grinthock.com – A World Of Opinionation

Food – Yangs Teppanyaki & Sushi

Posted on February 22nd, 2009 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats, Department of rant services..

Since I tried Teppan cooking table type food awhile ago at Yamato (and reviewed it) I decided to start checking out other places.  Prince Japanese is another one on the list worth checking out.

At the recommendation of a friend, I decided to check out Yangs Teppanyaki & Sushi at 3255 Rutherford Rd near Vaughan Mills Mall in Toronto.  The Sushi was good, the teppan was average and the background music was annoying.  Here are some bullets…

Like:

* Sushi…  It was amazing, top notch.  Some of the best I have had.

* Miso Soup and Salad were also quite good.

Don’t Like:

* The entire Teppan experience, the food wasn’t good, Chicken and Salmon and Filet.   Chicken was rubbery, Beef was tender but not flavourful, the Salmon was ok.

* The fried rice was ok, definatly better than Beni Hana, but not as good as Yamoto.

If you want Sushi, this is probably a good place, but for Teppan, you can do better, so avoid the “cooking table”

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Saltlik : A quality steakhouse worth a look.

Posted on December 25th, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats.

Recently my travels found me in Calgary, Alberta.   In the past I visited Hy’s in Calgary, a good steak, a selection of fine wines, excellent Alberta beef; an excellent way to top off a hard work day.

Hy’s in Calgary has closed it’s doors, claiming that “Calgary” has grown (see link) so on the advice of someone locally I visited “Saltlik” in downtown Calgary at 101 8th Ave (Google Maps Link)

A good selection of steaks on their menu, the french onion soup was excellent, the wine list was not as elaborate as Hy’s but let’s be honest who honestly needs 400 different varieties.    I went for the California New York, Medium Rare, it arrived cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of service, and perfectly cooked food.

I could go on for more paragraphs about how great it was, but I am no food writer, I just know what I like, and all I wanted was a good Alberta steak, a nice wine, and a good meal.   At Saltlik, I got it.  In a day where I experienced 4 hour flight delays, 7 hours in an airport, the steak was worth it.

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Utopia Restaurant – Tex-Mex, Californian Eats, Nice Prices…

Posted on August 2nd, 2008 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats.

With all of the fuel prices soaring these days it is costing many of us more of our hard earned green on a friday night to park and drive than it is to have a meal.   Utopia Restaurant in Toronto (586 College St) is inadvertently trying to change that.  With a menu of new and interesting Tex-Mex, Californian and “Normal” food (you never know when the dork in your group simply does not have an interesting pallet) they bring a nice twist to the normal Tex-Mex style food and change it up with their own custom sauces, burritos, appetizers and flair.  The Menu is large enough that you can find something you will like, but this “cafe” clearly has direction.

With a nice open window to the street on a nice day and a patio in the back, we found the restaurant VERY well priced, and exceptionally clean.  An open air patio in the back with table side service is also nice when the weather is warm.   The staff were very helpful, ensured our drinks were never empty (even water), and offered helpful advice with menu items.   Food arrived quickly, but not so quick that you can tell someone slapped it togeather, or just yanked something out of the freezer and tossed it in a deep fat fryer.

I ordered a Steak burrito, it has a very nice tangy zip sauce made on site, I don’t say “Wow” too often during the first bite, I did here.  The rice was pretty typical of a tex-mex place, but was clearly made on site and not some tex rice that was brought in.  Menu offered an option for Salad or Slaw, I chose the Seseme Slaw, but ran out of room to finish it — it was however quite delightful.

Utopia get’s 4/5 stars, I will return.  Our entire bill came to $27 for 2 people including soft drinks (no appetizers)  which is quite reasonable considering the food quality that we received.   There is something on the menu for everyone.   I am told this place fills up quite quickly at dinner hour, especially on the weekends, so go early if you are hungry.

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Review: Yamato Steakhouse Toronto

Posted on April 22nd, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats.

A few months back “the wife” and I decided to hit a local spot, when we arrived it was crammed so we wandered our way up into the Yorkville distrct of Toronto.

We came across this place…

Frequented by the celebs and almost always packed at dinner hour, this is your teppanyaki style japanese restaurant, where 8 or so soul’s are placed around a grill and the chef cooks at your table.

I would recommend the Imperial Combo (Beef, Chicken AND Shrimp) and without question no matter which dish you choose — the fried rice.  Oooooooo  the fried rice…   Simply the best i’ve had, anywhere and of all time.  Cooked right before you (I was taking notes on my second trip) and oh so yummy..

The ususal japanese antics, banging around salt/pepper shakers, some interesting slicing techniques and the “onion volcano”, they do put on a show.

