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JAPANGO

April 10, 2013September 16, 2019Leave a comment

122 Elizabeth Street | Toronto, ON
http://japango.net/

Last weekend I had a surprise early dinner with my family! My sister and Chris have been raving about Japango for the past year now and I’ve been dying to try it. Something you need to know about Japango is that the restaurant is incredibly small, like probably less than 20 seats small! I wouldn’t recommend this place for parties larger than 5.

We started with your typical appetizer salad and miso soup. The salad had a ginger dressing which was refreshing.

Even though our meals had miso soup, they gave us complimentary soup which was a clear fish broth with daikon, fish head and napa cabbage.

My sister and Chris basically got the same thing, she got the Regular Sushi Plate.

Chris got the Deluxe Sushi Plate which just had a couple more pieces and instead of the california roll, he got a shrimp tempera roll.

My mom got the Regular Chirashi; came with tamago (egg), salmon, tuna, sea bream and seared tuna. They also garnish with a deep fried lotus root chip.

I got the Deluxe Chirashi for $28. Yes I got the deluxe, don’t judge me it was my birthday dinner! My sister warned me it was going to be too much food but I didn’t listen. All the fish was super incredibly fresh and I love the selection of fish. Needless to say I was incredibly stuffed by the end of my meal.

Japango is absolutely a most try, you definitely get your money’s worth but my favourite Japanese restaurant is still Cafe Michi. Both restaurants have equally fresh fish but Cafe Michi has delicious cake at the end of your meal!

They also surprised me with my favourite cake from Maxims, Strawberry Almond Meringue cake!

This was the first of many birthday meals and t was probably the best one!

IZAKAYA JU

April 5, 2013September 16, 2019Leave a comment

3160 Steeles Ave E. | Markham, ON
http://www.izakayaju.ca/

It’s official, I’ve tried all the restaurants at J-Town. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Izakaya Ju and since I’m at J-town all the time how could I not give it a try?

The Duck Breast Soba, this dish can be served either hot or cold but we opted for the hot version. The broth was delicious, flavourful, sweet and savoury at the same time.

We also got the Teba gyo-za, deep fried Chicken Wings stuffed with pork dumpling. Somewhat of a weird combination but it actually tasted good, the dumpling filling was good. I’m not sure if there wasn’t supposed to be any chicken or if my mine was skinny. I wish I had my chicken wing when it was still piping hot, think it would have tasted much better.

We wanted to try an array of yakitori since Ju is famous for their yakitori skewers so we got the Yakitori Combo which includes 5 assorted skewers (chef’s choice) and deep fried chicken knuckle bone.

This plate is the chicken leg and chicken meat ball both are finished with teriyaki sauce.

Soft bone, gizzards and chicken & leg with leek, these ones are finished with sea salt. My favourite one was the chicken and leek. I much preferred the sea salt finish over the teriyaki, I think it just brought out the flavours more and it was much lighter. This was also my first time trying soft bone and gizzards, the soft bone was soft and crunchy at the same time but didn’t have much flavour. I am not a fan of gizzard, it has a weird taste and it’s chewy but not at the same time.

If you aren’t a fan of inners, I wouldn’t recommend ordering the combination and just ordering off the a la carte menu.

There are a lot more skewers and cooked items I want to try and since it’s up town, it’s a much more accessible restaurant for us uptown kids.

ROSEWATER

March 25, 2013September 16, 2019Leave a comment

19 Toronto St | Toronto, ON
http://www.rosewaterroom.com/

A few weekends ago Cherry, Jess and I headed to Rosewater for our bi-weekly girls dinner. They choose Rosewater because Cherry had a $50 gift certificate she got during the holidays and Cherry was nice enough to spend it on appetizers for the table.

The interior of the restaurant is incredibly spacious and airy, I didn’t think the interior was going to be so large. They also have an upstairs area for private parties which is cool.

Jess and I got there early so we spent quite some time trying to decide what to get but Rosewater’s menu isn’t that big, probably 8 appetizers and 8 entree choices.

