Fresh (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2015 by
For those who know me, I’m not much of a vegetarian. Sure, I like vegetables and have even been known to order a salad – but there’s generally some meat with it somewhere. However, when my friend suggested Fresh one night I actually wanted to check it out. Fresh is a popular chain of restaurants in Toronto that provide vegetarian meals that still sound delicious. For those who are vegan or require gluten free options, there is also plenty to satisfy your appetites.

For me the BBQ burger ($12) felt like a safe choice. After all, with quinoa onion rings, garlic mayo, chillies and a slaw on everything it’d be hard to not be delicious. Wanting to get some fries on the side, I even ordered it “salad” style where it arrives bun less and sits on spring mix with tomatoes instead.


As I thought, it was well flavoured from the thick smoky BBQ sauce, spicy banana chillis and the creamy garlic mayo slaw. The crispy onion rings on top were also delicious, arriving piping hot and very crispy from the quinoa added to the batter. We even got an order of them for the table ($6.50).


But, the patty in the burger, made from almond and grain, was too mushy for my liking. The areas around the crust were fine, but the middle of the patty was so soft so it felt like I was eating raw meat. Perhaps adding a heartier grain like barley into it would give the patty a better consistency.

The burger also came with a small kale salad on the side which was delicious.


The French fries ($6) were nice and fresh. I liked the addition of the sprinkling of thyme and sea salt on top.


Meanwhile, the sweet potato fries ($7.50) almost felt like eating hash browns as many of the pieces on the bottom were so small. Additionally, they were lukewarm and needed more salt. Alas, not as good as the potato fries.


I definitely won’t be becoming a vegetarian anytime soon. But, if I had to eat a vegetarian meal Fresh wouldn’t be a bad choice. There were highlights (the onion rings) and flops (the sweet potato fries and burger patty) but I admittedly left satisfied and loved the copious amounts of vegetables consumed. 

Overall mark - 7 out of 10
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 894 Queen Street West
Website: http://www.freshrestaurants.ca/menu

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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: B.Good (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, February 21, 2015 by


B. Good prides itself for serving natural “good for you” food fast, right down to the ketchup they use (Sir Kensington’s non-GMO and raw sugar only). Ingredients are sourced locally and the map on the wall is proof of it.


Their burgers is what drew me here, but there are also quinoa bowls and salads for those who are looking for healthier fare. Each burger is made with beef, turkey, veggie or chicken breast (extra $1 for chicken). My husband and I both opted for classic beef, in this case hormone and antibiotic free from Enright Cattle in Tweed, Ontario.

I had the west side ($7.49) with sharp cheddar (extra $1.49). You’ll immediately taste the difference in the patty. It’s thick but loosely packed so it isn’t heavy. With no fillers, I could taste was the delicious beef and it was a lean cut as it didn’t feel greasy.  Topped with creamy avocado, a refreshing salsa mix and a bit of heat from the chipotle puree, I really enjoyed this gourmet burger.


My husband opted for the adopted Luke ($7.49) which already comes with cheese (smoked gouda). Topped with mushrooms, caramelized onions and smoky BBQ sauce this is the classic hearty burger.


B. Good’s real fries ($3.39) were tossed in some spices to give it a garlicky chili taste. While their sweet potato fries ($3.99) were nicely salted to add a savoury element to these sweeter fries. Both are finished in the oven (I believe means is flash fried and then baked in the oven the rest of the way) to allow them to be somewhat crispy but healthier tasting. In fact, the fry’s container proudly displays the fat content of B. Good’s fries compared to chain favourites.


Their drinks prices are on par with the actual burger. But, I did find the kale crush ($6.49) delicious and refreshing. Despite the vibrant green colour the kale’s taste was muted due to the addition of apple, pineapple, banana and pineapple juice. It’s a relatively thick smoothie from the Greek yogurt mixed throughout.


If you’re allergic to food items, B. Good is the place for you as things are kept simple. Their website is a wealth of information listing ingredients they use in each item, right down to the sauces. And they provide a list that people who are avoiding gluten should skip on. Interestingly, the gluten free buns actually contain way more ingredients (many not natural sounding) compared to the good old fashioned white bun.


