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IronGAF Cookoff (hosted by OnkelC)
- Thread starter OnkelC
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Last weekend I went to Toronto, Canada for Anime North. Now for those who actually know me, I'm sure they'd ask "But Priz, you live in the San Francisco Bay Area. You have a Sci-Fi/Fantasy con AND a local anime con that weekend with bigger attendance numbers and guests than the one in Canada, why not stay home that weekend?" There's this girl I've been chatting with for 10 years online, now really famous, she was a guest of honor at the convention. I hung out with her fans from Japan and her small but faithful US fan club following to lend her support in the US. ($139 each way from SFO and free hotel/free badge was the clincher.)
While there, I tried a variety of food. On Saturday night, we went to CN Tower and had reservations at 10pm (earliest we could get for a party of 13). It was 7:30 though and I had yogurt for breakfast and nothing since, so I was starved. In front of the CBC/Convention Center/CN Tower are a few "Roach Coaches" (but they call them "Chip Trucks" in Canada). Got great service and great food off one of them called Don Juan. Tried Poutine for the first time and really enjoyed it.
That held me over until we went up into the CN Tower and ate at the rotating touristy fancy restaurant up there, the 360. I had the four course meal:
I started with an Amuse Bouche - GOATS CHEESE AND BRAISED LEEK TART
Spinach and garlic aioli
Second Course - TARRAGON INFUSED WILD MUSHROOM AND LEEK BROTH
Summer chanterelles, truffle oil, scallion threads
My Main Course - GRILLED CANADIAN AAA STRIPLOIN STEAK
WITH BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES
Balsamic roasted mushrooms, creamed spinach, beet and apple horseradish
and FINALLY - the Dessert Course - VANILLA PANNA COTTA ON NEWFOUNDLAND SHORTBREAD
Fresh summer strawberry and mango salad, strawberry gelato
$68 + tax + tip. Not bad food, but not exceptional. It was good for what it was. I actually enjoyed the service and such of the Chip Truck food more (believe it or not!) :lol
The next night we went to the Rainforest Cafe and the service sucked (for me). They mention having this show of the animals "performing" every 22 minutes (overheard someone mention that to the people they seated next to us). We ordered our drinks, waitress returned with drinks and took our food orders. Anamatronic performance as we finished our drinks. I ordered a Caesar Salad & Pork Chop w/Garlic Mashed Potatoes and such... friend gets his appetizer, no salad, no refills. another anamatronic show occurs - still no refills but my friends food arrives. Everyone's but mine. When they get about 2/3rds done with their meals, the waitress comes to check on us. (First time we've seen her since placing an order.) She makes a smartass comment about how I must have loved my food so much, I already cleaned the plate and it's been taken by the busboys. I tell her I never received anything, not even the salad. She simply says "oh" and 5-10 minutes later returns with my main dish. I ask her if she could do me one favor and remove the salad from the bill since I never received it. She said she'd do that right away and at that moment, THEN we got refills of our drinks. Friend ordered the same pork chop dinner and mine was at least 50% smaller than his. sigh. (He had something added to his that wasn't standard so that's how we knew when it came his vs. mine.) The bill came - guess what was on there. I asked her again to remove it and she seemed annoyed that I asked her that but seriously - you couldn't check on us for 22 minutes? Screw you.
The next day we dropped the Japanese guys off at the airport and went to get lunch at a place called Montana's. I, being a huge fan of pulled pork and carnitas, had to order their signature pulled pork sandwich!
After the service the night before, this waitress was on top of EVERYTHING. Extra Napkins without asking because it could be messy? Check. Refills on drinks without even having to ask before they were 1/3rd empty? Check. Constantly checking to see if we needed anything? Friend said "These fries would be better if we could dip them in that barbecue sauce." She was nearby so in less than a minute of requesting it, there was a side of BBQ sauce on the table. Good food and great service. I made sure we overtipped her by a few bucks (I threw in a $5 just for tip) because I was so happy with the food and the service. I definitely would go back to Montana's if I ever find myself in Toronto or anywhere else they're located. As we were waiting on someone using the bathroom, I mentioned to the host up front about the service the night before and he mentioned going there with his girlfriend for her birthday and the food came out quickly, but the service was terrible, but he felt biased considering where he worked. Nice folks.
I thought I'd share my photos and such from this trip.
While there, I tried a variety of food. On Saturday night, we went to CN Tower and had reservations at 10pm (earliest we could get for a party of 13). It was 7:30 though and I had yogurt for breakfast and nothing since, so I was starved. In front of the CBC/Convention Center/CN Tower are a few "Roach Coaches" (but they call them "Chip Trucks" in Canada). Got great service and great food off one of them called Don Juan. Tried Poutine for the first time and really enjoyed it.
