Pork Belly Ramen at Sansotei Ramen

Sansotei Ramen currently has two locations around the GTA- from what I gather on the internet, it seems like they'll be opening up a third location in Markham soon!  On our visit, we went to their Dundas location- the small shop was steps away from the Yonge-Dundas Square and at a very convenient location.  While we've definitely heard the name before, we had not found the right time to visit.  To be completely honest, I went to the restaurant ready to be disappointed as I don't seem to be a fan of the traditional ramen bowl.  But I am happy to report that I was very pleasantly surprised!  

Their storefront is certainly very small and cozy, with just a few tables squished closely together.  A quick scan of the place showed five or six large tables that seat between 4-6.  Luckily, we went on a Thursday night around 7PM and there was only a short 10-15 minute wait outside for a table for 6.

The menu offering is small- with just a few ramen and side dishes offered.

Yes, we love this place: Richmond Station

Success deserves celebration, and there is no better place for celebration (by food) than at Richmond Station! It was a Friday evening and a series of events in our personal lives had given cause for celebration. We turned to our local favourite knowing that it would offer the best combination of quality, price, and speed. It wouldn't be our first time at the restaurant and it likely wouldn't be our last.

No chef's table today. Peeking at the daily specials.

Something looks different here. Maybe everything.

With Richmond Station's ever-changing menus, it seems as though we may never end up eating the same dish twice. On the bright side, this probably means we'll never need to go to any other restaurant to try something new. But on the flip side, it will also mean that it's unlikely that we'll be able to revisit any old favourites (unless we go two days in a row).

Eating with: Gusto 101

Gusto 101 is a relatively new hotspot for diners seeking Italian cuisine in the fashion district. The restaurant emerged out of a remodelled garage and serves dinner on two floors - we dined on the upper level which features a sunroof. While mobs of diners can regularly be seen on weekend evenings, we visited on a rainy day.

One noteworthy point is that Gusto 101 serves wine on tap! At a $1 per ounce, thirsty diners can opt for either the house red or white wines. Tiffany got a glass of the Gusto Rosso, a Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec blend. We found the wine to be adequate but you certainly get what you pay for.

Hot Dogs & Beer at WVRST

WVRST is located in the Fashion District, along a particularly busy stretch of King West- steps away from numerous bars/restaurants.  It was a warm Friday evening and we were here to celebrate a friend's birthday!  When we arrived, the place was already jam-packed with diners and there was a line of people waiting to place their orders.

The restaurant is very casual and is definitely more like a bar than a restaurant.  The interior is very modern, with a large communal-style dining area.  WVRST is known for it's extremely large selection of sausage meats and craft beers and ciders.  Oh, and the duck fat fries- can't forget those!

No Shucks to Give: Pearl Diver

During this week's Friday adventure, we visited Pearl Diver.  As the name implies, it is a seafood restaurant- I believe they're known for their oyster specials that run throughout the week.  But seeing as neither of us are fans of raw oysters, we opted to not partake in any oyster shucking.

The restaurant is located in the Financial District/St. Lawrence Market area and was only a short walk away from the office.  This stretch of Adelaide East isn't a particularly happening place (directly facing the St. James Park) but you'll definitely know when you've arrived.. assuming you've walked in the right direction.  The interior of the restaurant is very casual and welcoming with an ample amount of natural lighting.

Fishy Friday at Little Fin

A couple Fridays ago, we braved the busy streets of Toronto to check out Panamania and to try Little Fin.  We've heard a lot about Little Fin over the past few months and pictures of their fish sandwiches have been popping up all over Facebook and Instagram.

Little Fin is nestled in the Financial District, putting it in a perfect location for the weekday lunch crowd.  Their storefront was pretty empty around 6PM on a Friday; this worked for us as we prefer a quieter atmosphere and it's always great to get our food faster!

Ahi Tuna Sandwich ($13) 
Marinated in scallion, ginger, thai basil & sesame



Stanley went for the Ahi Tuna sandwich with a side of potato wedges and seaweed salad.  The sandwich was piled high with tuna that had been gently seared on each side.  The fish had not been cooked through and was very tender.  Overall, this sandwich tasted really good and we both enjoyed it.

Pre-Theatre: Victor

In the heart of Toronto's entertainment district is a posh hotel with an equally fancy restaurant and bar. Located on Mercer St, Victor Restaurant & Bar is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of King St W (just one street north), making it a prime dining location for those looking for a more private experience.

This was going to be the day that we watch The Book of Mormon, so we needed something that was close, quick, and delicious. Luckily, Victor offered a pre-theatre menu, making it an easy choice. The restaurant itself is located inside the Hotel Le Germain, with the interior designed in an upscale modern fashion.

Chicken Noodling: Touhenboku

Being back in Toronto is great. I love the city - there's great food, it's busy, tonnes of traffic during rush hour, and the food is delicious. Did I mention that food is good in Toronto?

