Terroni

I heard through the grapevine about a very unique and authentic Italian chain: Terroni. We visited the Financial District's location on Adelaide st.



The menu does in fact remind me of dining in Italy (they actually note on the menu that they will not modify your order), and the ingredients were superb. Our server was wonderful and recommended a very nice red wine. Being so reminded of Europe, I was enticed to order two courses, and my easy going auntie agreed. (It didn't help that I just couldn't decide.)For the primi piatti, Chela had the penne with spicy sausage, and I had gnocchi in a tomato sauce. We went with pizze for the second course (instead of secondi), and I had buffalo mozzarella, spinach and prosciutto toppings, and Chela had a spicy sausage and spinach pizza.

We were far too full for any desserts afterwards! The food was fantastic and fresh, the service was wonderful as well, and the prices were extremely reasonable. This chain must be very popular because it was positively packed by 6pm, with a line up out the door for a wait, on a Monday evening no less! However, I do find it curious that this chain is so desperately popular... I rather question the decor.

The atmosphere was unique; packed, busy, noisy and friendly. A surprising number of families with small children were out, which is typically unseen at an Italian restaurant, but it added to its authentic European feel. It was a really nice change of pace. The decor was unusual; the tables were about 4 inches apart from each other, and the architecture was a patterned combination of contemporary, romantic, gothic, pop art and renovations. On one wall was a majestic stone fireplace (a table of a soccer team of eight-year-olds in front of it), the adjacent wall had tacky signs you'd see at a dive, and a tattered curtain draping over the entrance to the kitchen and covering gaping holes in the wall, and there was an exquisite, luxurious, contemporary, dark wood (possibly mahogany?) bar at the entrance. It sounds peculiar, but it wasn't bad at all. If you head over there knowing what to expect, you can really appreciate this unique atmosphere, and allow the vibe to take you all the way to Italy. But you'll know better than to go there for a secluded, romantic anniversary dinner.

Winterlicious - Bistro 990

The end of January/beginning of February is Winterlicious time in Toronto! Many posh, snobby, over priced (but of course, decadent) restaurants join the promotion with a prix-fixe menu that us common folk can afford. It's a great way to experience finer dining in Toronto: the social atmosphere gets you out and about in the dreary Winter season, and you can sample typically expensive restaurants, so when a special occasion arises you'll know a great place to go, and you won't be just guessing!

Our original restaurant of choice was Canoe, but the entire duration of the promotion sold out too quickly for us! So we chose Bistro 990 out of the over 130 other restaurants.





From the prix-fixe menu, Chela started with the leek & potato soup with caramelized onions and ermite cheese, the entrée was slivered beef striploin and shrimp, warm potato and romaine with a grainy mustard sauce, and for dessert, crème brulée! I too started with the leek & potato soup (it was chilly outside that evening!), my entrée was the seared yellowfin tuna Loin, mussels, in black olive linguini marinara, and also, the crème brulée.

This restaurant was as nice as any you'll find in Yorkville, and the service was the sterotypical French with a snooty air, and a bit slow. Overall, I didn't find it exceptional, but the atmosphere was very nice and cozy, in an elegant way, and I know the food is wonderful, so I'd consider it a safe bet to take someone out for a fine meal.

EPIC at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel

We decided to mix things up a bit in the spirit of the holiday. Chela mentioned going for tea and I was all for it! We went to EPIC at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel right downtown Toronto.



They have 2 tea sittings on Sundays where you are presented with a menu for tea. The snacks you will be served are listed, but you don't choose them, you get them all!




The only thing you do order is the tea, of which they have a few dozen choices. Your tea comes piping hot, with loose leaves strained in a clear pot so you can see how much it steeps. The biscuits and pastries are served on a 3-tier platter for the table to enjoy. It's a very social way to snack and it was nice to chat with my aunt without trying to consume a whole meal at the same time!

Ravi's and Alice's

This month, we went to my absolute favourite lunch spot for dinner: Ravi Soups! This little hole in the wall is a true diamond in the rough, never has food had so much flavour!



I simply had to take my aunt there to experience the Indian inspired food. I had my favourite curried apricot and lentil soup, and Chela had the roasted red pepper with curried shrimp and shallots bisque.



Ravi also makes daily soups like butternut squash and pear, chilled potato and leek soup, and smoked trout and artichoke. He also makes fantastic toasted wraps, like curried beef and mango with homemade salsa, fresh cilantro and edamame. I really could go on about how fabulous every item on his menu is, but suffice it to know there is nothing he's concocted that I, nor anyone I've brought along hasn't thoroughly enjoyed! Ravi also has a bright, quaint patio out back, nicely concealed from the bustle of Adelaide st.





For dessert, we went next door to Alice Fazooli's. We each had a glass of my Aunt's favourite sparkling wine, Prosecco. Chela had a chocolate cake special, and I had the Mascarpone cheesecake, which was heavenly.



We sipped on decaf espressos to sum up the evening of indulgence! I'm a fan of this chain; the service and food are consistent and never a disappointment. Can't make this a habit though, because you can taste the ample amounts of oil that's used in most of their dishes.

N'awlins

For our first outing, we decide to check out the Entertainment District along King st. We settled on N'awlins that specializes in New Orleans and Southern inspired cuisine. It was still just warm enough for us to sit outside on their sidewalk patio. We enjoyed martinis as it was Martini Tuesday and they had a nice martini menu for a feature price that day. For dinner, Chela chose the French Quarter Fusilli Grilled shrimp with roasted red peppers tossed in olive oil with garlic, shallots & white wine, and I enjoyed the Seafood Dream Linguini with tiger shrimp, calamari, scallops, mussels & baby clams in a fresh basil white wine tomato sauce.

To be quite honest, I was expecting more flavour than what I got (especially for the generous price), and the service was horrendous. But the venue was nice enough, and though we weren't there late enough in the evening, the live music they offer nightly would probably be worth catching.

History

When my aunt Chela and I found we were both working in downtown Toronto this Autumn, we decided we should try to get together often and go for dinners after work. We've since found ourselves checking out a new restaurant each month and thought it would be a good idea to document them for our own memories, and to share them with you! We truly welcome any recommendations!

Cheers