Fat Friday - Brooklyn Tavern

We love when new restaurants open up in our neighbourhood, and there certainly isn't a lack of them. When we see the paper over the windows of recently closed down shops, we look closely at the construction permit to see what might be coming, and we get excited when it says bar or restaurant. 

Brooklyn Tavern was getting some good reviews and attention in the local blogs, so Matt and I decided to check it out for lunch. We had a rare day before Christmas where we both took the day off of work to finish up our shopping, and on the way back home we stopped in to grab a bite. 

There menu offers a nice variety of options but isn't that overwhelming that I couldn't decide what to have. The starters/share items all sounded delicious, but we choose the Popcorn with Smoked Paprika and Manchego and the Pulled Pork Flautas with Tomatillo Salsa. Both were sensational. 

For my main, I wisely chose the Spicy Chicken and Lime Tortilla Soup, now one of my favorite soups, and Matt went with the New Mexican Pork and Green Chile Stew, surely out of nostalgia. Both were so good! 

I followed up that visit about a month later when a girlfriend and I went for dinner. This time around, I ordered the Giant Meatball Filled with Pulled Pork served in a Chipotle-White Bean Broth, a some-what unusual choice for me, but again, I was not disappointed. I don't know how I am resisting the Mac & Cheese, but I'm sure I'll get around to tasting it yet. Just writing this post is reminding me how good the Brooklyn Tavern is, so I'm thinking it's due time to head back there again soon.

Fat Friday - Hogtown Smoke

Who doesn't love a good helping of meat served with a small order of beans, coleslaw and fries on the side? If you're that person, then just skip this post, because this one is for Meat Lovers! 

After starting out as a successful food truck downtown, Hogtown Smoke recently opened up a shop not far from us on Queen Street near Woodbine. Like many other local spots, it's a cozy little space serving up great food and beer. A while back we tasted the meat delights that AFT Bar had to offer, so, to be fair, we had to check out what their competition was doing.

We knew to head out early as they don't take reservations, and, as mentioned, seating is limited. Friday and Saturday line-ups are out the door, and you are likely to wait over an hour for a table, but at 4:30, no problem! Equally important, they do have high chairs and are family friendly, so bring the kids. We grabbed a table at the front and ordered their sampling platter of ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, accompanied by a trio side of beans, slaw, and fries. With a variety of bbq sauces ranging in heat, we certainly did not lack for flavour. The food was served up quick and hot, and it did not disappoint. Mmmm, meat. This was only the beginning of their menu, so likely another trip will be warranted. They also do take-out, so you could call ahead to bring it on home with you.

While there is no official online site for Hogtown just yet, check out the review in Blog TO to get an idea of their menu.

Fat Friday - La Carnita

Courtesy of BlogTO.com

Toronto certainly does not lack for taco options, so choosing one really just depends on what side of the city you find yourself. Or, if you're like Matt and I, it depends on what's the latest one to open up. 

We first tasted La Carnita after waiting close to an hour in line at an event at Brickworks, probably close to two years ago. The tacos were definitely worth the wait, so when they finally opened up shop on College Street this summer, we were excited to head on over, with mother-in-law and babe-in-stroller in tow. 

It was a hot sticky day in August, but we were lucky to nab the only seat on the patio. We washed away the heat with a cold cider over ice while we awaited our meal. To start, we had the tortilla chips with guacamole, always a winner when you're out for Mexican, and a mango salad to share. Both were delicious and so refreshing.

Courtesy of BlogTO.com

We had hardly touched our starters by the time the tacos arrived - service was great that way. It's obvious they try to get as many people through to maximize profits, but the food doesn't suffer. Each item was fresh and hot and super tasty! We each ordered two tacos, and after our starters, it was more than enough, but still left room for dessert. There are just three desserts to choose from, and, while the Paletas were tasty, the clear winner was the Tres Leche Cake, served up with Ontario fruit.

Fat Friday - AFT Bar

If you're in the mood for BBQ goodness and you find yourself around the Queen & Broadview area, then you should definitely check out AFT Bar. Matt and I ventured there this summer, not long after it opened up, to check out their menu.

