Location:
504 Bloor St. W, Toronto
Cost: $3.49 for a falafel
www.ghazale.ca
We found ourselves searching for food in the Annex one evening before the start of Filmi 2009.
I laugh now when I think about how we walked right PAST Ghazale (even though it was packed; which we all know is a clear indication that the place is damn good) and over to Mount Everest (which I've also heard is amazing) to check out their menu and see if we could have a sit-down dinner there in under 30 minutes (answer: no). So again, we walked about perusing outdoor menus and turning our noses down to practically everything we didn't have a hankering for. Finally with less than 15 minutes left before the start of the fest, we shared a quick slice of Pizzaiolo pizza (I am a fan of their chicken pesto slice) vowing to get a proper meal after the show.
Alas, after the show and after chatting with friends, we realized it was too late to enjoy a fancy restaurant experience on a weeknight, but not too late for a falafel! And after hearing how good Ghazale is from the said friends, we had to try it.
I present you with:
Falafel Sandwich "Falafel Sandwich $3.49".49
Ghazale Menu
Fresh ingredients
Ghazale is situated beside the Bloor Street Cinema
Happy Falafel it was.
Frugal fare at it's best in the city!
They're open till 4am all week, and a new location just opened at Church & Wellesley (78 Wellesley St.)
Mount Everest has some competition now.
Product: Truffle Pig
You know how much I love bacon.
And chocolate.
The taste combined? Not so much....
The name combined? Works really well.
Behold,
The TRUFFLE PIG.
Hagensborg Chocolates: Truffle Pig
I certainly hope that the hasty manner in which these photographs were taken are an indication of how darn decadent these chocolates are! I obviously couldn't wait to rip open the package and take a bite.
Speaking of packaging, isn't it adorable? LOVE the design!
The chocolate itself comes in lovely voluminous piggy shapes.....sadly, not evident in this image...I was too eager, what can I say?
Dark & White Raspberry
You'd be too.
Check out the fantastical Hagensborg Chocolate company based out in Vancouver Canada, for more. Sadly can't buy these delights online, however, Zimbel's Cafe carries them ($3) in Peanut Butter, Orange and Raspberry flavours. There's also plain ol' milk chocolate which I suspect is anything but plain.
Hemmingways
Location:
140 Cumberland Street, Toronto
Cost: Avg main is $13
www.hemingways.to
In the heart of Yorkville there's a cosy little people (or celeb) -watching pub that has the likeness of some Great-Grandfather's study. Green walls, heavy bookcases laden with old books, equestrian oil paintings lit up with dimmed wall sconces, antique wooden furniture dusty with age ----oh, hang on, that actually is my Great-Granddaddy's study...
I got carried away.
But you get my drift, Hemmingways has the authenticity of an ol' pub that Hemmingway himself might have frequented, but with a menu that's a mash-up of Eastern and Western delights, ie: bruschetta, spring rolls, escargot, Boston Clam chowder, Caesar salads, Greek salads, Tandoori what-nots, roti, pad thai, kung pao whatsits, souvlaki, fajitas....it's a really eclectic menu.
The ambiance at Hemmingways
I had the chicken souvlaki once and it was great; couldn't complain. I did however complain about the wine which tasted like that cloth one uses to wipe up counters...YOU know the one! They even confessed that they had that particular bottle sitting out for a while and opened a new one for me.
Chicken Souvlaki [caption id="attachment_1286" align="alignleft" width="604" caption="Chicken Souvlaki $13.99"][/caption]3.99
Besides that one incident (and I only ordered beer after that night), Hemmingways is quite simply: cosy.
And if you can't make up your mind on what to have for dinner, or if you have picky company to dine with, go to Hemmingways. Lots of food options PLUS beer.
Ackee Tree
Location:
170 Spadina Ave. Toronto
www.ackeetree.com/
I've not eaten a full meal at Ackee Tree.
The Jerk fries that I ordered were quite sadly limp and lacking in any real Jerk flavour, however, that said, my friends who ordered the chicken roti and BBQ chicken meals were more or less satisfied with their meals.
