TOT the Cat Cafe

Cafe: TOT the Cat Cafe
Address: 298 College St.
Phone: 647-748-2287
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 10 AM - 8 PM
Website: www.totthecatcafe.com

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Menu

Drinks - Soy/Almond/Lactose-Free Options?: Only soy and almond

Food - Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free Options?: None
- Limited food menu at the moment

Review

My Order: Masala Chai, $2.25

Toronto's first cat cafe, TOT the Cat Cafe, opened in Kensington Market this November. I've been to one of Montreal's cat cafes this past summer and wanted to compare.

I was slightly bummed out with my trip here. My first disappointment was the cost of my Masala Chai. It was $2.25, which I found was overpriced for a teabag in hot water. The menu itself was pretty standard and at the time I was there (in November), their food menu was limited. I was told that they are planning to bring in more food so that might have changed by now.

The cafe has a separate room for customers to go in and view the cats because of regulations. Everyone that enters the room has to wear a pair of cute cat slippers in order to keep the room clean. It is small and compact with various cat furniture for the cats to climb and sleep on. In order to get into the cat room, you must register yourself onto a waiting list. The length of time you are allowed to stay in the cat room varies on how busy the cafe is. This can get a bit frustrating when the cafe gets really busy and there is a huge wait list.

They had eight cats during the time I was there and one got adopted that very day! The process of the adoption takes awhile because hopeful owner(s) would have to meet with the shelter for interviews and processing paperwork. The cats were definitely adorable and I think this would be a great place for any cat lover.

I was mainly disappointed with my experience because of my order and how the cats weren't allowed to roam free due to regulations. I saw that people could get annoyed waiting to get in when there was a huge line-up. I hope that the menu have improved since I was last there because I felt that they could have added more to the experience.

[Event] The Stop's What's on the Table

Event: What's on the Table
Date: November 4, 2015
Location: Daniels Spectrum
Website: wott.thestop.org

What's on the Table (WOTT) was an annual event hosted in November by The Stop Community Food Centre to raise funds for critical food access and community building programs. This year they raised over $328,000 for their cause!

I got the pleasure to cover this event last month. WOTT was hosted at the Daniels Spectrum and the turnout was a huge success. Attendees got to try delicious bite-sized items and drinks from 36 different restaurants, bakeries, and wineries. I don't even think I had the chance to try everything because there was so much food!

This was the second event I have attended hosted by The Stop (see my post for their Night Market here) and I am continually impressed with execution. I highly recommend checking out any of their future fundraising events because I can guarantee the food, the vibe and the cause are amazing.

[Event] Toronto's Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown 2015

Event: Toronto's Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown
Date: November 3, 2015
Location: Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District
Website: www.vanaqua.org/experience/events/annual-and-upcoming-events/ocean-wise-seafood-chowder-chowdown/toronto

I got to attend Toronto's Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown for the first time at the beginning of November. The event was in support of Ocean Wise, a Vancouver Aquarium conservation program that educates consumers about sustainable seafood. Attendees got to try unlimited craft beers and delicious chowder! Top chefs from 14 restaurants competed to be crowned the winner of 2015 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown: Toronto, voted by the attendees.

I definitely enjoyed my experience and loved trying the chowders because I don't get to eat them very often. I recommend checking out Great Lakes Pompous Ass Pale Ale if you are looking for a new craft beer to try (not only because it has an awesome name!). I ended up voting for Chef Joshua Dyer's (from EPIC at Fairmont Royal York) Ontario Corn and Crab Chowder. However, the winner for 2015 was Chef Patrick McMurray (from The Ceili Cottage) with The Ceili Cottage Chowder. 

I recommend checking out Chowder Chowdown for next year, especially if you believe in seafood sustainability!

[Event] Toronto Common: Spin Toronto

Event: Sunday Pong Day at Spin Toronto!
Location: 461 King St. W
Date: October 25, 2015
Website: toronto.wearespin.com

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Review

I attended Spin Toronto for the first time last month through a Toronto Common event. For only $25, you get to play ping pong, drink some delicious punch and eat a variety of snacks. Since a lot of people ended up cancelling last minute, those that attended got to try food that weren't normally on the menu.

The Pretzel Knots ($10) were quite popular. Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, the yummy dip completed this snack. Their Short Ribs Smörgåsbord melted off the bones perfectly, which I highly recommend if you love ribs. Overall I was very impressed with the food that Spin Toronto served. The prices were quite reasonable too!

