Late Lunch @ Sadie's Diner

Sadie's Diner & Juice Bar, 504 Adelaide St W., located right at the northwest corner of Adelaide and Portland.

The inside decor is retro, bringing you back to the 80's and serving vegetarian friendly diner-like dishes with a little Spanish flare. Mostly, they offer all-day breakfast!

When you enter the diner, a few tables  on the left hand side and the juice bar can be found on the right. But they have more seatings in the back.

So, I ordered their Huevos Rancheros, which can be found under the Breakfast menu. It's gluten-free. It's corn tortillas served with guacamole, refried beans, salsa, cheddar cheese, and two eggs over easy for $13. Also, I've ordered home fries on the side for $2.50 extra (sorry, no pic).

Their guacamole, refried beans, and salsa are made more thicker than other places. But you know they put in a lot of goodness in making these three dippers.

I wasn't so pleased with their home fries. Some of the potatoes weren't cooked thoroughly.

Service wise, it was really friendly. But could have been a hair more consistent. But, I must say one thing. There was too many fruit flies around us, our food, the room. We know what this is a sign of. I hope the next time, we won't be playing the game of "swapping fruit flies". I do want to try their juice bar at my next visit before the close for good. Yes! You heard me right. They are closing on June 28 (Sun).

Diner Crawl to Wimpy's Diner

Wimpy's Diner, 8123 Yonge St. Located at the plaza at Yonge & Bay Thorn Dr.

This small classic diner sure has the 50s & 60s touch. Walls are plastered with all sorts of stuff back then. From jargons used to phrases used back in the days.

There were several booths with a non-working jukebox. Too bad it doesn't work. It was sure fun hitting those buttons!

I ordered their classic burger. 10oz of beef patty. Just look at it! Isn't it something? And to think, you could double up on the patty. 20oz of OMG!

You're probably thinking, how did I even take the first bite? Well, I managed and I conquered. Not easy, forsure.

The service wasn't too bad (friendly server) and the place does get busy easily. I'd definitely go back and try something else from their menu. Perhaps, their poutine?

WVRST is the IT Place

I have heard of this place but haven't had the chance to make a trip until a friend suggested this place. And I thank you immensely for the suggestion.

WVRST, located at 609 King St W., about a block east of Bathurst on the south side.

This place is located upstairs (not at ground level), so it's just a few steps up the stairs. But once you enter, it's a hall vibe. Nice and spacious with two rows of long tables and long benches.

My party of guests and myself were very thankful to get the corner (the right hand side to the entrance) to ourselves. It was a big square-like table and the bench that circulates around the table.

Personally, I thought the highlight of our seating area was just something very simple but yet very warm. The restaurant had this set up on the table for us. I thought it was really thoughtful. A custom printed table card. Thank you!

The resto works on a self-serve system. You take a look at their menu and place your order with the cashier. She will then hand you a large metal piece that contains a number. This little feature is actually pretty neat!

Obviously, WVRST is known for their gourmet sausages and duck fat fried (I will explain this one later). They have something for everyone. As long as you feel adventurous, they will have something for you! They even have a nice selection that is suitable for vegans/vegetarians. 

Besides, their gourmet sausages being one of the many highlights, they carry a large selection of craft brews. Hoenstly, what more could you ask for?

On this particular visit, I wasn't feeling very adventurous. So, I wanted to stick to something that was relatively "safe". So, I had ordered the Wild Boar (mushroom/tea) sausage on their toasted bun, served with sweet sauteed onions and sauerkraut; duck fat fries with chii tomato jam; and, a pint of their day's cask.

My pint came first. I had ordered the day's cask: Nickel Brook's Equilibrium English Pale Ale (ESB). In case those who aren't aware, ESB stands for, Extra Special/Strong Bitter. So, please be warned. The name caught my attention, and I just had to give it a go. The style is definitely bitter hoppy. There was a tiny hint of fruity bitterness to it. It's worth a try if you're into the medium-light bitters.

Finally, my food order arrived.

Let's start with the sausage first. I was very satisfied with the sausage taste and texture. It was the most suitable choice for the appetite-mood that I was in. So, if you're not feeling all too adventurous, this is defintiely an option to consider.