Here, the said orders:
Not so fresh Jerk Fries 
Boneless Curry Chicken Roti [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="384" caption="Boneless Curry Chicken Roti $11.99 "][/caption]1.99 
BBQ Chicken [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="BBQ Chicken $10.95"][/caption]0.95
I was fully pleased with my Old Jamaican Ginger Beer...especially when the first sip exploded with some tang! through my nasal cavity.
Always a fan of ginger beer..with sometang.
Old Jamaican Ginger Beer
I've not written off Ackee Tree, I can't do that based only on fries...
Lahore Tikka House
Location:
1365 Gerrard Street East, Toronto
Cost: $50 for 2 or 3
www.lahoretikkahouse.com
I've been to Lahore Tikka House numerous times.
The restaurant that always seems to be in a state of construction...and serving what feels like practically take-out, under make-shift portables.
You check off what you want from the paper menu, receive a number and with plastic cutlery, paper cups and plates at the ready, you wait....
Wait for the goodness to arrive.
For the unmistakable tune of juicy sizzle on a hot pan.
Lahori Chicken kebabs
The delectable mouth-wateringChicken biryani. A greasy fave.
Instead of the butter chicken they recommended we try the chicken tikka masala 'cause it's spicier. Agreed!
The sizzling King Fish is glorious!
Don't forget to wash it all down with an Indian staple of Thumbs Up. Why is pop always so much better in a bottle?
And although they've been times when we've been left waiting for our dishes a lot longer than at previous visits and even had to re-order (!), for the most part, the service is quite efficient and friendly and doesn't seem to have been interrupted by the renovations that appear to still be underway...
Lahore Tikka is definitely a greasy spoon ladle with a (depending how cast-iron your stomach is) almost-guarantee, but it brings you as close to authentic India as can do. Let's hope they don't lose the cosy atsmophere with the faux-imperial scheme they seem to be coming up with.
Spice Safar
Location:
270 Adelaide St W, Toronto
www.spicesafar.com
In the heart of downtown Toronto you'd be hard pressed to find a sexy lounge with a decent menu to offer. And let's be honest, a menu is one thing, an actual edible tasty meal is another. Fear not, I've found the place that has it all. It's called Spice Safar. It's a lounge, restaurant, cafe, bakery and high-end boutique. And it not only promises a luxurious experience, it delivers.
Nevermind that it was by invitation that we "journeyed" to the new Spice Safar location at Adelaide and John. We were ready to shell out for the night out, but thanks to executive chef Matthew Sullivan and the friendly crew running the place that evening, we were treated to a couple of couture mixology drinks and a full out taste of everything on their menu!
At $15.95 for a fancy mixology drink, you may think that the price tag is quite hefty but the unique concoction with modified molecular ingredients is surely a million light years away from your standard cosmo or lychee martini.
So it was incredibly hard to choose from the drinks menu with all the ingredients being so different and intriguing. We finally decided upon the Lavender Sour (vodka, lavender tea, cane juice, ginger, egg white) and the Blue Hemingway (rum, fresh cane sour, mint, hose bitters & flaming absinthe).
Their absinthe is made in-house and just watching our drinks being made was enough entertainment for the night (not to mention the fire show we got later on!)
The Lavender Sour and Blue Hemingway was served on a wooden trays along with a glass of sparkling water and grapefruit mousse to cleanse the palate. The mousse was so light and airy; I'd be happy just having my palate cleansed. Forever.
Miguel Aranda, Spice Safar's mixologist who fares from the Big Apple was away that evening but his apprentice Florian expertly concocted our drinks; making my Lavender Sour sans the egg white (something they're still working on perfecting and I have to admit I was a little bit relieved). The Lavender Sour was lovely - bringing to mind all things Hawaiian; distinctly tropical and refreshing.
The Blue Hemingway was crisp. My sharp yet, I suppose, inferior mixology-taste buds detected it to be a cross between mojito and absinthe. It was a lot easier to drink and more enjoyable than the Absinthe House Frappe we had at the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans.
Next were the dishes, mainly tapas style fare, starting with the special of the day, the executive chef's version of bruschetta: polenta topped with cheese and garnished with pea sprouts and grated endive and sprinkled with a Spanish olive oil (imported weekly).