The space isn't large and seating is limited, so get there early for a table, or take your chances and just show up, and you might find a seat at the bar. It does get busy on the weekend after 7, but luckily, we eat early now. If you're bringing a toddler along, they don't have high chairs, so you might need to bring your own. Or, call ahead - they do accommodate take-out orders. 

Photo from Blogto.com

Their weeknight menu offers a few different options than their weekend BBQ menu, so keep that in mind if you're heading there. We went on a Sunday and tried their sample platter for two, which came with more than enough meat and sides for the both of us - a choice of three of each. If you like sticky ribs, smokey pulled pork, and BBQ chicken, then you'll like this. We added a side of coleslaw, roasted potato salad, and cowboy baked beans to top it all off, and washed it all down with a cool pint of beer. 

Fat Friday - Lazy Daisy

Lazy Daisy is our local cafe, located just a short walk from our house. We pick up coffees and snacks if we're feeling peckish while  walking by, or we make it a destination to enjoy their big brunches on Sundays (I recommend the breakfast burrito). The food is wonderful and the ambiance so very relaxed and charming. All ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and made into wonderful concoctions that fill your belly.

And it's super kid friendly, which we are quickly realizing is very important. With a play area at the back with trains and books, you're almost guaranteed an enjoyable meal together (spoons also are fun to play with!)

The story of the cafe is equally delightful. A mother wanted to start a place where families could come to enjoy good food and good company, and she has succeeded! I went to Lazy Daisy regularly while on maternity leave, and we've taken most of our families for their brunches on various occasions. 

But it's now so much more than just a coffee place now - they serve dinner and, more importantly, alcohol. Add to that the various events they host throughout the month, like trivia nights,  comedy hours, even beer and cheese tastings, and Lazy Daisy, me thinks you have turned into a place that everyone can enjoy. 

The newly added Lazy Nights offers a tapas style menu for sharing Thursdays through Sunday evenings. We finally made it there last weekend and were not disappointed. We arrived around 5:30, and while dinner service didn't start until 6, the bar was open. So while Olivia played around the train table, making friends with the other kids, Matt and I were able to enjoy a pint while browsing the menu. We decided on the Organic Quinoa & Chickpea Croquettes and the Daisy's Farmstead Chili Nachos. Both were delicious, and the nachos were more than enough for us both. Served with a tasty bean chili and melted cheese on top with sour cream on the side, you can't really go wrong with nachos. 

Other menu items include various naan bread pizzas, spaghetti and meatballs, mac 'n cheese, and pulled pork sliders, just to name a few. And don't forget about dessert....We look forward to going back - there are still so many options! 

Fat Friday - Aprile Bambina Cucina

So, we had a kid, and that definitely changed our lifestyle, as everyone said it would. But we didn’t want her to change our lives so much that we gave up the things that we enjoyed – and that especially included eating out.

During the first few months, she was easily transportable/wearable, she slept a lot, and didn’t require much entertaining, so we enjoyed being able to visit some restaurants that weren’t maybe all that kid friendly. We took turns eating and holding her, and while meals no longer were leisurely, it was great to be able to get out together (and not have to cook and clean up at home!).

Then she got older; she started being more social and eating big people food. We started eating earlier, which usually guaranteed us a table. We would find restaurants with high chairs, or outdoor patios where we could roll the stroller right up to the table. She loved seeing all the people around her, and eating out with her is fun! Luckily, we live in a very family friendly neighbourhood with no shortage of great restaurants, and we have slowly been visiting each one. I am super grateful for my Always-in-the-Know husband who finds these great places to eat.

So, on to the review.  A long while back we visited The Great Burger Kitchen, well before we even lived in the neighbourhood. The owners of GBK opened up a little Italian place right next door – Aprile Bambina Cucina. I’m a pasta fiend so I was happy to check this place out. We’ve been a couple of times, and each time the meal and service has been stellar. There are only a few restaurants that we go back to regularly, and this one has made the list.  

