Location:
Makriyianni 3, Athens
It's time for breakfast + the Acropolis!
Who knew we'd have a view of the Acropolis from our breakfast nook situated on Makriyianni street?
Splendid. As was the sandwich and croissant. Greek coffee is going to take me some time getting used to though.
Great little cafe/deli, with a fantastic vantage point of the Acropolis. I'm happy to see the Nile Guide agrees!
Location:
212 West 57th Street New York, NY
www.brooklyndiner.com/menu.htm
On our way to the hotel in NYC, we passed by the Brooklyn Diner and immediately decided to try it out sometime. Turned out our hotel was only a few blocks from it, so we walked back for lunch. The place was packed with what looked like business men with heavy mid-sections. After seeing the menu, then our dishes, it was easy to know why. The portions are massive, quite like their prices. $18 for a sandwich? Um. Okay. Tourist trap, likely.
I chose their "famous tuna sandwich", mainly for the Ezekiel bread which I've always wanted to try.
N got the turkey sandwich, which was basically Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich.
The tuna sandwich was greasy, yes, but good. Ezekiel bread was delicious, although covered in butter, taking away it's health factor. The fries were perfect. I don't eat turkey, but the mashed potatoes and gravy were divine.
It's easy to see why this place is so popular, but if I were to eat here everyday, the Ezekiel bread won't help none.
Location:
900 Boylston Street
Boston
towneboston.com/
I had a lunch date with fellow Boston Blogger Style'N at Towne earlier this week. I didn't realize until I saw the building again that it was the same place I'd spotted one evening in the myriad of street lights, after shopping at the Prudential and thinking, what is that place, I want to go to there.
Huge and cosy interior. Friendly, unintrusive staff. Really tasty meal.
I had the daily pasta - rock shrimp in a red sauce.
Style'N had the cheese & bacon sandwich with tomato bisque.
After the disaster at Kashmir (review coming soon), this was a welcome change.
Location:
449 Jarvis St Toronto
www.theblakehouse.ca
Open only three months, one of the last standing heritage structures (built in 1891) in Toronto has been converted into a restaurant called The Blake House (previously, The Red Lion).
One of the three owners and brothers, Jim Vasilakakos sat down and chatted with us as well. He described The Blake House as being "comfort contemporary"; a feeling we instantly felt when we arrived, as Jim himself greeted us at the door.
The interior is gorgeous...all dark wood, warm lighting and lined with giant black and white photographs from Jarvis Street in the 1800's.
We were blown away by the food; everything was so fresh and so tasty! As Jim told us, they only buy local, fresh ingredients and everything is house-made. So, our compliments to the Chef David Araya; thank you for a wonderful meal!
We started off with a local beer, Mill Street Original and an Okanaagan Shiraz...which was delightful.
10oz $3.75 - 20oz $5.75 - 60oz $15.95
Mill Street Original
Prospect Red Willow 8 / 23 / 35
Shiraz, Okanaagan
Had to try the poutine; how could you not?
Poutine 8
Hand Cut Fries and Cheese Curds.
Topped with Bourbon Beef Gravy.
We were warned about the large size, but were blown away by it in reality. It was huge! For $8?! And not drenched in gravy, we could actually taste the hand-cut fries. I've personally decided it's a keeper.
Then, arriving smoking hot, we had the Chicken Pot Pie which I was dreaming about ever since checking the menu prior to arriving at the restaurant.
Chicken Pot Pie 13
Root Vegetables and Roasted Chicken Smothered in
Herb Cream Sauce. Served with Green Salad.
It was one of the best pies I've ever had, not to say I eat a lot of pies, but the very best pie I'd had was in Edinburgh from the Pie Maker. That's, Maker of pies and THIS was on par with THAT.
It was flaky and oozing with such a delicious filling, atypical from the usual potato and rubbery-and-questionable chicken filling. You could actually taste the vegetables (and distinguish them!) from the chicken. The green salad wasn't doused in dressing, either.
The bread and butter are both house-made, the butter changing every night or week according to the chef's desire: Roasted red pepper butter one night (what we had), sage butter, citrus butter... Brilliant and well executed!
Maple Glazed Salmon 18
Roasted Atlantic Salmon. Served with Smashed
Seasonal Potatoes, Braised Leeks with Bacon Burre Blanc.
