Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Hemingways

I realize that this is not a "burger joint" but I just started a new job in Yorkville and after working like a dog, I just wanted a patio, some sun, a Bud Light and a burger. If you ever feel the same, then Hemingways, 142 Cumberland Street, is where to go. Granted it's not my favourite patio in Yorkville (Remy's is but their food isn't worth a quarter) but it is one that isn't expensive or pretentious.




The burger is good. It's pubbish but it is fresh; they make 'em each morning and they are eight ounces of surprisingly juicy ground beef. Cheese is not necessary and I usually forego the bacon; not because I don't love it but because I try to watch my girlish figure. In this case, I'm down for both. There is nothing special about either accessory but somehow they both add a little "something".




The patty is thick and assembled correctly. My only issue is the absence of a pickle. You have to have a dill pickle. The Heinz squeeze bottle of relish doesn't man up - at all.




The girlish figure thing makes me have a salad in place of fries.






I should've done the fries as the salad is the dreaded mixed baby greens with a side of bottled balsamic dressing in a plastic ramekin.




I don't eat it.




How is it that you can make you're own burger but not you're own salad dressing?




I'm pretty sure the former is a little more difficult.




*Burger with side salad, 3 bottles of Bud Light (I was thirsty and maybe a tad stressed), tax and

a 20% tip for Sonia our awesome server, approximately $35.00







Wednesday, June 15, 2011

416 Snack Bar

I had been to 416 Snack Bar, 181 Bathurst Street, twice before but never to eat, just to drink. Food aside, it’s a cool spot for some libation but just in case you skipped dinner, you can do some preventative hangover protection by indulging in the “snacks”.

Their micro meals are an homage to all things Torontonia; our ethnicity, our culture, our neighbourhoods and our people.


It’s genius really but more importantly it’s f’ing delicious.

We clumsily employed “the lady-and-the-tramp-like manoeuvre” as they do not provide cutlery and we really wanted to taste everything.

A sushi pizza ($5) is a real darling with a perfectly crunchy rice crust and hot smoked BC salmon. It is not doused in pink mayo. We shared then I ordered my own.

The bone marrow toasts ($4) are pretty self-explanatory; dollops of luscious, silken marrow on top of toasted bread rounds. Steve’s scared of marrow so more for Sandy and I. He went for the plain old oysters (3 for $7) instead and we doubled up on another marrow order. Yessss.

A mini mac ($4) is a recent addition and is exactly what you think it is; the cutest sesame seed bun you’ve ever seen, teeny, finely sliced pickles, shredded lettuce, processed cheese and pink sauce. There are only two differences between the 416 version and ‘The Golden Arches’ and that is the absence of the middle bun and that this patty is solo, thick, juicy and cooked to medium.

We order three more.

The octo taco ($5) is another newbie. A flawlessly braised octopus leg is smoky and charred. The tomatillo salsa and corn tortilla don’t disrupt the octopus but make for the best the vehicle and the ideal accessory.

I don’t have a sweet tooth but Sandy wanted the s’more s’plosion ($4) for two. It is literally a ball of chocolate and cookie and marshmallow. It’s a mess and even more than not liking chocolate, I don’t like chocolate all over my fingers. Unfortunately this is not a cutlery free dish.

There is really only one problem with 416 Snack Bar; I will never be able to just drink there ever again.

Monday, June 6, 2011

A touch of Paris in Toronto at La Societe

Won't be jet setting to Paris this year? No money to back pack through France? Not to worry as La Societe, 131 Bloor Street West, sets to bring a little Paris to Toronto in an unapologetic, stylish and comfortable bistro that is the newest brain child of hospitality giant, Charles Khabouth.

Doors open on June 15 for dinner. Lunch will be served daily and brunch on weekends.

I'm excited by the hyped up design; think aged mahogany, leather, light fixtures from Paris and a jaw dropping thirty foot stained glass ceiling mural.

It's going to be stunning.

It's also going to have the only patio on this stretch of Bloor, a raw seafood bar, glasses of wine at every price point and inexpensive burgers that will go great with pints of Kronenbourg.

A modern take on classic French food means you will certainly see a Nicoise salad, cassoulet and steak frites on the local where possible menu.

Don't believe me? Check out what others are saying at http://www.thestar.com/living/food/article/1001044--openings-la-societe-bistro and http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/opening-daily-dish/2011/05/26/la-societe-charles-khabouths-new-bloor-street-bistro-to-open-in-june/ . Or get the scoop direct on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/LaSocieteBistro or on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/La_Societe .