In the thick of things in Chinatown, there's a Vietnamese restaurant that serves recession-buster hot dinners, super cheap (and only so-so tasting) sandwiches, and what I like to call "random desserts". The latter are what most excite and bewilder me.

See my review of Bahn Mi & Che Cali in the restaurant section.

Churrasqueira in Koreatown? Yup. Spit-roasted chckens, hens, BBQ ribs, rice pilaf, saucy roast potatoes, and romaine salad are on the menu at The Grill Pit. And Christie Pits is right there, for those inclined to make it a picnic feast.

See my review of The Grill Pit in the restaurants section.

For under $10, you can grab a decent roti and drink at Danfroth Roti Shop. The memories of special lunch days at public school that come with the visit, however, are completely free.

See my profile of Danforth Roti Shop in the restaurant section.

Feeling the craving for Donkasseu (a tasty Korean cutlet specialty), I headed to the brand new Cutlet House in Koreatown. This was my first visit, and rather than walking away impressed, I ended up confirming that a word I previously thought was made up actually is a real word.

Read my less than favourable review of Cutlet House in the restaurant section.

Na Deul Mok in Koreatown offers fresh, authentic Korean dishes, often accompanied by mounds of side dishes. Staff are friendly, and are happy to tailor dishes for vegetarian patrons. And for people like me, who seek out the sour pucker of vinegar-soaked buckwheat and top notch kimchi, it really satisfies.

See my review of Na Deul Mok in the restaurants section.

Looking for some delicious home-style Mediterranean, I found what I was seeking at Mount Olive. In the Mount Pleasant area, they offer affordable and sumptuous food. And the staff were friendly and candid enough to introduce me to the smiling (single!) chef.

Read my profile of Mount Olive in the restaurants section.