Brian C.'s Profile

It's all about the jazz for me. Despite not being a whisky drinker, the Emmet Ray's selection was the second thing that caught my eye, the first was the great jazz artists playing, the third were their prices.
I came to the Emmet to watch a friend's trio play some sweet tunes. The cozy and sparse bar felt like an elite secret shared amongst musicians and jazz aficionados alike. The low lighting and separated, sitting-room style seating in the back gave a sense of discovery that pulled me in.
As I listened and immersed myself in the tunes the entire bar took over my sense. A plate of warm olives to suck on let me enjoy some of the faire the kitchen had to offer. I watched as the staff patiently enjoyed the tunes as I much as I did, which made me appreciate that we could all share something together.
I did find one of the servers, I never caught his name, to be a little curt. However, when I retrieved the lost TTC pass he secured behind the bar I decided to overlook his cold demeanour. All of the bar's patrons were extremely affectionate. Many of them spoke highly of the cheese platter I plan on trying when I return.

This downtown local keeps its "around the corner" feel instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the big city. Friendly service and a huge bar are great for hanging out with friends, or meetups before and after just about any Toronto game.
My favourite aspect of Jack Astor's is the drinks. The food is OK, but their drinks out-do themselves. When I finally realized that the place brews and bottles their own rootbeer I was hooked. Deliciously smooth and much better than A & W, I truly appreciated the option of a brewed non-alcholic beverage for the sober vegetarian in me.

GE is a bustling place in the Beaches. People come for huge martinis, great milkshakes, or a great selection of food. The prices are decent, the portions are large, and the ambience is perfect for a casual night with friends or a large celebration.
Green Eggplant looses some stars to the inconsistencies in food and not-as-friendly-as-they-could-be staff. However, the food and the staff definitely earn their 3 stars.
On my first and second visit to GE I ordered one of their delectable Milkshakes. The shake was creamy and large, but the ice-cream they used was low quality and it also showed in the taste. The sweet potatoes fries I ordered were exceptional. Despite the name of the restaurant, the roasted eggplant sandwich was not the highlight of my night. On the second visit, the delicious veggie burger I ordered redeemed itself.

The absolutely fantastic cheese in this Kensington Market gem is only matched by the exceptional service. On my first visit to try the "must have" Applewood Smoked Cheddar I was offered up multiple slices of heaven by the generously endearing cheese-boys.
Besides the Applewood the complexity of their Whisky cheese won me over. Cheese Magic even has the courage to stand on the merits of a simple 6 year-old aged Cheddar and come out victorious.

It can be tough to showcase a mixed collection of used items while maintaining a singular air that is palatable to the customer. I found She Said Boom to be inviting and interesting.
When I came through the doors sounds of Dylan played over the speakers getting me in the mood for artistic discovery. Immediately I was greeted by interesting book-titles laid out before me.
Easily I was able to navigate the small store and marvel at both their collection and its condition. I predominately spent my time in the vinyl section and was happy to find a wide variety of music in decent condition.
The books may have been priced slightly high (as a result of their almost un-cracked bindings) but the vinyl was priced just right.

This is what a coffee/espresso bar is about - friendly service and great bean-based-beverages. I have heard some complain about the service, but I have yet to experience a negative visit.
Bulldog is like a refuge from the bustle of the city. Their quaint layout and location provide solace while indulging, and the tiny store forces a sense of community on any patron.

Awful music, cramped dance floor. Not worth the cover. I hear there were $4 drinks, but I don't drink so that doesn't matter. Even so, you would need a whole lot of those to tolerate that place.

I've tried a number of bagles from around Toronto, Ottawa & Quebec. Eating these bagles takes me back to the countryside and reminds me of exactly what a bagle should be.
This is a small counter shop in the corner of the market, so I don't mind the less than exceptional service; the bagles are fantastic!

Pizza is always a three-way tradeoff between price, taste, and quantity. The right combination creates the perfect value for your dollar. Telepizza has a quality slice, but lacks the quantity to make the $4 slice worth the price.
Predominately their pizza succeeds in the all-important sauce deartment. Rather than go with a typical, mild tomatoe sauce, Tele opts for the more flavorful and spicy to waken your pallet. An adequate portion of well balanced toppings carries the slice through.
With a more traditional offerings of slices and a crispy crust, this pizza is typical of a traditional pizzeria. However, I could use more all-around: more sauce, more toppings, more pizza!

Starbucks is great for quick, consistent service and this location doesn't differ. I think Ben Stiller's character says it best in the movie Greenberg: "In your attempt to manufacture culture out of fast-food coffee you have been surprisingly successful for the most part. The part that isn't covered by "the most part" sucks!"
To a degree this includes their coffee. If you want consistency than this Whitby location holds up to the rest. If you want a relaxing decor that looks like a copy of that trendy spot you always hope to find, then relax right here. If you want great coffee and a truly unique experience, search elsewhere.