So next time if you decide to drop by for a friendly game of ping pong, take a look at their menu as well!

[Event] Eat to the Beat 2015

Event: Eat to the Beat
Date: October 27, 2015
Location: Roy Thomson Hall
Website: www.eattothebeat.ca

Yesterday the 20th annual Eat to the Beat event was held at Roy Thomson Hall in benefit of the Willow Breast & Hereditary Cancer Support. For $175 (or $150 if you got the early bird tickets), attendees had access to unlimited drinks and amazing bites made by 60 female chefs in support of the cause. The turnout was an incredible success. In fact, it was so successful that it was difficult to navigate to the vendors because of the crowd!

I definitely enjoyed my time there (I think I'm getting used to red wine as well!). It was lively and had a huge array of bite sized desserts and savoury items. I felt though that there were probably a lot more desserts than there were hot food items.

Eat to the Beat is a worthy charity event to attend in the future, especially if you are a huge food lover.

The Red Tomato

Restaurant: The Red Tomato
Address: 321 King St. W
Phone: 416-971-6626
Operating Hours: Mon-Sun 5-10 PM
Website: www.redtomato.ca

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Review

Pizza of Choice: Peking Duck Pizza, $18

I attended a media event for The Red Tomato, a pizza and pasta wine bar underneath Fred's Not Here (both owned by the same owner). I rarely eat on King Street West so I always assumed that prices at the restaurants would be super expensive. However, when I saw The Red Tomato's menu, I was pleasantly surprised that the prices were quite fair (ranged from $13-$18 for a full size pizza).

My friend and I got to try a nice array of pizzas that were offered at the restaurant. My absolute favourite out of the bunch was the Peking Duck Pizza ($18), which was one of their Asian fusion items. If you love Asian food, I do recommend the Peking Duck Pizza! My friend however thought it wasn't that great and preferred "The Hangover Cure" ($16) without the egg. I enjoyed every single pizza at The Red Tomato that I got to try (which is rare!). Each pizza is savoury and you can taste how fresh they are!

I highly recommend The Red Tomato if you want to get some delicious and uniquely flavoured pizzas at an inexpensive price!

[Event] Canada's Baking and Sweets Show

Event: Canada's Baking and Sweets Show
Date: September 25-27, 2015
Location: The Toronto Congress Centre
Website: www.canadasbakingandsweetsshow.com

 

I got to attend the Canada's Baking and Sweets Show for the first time last month. I love sweets and to have an entire show dedicated to sweets was definitely appealing.

One of the highlights for the show were submissions for the Professional Baking Competition. One of the categories was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which had some pretty amazing cakes. Since I'm not a baker myself, I admire the amount of effort and detail that goes into these cakes! Asides from the submission displays, there were live demonstrations and vendors for baking supplies and goods. It wasn't a big event as I expected. I was hoping for more vendors that sold baked goods versus baking supplies (since I am not a baker). There were little samples and the price of the items being sold at the show weren't so great either. It definitely needed more interactive activities for attendees.

It was an overall decent event, though for the entrance price to get in at $20 wouldn't be worth it if you had to pay.

[Event] OKTOBERFEAST

Event: OKTOBERFEAST
Date: October 8, 2015
Venue: Berkeley Church
Website: http://convio.cancer.ca/site/PageNavigator/UFE_ON_of__Oktoberfeast_2015_Toronto.html

OKTOBERFEAST is a charity food event that was hosted in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario craft breweries/wineries and gourmet food vendors. All proceeds from the tickets and food purchases went towards raising funds to combat cancer! The event was held at the Berkeley Church on Queen East.

Decked out with lighting decor and purple ambiance, OKTOBERFEAST was lined up with different food and drink vendors throughout the church. A few of my favourite vendors were: Kanpai Snack Bar (I loved the Og Bao), Pizzeria Defina (a variety of pizzeria available), and Cheesewerks (for the cheese lover in me!). I also got the chance to try a drink from Walter Caesar (quite spicy because of the pepper!) and Lake Wilcox Brewing Company. There was a great balance of breweries and food vendors alike that were enough to cater to everyone's taste. I do wish there were a bit more food vendors, but that's just me being picky!

The event was a success and overall there were good times for a good cause!