I love the ambiance of the place. It’s small and cozy, complete with the checkered napkins and paper-topped tables, and complementary bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar while you browse the menu. It’s very family friendly but great for couples as well. 

There’s a good selection of both pizzas and pastas, and some great starters as well. Check out the restaurants gallery for inspiration. Some noteworthy options include:

 Starters:

·         Grilled Caesar salad;

·         Bruschetta

Mains:

·         Homemade Gnocchi Aprile;

·         Spicy Bambino Chicken Rigatoni               

·         Spicy Sausage Pizza

·         Fresh Pear & Gorgonzola

·         Spaghettini & Meatballs

Desserts:

·         White Chocolate Tiramisu

·         Apple Cinnamon Sweet Pizza

We have yet to try the sandwiches, but with the quality and flavor of the ingredients in the dishes that we have tried, I’m sure these will be tasty as well.

Fat Friday - Barque Smokehouse

On a lovely Saturday afternoon last summer, Matt and I headed out for a full day of adventures. This mainly included traveling to Roncesvalles to enjoy a much-talked-about BBQ dinner at Barque Smokehouse, followed by an evening with Brian Wilson at Massey Hall. Both of these things were high on our list of ways to enjoy the weekend.

We arrived promptly to make sure that we had plenty of time to enjoy dinner and still make it on time for the show. The place is really cozy and immediately we noticed how family friendly it was, with benches and tables for parents and kids to eat together. The smell of grilling meat and vegetables filled the air, and sunshine filled the room.

The menu has a variety of smoked meats and sides to choose from, but where to begin? We opted for the Barbeque Sampler Platter for two: a choice of three meats and three sides. We chose the beef ribs, the baby back ribs, and the brisket, with sides of smoked asparagus, Cuban Corn, and house made ravioli. 

While we waited for our food to arrive, we enjoyed the complimentary table snacks – spicy Cajun popcorn! It was a very nice and unexpected change from the usual bread or tortilla chips, and totally works with the rest of the menu. I think that bucket of popcorn alone sold us on coming back. But then our food arrived. And we ate our food. And we loved the food. While we have yet to go back (there are just too many new restaurants to try), I would recommend to this to anyone look for some good barbeque meats and vegetables.

We left Barque with full bellies and smiling faces, and the only way to top that dinner was to listen to the peaceful harmonies of Brian Wilson and his band. The show was fantastic. It was one of those concerts where the audience knew every song and often sang along; some even braved dancing in the aisles. It was a concert where the generation gap was obvious from the Hawaiian shirts mixed with the plaid shirts, but that made no difference. Brian Wilson is for everyone. Fingers crossed we’ll get to enjoy a similar concert this summer when the Beach Boys reunite for their tour. 

Fat Friday - The Bellevue

Here’s a great little restaurant in Kensington Market that not only serves a great dinner (green bean poutine, for example), but also a really tasty brunch. Now, the dinner portion we've only heard reviews from friends who have gone there, but on their recommendation, we went for brunch one Saturday morning and were pleasantly surprised by their offerings.

The menu isn’t huge, but with daily specials, seasonal ingredients, and some creative inspirations, it’s really worth the visit. And, according to their Facebook page, a new menu is in the works, so it might be worth heading back there some time soon. 

On this particular summer day some time last year, peaches were in season, so their daily French toast creation was cinnamon bread with peach syrup and maple whipped cream. I ordered that one up without a second thought, and let me tell you, the aroma was heavenly, the taste even more so.

Matt opted for a different take and chose an item not currently on their menu. It was a braised pork belly served over cornbread with baked beans and a cranberry compote (at least, that’s what I am translating from the photo we took). This was an even more usual choice for him, as he usually likes to test out a new brunch place with the standard scrambled eggs and bacon, but I think the pork belly got the better of him.

While we don’t get to Kensington as often as we’d like these days, when we do venture back, we know there’s a great place to grab brunch. For now, we’ll explore the food in our new neighbourhood. We’ve already tried a handful of places and are looking forward to exploring more and, of course, sharing them all with you.

