Janet Lynn's Bistro (Kitchener)

Posted on Saturday, August 10, 2013 by
Location: Kitchener, Canada
Address: 677 Belmont Avenue West
Website: http://www.janetlynnsbistro.com/
Type of Meal: Dinner
Janet Lynn has a long standing reputation in the KW area.  I’ve never eaten at their Waterloo location, but their new site in downtown Kitchener is great.   The restaurant is one large open concept room where you can look into the kitchen situated beside the bar area.  Exposed brick and white walls gives it a modern feel, but the white linen adorned tables adds some polish and comfort to the environment.


Chef and owner Kevin Wong offers a varying menu of Asian fusion and classic dishes.  I wanted to try a bit of each so opted for the dumplings to start and the summer salad as a main.  The pork and shrimp dumplings ($10.95) may not look very traditional, with its plain triangular shape, but still tasted great.  Large pieces of shrimp and ground pork were mixed together with ginger, chives, tamarind and flecks of chili then sandwiched in a thin wrapper and pan fried.  Instead of soy sauce, the dumplings were served with a balsamic aioli which added a nice sweet, sour and savoury taste.  The filling was very good; I actually prefer the roughly chopped filling that doesn’t entirely bind together. 

My husband’s sweet corn chowder ($12.50) was thick, sweet and decadently creamy.  The soup was made with quite a significant amount of corn so it was wonderfully flavourful.  Pieces of fried shrimp topped the soup to add a bit of savouriness and texture to the otherwise smooth chowder.
After such a heavy appetizer, I thought the summer salad ($23.95) would be a good contrast as a main.  Kale was the dominant green, but there were also grilled zucchini & eggplant, fresh corn and tomatoes to add some additional flavours and colour.  A cherry tomato dressing was used on the salad, which was simply too light and didn’t add much to the tasteless kale.  Thankfully, there was sufficient sweet corn, grilled vegetables and salmon to make up for the lack of dressing.  The salmon was a generous piece and cooked well, but I would have preferred if it was just a little less done as was starting to get a bit dry on the edges.

On the other hand, my husband’s JLB Burger ($13.95) was extremely juicy and is certainly not a dish to order if you don’t want your hands messy.  The patty was very tender given it was made from short ribs. With tons of vegetables and a soft egg bun Janet Lynn’s burger is about as melt in your mouth as you can get.  My husband added gorgonzola cheese ($3) to the burger which gave it even more creaminess.  The JLB Burger was delicious and one of the better ones I’ve had.  The fresh fries were enjoyable and went well with the roasted sweet pepper aioli.


Despite being stuffed, my husband ordered the flourless chocolate cake ($8.95).  I couldn’t help but sneak a couple of bites and it was very chocolaty and smooth.  Janet Lynn gave quite a large portion of this dense cake so this is a perfect sharing dessert.  A scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream accompanied the cake and it was good (not too sweet and full of vanilla flavor).  However, it had an interesting texture, hard to describe but sort of crumbled in your mouth despite being smooth.  It wasn’t unpleasant, just unexpected for ice cream.

Although I’m not in the Kitchener-Waterloo area very often, I was glad I had the opportunity to try out Janet Lynn’s Bistro; it’s definitely worth a try.

Overall mark - 8 out of 10


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____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!



  





Kensington Market Eats (Toronto)

Posted on Monday, August 05, 2013 by
Kensington Market is a neighbourhood found between College Street, Dundas Street West, Spadina Avenue and Bathurst Street filled with small shops, eclectic restaurants and historic homes.  The block has recently experienced a resurgence as new restaurants flood its narrow crowded streets. Even Wal-Mart wants to set up shop proving there's the required critical mass. Having not visited for a few years, my friend and I decided to go for a stroll and see what’s changed.  Along the way, we stopped for a couple of quick bites.


 Location: Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos
Address: 69 Kensington Avenue
Website: http://www.sevenlives.ca/

 Luckily, we visited early enough on Sunday that there was no line in this small restaurant.  After placing an order for the camarones a la diabla (spicy shrimp taco) ($5), we settled down onto a tiny table with another couple to wait for our order.  Seating is limited and there’s only enough for approximately a dozen people, so some individuals were taking their orders to go.
After about ten minutes my taco was ready and well worth the wait.  Snuggled between two soft tortillas were six large shrimps that were piping hot and had a smoky heat from the chipotle sauce. Topped with gooey cheese and sautéed onion and peppers, there was such an abundance of toppings that I had to eat a couple of the shrimps before I could actually pick up the thing.  It was definitely one of the better tacos I’ve had in Toronto.
Seven Lives has a small menu made up of nine types of tacos, a ceviche and fries.  Sitting on the counter are three homemade salsas (mild salsa verde, medium salsa negra and a hot habanero) allowing you to customize the level of spiciness you want on your tacos.  I added some of the salsa negra onto my spicy shrimp tacos and it added a nice coolness against the hot shrimp.  My friend topped her baha fish taco with the hot habanero and noted there was quite more spice with that.

