2013 Summer Deals in Canada!

Summer weather is ALMOST... (yes almost, not quite) here! It's not yet hot but the deals are!

Summer deals happening with a hint of competition.

McDonalds vs. Tim Horton

All summer long, certain drinks will be $1.00 (plus tax)

It's not unusual that McDonald is having their $1 on soft drinks (any size) and $1 iced coffee

As well, McDonalds will have their FRUIT SMOOTHIES (snack size) for $1.00 between April 22-28, 2013!

At Tim Horton's, they're offering $1 on Iced Coffee (small), Icy cold frozen Rasberry Lemonade (small), Frozen lemonade (small), or Iced latte (small).

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Note: And it's all on right now! Not sure how long Tim Horton's will be, but McDonalds will be on all summer longer!

Hmmmmmmmm... choices choices. 

Now that you know, share this post with all your friends!

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Have a wonderful summer everyone!

Food Review: Khao San Road

In the past year my friends, acquaintances, and old co-workers have mentioned how Khao San Road is THE THAI restaurant to eat it.

And so after a year, I finally made it out with my friends to go try it out.

It's funny because it's not a very easy restaurant to find, but if you were to tell people, "you'll know where it is when you see there's a big line-up". When we got there at 6:00pm on a Saturday, we had a wait time of 45 minutes. *Aiyah!!!! Soooo long! But still... we waited because 2/3 of my party hadn't tried it yet.

This is what the store front looks like:

No visible sign... wait..... wait.... I think I found it.....

There IT is (photo above). 

Note: It's the white paper sign in the middle. 

Ok, enough of the obvious, let's dip right into the food, the prices, the service and the atmosphere.

The bar area and in the foreground of the photo (above), this is the start of the line.

They have 2 long cafeteria style tables that seats snugly and on bar stools in the front of house. A nice thing about this space is that underneath the tables have complimentary hooks  for you to hang your belongings -and they don't really get in the way of your feet. *thumbs up*

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The 2-page menu:

I thought they had a okay menu list. It was kind of small, but I guess (from what others have said) that all the packed people know when something is good, so whatever is on the menu, must be good as well.

Cup of Tom Yum Soup ($3.00). Warning: Very spicy, even for the people who enjoy and can tolerate spice. The cup is also very small (photo below).

Tom Yum Soup is probably one of my favorite soups (when it's not too spicy). The soup that night was very tasty and the ingredients tasted fresh as well. If it wasn't overly spicy, I think I could have enjoyed a lot more of it.

This is the craziest drink I've ever tasted. It felt like a million different ingredients in my mouth.  This was the Sa Koo Ma Prao drink. It's a sweet coconut milk, flavoured with pandon, and strips of tender young coconut. ($4.00). 

At first glance, you think it's a mango puree juce. But no! it's not! After my first sip, I tasted black tea, milky, sweet and a hint of mango and a lot of creaminess. It definitely felt similar to that of bubble tea, but insanely creamy. I liked the newest of it, but I'm not sure if it's something I would order again. Maybe it's too different for my taste buds.

For my main dish, I ordered the Khao Soi braised beef with wedge of lime ($15.00).

Before I came here, I did a little research on Yelp and other websites. One of the most repetitive dishes ordered was this one. And from the photos, they looked really good. However, when I ordered the Khao Soi, I thought it would have more orange and oil sauce and not this pure yellow-y sauce. The sauce was very creamy and light with minimal spiciness as I ordered mild. The sauce and noodle ratio was a bit off. There was a lot more sauce, which caused me to get a doggy bag for mostly 'sauce'. The braised beef was very soft and tender and well seasoned.

And of course, this wouldn't be a complete review without trying their Pad Thai (photo below).

I tried one Pad Thai with medium heat and another with mild. I absolutely can handle mild heat. And the Pad Thai was delicious. However, for the price ($14 & $16), it's a little pricey in comparison to others I've tried around downtown area like Salad King ($8-10, Dundas/Yonge) or Real Thailand ($8.95, Spadina/Bloor).

Overall....

From what I heard and my experience

Wait time for seating ....... 45 minutes

Wait time for food ......... 50 minutes (around 40 - 60 mins)

Price .......... 1.4/5 (over-priced compared to most thai restaurants)

Atmosphere .......... 4/5

Cleanliness .......... 3.5/5

Taste ................ 3.4/5

Total: 3.3/5

Yes, I was hyped up from other peoples' opinions and that did make my review a little bias. However, judging on my experience/price/atmosphere/wait times, it isn't something I'd like to do again.