I picked up my blogging buddy from downtown this one Friday evening and we decided to go out for ramen. While there were many options to choose from, we had little time to spare (for waiting in queue), so we opted to go to Touhenboku Ramen. The limited street parking was a mild inconvenience but we found ourselves a table as soon as we entered the restaurant.

In actuality, this was our second visit to Touhenboku since its grand opening. Their claim to fame is Chef Zuimei's special chicken-based ramen broth (as opposed to the typical pork- or miso-based broths).

Spicy (RED) Touhenboku Ramen ($10.50 CAD)

Tiffany loves a good kick to her food. It was only natural that she would pick the only spicy option on the menu. She opted for a spicy broth with sea salt, thick noodles, and chicken chashu. The ramen came topped with a soft-boiled egg, some wood ear mushrooms, green onions, and a sheet of seaweed. Tiffany said that it good but not particularly memorable...

Friday Dinner: Pai Northern Thai Kitchen

Last Friday, I finally visited Pai when I dropped by for an early dinner after work.  It was a quick 10 minute walk to the restaurant and we arrived around 5:45PM.  Although it was a bit early for dinner, I am glad we decided to go early as many tables were reserved and a small crowd started to form at the doorway around 6PM.

The entrance to the restaurant is definitely very unique and you probably wouldn't know it's a restaurant if you were just walking by.  Upon opening the door, you see a staircase going down to the basement- the dining area is dimly lit but it is quite spacious.  

Post-Aquarium Lunch: Sabai Sabai

After spending our Monday morning at Ripley's Aquarium in downtown Toronto, we went to Sabai Sabai for an early lunch.  The restaurant is located close to Dundas Station, so it was only a short walk away from where we were.  

The storefront is quite modest and I must admit, I wasn't really sure what to expect on my way into the restaurant.  It was dimly lit and seemed more like a bar than a restaurant.  But I am happy to report that I left the restaurant full and satisfied- or, fully satisfied? 

Thai Mojito ($8)

Dark rum, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf, mint, lime, coconut sugar syrup

French Retreat: Chez Laurent

Amidst the relentless urbanization of North York, one humble abode stands defiant. Located on Yonge St, just north of Sheppard Ave., Chez Laurent has survived the test of time and remains a lasting vestige of the region's suburban past. Inside the modest, two-story home, one can enjoy a delightful selection of French and Italian dishes.

Tiff and I took our "French-Italian fat trip" to Chez Laurent on an abnormally chilly Summer evening. We had placed our reservation by phone earlier that day. We were glad we did because when we arrived, the restaurant was buzzing with activity. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by a woman who appeared to be the owner of the establishment. Inside the restaurant, we were given a table near a window in one of the three dining rooms. Unfortunately, we didn't snap any photos of the interior this time.

Comfort Food: Harbord House

It was Friday night, after a long week at work and I was majorly craving comfort food.  The answer was simple- pub food.  That Friday night, we decided to head over to Harbord House.  We almost missed the restaurant because true to it's name, it's exterior resembles a house.

The restaurant/gastropub is two floors, with indoor dining and patios on both floors.  The inside is a bit dim and the air a bit stale, but the patios were excellent!  The patio was perfect for a warm summer day allowed us to overlook the busy streets below.

Crispy Buffalo Shrimp ($11)
with a lime horseradish cocktail sauce, blue cheese dip, carrots and celery

Late Weekend Lunch: Momofuku Noodle Bar

A couple weekends ago, we went to the Scotiabank Buskerfest at Yonge-Dundas Square.  After spending several hours wandering around the many exhibits and circus acts, we realized we were way overdue for some lunch!  

That day, we decided to visit Momofuku Noodle Bar, which was only a short walk away.  The "Momofuku complex" is located right beside the Toronto Shangri-La hotel and there are actually three separate restaurants and a bakery in the building.  The first floor houses Momofuku Noodle Bar, the second Momofuku Milk Bar, and the third Momofuku Daisho and Momofuku Shoto.

The restaurant is casual in comparison to the other eateries in the same building.  The dining room is very comfortable and offers diners an unobstructed view of the kitchen.  Diners are seated at large, cafeteria-style, communal tables.  As it was already 2PM by the time we arrived, lunch service was slowing  and we had no trouble at all with getting seats.  

Weekend Snack: Bang Bang Ice Cream

Lately, the desserts from Bang Bang Ice Cream have been dominating my news feeds, particularly the ice cream sandwiches.  I am a huge sucker for sweet treats so naturally, I had to visit!

As we were wandering down Ossington, we realized we were at our destination when we saw a huge lineup outside the store.  The storefront was fairly nondescript and it took a while to see a sign.  Despite the large lineup outside, we decided to wait!  

