Bluestone Bistro

I just realized that Bluestone Bistro is now closed:(

I was so disappointed when I walked to their doors only to see a sign that said they were closed. I've only been there once for brunch and I wanted to return to try their french toast. Now it's too late:(

There aren't many brunch places uptown so it was sad to see that it was no longer in business. Anyways here is my post on my first and last dining experience at Bluestone.

Sunset Grill

We only ordered 2 dishes and this is what we got. OMG un-freakin-believable!!!

We were starving as usual so Sand recommended we go try out Sunset Grill. He's been there a few times and he loves the omelette there so of course we had to order that.

Brunch @ School...EPIC FAIL!!!

My last trip at School was mediocre. Not so good but not so bad either.

This time I returned for brunch and OMG what an EPIC FAIL!!!

Thank god Bonnie was there first. If it wasn't for her we wouldn't have gotten a table. But when I arrived I noticed a lot of empty tables. WTH!!! Why the holdup then? Guess they are the type of resto where they make people wait just so that it appears to be busy. Already I wasn't too pleased.

I had my eye on the macadamia banana pancakes but was told that they didn't have any bananas so any dishes with the fruit would not be available. Once again not thrilled here. This is the 2nd time that I came and couldn't get the dish I wanted due to lack of ingredients.

WARNING: The pictures may appear mouthwatering but believe me did not taste as great as it looked.

We were waiting for quite some time for our meal so our waitress gave us complimentary muffins on the house. That made me feel a bit happier since I was starving.

Vi Vetha

One Sunday morning my friend Jane took me to one of her fave brunch spots.

Vi Vetha was definitely a hidden gem. I never heard of this place before but by the end of the meal it was definitely on my list of faves as well.

It's a small little restaurant along Yonge just a block North of Lawrence.

I had my eye on the french toast and egg benny and a few other stuff. I just couldn't decide. I wanted it all. Finally we settled on two dishes.

Here was the potato pancake platter with smoked salmon, 2 eggs garnished with apple, sour cream and capers. It was yummy.

Insomnia Tweetup

Finally organized my very first tweetup yayy^_^

I heard several good reviews about Insomnia so I decided to host my first tweetup there.

Since there were some people I knew as well as some new faces thought it would be fun to create a seating chart. Nobody minded about the seating except for one particular person. (You know who you are missy:P) But it's ok since she was just kidding, hopefully.

June Harlowe

Pretty sketchy area but the food was good.

I bought a groupon for June Harlowe. I've never been in the Junction area before but because of the voucher thought I would venture into the unknown for some food. Besides it was the brunch that caught my attention and I just can't say no to brunch.

It's a cozy lil place however, it did not have a/c. Not good when it was scorching hot out. Oh well whatcha gonna do.

What a BEAST!!!

Ever seen maple bacon doughnuts like these ones??? So so sooooooo good but so bad for you.

Me, Sue and K went for brunch at Beast. I was so excited since this was on my list to try. One look at the brunch menu online I knew I had to go here one day.

At the bottom of the menu there's a disclaimer saying "beast restaurant uses local and sustainable ingredients whenever possible, from farms in Ontario, unless otherwise noted, everything is made in house". How great is that. Have to appreciate the restaurants that make their own products or at least support local farmers.

The artwork on the wall is quite eccentric which kinda goes with the theme of the restaurant. The food is definitely rich or BEASTLY yet sensual in its presentation and taste. Hmm dunno if that makes sense but you will soon see what I mean.

Brunch @ Stockyards

Once again, it's just all hype.

I went to Stockyards last year for the sandwiches and ribs and I found it was just mediocre.

This time I returned for brunch since the menu was enticing coupled with the great reviews I figured why not.

Last Sunday we arrived around 12:30 and the place was jammed packed. Not only diners but the takeout line was crazy too. The place is really tiny so it was kinda claustrophobic standing inside so we gave our name and waited outside. Fifteen minutes later, we finally got a seat.

We knew what we wanted so we placed our order immediately after our waitress seated us. We were starving and it didn't help sitting directly in front of where all the food was prepared. Huge tease:(

We didn't get our food till at least 45 minutes later. That's how insane it was.

The smoked meat hash came with deep fried poached eggs. Soooooo so bland. If you want smoked meat hash I highly recommend Caplansky's. Now that is what you call smoked meat hash. This was just a pile of flavorless meat with even more tasteless poached eggs. Complete fail here.

Patisserie La Cigogne

Here's a quick post.

After some serious shoe shopping, I decided to take my friend to Patisserie La Cigogne.

This is the first thing you see when you enter, a whole array of pretty lil cakes. I was drooling at the display. My friend tells me we have to eat real food first before buying cake. Fiiiine I say.

Lady Marmalade

Another busy brunch spot in Leslieville.