That held me over until we went up into the CN Tower and ate at the rotating touristy fancy restaurant up there, the 360. I had the four course meal:
I started with an Amuse Bouche - GOATS CHEESE AND BRAISED LEEK TART
Spinach and garlic aioli
Second Course - TARRAGON INFUSED WILD MUSHROOM AND LEEK BROTH
Summer chanterelles, truffle oil, scallion threads
My Main Course - GRILLED CANADIAN AAA STRIPLOIN STEAK
WITH BUTTERMILK MASHED POTATOES
Balsamic roasted mushrooms, creamed spinach, beet and apple horseradish
and FINALLY - the Dessert Course - VANILLA PANNA COTTA ON NEWFOUNDLAND SHORTBREAD
Fresh summer strawberry and mango salad, strawberry gelato
$68 + tax + tip. Not bad food, but not exceptional. It was good for what it was. I actually enjoyed the service and such of the Chip Truck food more (believe it or not!) :lol
The next night we went to the Rainforest Cafe and the service sucked (for me). They mention having this show of the animals "performing" every 22 minutes (overheard someone mention that to the people they seated next to us). We ordered our drinks, waitress returned with drinks and took our food orders. Anamatronic performance as we finished our drinks. I ordered a Caesar Salad & Pork Chop w/Garlic Mashed Potatoes and such... friend gets his appetizer, no salad, no refills. another anamatronic show occurs - still no refills but my friends food arrives. Everyone's but mine. When they get about 2/3rds done with their meals, the waitress comes to check on us. (First time we've seen her since placing an order.) She makes a smartass comment about how I must have loved my food so much, I already cleaned the plate and it's been taken by the busboys. I tell her I never received anything, not even the salad. She simply says "oh" and 5-10 minutes later returns with my main dish. I ask her if she could do me one favor and remove the salad from the bill since I never received it. She said she'd do that right away and at that moment, THEN we got refills of our drinks. Friend ordered the same pork chop dinner and mine was at least 50% smaller than his. sigh. (He had something added to his that wasn't standard so that's how we knew when it came his vs. mine.) The bill came - guess what was on there. I asked her again to remove it and she seemed annoyed that I asked her that but seriously - you couldn't check on us for 22 minutes? Screw you.
The next day we dropped the Japanese guys off at the airport and went to get lunch at a place called Montana's. I, being a huge fan of pulled pork and carnitas, had to order their signature pulled pork sandwich!
After the service the night before, this waitress was on top of EVERYTHING. Extra Napkins without asking because it could be messy? Check. Refills on drinks without even having to ask before they were 1/3rd empty? Check. Constantly checking to see if we needed anything? Friend said "These fries would be better if we could dip them in that barbecue sauce." She was nearby so in less than a minute of requesting it, there was a side of BBQ sauce on the table. Good food and great service. I made sure we overtipped her by a few bucks (I threw in a $5 just for tip) because I was so happy with the food and the service. I definitely would go back to Montana's if I ever find myself in Toronto or anywhere else they're located. As we were waiting on someone using the bathroom, I mentioned to the host up front about the service the night before and he mentioned going there with his girlfriend for her birthday and the food came out quickly, but the service was terrible, but he felt biased considering where he worked. Nice folks.
I thought I'd share my photos and such from this trip.
nakedsushi
Member
It was my birthday this weekend, yay!
The BF made chocolate cupcakes and delicious chocolate glaze. All vegan!
Then went to the parents' for dinner the next day and they made home made dumplings. I brought a ton of leftovers home =D
Not related to any birthday meals, but I had some spicy beef noodles (mala niou rou mien) that kicked my ass. I could only finish 1/4 of it before it got to be too spicy.
The BF made chocolate cupcakes and delicious chocolate glaze. All vegan!
Then went to the parents' for dinner the next day and they made home made dumplings. I brought a ton of leftovers home =D
Not related to any birthday meals, but I had some spicy beef noodles (mala niou rou mien) that kicked my ass. I could only finish 1/4 of it before it got to be too spicy.
Priz said:
now thats food, rustic shit FTMFW. Classy is nice and all but the rigidity of those types of restaurants usually are a turn off for me.
NomarTyme said:
only the bottom is browned from being burned a little, the rest looks grey on my monitor.
Most likely its just the lighting that screwed up the color, its probably white IRL.
nakedsushi
Member
NomarTyme said:
They're just regular Chinese potstickers. The brown part is where they were fried.
nakedsushi
Member
Input
Output: Vegetarian Laksa!
nakedsushi
Member
dedhead54 said:
Sorry, I don't have a recipe for that one. I ordered it at a restaurant.
nakedsushi
Member
Dinner tonight: Thai rice salad courtesy of the BF.
nakedsushi
Member
^ I love fish collars. Kim-chi fried rice looks delicious. Is there anything that can't be improved with kim-chi? I think not.
I love the summer.
1 piece of dead animal
+ 1 splash of oil
+ paprika, pepper, rosemary, garlic, coriander, other mixed spices
+ some coal
+ fire
= one very very happy CTLance.
Krautgaf, represent.
I lovegrilled nearly-charred meat. No joke. My cellphone camera makes it look worse than it was, though.