The food is spectacular, they serve the sh1t out of you, the beer is a plenty (because no japanese mean can be had without an Asahi…  All of this comes with a cost – be prepared with a few beers and a few imperial combo’s to spend $100+ after tax and tip.

All in all a VERY good experience.  I’ve read a few other reviews, and some people simply need to relax and enjoy themselves, don’t be such a critic!

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The Haunted Keg… A Glass of Baileys, and Pumper 313.

Posted on March 25th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats.

As I promised I would review some “good eats” locations in Toronto, so here is another one.

You are probably familiar with the popular “The Keg” series of restaurants however this one is a little different.

The Menu is the same, however it is located at 515 Jarvis Street

The building was built in 1867 and has been owned by a few families and also was home to CFRB radio in 1920, was used as an art gallery and was also home to a restaurant privately owned. In 1976 “The Keg” corporate purchased it, and was renamed as “The Keg” mansion.

The building is very well kept to the period is was built, and the interior is immaculate. The service is spectacular and the food is perfect… In a world of chain restaurants where they vary from one to the next — this one is consistantly excellent. Free parking on site, a nice bar on the 2nd floor, and a beautiful main floor dining area. Expect your typical 30-45 minute waits on friday/saturday night (if not longer). However waiting is not an issue, the lounge upstairs is quite comfortable, and they will gladly transfer your bar tab to your table.

The title of my article is there for a reason… The building is thought to be “Haunted” and for good reason. I have had 2 such incidents.

Approx a year ago during my visit we were seated under a beautiful chandelier, and one of the arms broke, the glass globe that diffiuses the light from the bulb fell and smashed on the edge of our table..

Need less to say, the staff freaked, glass was everywhere, on us and all over our food. Free food / drinks for us — they very quickly brought us new food — and i made a point of order a few additional bailey’s…

To this day, the same chandelier still has a broken arm…

I did attempt to visit again….

Then approx 4 months ago, we went to the location again, while waiting for our table in the upstairs lounge, when the power suddenly went out… No lighting to light the inside of building I now noticed the flashing red lights, and this truck outside

A quick check of my Blackberry and I noticed this…

Location: JARVIS ST, TT
Cross Streets: WELLESLEY ST E / CAWTHRA SQ
Time/Date: 2007-01-20 18:35:03
Call Type: Fire – Commercial/Industrial
Alarm Level: 1
Area: 313

Vehicles Sent:
S313, P313, P314, A312, C31,

I could smell “Burning Plastic” and the staff was continuously saying the power would be back on shortly, of course knowing better and that there was no way the fire dept would allow us to remain with burning plastics in the building I politly told the staff we were leaving, and no, not paying, and began to walk out. She made some comment about “I guess that is ok”.

As I left and turned on a radio in my Jeep Chief 31 was ordering everyone out of the building, luckily we got out before 200 people tried to exit. The main floor was quite smokey, turns out an electrical fire in the kitchen caused it. Good thing they caught it in time.

I will visit again — probably in the near future… But no i’m not suicidal.

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Taco Bell ain’t got shit on this….

Posted on March 18th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats.

Lately i’ve been continually asked about Toronto eating establishments. Apparently i’m some “Toronto King” and know where everything is like i’m sort of Inter City rat. But that’s ok.

Recently on a drury sunday afternoon Susan suggested we go to this downtown “Burrito” place. Apparently the newest fad, it’s been reviewed in various local media outlets as well as the infamous “Toronto.com” and has almost a perfect score. — Burrito Boyz

2 Locations – 1 at 120 Peter Street, Toronto ON and one on Adelaide in the heart of the Entertainment district.

It’s open 7 days a week — but be aware, only the Peter Street location is open on Sunday. i’ve been going there for lunch Sunday’s as of late — but it’s getting busy at lunch. Don’t be afraid, the wait is worth it — and short.

Basically they make the Burrito in front of you, whatever you want on it, the ususal suspects, and then grill it, so you need to wait about 10 minutes. Don’t be afraid of walking into a huge crowd — it looks worse than it is, most people are awaiting their order to become ready. Chicken, Beef, Bean/Cheese, and even Halibut and Shrimp. The Halibut is the latest craze, and i’ve personally tried it, it’s very good! Make sure you get their “Secret Burrito Sauce” and ask for extra, it’s good stuff.

Coming weeks I will be reviewing other spots in Toronto.

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CaramelLatte – it’s one word.

Posted on March 14th, 2007 by grinthock.
Categories: Department of Good Eats.

It’s officially one word — according to the famous “DJP”

Incase you do not know David J Patrick he’s the big cheese over at LinuxCaffe! Located at 326 Harbord St, in Toronto – Click here –

http://www.linuxcaffe.ca

Good food, good people, good times, free internet…. Go get some. The food is good if you need a snack, and there’s lots of interesting things going on.

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