We arrived at Lady Marmalade around noon only to find that there was a lineup outside the door. Note they will not seat you until your entire party is there. We found out the hard way.

Nevertheless, the restaurant is quite cozy and very green. Think majority of the restaurants in the area are small and tiny hence the long lineup.

Brunch Tweetup @ La Bamboche

Did you know that La Bamboche now serves brunch? I am already in love with their macarons and to discover that they now serve brunch I couldn't wait to try it out.

Scrumptious Brunch @ Marben

Been eyeing the french toast at Marben for quite some time now and finally got to make the trip downtown.

Since I was there early I went to the washroom to wash my hands. The decor in the washroom was interesting. This tree caught my eye. I couldn't help but touch it to see if it was made of real wood. Honestly I couldn't really tell.

Final Brunch @ Hoof Cafe

I'm baaaack but sadly it will be my very last brunch at Hoof Cafe:(

Even though I was just here yesterday I couldn't resist returning again since my friend wanted to try the french toast with foie gras.

We arrived close to 2pm and lo and behold no lineup. Woohoo!

Once again I began ordering right away the minute our waitress came to pour us a glass of water.

We had the french toast and beignets and also some new dishes I haven't tried yet.

Here is the scrapple which included a fried egg and some greens. I didn't know what a scrapple was but it's suppose to be scraps of pork mixed with cornmeal. Albeit the name doesn't sound appetizing it was a hit.

Here is the side of pork belly pastrami. Tasted like bacon but much more meatier. Delicious.

Here is the Hoof crepe with a huge slab of ham encircled in some sort of syrup with a smear of creme fraiche topped with bits and pieces of fried brussels sprouts. It was delectable.

Now out of everything I tried so far the best dish is the scrapple. Once again I left the cafe with a sad look. The food is simply extraordinary. I hope the new restaurant won't disappoint and will blow us away just like Hoof otherwise if not there will be some very unhappy Hoof fans.

TOTAL BILL $64...EAT HERE NEXT!!! (or actually try the Black Hoof)

Hoof Cafe

ATTENTION ALL MEAT LOVERS AND BRUNCH LOVERS! HOOF CAFE WILL BE CLOSING FOR GOOD ON FEB. 28!!!

After discovering that in 2 days the restaurant will be closing its doors I had to push my boyfriend to take me there. Lucky I was browsing around otherwise I would have missed a chance to dine at one of the top most rated brunch spot in the city. I have been wanting to try this place since last year. It's insane that they are closing when they are doing so well. Hoof Cafe will be transforming into BHCO (Black Hoof and Company). Click here to read more about it. One highlight of the new place will be that it will now accept reservations. Thank god!!!

We arrived 10 minutes prior to opening time . At first we saw only a few people waiting so we figured we made good timing. Unfortunately the lineup was for the restaurant Saving Grace. At Hoof Cafe the lineup was 10 times longer. I think there were at least 50+ people ahead of us. Guess we weren't the only ones who heard about the bad news. Once the doors opened we gave our name and number and off we went to kill some time. We stumbled upon The Communal Mule and stayed there for at least an hour which wasn't too bad. Finally an hour and a half later we received the long awaited phone call we've been yearning for. Our table was ready. YES!!!

Once we were seated I didn't waste any time and immediately began ordering. I ordered all the items that everyone kept raving about. Since they were closing I had to splurge and order everything I had my eye on which luckily wasn't the entire menu. (Ok maybe almost half of the menu lol)

Since we waited so long for a table I decided to order a drink. I rarely have a drink so early in the morning but since I'm going all out might as well go all the way. I ordered the Hoof Caesar since I saw practically everyone holding the red drink in their hand. It consisted of pink peppercorn, vodka, Marmite syrup, Clamato, house hot sauce and worcestershire. The glass was rimmed with rock salt, pepper, and dehydrated horseradish. It gave a great punch with the bold spicy and salty flavor.

We were fortunate to get a seat by the window so it wasn't as crowded compared to sitting at the counter. People's arms were literally right up against one another where there was no gap between them at all.

I had to order the beignets since I read that these were sold out by afternoon so it was on my list to try. These were baked fresh and were stuffed with sour cherry jam and bone marrow. I'm not quite sure how bone marrow taste but these sugary donuts were delightful.

Here is the infamous suckling pig benny. It consisted of buttery homemade dough biscuits with tender pulled pork under poached eggs topped with Hollandaise sauce and served with a side of arugula salad and a few pieces of pork rind. I thought this dish was magnificent however, my boyfriend did not agree. He prefers the benny at Steve's Restaurant over this. Let's just say we agreed to disagree on this one.

The tongue grilled cheese was exceptionally astounding. I don't think I've tried tongue before but I did not expect it to taste that good either. Absolutely mouthwatering.

