Fresh on Bloor :: Girl Time with Tiffany

Mushroom & Onion Vegan Burger on a Bed of Lettuce with a 

Side of Sweet Potato Fries and Marinated Kale Slaw

sautéed mushrooms & onions, tomato, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts & house mayo

The original vegan burger on the menu comes with onions, however, I prefer not to eat onions. Since Fresh is a vegan restaurant, the vegan burgers are made with "high-protein, made from scratch almond & grain burger patty". As such, I omitted the onions. The sautéed mushrooms were placed on the vegan patty - and was wildly delicious. The mushrooms and patty were absolutely the star of the meal. However, the only savoury part of the dish was the mushrooms and the patty.  The rest of the dish was bland (salad and the fries) - though the marinated kale slaw were decent. Luckily, Fresh offers a variety of complimentary dips which helped add flavour. I chose to try the miso gravy (not pictured) during this trip - and it was amazing! I would love have that dip on any other entree, vegan or not. Nonetheless, the dish was incredibly filling despite being vegan, however, I don't believe it would have been as filling or enjoyable without the side of fries. 

Gluten-Free Vegan Pumpkin Cupcake

This was a seasonal dessert offered by Fresh. It smelled absolutely delectable. However, I picked up the cupcake for my mother - so I did not try it. 
{edit: Had a bite - tastes amazing! Literally pumpkin pie reincarnated as a cupcake. You cannot tell that it is both gluten-free or vegan!}

Fresh on Bloor

326 Bloor Street West

Toronto, ON

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Raijin Ramen :: Happy Hour with Marc

Raijin Ramen is located in the heart of Downtown Toronto a little south of Dundas Square and beside Ryerson University.

If you happen to be going to Raijin between Monday - Friday from 2pm - 5pm there's a Happy Hour Combo where for an extra $0.50 you can get a side or a can of pop (or $1 for both). You will get a choice of a of gyoza or kara-age! However, you cannot use the student discount (student card = 10% off) in conjunction with this offer - but the student discount at Raijin will unfortunately be phased out by the end of October.

Side Order of Gyoza

Tonkotsu Shio Ramen (Regular Size)

salt flavoured ramen topped with pork shoulder, green onion, canola flower, Kikurage mushroom (black fungus), cabbage, 1/2 a seasoned soft-boiled egg, and house-made Mayu black garlic oil

Raijin Ramen is a decent size and price - however considering the slew of ramen houses popping up around the city, Raijin does not offer anything spectacular (food, ambience, price, or service wise) to set itself a part. If anything - the student discount - which they are phasing out is a disappointment as it is located in a student concentrated area. Phasing the student discount will fail to keep Raijin as the choice between other local ramen houses. In my experience, students who have time to kill, enjoy eating with their friends, and bonding over great food - are willing to wait in line for a better dish at the same price (ie: Guu over Don Don Izakaya). 

In my opinion, the ramen noodles are a little thick and the soup base is not as flavourful as Sansotei or Santouka (basing off the Tonkotsu Ramen). Additionally, my favourite part of ramen - the Japanese-style soft boiled egg - the yolk was disappointedly not as soft or liquidy (though I should not complain as I can't make the eggs myself - but it is expected at a restaurant that such simple features of the ramen should be carried out technically and with finesse). Additionally, for the same price, Sansotei offers the full soft boiled egg - not just half. Nonetheless, the ramen was average - not inedible - but there is definitely room for improvement. 

It should also be noted, that this is my second visit, although my opinion from my previous visit has yet to change. If anything, this visit solidified that I prefer Sansotei much more than Raijin. It is clear that Sansotei and Santouka are the two frontrunners in the Torontonian ramen scene in my eyes, but I have yet to decide if I prefer Raijin or Kinton (I've tried the Cheese Ramen at Kinton, which I did not care for). Based on my friends' and online reviews, majority prefer Kinton (I have yet to find someone to name Raijin as their favourite ramen house). Based on such reviews and the fact that it is never consistently busy, although it is a decent ramen house, Raijin needs to make some changes to survive. The only thing Raijin has in its favour is that its a very sure bet that you won't have to wait in line.