Fat Friday - Aunties & Uncles

This Fat Friday was actually a Saturday morning Brunch, but since it was so delicious, I thought I should share. And, to be truthful, we probably went to Aunties & Uncles well over five months ago, and it would be hard to remember what we had if it weren’t for my trusty camera. You know what they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words….” END POST.

Just kidding…

If you’re anything like Matt and I, you know that some of the best brunch places are little diners hidden away on side streets, ones you would pass by without giving a second glance. But if you’re also like us, then you might read food reviews and chat about food with all your friends, and hence end up finding out about these tucked away little treasures. Such was our experience with Aunties & Uncles.

Located by College and Bathurst, on a side street called Lippincott, Aunties & Uncles looks small and quaint from the outside, and when you step inside, you wonder how long the wait will be, seeing the main floor tables packed with families and couples and friends. But what we didn’t know was that there is also a second floor, with empty tables just waiting for us. So while I’ve been told the wait time for a table can be quite lengthy, especially on a busy Saturday or Sunday morning, we were lucky to be seated within 15 minutes. And the décor is ever-so-kitschy and that just makes the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

As for the food, well, we were not disappointed! I ordered the Croque Monsieur, not only because it sounded wonderful, but ever since learning about Julia Child’s version, I have always wanted try it. What wouldn’t you enjoy about black forest ham and Swiss cheese grilled on a challah? Needless to say, every bite was heavenly, and yes, it made for a great brunch. I ordered mine with a side of hash browns, but you could also choose the potato or green salad, but I so love hash browns, so it had to be them.

Matt ordered his standard brunch, a true sampling of a brunch establishment: scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. His favourite was probably the toast – a sesame seed challah, but he said the hash browns had great flavor, too.

UPDATE! 

So, I began writing this post about 2 months ago, I’m sure, but we just visited Auntie’s and Uncles AGAIN this past Sunday with Diane while she was in town. We did wait a little longer for a table this time, probably because we were three people instead of two. While Matt had the same dish, Diane and I searched the menu for something different. She ended up ordering the cinnamon French toast, served with a poached pear, while I ordered the daily special – thin strips of roast beef, home fries, scrambled eggs, and toast. It was nice to have something a little different than bacon for breakfast, and we all agreed, the food was worth the wait. 

Fat Friday - The Burger’s Priest

Just thinking about this burger again is making me drool (and I’m pretty sure my peanut butter sandwich is not going to cut it!). Unlike other burger joints we’ve gone to on more than one occasion (Kraft Burger, now Big Smoke Burger; The Grindhouse; BQM, to name a few), I’ve only had the good fortune (for my taste buds, bad fortune for my cholesterol) of eating at Burger’s Priest once. I am dying to go back!

We heard really great things about this burger: good reviews from Toronto Life and The Grid, and if the lineups are any indication, this is the next hot spot. Luckily, they do take-out, and if you call ahead to place your order, then you can skip the lines all together and just walk up to the counter to pay. Seating is limited in there anyway, so this is a good way to go.

What’s so great about this burger, you might ask? Let’s start with the menu – the Secret Menu. Yes, they have a secret menu that if you don’t know about before you order, you won’t hear a peep about it. You can find it hidden on their Facebook page, and it includes such hidden gems as “The Religious Hypocrite” - a Portobello mushroom ‘burger’ with bacon, and “The Vatican City” – two beef paddies, two slices of cheese, and a Portobello mushroom, all sandwiched between 2 grilled cheese sandwiches (at right).

This is no regular burger joint, folks. A standard order is either a single or a double patty, with or without cheese. These are greasy burgers cooked on the griddle, topped with tomato and lettuce and housed between two buns. Nothing fancy there. As their website says "This is not gourmet, just tasty. Sometimes simple is better." And they are right. The taste is amazing! Our friends had eaten there before and suggested we order the double-double – two beef patties and two slices of cheese: bun, burger, cheese, burger, cheese, bun. We turned it in The Holy Smokes by ‘adding smoke’ – deep-fried jalapeno peppers added on the burger (another secret item). We ordered a side of fries to share but could hardly get through them. Although they were good, go for the burger, skip the fries. 