Food Review: Boris Bistro (Montreal)

Old Montreal Restaurant | Boris Bistro

The restaurant is located at 465 McGill Street (Rue McGill) and it is more than just a french restaurant. 

This restaurant, during the warmer seasons, Boris opens up a vast area south of the building to a beautiful and open patio. Unfortunately, it's winter and much too cold to dine outside. I will definitely try to come back in the summer and take lots of photos of the outdoor space.

The interior is also nice, but triangular and limited space. 

Now.... onto the food:

We started off with French Fries in Duck Fat with Boris mayonnaise ($5.00) because I was tipped off (Foursquare app) that an order of these fries was to die for. Now I'm coming back with a review of "NO". Sorry, nothing special and the fries were not very tasty -a bit burnt.

For my entree, I ordered the Pork osso buco ($24.00). It was a pork and cheesy polenta dish. The polenta was very creamy and very very cheesy (+ +) and the pork was very nice and tender. The brussel sprouts were also well coated in a nice seasoning. Overall, this was a very delicious dish.

The menu had a limited list of food offerings, but I was pleased to see that their entree menu had a wide variety. The prices were $$$ range.

Overall, the service was very friendly as well professional and the food was a little above average.

Would I come again? I think I would like to try their lunch menu out on the deck in the spring or summer periods.

Boris Bistro, I'll be back!

Food Review: Memories of Japan

In Toronto and around the GTA there are just a million Japan type restaurants. But who's to know which one are the good ones?

Well, like most, they offer very similar entrees and similar medium priced food. I was actually very surprised to see Memories of Japan (located on Don Mills Road between Lawrence and Eglinton Avenue East).

From first glance, you can tell that this is a much older restaurant. Inside is the same. One thing that brought me back to my childhood in Windsor was this paper place mat (photo below).

Memoirs of Japan has 2 dining areas, 1) regular dining area and 2) Teppanyaki

At first, the manager sat us down in the Teppanyaki without even asking where we wanted. First strike!

However, we did get to have a look at what was on the Teppanyaki menu. I haven't been to one in a while, so I had always assumed it would be pricey due to the 'extra' show they do for the customers. 

Turns out it can be as low as $9.95 for a show and a tasty teppanyaki meal. But as it was, we decided to go to the other dining area to eat.

For lunch, their set menus were not too shabby. For myself, I ordered a chicken terriyaki bento box. But unlike most bento box orders, this also includes ice cream. 

For $8.95, you get:

3 pieces of salmon sushi

3 pieces of  cucumber sushi

miso soup

Bento box (salad w/ dressing, fried tofu, chicken  terriyaki, steamed rice, steamed broccoli)

ice cream (choice from vanilla, green tea, red bean, mango)

Overall, the food was good. Nothing out of the ordinary. The salmon sushi seemed pretty fresh.  But it was the amount of food (and dessert included in most bento sets) for that price made it well worth it. The atmosphere was pretty nice as well, with our party we had 7 people, so we sat in one of their more private rooms. 

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Here's a view of other food items they offer with the prices, if you're interested and in the area (photos below).

Overall, the experience was okay. The service there was not too great though. Some of the waitresses were really hard to understand and the manager there (who sat us without asking where we wanted to eat) had no customer service whatsoever... not even a smile. 

Price .................. 3.8/5

Taste ....... 2.9/5 (good, normal)

Location ............... Lots of parking

Atmosphere .............2.5/5 (still very old fashion, but clean)

Service .................. 1.5/5

Maybe next time I'll come here for their Teppanyaki. =0)

Food Review: Paradise Fine Chinese Dining | Dim sum

I rarely do dim sum restaurant reviews because almost always the food is the same. Sometimes some dim sum restaurants will add their own flare to a classic dish, but that's also not as common.

In saying this, I thought it was necessary to bring to your attention about a dim sum restaurant in North York called Paradise Fine Chinese Dining. It is located in the plaza at the north east corner of Finch Avenue and Leslie Street (also where Leslie Cafe is).

The first thing I felt when I walked in was it's 'grandness'. The interior was very spacious and the decorations were dressed up. Already, I was impressed.

Another interesting thing I noticed that almost every table were made for medium to large groups. We had only 7 people and still we had extra seats between my party.