Now, for the duck fat fries. I've read many reviews and heard from many people that their duck fat fries are amazing. And, I just had to try it! I think the the sketching of a duck on the wrapping paper was cute. Some may say, it's too char or burnt for them. I actually don't mind that about the fries. I also like the thick cut of the fries. There is a taste difference compared to other fried fries. It's more aromatic and tastier. My only complaint and I wished I knew about this ahead of time, was that it was just too salty for my taste buds. So, I know for next time, to tell them no salt please. It's better to eat less salt. Right?

The dipping sauce was just amazing! It went hand in hand with the duck fat fries. And honestly, it wasn't all that spicy. Perhaps, my spicy tolerance has risen again?

Overall, it was a very good experience and I can surely see why this is a very busy place on Friday and weekend nights. I will definitely visit WVRST again and hopefully, try something adventurous!

Going Ga-Ga for Chicharons

**WARNING!! This review may not be suitable to those with weak stomaches. Please read at your own risk. Failure to do so, I, cannot and shall not be held responsible for any consequences.

Recently, a colleague of mine's shared a piece of Chicharon with me. Chicharon (pronounced as: chee-cha-rons) is very similar to Chicharrón. They are generally fried pork rinds. The difference here is that the meat is still attached. Giving it more depth with taste and texture.

For the longest time, I have been wanting to make a visit to an authentic Filipino grocers or restaurant. I am very happy that I did visit a grocers today.

Banahaw Food Mart, located at 458 Dawes Rd. in East York.

A very small shop on this tiny stripe of local businesses carries an array of ethnic products. From lemon candies to instant noodles to hot meals to go. Don't let the outside of the shop fool you on what this little shop can offer.

Honestly, this shop can easily be selling the best Chicharons in the city. The moment when I took that first bite, you knew instantly that it was not machine manufactured.

So, for a paper bag filled with all that goodness goes for $7. It is highly recommended to go there very early as they can be sold out (they are THAT popular!) or call them in advanced and see if they have any. Either way, this precious snack is worth a try at least once.

They also carry other hot food items. I was thankful to try their pork adobo over rice. In a few words, very tasty and affordable! 

It was nice to chat up with the owner of the shop. She's really friendly once you start conversing.

I will definitely make another trip and try other items from their hot meals bar.

Oh Geul Boh Geul

First and foremost, my apologies for being MIA.

However, a recent experience (last night) has prompted me to write a review. It may differ from existing reviews of this place, but this is what I had experienced.

Located at 5320 Yonge St., North York, Toronto.

We were expecting a party of 13 guests. At the time, I was with 2 and we came in from the back of the restaurant (parking behind the restaurant). We told the servers that we were early and our reservation details. They told us to go downstairs. Yes, our table was downstairs. No comment for now. So, we head downstairs as we were instructed.

The room was already set up for us. A super long table with 13 place settings, a few extra chairs and 3 menus. Let's just say, the setting of the room looked more like a meeting room. Maybe perhaps for the mob boss and his gang? (No pun intended)

Three of us sat down and settled in. In some time, the main server/cashier appeared. Placing 3 sets of ban chan (Korean small dishes) onto our table. Lots of variety, very colourful, and all looking very tasty too!

The Chap Chae was a hair spicier than what I've had before. Not so oily, which is always a plus.

The blanched broccoli was too much in bits. Too much work to pick at it. Not my way of eating this.

My favourite ban chan of the night goes to Dubu Jorim (silk tofu served with soya sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and chopped green onion) and Oi Muchim (spicy pickled cucumbers). The dubu jorim had the right amount saltiness not like some other places where the sauce can be powerfully salty. And, the cucumbers had the right kind of crunch. The worst is to eat the soggy kinds.

So, my understanding of ban chan is that it's placed in the middle of the table. It's to be shared. They come in small portions and on small plates. And, when they are finished. Yes, finished. Meaning empty. They are to be replenished. So, keep this thought in mind.

As the main server places the ban chan, she tells the three 3 of us not to touch the plates that are in front of us. People "eat them too fast". Really?! Did she just say that? You're telling us what we can do and can't? If you find this amusing, that was just only the beginning of it all.

As guests started rolling in, we still had 3 menus. Did anyone from the restaurant bothered to bring more menus down to our table? Nope. [perhaps, I should start my "Skimpy Point" System (for every skimpy gesture given by the restaurant, they get awarded with 1 point), I think I should start it!] And when, all 13 of us was present, they still didn't bother to bring more menus. I'm not asking the establishment to give a menu per person. One menu between two people would have been ideal. One menu shared with 3 is pushing it, but manageable. But to share one menu among 4 people and more is just simply ridiculous. Awarded 1 skimpy point.  

