Eden Restaurant - Lakeshore

South of Lakeshore Blvd. near Parklawn on a road called Marine Parade tucked into one of the newly built condo structures is Eden. It is one of the only eateries situated right on the lake with a view of the water and downtown skyline. Great Spot - family friendly, with stylish decor and a menu that ranges from simple to sophisticated. Mostly Italian, dotted by a few quick classics like Burgers and fish n' chips. I had the meatball panini with Cesar salad - enjoyed it. Kept nibbling on the the steamed mussels that The Mrs. ordered when she wasn't looking - they were delicious. Had some family with us from out of town and Eden provided a very pleasant atmosphere to visit. The Staff at Eden were friendly, attractive and accommodating. Loads of space around to stroll, stretch or hack around by the lake. Worth a visit and repeat - check it out.

Pricing: Fair: Approx $75 for 4 adults + child with cocktails
Rating B+

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Medium Rare - Butcher on Dundas / Kipling

Right across the street from Six Points Plaza -
This is the high end of High End Butcher Shops!! Great Selection of Sausages crafted by Owner / Butcher, Frank Del Gobbo. I bought a pile of very attractive looking Lamb Rib Chops for a small fortune, they do seem excellent (I will have to write more when I actually eat them with friends). But this place is worth a visit just to check out what a serious investment in a proper meat artisan's craft looks like - there is a well kept glass display at the end of the store showing the aged beef in process of turning delicious.
More to come on this place...

Price: Very high
Rating : A-

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Antonio's Royal Pizza and Pasta

Antonio's Royal Pizza and Pasta is nestled right in the guts of the Queensway action - just east of Royal York. It has a glorious sign announcing it's presence looming out onto the street luring you in with the suggestive promises of saucy tomatoey delights. Royal Pizza has a great down to earth appeal and an atmosphere that would be comfortable to almost everyone. The menu is refreshingly traditional Trattoria loaded with the stuff that makes us all fall in love with Italian fare. Had the Pizze Pecorino (Black Olives / Herbs) and the Veal Pizziola (Green Olives / Rich Tomatoe onion sauce) - accompanied by Cesar Salad and Side Spaghetti. All tasty, simple and easy - exactly what we were looking for and the prices are very fare. The staff took good care of us, even caught a glimpse of Antonio himself who seemed to be as at ease with his customers as he is in the kitchen. Well worth the visit.

Price: Under $70 (with Cocktails, Wine and Coffees)
Rating: B+

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Vince's Market - Bloor St.

Just when you thought the Black Angus Steak House was the last outpost across the mighty Creek on Bloor, a bright new Oasis has emerged...Vince's Market. I enjoy the produce here - everthing is well displayed and nothing overwhelms. This seems to be a theme throughout the store - there's just the right amount of whatever you need and all of good quality. The staff are cordial and friendly - I saw one worker helping a woman shop for what she needed - he even checked that her eggs weren't cracked. Good selection of nuts, grains, breads, grocery, meat&fish, cheese and pre-whacked dinners and snacks made on site. Flowers and boutique sundries are smartly presented and in good order with the rest of the store - Vince's market is a gem.

Price: high end of reasonable
Rate: B++

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Bua Thai - West Side

Bua Thai is located on the Queensway, near Royal York. This is bloody good Thai food!! Pricing is decent and efficiency is high. The Thai Mango salad has just the right amount of spice heat and the grilled beef salad is my kind of savoury taste. The Mrs. enjoys a classic order of Pad
Thai noodles and when I can bamboozle her into sharing, I enjoy as well. Well run, well priced - reliable and fresh, Bua Thai is a definate asset to the area.