It probably took a good 25-30 minutes for us to come out with an ice cream sandwich.  The line moved rather slowly and we realized why when we got closer to the front of the line.  There were only two people preparing the sandwiches at the back.  They both looked really tired and overwhelmed.  

Pre-show Dinner: Luma

A couple weekends ago, we decided to visit Luma for an early Sunday dinner before going to see Wicked at 7PM.  Luma is located on the second floor of the TIFF Bell Lightbox in the Entertainment District.  Coincidentally, the Toronto International Film Festival was on at the time so a portion of King West was closed off and the streets were jam-packed with people.  The restaurant itself is very spacious with modern decor.  We were seated right by the window overlooking King West so we could see the crowds down below.

Dinner started with some warm focaccia that came with a hummus dip.  The hummus was delicious and left me wanting another serving of bread.  But.. since we wanted to stay awake for the show later in the evening, we decided to skip right to the mains!

Grab 'n Go: The Pie Commission

Where does one get a fresh, tasty, savoury, and piping hot pie in Downtown Toronto?  For us, this was quite the predicament and nothing immediately came to mind.  This is precisely why we traveled all the way to Etobicoke to pick up some fresh pies from The Pie Commission!  Unfortunately, it seems like we always pick rainy/snowy days to visit this storefront and our most recent visit was no different.

When we first started visiting The Pie Commission last year, it was only a takeout window.  This typically left us shivering by the window as we debated over which pies to indulge upon.  But on this visit, we discovered that they had opened up the inside of the store!  Upon entering, we were met with warmth and a display of dessert pies.

Casual Friday Lunch: SukhoThai

Last Friday, we visited SukhoThai - the restaurant is a short walk from St. Lawrence Market and very close to the financial district.  For those who work in the area, it is a great place to grab a tasty sit-down lunch on a weekday.  We arrived around 12PM and there was already a small crowd forming at the doorway- be sure to go early or make a reservation!

They have a regular menu and a lunch menu.  The lunch menu features a different menu item each day at a nominal discount.  However, I would not recommend ordering off the lunch menu as the portions are substantially smaller.

Khao Soi ($14)
Yellow noodles in curry gravy w/ chicken or beef

The Khao Soi came in a bowl of what appeared to be curry soup, topped with a ball of fried noodles.  While this dish was extremely tasty, it was also extremely heavy.  The curry gravy was very creamy and the medium spice level added a nice kick.  However, I'm not sure if I would order this dish again as it was just a bit too heavy for my taste.  That being said, you should try it at least once.

Sunday Brunch: Mildred's Temple Kitchen

These past few weekends have been pretty busy, filled with family gatherings and birthday celebrations.  This past Sunday was great because we didn't have anywhere we needed to be.  So on this fine, sunny day, we decided to head downtown for some brunch!  We haven't done this in a while as there are a limited number of brunch spots uptown and trekking downtown is not always the best use of precious weekend time.

That day, we decided to venture out to a new brunch spot in Liberty Village- Mildred's Temple Kitchen (MTK).  Unfortunately, we were off to a late start and arrived at the restaurant around 12PM.  We realized our mistake as soon as we arrived- there were people everywhere outside the restaurant!  A quick chat with the hostess revealed that the wait time for two would be 45 minutes to an hour.  As we had nothing planned for the day, we decided to wait and wander around Liberty Village.

It was surprisingly easy to spend an hour at the boutiques in Liberty Village and we were seated around 1PM.  The design of MTK was very comfortable and unlike the typical restaurant downtown.  We were greeted by tables that were comfortably spaced, high ceilings, and a pristine open-concept kitchen.  The space was also much larger than anticipated.  Unfortunately, I didn't take many (any) pictures of the interior.

Scones & Biscuits (2 for $6 or 6 for $14)

Baked fresh every morning, Mildred’s perfected these two delicacies over the past 20 years. Luscious currant scones or flakey buttermilk biscuits served with homemade preserves. 

As we had heard very good things about their scones and biscuits, we started our meal off with one of each.  They came with whipped butter and apricot jam.  Unfortunately, I'm not a huge fan of apricot jam so I can't say I liked it.  However, adding whipped butter to their already buttery biscuits and scones was simply divine.  The biscuit was very buttery and flakey, and the scone was moist in the centre.  These are definitely worth coming back for!  But, we both agreed that they would have been even better if served warm.

Birthday Dinner: Ruby Watchco

East of the DVP, on Queen St E, lies an inconspicuous storefront with sheathed grey walls. Above the door hangs a little sign emblazoned with a big red R. The business's purpose is given away by the framed daily menu that greets those who enter.

We arrived early that Tuesday evening. The time was just shy of our 6:30 PM reservation. The hostess was quick to greet and we were seated promptly.

Inside the restaurant, we found a cozy dining room with a warm industrial aesthetic. Wooden chairs,  wooden tables, and wood-clad cabinets were set neatly along one wall, and a wide, sprawling bar along the other.