy bento box again with spicy noodles (yum again), the usual rice, breaded chicken, and salad. BUT, here’s my enormous warning: watch out for the kimchi. I’m not promising yours will be the same, but ours was gross. Heavy-handed vinegar and this strange rotten taste that I can’t describe. All I know is I couldn’t shake it for the rest of the day. Just can’t serve that. 

We ended with a fresh sushi platter that was visually very appealing and mostly delivered with a clean array of fish covered orbs. If you’re going to eat anything here for lunch, just go with noodles or sushi.

Also, if you’re just coming for the sake, ignore this review. We didn’t delve into that world, but apparently the selection is extensive.

Service and Ambience

One thing Don Don got right was the look. It’s a well-decorated spot lined with sake and packed full of things that look authentic to uninformed Torontonians. If Guu had a lot more space, it’d probably look something like this place. I’d say the lunch menu needs a lot of work from a design perspective and looks like an afterthought.

The staff is cheery and evidently plentiful as you walk in to the traditionally vocal chorus greeting from all the staff. There’s a big drum (above) that also adds some novelty to the experience. From a service perspective, the food arrived somewhat slowly given the empty tables surrounding us, but our waitress was kind and happy to help whenever we needed her. 

The Reco?

It’s one thing to offer underwhelming food, but it’s another to serve something that tastes inedible. I can’t forgive that, thus the harsh rating. On the plus, the environment is fun, the look is down pat, and the dinner menu may have some gems. Unfortunately, I won’t be returning or recommending that others do the same.

Other reviews:
  Amy’s Food Adventures    |       dine.TO

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Feb 21, 2012

416-599-4200    |    45 Baldwin St.

No website that I can find for menu details and haven’t sampled anything other than the sushi here (well, unless sake counts) so I’ll go with a mini review here.

Food

I’ve had a bunch of sushi at this spot before and always come away very happy with the value here. It’s not super cheap, but very reasonable for above average Japanese and Korean. I’ve heard good things about the Korean dishes, but since all I’ve had is the sushi, I’ll focus on the three rolls we sampled today.

The two featured above are the caterpillar (no need to point it out) and Rick’s Roll. These are two favourites on the special roll menu. Each is around $10, quite big, and are delicious. The caterpillar has BBQ eel (unagi) inside with creamy avocado layered on top with some garnish and sauce to make it look like it’s animal relative. Could use more eel given the size.

The Rick’s Roll has - I’m probably gonna mess this up since there’s no website to double check - tempura shrimp, softchell crab, and tobiko with a variety of toppings and a distinct ginger finish. This was the table favourite. Had the spider roll as well, but that fell a little flat.

Of course, topped it off with an 8oz bottle of sake between the three of us for really cheap as well.

Service and Ambience

Warm and pleasant servers with frequent refills of the tea/water always appreciated. Also spoke to the owner as we were heading out and he let us know there’d be a new Taylor roll (his name’s Taylor) with different preparations of prawn. Good to know. 

The inside is long and narrow but the tables are very spacious and the chairs are quite comfortable. Also large prints of Taylor’s unique photography grace the walls and add some quirky character to the joint.

The Reco?

Easily the best place on Baldwin for sushi and probably the best in the general area before you hit Chinatown. Will continue to come back here for sushi lunch and recommend the same to you should you be in the area. Cheers.

Other reviews:
 blogTO  |     Toronto Life    |   Sushi Toronto

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Nov 23, 2011

416-977-3909    |    $2-$24 dishes, $5-8 for six dumplings

The downtown location of this GTA Chinese restaurant chain was recommended as a good spot with a killer onion and beef pancake. It is exactly that.

Food

Typically large menu with variations on all the usual items with your choice of protein. Not expensive but there are surely cheaper spots in Chinatown.

Heres what I’d go back for…

• Onion pancake with sliced beef: served a wrap/roll in foil. The pancake itself had a flaky, doughy texture reminiscent of roti, the sliced beef was tender, sauce isn’t very pronounced but addictive and the generous portion of green onions rounds everything out. Could eat this for lunch 3x a week.
  
  

• Hot and sour soup: this one’s all about the broth. There’s a comforting spice level accompanied by moderate tartness and a bit of earthiness. It’s not amazingly complex, but really hits the spot on a chilly day.

• Pea shoots with garlic: dead simple but executed well. Not cooked to mush, not overly oily, and pleasant bitterness accompanied by pronounced garlic. Another comforting, warm option.

• Shrimp dumplings: I described it as a bite of wonton soup packed with tender shrimp. Fresh, juicy, meaty. Enjoyed.

What I’d forget I tried…

• Pork dumplings: served with a diluted peanut sauce and pork sausage inside was just ok. needed some chive flavour or something.

• Fried veg dumplings: full of bitter greens which is fine, but not much else. In the vinegar dipping sauce they improved. Would have liked more thorough and even frying, weren’t crispy.

• Chicken fried rice: it is what it is.

• Spicy shredded beef: pretty bland, beef was chewy, no spice in sight (marked with two chilis on the menu). 

Service and Ambience

Nicer, more modern look than most Chinatown spots which is appreciated. There’s a good three or four private rooms downstairs which would probably be good spots for small parties too.

Food was brought out within 20 mins for the five of us during busy lunch. Servers polite, but I wouldn’t use the word friendly. Grabbing cheque was quick as well. I know they also deliver in the area, so that’s an extra service to consider as winter approaches.

The Reco?

No stories will be passed through generations about it, but I’d go back. 50/50 hit and miss dishes, but when it hits, its really nice and the misses aren’t so bad. Final words: seriously, try the pancake.

Other reviews:
Toronto Life - “The rolled onion pancake with sliced beef is irresistible”.

 Posted by: Jacob, Visited Oct 17, 2011