blogTO:Announcements Feed

Kimchi Stew with Tuna and Speedy Service at Koreatown's New "Minute Restaurant"

Devon — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:59:00 -0500

Sunrise House, a new "minute restaurant" in Koreatown is an authentic replica of the quick-cooking, no fuss home-food restaurants that keep Korea thriving. The menu includes classic offerings of noodles, dumplings, fried rice, pancakes and meats.

See my review of Sunrise House in the restaurant section.

Local Design Finds Near Bloor and Bathurst

Charlotte — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Bluebird Handmade in the Annex is all about beautiful handmade goods and craft supplies. Originally serving as a workshop for classes, the tiny Bathurst Street location now also makes and sells lovely custom ceramics, prints, scarves, ornaments, bags, jewelery, and toys from their storefront.

See the profile of Bluebird Handmade in the design stores section.

Getting Down with Filipino Cuisine in Scarborough

June — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:48:00 -0500

Located in a bustling strip-mall in Scarborough, Remely's serves up authentic Filipino fare cafeteria style. Being a newcomer to this cuisine, I tried everything from Tagalog Beef Steak to Chicharon Bituka (deep-fried pig intestine).

Find out about everything in between in my review of Remely's in the restaurant section.

Sushi with Sex Appeal on Mercer St.

Beverly — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:40:00 -0500

After high priced Rain fizzled out in the midst of the economic downtown, the Rubino brothers revamped their Mercer St. space into the Japanese-inspired AME. From Wagyu beef to remarkably fresh tuna sashimi (but wait, isn't that endangered blue fin on the menu?), the kitchen is definitely on their game.

Read my review of AME in the restaurants section.

Serpentine Rocks it Out in Yorkville

Briony — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:24:00 -0500

Serpentine ain't your typical Yorkville boutique. Rock-and-roll is the theme of the shop; they carry mostly men's items, but a lot of women's pieces as well. Hard-to-find lines include Lazaro, Diet Butcher Slim Skin, Damir Doma, DRKSHDW by Rick Owens, and Guidi boots.

Rock out in my profile of Serpentine in the Fashion Stores section.

Are Micro-Galleries Set to Be the New Trend?

Derek — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:13:00 -0500

Located just east of College and Lansdowne, Industtrees operates on the time worn premise that quality should be privileged over quantity. The tiny, white-washed gallery space is also home to a retail shop, which offers an intriguing selection of unique and hard-to-find items.

Read my review of Industtrees in the gallery section.

A Classic Combo of Burgers, Booze and Boobs

Devon — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:12:00 -0500

W Burger Bar (not to be confused with Kensington's recently opened Burger Bar) is foremost a hamburger joint, and their comfort-food menu is anchored on a solid selection of burgers. They also serve boozy milkshakes, and their female wait staff wear translucent pink v-necks and black bras that emphasize bust over bustle.

See my review of W Burger Bar in the restaurants section.

From a French Bistro to a Canadian Pub to a Wine Bar and Grill, A Roundup of Recently Reviewed Restaurants

Derek — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:51:00 -0500

Over the last few weeks, we've checked out a number of restaurants around the city. Claire stopped by Mogette, a charming French bistro located on Mount Pleasant north of Davisville. And Orman headed to Bloor West Village and the Shops at Don Mills to try out My Place -- A Canadian Pub and Glow Fresh Grill and Wine Bar, respectively.

Full reviews of Mogette Bistro, My Place - A Canadian Pub and Glow Fresh Grill and Wine Bar are posted in the restaurants section.

Brunch on Church St.

June — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:41:00 -0500

Located at the northern end of Church St., Lola's Commissary offers modern interpretations of traditional brunch fare as well as a wide variety of lunch and dinner items. I was pretty impressed by the egg dishes, but it was the French toast stuffed with cheesecake that blew me away.

Read my review of Lola's Commissary in the restaurant section.

OMG is Right! Living Up to the Promise of Deliciousness on Dundas West

Dar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:12:00 -0500

The promise of "impossibly delicious goodness made possible," is far too confident not to be met. And, sure enough, the lovely folks at OMG Baked Goodness made good on their word and then some with a few of the freshest, plushest cakes I've ever had. The vegan options are surprisingly good, too.

Read my review of OMG Baked Goodness in the bakery section.

No Pigs or Squids Hang in this East Chinatown Restaurant's Window

Beverly — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:21:00 -0500

Simon's Wok is in East Chinatown, but this vegetarian Chinese eatery is worth seeking out. (There's much more to Toronto Chinese food than BBQ Pork on the Spadina strip, west-enders!)

Simon's conveys a different perspective on vegetarian food, with a whopping 111 menu items to choose from, including a wide range of hearty "fake meat" options. And trust me... earnestly-named dishes like "Assorted Wheat Gluten" are a lot more delicious than they sound.

See my review of Simon's Wok in the restaurant section.

Locally Made, Super-Soft Tees Find a Home as Shared Stakes Out Space on Bathurst

Briony — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:44:00 -0500

Shared tees have a Canadian home now that the popular local line has finally opened up a retail location. Want a shirt that feels like you've already loved it for years? Shared's got your super-soft staples to keep you covered, both cozily and stylishly.

See my profile of Shared in the fashion stores section.

This Tiny New Pizzeria Makes a Great Pie

Charlotte — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:03:00 -0500

Formerly Lou's Coffee bar, Buddha Pie is a tiny pizzeria that opened about a month ago on the southwest fringe of The Junction. Schooled by Cosimo Mammoliti of Terroni, the owner now makes one of the best margherita pizzas in town.

Don't believe me? Read my review of Buddha Pie in the restaurants section for the photo and written evidence.

A Visit to Midtown's Culinary Mecca

Claire — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:07:00 -0500

Cava is a foodie favourite near Yonge and St. Clair where loyal customers flock to nibble on an eclectic menu of Iberian-inspired tapas (including the must-have plate of jamon iberico) by chefs Chris McDonald and Doug Penfold.

Read my review of Cava in the Restaurants section.

Pressing my Nose up Against a Cold Window for an Eyeful of Danish Delights

Dar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:12:00 -0500

Hansen's Danish Pastry Shop in East York makes me feel like my craving for sweets (in alarming volume and frequency) is a good thing - and that it's worth getting off and back on the bus for. Hundreds of incredible cookies and assorted pastries (and plenty of herring!) await.

See my profile of Hansen's Danish Pastry Shop in the bakery section.