BISTRO 990 - Good food and mediocre services

Bistro 990 (Bistro)

990 Bay Street
Tel: 416-921-9990
http://www.bistro990.ca/

A rustic building in the midst of commercial buildings in the Bay/Wellesley area, Bistro 990 might not give the essence of fine dining. The dim lighting gives warm feeling to the cottage interior of the restaurant. Well presented food stimulates appetite. Duck is rare and tender but not bloody, and pairs well with grand veneur sauce. Savoyarde potatoes on the side are pleasantly light in garlic and cheese. Desserts are good but nothing special. Server knowledgeable in game of the day and wines. Lack of bread puts a mark on an otherwise wonderful evening.

Atmosphere: 3/5
Service: 2/5
Food: 4/5
Price: $120 (including wine, taxes and grad.)

Overall: 3/5
Visit Again: Hopefully Eventually

For full story, click here.

O & B JUMPS Nowhere With This Restaurant

Jump Cafe and Bar (International)


Commercial CT East
Commerce Court East
Tel: 416-363-3400
http://www.oliverbonacini.com/jumpmovie.html


Shelves of wine scatters throughout this brainchild of Oliver and Bonacini. Clients include businessmen and women from the neighborhood. Thai lime shrimp cocktail salad overwhelms in cabbage and thumbnail sized shrimps disappoint. Baked crespelle is full of cheesy-goodness and comes in a decent portion. Dessert presentation is pleasant, but torte lacks originality in taste. Warm greetings and good knowledge of food and wine from the servers. Extensive wine list.

Atmosphere: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Food: 2/5
Price: N/A (Summerlicious)

Overall: 3/5
Visit Again: Maybe

FRED'S NOT HERE, and neither is good food

Fred's Not Here (International)

321 King St. W
Tel: 416-971-9155
http://www.fredsnothere.com/





An almost hidden and bland restaurant from the outside, Fred's Not Here and the Red Tomato (located below Fred's Not Here) are both owned by the same owner. While the Red Tomato is full of homey Italian-restaurant decor (the checkered tableclothes, the brick ovens etc), Fred's cater to the more "chic" clients and theatre-goers on King St with an almost all dark nightclub feel. The effort they have done in decor does not reflect on the food. Lobster and crab soup with a puff pastry deserves a clap or two, but lack strong seafood taste. Ontario Pork 3-Way (sausage pork ribs, roasted suckling pig and mash) comes in generous portions but not for everyone (see full story). Creme brulee is standard but made well enough to rescue the evening. Service is average.

Atmosphere: 2 / 5
Service: 2 / 5
Food: 1.5 / 5
Price: N/A (Winterlicious)

Overall: 1.8 / 5
Visit Again: Only as a last resort

For full story, click here.

One Average HEMISPHERE

Hemisphere (International)

108 Chestnut St.
Tel: 416-977-5000
http://www.metropolitan.com/hemis/

Located across the Chestnut Residence and within the Metropolitan Hotel, this restaurant gives a bright continental feeling. The lobster bisque is creamy and flavorful. Shrimps and scallops fussilli comes a nice sauce and fresh ingredients. Cheesecake dessert is beautifully presented, but coconut rice pudding screams unique innovation. Servers apologized for waiting time, and were formal and helpful.

Atmosphere: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Food: 3/5
Price: N/A (Winterlicious)
Overall: 3/5

Visit Again: Maybe

The Best Tiramisu in Town - ROMAGNA MIA

Romagna Mia (Italian)

106 Front Street
Tel: 416.363.8370
http://www.romagna-mia.com/

Hidden away east of the St. Lawrence Market, the atmosphere of the restaurant is quaint and nothing over the top. The curred beef appetizer with arugula combines different flavor in one dish. Salmon is well done but pales against the vegetable medley. Panna cotta with Grappa has subtle flavor. Tiramisu mousse concludes a splendid evening. Server are knowledgeable, attentive and humorous. Price for Winterlicious Menu: $35.


Atmosphere: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Price: N/A (Winterlicious)

Overall: 3.6 / 5
Visit Again: Hopefully Eventually

For full story, click here.

Yay Blog!

Ahoy!

Well, I'll begin with a not-so-interesting story as to why I want to start a blog. Basically, I was "researching" restaurants on the internet and I realized howfew reviews there are for restaurants. However, I did come upon some food blogs, where bloggers wrote a review of all therestaurants they've been to. Not just restaurant, but any food places, big and small. So I thought to myself, "It'd be pretty cool to do something like that too." What can I say? I'm a food junkie. I like to eat. In fact, it's one of my biggest motivation in life. Long story short, I decided to make my own.

Also, it'll be good for procrastinating.

Well, that's that. Hopefully, I'll have to initiative and the money to keep this blog updated. Money being all the restaurants that I'll have to pay for. But hey, anything for good food, right?