David's Tea

Location:

336 Queen Street W, Toronto

Cost: $6.50 for 50g

www.davidstea.com

Beside the well-known Rivoli on Queen St. there is a sliver of a store that looks like it could be an urban bubble tea cafe. It's urban alright, but not bubble tea. The place is called David's Tea and it boasts over 100 varieties of loose-leaf teas.

The first time I walked in, I wasn't greeted by any of the upbeat staff which surprised (and offended) me, although I must admit I sort of liked perusing the shelves of tea cups and pots and eyeing the wall of stainless steel tea canisters labelled 'pu'er', 'earl grey', 'rooibos' without being harrassed.

The next time I went in admittedly intrigued by the tea offerings and expensive fancy tea pots, I was offered a little ceramic shot glass filled with a peach-something-or-other tea. A tiny droplet hung off the side of the cup, which I scooped up and tasted fully expecting some pleasant orchard peach flavour. Instead, I received the bitter taste of dishwashing detergent! It wasn't a taste the peach tea could wash away after either, that's for sure. Once again I left with a bad taste in my mouth, this time, literally.

Then Spring came along and whilst on a break with some coworkers, we were greeted with a $2 special iced tea stand outside the store. We decided to try the almond spring tea (black tea, almond oil, toasted almonds, rooibos, chocolate, caramel, vanilla and coconut). This time, I luckily didn't come close to tasting any utensil cleaning substances, but found that it was a tad too vanilla-y and and also a bit bitter. It needed loads of cane sugar to sweeten it up for me.

Then one day, I finally bought some loose-leaf tea: Earl Grey, Zing Me Tea and Kiss my Lips. The Earl Grey is good - perhaps not as strong as I'd like, but it's reliable. The Zing Me (chinese black tea with ginger bits and lush pieces of peach and apricot) is just fantastic! It claims to induce "an instant feeling of well-being" and I have to say that it truly does! Must be the peaches or the ginger. I've yet to try Kiss my Lips (chinese black tea, vanilla, peppermint, chocolate bits and spicy red peppercorns) but I loved the minty chocolately smell. In fact it looks like potpourri so I'd probably be just as happy putting it in a bowl and air-freshening my work space. **update** The Kiss my Lips was a definite dud. Overly strong minty smell and aftertaste with a muddied hint of chocolate. Definitely not recommended. I'd much rather bite into an Aero mint chocolate bar.

I've also been fascinated by the tea pots at David's Tea, especially the Brewt which I've seen at work firsthand and find completely marvelous, but most of them range from $25 - $75 and $179 for the svelte Eva Solo Tea Maker (!).

I also feel $6.50 is a bit much for only 50g of tea, and if I had more tea experience I'd be better able to voice an opinion, but it does seem to be a popular choice in the area (even coffee houses such as Dark Horse Espresso has started serving it).

Dark Horse Espresso Bar

Location:

215 Spadina Ave., Toronto

Cost: $3.50

I have coffee breath.

That said, a coffee junkie, I am not. Rather, I am content hanging out with the Earl. Earl Grey. In fact, I feel as though it must have been me who single handedly finished all the tea bags at Le Gourmand 'cause they were all out last week.

So, when it comes to coffee, I am a novice. I am familar with...let's see.....Nescafe...Maxwell House...Bru. Give me a 'French press' and I know not what is required of me. Until today, that is.



Dark Horse Espresso Bar really IS an espresso bar. Hardly a tea on the menu. There was English Breakfast and a 'mystery' tea (the friendly cashier explained that it was fruity) but right then I didn't care to explore that unknown territory. Instead, I felt drawn to explore even lesser known territory (for me) and chose the featured coffee on the menu, which was Ethiopian, French pressed.



If you're a coffee drinker, this will all sound awfully tiresome to you but the process of waiting 3 min and then plunging the press was all new to me.



We were told that the Ethiopian coffee would be best tried on its own, without milk or cream, at first, to really appreciate it's sweet flavour. I did, and instantly needed large doses of sugar and lactose-free milk. Then it really was sweet.



It was nice to sit back in the lounge upstairs and gaze upon the many locals who had set up camp (with laptops) at the two large communal wooden tables.



