Toronto Uncovered

Posts Tagged ‘Toronto Restaurants’

It would have been obvious to anyone walking by that there was something serious going on at One Restaurant Wednesday night.  Lines of well dressed, young professionals snaked down Yorkville Avenue all the way to Avenue Road;  big signs bordered the entrance; and loud music poured out onto the crowded street.  It was the official launch party for Yahoo! Canada’s new website, a definite who’s who of Toronto’s advertising and marketing elite,  joined by household celebrity names like Ken Daneyko and Tie Domi.

Since Yahoo! Canada is a client of the marketing firm where I work,  my colleagues and I joined the party to see what all the fuss was about. I had never been to One before, and have to say that my first impression was, “Wow, this place is huge”. I had assumed that it would be one large open space with maybe a couple of rooms, but was proven very wrong. There were 4 main rooms all occupied with different stations.

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I’m a big fan of stations at parties because they keep them interesting and entertaining. Yahoo’s stations included a photo shoot with lots of fun and crazy props (wigs, swords, helmets, big glasses and boas), a lip balm bar where you customized your own balm, a bar station where you ordered your own drinks (what? it counts), and a make your own taco station. This last one wasn’t really for me, by the time i got there it looked like a thousand small children had been there first, sticking their fingers into the cheese and various sauces. In short, it was kind of a mess and turned me off a little. Good idea in theory, poor in execution.

The music, spun by DJ Starting from Scratch, was selected by party goers who could make requests when sending their RSVP. This was a good way to make people feel involved and to ensure everyone heard at least one song they could dance to. It would have been even better if you could also tweet your requests (since social media is a big part of the new Yahoo! Canada site).

Canapes were flowing from the time I arrived until the time I headed home. They started with sliders, butter brazed lobster, sesame coated tuna sashimi, and boxes of poutine, followed by sweet key lime and pecan filled deserts. Hats off to Food Network’s Chef, Mark McEwan for providing delicious treats all night long.

Given that the theme of Yahoo’s new website, It’s Y!ou,  is all about customization, this party was on point with their message.  I had a pretty good time and would definitely attend another party at One Restaurant. Yahoo!

Did you attend? What did you think?

I’ve lived between the boundaries of Yonge St. and Sherbourne St. for most of my adult life. In previous posts, I have pointed out that the East side, while offering many benefits (especially if you are a home owner), lacks the same epicurean vibe that its Western counterpart flaunts so brightly. East-enders have to look a little harder to find a really solid restaurant that satisfies all of our basic dining needs: ambiance, service and food.

I have been dining at Hair of the Dog (Church and Carleton) since my University days. It is small and intimate and built into the side of an old house. In the summer, it provides a great balcony setting to enjoy caesars over brunch. In the winter, it embodies the feeling of a cozy cottage, dimly lit with comfortable chairs and benches. It’s furnished with dark wood and draped with rich velvet.  Soft house music plays dimly in the background, providing just enough melody to muffle the chitter chatter of other diners. It is instantly relaxing.

Hair of the Dog is a popular spot and does not take weekend reservations, however, I have never had to wait for more than 15 minutes, during which the bar tenders and hostess provide excellent service, including prompt martinis and regular table updates and check-ins. You’re never left waiting and wondering (unlike some other trendy hot spots, ah hem, Guu). Once seated, the service is fast and friendly. No complaints.

OK, now onto the really important part: the food. The menu at HoTG is not huge, but it has something for everyone. My personal favourites include the jambalaya, the 1lb burger and the chicken stir fry. The pulled pork sandwich and grilled seafood dishes are also amazing.  I will warn you, if you order the jambalaya add the scotch bonnet sauce with care, it is not for fair-tongued eaters. Unless you like to feel the burn the next day, take it easy on the hot sauce. Most dishes range from $10.00-$20.00. Expect to pay about $60.00 per person including liquor, tax and tip.

If you’re in the area definitely check it out. Let me know what you think!

A couple of months ago a friend invited me to have lunch at Four Restaurant. Since then, it has quickly become my favourite Bay Street restaurant. I have eaten there at least 5 times for and recommended it to friends, colleagues and clients.

Im not really a picky eater, and will usually try anything at least once, however, I am usually pretty health conscious. What I like about the menu at Four is that everything on it is under 650 calories, low in fat and still high in taste. Instead of flavouring their dishes with butter, salt, and sugar, they use more herbs and spices to bring out the natural taste of the food.  None of their dishes are deep fried and most are specialty diet friendly (South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc.) The portions are of a reasonable size (I have never left still feeling hungry) and you aren’t saddled with gut rot for the rest of the afternoon.

My favourite part of eating at Four is the deserts, which are served in shot glasses for $2.00 a piece. Your waiter brings around a tray of 10 different deserts to choose from, ranging from fresh fruit to cheese cake. All deserts are health conscious as well, all under 200 calories.

If you end up trying Four, make sure to make reservations as it is a popular lunch spot. Let me know what you think and what you end up trying! So far, Ive had their burgers, pastas, appetizers and most of the deserts. I have yet to be disappointed, unsatisfied or underfed.

Friday night a bunch of my  girlfriends treated me to a belated birthday dinner. We headed to Ossington’s Watusi, a 1960′s themed cocktail lounge that opened its doors last Spring. Watusi is fairly small and intimate, seating approximately fifty or sixty people. Since there were  eight of us, we decided to split a bunch of different things off the menu, tapas-style. Most of the dishes are smaller servings, so this worked out perfectly.

We ordered nearly every item, including wanton nachos, lamb sirloin, blue cheese pizza and black cod.  Side note: is there anything  blue cheese doesn’t taste good on? Everything was fabulous.  Simple, well infused dishes that perfectly married natural flavours with delicious spices and marinades.

I am not usually a big dessert person. I typically prefer to fill up on “food food” over sweets.  But since it was my birthday, I decided to have my cake and eat it too. The desserts turned out to be  my favourite part of the meal.  The avocado white mousse and pineapple crumble are two items I have developed permanent cravings for. Both were very original and not too sweet or rich.

It wouldn’t be a proper birthday (or even normal day) celebration without some drinks to wash down all of this great food. Two words: Dirty Martinis! They make a mean one!

Total cost worked out to about $50.00 a person, including tax and tip. The only thing lacking was a patio!

Photos courtesy of CityNews