I found it refreshing to get potatoes (smashed, at that, with salmon, 'cause usually you get salmon:
"seasoned with crushed black pepper and salt served on a bed of basmati rice with vegetables"
OR
"seasoned with a dash of dill and served on a bed of wilted spinach"....
I question a restaurant when they consider salt and pepper SEASONING.
This maple glazed salmon we likened to the way we cook at home: with flavour! The crispy top and break-away center of the salmon was exactly the way I like it. The sweetness of the leeks with the potatoes brings makes me salivate even as I write, as it was just melt in your mouth delicious.
Market Crumble $6.00
Seasonal market fresh fruit and homemade oats baked
golden brown and topped with ice cream (ask your server)
How to describe this market crumble, made to order with blueberries and arriving smokin' hot and so fresh? Oh, I think I just did.
Crème Brulee $6.00
Baked vanilla custard topped with a crusted layer of
caramel and fresh berries
I don't usually order crème brulee, but lately have had cravings for it, and this was a remarkable one and unforgettable. I'd get it again.
The place was packed, even when we were leaving, a group of 25 showed up; but it was no issue to seat the large crowd as the open concept of the interior allows for big as well as intimate gatherings. Our server Kaitlyn was gracious and efficient as well, not missing a beat.
We met with the other two brothers, Nick and Mike, as well; it was so nice to talk to each of them and learn how much it meant to them to preserve the history of the building.
It's evident in the interior design that the original stained glass windows and wood burning fireplace only add to the ambiance of the restaurant. Their patio is possibly the largest in the city, as well.
With an upscale environment serving upscale food but with a down-to-earth vibe and certainly down-to-earth prices, we'd have to agree with Jim and his expression of The Blake House being "your home in the city". Afterall, three hours later, we still weren't ready to leave.
Location:
330 King St W, Toronto
Another one of Peter Oliver and Michael Bonacini's babies, O&B is part cafeteria, part full-service restaurant, with all the wood, glass and metal (and gorgeous pops of orange Le Creuset dishes) that entails opening up a restaurant these days, it's also in the new Bell Lightbox building.
In the company of several foodies, including Hobography, his family, AC, and AL who is our resident food and drink expert and founder of Foodies Toronto, our verdict is?
Well, O&B Canteen is no great shakes.
Here's what we ate:
I started with a Soltice Mojito (it's listed on the menu as such, but makes me wonder if they meant Solstice?) with loads of raspberries - a juicy, refreshing drink with a hint of mint, I slurped every last sip, and not only because it was $10.
They have only two beers on tap: Mill St. Tankhouse (sm $5, lg$7) and Stella Artois ( sm $6 and large $8) and the sizes arrive in tiny glasses. The wine was served in a slightly more reasonable portion. The rest of the beers (more Mills St., Keith's, Bud, Guinness, Leffe etc.) are bottled.
The Steak Frites ($21) was the best dish on the table, but discussions were had on how it was cooked.
The "Chef's Daily Creation" was a hand-made pappardelle with some type of sausage and mushrooms, which took forever to arrive and once it did looked like an appetizer in size.
It didn't fare well in flavour either; I'd like to quote Hobo here on how it was:
"It was overcooked, bland and flavourless."
The Gallo Mussels ($18) arrived in a hot pot looking quite beautiful, as did the french onion soup; I can't vouch for the taste.
The Basket of O&B Artisan breads (with spread and olives $8), I wish had more craft to them...as they were, they didn't excite.
Hobo ordered the Chicken Liver Parfait (cumberland sauce, pickle, baquette $8) and ended up having to request several refills of "baquette" as there was decidedly more parfait than "baquette" and I think we'd have preferred the entire "baquette" instead of only slices of it. Interestingly, you can find Michael Bonacini's Chicken Liver Parfait recipe, here.
The refills were also greatly needed since Hobo's fresh pasta didn't arrive for 45 minutes.
My All Day Breakfast ($14) was decent - the sausages and bacon absolutely delicious but the potatoes were luke warm and the bread, kind of boring. It didn't help that the butter and jams had to be requested several times before making an appearance and the hot sauce didn't make it to the table for a while.