Each of them working furiously away with French presses, large mugs and little plates of delectable treats beside them.



It's only been open for a few weeks, but already DHEB has become a welcome, local hang-out for the espresso addicts in the neighbourhood.

I'll be back there soon myself. Afterall, an unsolved mystery awaits.

** Update ** Went there again last Friday, and they had a wider selection of TEAS (INCLUDING Earl Grey!) -  the teas are loose-leaf,  from David's Tea (on Queen) and generally good.  The EG wasn't the best, but it was nice to have it come in a french press.

Frugal Fare #3: Back Alley Woodfire BBQ & Grill

Location:
188 Augusta Avenue, Toronto (Kensington Market)

Cost: Lunch specials (Mon - Fri only) $5.99 -8.99



Beside Back Alley Woodfire BBQ & Grill is a fancy place called Amadeus; you can't tell from the exterior but inside, the cream-coloured walls, dark wood and cloth napkins don't exactly call out "lunch specials!" and certainly not "lunch specials under $10!!". No.

We felt like Portuguese food, but not $25 Portuguese seafood. For dinner maybe but not for a hurried lunch date. And where the chicken at? Next door, apparently. So, Back Alley it was to be.

The rustic interior and giant woodfire ovens made for a cosy atmosphere and the wallet-friendly menu wasn't too shabby, either. The lunch specials are a good deal - which makes this #3 in Foodhogger's Frugal Fare in the city.





We got the quarter chicken breast and the shrimps in a herbed lemon sauce...each including a salad, which was fairly good and arrived promptly to the table.



Granted the portions aren't massive, and the sides a bit bland - especially the rice with gravy drizzled over it, but there were 5 jumbo shrimps (in the shell) which weren't altogether terrible.



The chicken breast looked a tad mightier in size, but a bit fatty for my liking and lacking in any true flavour.



Not an entirely satisfying meal - I think I really really wanted some hearty Portuguese BBQ instead, like churrasqueira-style chicken from Bairrada Churrasqueira Grill on College St....mmm..yummeh - but it's probably our own fault for not ordering something that would benefit better from a smouldering wood oven. Something like ribs?

Definitely worth another try.

Frugal Fare #2: Mini Bar

Location:

116 Spadina Ave., Toronto

Cost: $1-6

Mini Bar is #2 in Foodhogger's Frugal Fare in the city!



It may be mini, (literally a hole in the wall on Spadina, south of Camden on the West side) but Rachel & Susan (pictured) are doing a splendid job serving fresh sandwiches ($3), sushi ($5.75), edamame ($1.50), miso soup ($0.95), tea, coffee, juice, bagels, fruits, candy and more from the depths of this tiny shoppe.



The two ladies are wonderfully warm and friendly and speedy!

Their straight-forward menu:





 My tuna sandwich for $3.50; delicious & home-made tasting:



Mini Bar's fantastic, but don't go, 'cause it's a hidden gem in the city and we want it all to ourselves! ;)

Motimahal

Location:

1422 Gerrard St East, Toronto (Gerrard St. or Little India)

Cost: $10-15

The Indian McDonalds, we call it.   Much like the famous golden arches the red  Motimahal signage is iconic to Gerrard street.



(Top photo via Flickr: Andrew Alexander)

It's one of the oldest restaurants in Little India and definitely one of the best, if not the best. The consistent food and familiar tacky interior makes Motimahal a reliable (and recognizable location in Deepa Mehta's Bollywood/Hollywood) and  satisfying place to dine in the East end.



The cafeteria-like "diner" setting, with slanted laminate seats, red tables and ceramic tiled walls (with only recent update of painted red swirls and circles) is all part of the charm.  As is the plastic trays, cutlery and  styrofoam cups filled with water from steel jugs.



Also, your urge to wipe the table or seats down with paper towels is entirely normal.   As is suppressing the urge to pee so as not to visit the washrooms downstairs (which are, actually, not that bad).  This place is not for everyone...and yet, everyone seems to come here.  There is always a steady stream of customers chowing down on veg thalis (the best in the city), masala dosas, tandoori chicken and naan (my favourite), chaats, samosas, butter chicken (incredible),  just to name a few.  There is also a colourful array of indian sweets for you to choose from.