And what's with the name? I obviously like it, with my maiden name being Priest. But turns out there really is a religious element to it. The names of the burgers indicate this, but the shop is also closed on Sundays for worship. That just means you schedule your visit around it. This is definitely NOT a weekly burger, but once every few months would be nice...  

Fat Friday - M:Brgr

Wow, this post is loooong overdue. How long you might ask? Well, we dined at this restaurant some time back in March, and since that time, this restaurant has already closed up shop! We were not really surprised by this news, as this review will highlight, but since Matt and I were on a burger binge for Fat Fridays, we thought we owed it to our research to give it a try.

And it’s been ages since I’ve written about a Fat Friday…

If you’re not familiar with M:Brgr, it originally started in Montreal and has hence opened (and closed) a Toronto location on King St West, not too far from out house. We walked past it during the renovation stage, and after reading a few reviews on the place, we decided to give it a try. Their ‘gimmick’ was the $100 burger - two Kobe beef patties with bacon, grilled pear, foie gras, brie, fig jam, asparagus, Piave cheese, garlic-roasted ham, porcini mushrooms, honey truffle aioli and truffles.  

M:Brgr is all about the options. Their menu is quite extensive; you begin by choosing what type of paddy as your base: veggie, tuna, Kobe beef, or AAA beef. Step two: choose a bun: regular, whole wheat, or lettuce wrap. Next, you can add any number of common and unique ingredients to place atop your burger: various cheeses, a selection of sauces/mayos/relishes, and numerous vegetable toppings. The final step, for those inclined, is to add the “crazy expensive” toppings, which include a couple different truffles and Foie Gras.

There are other things on the menu that you can have besides burgers: tacos, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, even macaroni and cheese, but with a name like M:Brgr, you got to try the burger. Matt and I decided on just basic burgers, choosing the AAA beef paddy on a regular bun, and adding cheese and bacon. We also ordered a side of fries to share (no onion rings on the menu…ahem….only onion strings. What’s that about? A true test of a good burger joint, for me, anyway, is how their onion rings taste. They lost major points with me on that one…). And the burger: how was it, you might ask? Well, service was a bit slow, but when it finally arrived, the burger was cooked well and tasted pretty good, but really it nor the fries were anything special. We had definitely eaten better.

The location itself is very large and spacious, almost too large for a burger joint. Previously, the spot has housed a number of other restaurants that never seemed to last long (another reason we weren’t surprised by the closure; I think the space might be cursed…), but just generally, M:Brgr was just overpriced for what you got. We were not in a hurry to go back any time soon. Looks like we won’t have the opportunity to.

Keep posted for a few more burger places to report on, including my new found favourite… I'll get to them, I promise.

Fat Friday - Trevor's Kitchen

Twice a year Toronto hosts two annual events involving food – Winterlicious and Summerlicious. We’ve been a fan of both events, so when the list of restaurants are announced and the menus go online, we always check out to see who’s participating and who’s offering what. With fixed price 3 course menus for both lunch and dinner, this is a relatively inexpensive way to try out new restaurants around town. Mainly we look for the restaurants that offer some sort of steak dish, or if not steak, options that both Matt and I will enjoy. This year we only managed to make it out once.

We found ourselves at Trevor’s Kitchen one Friday evening, a quaint (read: dark and not good for taking photos; I’ve had to Google a few to include) little restaurant in a basement on Wellington Street East. With a selection of tables, spots at the bar, and a couple couches for larger groups, there was plenty of room for guests. Tables were set a tad close together, but that just lets us see what other people are eating and eavesdrop on interesting conversations… A group of women (early 20’s) were gathered in the couch area having drinks and appetizers, which I thought was a neat spot for a little get together. It wasn’t until we left that we noticed that there was a whole other section of tables, making the place about double the size I first thought.

