Queen St West

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A Grand Welcome to Grand Electric

February 20, 2012 in Downtown, Latin, Mexican, Queen St West by Plato Putas | No comments

There’s been non-stop buzz since former Black Hoofers Colin Tooke and Ian McGrenaghan opened the doors of Grand Electric (1330 Queen St. West) in Parkdale. But you need only one bite of their full flavoured Mexican fare to realize you’re tasting something much better than hype. I’ve long been waiting for a place in Toronto that’s equivalent to La Superior in Brooklyn, NY and I’m happy to report I’ve found it. Great food, inexpensive prices, music I actually listen to and the infectious energy makes me want to stay all night long.

What’s the secret to nabbing a seat here? And what should you order when you do? Read on for all the spicy details.

Just Opened: Piola

January 3, 2012 in Italian, Pizza, Queen St West by Plato Putas | No comments

Starting a brand-new year means making a mental list of restaurants you really want to dine at in next 12 months. For residents of West Queen West, there’s a new pizza restaurant in town, an import from Treviso, Italy. Piola has spread its brand of pizzerias to Brazil, Argentina, Turkey and the U.S. and have just opened their first Canadian location at 1165 Queen St. West. The media launch event allowed me explore the space and try the menu, including the highlight, Polenta & Ragu ($9, shown above).

Read on to see Piola’s lively interior and rotating stone pizza oven.

Take-Home Treat from Keriwa Cafe

November 30, 2011 in Queen St West by Plato Putas | No comments

After a delicious meal at Keriwa Cafe (1690 Queen St. West, east of Roncesvalles), my dining companions and I were each handed a stapled-shut brown paper bag. The waiter explained it was a gift, and told us to enjoy its contents tomorrow morning. The small but very thoughtful gesture easily extended our already great impression of the meal. Of course, none of us were patient enough to wait until the next day so as soon as the waiter was out of earshot my friend tore open his bag and we each had a peek. What we found inside had us grinning from ear to ear.

Read on and get a peek inside my paper bag.

My First Gandhi Roti

November 22, 2011 in Downtown, Indian, Lunch, Queen St West by Plato Putas | 1 comment

We sang the praises of the roti from Gandhi Indian Cuisine (554 Queen St. West, at Bathurst) way back during our blog’s first year. That post was written the other Double P, Jaspal, who heeded a serious warning against ordering anything spiced medium or higher. In fact, her specific words were: “Don’t say I didn’t warn you to be prepared to hold onto your pants (if you know what I mean, and I think you do).”

Gross, yes. But it stuck with me. So when my co-workers Kailey and Angie suggested we pick-up Gandhi for lunch on Friday, the only thing I knew was my first roti shouldn’t be medium-spiced. Then on twitter, chef Roger Mooking dared me to try it hot, but he’s clearly confused my life with an episode of his popular Food Network show Heat Seekers. No, thank you.

Find out which spice level I got, and whether my pants stayed on.

8 Reasons to Visit Great Cooks on Eight… Especially Today

August 12, 2011 in Downtown, Lunch, Queen St West by Plato Putas | No comments

Today marks Executive Chef Andrea Nicholson’s last day at Great Cooks on Eight (401 Bay St.), the terrific lunch destination on the eighth floor of the Simpson Tower. Here’s every reason you could possibly need to make a visit.

Reason #1: The Pasta Special
I was lucky enough to be the guest of my friend Mike, who worked as a Field Director on Top Chef Canada Season 1. Andrea generously presided over our 5-course lunch which easily became the most food I’ve ever eaten in the middle of a day. One of the courses was the Daily Pasta Special: Orecchiette with guanciale, fava beans, caramelized shallots and seasoned bread crumbs. Each weekday Great Cooks announces their daily specials via twitter, and they are continuously delicious sounding.

Read on for the 7 other reasons to get your butt there. Number 2 is especially time sensitive!

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