Tinuno
Where? Tinuno (St James Town, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Map Menu
When? Thursday July 14, 2022
Who? Marc
Food Style? Filipino Kamayan
My friend from Catalonia is here to visit and I’ve taken him to one of Toronto’s most famous Filipino restaurants, Tinuno. A few metres away from Sherbourne station, Tinuno is known for their kamayan, which is Tagalog for eating with the hands, but also refers to a big communal meal splayed out on the table with a myriad of delicious barbequed foods and honestly, one of the most impressive looking meals you’ll ever see in front of you. Kamayan has its origins before the Spanish colonisation of the Philippines, and the particular technique of scooping with your fingers is something I've seen at Indian meals, but never mastered. In typical Asian fashion, food brings people together in Filipino culture, and this meal is designed to be shared with many others.
Mains
Kamayan: milkfish, tilapia, squid, shrimp, mussel, pork belly, pork skewer, okra, eggplant, mango salad and garlic rice
I love this visual. The food smells amazing and that wonderful smoky aroma of the barbecue is evident. I go straight for the pork skewer, because it’s right in front of me. It’s succulent and tasty, the best of the meats on the table. The rice is cooked with garlic and is so delicious. I use the green lipped mussels, obviously from New Zealand, as spoons to scoop up all the food. Everything is incredibly flavoursome and appetising. The banana leaf is important for imparting that extra bit of flavour; it releases a subtle fragrant oil when grilled over an open flame.
Though this does work with only two people, you'll ideally want a group of six or more; my best experience here was with the Ubisoft Toronto Foodies where there were ten of us (and I got to eat more than my share because some people got full really quickly).
Very satisfying and always a good atmosphere here, but make sure you book.
It's a hot summer's day in July, and even though we've stuffed ourselves with a Filipino feast, we're off to Yorkville for ice cream at Summer's and drinks at Hemingways.
Posted by Jeremy at 9:18pm on Saturday January 28, 2023 :: 0 comments :: 
sukhoTHAI
Where? sukhoTHAI (West Don Lands, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Map Menu
When? Thursday June 23, 2022
Who? Me
Food Style? Thai
My Funemployment days are running out fast and I’m determined to make the most of what’s left. I’ve been biking all the way out east and on my way back I’m passing through Corktown, and I remember there’s a decent Thai place I haven’t tried yet - sukhoTHAI. They also have restaurants at Wellington and Church, and Dundas and Dufferin. The owners have Pai and Sabai Sabai under their umbrella, and they’re both pretty good, so I’m keen to see how this stacks up. They’ve got a nice patio that’s in the shade during a hot summer’s day in Toronto, so I’m sitting outside and waiting for my beef massaman curry.
Mains
Gaeng Masaman: masaman curry with peanuts, shallots and tamarind sauce
Wow that flavour is intense. Perhaps a bit heavy handed with the tamarind, that comes through very strongly, but the onions and fried shallots really help to add that savouriness back into the dish. I’m glad it’s not overly sweet though, but I definitely need more rice to balance out that rich, creamy sauce. The amount of meat they’ve given me is pretty generous, but it’s not the slow cooked beef chunks that I get from Thai Nyyom. I ordered medium spice and I think that was the perfect level for me.
Posted by Jeremy at 11:22pm on Friday January 27, 2023 :: 0 comments ::
Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken
Where? Chen Chen's Nashville Hot Chicken (Beaconsfield Village, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Map Menu
When? Monday June 20, 2022
Who? Me
Food Style? Spicy Deep Fried Chicken
It’s a blistering hot summers day in Toronto, with temperatures over 30C. It’s glorious and everything seems great except I’m supposed to be at badminton but they sold out of tickets because people were lining up 90 minutes ago since all the other community centers were closed. In consolation, I’m going to eat my sorrows away with one of Chen Chen’s famous chicken sandwiches, and I’m going to do it on their little outdoor seating area just east of Dufferin and Queen.
Burger
Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich: Nashville Hot Fried Chicken thigh served on a toasted brioche bun, with southern slaw, pickles and homemade aioli
Wow. Fantastic crispy and succulent chicken, perfectly seasoned. Perhaps a bit too mild for a “medium” but there are plenty of higher spice options available. The slaw and pickles provide that much needed acidity and the creamy mayonnaise binds it all together.
Posted by Jeremy at 11:18pm on Friday January 27, 2023 :: 0 comments ::
Lalibela
Where? Lalibela (Christie Pits, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Map Menu
When? Monday June 6, 2022
Who? Me
Food Style? Ethiopian
A popular Ethiopian restaurant near Ossington and Bloor, Lalibela is conveniently on my way home from Tuesday night badminton. It’s a cool summer night and the restaurant is almost full, even at 9.30pm. As I look around at neighbouring tables, I spot these massive platters that almost cover the entirety of the table top. Definitely something to try with more people.
I’ve gone for the meat platter. The menu description says it contains a multitude of items but I have no idea what they are, and I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised with a giant plate full of delicious spiced meat. Unfortunately, I’ve been seated after some big tables, so it’ll likely be a while before I get my food.
Mains
Meat Combination: Combination of alicha wot, kitfo, doro, gomen ayib, salad and dullet
When it arrives though, wow. That is a very large plate. And no cutlery. Sure enough, everyone else is eating with their hands. I’m no master of this particular art, but I give it a go. The pancake at the bottom is a peculiar texture and may trigger people with an aversion to weird patterns - trypophobia, thanks Google - and it’s slightly soggy and sour. Its porous nature soaks up all the sauce from the various curries. The chicken curry is particularly spicy but full of flavour. The beef mince is only okay, but the goat is pretty good. There’s a lot on the plate and it doesn’t really work together, but individually the dishes can be quite nice. I’m not going to lie, I was expecting more meat than that, but at the end, I’m very full and can’t finish all that pancake.
I wish they’d serve a bowl of lemon water to wash my hands afterwards. On the whole, the meal was okay but didn't blow me away. I felt the flavours were a bit muted and didn't have the intensity that I'm used to with Thai, Malay or Indian curries. This might have been more enjoyable in a large group with plenty of dishes to share.
Posted by Jeremy at 2:40am on Wednesday June 22, 2022 :: 0 comments ::
Balam
Where? Balam (Wallace Emerson, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) Map Menu
When? Thursday May 12, 2022
Who? Me
Food Style? Mexican
A recent addition to the Wallace Emerson neighbourhood, Balam took over the empty space that used to be Fahmee Bakery, purveyor of excellent Caribbean style patties and curries. This location is notorious for a high turnover due to landlord issues, but its proximity to Lansdowne subway station and also en route to Ubisoft’s office will make this popular once people start returning to the studio. The interior has 10 seats, but on this hot spring day, a few people have opted to sit on the brick bench-like structures outside.
Mains
Chorizo Chilaquiles: triangle fried tortilla chips covered in sauce, red onion, cheese, avocado cream and refried beans
What a fantastic array of colours on the plate. It’s spicy and creamy and crunchy. Every mouthful is full of flavour and texture, perfectly balanced in every way. It’s definitely a lot of food, but I’ve just been to the gym so I can afford to eat something of this size. Best eaten immediately after serving so that the tortilla chips still have that wonderful crunch, but it still tastes decent if you have to take it away to eat somewhere else.
Posted by Jeremy at 9:11pm on Tuesday June 21, 2022 :: 0 comments ::