Next was the Chicken Satay, marinated in Malaysian chili lemongrass sauce and grilled. Finished with a soy chili coconut glaze. $8.95
So you're thinking, how hard is it to mess up chicken skewers, right? Well, to compare let me remind you of the half-cooked meat sticks at Elephant & Castle. At Spice Safar? Great presentation and tasty to boot!
Mini Burgers - 3 Dry aged ground top sirloin patties, served on in house made poppy seed buns, with a cherry tomato relish, smoked gouda cheese and a fresh thyme and truffle aioli. $11.95
I could have eaten just the buns alone; they were so good! Add in the Kobe beef and the relish...these mini sliders were little bundles of joy (I say little out of context for the portions were quite generous).
Next up: the dumplings, chicken with fresh ginger $8.95 - pan seared and finished with yuzu juice and soy sauce. Filled with market vegetables, sweet and Yukon gold potatoes and sesame seeds.
Just looking at the photograph now, I'm reminded of the succulency and texture of this dish. Loved it...wanted want more!
Tagine - braised lamb shank, market vegetables, sultana raisins, Safar-inspired Moroccan spices. Served with peach chutney and grilled flatbread $9.95
I am admittedly not a lamb eater, however after the first bite (and then subsequent irresistable bites) ascertain they did something right; not only was the meat tender, the gravy was savory. You lamb-fans will love this dish; it's undoubtedly fresh - this I know because it reminded me (I know, I'm constanty reminiscing of past meals) of the organic lamb I ate growing up in Africa.
At this point we were already stuffed, and then to finish off Matt & Jaclyn brought out a lovely cheese platter!
Cheese charcuterie plate (for 2) - local artisanal cheese, served with a roasted almond and pistachio paste, seasonal fresh fruit, dried figs, in house made sour dough bread and marinated vegetables $19.95
If memory serves me well, there was a blue cheese from Guelph, and pasturized cows milk from North Bay and BC topped with pears, blueberries, kiwis and figs. So, you know how blue cheese stinks? This blue cheese was something else - no offending smell and such a mild taste (I even forgot my lactose-intolerancy for a while).
The pistachio paste and olive tapanade were both amazing! There were three degrees of Spanish olive oils, beginning with mild to a more peppery blend. Soooo good. And that bread! MMM.
Later we were impressed by Flo's amazing fireshow and absinthe shots. Smooth...both the show and the shot.
We'd like to thank (l-r) executive chef Matt, Jaclyn, Florian and Riyad for showing us a great time and letting us take photographs to remember the experience!
Here's a little excerpt on Matt Sullivan from their Facebook page:
The executive chef responsible to introduce the SpiceSafar food experience to Toronto has recently returned from a culinary journey on the Old Continent. Matthew not only worked at high-end gastro-pubs in Glasgow, Scotland, but he had the privilege to work with the most influential chef in UK’s history, Heston Blumenthal in his 3-star Michelin landmark restaurant. The Fat Duck has been voted by most critics as one of the two best restaurants in the world and is on the leading edge of molecular gastronomy. This extraordinary experience alone has fully prepared Matthew for the task of leading the team introducing the SAFAR couture comfort food to our Toronto audience. His creative flair, first rated skills in food sciences and his great wine knowledge all make him the perfect guide to take us all on truly flavorful epicurean discoveries.
Spice Safar is an innovative, elegant and aesthetically pleasing space with a concept unique to Toronto's restaurant scene. Can't wait to go back!
Rude Service @ Whole Foods (Whole Hearth), Yorkville
Location:
87 Avenue Road, Toronto
Cost: Hot chocolate $2.99 (mint shot $.50), cooked sushi combo 6.49, avocado roll $5.99
To clarify; this review is not about the Whole Foods Market in Yorkville....which I actually like very much and can't complain about. Instead, this post is in regards to the absolutely disgraceful service we received at the Whole Foods cafe, Whole Hearth (located on the street level of Avenue Rd.) one afternoon after a day at the spa.
It's very surprising that such a location as this in Yorkville (or anywhere, for that matter) would have staff like this employed.
Imagine this, if you will. Three perfectly relaxed women, sauntering into the cafe for a mid-day snack after a leisurely few hours at the Nova Spa across the street. Each picking a sushi snack tray from the freezer section and standing at the cashier ready to pay.