[Event] Toronto Common: Wine Tasting at H Bar

Event: Wine Tasting at H Bar
Location: 859 Queen St. W
Date: September 16, 2015
Website: www.torontocommon.com

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Toronto Common partners up with different restaurants in the city to create food events. In order to attend, you pay a flat price to try a set menu. It is a great way to try something new at a low cost (think of it as Groupon for foodies)!

I booked my first restaurant event as a brand representative for Toronto Common. It is a monthly series of wine tastings at H Bar on Queen West, a recently established bar/brunch restaurant. There are three events in total, one each month from September to November.

The wines that H Bar feature at each event are from the brand Malivoire. You get to try four wines with amuse bouche pairings at the tasting.

If you are a wine connoisseur, I highly recommend this event. I met a couple of Toronto Common regulars who absolutely loved wine and enjoyed learning about the different pairings at H Bar. However, if you love to eat and want to have large quantities of food, this event is not for you (check out Toronto Common's other events!). The next event is going to be on October 21st. You can buy your tickets at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/wine-tasting-at-h-bar-tickets-18804559945
 

[Giveaway] 2 Pairs of Tickets to Toronto National Women's Show

If you followed me last year, you may know that I had the pleasure to attend The National Women's Show for the first time. It was a super packed event with lots of fun entertainment, samples, and shopping! I am excited to return again this year and two of my followers will have the opportunity to win a pair of tickets! Please fill out the Rafflecopter below. If you wish to purchase some tickets, please use my discount code TOCAFE for $3 off your ticket! Winners must be able to attend the event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Contest will end on October 9th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[Event] Diner en Blanc (Niagara)

Event: Diner en Blanc
Date: August 30, 2015
Location: The Oakes Garden Theatre
Website: niagara.dinerenblanc.info

Diner en Blanc is a popular and exclusive all-white event that happens annually. Every year there is a new secret location on where the event will be held. Attendees have to wear all white and bring their own all-white tables, chairs, and decor to the picnic. I got the pleasure to attend Niagara's Diner en Blanc at the end of August this year. There was a pre-party at the White Oaks Resort and Spa where attendees could mingle and drink some cocktails. Attendees had the option of boarding on a bus at the resort that would take them directly to the secret location or they could wait for an email stating where it was at and they could transport themselves there.

The secret location was at the Oakes Garden Theatre, which was right by the Niagara Falls. I couldn't think of a more perfect location! I personally haven't visited Niagara Falls in years and it was nice to take a look at the Falls again.

I recommend Diner en Blanc if you wish to experience a unique foodie event with friends!

Encore Catering's Blogger Bites Tasting Event

Event: Encore Catering's Blogger Bites Tasting Event
Date: August 27, 2015
Location: 5000 Dufferin St.
Website: www.encorecatering.com

Last year, I attended the Open House for Encore Catering. I was absolutely blown away by the amazing decor and food! They truly transformed their kitchen into a gorgeous venue. When I was invited out again this year for an intimate bloggers' gathering, I said yes in a heartbeat. I definitely did not want to miss an Encore Catering event!

Blogger Bites is an event dedicated to food bloggers to showcase a few selected items for tasting. The presentation for each dish was done with precise detail, making it a pleasure to look as well as eat. I do not think there was one dish that I did not like. Out of all the presented dishes, Executive Chef Roshan Wanasingha's favourite is the Duck Confit Beignet.

Encore Catering is perfect for your wedding or next corporate event. They will customize your preferences to perfection.

Coco Lezzone

Restaurant: Coco Lezzone
Address: 137 Avenue Rd.
Phone: 416-975-1717
Store Hours: Lunch | Private bookings only; Dinner | Mon-Sun 4 PM - Close
Website: www.cocolezzone.com

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Review

I attended a private media event for the Rebirth of Coco Lezzone last week. It was a networking event for event planners and food bloggers. Coco Lezzone is high-end Italian restaurant in Yorkville, near the intersection of Davenport and Avenue. At the beginning of the event, they served different food samples such as meatballs and slices of pizza. My foodie friends loved the Sicillian Pizza ($19) since it had the best toppings. After, they brought out plates of appetizers, ranging from Italian Cold Cut Plate ($16) to Calamari ($15). Those ran out pretty quickly.

The host brought out four of Coco Lezzone's popular dishes for the food bloggers to take photos of. Unfortunately once the photos were done, all the plates were demolished between 10 or so people. Therefore I had a less than accurate tasting opinion on all these dishes (I believe I missed out on the Osso Buco completely!). I personally enjoyed the Seafood Risotto ($22) because I like my meal to have some sort of grain in it. Everyone raved about the Chilean Seabass ($38). I'm not a fish person but it was good, based on the one forkful I had of it.

