Sorry for the late posting but for followers on Facebook and Twitter, you should know I have been back for a few weeks already. I will resume posting again during the first week of August.

I wanted to say thanks to all the readers who stayed with me during these past two months. I really appreciate it and am ever thankful for your continued support. As a special treat and an attempt to engage more of my loyal readers, I will be adding a few things for the upcoming month of August such as:

- An email interview with noted FoodPorn.net
- Coverage of TOFoodFest.com  and my thoughts on the event
- Foodie reviews from a guest blogger and my personal foodie friend, Helen. She has great taste and sometimes even I go to her for foodie recommendations. Haha. More details on her later…

Hope you enjoy reading about my foodie escapades. Keep up the foodie love~

Danthanh =)

I am sorry I have been MIA for the last few weeks, I swear I haven’t abandoned you!!

However, due to a family emergency I had to fly overseas last-minute and did not have the Internet access or time to post about it. I just sent a quick blurb on FB and Twitter. Currently, I am still overseas and will probably not post anything until mid or end of July. If I can post earlier, I will try. Otherwise, you won’t be hearing from me until next month.

Hope you can understand. Thanks!

Danthanh

1) Canoe
Price: $25 Lunch/$45 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/fRC6C
Note: What is a -licious event without Canoe? A must visit!!

2) Lai Wah Heen
Price: $20 Lunch/$35 Dinner
Info:  http://goo.gl/hbhnU
Note: Lots of buzz. Been meaning to go…

3) Bymark
Price: $25 Lunch/$45 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/nifYF
Note: Located a few floors below Canoe, heard good things.

4) Kirei Sushi + Bar
Price: $15 Lunch/$25 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/CtXed
Note: Lunch option looks like a good deal.

5) Colborne Lane
Price: $45 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/AnENR
Note: Buzz with some mixed reviews. Might be worth a visit..

6) The Wine Bar
Price: $15 Lunch/$25 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/col5p
Note: Surprisingly popular

7) Lucien
Price: $20 Lunch/$35 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/huxzf
Note: Consistent good reviews

8) Grappa Ristorante
Price: $25 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/wiRDR
Note: Like the Italian menu, Spaghetti alle Vongole anyone? 

9) Zucca Trattoria
Price: $35 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/MqhfC
Note: Good reviews but order the Italian dishes

10) Anonna
Price: $20 Lunch/$35 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/RBsx8
Note: Good buzz but not popular. Possible unfound gem? 

RUNNER UP PICKS

1) ViBo
Price: $20 Lunch/$35 Dinner
Info: Info: http://goo.gl/uk5QL

2) Sassafraz
Price: $25 Lunch/$45 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/nl8x2

3) Luma
Price: $20 Lunch/$35 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/4jsHD

4) PURE SPIRITS Oyster Bar
Price: $20 Lunch/$35 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/Hqvaq

5) Ruth Chris Steakhouse
Price: $45 Dinner
Info: http://goo.gl/mFGfs

Related articles

• Summerlicious – Azure Restaurant & Bar ★★1/2 (torontofoodie.net)
• Summerlicious – July 6 to 22nd, 2012 (torontofoodie.net)

I strongly support this event because it attracts new customers for restaurants as well as let foodies visit new restaurants they might not have tried before. I have done Summerlicious and Winterlicious events for the past 3-4 years now, so it’s a definitely a ritual with my friends and I.

Keep a watch on my blog as I will also post my top picks! I base my decisions on various factors such as online reviews, buzz, personal references, restaurant appearance, cuisine and location.

Reservations start June 21st. Check here for more information and restaurant listings:

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/summerlicious/2012/index.htm

Been meaning to visit this restaurant and finally got the chance to with a fellow foodie. We went on a weekday before 6pm, so it wasn’t too crowded. They usually gets busier after this, so try to make reservations.

The first thing I noticed after walking in was the lack of a host/hostess desk to go to, the second is the nice decor – I like the old school and casual laid back atmosphere of the place. My foodie friend and I kind of wandered in and after glancing around for help just decided to grab seats ourselves by the window. Our server (the name escapes me now) was nice and polite, refilling our waters constantly and occasionally asking us how our meals were. They were helpful with menu suggestions as well.