Now.... for the foodie side of the post:

Fried tofu & shrimp and eggplant

Har Gow (Pork & Shrimp)

Pan fried beef buns (so light and fluffy) 

Congee

Stomach tip (front), Pork & shrimp dumplings (middle), Tendon (back)

Steamed dumplings

BBQ noodles

Steamed BBQ Pork buns & Chicken feet

For the most part, everything was very tasty. There's nothing to complain in the flavour and portion department. But there was something that stood out, which was their professionalism and quickness. By quickness, I mean everytime a dish was finished, there was always a waitress/waiter there to pick it up quickly and quietly. By quietly I mean that not a single waitress/waiter made any noise/fuse to access the Lazy Suzanne tray.

One thing that was a big hard to deal with was their unique looking tea cups. Though pretty, it was hard to hold as there was half a handle. Design flaw?!

Though the restaurant could fill a great deal, they had  just enough (not too many) waitress/waiters to maintain efficient servicing and as well highly professionalism.

Overall, I give this restaurant a 4.5/5

Service.............. 5/5

Price ................ $$

Atmosphere ..........4/5 (spacious, but not noisy)

Taste ................ 3/5

Giveaway/Contest: 2 Movie Tickets for TIFF Kids Film Festival 2013

Hi everyone,

I'm so happy you stopped by. And on what a day to win something for free.

I thought about getting tickets to a film during the TIFF Kids Film Festival but then thought that maybe more of my viewers are younger and/or without children. 

So instead, I'm holding a giveaway/contest for 2 free ticket vouchers that is good for any TIFF Kids Film or Regular Screening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox (350 King Street West, downtown Toronto).

Note: Before you enter to win, make sure you are able to use them. They can only be redeemed at one location, TIFF Bell Lightbox building on 350 King St. West, downtown Toronto. =0)

Here's how to win: 

1) Comment on this post with...

2) Your name and email (without it, I cannot notify you)

3) Your top 2 theccgirl blog posts you liked and why (can be short)

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It will be a random draw, so good luck!

I'll contact the winner on FRIDAY APRIL 5, 2013. The pick-up will be Saturday April 6, 2013 downtown area. (So do make sure you can meet up downtown that day please).

Thanks for coming by and good luck! 

Toronto in April: TIFF Kids Film Festival

When Spring is here, that means it's Film Festival time in Toronto!

Tuesday April 9 - Sunday April 21, 2013

Come with nieces, nephews, sons, daughters, granddaughters, grandsons and join the TIFF events:

Kids Films

Arts & Crafts

Digi Play Space (virtual fun for adults & children)

Concerts

and a lot of fun for everybody!

As of last year, TIFF has introduced more than film to the festival. The newest thing is DIGI SPACE. If you've never heard about it, then you gotta go! I mean go! Yes Go!!!!

They'll have their ongoing and FREE crafts events upstairs in the learning center on the 3rd floor. Check for the open hours =0)

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If you want to purchase your TIFF kids film tickets earlier, here's a little more detail:

Adult: $12.00

Student/Senior: $9.50

Children (aged 3-13): $8.50

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For tickets to go to the Digi Play Space:

Ticket price with paid TIFF kids film admission

TIFF members: $4.24

Non-members: $5.00

Ticket price without paid TIFF kids film admission

TIFF members: $6.80

Non-members: $8.00

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And as always, for more information go to www.tiff.net

Food Review: Pearl 明 珠 酒 樓

Pearl 明 珠 酒 樓

One of the few Chinese restaurants around the Bayview/Sheppard area is Pearl restaurant 明 珠 酒 樓. They also have an even larger restaurant by the Harbourfront downtown Toronto.

As you see, it's quite busy on a Saturday night (photo above).

The storefront is small because it's located inside Bayview Village. Thought we'd give it a try since we were in the area and it was rounding dinner time.

The menu is decent but definitely way over priced for Chinese food at other restaurants around Toronto.

E-mein noodles (17.00) | Review: The e-mein was only okay. The noodles weren't bad but it wasn't the same and it wasn't a good "same taste".  

Seafood U-don noodles ($19.00) | Review:  the plate was way too bland. A little more spice or salt would have helped. The plate, for that price, was much too small. It could feed probably 1.5 person.

Corn soup ($5.00) | Review: Similar to the first two dishes, it was all good except for a lack of salt. 

The only thing that made this good was the complimentary fried chips & dessert (red bean soup).

Overall..... I'd give it at low 2.2/5

The service ......................... 2/5 (manager/waiter was repetitive, always re-asking us our order)

The atmosphere ................................................................................................................. 4/5 

The price .................................................................................. 1/5 (over-priced)

The location .......................................................................... 3.5/5 (great location, convenient)