At once we notice how our server is incredibly short with us...ringing in my friend's sushi while impatiently gesturing for mine as well. I tell him we want to order a hot chocolate which he doesn't even acknowledge, still waving for my sushi tray. I try to tell him that my sister and I will be sharing our hot chocolate (my friend had also ordered a hot chocolate) but it goes unacknowledged (although appears on the receipt).
We take our sushi to the table (sans hot chocolate) and begin to eat, all the while looking to see if our hot chocolates are being made. Instead he seems to be occupying himself with other tasks and then begins moving around from one end of the cafe to the other.
At one point, my sister stops him mid-walk and asks about our hot chocolates to which he snaps, "In a minute, I'm not going in that direction..", meaning he was heading away from the coffee counter. Seriously?
Finally..and I mean by this time, my friend has already finished her sushi, he plops down her hot chocolate whereas ours is nowhere to be seen. So again, my sister begins to ask for an extra cup for the hot chocolate (assuming he plans to bring it) to which he rudely retorts, "In a minute, after these customers". So now they are other customers waiting, but weren't we also waiting?
Eventually we receive our drink (and the second cup) but are not happy with it (besides the manner in which it was produced, it didn't taste all that good either).
Later he returns with some 'leftover samples' from the bakery - some pizza which he shoves in front of our faces without explanation so I ask what kind of pizza it is, veggie or meat (my sister is vegetarian). His response? A classy, "chicken!" and then whips it away from me offering it to my friend who helps herself.
Wow.
As we get up to leave, we're barely out of our seats and gathering up our things when he comes over and starts moving the tables apart. I was practically still sitting in the chair. Yikes!!
My sister and I were appalled and even my usually zen-like friend was amazed at his actions.
Forget Whole Hearth, we sure got a WHOLE lotta attitude! What a horrible person to keep employed. Shame on you Whole Hearth.
Language of the Leaf Package!
I just received my first product in the mail to review!
TIFF eats!
I'm wondering where the stars will be dining during TIFF this year...
I know the Windsor Arms Hotel will be packed tonight for the Artists for Peace and Justice Awareness Bash...and Demi Moore is likely to be there.
I'll be doing a photo gig there next month, so I'm looking forward to that but for now, where else in the city can we spot the celebs?
Sassafraz? Bistro 990? Rosewater Supper Club? One? Lobby?
They'll most likely be heading to the snootiest places in town and least likely the most flavourful venue s...but stars don't really eat, do they?
Photo from last year's TIFF by Photohogger.
Elephant & Castle
Location:
212 King Street West, Toronto
Cost: $50 with tip
www.elephantcastle.com
As far as pub food in the city goes...this place has got to have the blurst (read: worst).
It's got a great atmosphere for after work or late night drinks, but I've got to say the food is absolutely mediocre.
So, the mahi sandwich with fries was just okay...which is not saying much. 
It certainly was better than the chicken skewers, which were...disssssguuuust. 
Unless you like your chicken pinkish....
The bruschetta was alright.
And the fish fritters with chips (crisps) was sub-par.
Thank Guinness for beer! I'm happy my half pint of Guinness was so generous...I needed it!
Quesada's
Location:
234 Wellington Street West, Toronto
Cost: $8-15
www.quesada.ca
My friend who'd just moved to Toronto from Calgary treated me for lunch at this place; I'd heard many good things about the food, so I was excited to try it out.
Let me first say though, that I have yet to find a really tasty burrito. Burrito Boyz failed to impress. After three tries and various combinations, it still hasn't wowed. I'm still wondering what the fuss is about. But I digress.
Back to Quesadas...
A narrow space on the corner of Wellington and John which outlines their ordering procedure on the far end of the wall prior to the assembly of burritos.
I ordered a small spicy chipotle chicken (hot) ($5.35) which claimed to be "tender chicken marinated in our own spicy chipotle heat". I must confide...there was no heat in this whatsoever.
The hot sauce helped some...but I still wanted the flavour to come from within the burrito. Is that too much to ask? Thank goodness for sauces!
My friend ordred the Chile-lime shrimp, "burrito in the buff" which is the burrito minus the tortilla. AKA, a salad.