I think Coco Lezzone would be a lovely anniversary spot or even for a private company party. They also have a Date Night menu where you get a three course meal for a deal of $35.
 

[Event] Vegan Food Fest

Event: Vegan Food Fest
Date: August 8, 2015
Location: Fort York
Website: www.veganfestto.com

Vegans of Toronto had a chance to indulge and gather with other like-minded folks at Fort York on August 8th. There were lineups among lineups for popular vendors, especially those that were selling craft beers and interesting street foods. There were a lot of bakeries selling gluten-free and vegan treats, such as Bunners and Sweets from the Earth. I wished there were more food vendors because for the few that were there, the lineups were incredibly long.

I only had the Punjabi Chole from Dishum Dishum, which was pretty good. The event was packed with people and overall had a very fun vibe. It was a cool festival to drop by, even if you weren't a vegan. Though hopefully next year they would bring in more vendors.

Blinco's Crepes & Coffee - CLOSED

Restaurant: Blinco's Crepes & Coffee

Address: 5487 Dundas St. W

Phone: 416-234-9393

Store Hours: Mon-Thurs 7 AM - 9 PM, Fri-Sat 7 AM - 10 PM, Sun 10 AM - 7 PM

Website: N/A

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Review

My Order: Hazelnut Freddo; Reese Crepes, $6.99

Blinco's Crepes & Coffee is a new cafe that just opened in Etobicoke on Dundas Street West. I was invited to come out to the grand opening but was unable to make it because I was in Montreal. However, I was able to come in and try their crepes after I got back. I brought my friend along and we both opted for the Decadent Crepes. I tried the Reese Crepes and my friend tried the Nutella & Peanut Butter Crepes. Both looked identical, hence I only chose to take a photo of my Reese Crepes.

I really like the price point of the crepes here because nothing is over $7.99. Usually when you think of a crepes place, such as Spin Desserts or Caffe Demetre, they usually cost over $10. The crepes are also very thin and minimal, perfect for those who can't handle too much sweetness. We also tried their Freddo, which is a mix between iced coffee and a Starbucks Frappuccino. It wasn't overly sweet like the crepes either, great for someone that doesn't want a sugar overload but still get their caffeine fix.

I think it is a cute option for a date night if you are in the Etobicoke area. They have a variety of tables and couches to chill out on and an assorted menu that will not break your bank!

Han Ba Tang

Restaurant: Han Ba Tang
Address: 4862 Yonge St.
Phone: 416-546-8218
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 5 PM - 2:30 AM
Website: N/A

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Review

When Han Ba Tang first opened, it got quite the buzz online in the Toronto foodie community. Han Ba Tang is a Korean Asian Fusion restaurant that transforms your everyday Korean ingredients into unique tapas. I went with one of my best friends and she was eager to try it out after I showed her BlogTO's article on it.

When we arrived, the restaurant was packed. There were no single tables left aside from the communal one. The communal table was a free for all and was empty when we got there. It didn't bother us that there might be people sitting beside us later. The restaurant had an extremely relaxing vibe and honestly was a cool place to hang out with friends to try some unique dishes. I shared the Spoon Pizza with Bacon ($10) and Kimchi Pancakes with Bacon ($7) with my friend. I enjoyed the Kimchi Pancakes with Bacon a lot more. It was crispy and made for a great appetizer. Since we ordered more appetizers than meals, the food wasn't filling. However, the price point was decent and I liked the atmosphere. I would definitely consider bringing some friends here again.

[Event] Taste of Toronto

Event: Taste of Toronto
Dates: July 2-5, 2015
Location: Fort York
Website: www.tasteoftoronto.com

Taste of Toronto had their second annual event at the beginning of July this year. For Toronto foodies, it was a chance to sample an array of delicious food, join a cooking class, and chill out with friends. There were also many vendors sampling and selling product as well. My friend and I had the chance to join two of the Metro Master Classes that were fantastic for picking up on new recipes. Ingredients were already provided and all you needed to do was follow the chef's instructions.

Overall, it was a fun event and my friend said that they did much better compared to last year. I recommend it for next year for sure.

