aser

The highlights for me include the candied bacon, simply irresistible, I could eat a whole chip bag full of those. The brisket and ribs both needed zero sauce, saucing it would've just masked the true smokey flavours. They're using a Southern Pride smoker correct? The drive out was a pain in the arse, but it was at the end of the day very much worth it. I ate way too much meat for my own good. Have been detoxing w/ lots of veg as a result. I think they open till 8pm from Wed-Fri. There is also a wing special on Wed if I recall, would love to try that.

What do you prefer? Are you the type that focuses solely on eating when a piping hot dish sits in front of you? Or are you the type that enjoys the social aspect of dining, preferring to converse with your dining partners, elongating the experience as a whole. All my thoughts and conversation while eating focuses on the meal itself. I'm thinking about eating it before it gets cold, thus affecting taste, texture. When I talk, it's to discuss the nuances of the dish; cooking method; ingredients; highlights, downfalls, how it can be improved; how it compares to other renditions; etc..... My brain returns to earth after I finish eating, I can hold a normal non-food conversation again. I guess you can say I live to eat. Am I being anti-social by being so single minded while eating? My gf seems to think so....

http://www.sukhothaifood.com/ not much on the website, but killer food and cheap. Everything's under $10. Khao soi is the winner, actually everything is.

the chowhound gods are very temperamental, trying to deduce their deletion logic is beyond me. I actually went back to manpuku yesterday for lunch, had the curry udon and takosen. The takoyaki is definitely better than Kenzo or Naniwa Taro at T&T (Middlefield & Steeles), it's decent for Toronto (a low benchmark). Friendly service in a relaxed atmosphere. Nice to see kaedama (noodle refill) as an option.

Sure you guys might not have perfected every dish, but I fully support your cause to bring light to everyday comfort foods of Japan. Now when will there be a yakitori spot in Toronto?

Well obviously. I just think it reinforces the stereotype of Japanese restaurants as sushi-centric. Things doesn't have to be that way, the perception of cooked Japanese food as an anomaly can change. Taglines like that doesn't help. Wishful thinking on my behalf? Probably....... Also, the post isn't just an avenue for me to rant. I would like to hear what other people like to see change for the better in Toronto's culinary scene.

oops, I forgot to mention that I tried to post this on chowhound, but the mods removed it asap. The first statement was in regards to that board. Sorry for the confusion, I should've elaborated further before moving the post over here. The mods over there are a pain in the...... The tagline irritates me because it gives the impression to readers that non-sushi Japanese restaurants are a rare anomaly. When we both know cooked food restaurants far outnumber sushi ones in Japan. Unfortunately, we just don't have a big enough Japanese population to support anything beyond sushi.

Sushi sushi zzzushi zzzzzzzzz.......... Sushi posts by far outrank any on this board. What makes bad sushi so acceptable in our city? It's by far the most bastardized cuisine out there. Guilty parties include non-Japanese restauranteurs, yet the blame also lies on the shoulders of consumers? It's the chicken or the egg syndrome, does bad sushi start w/ poorly trained chefs or does it begin w/ customers demanding bargain basement pricing? Are businessmen/women simply supplying the rabid demand for makis of dubious quality. Would you buy a diamond ring for $200? Wouldn't you question the quality of the diamond at that price? Then why is it acceptable to buy AYCE sushi for $15? Would you not question the quality of the fish at $15? Sushi is inherently expensive, if you care about ingredients at all. People have a hard time grasping this concept. Which leads to the crux of my peeve; sushi becoming the definitive food of Japan according to Torontoians. When in actuality, it is reserved as a meal for special occasions and eaten sparingly by Japanese. A recent tagline in the Manpuku review in NOW sums up my frustration with TO diners. "Manpuku proves a Japanese restaurant can thrive without sushi" If critics in the city are perpetuating this notion of sushi as the consummate Japanese food, what chances do eaters have at being exposed to anything beyond sushi? It really pains me to see the lack of ramen, udon, soba, nabe, yakitori, izakaya estaurants in Toronto. Surely we can afford to trade a few sushi spots for some of these. Before you think I'm being a poo poo pants, talking about our weaknesses can do us a world of good. Hopefully some enterprising restauranteur is doing his market research and somehow stumbled upon this post. Before you know it, we could be seeing things like yakitori or a taco truck or a khao soi stand or a xinjian lamb kebab stand or a _______. Gosh I get teary just thinking about it. Now don't get me started on pad thai, that could be pt 2 to this post. I shall refrain.........for now.

just so folks are aware, the cheaper paperback version does not come w/ the dvd. love this book!

