Sansotei Ramen

Tonkotsu Ramen

Shiso Tree Cafe

Enjoyed a nice lunch at this quiet J-Town cafe. A fusion of Japanese flavors incorporated into pasta, fries and dessert - skeptical about this combination but was pleasantly surprised. A good spot for lunch or afternoon snack.

Okonomiyaki Fries ($8)

Definitely good for fries lovers! The fries taste like New York Fries fries with some potato skin left on and I like the sauce and Japanese mayo. Could use more bonito flakes though.

Nori Fries ($6)

I like this one too 'cause you can taste the subtle wafu dressing and seaweed flavor in the fries and it's bit oilier than the okonomiyaki fries.

Soup of the day (potato) with crispy croutons ($4 or $3 w the pasta on weekends)

Homemade soup in a mug~ how cute.

Shoyu Mushroom Wafu (和風) Pasta ($11)

This was surprisingly good. The pasta was al dente and the combination of sweet shoyu (soy sauce), nori and three types of mushrooms (enoki, king oyster) was flavorful and light. The garlic bread was lightly toasted. I'm glad we shared this amongst the three of us 'cause the fries was really filling.

The pastas are quite pricey (around $11-$20). They don't have lunch menu on weekends, but on weekdays you can get a combo with pasta, soup, salad and dessert.

Overall, the fries were my favorite!

Mangia & Bevi Resto-Bar

Funghi Salad w arugula, sauteed mushrooms, x-v oil, balsamic, parmagiano

Good salad with strong flavors in all the ingredients - perfect 'cause I love arugula and mushrooms. The mushrooms were a bit salty but flavorful with the balsamic.

tomato sauce, mushrooms, red pepper, onion, garlic, oregano

Compared to the salad, this pizza was a bit plain - can taste the fresh vegetables and the sweetness of the red pepper, but no garlic or oregano flavor. The crust was thin and soft - I prefer crispier so it can hold its shape when eating.

I hope I can come back and try the tiramisu if we have another group lunch.

Nome Izakaya ~ $1 Oysters

Sashimi moriwase, yam fries, oysters, seared mackerel - my favorite foods all in one place

First impression: the interior is similar to Hapa Izakaya - medium wood, sushi bar at the back, English speaking waitresses in black... However, I enjoyed Nome more - it is very comfortable and cozy, sort of like a tavern/pub with the NBA and English music playing. Arrived around 6:30 Tuesday, full house as the night went on.

very heavy teapot ($1.50 for tea)

I love yam fries, of course I had to order them even at izakaya! Hot and crispy, sprinkled with some pesto herb flakes which gave it a distinct flavor. The sauce was just regular mayo, not as good as garlic mayo or other flavors at Moxies/Joey (my favorite)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays: A BUCK (or two) A SHUCK

The reason I came was for the $1 oyster special. Turns out only Malpeque was $1 - the others go from $1.50 to $2.50 (but the Malpeque turned out to be the best!)
 
Clockwise:
Kumamoto - small
Malpeque - smooth, slightly sweet, light, clean
Fanny Bay - big, meaty, salty
French Kiss
Lambertini - 鯹

Sashimi moriwase (small) - salmon, tuna, flounder, seared tuna, white tuna

Seared mackerel

Subtle sweet taste. However, it was a bit overcooked. (Best seared mackerel: Fin Izakaya)

Round 2: can really see/taste the difference between Fanny Bay and Malpeque.

Very full and satisfying meal! $70~ for 2 people.

Verdict: Food was good, but need to go back to try izakaya items
Very attentive, patient and knowledgeable server - I asked so many questions on type of fish/sauce/seasonings.

Hokkaido Ramen Santouka

A lot of hype surrounding this new ramen joint from Japan. Arrived at 5:30pm Monday with no line up, but by 6, the line was already out the door!

 

Shio Ramen (Salt) $10.95

Shio is their signature ramen that's described as mild and creamy. You can choose the hardness of noodle, amount of lard and amount of salt. I chose less lard, but it was still quite rich and very creamy. It tastes like 豬骨湯出前一丁 Tonkotsu flavor instant noodle. Noodles were thin and relatively soft; I actually prefer more bite and springiness, so if I come back I will order harder noodles. Nothing special with the pork; two pieces seemed too little. The bowls are pretty small, but for me it was a good portion.

Kara Miso, $11.95

This broth was pretty good - creamy and spicy (but not too spicy).

Verdict: Good ramen, but I can't say it's the best.

Friendly service. They take orders on iPhone or similar device.

Side note: Mom thinks 豚王 in Hong Kong is much better.. must try that when I go back.

Kinton Ramen

Finally got a chance to try Kinton Ramen last Friday. It's a really small and narrow restaurant at the end of the row of restaurants on Baldwin St. By the same owners of Guu Toronto, the atmosphere is bright and crowded with occasional shouting of greetings. Arrived at 5:30pm with a 45 minute wait, plus another 20 minute wait for food. We were seated in front of the kitchen area so I watched the chefs prepare the noodles and fried foods while waiting.