My favourite dish is the tandoori chicken with naan; ask anyone - this is what I will, 90% of the time order from Motimahal.  This time I went with the tandoori WINGS (it was 3pm and this was our 'snack' time between shopping).

I don't know if I've ever mentioned how much I dislike cilantro, but I do.  It's more the smell of FRESH cilantro that makes me nauseous.  However, for some reason, and this baffles my loved ones (and me),  I do like a good bit of cilantro chutney - the kind that comes with tandoori chicken and that little side of carrots and onions - it's just so tasty (with tandoori chicken and that little side of carrots and onions).







My sister's love for chaat is like my love for tandoori chicken.   Whenever she visits; there's nothing like a good bite of chaat (mixture of potato cubes, crispy fried bread and chickpeas, garnished with onion, coriander, hot spices, topped with yogurt).



It's very simple...if you're looking for a place to eat in Little India, look no further than Motimahal (or Udupi for South Indian cuisine but I'll save that for another post).

New Timmy's!

Blue Mountain Bistro has shut-down and a shiny new Timmy's HAS OPENED TODAY in its place!

It's got a great corner; north-east of Spadina/Adelaide.

BRB, gotta go get me some timbits.

Astoria Shish Kebob House

Location:

390 Danforth Avenue, Toronto

www.astoriashishkebobhouse.com

I trust you've already heard of my love affair with Greek food. I simply adore it.

And at Astoria, there's so much more to love. The portions are gigantic!

This particular day, we were out on the patio; which is always packed in the summer months (I'm SO looking forward to that, aren't you?) and the sun was shining and the beers were cold.


We had the "Astoria’s Appetizer Platter", which consisted of deep fried calamari, dolmades (grapevine leaves stuffed with rice, herbs and spices) spanakopita (spinach & feta cheese pastry) and two homemade dips (we chose hummus and tzatziki, I believe).

[I had an awful experience with calamari once which involved: barely cooked calamari + some form of sausage + smoky lounge (back when smoking was allowed indoors) + car-sickness = a lovely bout of  vomiting ]

Now then, if you're not completely revolted, let's continue...

Calamari, when breaded and deep fried like this, is quite alright....I think.



I think part of ordering chicken souvlaki is knowing that those potatoes will also be there. Happy potatoes.



Oh souvlaki, how I love thee.



Funnily enough though, three out of the four of us had some...er... "discomfort in the digestive tract", after our meal at Astoria (I had the chicken, one had pork and the other lamb).  It's never happened before, but it's true.  Unless...

Dear calamari, I think it's best we part ways.

The Jason George

Location:

100 Front Street East, Toronto

I've been to the Jason George twice. Both times I had the fish n' chips. Hey, why change a good thing?

It's crispy, flaky, tender, tasty. And the yam frites are scrumptious.



Whether indoors or out, the ambiance is fun and friendly.

A great local pub.

Boathouse Grill

Location:

207 Queens Quay W, Toronto


Cost: $10-15 per entree

Take a look at their menu on the site, here:


www.boathousegrill.sites.toronto.com

Now...

Yes, the food tastes as bad as it looks on the menu.

Let's see, where should we start? Perhaps with the veggie burger?




Vegetarian Burger - soy based vegetarian patty made from our special recipe (which one would that be, the especially gross one?) and topped with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers and feta cheese 9.99

Pardon me, but are those slimy, slug-like onions, caramelized? AAH, I see! And the giant-ass dollop of feta cheese? Was that to mask the fact that this is ultimiately a giant, rugged piece of leather?

Wait, how about that Caesar salad...




BoatHouse Chicken Caesar - crisp Romaine lettuce and garlic seasoned croutons tossed in our house caesar dressing, topped with grilled shaved breast of chicken 11.99

The word 'seasoned' was a typo, I'm sure? Or meant to be taken very lightly? Or did you mean perhaps the winter season...very stark, bland....cold?

Let's move on to the pizza then.