And a Tango Mango Odwalla drink:
Fully packed during lunch, the burritos must be impressing some people. My quest for a tasty burrito however, continues...
By The Way Cafe Round 2
Location:
400 Blor St West, Toronto
Cost: Approx $20
www.bythewaycafe.com
Recently went to BTWC again for a friend's birthday brunch gathering.
The french toast stuffed with apples and brie sat very well with the birthday girl.
(I ordinarily flock towards french toast, but can't do brie and didn't feel like regular french toast that day - *gasp* I know).
Instead, I ordered the omelette with chorizo, jalapenos and onions (minus the cheddar). I still can't believe it comes with a Montreal bagel, too!
I was really glad for the spicy chorizo and jalepenos in the omelette 'cause otherwise it was lacking a bit of something...some herbs? Thyme? Oregano? The other girls who ordered omelettes said the same of their omelettes..that it was missing a little somethin'.
My friend ordered the burrito...which was quite good although again, needed a little hot sauce in my humble opinion.
My veg friend who couldn't eat eggs that day was at a loss of what to order that didn't have eggs in it...waffles would have been a better choice than the baba ganough that she ordered with pita. As an appetizer shared between..many...it would have been great, but as a meal for one it faired well below average and the eggplant tasted a bit burnt or if you'd rather, overly smoked. A definite disappointment.
Something a little more veg friendly for breakfast instead of salad and other more lunchy-type options would be better. Possibly the waffles are the only thing that qualified in this case.
The OJ, on the other hand, was splendid.
And the cheesecake seemed to be a hit amongst the others.
Looks like the baba ganough isn't deflecting the customers at all; BTWC is a much happening place...with a constant stream of patrons flowing in and out. With their lovely, sunny patio and friendly service, it surely is a nice brunch spot in the Annex.
By the Way Cafe
I'm sorry, but this place is just begging for a text message review.
Something like this perhaps?
~
Loc:
400 Blor St W, TO
BTW, i wn 2 dis plc on Blr St W 4 brnch 1 Sat morn aftr yoga cls & ws plsntly surpsd by da cozy atmsphr & frndly srvic. Da scrmbld egs totly hit da spot.
but OMG u guyz Twngns Erl Gry rely sux!
~
Going to BTWC again this Saturday for a friend's birthday breakfast...will post more on that soon.
Grazie Ristorante
Location:
2373 Yonge Street, Toronto
www.grazie.ca
Went to Grazie recently for a friend's birthday dinner. The place was packed and as is the case with a lot of restaurants in the city, they don't seat you unless your whole party has arrived, and they don't take reservations. 
We ended up waiting I think a little over a half hour but let me tell you, it was fully worth it. And, I'm not even going to try to remember each dish....they were all too good to be true, so instead, here are the pictures...
The food is incredible! Large portions and such intriguing flavour combinations. I'm so glad I was with a bunch of dear ones who like to share 'cause it was really nice to try everything.
Thank you, indeed!
Nando's
Locations:
939 Eglinton Ave E
Toronto, ON
815 Britannia Rd W
Mississauga, ON
Growing up in Africa, I remember eating Nando's chicken and absolutely loving it, so when I first discovered a Nando's in the east end of the city, I was thrilled about the prospect of once again tasting the flame-grilled Peri Peri saucy chicken. Now this was pre-Foodhogger but I recall it not being as tasty as my memory had me believe...I walked away disappointed a little.
Then recently, I found a Nando's in Mississauga and those same childhood memories came flooding back; I just had to try it again. This time it did not disappoint...there was heat, there was flavour and there was plenty to go around.
The spicy fries were mighty deeelush.
The rice was nowhere near as good as it was back in my childhood days.
And there's definitely nothing spectacular about the salad...definitely could have done without it entirely!
But it's possibly the sauces that make Nando's Nando's. The sauces! First the garlic...
And then the all-important hot sauce...
The chicken was great...and we'd ordered some skewers as well...
We got a hot and a medium spiced chicken, but either they'd gotten mixed up or it was all very hot (although not hot enough for some).
All in all; satisfying and a fair recreation of my fond memories....I suppose the only thing missing was the African scenery...
