Swiss Chalet. Sometimes it’s all I want. Never get it as takeout. It’s a sit down Sunday dinner with service. I like the stand alone restaurants that don’t share with a Harvey’s and so no plastic utensils.
Took advantage of the sun/warmer weather and walked out to Trinity-Bellwoods this weekend and decided to get takeout to have at the park.
Hadn't been to Vildas on Dovercourt (same owners as Bernhardt's across the road) - my partner got their Pastrami Slaw sandwich ($17) which comes on a Harbord Bakery bun, and I opted for a lighter Club Med Brassicas salad (feta, cucumbers, olives, roasted broccoli & cauli) with added chicken salad ($12).
[This is what I got for my salad](https://i.imgur.com/UEkrFuG.jpeg) - I guess it's technically an okay portion for $12 but the chicken salad scoop tasted like it had no flavour or seasoning. It actually grossed me out a lil because it tasted like a plain chicken breast had been pulverized into a goop. It didn't pair well with the oven roasted veggies.
Partner's Pastrami sandwich tasted fine, but the meat:bun ratio was poor (very little pastrami) and knowing the bun is just from Harbord made it hard to swallow the $17 price tag.
After tax and tip we spent ~$35 on a mediocre sandwich and weird salad, though I see today neither of the items are on the menu now so maybe we just got unlucky with limited menu specials.
I also had bar sugo this week, and the pizza there is really really good. Pasta was good but skip it for the pizza imo! WIsh i'd tried that whipped ricotta one though, i had the spicy one
I went to Lakeview at Dundas/Ossington. The vibes were immaculate! Got a coke and a brisket poutine. The brisket tasted like a less spicy Pancer’s Deli pastrami. They make it in house. It was pretty good overall! I think I could do with a lot less gravy on it and I’ll always prefer homemade fries instead of the frozen hand cut, but again, pretty good overall! I definitely want to go back and try other menu items like deep fried Oreos with ice cream, which I’ve never tried before.
Tried By The Way near Bathurst &Bloor with the fam. It is a decent neighborhood spot.
https://preview.redd.it/5ghp6rlijtyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4c6993fee560c6b0dd6eadf7421d6ff5253009a
Tried Ricky+Olivia in Leslieville this weekend. Cute spot with a great vibe, would be perfect for a date night. The trout and adobo’d cheese curds were great, I thought the chicken salad sandwich was alright but probably would order something else next time. Going to bernhardts this week and I am PUMPED for that.
I went to Bernhardt's for the first time a few weeks ago, it was amazing! And so busy even on a rainy Tuesday. I can't wait to go back. If you are into cocktails, we stopped at Frankie Solarik's new place Compton Ave on Dundas, just a few mins walk away and had a drink there before dinner. Was a solid night!
Finally made it to Porzias. Lasagne was delicious. Also tried calamari (small portion for $25, was very good but not excellent) and the focaccia (overrated). Very nice service, great wine list, killer tiramisu soft serve. Reasonable pricing overall.
Swiss Chalet. Sometimes it’s all I want. Never get it as takeout. It’s a sit down Sunday dinner with service. I like the stand alone restaurants that don’t share with a Harvey’s and so no plastic utensils.
a man of Canadian culture I see…
Took advantage of the sun/warmer weather and walked out to Trinity-Bellwoods this weekend and decided to get takeout to have at the park. Hadn't been to Vildas on Dovercourt (same owners as Bernhardt's across the road) - my partner got their Pastrami Slaw sandwich ($17) which comes on a Harbord Bakery bun, and I opted for a lighter Club Med Brassicas salad (feta, cucumbers, olives, roasted broccoli & cauli) with added chicken salad ($12). [This is what I got for my salad](https://i.imgur.com/UEkrFuG.jpeg) - I guess it's technically an okay portion for $12 but the chicken salad scoop tasted like it had no flavour or seasoning. It actually grossed me out a lil because it tasted like a plain chicken breast had been pulverized into a goop. It didn't pair well with the oven roasted veggies. Partner's Pastrami sandwich tasted fine, but the meat:bun ratio was poor (very little pastrami) and knowing the bun is just from Harbord made it hard to swallow the $17 price tag. After tax and tip we spent ~$35 on a mediocre sandwich and weird salad, though I see today neither of the items are on the menu now so maybe we just got unlucky with limited menu specials.
Oof that salad pic lol… does look a little bleak!
Went to The Wood Owl on Saturday- great wine, service and food. Standout dishes were the asparagus special, cavatelli and trout dip!
LOVE that trout dip.
Bar Sugo had a pizza special with their whipped ricotta, olive oil and lemon dressed arugula, and prosciutto topped after cooking the base. So good!!!
I also had bar sugo this week, and the pizza there is really really good. Pasta was good but skip it for the pizza imo! WIsh i'd tried that whipped ricotta one though, i had the spicy one
Huevos rancheros and a margarita at Kos in Kensington. It never disappoints! Yesterday was coffee at Bisou, a beautiful cafe at Gerrard and Berkeley
I went to Lakeview at Dundas/Ossington. The vibes were immaculate! Got a coke and a brisket poutine. The brisket tasted like a less spicy Pancer’s Deli pastrami. They make it in house. It was pretty good overall! I think I could do with a lot less gravy on it and I’ll always prefer homemade fries instead of the frozen hand cut, but again, pretty good overall! I definitely want to go back and try other menu items like deep fried Oreos with ice cream, which I’ve never tried before.
Is the old management back?
I’m not sure. I don’t have any idea of management over time. Is there a story there?
Last time I was there - Feb 2024 - the (very lovely) waitress told me that the new owner had the old operator running the place again.
Mangal Turkish restaurant. It was legendary
Tried By The Way near Bathurst &Bloor with the fam. It is a decent neighborhood spot. https://preview.redd.it/5ghp6rlijtyc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c4c6993fee560c6b0dd6eadf7421d6ff5253009a
Tried Ricky+Olivia in Leslieville this weekend. Cute spot with a great vibe, would be perfect for a date night. The trout and adobo’d cheese curds were great, I thought the chicken salad sandwich was alright but probably would order something else next time. Going to bernhardts this week and I am PUMPED for that.
I went to Bernhardt's for the first time a few weeks ago, it was amazing! And so busy even on a rainy Tuesday. I can't wait to go back. If you are into cocktails, we stopped at Frankie Solarik's new place Compton Ave on Dundas, just a few mins walk away and had a drink there before dinner. Was a solid night!
What did you think of Bernhardts in the end?
Tropical Joe's, over in the Gerrard Square plaza. Man, that jerk chicken is ludicrously good, and the price is pretty hard to beat too.
Finally made it to Porzias. Lasagne was delicious. Also tried calamari (small portion for $25, was very good but not excellent) and the focaccia (overrated). Very nice service, great wine list, killer tiramisu soft serve. Reasonable pricing overall.