01.15.06
Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 8:00 am by skay
I wrote this a while back:
Parking was a nightmare… I waited in line for 20 minutes which I expected, but once seated it took the guy 10 minutes to take my order and 35 minutes to get it. It was pretty good, but not worth that kind of pointless waiting. The only redeeming quality is that being downtown it was full of “colourful characters” (I prefer to call them freaks personally) and so there was plenty to keep me occupied. I had the pancakes and a bagel with coffee and juice, and the guy felt that I was in need of the DOUBLE priced “100% fresh squeezed” juice rather than asking me. Oh well, it came out of his tip, so who am I to complain?? Apart from the service being abysmal, the food was pretty good, good enough that I would go back again but it won’t deter me from embarking once again next weekend in search of the apex of the Toronto breakfast experience.
It seems as though it was good enough to return and since it is now one of our favourite places to go I can only say that my one experience was the exception to the rule. The service still leaves a lot to be desired, i guess that because they work “downtown” they have the right to be snotty, but in reality the reason everyone hates downtown is the attitude of the people who work and live there. Manhattan, I get it, downtown Toronto, stop trying so hard, you are embarrassing yourself.
Apart from the stupid potato cubes they serve for home fries the food is pretty good, and a fairly good deal. I suggest having the omlette or the french toast, both are excellent. We go back for the value and the good size portions, and I still refuse to tip for bad service.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:55 am by skay
Breakfast is not the time to be at Moxies. This morning (Sunday) I was told that they don’t do pancakes except on Saturdays. Fine, I thought, I’ll have the giant waffle, something for which they claim on the menu to be famous. Unfortunately, the menus are about of date and my dateless waitress told me that they no longer carry the waffles. I was stuck having scrambled eggs, which were remarkably forgettable, potato cubes with onion and toast. I told her I didn’t want meat with my food, but she billed me for it anyway because apparently it doesn’t pay to want less than what they want to give you either. I was certainly not thrilled, and even though I have eaten there before and had a pleasant experience I shall most likely not return after today’s fiasco.
Rating:3 out of 10
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:53 am by skay
A well balanced and healthy alternative to the regular fast food type joints. The cream cheeses are varied and come in regular or light and the bagels are usually excellent for freshness. My personal favourite is a toasted everything bagel, 2 slices of cheddar cheese, Dijon Mustard and nuke it! They have started carrying a breakfast selection now which includes nuked eggs on a toasted bagel which is excellent however when I asked whatever happened to the Bagel Dogs the pre-teen behind the counter looked at me as if I was asking him the 12x tables… The Bagel Dog was the holy grail of GCB at one point, sadly though it seems to have been put down while I was away and is currently frolicking in the doggie heaven along with Old Yeller and seven thousand Lassies…
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:49 am by skay
Just a quick word, the coffee is the best in the world, but I did once become addicted to the extra-large English Toffee Cappuccino. As for eats, the oatmeal raisin cookies are great, if you can find the oatmeal raisin muffins they are even better. Raisin Bran is a close second and they used to have oatmeal carrot raisin muffins which were the dogs bollocks, but they are really hard to find nowadays. Since they have started doing bagels and sandwiches and soups you can get a decent meal there any time, the 12 grain bagels are pretty good. The 9 rating is for the coffee, everything else you can find at almost any coffee shop.
Rating: 9 out of 10
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:45 am by skay
..at Victoria Park and Sheppard in Scarborough. They have the best burgers in the city, the most amazing Onion Rings and provide very fast in and out service. The Souvlaki isn’t bad either. There is no seating, except for picnic tables outside and you will be constantly barraged by hungry, fat seagulls. The prices are low and the food is good, but it’s definitely not gourmet. If you like barbecue, then take a chance, all the burgers are grilled while you wait and are custom built for you. In my opinion, the greatest burger experience you can have.
Rating: 8 out of 10 (on the greasy burger scale)
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:42 am by skay
There is nothing quite like the Marché experience. There are now two locations, one at Yonge and Wellington, and one at York Mills and Bayview. The food at both is excellent, but for the first time experience you should really head downtown. The layout is the same as Marché restaurants in Switzerland and s based on the theory that fresh food cooked in front of the customer is the best way to eat. There are a variety of ’stations’ in the restaurant where you go to order your food. When you enter you are given a card which is stamped by the ’station’ chef every time you order something. For example there is a fresh fish stand, a pasta bar, sushi and salad bars and a fresh juice bar. There is also made-to-order pizza, grilled steaks and chicken and a large dessert bar. The highlights include Rosti (Grated Potato) with Sour Cream, the Caesar Salad which is rated by many as being the best in Toronto and the bread selection which is outstanding. It is well worth a visit and is a great first or second date place since there are no waiters and waitresses to bother you, it is a relaxed atmosphere and is fun. They are also open quite late. There are at least two locations, right across from the Hummingbird Centre downtown, and at Bayview and York Mills in the York Mills Centre.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:40 am by skay
The reason this is here in the lunch section is that I usually find myself here with work people celebrating a departure of a coworker. The food is awesome, since I am a huge fish fan, and the variety is unmatched anywhere in the city. Either the location downtown on Front Street or the one near the DVP and Sheppard are both equally matched in their quality and selection. They have great deals on for happy hour too around 4 to 6pm and most of their appetisers are excellent. Try the muscargots (mushrooms with crab meat served like escargots and the crab cakes (although they are a little on the small side. I would avoid the crab and lobster, since here in Toronto it is almost impossible to get your money’s worth and it always ends up disappointing. The blackened Red Snapper is excellent every time. It’s only seafood, that’s true, but if you measure how good your fish is by comparing it to Red Lobster, you need to raise your standards a little. Give it a shot, have the coconut shrimp, it’s utterly unbelievable.
Rating: 7 out of 10
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:37 am by skay
They are everywhere, but I have to admit that the pancakes are a habit that I cannot shake. The price is sometimes outrageous, the buffet is great but I am a complete foodaholic so I tend to avoid it if at all possible. However, the pancakes… yum! Try not to be put off by the faceless and vapid waitresses, in fact I have to say that I have never met a nice waitress at Golden Griddle. Now that’s quite a feat!
A little known fact is that their burgers are among the best I have ever had, thick and meaty with a great flavour. If you are searching for good breakfast food, you will get it but also pay for it here, the omlettes are excellent but then again, you could buy a small car for the same price. The homefries suck too, but then again most places do!
Rating 7.5 out of 10
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Posted in Restaurant Reviews at 7:34 am by skay
If you haven’t yet been down to Queen Street East and visited this Mecca of the breakfast world then please don’t hesitate in making plans. The food is what could be described as upscale greasy spoon. Lots of food and low prices. The coffee is good, they have a varied menu and are open late. Try the cheese omelette without oil, get your homefries well done or if you want pancakes bring your appetite!! As far as breakfast goes, this is the best place I have seen, not including full brunch buffets. The Grilled Cheese is also highly recommended, although they are a little heavy on the oil at times. Voted best Breakfast in Toronto at least twice by Toronto Sun Readers, it is highly recommended.
8 out of 10
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