I think Terroni is known for their pizza but we weren’t really in the mood for that so I decided to try the Classico Panini for $11.95. Includes prosciutto di parma, fresh tomato, fior di latte (a type of mozzarella), basil, arugola with a side bowl of mushroom and olives. It is only available from 9am to 5pm but it’s definitely worth trying. I loved my panini with its crunchy exterior and yummy soft goodness inside! It is a slightly messy meal though, too much flour on the bread, so be a bit careful when ordering this. It is not a meal you order when entertaining a date or client. Haha. For my foodie friend, they had the Spaghetti in Canna a Mare at $16.95 and that includes fresh clams and mussels, calamari, scallops, tiger shrimp and light tomato sauce. I was able taste a bit of their dish and although it was okay (the sauce wasn’t really doing it for me), I did prefer my panini more. Hope to check out the pizza or pasta dish on my next visit!

Dress code: Casual. Jeans and a t-shirt should suffice but for dinners, upgrade to a nicer shirt, sweater, etc. No sweatpants please!

Overall, it’s a nice place for friends, family and work.

Website: http://www.terroni.com/
Location: 720 Queen St W, Toronto ON
Telephone: (416) 504 – 0320
Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 9am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday: 9am to 10:30pm

Known for their ice creams, I recommend this café purely based on my childhood memories. Why you wonder? I actually had ice cream here on and off throughout my childhood. I recall Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe when I was still in junior school, my aunt would treat my cousins and I to their desserts in the summer. We probably visited only a handful of times when I was younger but it makes me reminisce a bit when I pass by the café. It’s still as popular as ever though, especially in the summer time.

They have a patio so customers can relax and enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures since my last visit was before I even started Toronto Foodie! However, I will for sure try to stop by the café should I find the time to venture out to their area again.

Dress code: casual, suitable for everyone…even your boss if you think its appropriate. No dinner but lunches and after work would be a nice time to visit.

Website: http://www.sicilianicecream.com
Location: 712 College St, Toronto ON M6G 1C3
Telephone:  (416) 531 – 7716
Hours: Monday to Thursday – 9:00 am to 1:00 am, Friday & Saturday: 9:00 am to 3:00 am and Sunday – 11:00 am – 1:00 am

I happened to come across this bakery while in Bloor West Village area. I rarely, if ever venture out this far west so decided to do a bit of exploring. Just walked a bit from Runnymede to Jane on Bloor. Stumbled upon Hot Oven Bakery and decided to get myself a red velvet cupcake! It looked so yummy and cost me $2.00! I definitely recommend it

Although they mainly sell bread, they do have a few cakes, cupcakes, pies and pasta worth checking out too.

No seating available though, just take out. Staff seems friendly enough.

Website: http://hotovenbakery.com/
Location: 2226 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1N6
Telephone: (416) 762 – 3036
Hours: Monday to Friday: 7am – 7pm, Saturday: 7am – 6pm, Sunday: 8am – 5pm

Met up with two other friends and decided to try Bier Market on King West. Hoped to find better service at this location than their Esplanade one. I had the poutine and fruli strawberry ale again and my friends ordered the wurst sampler together. The wurst sampler provides you 1 out of 3 options or to get all 3. Options: Hungarian smoked farmer’s sausage with sweet & smoky mustard OR Czech mustard sausage with fig & balsamic mustard OR Munich weisswurst sausage with triple crunch mustard. They chose to do all 3! Costs about $20. I got to nibble on it and its very tasty, so I would recommend it if you are looking to try something different.

Didn’t have much problems service-wise as well. Server was nice and polite. So can’t complain! Haha.

Dress code: Casual. For friends and co-workers but not really family (at least at night). They are known for their wide selection of beers and provide live entertainment late at night. Thus, typically anyone of legal age and older patron here.

Website:  http://www.thebiermarkt.com/
Location: 600 King St. West, Toronto ON
Telephone: (416) 862 – 1175
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday – 11am to 1am and Thursday to Saturday – 11am to 2am

I was checking out places to order lasagna to feed 10-15 guests for my Birthday party and a friend of mine recommended Lenny’s. They know the owners and actually picked up my “30 pound food order” for me (haha, their words not mine!), so can’t comment on service or restaurant appearance. However, I believe I spoke to Lenny himself when I was making my order and he was very nice about accommodating me.  The lasagna is tasty with a thick layer of cheese on top and more layers of meat and noodles at the bottom (watch out if you have cholesterol problems)! Had my party over the weekend and I am still eating leftovers!! Haha.

If lasagna’s not for you, I would recommend their tiramisu and seafood salad. Yummy! Personally, my next order should I ever be in the area will be pizza!!

Website: N/A. Check out Urbanspoon: http://goo.gl/Xjmsp
Location: 4748 Dundas St West, Toronto, ON M9A 1A9
Telephone: (416) 239 – 2222
Hours: Not sure exactly but they are open after 4-4:30pm for dinner time.