We started off with the Seared Scallops with risotto of baby spinach, parmesan tuile for $17. It came with three perfectly cooked scallops which was delicious but the rest of the dish was just average. Nothing really popped or was memorable.

Our second appetizer choise was the Seared Tuna & Salmon Tartares (black sesame tuna & curried tandoori salmon cones, Asian slaw), $14, It came with 6 cones but 2 were filled with slaw. I’m pretty sure I enjoyed these the most out of everything else we ordered.

Cherry got the Pan Seared Quebec Duck Breast with Yukon gold potato rosti, orange ginger flavoured carrots, caramelized grapes late harvest reduction sauce $30

I got the Coriander and fennel Crusted Rare big eyed Tuna with a salad of wild mushroom and Asian greens, orange & ginger essence, $32, The tuna was fresh and delicious but everything else on the plate was too sour and salty for my liking. There was also two pieces of deep-fried tofu which were incredibly crispy but somewhat bland.

Jess got the Lobster Ravioli with sweet corn, smoked bacon, confit potato and truffle butter, $28.
Normally served as a appetizer, Jess added an additional $10 to make it her main course. There were three raviolis, seems like a steep price to charge for $28. It was lacking in lobster and lobster flavour and the sauce that accompanied it was way too salty. Needless to say she was quite disappointed.

A few things that Rosewater does have going for them is the increiable service and the lovely space here, it would be perfect for private functions or company parties.

SHISO TREE CAFE

March 1, 2013September 16, 2019Leave a comment

3160 Steeles Ave. East Unit 1 | Markham, ON

Last week I visited Shiso Tree Cafe with my family. This little restaurant is located in J-town, Shiso tree mainly serves up Pasta with Japanese flavours. Shiso Tree is run by two brothers who had no prior experience in the restaurant industry but I must say they are doing a pretty darn good job.

We started off with a complimentary salad which was good but anything spectacular.
We also got the soup of the day which is our case was a creamy tomato soup with dill. Normally cream soups are really heavy and filling but this one was light and delicate and the dill flavour was a nice surprise.

After looking through a bunch of posts on Shiso Tree, I felt that I needed to try at least of the fries options. We got the Nori Fries, $6, fresh cut fries tossed with homemade Wafu dressing & Japanese Seaweeds. I thought the nori flavour wasn’t going to be very predominate but you could really taste the seaweed flavour on each fry, the fries were crispy and perfectly cooked.

My mom ordered the Shrimp Okonomiyaki, $14, spaghetti sauteed w/ bacon, onions, garlic dressed shrimp, homemade steak sauce, Japanese mayo & bonito fish flakes. I wasn’t a fan of the combination of flavours of this pasta because I’m not really a fan of okonoiyaki to begin with but the shrimps were perfectly cooked and my mom seemed to enjoy it.

My uncle got the Seafood Tomato, $15, scallops, shrimps & clams in a garlic tomato sauce. He mentioned that the sauce was incredibly garlicy but not in a complaining kind of way.

Both my aunt and I got the special which was the Tarako Spaghetti, cod rose spaghetti in light cream sauce with daikon, nori and shiso for $14. By the time I got to my entree I was pretty full but the pasta was perfectly al dente and the flavours were delicious.

Their dessert menu changes from time to time and they sometimes serve up a black sesame cream brulee that I really wanted to try but they didn’t have it on my visit. So I will probably make my way back again.
They also have an awesome weekday lunch menu where you can get salad, soup and a pasta for only $8, what a steal!

Shoom Shoom

February 20, 2013Leave a comment

7355 Bayview Ave Unit 6
Markham, ON
http://www.shoomshoom.ca/

Shoom Shoom serves modern Middle Eastern cuisine, I came here with my family one night to check out their all you can eat soup and salad bar. Basically it’s $13.99 for just the soup and salad bar but you can add a main dish for only $3. The main comes with your choice of meat (range from chicken kebobs, salmon kebobs, chicken shawarma, lamb or beef kebobs) or falafel and two sides (fries, sweet potato fries, middle eastern rice & steamed vegetables).

