Stalder

The name of the restaurant is la casa.

This past weekend we met up with my parents in Stratford to see a play and go out for dinner. My mom is on a very low fat, low salt diet, so eating out was going to be a challenge. After doing research my best bet seemed to be the sunroom restaurant, as they specialized in stir fries with lots of veggies, and had a chef who was a graduate of Stratford chef school. As well I had read some foodie reviews from folks who loved the place. When I called to make a reservation I was told that we would have to be out by 7 PM, so we arrived right on time for our 5 PM reservation. Unfortunately our table was not prepared even tohugh the restaurant opened ot 4:30 for dinner. From this point onward there was just one mishap after another until it almost became a comedy. My mom's wine came promptly, but my wife's never arrived. I pointed this out to the waitress who then left . . . and still didnt bring back her wine!!!! When we ordered I asked the waitress if the rice noodles were like pad Thai noodles but she had no idea, and didn't offer to go check. Maybe I should have known, but i thought she could have offered to check. We all ordered stir fries of one type or another and they arrived although were all given to the wrong people (we just sorted that out ourselves). I mentioned that it was odd that they had bread plates and knives . . . yet no bread. The bread came as we were finishing supper The stir fries were very good. Very bland but with fresh ingredients, low in fat and salt. Perfect for my parents, the least adventurous diners in the world. My wife's wine did finally arrive after her dinner was 1/2 done. The coup de grace came with dessert. My wife ordered the chilled chocolate mango mousse, and it arrived FROZEN SOLID. You can check their online menu to see at http://www.sunroomstratford.com/index.php to see a description of the dessert. I called our waitress over and mentioned that the mousse was frozen solid and she said " it is supposed to be" I mentioned that I had not seen the word frozen, to which she replied "it does so" . . at this point I just shut up. She said she would bring another dessert if we would rather, but i was so embarrassed/frustrated I just said not to worry about it. Anyhow, it was probably the worst service I have ever had. The food quality was average, except for the fact that the chilled mousse was FROZEN .

Dufflet's has a petit fours collection (scroll down to near the bottom). Way back in the '80s, I loved their stuff, but it has been many years since I was last able to try some, so I don't know if they're still any good. (Is toronto considered Southern Ontario?) ← Eitelbach also makes them. I have bought them at Pusateri's and whole foods.

My wife and I will be in Regina for 5 days in May. I am looking for suggestions as to what the best places to eat are for all meals of the day. The choices need not be pretentious, just looking for good food. Though if there are any gems in Regina we don't mind paying for great food. Any help will be much appreciated.

I am going to be in Ottawa for a few days for work next month and was looking for some tips on good places for lunch and dinner. We will be staying at the Sheraton downtown, and our food interests are Japanese, Thai, and small plates dining, though if the food is good we REALLY just like to eat ) E Gullet has been an awesome source for finding the best food other times when I travelled, so I figured I would see what ideas we come up with from here.

Thanks for the post and welcome aboard. I do think however you may not be giving e-gulletteers quite enough credit, as the vast majority of us are well aware of all the things you mentioned. Toronto Life does an AMAZING job with dining and food options in Toronto. Your restaurant guide and your food guide are my two favourite publications each year. As I said I think most of us are aware that a professional kitchen can't really turn on a dime when they see a reviewer in house, even if they want to.

I think the whole point of the article was to show that at good restaurants everyone gets first rate food and service. Chatto knows that people know who he is, but he observes how others are treated while he is dining and he feels the same as I do . . . that generally in most decent Canadian Restaurants people are all treated well. I have eaten in a lot of Canadian restaurants and I have always felt that I was treated as well as those around me. I have had great service and horrible service, but i have never felt that I was being singled out in either case, it seemed those around me were treated the same. I think Chatto's point was simply that the treatment he recieves is always about equal to those dining around him only becauce most Canadian restaurants treat everyone well.

No - it wasn't their own brand. Sorry for the confusion. But still a great product. ←

JS Bonbons chocolates are notable for her use of herbs in them. She uses thyme, Tarragon, and black pepper as well as other herbs to make some very interesting truffles and bonbons. The one WOW moment with her chocolates for me was her sea salt and caramel chocolate . . . since then I have experienced this combination elsewhere . . . but . . .well . .. nothing compares to your first time . . . .)))

They make their own truffle honey???? I bought a small jar of truffle honey there, but it was not a CB brand.

I haven't been but toronto.com "To Dine For" gave it a fabulous review. I have no idea how much stock can be put in this reviewer, but the food sounds might good . Here is the link http://www.toronto.com/restaurants/article/000-381-535

Thanks for the info. Work has been very busy lately and we have a few days off, so we are really looking forward to our little foodie vacation at home

Just one more small section . . .does cheese boutique have prepared foods at all? As much as I love to cook . . one of the treats of going to pusateri's is picking up some side dishes so I can just cook some great meat or fish but still have a feast. I love some of the vegetable salads and pasta salads pusateri's does. We are planning on driving to toronto tomorrow and are definitely going to visit cheese boutique. The question now, is should we go to pusateri's first for some salads etc., then head to CB, or will cheese boutique have everything we like at pusateris.

I was referring to the cheese boutique off south kingsway. I go to either pusateri's but much prefer the downtown one for prepared foods, and the bakery. The managers always bring anything i want from the main store down as long as I call ahead. I find the uptown Pusateri's full of rude people, and a very stressful place to shop. From what I am reading cheese boutique is definitely worth a visit though they may not have as many prepared foods as Pusateri's.