Amazing

Last week, I noticed a new Bar/Restaurant on Bloor (at Dovercourt) called....DISGRACELAND. Big whatever to the fact that NOW didn't give it an amazing review. It has a bust of Elvis, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, liquor and it's called DISGRACELAND. I'm going.

Some budget love

Screw the snobbery. Have you ever experienced the wonder that is the Dollarama? Cleaning products are *so* expensive at the grocery/megamart stores. One of my best savings tips is: buy it all at Dollarama! My latest haul:

• Windex
• Oxy Clean all-purpose spray
• 2 knockoff Magic Erasers
• 2 rolls of paper towels
• 2 15-packs of knockoff wet cloths for my swiffer
• 1 pack of dry ones
• 4-pack of Ivory soap
• Dryer static sheets
• Ziploc bags (pack of 50)
• Comet cleaning powder

Grand total? Around 12 bucks!!!

Cleaning effing sucks but you've likely gotta do it. Why pay tons for something you hate to do anyways?

PS: They also have cheap, good candy. The crazy-looking hazelnut filled wafer bar from Denmark is exactly like a Kinder Bueno, 3 for $1, and bomb. Not that I'd know.

Tourism in Toronto

Last week's issue of NOW Magazine had a great article on the lack of interesting or relevant tourist attractions and tours in Toronto. It's all about those ubiquitous double decker and hippo buses you see around town, and how they avoid the real culture(s) and lifestyle(s) of the Torontonian. I really agree with their suggestions to enforce a tour-guide licencing program, if only to improve our image. Tourists can be annoying, with their fanny packs and wonder at the marvel of tall buildings. However, they bring income to the city and we should be giving them a better experience. You can read the whole article here.

This week, NOW published this letter:

"Hogtown a hick town

As the owner of a new attraction in downtown Toronto that receives rave reviews from foreign vis­i­tors, I must say it is no surprise that people call our city boring. Toronto does everything in its power to ensure that no new attraction will succeed in the core. Traffic cops, like vul­tures, wait outside my shop to hand out $30 tickets just to assure my customers that they are not welcome. Their message is loud and clear: stay in the burbs, where parking is free. Add to this the generous 48-hour notice I was given about film­ing out front on Canada Day. Why bother to even mention the arrogance of the film company, or com­pensation for business interrup­tion? They tell you by their arrogance they know what they are dealing with – a hick town. And the way we’re going, that will never change."

Lawrence Rotenberg
Toronto

This just pissed me off. Did he not get the point of the article at all? To improve our city's tourist experience, we need people who love, understand, and are knowledgeable about Toronto. The letter struck me as ranting, blaming, and just plain idiotic - he's trying to run an "attraction" representing a city he doesn't even respect or have pride in?

For the record, a google search turned up that Mr. Rotenberg owns gelato shop Solferino, on Wellington. I was never a huge fan (I find them overpriced and inferior to La Paloma on St. Clair and Dolce on College) but I won't go again regardless.

Summerlicious!

Summerlicious is a gift to those of us who are culturally aware (or just plain foodies) but not able to spring for the city's high-end spots except on special occasions. Prix Fixe, 3 course menus are available for 15-20 for lunch, and 25-35 for dinner (drinks and taxes not included).

Some restaurants really put an effort into showcasing the best their kitchen has to offer. They know Summerlicious is a great tool to bring new clientele back again and again. However, have you ever noticed that some well-established kitchens seem to not try at all? Often, the biggest names on the list have the most disappointing menus. Check out the entire menu listings online here.

Thumbs Up:

- Brassaii's menu looks well-rounded and yummy. Classics with some creativity, plus they have fun parties on the patio afterwards if you can book for a Thursday or Saturday.

-Bymark, for including their beloved classics (the famous Bymark Burger and banana cream tart) for the masses.

-Czehoski really understood the task and included a great selection of dishes that really represent their creative but masculine Polish-inspired style.

-Fred's Not Here, for outings with the fam or big groups. Cheap, and varied menu with something for everyone.

- Greg Couillard's Spice Room, for quality selections true to their big-flavours style.

- Lai Toh Heen - Lobster and Lamb!!

-Spice Route - try out this brand new, gorgeous Asian hotspot for $25

-Trevor Kitchen and Bar - guaranteed to be amazingly tasty, and the menu includes the recent trend of suckling pig.

-Starfish - dine on fresh oysters, quail with bleu cheese fondue, trendy pork belly, or haute fish and chips (currently making a comeback)

Not worth it:

-Across The Road, for cheapie mains like liver, chicken, and flat iron steak, and at the highest price point.

-Cajú. Boring and uninspired considering this restaurant's usually interesting Brazilian card.

-Drake's is a little boring this year, considering how much their food has improved and how reasonably priced it often is any day.

-Kit Kat - boring, cheap cuts, not appetizing. This entire restaurant row on King near the theatres seems to be all tourist traps.

-Maro totally cheaped out (chicken noodle soup? Chicken and baked beans?) at the highest price point. Plus, I am months-over the scene there at night. Mostly suburban, as there is ample parking.

-Truffles at the Four Seasons. Why bother participating? Cheap menu that is nothing like their regular card.

-Paese also used the cheapest ingredients possible, but at least they kept the price at $25.

The following may be tasty, but are *very* cheap for restaurants to produce:

- Soups like minestrone (really anything with beans) or onion or tomato

- Cheap steak cuts like skirt or flat-iron or flank

-Chicken

-Liver

-Polenta

-Pork medallions

- Leafy greens like spinach or rapini

- Rice

I do enjoy each and every of these things, but it disappoints me when a Summerlicious menu consists of nothing but, especially at the $35 mark. I understand that the price is low, but I want to see what the kitchen would have to offer me as a regular customer. Plus, the better menus get so many bookings, it's often worth it.