bradm Posted November 28, 2007 Report Share Posted November 28, 2007 I'll be in Toronto on Friday night, and my hotel is pretty much right at Yonge & College, so I'm interested in restaurant recommendations near there; funky/bistro-type places, informal, with a varied and interesting menu would be cool, and I'll want to sit down for dinner between 5pm and 6pm, so they need to be open for dinner reasonably early. Is there anything that fits the bill?Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Hey Brad, head south on Yonge to just north of Yonge and Gerrard (one block south of College). The place is Ginger and the food is Chinese/Thai/Vietnamese. Get the chicken noodle soup or any of the beef/chicken/shrimp on rice dishes. The spring rolls are delicious too. It's very affordable (even cheap). It's not too funky, but in just two years, there are now 3 or 4 of these restaurants in the city and all because the food kicks ass. BTW, it's on the east side of Yonge, across from the above-ground parking lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 For a diner/greasy-spoon breakfast or lunch, go to the original Frans at the north-west corner of Yonge and College. There are lots of great restaurants just north of College on Yonge. I'll get some more names for you if you want? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 (edited) definately Frans if ya want casual - its an institution. or, head east to church and walk up a block to the gay village. lots of great food there. Edited November 29, 2007 by Guest added link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Also, there are lots of great places to eat just one major block north of College, at Yonge & Wellesley, but you may want to take phish's advice since gay is your thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 i recommended the area because its just around the corner and has a bunch of places like what brad described. the fact its gay is just a bonus be careful though, brad, not all the chicks are chicks ... but the food is good in almost any of the places on the street, and the service is much better than out in straightyville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted November 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Thanks, guys. That Ginger place sounds about right, and I might try Fran's for breakfast on Saturday if the timing (relative to getting a bus back to Ottawa) works out.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Been to Ginger a couple of times on Jaimoe's recommendation. It's a must stop whenever I'm in Toronto now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 29, 2007 Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 Brad, take my advice on what to order at Ginger. The chicken noodle soup is a meal in itself, but flesh it out with a couple of chicken spring rolls. Also, the beef/chicken/shrimp/grilled pork-chops on rice dishes kick ass - there's one that includes the first three meats grilled on rice, and I believe it's still around $6. Also, the place is more like a cafeteria-style, so tips are not manditory (there are no waiters or waitresses). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted November 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2007 (edited) Thanks again, Jaimoe. I'll check the portion sizes, as I really have to watch my carbohydrate intake, and may opt for just the grilled meats on rice plus a roll or two; I have a feeling that plus noodle soup (especially if it's a meal in itself) may be too much.I also read in one review about being able to get iced Vietnamese coffee, which I've never had (though I suspect it'll be too sweet for me). Is that worth getting?Aloha,Brad Edited November 29, 2007 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol'Hickster Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 definately Frans if ya want casual - its an institution. or, head east to church and walk up a block to the gay village. lots of great food there. Yea there is some good food in the Gay-ber hood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 I've never had the iced Vietnamese coffee, but back to the soup. If you get the small of chicken noodle soup (you can get hot and sour chicken noodle soup, but it's not as good in my opinion), it's more than a meal, I'd add one or two spring rolls to go with it. The rolls are a buck a piece. The large bowl would almost fill-up Badhams or a really peckish Davey Boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol'Hickster Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Im ogin to check this out forsure Jaimoe! Brad if you about and dont have a pre show dinner guest give me a shout ill enjoy some soup! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Add a splash of hot sause into the soup. I believe the beer is cheap there too. It comes in cans. By no means is the atmosphere good at Ginger - although the original restaurant at Yonge and Bloor, beside The Brass Rail, is always colourful. Ginger is like a cafeteria, but that's what keeps it cheap. There's also one at Church & Wellesley and a new one at Carleton & Parliament (Cabbagetown). All are close to Brad's hotel, but the one at Gerrard is less than a 10 minute walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ol'Hickster Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Well I always perfer Cans!, More beer, Better taste, and cheaper!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AD Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 save glass, drink kegs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phishtaper Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 Reading here that Ginger 2 is in the old Lindy's reminds me of going to see Beatlemania at the O'Keefe Center when I was in high school. We went to Lindy's for dinner and one of the girls ordered the "Fillet Migioni". I guess if you are gonna screw up French pronunciation, that wasn't the worst place to do it. Gotta love them $2.99 steaks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Boy 2.0 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 i've loved every iced Vietnamese coffee i've ever had- the sweetness usually comes from the carnation-type milk they use. i think you took us to ginger once there Jaimoe, many years ago now- i certainly do remember having soup with you either in a drunken or hungover haze (like any time i spend with you really) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimoe Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 i think you took us to ginger once there Jaimoe, many years ago now- i certainly do remember having soup with you either in a drunken or hungover haze (like any time i spend with you really)And since I was more sober, I vividly remember you loving the soup just before your face planted into the bowl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Boy 2.0 Posted November 30, 2007 Report Share Posted November 30, 2007 hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa[insert snoring noise here] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phorbesie Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 i went to ginger 2 this past week and it was great! i found the atmosphere a surprise at first, but it seemed funky and casual at any rate i had the chicken noodle soup which was a huge bowl of broth and a large bowl of rice noodles with cilantro and chicken. and the spring rolls were awesome and garlicky just like people said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phorbesie Posted December 1, 2007 Report Share Posted December 1, 2007 i like vietnamese coffee too, it is very strong and very sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted December 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 I passed on the soup, and went for grilled beef and chicken on rice, with a side of mixed vegetables and a spring roll. :thumbup: :thumbup: I'll definitely keep it in mind for lunch when I'm down there doing my Christmas shopping.Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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