A Montreal-Toronto Food Blog

Rol San

2013-06-18T04:02:22Z

I get excited when it comes to anything food, but my limbs tingle a little stronger just at the idea of dim sum. Imagine the state I’m in when I actually get to eat it. I’ve been told the curls of my lips stretch to my ears, my eyes bulge out of their sockets and that I clap and squeal in a way that embarrasses the people I’m with.

Sorry, friends.

My last companion was spared when we hit up Rol San. Trust me, that wasn’t my intention.

People say it’s good.

Well, it’s not terrible.

They say it’s cheap.

It’s more accurate to say that prices range from $2.88 to $4.48 per dish, but all the staples you want at your table are valued at the higher end. They also charge $0.60 per person for tea…sure, it’s just a few cents, but that shit should come free.

Banh Mi Boys

2013-05-28T01:55:19Z

Before moving to Toronto, I did some research and reached out to you guys about what I should eat. The one place that was consistently brought to my attention, deservingly earning the #1 spot on my to-try list is Banh Mi Boys. But, it wasn’t the first restaurant I went to – that honor, or mistake rather, goes to Mother's Dumplings. You see, the immeasurable buzz surrounding Banh Mi Boys gave me anxiety, but not the kind caused by an inability to handle the awesomeness people speak of. It scared me into thinking that it’ll fall short of my expectations, like so many overhyped restaurants do.

Sansotei

2013-05-16T04:45:00Z

You want to know how I genuinely react to food I absolutely, unequivocally enjoy? I fucking cuss. The swearing is impartial to genre or value, and it slips out whether I’m dressed to the nines doing my best impression of a lady at a swanky restaurant or slumming it in a run-down eatery.

Cussing tells me that I love, love, love what I’m eating.

I don’t control it. Only food can.

My foul mouth started firing before I even got to stuff it when I sat down for lunch at Sansotei – a ramen shop that made its debut last fall. The fumes emanating from the bowl were…I’m getting ahead of myself.

Mother's Dumplings

2013-05-07T05:07:54Z

Hey, Toronto.

You’re my city for the next four months.

I’m hoping your food scene doesn’t live up to all the shit outsiders say about it, because I’d hate to think about all the money I’d be wasting and trash-talking I’d be doing if it were true.

No pressure.

So, where to for my first meal? As a self-proclaimed dumpling nut, it was only fitting that I start with a dumpling feast. Located near the corner of Spadina and College, locals and experts say Mother’s Dumplings is the place to be, so, I obliged.

Rustique Pie Kitchen

2013-04-19T05:25:22Z

Move over doughnuts, pies coming through.

Potentially starting a new trend, Rustique Pie Kitchen in St-Henri bakes fresh, wholesome pies daily to stuff your piehole with. Whole pies are available, as are mini ones that while cute, serve a greater purpose. Portion control? Don’t kid yourself. To fulfill your gluttonous need to sample a variety of flavors? Damn straight.

Word on the Sweet: Plum Ponki at Wawel

2013-04-16T03:38:00Z

Before the doughnut wave, doughnuts were out of the ordinary when cupcakes reigned in Montreal. The only place I can think of that was whipping up fresh doughnuts at the time is Wawel. It’s still around today, and while it doesn't put out innovative flavors like its competitors do, it’s got decades of experience ahead of the newbies.

Thanjai

2013-04-13T04:39:50Z

I’m not a stranger to South Indian food, but that’s not because I get around to the close-to-none restaurants serving it around here. I’m lucky to have family friends that cook it daily and often spare a plate to feed me. As sweet of a deal as that is, I can’t appoint them to cater to my every craving – mainly because my mom frowns upon it. Otherwise, I would totally impose…because I’m shameless like that.

So, when South Indian restaurants are way too few and far between in Montreal, where’s a hungry human to go?

Word on the Sweet: Apple and Jameson Fritter from Saint Donut

2013-03-24T15:43:02Z

Last week, I finally got around to trying a Saint Donut doughnut. I’ve been following them closely on Twitter, where every week they tweet about the every-changing and creative flavors of their gourmet doughnuts – on sale at certain cafés and restaurants like Café Myriade, Café Plume and Le Gros Jambon.

I picked up an apple and Jameson fritter ($3.25) that was tame compared to the normally wacky options they put out. Think butterfinger, creamsicle and sweet potato & ginger to name a few.

Fortune Dumpling and Bubble Tea

2013-03-21T16:42:50Z

Having eaten over a million dumplings to date, you’d think I’d be sick of them…but I’m not. Forever and always, I’ll be head-over-heels crazy and recklessly in love with those plump curves that fit so perfectly and explode in my mouth. Not to mention the fact that my very existence depends on them the same way other humans need air. Dumplings aren’t my addiction – they’re my life.

While I’m strongly devoted to Mai Xiang Yuan in Chinatown, I dig Fortune Dumpling and Bubble Tea – the new dumpling shop with a terrible name on Qing Hua Dumpling’s original downtown turf.

Word on the Sweet: Green Tea Cookies at Harmonie

2013-03-16T18:26:53Z

If you’re dead set on coming out with just one item from Harmonie Bakery (or its sister stores Cocobun), you might be there for a while. This Hong Kong-style bakery carries a large enough assortment of sweet and savory buns, breads, cakes, cookies, tarts and bubble teas to make you pace back and forth, eyes darting in every possible direction before finally finding the one.