Price: Reasonable
Rating: B+

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Late Night Chow Down at the Bert n' Firkin

Had to quell the post hockey game hunger that sports fans can surely appreciate. Stopped into an old haunt from back in the days, The Firkin Pub in Bloor West Village (formerly Bert n' Ernies). Was with a fellow hungry sports enthusiast resident of the area. We grabbed a spot on the busy rooftop patio - quite a Friday night scene going on - I think it's always been that way... Wait staff was all over us - very efficient overall, well managed by the visible and attentive Floor Manager . They were happy to bring us a pile of Nachos, a bowl of hot wings and of course, some suds. All was satisfying (there was no need to add chilli to the nachos on this evening, but we did anyway) - the whole lot was demolished while the racous action carried on all around.
I found it a positive experience all around despite being woken up throughout that night by raging fire blasts of heartburn - I've got noone to blame for that except the Sportsfan mentality.

Price: approx $30
Rating: B-

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Artisano's

Artisano's is located on Islington by Titan Dr. This place is pretty good. It has a good selection of coffee's and fresh baked breads. Also serves beer and wine. Cozy and modern atmosphere within. Patio available when Mother Nature cooperates. Food is good - the breakfast pizza is a weekend favorite. Also try the assorted sandwiches and soups.
WiFi enabled with random periodicals for those who enjoying staying current. Don't forget to check out the assortment of quality made gelato - you never know...

Price: above avg.
Rating: B

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Bruno's Fine Foods - Dundas St.

Bruno's Fine Foods is located in the plaza by Royal York on Dundas. This store is fantastic! Loads of great quality groceries, deli, signature line products prepared onsite, fresh and delicious everything. The Meat Counter is top gear with knowledgeable and friendly Butchers and meat men to serve. Infact, pretty much everyone working there is pleasant and happy to help. Good Bakery lines - Montreal Style Bagels and Ciabatta Baguettes. Bruno runs a good operation - premium pricing, but some experiences are worth it.

Price: Premium
Rating: A

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Take Out at Mayflower Chinese

Called in an order for pick up from the road of an old favorite.... Mayflower Chinese Food at Royal York Plaza. Grabbed the "Mayflower Special"; chow mein, stir-fry vegg, steam rice and of course, chicken balls.

All was delicious and perfectly cooked, it gave for days - this place hasn't changed in 30 years. Is there really a need for that quantity of super sweet red fluid? Fortune cookies predictions weren't possible - still, legendary!

Price: approx. $30, chop sticks .50 cents extra Rating: A

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Acme Burger

Acme Burger at Royal York and Queensway - This was my first time trying Acme Burger. Kudos go out to the Acme team for dressing up that south west corner. It wasn't a "bad" experience by any means but not quite "there" on this day. Had the cheesburger combo - fries were unfortunately underdone. The atmosphere was kinda drab even though there was an actual birthday party going on. Napkins were not presented or readily available. Perhaps I'm missing something around the whole "Acme' thing (ie. being basic with no frills in order to concentrate on the delicious burger...) the burger itself was pretty decent acctually but given the saturation level of established burger places available in the area and the lack of discount pricing - not quite cutting above. Call me ol' school, but I like my burger spots to have some snazz or kitch. The makings of a great burger spot are here - but Acme! you need to try harder.
I'll be back ...

Price: approx $10
Rating: C

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Lunch at Mosaic

Mosaic on the Queensway - Newly opened. Viethai place with a wine bar aspiration. Owners have definately made an effort to "style up" the joint with contempory Asian-esque decor. It is an appealing and soothing atmosphere. I chose one of the daily lunch specials, "Chicken with vegetables in garlic oyster sauce". the special came with a choice of soup or salad - opted for the soup as I almost always will in a Asian restaurant. It was a fish-roe soup, interesing - had a salty, yet sophisticated taste, was quite granular due to the roe - perhaps not for everyone but I quite enjoyed it. The main dish was an attractive plate of seasonal veg with stirfry chicken - tasty. The accompanying rice was top notch - rice quality is very important an Mosaic has made the extra effort here.
Also shared some spring rolls - rather mediocre.
Pleasant service - I look forward to trying again. Mosaic offers take out, delivery and daily specials.

Price: Lunch special - $8.95. Spring rolls - $4.65
Rating: B

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