kguetzow

Went to DiFaras with my daughter last night and got a porcini and wild onion pie..........he never fails to amaze me. Absolutely astounding as always. Not sure why this deserves a post except that I just had to share my joy.

Susur and Lee are not Chinese and more fusion. That said, downtown, I think that Lai Wah Heen will fit the bill for you. Most of the other very good chinese places that I can advise on are up north in Markham. ← Lai Wah Heen looks great. The menu is listed in five courses/symphonic movements. Any idea on an average price per person? I am guessing $60-$80?

I am looking for the best Chinese in Toronto. Perhaps one notch below Susur or Lee?

tell me more kent! experiences?

Thank you for moving this thread Kristin. The web info I can find on the stuff is quite weird and typically asian/english semi-nonsense. The company website/websites is very peculiar, claims to cause no liver damage, and be a health food. While another site says it kills cockroaches on contact. Hmm? can it remove stubborn stains from my whites? The only site I could find that sells it was charging $121.00 a bottle. It smells like sherry and sorta tastes like Soju with a dash of soy sauce.

I recieved two bottles of Moutai Liquor as a gift. Does anybody know anything about it? Apparently made from Sorghum, but thats all I know. Kurt

I think I may go back to my mellita as well. I have a french press, Mellitta, vacuum pot, turkish pot, and a Cusinart auto drip (not a great machine). You are right, the pour over is better coffee, & simpler. Maybe I need to let go of the idea of an auto drip and join the slow food movement. Perhaps its testosterone fueled logic. I'll time myself auto vs. pour over. Most likely not much difference. However the Clover certainly satisfy my gadget needs! Now I just need someone to sell one on Ebay for 50 bucks.

I have been looking at brewing machines for a while and noticed a lot of thumbs up for Technivorm. It seems to get high marks for brewing temperature, like a commercial machine. So, I was wondering why no one seems to favor commercial machines like Fetco http://www.fetco.com/extractor.htm They have smaller models that seem reasonable for a home setup. Is price the only drawback?

Seemingly Indeed! I tried these beans and had one of the tastiest cups of coffee ever.( using there Costa Rican Terrazzu beans) I had bought two bags and the second bag of the same coffee was absolutley horrible. Not anything like the first bag. This level of inconsistency eliminates them from another purchase. Too bad though, because that first pound was wonderful.

Unique Coffee Roasters offers seemingly good beans at a rather inexpensive price. Has anyone tried them, like them, dislike them?

The oil reminds me of a cross between almond, sesame and macadamia. Its quite expensive. He's a great friend. I showed him Paula Wolferts Baqqula herb jam recipe and his mom sent me some! Yay!

I recieved a bottle of Argan oil and some Amlou from my Moroccan friend. Does anyone have a favorite use for the oil?

Katsu is the ONLY choice for me!

I always loved WIshbone for breakfast, http://www.wishbonechicago.com/ Haven't been there in few years though.

I always go to Ten Ren in Manhatten, and when I lived In Chicago I went to Ten Ren. They're the best when it comes to Asian teas

I know its not typical pub fare, but I love a bowl of hot, salty edamame with a good beer. Easy to make and keeps me drinking.

I completely agree with you, Rebecca. We live in an extremley inequitable society. If I had my way (If I ran a zoo), tipping all together would be done away with. Raise prices and pay people well. Thats it! Of course that will never happen, but I still don't think using tipping as some sort of welfare system based on sympathy is a great idea. As Busboy said, does the counter person deserve more money than the janitor? If we all choose to use tips as legit income, doesn't that discourage business owners from paying us more? They can then claim that you can work off tips just like the wait staff industry. Where does it end? The cashier at the 7 Eleven has a tip jar. Etc. etc.. I'm not offended by the cups, nor do I blame the people for asking, and NO I am not a Republican. LOL But the "little cups" just seem to be appearing anywhere and everwhere. It always feels like the cups should say "Pay me because I'm unhappy". Or am I just being a dick? Feel free to slam me if needed.

I am enjoying the comments on this topic. I wanted to add that I too am a 20% or more tipper 99.9% of the time. I think think we all know its not an easy job, its when there is no excuse for bad service that we wonder why we are tipping at all. My favorite moment of this meal in question is when we couldn't get the waitress to come and get my credit card. My wife and daughter had their coats on and eventually went to wait outside. Finally the hostess noticed us waiting and came over to get the check and credit card from me.....................well another fifteen minutes went by while she was seating people and just looking around, there I sit at an empty table by myself....la di da etc.. and then the hostess came by to say " have a great evening", at which I asked if I could continue our credit card transaction. "Oh yeah" she replies and goes to find the check again.......well you get it. Hey does anyone want to start a topic about the little tip cups that are on so many over the counter type businesses? You know, tip me because I handed you a bagel. What is the group opinion on these sitatuations, be charitable, or resist?

I should add that I'm not looking for sympathy for my situation, as much as I am wondering if people have any rules or standards they use to judge when service goes past the point.......

just plain ignoring us when there was no way that she could have been under any pressure. The service was so slow my daughter cried because we had to cancel her dessert because we had to go home eventually.

How guilty should I feel for leaving ZERO tip after truly terrible service, especially when there are literally 3 people in the whole restaurant. How do you judge when a server is just having a tough time, or when they just don't give a shit about you.

My wife and I moved to Allentown 7 yrs ago from Chicago. Do I even need to tell you what our opinion of Yocco's is? When we first got here everyone told us how we must try a Yocco's! It was the most dissapointing/bordering on disgusting hot dog we ever tasted. Well, what amuses me most is that after 5 yrs or so, these nasty little burnt greasy things are starting on grow on me. Our daughter has grown up here and loves them. I fear she'll never understand a Chicago hot dog and be caused to wonder, who the hell put a salad on this thing?.

Wow, from overeating to ADD. Certainly should be a seperate thread.......but the abrupt subject change is fitting for an ADD discussion. I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV. But as an adult who has a rather severe case of ADD. I would strongly advise being careful with the use of ADD medication. No, I am not suggesting you ignore yor doctors advise, but be aware of the effects of the drug. It's not all good and for me was not an answer. It does reduce your appetite for food as well as your appetite for everything else in life. Food, sex, humor, etc. I dunno, I shouldn't be saying anything about this.......because many people have great success with the treatment.

Nope, just being a cheap bastard, and wondering if it could be made into something else before I dump it. To be clear I have no intention on drinking it and don't know anyone who would. I thought someone might have devised a reincarnation for it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for amending this into something more palatable? Some sort of sangria like thing? (cringes again) ALL SARCASTIC REPLIES WELCOME Kurt