Not to spoil the end of the story or anything, but for all those impatient people out there, I found it – my MSG-free gochujang. Except it has corn syrup in it, which is disgusting. But at the same place I found it I also found a vegan apple-brown sugar hot sauce, homemade, … [Read more...] about In Search of Perfect Gochujang – Endgame
Toronto Restaurants
The Urban Eatery: The Toronto Eaton’s Centre’s New North Foodcourt
The new chic-ed up north foodcourt at the Eaton Centre is…unique. Fast food abounds – Thai Express, cheap burgers, fries, shawarma, Chinese from vats with more MSG than lab rats could handle, New York Fries Poutinerie (since 1976 – the fries on the menu. The poutine is a new … [Read more...] about The Urban Eatery: The Toronto Eaton’s Centre’s New North Foodcourt
Because Sometimes Dinner Isn’t About the Food: Asuka and Aroma
Two Toronto restaurants: Asuka and Aroma. One Japanese/sushi up in Yorkville, the other Northern Indian down on King Street. When I go out for dinner it's a well thought-out plan. Never random, never out of desperation, and never something I don't expect to be excellent. I knew … [Read more...] about Because Sometimes Dinner Isn’t About the Food: Asuka and Aroma
Back in the Village, Part 2: Wanda’s Pie in the Sky
I needed a sugar fix like I needed a punch in the head. But I went to Wanda's Pie in the Sky anyway. It used to be in Yorkville in Toronto but relocated to bohemian-friendly, Prada-mocking Kensington Village a few years ago. Now it even tries to cater to vegans! Vegans! At a … [Read more...] about Back in the Village, Part 2: Wanda’s Pie in the Sky
East Africa Restaurant: Ethiopian in NDG
East Africa Restaurant is a new-ish homestyle hole-in-the-wall on Sherbrooke next to the Caribbean restaurant, Ma's Place, and down the road from some tasty Middle Eastern options. So in a, maybe, three block stretch you can take a gustatory tour of the world. That was maybe not … [Read more...] about East Africa Restaurant: Ethiopian in NDG
Ferreira Cafe
Café Ferreira 1446 rue Peel Montreal, QC ●●●●●●●●○○ 8 out of 10 Portuguese Again, I didn't go here to review it, but I wanted to talk about it. This is what I do, talk about food. Periodically I do and talk about other things. Anyway, we show up a tiny, tiny bit late for a … [Read more...] about Ferreira Cafe
Why, I DO Love Cake!
For the Love of Cake Toronto, ON ●●●●●●●●●○ 9 out of 10 I've eaten a whole lot of cake in my lifetime considering that I'm a lactose-intolerant person. There's something about not being allowed to have it that makes it so seductive. That being said, I will not eat just any … [Read more...] about Why, I DO Love Cake!
Loire Restaurant
Loire Restaurant 119 Harbord Street Toronto, ON ●●●●●●●●☺○○ 8 1/2 out of 10 French I've been cooking a lot from Josée di Stasio's ode to modern French/Québecois recipes and food traditions, "A la di Stasio" recently. I've also been fortunate to eat at some of Montreal's French … [Read more...] about Loire Restaurant
Ame Sushi
Ame 19 Mercer Street Toronto, ON ●●●●●●●●●☺○ 9 1/2 out of 10 Japanese I would be completely happy if I died and found out that heaven is exactly what I experienced last night. I went to Ame feeling very suspicious. When I left Toronto two years ago, the restaurant was still … [Read more...] about Ame Sushi
Da Gianni e Maria, March 2010
Update: this restuarant is now closed Da Gianni e Maria Trattoria 796 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto, ON ●●●●●●●●☺○○ 8 1/2 out of 10 Italian A lot of things have changed along the uprooted sidewalks of St. Clair West. For years the neighbourhood wasted away while pedestrians … [Read more...] about Da Gianni e Maria, March 2010