Over last summer I saw Akin had dim sum cooking classes taught by the master chef Eric Chong. I…read moreknew I had to go! Been a huge fan and was excited to visit his second restaurant Akin. We were taught how to make har gow and siu mai. I would say mine turned out looking decent but the taste was amazing! Everyone in the class took their own made dumplings home to steam. Instead we got to try the restaurants version (there was complementary dinner as part of the class). This was the best fine dining dim sum we had ever had. The flavour of every dish was danced on our taste buds. I still think of the crab roe fried rice dish. I never like fried rice till trying that dish. It was THAT good. Looking forward to coming back for the tasting menu!!

We went for a February meal which ended up being a Chinese New Year fusion celebration…read more The theme and playfulness of the menu was fun and I really enjoyed it- especially the final dessert. Highlights were: the canapés of auspicious desserts, mala broth fish and lobster noodles. There were a few misses- the jellyfish being so overpowered by the horseradish, the Dan tat and the rice dish being so overly salty, and just overall execution- not what I expected at a Michelin star restaurant. Overall, everything felt cold in terms of atmosphere. I think it was creative and I'm happy to have tried it, but it's not a place I'd jump go back to. Too many misses and unmemorable moments, in a city where we are always looking for a connection.

The Lake Inez Mystery Patio is one of the most unique dining experiences in Toronto. Reservations…read moreare released one month in advance on the 15th and get booked up within the same hour or night. The 3.5 hr experience is hosted on the rooftop of the usual restaurant and the price includes drink pairings (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). I am not a huge wine drinker myself, so I messaged ahead inquiring about whether the pairings were mostly wine. They responded that 3 of the 6 drinks would be, and kindly offered to substitute them for a special cocktail for me instead! The whole experience from start to end was lovely, with amazing storytelling from Zac and detailed explanations of each dish from the two chefs. I had so much fun during the entire thing, time flew right by and there was not a dull moment! The dishes were creative, and you could tell everything was well thought out. My unique cocktail was delicious and stored on ice to the side, with the server topping it up each time a new pairing was introduced. The rooftop decor was cute and added character. I would highly recommend the Mystery Patio to anyone who loves to have a good time while eating great food!

What can I say what hasn't already been said about this fine establishment. Located in the heart of…read morelittle India with lake Inez is full of character from its vintage collectibles scattered around the restaurant to its humble store front. Each dish was like amalgamation of inspiration from all over Asia. We ordered the shawarma - was perfect balance of wagyu fatty , pickles dipped in beet juice citrusy and garlic sauce simply delicious. Miso black cod was tender and flavourful but not too salty while the bed of rice reminded me of Dimsum with my grandma on Saturday morning when I wanted to stay home to play maple story. And finally the corned beef tender and crispy. The vegetables added a lighter dynamic to the dish.

their special rolls are really good. Vegetable donburi was really tasty. Service was good for both…read moretimes we were there. Ambience is calm not too busy or loud . Highly recommended

There is something lacking in Sushi Bar's sushi.... I love the deco, the ambiance, the service (it…read morewas lacking in the beginning, but after I complained then all good from then on), the quantity, but the quality of the food was very disappointing! Sushi Dinner 1 ($17.95) - 9 pieces of nigiri and a choice of either Spicy Tuna/Salmon - the fish was not too fresh...and was slice really thin and each sushi made with huge ball of rice - no wasabi at all in any sushi... I know some Japanese restaurant will ask if you prefer not to (Mikado does that) but Sushi Bar is one of the first one that I been to that does not put any wasabi inside. - the Tuna Spicy roll was just so so.. the spiciness is really from the spicy mayo on top... - The shari rice was not made properly, as I notice it really lack the taste of rice vinegar... I do like the nice touch that my meal came with a lot of appetizers: soup with tempura bits and noodle, edamane, pickled bean sprouts and teriyaki tofu. And an ice cream to finish off... Those Japanese screens does provide some privacy.. but if you need the attention of the wait staffs.. you really have to scream and wave them down... As Sushi Bar is right across from Jilly's, I don't feel too safe and comfortable coming here after dark.....