Location: The Grilled Cheese
Address: 66 Nassau Street
Located off a quieter street in Kensington, the Grilled Cheese is hard to miss with its huge sign and out of place log cabin exterior.  Their menu consists of 12 different combinations, but they also offer add-ons such bacon, ham, eggs, etc. to allow you to customize sandwiches to your taste.  Even the most significant sandwich, the Beast, will only set you back $10.

Alas, I’m not a grilled cheese fan – I know this may be a shock as most people swoon over this gooey buttery carb.  Nonetheless, I went with my friend who ordered the classic grilled cheese ($5) and snuck a bite to see what the hype was about.

There was a generous portion of cheddar cheese oozing out between two thick pieces of buttery toasted white bread, served with a handful of Ruffles potato chips and a dill pickle.  I’ll admit it was good but still I wouldn’t want one to myself.  Somehow, I think it has something to do with the toppings to bread ratio – there was simply too much bread.  My ideal sandwich is tons of toppings between two thin crispy slices of bread (preferably something with a little flavour like sourdough) and the ratio of toppings to bread is 50/50.  With the variety of ingredients being offered for the sandwiches, I was surprised the Grilled Cheese didn’t offer customer a choice of bread as well.
Additionally, we went at the wrong time where they were cutting and cooking onions.  Unfortunately, the open kitchen had poor ventilation so the entire restaurant quickly filled with the pungent smell and left our eyes stinging.  My friend had to eat quickly, through tears, so that we could get out of there.

Compared to other Kensington Market establishments their seating area was much larger so it could actually fit a fair number of patrons.  So, it’s a good place to head to if you want to sit down and relax after some walking. 

A small suggestion to the Grilled Cheese management - consider stocking all your tables with all the condiments, or at the very least ensure they all have ketchup.  It was entertaining to see people sit down and then try to find a bottle of ketchup which was inevitably taken by a table prior to them. Really, ketchup is so inexpensive that you can afford to have multiple bottles of it.

No marks have been given to the restaurants above as we really didn't try enough items to allow for a proper grading.  But, they were both tasty and well worth a try for the cheap eats.



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Real Sports Bar & Grill (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, August 03, 2013 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 15 York Street
Website: http://www.realsports.ca/BarAndGrill/Toronto/
Type of Meal: Dinner and Lunch

Real Sports is like any sports bar except more over the top. Yes they have a dining area, but it’s over two floors and 2400 square feet situated beside a sports fanatic location – the Air Canada Centre.  Their second floor is reserved for private parties but is great for large events with lots of seating, its own bar and even a golf simulator.  Sure they have food and drinks, but the menu is extensive and arrives in a bounded leather book. Of course there are television screens, but there are almost 200 of them and one is the largest you’ll find within a North American restaurant.  Real Sports is a sports bar first and foremost; but, is also a tourist destination to experience at least once.

 For those of us based in Toronto, we're lucky that it's conveniently located and actually offers decent food. After having many meals here, I thought I'd share a few of the dishes I like most. Real Sports serves the same menu for lunch and dinner so you can easily order these whenever. 
My new go to dish I’ve recently discovered is the lettuce burger ($14.99).  The dish is just like their normal charbroiled beef burger, except instead of a bun, the patty is wrapped in layers of crunchy iceberg lettuce. Topped with tomatoes and a delicious tzatziki sauce, it's a delicious alternative and makes you feel less guilty about having the basket of fries accompanying it. The meat itself is a bit dry, likely due to Real Sports using a leaner cut of meat and cooking it to the normal well done Canadian standards (Americans, you’ll find this burger over done).
When first reading their menu, bragging about their chicken wings being top rated in Toronto, I had my doubts. But, after you try their wings, you know they can hold their claim.  I tried the sweet Thai chili ($14.99 for 1lb), Chef Tony’s speciality, and admit they are the best I’ve had in Toronto.  The wings were a great jumbo size; the worst are scrawny wings consisting of skins and bones and little meat. Although crispy on the outside, the meat is tender and juicy on the inside without tasting overly fatty.  Additionally, they are coated with the perfect amount of sauce for my tastes – just enough to cover the wing without making it soggy and pooling at the bottom of the plate.