Miso Ramen ($9.50) - soybean paste, pork belly, beansprout, scallion, corn, garlic oil

I ordered the Miso Ramen with regular broth (salt/fat level) and pork belly (choice of belly or shoulder). The noodles were hard and springy. The broth was just the right amount of saltiness with a hint of peppery spice. I didn't know the pork belly was in one big piece. It was nicely seasoned but a bit hard and dry. Overall it was a pretty good bowl of ramen but soup could be hotter in temperature and pork more tender and juicy.

I'm not sure what authentic ramen should taste like, but I enjoyed Kinton and am now interested in trying all the different types of broths/topping combinations to learn the differences!

Next stop: Santouka or Sansotei?

Green Lemon Grass

Rare Beef Pho

- Average beef soup
- Noodles are pretty thin and not soggy
- Beef a bit tough

Curry Beef Brisket w Roti, $11.99

- Curry is not too spicy, thin consistency (no coconut milk/peanuts)
- Beef brisket is tender! Many large meaty pieces unlike some places where half is fatty/tendon
- Roti tasted a bit doughy (dense inside) and undercooked

Recipe | Mushroom Risotto

After eating some delicious leftover risotto from Carmelina (must go there in person soon), I had a craving to make my own. These days I lack the patience and mood for baking, but I'm starting to enjoy cooking again and it is somewhat therapeutic. This is a pretty easy and straight forward recipe, but it does require about an hour to cook and constant standing in front of the stove.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6
Adapted from simplyrecipes.com  

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 cups flavorful mushrooms such as shiitake, chanterelle, or oyster mushrooms, cut into half inch to inch pieces (2 cups = about 5 mushrooms. I used a combination of shitake and oyster)
• 2/3 cup brandy, vermouth or dry white wine (used white wine)
• 5-6 cups chicken stock (used 1 can + the rest water)
• 1/3 cup of peeled and minced shallots (used onion)
• 1 3/4 cups arborio rice
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (used thyme, the only herbs on hand - a completely different taste, very distinctive)

Method

1. Bring stock to a simmer in a saucepan.
2. Melt the butter in a deep, heavy, medium sized saucepan over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and shallots and sauté about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir to combine.
3. Add wine, bring to a boil, and reduce liquid by half, about 3-4 minutes. Add simmering stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring enough to keep the rice from sticking to the edges of the pan. Stir the rice almost constantly — stirring sloughs off the starch from the rice, making the creamy sauce you're looking for in a risotto. Wait until the stock is almost completely absorbed before adding the next 1/2 cup. This process will take about 25 minutes. The rice should be just cooked and slightly chewy.
4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives.

Notes

• Texture: Rice turned out a bit too hard -- longer cooking time next time; better microwaved the next day
• Flavor: Strong taste of thyme, want something more creamy and more mushroom taste -- use more cheese and salt, cook the mushrooms longer
  
• Overall: Success, quite satisfied with this recipe! 

Momofuku Noodle Bar (TO)

190 University Ave. 

http://momofuku.com/

I've wanted to try Momofuku ever since I read about the famous NYC restaurant a few years ago, so like many others, I was anticipating the opening of the Toronto location. Luckily there was no wait when I went over the long weekend. Simple glass building beside the Shangri-La.

The space feels like a cabin to me with the light wood and Canadian country-type music, and the servers wear regular clothes (no uniforms). A few communal tables and seating by the window, the back wall and the kitchen/bar area. Upstairs are the other three Momofuku restaurants - Nikai (bar/lounge), Daisho (family style sharing dishes) and Shoto (tasting menu).

Pork Buns ($10 for 2)

Of course I had to try the famous Pork Buns. It was very warm and felt very 'homey' when I bit into it. The pork belly is soft and does fall apart/melt in your mouth to an extent, the bun is soft and everything tied together with the hoisin sauce (kind of like Peking duck). I think it could use more scallions and cucumbers - could not taste/see it in mine.

Momofuku Ramen ($15)

The noodles were unlike anything I've eaten before - very hard/firm and slightly salty. The broth was quite oily and salty after the first few spoons. The pork shoulder and pork belly (2 pieces) were both soft, and the pickled cabbage and scallions add a good kick to cut into the fattiness/saltiness of the noodles and soup. It didn't look like it at first, but it's a pretty large and filling portion and overall it was too salty and oily. 

Kimchi Stew ($16)

Tried a bit of this and it doesn't taste like traditional kimchi. Looks thick and oily and the daikon was hard but I like the rice cakes!