After some time, we were finally all ready to order. So, we placed our order with the main server. And after chatting up, our food came at a timely manner. We all ordered a nice array of mains.

Also, water bottle pitchers level were depleted. And so were the ban chan. We asked for more ban chan. And when she came back (not immediately), her face has darkened (not happy). She only brought with her 3 additional ban chan. Awarded 1 skimpy point. Water bottle still empty. Awarded 1 skimpy point. Double whammy! You're on a roll! If you're reading this and smiling, this is NOT something to be proud about.

What I ordered was Mul Man Du (boiled beef dumplings) and a Dwen Jang Chigae (tofu & seafood soup stew). They both came, but my dumplings were not something that I was expecting. What I was expecting was boiled dumplings without soup. What I got was boiled dumplings with soup. No problem. So, I ordered 2 mains and got 2 bowls of rice. S'all good! This was my mistake. But I never let food go to waste.

So, I started with Mul Man Du (Boiled Dumplings). Aside from not expecting soup, there were more goodies in the clay pot/bowl. There were beef slices, sliced shiitake mushrooms, rice cake slices (which was something that I wanted to order but decided not to. So, it was kind of nice to get that), glass noodle, napa and green onion. The broth itself was light and clear. That was a nice change. Overall, a nice mild and tasty main to order if you're looking for something beef and soupy.

At this point, I was already stuffed. But I still had some rice remaining from my first bowl, I just tried and took some soup from the Dwen Jang Chigae (tofu & seafood soup stew). The colour of the soup base is a bit deceiving. Meaning, it was spicier than it looks. It contained silk tofu, a mix of seafood (baby mussels, baby shrimps, tiny pieces of squid, onion, and green onions. Pushing to get a skimpy point, but I'll let this one slide.

A second server brought another soup stew that no one ordered. I believe it was another Dwen Jang Chigae. But I was clearly still working on mine's. So, that's an error on the restaurant's part.

At this point, most of us has finished our meal and we're just enjoying the conversations. By the way, all 3 water bottle pitchers are completely empty. Any attempt from the restaurant to refill them? Still no. Awarded 1 skimpy point. 

Since we were done, no point in sticking around. No additional water would be given. And, we were to head upstairs and pay for our own individual bill.

As we each line-up one after another to wait and pay our bill, it came to my turn to pay. I told the main server/cashier what I had ordered. She did her calculations and I paid her. I took my change. And she had the audacity to ask for tip. I put in a toonie (which was more than enough), she did not retract the bill tray. I had to put in another 25-cents, she then moved on. I am appalled.

What went wrong with this experience? Let's start with the lighter things, bad customer service. Honestly, I don't think the main server regarded us as customers. So, I will revise this term to just bad service. Had she regarded us as customers, her treatment would have differed. If you are stressed or upset with something about work or outside of work, you MUST look professional and treat people with courtesy. Customers are the reason why you have a position at the restaurant. Without customers, will there be a need for your job anymore? Highly doubt it. Not feeling good? Go home! But if you decide to stay and work, suck it up. We did not ask you for your opinion and it was not needed. Did any of us speak rudely to you? Frankly, no. Secondly, if the stress was caused because of serving a table like our size was the problem, then don't take on a challenge that you can't meet. And when you do take on that challenge, do a good job at it please. Not a sloppy one. Our table were reasonable, fair, and sometimes a little too understanding. We weren't the picky kinds. So, don't take advantage of such situations like that again. 

And because of that earlier ordered item that did not belong to any of us, there were complications on the tab for our table. Someone ordered dumplings (me) was still outstanding and unpaid. Mind you, I've paid for my share already. She locked the doors and wouldn't let the remaining parties from our table leave. Not until that outstanding item was paid for. This is so wrong on so many levels. For one, (not trying to offend anyone or any culture) we live in NORTH AMERICA. You confining people like that is not just or legal. Next, forcing your paying customers to pay for an item that was a mistake on the restaurant end is even more ridiculous. Seriously, all I am doing right now is sharking my head. And you know very well why. IT'S NOT RIGHT!

I could really care less if you didn't meet the sales target for the night or that no one ordered table top grills for that evening or that the restaurant owner is forcing their servers to collect tips. Awarded 2 skimpy points. Gratuity (also known as tips) is OPTIONAL and it is based on the service. You'd be lucky to get any tip for the --- what service did we get? But to demand tip from your customers, that just really bad business practice and etiquette.

