Korean bad-b-qIf this is what is plopped on your table at dinner would you feel hungrier or a little bit grossed out? Presentation is everything and with this put on our table I felt a little queasy as there was such an array of meat and fish in their various bloody juices, in these little trays - all mixed together it was a bit much - we declined on the ox-tongue and livers thankfully!

I knew when we got to Korean Grill House at 214 Queen Street West and walked through their dirty-ish entrance that it could go either way -we could either have a spectacular meal or it would be bad. Unfortunately the latter was true. The all-you can eat part of the menu should've triggered another signal but it didn't and instead we ordered it and waited for the main event to begin.

I actually suggested this restaurant so was very optimistic - I had guests in town and wanted to impress them with the culinary excellence this city has to offer, I guess I will have to try again as this place was nothing to write (or email) home about. The reason I wanted to go there was every time I drove by it looked busy and I could see people happily eating and bbq-ing at their little tables.

I guess if you look at the price for all-you-can eat meat and fish and it is only $12.95 then you should ask yourself what kind of meat and fish are they using? Obviously cheap cuts and bad quality.

The meats arrived in sliver thin slices which made bbqing them quite quick, but if you weren't quick enough they burned and then they left a layer of black burnt stuff on the bbq. After that everything tasted the same - burnt, which probably added some flavour as there was none to begin with. After having a sip of the milky looking miso soup -which was horrid - I gave it back to the waitress then decided to start on the meat fest. I ate a bit of the pork and white fish which was ok when doused in soy sauce ... I then tried the squid and chicken - which was totally flavourless.

I can't write any more as it will just be a rant on how every item of food looked and tasted awful it was just such an terrible experience. The only positives: the side salads were decent and the staff was friendly enough but again nothing to write home about. Am sure there are better quality Korean bbqs in town and will have to check them out...

If you click on their link to their website you will see how the food is supposed to look but then compare them with my pictures - not even close...this place should be in some back alley in Chinatown. I guess you get what you pay for!
first food on the bbq...
end of bbq fun.

Where art meets food - Eat the Food!
At one of my favourite galleries in TO there is a food related exhibition that is on display from now until October 28, 2007. The exhibition called Eat the Food is on at the MOCCA - Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (Queen Street W.)

It is: A gastronomical journey through art, looking into the uses of food as a subject and metaphor in art in all its forms including different ways of eating, cooking and thinking about food. The exhibition features "Meatcandy" by Henrik Schrat, Greiz, Germany. A large mural divided into two spheres, people and food production machine, will be painted onto the gallery walls. Also featured are videos of slaughter houses, farm animals in people's living room more artsy takes on the way we look at food and food production...Eat the Food! interferes with many of our assumptions surrounding food, the food industry, its production, its distribution, and the very essence of the matter we call food.

You might even see Mike Meyers there as I have seen him a few times around town, the last one was noshing on some sushi at the Drake Hotel (their sushi is amazing)

There will also be food demonstrations by Susur Lee and they will be taking food donations at the gallery.

I wonder if there will be free food? Ask someone on a date and go there.

:)

Egg on top?Kaiaua Fisheries, located on Coast Road, Kaiaua - apparently the best fish and chips place in NZ. When Robbie and Pat took me there he ordered his with an egg on top! I have never seen that done before. Kaiaua is such a small, quaint place near Waikato and the farm. The service is great and the food is even better. It is apparently Buns' favorite place to eat fush and chups (as the Kiwis say).

I had a craving for fish and chips today and perhaps next time I order it I will ask for an egg on top. I wonder if that is a Kiwi thing or they will serve it to me like that at Chippy's on Queen Street W? That is the only fish and chips place I can think of in this city.

Chippy's have a great website (look at the pic below - it makes your mouth water, non?) and the menu looks good too, will have to take the Brit when she gets here as am sure she is missing some Brit-style food on her travels. Review of Chippy's to come...

Délicieux
Get to this place Clafouti Patisserie et Café, it is a cute little cafe on Queen W. where you can get fresh breads and pastries. There are only 3 little tables at the front which are in demand and hard to come by. Prego and I luckily got one and enjoyed a great latte with some lovely butter croissants, which were supposed to be for Prince Matthew but were eaten by us instead.

Apparently the croissants baked by French pastry chef Olivier Jansen-Reynaud sell out early on weekends-so wake up early folks. We picked up some bagels and tarts treats for the rest of the week. (Gryfe's bagels are still the best!)

For a tiny shop there are many tantalising treats to buy. Pain au chocolat, brioche or little fruit tarts look so cute and flavourful along with larger cakes which are calling your name and look like they are made with luscious chocolate. You can also grab duck pâté or lovely cheese, ham and other, typically French, sandwiches.
Prego & her latte

The Daily Gorgeosity

As Lainey sometimes chooses the 'Daily Gorgeosity' this is today's gorgeosity. Not only is the boy in the pic tres handsome, the cookie he is holding is gorgeous as it just melts in your mouth. It is made with such basic ingredients but it melts in your mouth and it is covered in a thick layer of frosting. It is in the cookbook, but also being made by Terroni Restauraunt (Queen St.West).

Yum, check out their food and gorgeous staff!