What I love about the salad bar is that they have dips (hummus, babaganoush etc.), grilled vegetables, different kinds of salads (couscous, tabouleh etc.), they have such a wide variety of choices! They also have two kinds of soups which are equally fantastic.

Just some of the things I got from the salad bar, I literally went back 3 times.

I got the lamb kebobs with sweet potato fries and middle eastern rice, everything was delicious. The fries were extra crispy and the lamb was tender and perfectly cooked.

My mom got the falafel dinner with sweet potato fries and vegetables. The falafels are super crunchy, crispy and delicious!

Shoom Shoom is an affordable, healthy, delicious all you can eat restaurant. I really love coming to Shoom Shoom.

LA BAMBOUCHE

February 20, 2013September 16, 2019Leave a comment

1712 Avenue Road | Toronto, ON
http://labamboche.ca/

I know I’ve been neglecting my blog for a while now but with the holiday season over I finally have time to update and get my eat on again! I’ve been crazy busy with baking and family this past Christmas so I haven’t even had time to go out to any new restaurants but here it is, I finally made my way to the famous La Bambouche!

I got three macarons: blood orange, pistachio and strawberry champagne. La Bamboche serves up one of the best macarons I’ve ever had and my favourite was the pistachio one, it was packed full up pistachio flavour and it even had some pistachio paste in the filling.

The strawberry champagne was light in flavour but still absolutely delicious. The macarons are well priced at $2.35 each.

As for the cakes I got something with green tea mousse, a chocolate raspberry mousse dome, and their mont blanc.
My favourite was the Raspberry Chocolate, it was tangy and sweet at the same time.

Definitely going to try to visit La Bamboche more often!

Sassafraz

February 5, 2013Leave a comment

100 Cumberland Street
Toronto, ON
http://www.sassafraz.ca/

These past few years I haven’t really been as crazy I as I used to be with my Licious reverations. The first restaurant I went to was Sassafraz, I’ve been dying to go here for the longest time but never had time or it was always fully booked but this year Jess called in early.

I really love Yorkville, everything about the area is so quaint. The restaurant is divided into two sections, the lounge and dining room. The front of the restaurant is separated by glass doors as the lounge with floor to ceiling windows. We got seated at the back of the restaurant where they have their own waterfall feature, big skylights and white walls make the restaurant feel open and airy.
I must apologize in advance for the dimly light orangey pictures, it’s hard to take pictures with a steady head without flash in a dimly lit restaurant.

The Winterlicious menu on the website and at the restaurant are a little different but for dinner is $45.

Appetizers:

Jess got the Roasted Tomato Soup, she said it was way too salty. I didn’t try any since she was sick and the fact that she said it was too salty.

Philip seemed to really enjoy his Orange and endive salad with shaved radish, balsamic jelly, pecan vinaigrette. I thought it was average in taste but the presentation was beautiful.

Cherry and I got the Red Wine braised octopus served with tomato, caper and olive ragout, toasted couscous. I really liked my appetizer, the octopus was incredibly tender and I loved that the couscous still had a little crunch.

Entrees:

I decided on the Honey and chili glazed Prawns with saffron Risotto with red pepper emulsion and coriander cress. My plate came with two giant prawns that we’re perfectly cooked.

Jess got the Confit Ontario duck leg with pommery mustard braised cabbage, double smoked bacon pinto bean cassolet. I tried some and I thought the duck was superb, tender and flavourful, probably the best entree of the night.

Black garlic glazed halibut with red rice, baby bok choy, diakon, heirloom carrots and red miso broth is Philip’s choice in entree. I thought the dish was blend and the fish was overcooked but Philip had no complains.

Seared 10 oz striploin with horseradish pommes puree, collard greens, sauce Bordelaise

Dessert:

Warm apple compote with oat crumble, maple walnut and caramel cream

I was pretty stuffed by the time dessert got around but both Philip and I got the Gotham city cheese plate. Served with flatbread and assorted dried fruits but as you can see we didn’t get dried fruits or flatbread. Philip had to ask for some and even then only he got a basket of flatbread and I didn’t but I was stuffed anyway so I didn’t really mind.