 Lastly, if you are feeling hungry then go for their ribs. But, even the only go with the "not so hungry" portion ($18.99) which is already huge. I can't imagine how big their "hungry" ($26.99) size would be! The “not so hungry” portion consists of six ribs and a large portion of fries. The ribs were tender and easily pulled off the bone, yet still tasted like pork thanks to it being slowly braised. However, it lacked the smokiness and barque from a barbecue and smoker that true rib experts would like; nonetheless, they were still tasty.  


Normally, the dish arrives with coleslaw; not being a creamy coleslaw fan I asked if they could substitute it with vegetables. They agreed and came out with a side dish of boiled carrots and broccolini which were crisp and savoury. I just wished the waitress would have warned me about the $5 supplement, which I would have still paid, but believe pricing transparency is important for a restaurant.  
Anyone who knows me probably has heard about my love affair with fries.  Real Sports fries are concocted from real potatoes but are inconsistent given its likely made in large quantities.  When you get them freshly made they are amazing, but when your basket is filled with an old batch they arrive lukewarm and slightly hard.  It’s really hard to know when you’ll get a good batch, but my one bad experience occurred during a visit right at the start of the lunch hour (noon); perhaps they start preparing them earlier in the day?
Some reviews have complained about the service at Real Sports.  Having visited the restaurant numerous times, I have personally never been ignored at the door or have waited a long time for service.  Although no one has been outrageously memorable, the service has always been friendly and efficient.  Of course, during key game times (like playoff season) Real Sports does get busy and once have been turned away at the door due to the long wait times, but this really isn’t the restaurant’s fault.
Real Sports price points are 10-20% higher compared to other pubs, but I find their comfortable environment and food quality worth it.  If you’re planning a visit to downtown Toronto you should try it at least once, just to see the television screen if anything.


Overall mark - 8 out of 10

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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!




Perfect Chinese Restaurant 雅瓊海鮮酒家 (Toronto)

Posted on Monday, July 29, 2013 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 4386 Sheppard Avenue East
Website: http://www.perfectchineserestaurant.com
Type of Meal: Dim Sum
Prices: $1.70 for most items (main dining room) or $1.90 for most items (VIP room). They also offer "special" dishes for $2.00.


If you want to eat cheap, this is the place to go. The pricing above is based on weekdays at lunch time when they do the "cart style" dim sum.  If you come on the weekend it may be slightly more expensive, but shouldn't be more than $0.25 per dish.

Perfect is opened 24 hours a day.  So, if you want dim sum after the bar you can come here.  At night you order off the menu so the prices vary and will be higher.  At this time, they only off some of the "staple" dishes.

My Favourite Non-Staple Dishes:


  • Deep fried pigeon - Essentially tastes like quail but is smaller.  Tastes best when it's hot out of the kitchen and has a crispy salty skin and flavourful dark meat.


  •  Steamed banana leaf wrapped glutinous rice rolls with red bean paste - a lovely dessert that's unfortunately not offered all the time.  Chewy rice rolls are filled with a thick sweet red bean paste and wrapped in pieces of banana leaves (to be discarded and not eaten).
 
Overall mark - 7 out of 10


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 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!

CLOSED: Ginger and Onion (Markham)

Posted on Monday, July 29, 2013 by
Location: Markham, Ontario
Address: 7131 Kennedy Road, Markham (in Market Village at Pacific Mall)
Price: $2.60 for any dish on weekends
Type of Meal: Dim Sum

I love the variety of dishes they offer - there must be almost 100 types. Since they serve dim sum cart style they often have new "special" dishes. Additionally, unlike most dim sum places, they actually offer many vegetarian options so there's always something for everyone.

My Favourite Non-Staple Dishes:
 
  • Stir fried spicy prawns - this is a special that they don't often have. Each dish contains about five head-on shrimp that are flash fried then stir fried with salt, spices and peppers. If you like the calamari version of dish (often served at dinner or at congee restaurants) you'll love this.
  • Sago wIth egg custard pudding - a warm dessert that's a thick custard pudding mixed with sago (small clear tapioca balls) and a lotus paste centre.
  • Deep fried, large, hollow sesame glutinous balls - wonderful when they are fresh out of the kitchen! They look huge but they are actually hollow on the inside. It's a slightly sweet crispy sesame covered gluten ball that is soft and chewy on the inside.
 