Consider joining the “family”, their loyalty program, as they offer many opportunities to earn freebies. By signing up and voting, I received complimentary fries, a burger and a smoothie so I pretty much got my meal for free. If you’re creative B. Good also holds contests to develop new menu items … if you’re chosen you get to eat for free for life! With prices in line with other gourmet burger joints and plenty of seats, I sense B. Good will soon be booming during lunch and dinner.


Overall mark - 8 out of 10
How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada 
 Address: 100 Front Street East


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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!

Embassy Restaurant / Samosa King (Toronto)

Posted on Monday, February 16, 2015 by
When I need snacks for a house party or an appetizer for a potluck, samosas from Embassy Restaurant (also known as Samosa King) is a go-to choice for me. They're a bargain at five for $1 for the vegetarian ones and two for $1 for chicken. Personally, I like the vegetarian ones best. They are packed with curried cubes of potatoes, some peas and then encapsulated in a thin enough wrapper. Plus they're always fresh as Embassy churns through hundreds of them in an hour.


You need to get the sauces to go with the samosas as they complete the dish. The red tamarind chutney ($1 for a large container) is sweet with a hint of sour; great for cooling down the heat of the samosas if you're not into spicy foods. But, if you're like me and enjoy the heat, the spicy neon green cilantro with chillies sauce ($2 for a large container) is the way to go.


Of course, Embassy offers other good eats as well. They have a full sit down restaurant, but the equally large take-out area is popular with various curries under $10 and even $2.49 specials on weekdays.

As I waiting for my samosas I couldn't help but marvel over all the things they offered such as:

Roasted chicken, wraps and tons of curries.



Doughy fried delights


Cases upon cases of sweets


Some things to snack on


And the appetizer/sides like rotis and spring rolls


So, if you ever want to please the crowds head to Embassy. Every party/potluck I've served the samosas at have always been a hit. Just be prepared to wait as Embassy is a popular destination. There is often a line-up but it moves at a consistent speed. On weekends I've generally waited 10 minutes but on New Years Eve when the queue curved around the door it sneaked up to 30 minutes. Just keep calm and entertain yourself because these tennis ball nuggets of fried goodness are worth it.


How To Find Them

Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 5210 French Avenue East
Website: http://www.embassyrestaurant.ca/

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CLOSED: America (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, February 15, 2015 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 325 Bay Street (inside the Trump Hotel, 3rd floor)
Type of Meal: Dinner
If Stock was where Bay Street met to discuss deals, the new America is where they go to celebrate afterwards. It’s much darker than the former restaurant and lit in a lilac glow, giving you a glimpse of the lounge it morphs into later in the night.

Gone from the menu are the seafood towers; American favourites make up the options instead. Their Winterlicious menu ($45), although offering little from their regular menu, provided tastes from various states. From Hawaii, the heritage salmon poke ceviche was adorned with pineapple and macadamia nuts. Despite the menu noting the dish having coffee and coconut in it, the predominant flavour was citrus… to the point that it overpowered the fish. Although was refreshing. 


For me, the pressed BBQ pork was the better starter. The meat was sweet and flavourful and resembled chunky pieces of pulled pork molded together. Additionally, the braised apple mustard on the side complimented it well. Tasso ham crackling and bacon powder finished off the dish, giving it flourish but kept with the theme.


Our entire table opted for the Wellington County steak and beef cheeks for the main. If you like meat, this is for you – a large portion of ultra-tender beef cheeks and two generous slices of nicely cooked but slightly chewy steak. Along with creamy heirloom grits, collard greens, roasted carrots and a smoked bourbon butter topping it, this dish is delicious but heavy. I rarely do not finish my plate, but the components were all so rich that I simply couldn’t do it.


To be fair, it was likely due to my poor judgment with the bread. I couldn’t help it, their jalapeno corn bread was so buttery and delicious I just had to have a second piece! This is hands down the best corn bread I’ve ever had – including all the ones I tried in New Orleans.  


The granny apple sticky sourdough pudding was sweet and rich sitting in a pool of Maker’s Mark bourbon pecan toffee sauce. But, the slightly salty pretzel ice cream on top really helped to calm the sweetness. All in all, a great dessert.


While the peanut butter panna cotta sounded delicious, the consistency was way too rich and resembled nothing like the light panna cotta. Instead, it felt like we were eating spoons of sweet creamy peanut butter – tasty for one taste but really doesn’t leave you wanting more. Topped with peaks of toasted marshmallow and chocolate this dessert is best split amongst a table of four.


