rgruby

MMmmmmmm. Pizza. This place has been getting good reviews - but I live almost in terroni's back yard and am only a few minute's walk from Libretto. And, I almost never go to either of them (something about a four year old and lineups). So, doubtful I'll get there anytime soon. But, it does sound tempting. Almost nothing I'd rather eat than a great, and simple, pizza with good ingredients. I do like the yielding crust in the centre. Ah well, will have to get back into making my own again. But for those that don't want to do that, sounds like we have more good options than ever. Thanks Jen! Cheers, Geoff

Address is on there now - they're new, the website is a work in progress. Still, the address is fairly fundamental! I did have a look at the menu when I sauntered past. A bunch of salads. Of the mains I recall duck confit and pigs head pasta. definitely seemed to be doing the locavore thing, but I didn't think it was overly meaty given the moniker - it's not the Black Hooves, I don't think. If we can ever find a babysitter (again) we might even check it out! Cheers, Geoff

Beast is open - $9 for a beer!? Cheers, Geoff

Anyone have any comments now that there've been a couple issues out since Chatto was axed? I will say I doubt I'll be renewing my subscription. Cheers, Geoff

Was in Kensington yesterday and had lunch at La Tortilleria (or something like that) - it's just outside the market proper beside the hospital. The sell some cheeses, Oaxacan mole, tortillas and salsas (which they make), but not chiles. Anyhow, the cheeses they carried came from Quebec, and Ingersoll, Ontario which is kinda in between K-W and London. If you do venture down to Kensington, there's now three Mexican places to eat, in addition to the El Salvadorean places. El Trompo on Augusta a block south of College, another one a block or two down and the tortilla place I just mentioned. Cheers, Geoff

As others have said, most of those chiles are only available here in dried form. Poblanos, jalapenos, serranos and habaneros you can find fresh. There are a couple of El Salvadorean places in Kensington market that cater to a Latin American clientele (on Augusta, just north of Baldwin - there's one just south of there too). They do carry some Mexican-styled cheeses. I believe at least some of them are made here in Ontario in the K-W area. Might be worth a google to see if they might mail you some. Cheers, Geoff

Ok, walked up Ossington today. Lunched at Libretto, which was almost full. When I mentioned Tempo above, I meant Foxley - Tempo was the chef's old place (now gone) on College. Union was the other place I couldn't remember the name of. Was open for lunch. There's also Watusi, a new crepe place, Salt - which looks to be a wine bar with nibbles - may also be open by then. Cheers, Geoff

Yup - pretty much all the action on Ossington is in the area from Dundas down to Queen (the next major street). There's a at least a half dozen restaurants worth considering in that strip (Delux, Bohmer, Tempo, Pizza Libreto, Paramour, the Vietnamese ones, and a couple more whose names escape me at the moment). And a tequila bar - Reposado - among another half dozen or more drinking spots. The area west of there on Dundas has a few Portuguese joints, but I've never checked any of them out. There's also Lisbon by Night a few minutes walk east on Dundas. It's been there for ages, but again, I've never been. You're also quite close to College St - the next major street north. there's a couple of Portuguese places on College not too far from Ossington. Cataplana and Chiado. Chiado is quite upscale and spendy, if you're looking for a splurge. Heading east from there gets you into "Little Italy" and probably a couple dozen Italian restos - along with a few other interesting things of possible interest, such as LAB which is a new place with a molecular gastronomy bent. All of this is within a fifteen minute walk or so of Dundas and Ossington. You'll have lots of options! Should also mention that Black Hoof, Tempo, Libretto all don't take reservations and tend to have lineups. Cheers, Geoff

Lots of options on Ossington now. I was going to mention Delux for lunch above but forgot - apparently the lunch menu swings a bit more to the chef's Cuban cuisine than at dinner. I have yet to try it (but this has reminded me that it is now open for lunch - might go tomorrow), and, it's on Ossington. Cheers, Geoff

Hoops now open in the old Vdara/ Satori/ Habitat/ Future Bakery space. Vietnamese place coming in the former Little Tibet space. Perla now open Thurs thru Sat evenings above Milagros. Apparently more a cocktails/ bar space, but I think the kitchen is open too. Don't quote me on that though. Amuse Bouche on Tecumseth is kaput. They sold to a friend of theirs who is going to do a locavore/ southern thing - so i'm told. I'm told the Paddock has changed hands recently as well. don't know if that will mean changes there or not. Cheers, Geoff