Rock Lobster (Queen West)

Restaurant: Rock Lobster
Address: 538 Queen St. W
Phone: Mon-Tues 5 PM - 12 AM, Wed-Sun 12 PM - 1 AM
Store Hours: 416-203-6623
Website: www.rocklobsterfood.com

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Review

I went to Rock Lobster with my foodie friend (Toronto Foodie) as a plus one for an exclusive media event a few months ago. It was for the premiere of Super Snack Bros (a food show featuring iconic dishes with a twist!) on the Food Network. I've never been to Rock Lobster before and have heard good things about it. We got to try an array of awesome food that were featured on the show. However, the dishes served were not on the regular menu. Based on what I got to try, I am curious to come back and taste one of their main dishes since one of the hosts of the show is the chef/owner of Rock Lobster, Matt Dean Pettit (and punk rock podcaster and foodie Damian Abraham being the other host).

Rock Lobster has a very cool and laid-back vibe. It's great if you want to get some grub and beer with friends. It is a place unwind at if you don't want to take yourself too seriously.

[Event] Taste of Toronto

Taste of Toronto will be happening next long weekend, from July 2-5 at Fort York. Considered a foodie wonderland, attendees get to try an array of gourmet dishes! The event is operated like a restaurant with a lunch and dinner services. One ticket will allow you in for either an afternoon or evening session of your choice. Each session lasts for 4-5 hours, allowing guests to enjoy different dishes being offered and see cool attractions.

You can get tickets here: http://tasteoftoronto.com/ticket-packs-and-prices/
You can learn more about Taste of Toronto here: http://tasteoftoronto.com/

[Event] The Stop's Night Market

Event: The Stop's Night Market
Location: 181 Sterling Rd.
Dates: June 16-17, 2015
Website: www.nightmarket.thestop.org

The Stop's Night Market was a yummy fundraising event that happened last weekend. For $100, it was an all you can eat and drink event. There were 47 vendors with plenty of dishes to go around. Unlike some Toronto food festivals, food did not run out within the first hour. I am ashamed to say, I barely made it through half of the vendors because there was so much food! It was a great event and I would highly recommend everyone to check it out next year if they can afford to.

Aroma Espresso Bar (College St.)

Cafe: Aroma Espresso Bat
Address: 540 College St.
Phone: 416-901-5859
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM - 10 PM, Sat 8 AM - 10 PM, Sun 9 AM - 9 PM
Website: www.aroma.ca

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My Order: Freekeh Salad and Grilled Chicken Breast Personal Sandwich, $5.95

Aroma Espresso Bar recently introduced a new salad to their Savour Summer menu called the Freekeh Salad. Freekeh is a whole grain that is used throughout the Middle East that is high in fibre. It's vegan and vegetarian, but not gluten-free. When I tried it, I was full instantly. It has a nutty taste which some people may like. I preferr quinoa over freekeh but it was interesting to try regardless. It's great if you are looking for healthy food options and are looking for something new to try. You can also add meat options to your salad as well.

Cooper's Cafe

View outside of Cooper's

Cafe: Cooper's Cafe

Address: 409 Esplanade

Phone: 07 3893 1453

Store Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Sat-Sun 6:30 AM - 3 PM

Website: N/A

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Review

My Order: Moreton Bay Chicken Burger, $17.50 AUD

The first restaurant I went to when I landed in Australia was Cooper's Cafe. Cooper's faced a gorgeous view of the Manly Bay. They served only during breakfast and brunch hours. I had their Moreton Bay Chicken Burger which was good. I wasn't crazy about the burger but I loved the cafe itself. It had a lot of open space and was a great place to hang during a beautiful, sunny day.

If you enjoy beautiful scenery while eating lunch, Cooper's Cafe is a great place to do so.
 

[Event] The Stop's Night Market

The Stop's Night Market is less than two weeks away! It is an annual fundraiser by The Stop Community Food Centre that allows Torontonians to experience amazing food, art, and music! There will be over 60 chefs, 20 local beverage vendors, and 35 one-of-a-kind food carts created by local designers.  

Photo and Property of: Melissa Sung & The Stop Community Food Centre

For $100 per ticket, it is all you can eat and drink. The proceeds go back to The Stop's anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs. Not only will you be eating delicious food, but you will be contributing to a great cause! You will also receive a $25 tax receipt with your ticket purchase after the event. Note that in order to attend The Stop's Night Market, you must buy a ticket online because tickets will not be available at the door. Get it now before the event is sold out!