Had such an amazing meal here on a Saturday night. We had the Trini Fusion Journey for Two, which…read moreis a $75 tasting menu curated by Chef Ling (quite affordable for what you are getting). Located inside Rival Sports Pub on the Danforth, it is definitely a hidden gem and not something you'd expect. We started off with the Siren Spice Rolls (spring rolls with jerk chicken), which had a nice spice to them and juicy, tender chicken, and the Golden Fire Dumplings (jerk chicken encased in plaintain dumplings). Although neither my partner or I are generally a huge fan of plaintains, the flavours were balanced well and the dough was cooked well without being too dry. Our next course were the velvet oxtail clouds, a steamed bao filled with slow-braised oxtail and pickled beets. The oxtail had a bit of spice and was out-of-this world, especially paired with the tanginess of the beets. I could eat a whole dish of this. Next we were served the Bake & Shark - mini fried bakes with breaded fried Black-Tip Shark with house-made tamarind and mango chutney. This was our favourite dish of the night, with the light airiness of the fried dough and the delicious shark, which tasted like a really good fish at first, but then evolved into a chicken flavour. The mango added a nice freshness to it, along with the slaw. Highly recommend if you stop by! Our last savoury course was the chef's take on steak and potatoes (not on the menu), with thin steak served on mash. We finished off with the Island Dream Crème Brûlée and Coconut Panna Cotta. Every dish was delicious and really highlighted island flavours. Chef Ling mentioned that the tasting menu changes each time, so we will definitely be back as there are several more items on the menu we'd like to try (aka the doubles)! Honourable mention to the wonderful service that was just the right amount of attentiveness!

Fun and friendly fusion spot. Bonus points for adding a different offering to pubs on the Danforth…read more Stopped by for lunch and got: - Velvet Oxtail Clouds: Tasty shredded oxtail, pillowy baos. - Trini Tide Shrimp and Dumpling: Still the pillowy baos, but this time filled with shrimp drowned in a chunky chickpea mix. Really liked this. - Doubles: The chef won awards for this and can see why. The curry chickpea has a good heat and heft to it, the flatbread is soft and not overly oily. - Mango Chow: Really sweet and also tangy. Can double as either a great side or even a light dessert. Service is friendly. Menu is diverse. Prices are what prices are these days. Located in Rivals Pub, hope Chef Ling is here to stay!

We stopped by Midnight Market thinking it was still an after-hours club--fair warning, it isn't…read more But the staff was super friendly, and since they share management with Big Trouble, they gave us free cover cards, which was a nice surprise. We ordered the bulgogi dumplings, turnip cakes, miso mushroom udon carbonara, mushroom black garlic spaghetti, and the red curry chicken rigatoni. Everything was genuinely great, especially for the price. For a spot so close to the clubs, it's an awesome place to grab food during a night out. We had someone in our group who's gluten-free, and they were happy to sub rice noodles into one of the dishes. It was thoughtful of them to accommodate, but the rice noodles soaked up the sauce too much and clumped together, making it hard to eat. Still, overall the food and experience were solid, and I'd definitely go back.

The food was great! I believe I got here during the happy hour and it was buy one get one free so…read moreof course I doubled up! In this economy I have to eat as much as I can on a dollar LOL I loved the Asian ambiance with the signage, the lights, the paints, everything. Our server was fantastic. She let us know the faves of the customers and things that we should try. Depending on our taste palette. I would definitely recommend you go p

Their Sala Pad Thai with shrimp ($24) is what keeps me coming back. Diners can choose between glass…read moreor rice noodles, and I always opt for rice - the flatter shape clings better to the sauce and minced peanuts. The noodles are cooked just right, retaining a pleasant chew, and coated in just enough of that sweet, sour, and savoury tamarind sauce to flavour the dish without drowning it. The wok hay still shines through. True to form, it arrives wrapped in a delicate lattice egg crepe, which is not essential for flavour, but undeniably pretty and giving the dish a regal finish. On a previous visit, I made the mistake of ordering dishes too spicy. This time, the server seemed to instinctively know better and brought the khao pad tom yum with chicken ($21) at a medium spice level. The fried rice was a full-on flavour bomb: punchy tom yum paste layered with aromatic onions, peppers, and fresh herbs. And the aroma? Absolutely intoxicating. I'd highly recommend splurging a little and ordering from the "premium beef" section. The khaw waan beef green curry ($27.50) uses "finger beef," a well-marbled cut carved from between rib bones. The result is deeply flavourful, incredibly tender meat with a luscious gelatinous ribbon of cartilage that adds richness. Green curry can often become too sweet or heavy on coconut, but Sala strikes the balance beautifully. It's creamy without being nauseating, with bold curry flavours still front and centre. The sauce is excellent spooned over the cone of steamed rice and soaking into the tender eggplant scattered throughout. Since my first visit, portion sizes have noticeably increased... we left with a doggy bag of leftovers. Everything arrives well-seasoned on its own, but for those who like to tweak, Sala offers a set of "flavour boosters" so you can dial up the salty, sweet, sour, or spicy elements. Personally, I didn't touch them and found the food didn't need any extra help.