Overall, I have to say that taste-wise it's not that great, but the whole concept is very refreshing and new. It's definitely a unique dining experience with a modern take on Korean, Chinese and Japanese dishes. The dishes may look Korean/Chinese/Japanese, but when you taste it, it's a different story - different in a good way, though some areas of execution can be improved. From the lucky peach name and logo to the creative twist on simple noodles and buns, it all comes down to branding and I think Momofuku is successful because it has created a niche, especially in Toronto where we need more variety and crave for something different.

Day TUM: Toronto Underground Market 1st Birthday

September 30 2012

Evergreen Brick Works

http://yumtum.ca/

Lobster Roll, $4 each @ Rock Lobster Food Co.

I was most looking forward to trying Lobster Rolls from Rock Lobster Food Co. There's so much hype over lobster rolls these days. Ever since I saw lobster rolls with big chunks of lobster and mayo on dinner rolls on Eat St., I've been wanting to try them, but this was different from what I expected. For $4 each, it was a tiny portion and couldn't really taste the lobster since it was all chopped up. The bread was okay since it was slightly burnt, but overall this roll had no taste - no wonder people were putting sriracha sauce on it! 

Churros w goat milk caramel, $3 @ La Carnita

First time trying Churros @ La Carnita. I always thought they're like cinnamon sticks, but they are harder with a crispy sugar coating. The warm caramel sauce was amazing.. I don't usually like caramel but this wasn't too sweet nor too thick, paired perfectly with the churros! If only there were more churros to finish up the sauce! This was my favorite of the food I tried. Must go to the restaurant soon to try the tacos and corn.

Curry Beef Samosa, $2 @ Mama Nashi

Fresh out of the fryer, this samosa was hot and crispy without being oily. The curry beef filling was not too spicy and had small chunks of potato just the way I like it (vs. being mashed up). A nice kick with the sweet/spicy tamarind sauce. 

Huge paella @ Pimenton. They were having technical difficulty at first but glad everything worked out. 

Seafood Paella, $5 @ Pimenton

For $5 this was a good deal considering I had 5 large shrimp, mussels, calamari and rice (compared to the tiny lobster roll). The flavor was too spicy for me but the portion size and seafood was great and it was warm and filling.

My first TUM event - it was pretty neat being at an event full of foodies! I'd expected more variety in food vendors (most were desserts/baked goods), but maybe there were more at night. Being a business grad, I love entrepreneurship and seeing the different vendors and how they started out, combining their passion for food into a small business!

Hapa Izakaya

Arubi Saba ($8.99) - seared mackerel, always one of my favorites

Kinoko Ishi-Yaki  ($9.99)- rice, mixed mushrooms, iwanori served in hot stone bowl

Found this to be a tad salty for my taste, but it's very hot so good to eat on a cold day. The burnt/hardened rice (飯焦) on the bottom/sides is very crispy!

Spicy Pork Ishi-Yaki ($9.99)- rice, minced pork, garlic sprouts, egg, tomato, lettuce, spicy miso, served in hot stone bowl

A little spicy, a little tomato-y, a little soggy. The only thing I could taste/see was the tomato. Not as good as the mushroom one.

Karaage ($8.99)- deep fried boneless chicken, soy ginger sauce

Six large pieces of fried chicken. Inside was moist and tender but I wish the skin was crispier. I always thought karaage was like 雞軟骨 (chicken cartilage or salty Taiwanese style popcorn chicken)

Negitoro ($8.99) - chopped albacore tuna, spring onions, toasted garlic bread

Japanese-style bruschetta? The tuna was too mashed up that I couldn't really taste it (was expecting something with more bite like Moxie's tuna tartare). The sauce was a bit spicy and overpowered the tuna.

Halibut Taco ($7.49)- BC halibut tempura, house made bacon, shoestring potatoes, roasted jalapeno tartar sauce, wrapped in flour tortilla  

The tortilla was very soft!

I was really excited to try this new izakaya from Vancouver. It's recognized as top 5 izakayas in North America along with other food magazine/newspaper awards. The food seems more fusion and the restaurant itself is much more Westernized than I'd expected. Although the staff do welcome guests with a loud Japanese greeting when they enter, the decor and ambiance is more upscale/modern and the waitresses are all tan and speak fluent English - reminds me of something like Moxies or Joey. Overall, the food was alright but nothing really stood out.

www.hapaizakaya.com

Hola! Barcelona: Day 3 (post-cruise beach day)

What a nice day to wind down after 12 days of cruising and sightseeing around Europe. I love the beach!!! Though the water was not as blue and clear as the Caribbean ocean, it was very cold, relaxing and refreshing just standing in the sea and catching the waves. 

Toulon, France

Pisa/Florence

Leaning tower of Pisa - made of marble and after the third floor, it's built towards the other direction to balance it out. Spent the 30 mins here trying to perfect the touristy poses. 

Rome - history at every corner

Trevi Fountain - surrounded by hundreds of tourists, it appeared smaller than I'd imagined. (left side was under repair)