Raijin Ramen

3 Gerrard St E

Toronto, ON M5B 2P3

The Lobster Trap :: Groupon Dinner

Complimentary Garlic Bread (with Entree)

Wow. You can say a lot about the selection of bread that a restaurant gives - especially a seafood house (ie: Red Lobster's infamous bread). The garlic bread served by the Lobster Trap is phenomenal! It's soft yet extremely flavourful - garlicy but not overly so and slightly oily due to the garlic butter. Amazing.

Small Lobster Bisque

I am a huge fan of lobster (and seafood in general), so I order lobster bisques quite often. I must say - this lobster bisque was delicious! The bisque is creamy, but not overly heavy - just the right amount of weight. Additionally, the bisque also had chunks of fresh lobster in it! The lobster chunks were a welcomed texture and flavour change. The lobster bisque is amazing and I highly recommend it! Plus, if you order an entree, you get $1 off a bowl of lobster bisque.

Cold Platter

Although, the platter was $49 - there was a huge selection of seafood! The portion was generous and there was no fighting over components despite there being 3 people sharing this platter (one individual did not have a shrimp and the lobster was split into two such that the remaining individual had the claw). The shrimps were quite substantial and tasted extremely fresh. Normally, I am not a huge fan of cold fresh mussels - but I quite enjoyed these as they did not have that traditional gritty/sandy taste. Just like the shrimps the lobster fresh ad succulent. Finally, there lots of oysters - Rodney Oysters too! All seafood was incredibly fresh and sweet. Who could complain about that!

Assortment of Rodney's Sauces

I do not favour spicy cocktail sauces so I mostly opted for the Seawitch Sauce (far left) which is the traditional cocktail salsa sauce. Back from Hell, White Boy Soul Sauce, and Johnny Reb's Espanola Hot Sauce were all spicy (Johnny was the spiciest of the three, White Boy Soul Sauce was the least spicy). The sauces were extremely flavourful and fresh - not your typical canned/bottle cocktail sauce - you know this is the good stuff.

Lobster Trap Platter

Once again - delicious! Between the two platters I did prefer the Cold Platter more since the freshness of the seafood was more apparent and could be appreciated. However, although I enjoyed the Cold Platter more, the Steamed Live Dinner was still enjoyable. The mussels were garlicy and buttery - slightly too much in my opinion - but most seafood houses douse their seafood in an excess of butter and garlic. The shrimps were seasoned tastefully and the steamed crab legs were sweet. The lobster was also sweet! Both the steamed crab lets and the steamed lobster did not have butter - which allowed for the quality and the freshness of the seafood to be appreciated.

Side Baked Potato

Side Garden Salad with French Dressing

The Lobster Trap Platter came with two sides - which you get a choice of homemade french fries, baked potato, rice, garden salad, or Caesar salad (+$2). The sides that were chosen (baked potato & garden salad) were not outstanding but were good. The salad was mediocre but the baked potato was good - just enough butter.

Overall, The Lobster Trap is an amazing restaurant and I am quite surprised by the bad online reviews. Perhaps due to the online reviews, The Lobster Trap decided to offer a Groupon (which I used - $70 for $35) to bring in an influx of customers to overwrite the bad reviews. The staff were extremely friendly and the perceived owner/manager of the location even offered my father a complimentary beer (since the Dallas game was on & my father's a fan - and they were losing; for those who are curious my father declined and when we left Dallas caught up). I would highly recommend anyone to go to the Lobster Trap based on my first visit experience and I am glad I purchased 3 Groupons (as you are only allowed to use one per visit). It should also be noted that the chef from the Avenue Road location has moved to the Woodbridge/Vaughan.

The Lobster Trap
8099 Weston Rd
 Vaughan, ON L4L 0C1

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Loui's Kouzina :: Greek-ing it Out!