Tucson Pizza - Grilled breast of chicken, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, seasoned tomatoes and goat cheese 12.99

Oh lovely, managed to get "caramelized" and "seasoned" altogether in one sentence, eh?

And that, um, bottle of seasoning...must have been all out, hmm? Or perhaps used up on the wings??




Chicken Wings - "Plump chicken wings, tossed in seasoned flour and fried to golden perfection. Served with your choice of hot, medium, mild or honey garlic sauce. 1lb - 12.99. 2lbs - 19.99

'Fraid not! Again the word "seasoned" used so carelessly to describe what is probably a mixture of flour and what, salt? Let's take another look at those carrots, too, shall we?



Please sir, may I have some more? Nay, me thinks even Oliver Twist shan't have wanted more.

Beware, Boathouse Grill is an absolute dud of a restaurant. It's good for a view of the lake, but that can just as easily be taken in with a simple sit-down on the boardwalk with a Timmy's drink & donut. THAT is much more satisfying, I assure you.

Peter Pan Bistro

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.

Flip, Toss & Thai Kitchen

Location:

141 Harbord St. (at Brunswick Ave.)

Cost: Approx $15 each for a soup & entree

www.fliptossthai.com

When I called to make reservations, the lady on the phone was so polite, hesitating only when I asked for a table for six, but then graciously took down my name and confirmed the reservation. Later, on my way there, a friend of mine called asking if she'd found the right place, as she was seeing only a counter with a few stools and a table with six chairs around it. I told her those six chairs were for us! I guess we were all surprised by the ambiance; which is minimalist to the max (read: no washrooms); only a few seats, an order counter, a cola box and a blackboard with most of the menu listed.



[It's ironic that we dined there during Earth Hour; it may have been the only place with it's florescent light spilling out into the night...or at least as far across the street to the laundromat with it's own florescent sparkle].

Still, whatever the ambiance lacks in at FT&T, the cuisine more than makes up for and we can thank former Salad King chef, Suzchen Sun, for that.
There's the same chili scale system that Salad King has, but the service and flavours are authentic to FT&T.

= ½ chili

½ chili = ¹/₆ tbsp chilies
1 chili = ¹/₃ tbsp chilies
3 chili = 1 tbsp chilies
And so on

Our host, Wei was extremely patient with us, addressing our vegetarian needs with helpful alternatives and suggestions. The reason we picked this place, we told him, was because it's #3 of the top 10 vegetarian places to eat in Toronto (according to Urbanspoon) and we're so glad we did.

Here's why:

Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup $3.89




We were also able to put in a special request for Hot and Sour VEG Soup for $3.65 (same price as the Chicken Coconut milk soup) which came with tofu instead of shrimp. 'Twas indeed hot and sour! Most of us were coughing because of the heat, but the flavour was great and I was content having more than two shrimps in my soup! The only downside to the soup (for us) was biting into largish chunks of lemongrass and ginger(?); however, the surprise of it was only slightly and temporarily off-putting.

Basil Chicken $7.26, served with rice (and blurred in the background, Spicy Tofu $6.79 [served with rice])



I opted for the 3 chili (medium) heat - and didn't find it too hot at all, but I'd ordered the Thai Basil Fried Rice $7.02, which wasn't already spicy, like the Spicy Eggplant or Spicy Tofu.



Boy, was it ever tasty!! Best fried rice I have ever had...I normally wouldn't have finished a whole plate of rice, but I gobbled this up and even considered ordering another to go!

Spicy Eggplant $7.04 (served with rice but opted for rice noodles). I only tasted this, but again, wow! I wish I'd ordered it!



Pad Thai $7.79. Wonderfully not ketchupy like the one at Spring Rolls.




Thai Bangkok Noodle $7.79. By this time I was too stuffed to try it - but I heard that my fried rice was better than this :)




At Flip, Toss & Thai Kitchen, the service is refreshingly friendly but it's the food, my Goodness, the FOOD which is simply FANTASTIC! So fresh, so quick....as easy as a flip and a toss (har har). They also deliver and do take-out! What more could one ask for? It's evident by the sheer quantity of customers that filtered through (for sit-in, take-out and pick-up) while we were there that this place is doing great!

I'll certainly be back!