Having our party sit downstairs in the basement, near the washrooms, and bad ventilation just screamed: WTF?! (People who know me, knows that I don't use vulgar words in my every day part of speech. And when I do, I'm really upset. And, I have every reason to be)

And, what was up with that creepy guy sitting there the entire time by himself? Making sure we don't steal away the tower fan or TV?

Honestly, despite how well the food is, awful customer service will only drive away diners like me. If pennies were still being produce, which it isn't, here are my 2-cents: change the way you think in terms of business practice. This seriously needs to be re-evaluated. The end-users, your customers, are not dumb. They will catch on to your strategy. Unless if you want to continue getting less business, then by all means, continue what you are doing if not magnify what you have implemented.

All in all, I will NEVER visit this establishment again. This was my first visit and it will be my last. Why would I want to put myself through that again when I can go to another Korean restaurant that is closer  (because I am a downtowner) that will give me better services and make us feel welcome. That's just common sense.

Skimpy points total is 5.

Rold Gold's Crunch Clusters

Just stumbled on this new product at a local retail shop. I was just going to walk right past it. But it certainly caught my attention and more.

The last time I was recommended to try a clustered junk snackie, I absolutely loved it! So, why not give this a go and see if it'll get my passing? ☺️

Not sure how new this product just is. But the fact I haven't seen this ever before. It's pretty new here in Canada.

It's a nice compact size to start off. You get 135g of these clusters. The best part is it comes with the resealable lock mechanism. Keeps your treat as fresh as it can be!

Once you open the bag, it's about half-filled. Size wise, they are rather small. Sharing the same circumference of the Canadian loonie coin. And no more than 1" in height.

Dome-ly shaped on top and flat on the bottom coated with about half an inch of milk chocolate. The coating is not consistent as sometimes you'll find one more than the other or the coating is not straight all around. But, hey! It's still clusters and chocolate. It can be coated entirely and I will still take it as is. I ain't complaining! 😜

The pretzel-peanut clusters are rather more solid than I thought. It definitely has a (hard) crunch (I actually tried biting it in half and it wasn't as easy as I thought, but definitely do-able!). So, if you have sensitive teeth, you've been warned!

It's definitely more sweet than salty in taste. You taste the peanut part more towards the end. And it looks more like a rice krispy cluster or a granola cluster than pretzels and peanuts.

Overall, I really like this product. Not sure how long they will be around for. But, I would definitely recommend it. Good job, Rold Gold! When this product picks up on the hype, I hope you'll consider launching a peanut butter dipped or dark chocolate dipped version  of this and have it available in Canada! It just makes sense!

Uncle Tetsu's Japanese Cheesecake and more

So, I happened to have enough time to kill to check out what's the hype with Uncle Tetsu. Or so I thought I did.

Uncle Tetsu's Japanese Cheesecake is located at 598 Bat St., just north of Dundas on the west side.

It's a relatively small shop that oozes out freshly baked egg cake. Smelling so heavenly and divine! Just makes you hungry for something deliciously sweet!

I knew I would be standing in line for at least 1-hr to 1-1/2hrs. Little did I know, my entire wait time was 2-hrs and 5 mins. Wow!!! It definitely felt much longer than that. But you kind of get the sense that service was on the sluggish side. Please improve on this, as today was not your first day of opening (8th day, to exact).

I must warn you, please have cash available on you before you start lining up. They accept cash only for now. 

For $10 (tax included; $8.88 each), you get a full 6" diameter Japanese cheesecake. And for $2.22 each, the madeleine is also available. Essentially, it's like a cupcake less the icing. And right now, if you buy 3 madeleine, you get 1 free.

And because the shop is still brand new, they limit 1 cheesecake per person and 1 order of 4 madeleines per person. If you're waiting in line for over 2-hrs, why not get in on the maximum?

After receiving our treats and a few hours later, I finally tried both products. Yay!

The cheesecake was little too moist in my opinion. However, it was quite soft for other kinds of Japanese cheesecakes that I've had. And it wasn't overly sweet which is always a plus.

The madeleine on the other note, it surprised me. Good surprise, of course! I like the almost-crispy top. And I find the sweetness matches the density of the treat! Two-thumbs up from me on this one!

In all honesty, I was disappointed that they didn't have the rusk cookies or the angel hat available. Perhaps, in 3 months time, I will make another trip. And hopefully by then, it wouldn't take me an over 2-hrs wait for these treats. That, or the limitation of cheesecakes and madeleines.