Tzatziki ($5.25)

thick and creamy pressed yogurt blended with fresh cucumber and just the right amount of garlic

The tzatziki is delicious and the portion is generous. It is refreshing, light, yet addicting - beware, consuming this appetizer without caution may lead it become your actual entree. What's amazing that it also tastes great with the souvlaki or the complimentary garlic bread (not pictured - but delicious!) if you have any left when those arrive.

Fried Kalamari ($9.25)

lightly tossed in seasoned flour and fried

Loui's Fried Kalamari is fried - yet is light on the palette. The batter compliments the kalamari and does not weigh it down. Adding the dash of lemon - and this is delicious simple fried kalamari. No need for the bells and whistles, though it tastes great with tzatziki.

Pork Souvlaki & Lamb Souvlaki (Large; $13.95, $14.95)
large plates are served with Greek Salad, tzatziki, and a choice of two the following - fries, rice, roasted potatoes, and mixed vegetables

Both the souvlakis - pork and lamb - were average. Although both souvlakis were moist, they were on the slightly dry side of my personal preference scale. However, for any Greek dish - the star of the entree for myself are in the roasted potatoes - and Loui's Kouzina did not disappoint. Savory and doused in sauce - the potatoes hit the spot. Also my other favourite side, Greek salad, was delicious (as it is very rare that its done horribly wrong), but it could use more feta cheese and dressing.

Loui's Kouzina, although not a terribly small restaurant, is the theoretical "hole-in-the-wall" gem of Greek cuisine in Markham. However, I personally have not seen the restaurant teaming with customers or ever having a wait to be seated - the food is consistently delicious and tastes very authentic "home-kitchen" Greek. Although the simplicity of the food is enhanced by great execution and flavouring - the slow service may be the reason it has not reached its potential. If you are not dining in a rush and enjoy simple, but authentic, Greek food - Loui's Kouzina is right up your alley - and for a decent price.

Loui's Kouzina 

9255 Woodbine Ave 

Markham, ON L6C 1Y9‎

Dessert Kitchen :: Post Hip Hop Workout Snack with Carson

Mini Watermelon Bowl Special ($11.99)

whole watermelon hollowed out with lychee jelly, grass jelly, sago, and assorted fruits

This was my first visit to Dessert Kitchen, despite passing by it on almost a daily basis. I will most definitely be returning to Dessert Kitchen to try the other delectable desserts. Additionally, the staff was attentive - though I do not know if this is attributed to the fact that we went in the middle of the day and no other customers were present. The Mini Watermelon Bowl, although on the slightly pricy side, is a generous portion and is great for sharing between two people. It's without a doubt extremely refreshing and a light dessert. However, be cautioned: although it is light - the portion itself is filling! 

Dessert Kitchen

Liberty Square, Unit 106

3623 Highway 7 East

Markham, Ontario L3R 8X6

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Inatei :: Dinner before Stargazing

Inatei is my top favourite sushi restaurant in Richmond Hill since the food is always delicious and the seafood is amazingly fresh.

Sushi Tower Daily Special ($36)

Octopus sumonuno

Pork Katsu Curry

Bento Box Combination B

Inatei 

9021 Leslie St #7 

Richmond Hill, ON L4B

Milestone :: Upcoming Menu Preview

Milestone will be soon adding a few items to their menu. One of the items that will be added to the menu will be a pan seared halibut on quinoa served with Asian veggies! Most Milestones serve this dish in limited quantities at the moment (usually disguised as an off the menu special of the day).

Pan Seared Halibut on Quinoa & Side of Asian Vegetables

This dish was pretty decent. My favourite of the 3 parts of the dish was actually the quinoa. It was light, fluffy, and quite flavourful. My second favourite component of the dish was the halibut. It was seared well and was light and crispy. Moisture of the fish was also sealed in. However, I did not enjoy the vegetables as they were bitter (although others who enjoy bitter flavours may enjoy it).

Milestones

Multiple Locations