Despite being stuffed I couldn’t help but try a small piece of the dark chocolate rocky road bar that accompanies the bill. It’s a nice ending if you want something small to sweeten the end of your meal.


Luckily, America continued their former counterpart’s attention to service. Everyone I encountered that evening was genuinely friendly and warm. America, I salute you.

Overall mark - 7 out of 10

Is Winterlicious worth it?

As a special feature to the Winterlicious blogs, I will attempt to calculate the savings being offered (based on my meal selection).

Winterlicious - $45

Regular menu* - $74 -  salmon ceviche ($23), steak and cheek ($37) and sticky pudding ($14)

Savings - $29 or 39%

* At America, it's hard to determine the savings as most items aren't part of their regular menu; prices based on the fried oysters and pork loin

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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!



The 2015 Tin Chef Competition (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, February 14, 2015 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 85 Hanna Avenue
Website: http://www.templekitchen.com/


As part of the Winterlicious Culinary Events series, Mildred's Temple Kitchen hosted the Tin Chef Competition where five contestants competed for the Tin Chef title. In just 60 minutes they created four portions of a winning dish using the required secret ingredient - lamb. 

I'll admit, when I heard about it I was intrigued about participating (after all, I make decent food). But, who am I kidding, I'd much rather relax and be a spectator instead! And luckily I did as the competition was intense! Having people gather around and watch you while you prep and cook. Working in a professional kitchen with a dozen people mingling around you. Not to mention the time pressure - it's not something your average home cook can do.


Plus, I much preferred grazing through the hor d'oeuvres and food stations while sipping a glass of wine. My first stop was the oyster station where the light chilled seafood went so well with my wine.


There was also a beautiful crudites spread and vegetarian flatbreads for those who'd rather not eat meat.


But, the highlight was the hot passed foods of the night. My favourite was the juicy sliders .... they were so good that I had two. The patty matched the soft milk bun in size and was packed with flavours from the tomato relish and sharp cheddar.


The fried chicken and waffle bites were also delicious, especially when hot. The dollop of sour cream and gherkin on top added an unexpected lightness to it.


The cured trout spoon was beautifully presented, with the Asian pear on top adding some sweet freshness to the bite.


What I thought was a normal chicken satay turned out to be a chunk of juicy and flavourful piri piri chicken.


And lastly there was the tomato goat cheese spoon. Although, I did miss one passed food item, grilled cheese, due to its popularity.


But, people really come here for the competition. To see the sweat and tears (well maybe none of that) that comes from putting your culinary creativity on the line. The five contestants: Christine Emerson, Sean Kay, Roman Kliotzkin, Eugena Kwon and Laura Wright had one hour to cook four portions of their signature lamb dish. Aside from the main ingredient they had a pantry shelf to work with.



As I walked around, watching everyone at their prep stations, it was surprisingly how calm and in the zone they were. Despite people mingling within inches of them, everyone seemed to be able to block the crowd out and focus on the task at hand.


The judges were chefs across Toronto - Paul Brans (O&B), Saverio Macri (Ciao and Cibo) and Alida Solomon (Tutti Matti). They mingled in the kitchen area talking to the contestants. All while Donna Dooher, the Master of Ceremonies, interviewed them to the crowd's delight.


After a heated hour, the restaurant was filled with the most delicious smells. And finally the judges got to sit down to enjoy the spoils for the night. Unfortunately, it was never announced who made which dish, but they all looked delicious. Most contestants opted for lamb chops.

 

While two used the tenderloin instead.


It was interesting to see all the interpretations of the dish. But in the end, there could only be two winners. The first, was Laura Wright, who was the People's Choice winner, awarded by the participants from last year's competition. 


And the crown for the Tin Chef went to Roman Kliotzkin. What a lovely picture ... who knows he may be holding the young chef that will go on to win this 20 years from now. 


In all, it was a great night. A very different food experience that allowed people to mingle and meet new individuals. Spectators also left with a copy of Donna Dooher's 'Out to Brunch' cookbook. Just in case they wanted to start practising for next year's competition. Head over here to get your own copy of Out to Brunch.


Want to read about the Tin Chef Competition more? Check out #Parv's recap of the night. 

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