I think people are just so deprived of street food here, they never knew the magical qualities it has. You don't know what you miss in life if you've never had it. Imagine having a great pizza truck like this or a taco truck or a curry fishball stand. Calling our street food scene tepid is being too kind.

I wouldn't read too much into the Pataki review, she is well known for her cattyness in reviews. If not for the 3.5 stars, you would've never guessed it was a favourable review just by reading the article. Splendido is the most consistent fine dining establishment in our city, bar none.

a lot of the staff migrate between the top coffee shops in the city. The top 3 that are always mentioned are.... 1) Bulldog (as previously mentioned) 3) Dark Horse (queen & broadview) 3) Mercury (queen & logan)

Ematei is the closest thing Toronto has in terms of an izakaya. The decor certainly isn't, but the cooked dishes do have that feeling. The Nabeyaki udon has a very homey taste, thanks to the great dashi. I had a great octopus appetizer on the specials menu recently. The other contenders as have already been mentioned are Japango, Hiro and Omi. Soba is served at Hiro only on Sunday just so you know. It's not Hiro serving it, but soba canada taking over the space on Hiro's day off. Another homey spot similar to Tokyo Grill is Tokyo Kitchen on Charles st, near Yonge & Bloor. It's very close to Okonomi House. Although if you can get access to a car, Kaji (Etobicoke) & Hashimoto (Sauga) represents the creme de le creme for Japanese in Toronto.

the old adage isn't necessarily true anymore. Read this LA Times piece for more info. That doesn't mean I'm rushing out to eat them either, I still believe in seasons.

well that is probably just personal preference. The northern style of ramen from Kyushu will have a thick and oily broth. Whereas people from Tokyo prefer a lighter shoyu broth. You can't lump the Japanese as one entire group, account for regional styles. I know plenty of people that prefer a thicker/oily broth. Different strokes for different folks....

I was hoping to pop in for lunch this Saturday, so they're only open for dinner? I haven't been able to find any info for hours of operation online. Anybody knows?

http://www.japaneserestaurantinfo.com/santoka2/index.html There are santoka locations at Mitsuwa's in the LA area too. Check the links for more pics.... Supposedly, Santoka is a chain that originated from Hokkaido. Their specialty being shio ramen.

saw it last night, it seems to have gotten more slapsticky than previous eps. That french accent was something terrible though, but then again I suppose it was meant to be a farce.

who wants to take bets on the next first growth they name drop? 59 haut brion? haha, it's like they're slip it in just to appease the very people reading this thread. I know attaching bourdain's name on this might've elevated expectations, but imo it is a servicable show. Considering the mindless garbage fox thorws at us 95% of the time, it's better than nothing. It is what it is. now if only curb your enthusiasm comes back on....

they've added a vegetable ramen option now for those who are lugging vegetarian friends along. I had the charshu one and it's pretty filling, surprised at how full I got. Gyozas are very fresh, they do a great job w/ those. I would highly recommend minca, although sporadically as it is quite heavy compared to other ramen.

yeah I saw the listing, hence why I included the url. Just wanted to make sure since they "never" update that site. Generally they re-open by October, but it's December already. This is unusually late for him, perhaps the latest he has remained closed ever. That's why I wanted to double check and ask.

So winter cold is creeping up and that means we can get some soup from the soup nazi. I checked the site to make sure if they've opened (been burned before). It still doesn't say anything, so I'm wondering if it has indeed re-opened yet. http://www.soupkitchenintl.com If it's not, then any other options for a good lobster bisque? Hale & Hearty?

just got back in....Bourdain was in top form today, jokes were flying off the cuff left and right, interspersed w/ a heavy dosage of profanity (wooooo!). Best moment has to be his response to a Jamie Oliver question. To paraphrase......"If I was in prison, I would want him to be my cell mate. I would never have to worry about running out of cigarettes." Talked to grill bitch for a little bit and she graceously signed our books. She mentioned they're going on a tour of oyster bars tonight. My only complaint was his mic could've been louder. Plus people talking really loud when everybody else is trying to hear him speak.

I like King Shwarma on queen & spadina. Yes the place looks like a total dump, but the shwarmas are excelllent. I've never had the falafel there though....

well you're going to pay $50 at the store. Their online prices are online only......Or you can buy it that day, get it signed, then order another copy online. When that copy arrives return it w/ the original receipt you kept. When I was at the nigella lawson signing, they checked for indigo/chapters receipts. The signing was only applicable to customers purchasing the book from their stores. I heard costco has the book for $30.