The house-made "Canteen Catsup", spiced with cinnamon, coriander and celery seed, wasn't very good. I think it's best not to mess with what Heinz has perfected.
The desserts, however, managed to impress.
The Lemon Posset w/ chantilly, berries ($6), Soma Brownie w/vanilla ice cream ($7), Fresh Fruit w/ mint, lemongrass syrup and sorbet ($8), Espresso Affogato w/ almond biscuit ($5) Gateau Basque w/ vanilla ice cream ($7), were all divine; each carrying a distinct flavour. Muah!
Overall, I think everyone felt a disappointed. While they've got the signiture O&B style down, the service definitely needs work. It was waaaaaaaaay too slow for the type of idea they're selling. If you're calling it a canteen, it should operate as one.
I'll give the service a few months and go back to try the breakfast and those butties...perhaps with Lurgs?
Location:
201 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
www.mrbsbistro.com
So, this is another one of those overdue/back-burner pieces.
Better late than never, right?
Located in the French Quarter, and coming highly recommended from many a source on the world wide web, my first impression of Mr. B's was that it seemed more suited towards a 40+ suit crowd.
Suits and in our case, bibs.
The bibs for de-shelling the shrimps in Mr. B's signiture BBQ shrimp dish!
(Gulf shrimp barbequed New Orleans style, served in the shells with a peppery butter sauce, and French bread for dipping $18.00)
Apart from the de-shelling, this dish was fantastic! And I love that they share the recipe online!
The other dish was less painful. Also, a bit bland. Catfish with beans (Pecan crusted farm raised catfish topped with Creole meuniere sauce $15.00 )
The fried oysters $6.75 were excellent.
Blueberry Cobbler $8, perfectly old fashioned.
Suits or not, bibs or not...Mr. B's Bistro is everything you imagine "N'awlins" to be.
Location:
18 King E., Toronto,
www.beerbistro.com
Was hyped to go to Beer Bistro having heard so many great things about the huge selection of beer etc etc etc...
And I have to say, although the beers were good and the selection massive...we were a tad disappointed with the food. We went for brunch and everything looked fantastic and our service was excellent.
There just wasn't anything overly fantastic about the meal. Definitely not the place for brunch, but yes to after work drinks, me thinks.
So here's what we shared for brunch. Some appley-type fritters...
Gorgeous presentation, but not outstanding flavour.
Eggs benedict sandwich, something something. Disappointing.
Certainly had interesting beers...we got a taster ($6 for any 3).
We thought the interior looked like a rock climbing gym...funny blue coloured ceiling with holes in it, stuccoed walls and lights that look like hanging harnesses....
Or maybe we'd just had too much to drink...
It IS called Beer Bistro and not Brunch Bistro for a reason. Go for the drinks.
Location:
373 Queen Street West, Toronto
Cost: $10 per entree
www.peterpanbistro.com
A landmark on Queen St. West since 1921 (read the history here), Peter Pan Bistro has always been a prime lunch time spot, perhaps for it's ambiance (spectacular tin ceiling) or delicious lunch dishes for under $10.
Whatever the case, how befitting it was to have a baby-shower gathering at a venue named Peter Pan.
I was more interested in the dessert menu than anything else that day.
Mmm.....Death by chocolate sounded like the way to go!
Very rich, very deadly. (I think I passed out about 1/2 an hour after eating this. :))
Everyone else's dishes looked fantastic (and from what I heard, tasted just as good!)
You can see the expectant Mom's beautiful polka-dotted belly in the background of this shot, nicely contrasted by the pretty almond cheesecake and wildberry tea. Here's a close-up of the almond cheesecake.
Lemon tart.
Warm beet salad, honey roasted pears, walnuts, goat cheese on mixed greens $9 - photo credit: Jen D.
Daily special - Omlette - photo credit: Jen D.
"Bistro Salad", olive oil & rosemary cake, arugula, proscuitto & tomato, finished w/ a two minute egg, truffle oil and shaved parmagiano $10 - photo credit: Jen D.
With new condos springing up everywhere, Peter Pan Bistro, now in it's 88th year at the corner of Peter and Queen, is practically a historic site, so go now! Go and enjoy it.
Location:
432 Wellington Street West, Toronto
Cost: Approx $130 for 2
Every once in a while, you come across a really outstanding dining experience. One where there is not a single thing out of place or out of line.