As noted above, the Trinity Bellwoods farmers market is Tuesday from 3 - 7 pm and is about a two minute (or less) walk from Dundas and Ossington. It's pretty small though. Should be a bit more lively by the time you're in TO. There's a couple of Ethiopean places on Queen a few blocks west of Ossington (Nunu and Addis Ababa). Not sure if either is open for lunch. There's a bunch spread out on Bloor west from Christie to Lansdowne. I think there's still one on College, just east of Bathurst. Again, I don't know whether they're open for lunch or not. There's one in Kensington market, and one on Irwin in the Yonge/Wellesely area. Cheers, Geoff

I don't think I'm in the market for another knife at the moment, but I think I'm going to take a couple knifes in to get sharpened. Cheers, Geoff

Well, Chatto did have a blog, right? So, I don't know if that's the reason. My guess is simply $$$$. Easier to just fill up the mag with a few more photos of pseudo-celebs and "beautiful people". Cheers, Geoff

Looking forward to the rest of the report! Cheers, Geoff

Just saw the story in the Star. I'm quite surprised. I always liked his writing, even if I didn't always agree with him. Apparently the mag is "going in a different direction" or words to that affect and Chatto's writing supposedly didn't fit with the new direction. Erm, yeah. They also aren't looking to replace him. Cheers, Geoff

It's called Knife. It's on queen a couple blocks west of Bathurst (658 Queen W) up (a lot of) stairs. Right now the stuff looks reasonably priced - in the $100 - $300 kind of range. So, not the real high end stuff at the moment. They were talking up their knife sharpening - they do it by hand. There's a website apparently - they told me there isn't much on it right now. Cheers, Geoff

Well, can't say I'm overly surprised. I walk the mutt past there quite often and Madeline was often pretty quiet, especially early in the week, and Lee often looks full or close to it. (And Lee is now open for lunch Mon - Sat as well). Any guesses on what direction the Susur/Madeline space will take? How about a cocktail bar with tapas/nibblies? It would suit the condo crowd around there, perhaps. I can't really see it being on the fine dining end of things. But, who knows? I guess we'll see in the summer. Cheers, Geoff

Sounds like Leslieville is continuing its upward swing while my little stretch of Queen is continuing to wither foodie-wise as points further west and up Ossington continue to be the happening areas around here. Hopefully I'll make it out there in the next little while. Thanks for the update/tour Jen! Cheers, Geoff

Little Tibet has a sign up saying March 15 will be its last day. the Vdara ( abd Satori, Habitat, Future Bakery - I think I missed one) space has a liquor board sign saying it will be opening as Hoop's Sports Bar. Renos are ongoing. The building Amuse Bouche occupies on Tecumseth has a "For Lease" sing on it. Not sure what that means for the restaurant. Cheers, Geoff

Was just searching recipes for this as well. Saw one with the usual garlic, but then with the addition of tangerines. I have some blood oranges, so they're going in instead. Won't cut the bitterness as much as a tangerine, but it's what I have. A couple recipes suggested vinegar. Saw one with arugula and pine nuts too. But basically most of the recipes started with boiling, blanching or steaming as the first step and then saute with olive oil and garlic, with the variations at the end of cooking. Also, if you're adding an acid (lemon juice, vinegar, tangerines etc.) always add it at the end. Cheers, Geoff

I have used the bathroom there. By myself. I think they got caught with their pants down. I don't think they really thought their patrons would too. Cheers, Geoff

Is skim milk powder the same thing as nonfat dry milk powder as listed in the ingredients for the pork buns? Cheers, Geoff

The Asian Monsoon space has become the Friendly Thai. This is, by my count, the fifth restaurant to inhabit that space in the past 18 months. There's a poutine place coming to Queen and Bathurst too. Cheers, Geoff

Vdara is done. Leor Zimmerman has left Czehoski - not sure who the new chef is. Leor's moving to the Grindhouse on King at Blue Jays Way. Not sure if it's open yet though. Cheers, Geoff

I think we need Gordoncooks to visit more often! Cheers, Geoff