Their menu online was very good, and we actually had a tough time deciding between the options. Most places will offer a choice of three to four options for each course, but Trevor’s had at least five, and I would eat almost all of them, which is saying a lot. I knew I liked this place when I read macaroni and asiago cheese and goat cheese poutine.

 For round one, I simply had to have said macaroni and asiago cheese; how could I not? But it was a close race between the potato and leek soup with roasted garlic and aged cheddar. The small portion I enjoyed was divine; some of the best I’ve eaten in a restaurant. Matt started with the seared diver scallop and slow roasted pork belly with frisee salad and truffle mustard (long name for a starter…). Both were very good, and I won’t lie, I would have liked to order that mac and cheese as my main, too.

 For round two, Matt enjoyed the Surf & Turf, consisting of jumbo wild prawn, Alberta sirloin steak and goat cheese poutine. He was kind enough to let me try the poutine, and oh my goodness, it was heavenly! The goat cheese lent such a mild flavour to it, and it was topped with chives, which made it taste like sour cream and onion seasoning, but on French fries! I had to stop eating it to make sure he enjoyed it, too. My second dish was a Crispy Chicken Confit with a cheddar pierogi, sweet potato and buttermilk gravy. The combination of everything together tasted just so darn good, even though I’m not a huge fan of sweet potatoes. I guess the trick is to smother them in buttermilk gravy.

And finally, for round three: dessert. Just when you think you can’t possibly squeeze another bite in, they bring out a wonderful plate of sweetness. To be honest, I don’t actually remember what I had, but looking at the menu I think there is a fairly good chance I had the dark chocolate and caramel torte with peanut butter Chantilly (yup, that definitely sounds like something I would eat). And for Matt, I believe he had the crème brulee. We swapped bites of eat, and, just as the prior two courses before, we were not let down. I commend Trevor’s Kitchen for putting together such a wonderful sampling of their menu, and all at lovely price of $35.

As we finished the last of our desserts and enjoyed our last few sips of our red wine, we marvelled at how full we were and how good the food was. Not long after, the waiter brought over the cheque and a little after dinner treat. But unlike traditional dinner mints, he brought out a bowl of….wait for it….. blue cotton candy! That full belly we thought we had, well, there was certainly room for the cotton candy.

We walked by Trevor’s this past weekend to check out their full price menu; it is a little on the pricey side, but now that we’ve been, if they are on the Winterlicious list next year, I’d go back in a heartbeat!

Fat Friday - Porchetta & Co.

It seems I’m a little tardy in blogging about some of more recent Fat Fridays adventures. As the weeks seem to book up with basketball and visiting family and friends, we aren’t great about getting out every Friday to try something new, but we still manage to eat out often enough. Besides, with trying to cook one new recipe a week, I need to make sure that we’re home to eat in.

But on our list of new places to try was this small sandwich shop along Dundas West, called Porchetta & Co. and when I say small, I mean it. With only 4 stools beneath limited counter space, it really is more of a take-out diner, but on this particular night, the weather was blustery and snowy, so luckily we were able to nab 2 of the stools. Small also refers to their menu items; this place offers just two main options – the Porchetta sandwich or the Porchetta platter. There is a selection of sides and toppings, however, if you’d like to mix it up.

So what’s different about Porchetta & Co? Is it not just another pulled pork sandwich? No, my friend, it is not. If you head to their website, the home page describes how their pork is prepared and cooked. Three kinds of pork go into this sandwich and create a mix of both soft and crunchy meat. Take a look below at the process:

It was amazing to walk into the smells of this place, especially as the cold weather chilled our bones (it was a long streetcar wait…). The steaming of meat going on made the windows foggy and the air warm, and it just smelt so darn good, which only added to the wonderful sandwich we enjoyed. It wasn’t long before we had devoured our meal. The crunchy bites of bacon were always a surprise when we bit into one, and the mustard (house made, I believe, in either grainy or regular) was a nice addition to cut through the saltiness of the meat. I really liked the side of roasted potatoes; a pleasant substitution for regular fries. Even with only one thing on the menu, I’m sure we’ll be heading back. And their logo is just so darn cute!