You can buy tickets at: www.ticketbreak.com/thestopsnightmarket

You can learn more about the event at: nightmarket.thestop.org

You can learn more about The Stop Community Food Centre at: www.stop.org

Photo and Property of: Gabriel Li & The Stop Community Food Centre

Balzac's (Ryerson)

Cafe: Balzac's
Address: 122 Bond St.
Phone: 416-597-1700
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 7 AM - 9 PM, Sat 9 AM - 9 PM, Sun 9 AM - 7 PM
Website: www.balzacs.com

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Review

My Order: Medium Parisian Mist, $3.95

I never went to Balzac's when I was a student at Ryerson. It was always busy and packed with students and non-students. I'd rather go to other cafes where I had more space. Recently I caught up with a friend at the cafe who was still a Ryerson student and worked by Yonge and Dundas, making it a convenient meeting place.

I arrived sometime at 2 PM and as expected, it was crowded. I was lucky enough to grab a seat when a table freed up just in time. I decided to try the Parisian Mist because it sounded interesting. I liked the drink because it was sweet on its own if I recalled correctly.

Balzac's is a lovely cafe and each location has its own vintage designed poster (which you can check out here). However, expect the Ryerson location to be constantly busy for most of the time. I don't recommend trying to meet up here during peak hours.

Fat Dog Cafe & Bar

Restaurant: Fat Dog Cafe & Bar
Address: 1161 Arawa St.
Phone: +07 347 7586
Store Hours: Mon-Wed 7 AM - 9 PM, Thurs-Sat 7 AM - 9:30 PM, Sun 7 AM - 9 PM
Website: www.fatdogcafe.co.nz

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My Order: Seafood Curry with Rice, $10 NZD

When I was in Rotorua, I got to stop by a popular local restaurant called Fat Dog Cafe & Bar. Their chalkboard menu was packed from one end to the other. You definitely needed the long line up that you would be waiting in to decide for what you wanted. The restaurant had a chill and fun vibe to it. It was great for groups to hang out at. They also have a back patio for you to enjoy your meal.

The Seafood Curry with Rice I had wasn't exactly amazing, but it was edible. I think I should've tried something else. I wanted to get the most bang for my buck since seafood tended to be more expensive. Though now that I think of it, seafood is a lot cheaper down south compared to Toronto...

Bareburger

Restaurant: Bareburger
Address: 111 Dundas St. W
Phone: 647-345-2273
Store Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 AM - 10 PM, Fri 11 AM - 11 PM, Sat 12-11 PM Sun 12-10 PM
Website: 111-dundas-st-w-toronto.bareburger.com

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My Order: Socal, $11.85

A group of friends wanted to meet up for a movie and dinner. Originally, the restaurant suggested was on Danforth whilst the movie screening was going to happen downtown. It would be a hassle to go from point A to B. I suggested Bareburger because it was a newly opened restaurant that I saw on BlogTO and it was much closer to the theater.

Bareburger is a pleasant restaurant with a modern take on the cabin theme. They emphasize on "all Bareburger meats are free-range, pasture raised, humanely raised, antibiotic, gluten-free, and hormone-free". This is great if these points are important to you when buying meat.

I scanned through the menu to realize that none of the burgers came with fries or some sort of side. I was not happy that I had to pay $11.85 for a burger that wasn't big and had no sides. Had I done my research beforehand, I wouldn't have chose to come here. That's just the penny-pincher inside of me huffing and puffing. The burger was decent, but it didn't stand out tremendously either. I understood where the price point was coming from, but still, no fries with that??

If you don't mind paying premium for organic burgers with no sides, then try out Bareburger.

Corellis

Cafe: Corellis
Address: 46 Victoria Rd.
Phone: 09-445-4151
Store Hours: Mon-Sun 7 AM - Late
Website: www.corelliscafe.co.nz

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My Order: Chocolate/Caramel Milkshake, $5.50

When I was in Auckland, I toured around the local sites. There is a small island called Devonport, which is about a 20 minute boat ride from Auckland. It's like the suburbs for us Torontonians, except on a separate island. After I climbed a huge mountain and got a gorgeous view of Auckland from a distance, I returned to the tiny strip in town by the harbour. To avoid the rain, my friend and I took refuge in a family-oriented cafe called Corellis. I ordered a milkshake for $5.50. It was either Chocolate or Caramel flavoured but I can't remember. The cup was quite large so it wasn't a bad deal.

I haven't tried anything else from Corellis but if you ever need something to eat in Devonport, you can check this place out.