The brioche french toast with foie gras was pretty pricey ($27 with foie gras and $13 without). But without a doubt a major sugar rush. Who would've thought foie gras and french toast would be a match made in heaven. The foie gras was extremely buttery that it just melted in your mouth. It was so rich with all the sweetness and the delicateness of the foie gras it was impeccable. I loved the added crunch from the bits and pieces of hazelnuts. You do not need to order dessert after this dish. It was overly sweet that I could only eat half of it. My boyfriend only had 2 bites and that was enough for him.

Although the pictures made the dishes looked bigger but in actuality I thought the portions were small. But since everything was so rich and heavy the portions were perfect after all. I was stuffed to the max. In the end was it worth all the hype. ABSO-FREAKIN-LUTELY!!!

This is the second restaurant I have ever waited in line for. Guu being the first. At least with Hoof I was able to stroll around even though there wasn't much in the area to look at. Regardless, they were both well worth the wait.

It's so sad that Hoof is closing but at least I got to experience it before they shut their doors for good.

TOTAL BILL $78...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

La Vecchia

La Vecchia Ristorante, what a romantic restaurant. Even the name sounds enchanting as well. Sadly I was there eating alone since my cousin ditched me:(

I have never ate by myself at a restaurant before or let alone at a fast food joint so the experience was definitely new territory for me.

The waiter was very friendly. He always had a smile whenever he was refilling my glass with water. Or maybe he just pitied me since I was alone lol.

I didn't want to leave without at least trying one dish so I ordered the florentine uova. It consisted of 2 poached eggs on an English muffin with smoked salmon and spinach topped with Hollaindaise sauce and served with a side of home fries.

It was mediocre but I definitely give it two thumbs up for the attentive service and the charming ambience. I would like to return and try the risotto next time since I did hear some wonderful reviews on it. But next time I'll be sure to bring someone who will show up.

TOTAL BILL $14...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Kalendar

I was still on the search for the best stuffed french toast. I saw several reviewers recommending the restaurant Kalendar.

It's a cute little bistro along college. There is a patio for outdoor lovers; however, for me I prefer to sit indoors. It was really tight inside luckily it was just me and my girlfriend.

We both split the french toast. It was stuffed with banana, mango and cream cheese served with herbed potatoes and 2 slices of fruit.

It was humongous. It was good but I think the bread itself could've used a bit more flavor.

I noticed a lot of the other patrons had ordered either the nannettes (oven baked naan bread) or the scrolls (crepe style roti) which looked absolutely delicious. I think I would return and give that a try next time.

TOTAL BILL $12...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Loui's Kouzina

Definitely a hidden gem in the town of Markham.

If you want a home cooked Greek meal then head over to Loui's Kouzina.

It's a cozy little restaurant located in the plaza at Woodbine and 16th. The place is filled with pictures of Greece hanging on the walls and there's an open kitchen at the back of the restaurant where you can see the cook prepare the dishes.

Me and my friend wanted something from the breakfast menu as well as an item from the lunch menu so we got the best of both worlds and ordered one from each menu.

For out starter we couldn't decide between the spanakopita or whether to try something new. Our waitress told us everything on the menu was homemade including the dips. The only exception was the spinach pie. Upon hearing that we decided to opt for the biftekia which is grilled beef balls. It was a good choice. Although at first glance it looked like 4 burnt black balls nonetheless, it did not taste scorched at all. It was juicy and savory. I never tasted meat balls that flavorful before. It was a hit.

Next is the moussaka. This was my very first time trying it and it was absolutely delicious. It had crazy layers of texture and flavor comprised from potato, eggplant, zucchini and ground beef all topped with bechamel sauce and served with a side of Greek salad. It tasted light despite the look of it and yet hearty and comforting at the same time. I will certainly be remembering the word moussaka from now on.

From the breakfast menu we chose the french toast. It was a great way to end off the meal. It was pretty much our dessert. At first it just looked like regular toasted bread but once again looks are deceiving. This was yummy.

I definitely have to return to try out the remaining items. You can feel the passion and love put into the food. The waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable on all the food items. Excellent quality, generous portions and great service. All in all a perfect place for an authentic Greek dining experience. OPA!!!

TOTAL BILL $33...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Loui's Kouzina

9255 Woodbine Ave.

(close to 16th)

905-887-6464

Mildred's Temple Kitchen

Yesterday me and my friend were looking forward to having lunch at Mildred's Temple Kitchen. Little did we know that they do not serve lunch on weekends. Since we were starving we decided to stay and try out the brunch.

The place was packed. Luckily we arrived a little after the rush so we only waited about 10 minutes before we were seated.

The restaurant was very spacious with a modern decor minus the enormous pig statute right on the bar. The kitchen was an open concept so patrons can watch the chefs working their magic.