Le Sélect is that happy place.
Within minutes of me running in to check if they had any room for dinner (I know they like to take reservations for lunch and dinner and it looked like the place was already packed with the Friday dinner crowd) and getting the A-Okay, to parking the car, we were being seated in a cosy corner by the window (and the heater).
Our server, Aleah, was attentive, not in the least bit snooty, and catered to our menu-questions with honest insight. None of the "I absolutely love everything on the menu"... she actually didn't care for some of the items, which was refreshing. Kudos to her.
We started with the antipasto (grilled eggplant, mushroom salad, artichoke, guacamole, and fingerling salad, $11.95) which was so flavourful I wanted to lick the plate!
Then we ordered the seared fillet of Pickerel with a red wine sauce lardons and chanterelles ($28.95) paired with a glass of Rhone wine ($12.25) (they have a gigantic wine list)
And the striped bass fillet "a la plancha", olives, tomatoes, chickpeas and artichokes ($26.95) paired with a glass of Chateau Pesquie ($10.75).
Both of our mains were absolutely delicious. The bass was slightly more flavourful than the pickerel because of the olives and chickpeas, but both dishes were yummy.
For dessert we got the mousse au chocolat ($8.95), made with French dark chocolate
And because we really just wanted a taste of the lychee sorbet, we got a little helping of it on the side ($6.00).
Both were divine....the lychee sorbet is made fresh and I thought it would look really nice in martini glass, like the lychee martini.
I suspect Le Sélect Bistro is more french bistro than a bistro in France, and 'cause I've never been to France, I like it. I also suspect I'm not the only one.
Location:
315 King St West, Toronto
Cost: Winterlicious $15 lunch ($69 for 4)
www.marcels.com
Winterlicious has been extended until Feb 28th, and Marcel's lunch menu was quite tasty for anyone who's still keen on getting on the "Licioustrain".
Here is their lunch menu:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Soupe du jour
Fresh daily soup
or
Salade maison, vinaigrette balsamique
Mesclun greens with balsamic dressing
or
Terrine de campagne maison
House pâté with crostini
~~~~~~~~~~~
Filet de sole, sauce Champagne servie avec du riz basmati et légumes de saison
Filet of sole in a Champagne sauce served with basmati rice & seasonal vegetables
or
Filet de porc, sauce moutarde avec pommes purées et légumes de saison
Pork tenderloin in a mustard sauce, mashed potatoes & seasonal vegetables
or
Penne au saumon fumé, sauce rosée
Penne with smoked salmon in a tomato cream sauce
~~~~~~~~~~~
Crème caramel
A bistro classic
or
Sorbets au choix
Daily choice of fresh sherbet
or
Glace vanille, sauce au chocolat
Vanilla ice cream with hot chocolate sauce
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The soup of the day was Beets and Carrot soup. I love beets so I had to try it. When our server brought our dishes to the table, he quite rudely requested us to move our plates to the side. We were slightly taken aback, but soon forgot about it as we indulged into our appetizers.
The soup was thick and creamy, posing a potential problem for my lactose-intolerancy, but nevertheless, tasty. It had a real "beet-i-ness" to it! 
My friend ordered the House pâté with crostini which she claimed was very good and not as fatty as can be.
For her main, she opted for the pork tenderloin in a mustard sauce, with mashed potatoes and veggies.
The rest of us went for the penne with smoked salmon in a tomato cream sauce. I was assured that there was only a "little bit of cream" in it....
Didn't look that way to me. Aside from eating around the cream sauce, I found the tomatoey chunks of salmon to be very flavourful and overall the dish was fantastic. To be honest, I had to refrain from slurping up the remaining sauce.
For dessert, we all went for the Crème caramel:
I probably should have gone with the sherbet since by this time I was all creamed-out, but it was so cold outside that the idea of crème caramel appealed to me; for some reason I thought it would be warm (?). Also, it's probably listed as a "bistro classic" because it can be made in abundance and kept aside for when it's needed (ie. for a Winterlicious crowd). It was good, but I don't think I am a fan of crème caramel [*shrug*].
All in all, a nice experience at Marcel's...and the rest of our service was totally fine.
