Toronto Dine Out

I've learned one thing about eating out in my travels, ask your waiter/ress what they would recommend. They know better than anyone what the kitchen does best, what people like and what they'd like to eat if they ate at their restaurant. It is a pretty good method of eating well while eating out. I've actually learned two things about eating well while travelling - ask locals where they eat. You will often get to know which of the multitude of restaurants actually offers good food.

Here in down town Toronto on the edge of what they call the entertainment district I've had some truly great meals. Number one has to be the Queen and Beaver on Elm St. The food was lick your plate good English staples from appetizer to desert. The service good, without being obsequious. Number 2 goes to the Queen Mother on Queen St. West. The food was Asian fusion, delicious and generous. Number 3 goes to Momofuku. A big name located in the Shangri-la Hotel on University Ave. The squid was divine. The rice cake as good. Unfortunately the rice cake was pinch hitting for a less than tasty radish/potato thingy. The chocolate pudding for desert was adequate - it really suffered following on two amazing dishes. Number 4 goes to Guu Sake Bar, although it would be more accurate to say that 3rd place is a tie. At Guu I had a really tasty jelly fish appy, a spinach appy and a rice bowl. All very flavourful, all well presented. I think it didn't rank higher in the Sarah Stakes because I was so surprised by the food. When you think you are getting one thing and your taste buds and eyes and expectations are in line with that expectation, the surprise can be difficult to fairly evaluate. 4th goes to some perfectly adequate East Indian from Timiku (I think it was called). The onion bajhis were amazing.

I was most surprised by the Momofuku open kitchen chef who, live, in front of diners, put some chicken in the dish washer. Sigh. I'm sure that shit happens, but do you really want to do it in public?!