Overall it was a great meal with good service, probably will be back to try their regular menu.

CALIFORNIA SANDWICHES

January 28, 2013September 19, 20192 Comments

2474 Dufferin Street | Toronto, ON
http://www.californiasandwiches.ca/

A while back Kevin took me to California Sandwiches before doing some shopping. It was my first time but Kevin wouldn’t stop raving about their Veal Sandwiches so I couldn’t not order one.
The space is open and spacious with large ceiling to floor windows and bright green walls.

California Sandwiches not only serves up sandwiches but they also have plated dinners with your choices of pastas, meats and vegetables. With a large array of choices, there’s something for everyone and boy did everything look good.

My veal sandwich was $8.25 but you can add extra toppings like mushrooms, cheese, onions, hot peppers & rappini for an extra charge. I just got onions and hot peppers but in the end I had to pick out the peppers cause they were just too spicy for me.

The sandwich was so big I had to save my other half for later but Kevin devoured his in no time. I must say it was a really yummy and I can’t wait till be brings me back again!

RAKU RAMEN & IZAKAYA

January 28, 2013September 19, 20191 Comment

8360 Kennedy Road Unit # 87-90 | Markham, ON
905-477-3828

A new noodle restaurant has replaced the ever so popular (at least in my books) Wonton Chai, Raku is serving up affordable ramen and sushi but I’m not sure about the restaurant being an izakaya though.
They did some construction to make the place more modern and sleek even with a semi private room for parties and such.

The waiters seemed to be a little frazzled, running around the restaurant but we’re quite attentive and polite.
We started off with complimentary salad, it was just mediocre and nothing special.

I had to try their ramen, my mom and I both got the Tonkotsu ramen. The broth was flavourfu, creamy and not a bowl of salt overload. I surprisingly enjoyed my bowl of noodles, each bowl includes half an egg, 3 pieces of pork belly, corn and black fungus. Another thing I loved was how hot the broth was when it came to the table.

My aunt and uncle both got the Miso Ramen which was also equally as good.

We also got the Whole Grilled Squid, $9, which was disappointing. The squid was over cooked and tough.

The Grilled Salmon Belly, $8, was less disappointing but nothing special. The only problem was that the salmon wasn’t grill but deep fried.

Raku is owned be Chinese people but are serving up above average ramen in the Markham area which is a bonus for us uptown kids.

Happy 3rd Anniversary Guu

December 19, 2012Leave a comment

This past Tuesday was Guu Izakaya’s third birthday and in celebration they hosted a buffet style party. The party ran from 5pm – 12am with a time limit of 2 hours, it was excellently organized with great food, drinks and entertainment. The entrance cover was $33 and that included all you can eat food, 1 alcoholic drink or 2 non-alcoholic drinks, entertainment and a free small gift.

The had the buffet along the bar with cocktail tables all around and a stage for the performers at the front.

Guu staff were working so hard as per usual, they kept the buffet stocked pretty well.

I basically tried to fit everything on my first plate. Chicken katsu sandwich, salmon and tuna tataki sushi balls, roast beef with red wine onion sauce, marinated pork belly and tamago.

I also takoyaki and deep-fried cod tacos.

I only took pictures of two plates but I had my fair share…

Each person got one drink ticket but you could buy more if you wanted to. One ticket could get you a beer, cocktail or wine. Half of a ticket could get you two pops, ramune or lychee/guava juice.

This is the Bamboo, with lychee juice, white wine, soda, and melon liqueur. It tasted like an Asian sangria, delicious. Chris opted for a Sapporo.

There was also fantastic entertainment with After Hours, a acapella group, graffiti art by RANDOM : and Winston Matsushita and fantastic djing by DJ TOM.

We literally ate from 5 – 7 and we were both pretty stuffed.
Guu is one of my favourite restaurant ever and I was happy that I could celebrate such a special day with them.