Overall mark - 8 out of 10


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____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System

  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!


Owl of Minerva (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, July 28, 2013 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 5324 Yonge Street
Type of Meal: Dinner
Owl of Minerva is a Korean chain restaurant with locations throughout the GTA.  I’ve only ever been to the North York location, which is opened 24 hours and busy no matter what time you visit.  It’s a no-frills restaurant with quick turnover, so even if there’s a line-up you can normally get a table in less than half an hour.
During warmer weather, Owl of Minerva offers Korean barbeque on their patio out back between the chaotic parking lot and the restaurant itself.  They were smart enough to build a wooden fence around the patio so that you’re blocked off from the unsightly parking lot.  Even though you’re sitting outside, it can still get smoky so this is really somewhere you eat if you don’t mind smelling like food afterwards.
Unlike typical Korean barbeque joints, it’s not all you can eat and there are a limited number of types of meat available (five). My friend and I shared the beef rib combo ($35.99) which comes with five pieces of kalbi, four bottles of beer or a bottle of soju, a soup to share and some vegetable wraps with fixings.  Dishes for one, which comes with three pieces of kalbi, are available for $13.99.  Beer is available for the low price of $3.50 a bottle so you can easily make your own combo.
The staff there happily cooks the meat for you, if you’re squeamish about doing it yourself.  However, they do it too quickly and the fact they keep putting the tongs back in the raw meat juices after using grosses me out.  So, my preference is to cook it myself.  Even though Owl’s staff speaks limited English, they are friendly and try to be helpful at explaining on how to prepare and eat the barbeque.

Owl’s kalbi is a nice thick even cut, but served as-is so relies heavily on the bean sauce and fixings to add flavour.  I would have liked the meat to be marinated prior to adding to the grill to give it more depth of flavour.
Everything is served ssam style where Owl provides you with a basket of vegetables (romaine lettuce, napa cabbage and perilla leaves), a sweet bean sauce, marinated onions and a green onion & lettuce salad.  You simply take a piece of meat, add some sauce & fixings and wrap it in a leafy vegetable before eating.  It’s a great summer alternative for a lighter meal.
Additionally, the meal comes with two banchan – kimchi cabbage (which they serve in hot by putting on a bowl on the grill) and kimchi pickled cucumbers.  I’m a little disappointed with the limited amount of banchan as that’s what I enjoy about Korean barbeque.  A bowl of chicken and bean sprout soup also arrives in a bowl to share amongst the table.
Without a doubt, Owl of Minerva’s “star feature” dish is the kamjatang or pork bone soup ($7.99).  No table comes into Owl without ordering this hearty spicy savoury stew of pork bones, a large hunk of potato and napa cabbage.  Topped with diced jalapeno and cracked pepper the deep red soup has a kick to it.  If you ask for it extra spicy they will add red chili flakes to it, but watch out that gets very spicy. 

The best part of Owl’s pork bone soup is it’s served in a hot stone bowl and generally arrives bubbling hot.  I’ve included two pictures below, the first taken by me over a year ago with my less than ideal Blackberry camera and the second by someone who obviously has way better skills than me.  In all fairness, the second photo actually looks more like what you expect to get.

Pork bone soup is perfect for Canada’s cool weather and really warms you up.  Served with a bowl of white rice and dishes of banchan (cold cabbage kimchi, pickled cucumber kimchi and turnip kimchi), it’s a great value meal and super filling.
Throughout my years of eating at Owl, I’ve tried other dishes including their bibimbap, bulgolgi, stir fried kimchi pork belly, pan fried seafood pancake and hot & sour chicken wings.  All these other dishes are good, but nowhere as good as the pork bone soup.  So, if it’s your first time trying Owl of Minerva, you need to make sure you have at least one pork bone soup for the table to share.  But, keep in mind there are generally only three bones that come with it so you may need more than one or risk fighting for this great dish.


 Overall mark - 8.5 out of 10

Like the blog?  You can now follow me on twitter for notifications - https://twitter.com/GastroWorldBlog

 ____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
  • Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
  • 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
  • 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
  • 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
  • 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
  • 10 - absolute perfection!



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