Birds and Beans Cafe

BIRDS AND BEANS - MIMICO
--Guest Submission by Jeff the Dream Crusher--

About halfway between Royal York and Park Lawn on Lakeshore, Birds &  Beans is one of the finest* avian-based coffee spots in scenic Mimico. With a
hearty community feel to it, Birds & Beans fires up some excellent java
without all the associated froufrou which has crept into such fancy coffee
places as Starbucks and Second Cup. Mark my words, you can just order a large coffee and not get a totally blank stare in return.


What you will get, certainly, is a delicious cup - this is no coffee-
flavoured bevarine being foisted upon you. With a variety of "normal"
freshly-roasted organic & fair-trade coffee options along with the
espresso/latté/cappuccino craziness as needed, Birds & Beans looks, feels
and frankly smells how a coffee house should. The baked goods are highly
delicious as well, the cookies alone being well worth a visit. Add to this
a touch of ambience enhancements such as live jazz and 2-storeys of cozy
seating, you have a very pleasant experience in the heart of the
hilariously eclectic Mimico lakeshore strip.


Price: less than $5 for an XL coffee and a cookie
Rating: A

*only 

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The Best Portugese Chicken ??

A Tale of 2 Chicken Shacks...
Queensway - just East of Islington is a place called "The Best Portugese Chicken" a little further West is "Bom Appetite" - both specialize in Azores Style, Rotisserie Piri Piri Chicken and the traditional acqoutrements; roasted potatoes, soft buns and fish (which I don't really go for). I've spent a fair amount of time and money at various Toronto establishments in Portugese enclaves known for this tasty specialty (Dupont, College etc.)and have a good idea of what I'm looking for. Here's my take on the South Etobicoke version...

"The Best" is not actually the best. It's a nice enough place to enjoy a bite to eat - clean, efficient, organized with a nice seating area. The chicken itself is good quality but the potatoes are not deep roasted enough for my liking, it seems the little potatoe balls have been par-boiled making them a tad light and fluffy. the texture of the spuds can be forgiven but the spicy piri piri sauce is a critical element. Unfortunately, "The Best" comes up short on sauce, I think it's just plain old Frank's Red Hot from the jar - cop out!

"Bom Appetite" may not have the quaint ambience of it's rival but it has dense potatoes and some mighty tasty bird slathered in a proper chili sauce to spice it up (get a little extra on the side to help jazz up the white bits). Bom Appetite more closely resembles the greasy Churasquerias of the inner city and let's face it, It all about the food - price is a bit lower here aswell.

Caution: be sure to step cautiously in any of these type of restaurants during the World Cup Soccer Tourney

"The Best Portugese Chicken"
Price: approx $10/chicken
Rating: C+

"Bom Appetite"
Price: Approx $9/Chicken
Rating: B-

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Home Made Swine Flu Vaccine

Ok - So a typical vaccine is a little synthesized dose of the disease you're trying to avoid (to kick your body into gear to fight it off when the bugbug invades)

This concoction exactly replicates what one would imagine a frosty glass of swine flu would look like - It familiarizes the taste buds, optical and ol' factory senses with swine flu composition and helps prevent any form of seasonal ailment taking hold - And it's Delicious!!

In a stainless shaker filled with ice, combine:
1.2 Oz Tequila
1.0 oz Vodka
0.3 oz Lime Cordial
0.5 oz Ribena (or blackcurrent nector /liqueur)
1.0 oz Fresh squeeze Lime juice
very slight dash of sugar (optional)

Shake it - shake it - shake it
salt only half the rim of a martini, wine or Margarita glass
serve it well shaken on the rocks
garnish with nothing

Good at any time of year but especially enjoyed during Flu Season
*Side effects include; inebriation, hangovers, uncommanded dance moves that can last for several hours

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Falaffel - Hasty Market

Falaffel Stand in Hasty Market

My personal journey to find a decent falaffel sandwich in the 'Choke lead me into the Hasty Market on Dundas and Burnhamthorpe in the evening hours one weekday. There is a falaffel stand occupying the street side section of the store. I ordered falafel sandwich - not bad, but not great - raw onions too strong, definately not authentic - I did polish off 2 of them though. The food prep area was very clean and organized and the sandwich man seemed quite skilled at proportioning and wrapping the sandwich. I think I will return for a lunchtime visit. Great value - cheapest falaffels I've found.
They are also partway through construction of a wood burning oven - There is potential there, I like what it represents. Check it out for yourself, let us know your thoughts...

Price: very reasonable
Rating: C-

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Cheese Curds! Cheese Outlet

Cheese Outlet - N.Queen and East Mall

Teamed up with a fellow prospector to cook up some smoked Chicken Poutine to celebrate All Hallows Eve at a Back-yard BBQ down by the Tracks near ECI - Great times!
True Poutine requires fresh squeeky cheese curds. Not easy to find in small doses. Checkin' around revealed to me that the Cheese Outlet gets Cheese Curds in from Simcoe County every Fri so I picked them up. Nice little spot, friendly service.
Fresh Cut Yukon Gold Fries (procured at Chef's Choice on Jutland)cooked up in the great outdoors - The curds combined with pieces of smoked chicken covered with a smokey veloute' gravy would make even the staunchest Pequiste Habitant au pied du cochon proud - The Poutine was fantastic - well worth the hard work

Price: $4.79 /bag
Rating: B-

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Toji Sushi - Japanese Cuisine, Dundas

Toji Sushi is at 5088 Dundas St. W
Wally's is gone and Toji Sushi moves into the re-configured location.
Tried it out to satisfy a hankering for Japanese - had a spicy Tuna Roll, Maki Lunch Box and Teryaki Salmon. All was decent enough though the place is still finding it's groove. Family Friendly, Good Value.

Price: $36
Rating:C


I really enjoy good Pacific Rim Fare - There are a lot of Japanese / Korean spots around that area. More to come on an Asia-Pacific taste quest of the 'hood at end of line.. Kipling Stationville

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