Btw, for accuracys' sake: I'm cheating, this is from one week ago. I was away from the cellphone-enabled Mac, hence the delay.
Bummer that it's been raining for a few days now...
ah well, the plants need the water.
...
1 piece of dead animal
+ 1 splash of oil
+ paprika, pepper, rosemary, garlic, coriander, other mixed spices
+ some coal
+ fire
= one very very happy CTLance.
Krautgaf, represent.
I love
Btw, for accuracys' sake: I'm cheating, this is from one week ago. I was away from the cellphone-enabled Mac, hence the delay.
Bummer that it's been raining for a few days now...
ah well, the plants need the water.
...
nakedsushi
Member
Hah, it's funny how everyone just had steak today. The dal looks good and easy to make. I'm inspired to make some for dinner next week.
well heres something a little less meaty for dinner. I left one unwrapped so you guys could see what they look like.
Its that time of year again and my grandma made a batch of rice dumplings and they are great for a quick meal.
Inside: peanuts, chinese sausage, slice of salted egg, maize, waster chestnut, salted pork belly, and I think something else. Not too sure I just eat not make it.
Its that time of year again and my grandma made a batch of rice dumplings and they are great for a quick meal.
Inside: peanuts, chinese sausage, slice of salted egg, maize, waster chestnut, salted pork belly, and I think something else. Not too sure I just eat not make it.
mmmmm, dal.
you guys, I'm already starting to miss food here.
I went to a hokkaido ramen place with a friend today in Ginza. I had kimchee ramen that came with the most perfectly made egg. still slightly gooey in the middle.
Then we went to a wagashi store nearby in ginza and bought some kuromame (black soybean) sembe.
And then I got all verklempt at another wagashi store when I found a local delicacy of Miyazaki prefecture, where I lived when I was a CIR on JET.
;_;
well, the dal will be better in london at least.
you guys, I'm already starting to miss food here.
I went to a hokkaido ramen place with a friend today in Ginza. I had kimchee ramen that came with the most perfectly made egg. still slightly gooey in the middle.
Then we went to a wagashi store nearby in ginza and bought some kuromame (black soybean) sembe.
And then I got all verklempt at another wagashi store when I found a local delicacy of Miyazaki prefecture, where I lived when I was a CIR on JET.
;_;
well, the dal will be better in london at least.
nakedsushi
Member
Zyzyxxz said:
I love those! I didn't know they were called dumplings though. We call it 'zong zhi' but to non-Chinese people, I call them "Chinese Tamales".
nakedsushi said:
yeah I don't think there is any good english name for them.
I use to call em bamboo leaf rice, I don't think dumpling fits its description very well but yeah my grandma and mother make em the best, I've had plenty from other relatives and family friends and I know her variation taste better than the rest.
nakedsushi
Member
The BF made dinner tonight, so other than picking out the awesome bowl, I can't claim credit to it. He made some macrobiotic bowl of veggies & black-eyed peas that tasted pretty tasty for being macrobiotic. I think it was the savory tofu sauce that did the trick. All of it was over brown rice, so I was stuffed by the time I was halfway through the bowl.
A rather messily presented spaghetti bolognese - made with soya mince for the vegetarians out there.
Soya mince is bizarrely one of the few meat subsitutes I actually prefer to the real thing (in bolognese at least)
(although not all soya mince - some I've had is indistinguishable from cardboard...)
Ingredients: mince (soya), onion, garlic, tomatoes, basil
Soya mince is bizarrely one of the few meat subsitutes I actually prefer to the real thing (in bolognese at least)
(although not all soya mince - some I've had is indistinguishable from cardboard...)
Ingredients: mince (soya), onion, garlic, tomatoes, basil
slidewinder
Banned
So, when making a Bolognese sauce, is it better to add (and reduce) the milk or the wine first? The dish seems to pop up fairly often, so what's the GAF verdict?
slidewinder said:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9251431&postcount=1861
It's probably not a traditional bolognese sauce though.
Awesome dishes, everybody! nakedsushi, consider yourself gifted to have two adept cooks in a single household. Do you know how macrobiotic families call their kids to dinner?
bovo, nice bolognese, how long do you have to cook the soy mince. very nice presentation, too.
Zyzyxxz, after watching Tampopo last weekend, the Ramen makes me drool. How did you bread the Jap schnitzel?
Milk in bolognese is the traditional recipe. I wouldn't add it until 15 minutes before serving because the acids from the tomatoes and the wine might cause it to curdle otherwise.
Do you know how macrobiotic families call their kids to dinner?Kids, come to table, the dinner is withering...
bovo, nice bolognese, how long do you have to cook the soy mince. very nice presentation, too.
Zyzyxxz, after watching Tampopo last weekend, the Ramen makes me drool. How did you bread the Jap schnitzel?
slidewinder said:
Milk in bolognese is the traditional recipe. I wouldn't add it until 15 minutes before serving because the acids from the tomatoes and the wine might cause it to curdle otherwise.
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