Once we were seated me and my friend couldn't help but gawk at the family next to us. Their food looked very tasty. The father was eating poached eggs on a croissant which looked absolutely delish and the kids were eating pancakes which looked just as mouthwatering as well. Immediately we knew what we wanted to order.

On top of that I wanted to try the biscuit and scone since I read some very good reviews on it.

Here is the buttermilk biscuit and black currant scone served with homemade preserves and sweet butter. It was a great start to the meal. The baked goods were hot from the oven. It was truly delightful. My friend really enjoyed the jam. She thought it was better than the high tea at Windsor Arms. I have never really ate much biscuits to have any comparison. The only one place I can think of is Red Lobster's buttery garlic biscuits. Yummy. However, scone-wise so far this place is ranked #1 on my list.

Here is the Veda's choice which is poached eggs on a croissant with smoked salmon, Bearnaise sauce and a side of mixed greens. While my friend was splitting the croissant in half you can actually hear the crunchiness of the outer layer. The Bearnaise sauce was airy light and the amount of the sauce was just perfect. The eggs were well seasoned and was tasty on its own even without the sauce. But one bite of everything as a whole it was definitely scrumptious. The salad however, was mediocre nothing special to report there.

Here is the blueberry buttermilk pancakes piled high with whipped cream and blueberries all swimming in a pool of sweet maple syrup. These were undoubtedly the BEST pancakes EVER!!! Fluffy and sweet. Just heavenly. It did not taste starchy or dry like most places. The pancake itself had a nice sweet flavor to it. Everything complimented each other perfectly. I just couldn't get enough.

So glad we decided to give the brunch a try. Now I wonder whether lunch could top that. Guess we will see.

TOTAL BILL $37...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Mildred's Temple Kitchen

85 Hanna Ave.

(close to King St. West)

416-588-5695

Hair of the Dog

Yes this is actually the name of a pub. I went to the gay village today for some brunch with my cousin. Hair of the Dog was the destination.

Once we entered the pub we were quickly greeted with a warm smile by a friendly waiter.

The pub has 2 floors and a little patio out front. We sat all the way at the back away from the window since it was pretty chilly outside.

We were given complimentary pineapple muffins to begin with.

My cousin had the strawberry french toast with cream cheese. It was just okay nothing spectacular about it but definitely better than my dish.

I wanted to try something new so I ordered the easy as pie which was a deep-dish breakfast which included scalloped potatoes, cheddar cheese, peameal bacon, ham, onions, peppers, and 2 poached eggs. It was good the first couple of bites but then after a while I just got sick of it think from the cheesiness so ended up not finishing the dish. My cousin gave me a disapproving look for wasting food but if I don't like it why would I force myself to finish it. Well at least I finished the peameal bacon since you can never really go wrong with bacon.

Wished I had got the benedict instead. There was a table of 3 guys sitting next to us who all had the benny. It looked yummy. Maybe that's the popular dish. Oh well if I'm ever along Church again maybe I'll try that instead.

TOTAL BILL $26...MAY EAT AGAIN?!

Table 17

I rarely go to Leslieville but when I do go so far it's only been for brunch. I love brunch. Even though it's a combination of breakfast and lunch still I love the fact that you don't have to wake up so early for it. I noticed that Leslieville is filled with numerous spots for brunch.

I decided to give Table 17 a try. I have to say it did not disappoint at all.

Here is the Sloppy Giusseppe. I have no clue how you even pronounce that second word but it was yummy. It included two fried eggs served with Bolognese sauce and fried polenta and a side of green salad.

The 2 remaining plates were the French toast with cinnamon creme anglaise and a few pieces of fresh berries and a grilled Cuban sandwich which consisted of Black Forest ham, house roasted pork and Havarti cheese with mustard and pickles and a side of fries. It was all delicious. My favorite dish out of all 3 was the French toast. Although it was a bit burnt it was light and tasty. I love sweets so this was a great treat in the morning. To me, it was my reward after a 90 minute hot yoga class. I am not at all flexible nor can I tolerate hot temperatures but that hot yoga class was a killer. All of my efforts and hard work wasted with this meal but oh so worth it. I just can't say no to good food.

We also ordered 3 sides with which were the thick cut double smoked bacon, Merguez sausage and potato rosti. My favorite was the potato rosti. It was crispy just the way I liked it. It's so fattening but tasted so good.

Lastly, we ended our meal with a slice of pumpkin cheesecake. Originally I wanted the cinnamon bun however, they were all sold out or something so we settled for the cheesecake instead. The crust was flaky but the filling was not that great to me. Then again when it comes to cheesecakes I never really like the filling I always head straight for the crust. Yup I'm a crusty kinda gal.

TOTAL BILL $55...EAT HERE NEXT!!!

Table 17

782 Queen Street East

(close to Broadview)

416-519-1851