The restaurant has a nice, modern vibe but feels casual and welcoming…read more The pad Thai and khao soi were good, flavorful, and comforting, though not overly complex. Portions are decent, but some dishes could have used a little more seasoning. Drinks are solid, though a couple of the cocktails were a bit too sweet for my taste. Service was friendly, but it got a little slow during busy moments. Overall, a solid choice for a casual Thai meal in Toronto--worth a visit if you want tasty food without the fuss

got the supreme chilli katsu with rice I should've got the one my friend got, decent portion very…read morepricey, the service was good I found the dish to be very sweet, the chicken was breaded good and tasted tender, the sauce was okay tasted too rich, I'll goto the one in Markham to see if it's better

Delicious meal!!! Clean and fast serving restaurant. The food was hot, crispy, and tasty. No…read morecomplaints at all. The food was abundant and choices were overwhelming yum!

Lee is the one restaurant I look forward to every Summerlicious…read more One reason is that every year they create a completely new menu instead of reusing dishes from their regular menu. As an Asian fusion restaurant, I always come curious to see what new ideas the chef has come up with. The last two Summerlicious menus disappointed me a little--they felt a bit uninspired, with dishes like the vegetable curry and croquette. This year, however, the creativity is back, and I'd happily recommend Lee's Summerlicious menu again. Fried Wild Cod The crispy cod is served in an edible crispy rice basket, making it feel like sharing bread at the start of the meal. The fish is fried perfectly with a crisp exterior and moist, flaky interior. Paired with Thai sweet chili sauce, it's light, flavorful, and great for sharing. Gazpacho Picante A refreshing take on gazpacho. The avocado gives it a smoother texture, while the hint of spice adds another layer without overpowering the chilled tomato soup. Refreshing and a great appetizer. BBQ Jerk Pork Ribs Three generous ribs--almost a main course on their own. The meat is tender while still retaining a bit of bite, similar to the texture of slow-cooked jerk chicken. The jerk seasoning is excellent, coating every bite with rich, aromatic spices. Pan Roasted Salmon The salmon is beautifully cooked with a nicely caramelized exterior while remaining juicy inside. Each accompaniment brings something different: the olive tapenade is deeply savory, the parsnip purée is smooth and slightly sweet, the lima bean adds a creamy, nutty richness, and the lemon-tomato-pepper vinaigrette brightens everything with acidity and a gentle kick. Lima Bean Succotash Probably the prettiest dish on the menu--and also the most unusual. The lima beans and peas are cooked until tender without becoming mushy. The flavors are layered, but there's a subtle bitterness throughout. After asking the chef, we learned it's the natural flavor of lima beans and was intentionally preserved as part of the dish. Fried Organic Chicken The fried chicken is juicy and tender, reminding me of Japanese karaage. It comes with two fun sauces: one is rich and spicy with a hint of coconut, while the other is a sweet pineapple-lime mayo that pairs surprisingly well with the chicken. The pandan rice, however, was fairly ordinary. The desserts are still classic Lee--beautifully plated, but the flavors are more restrained. We tried the Rhubarb Almond Frangipane Tart, Lemon Mousse Panna Cotta (our favorite), and Strawberry Raspberry Monkey Bread. This year's Summerlicious reminded me why I fell in love with Lee in the first place.

Finally visited this place after months of having it bookmarked! I heard good things about their…read moresingaporean slaw, my friends were telling me it changed their lives but I thought it's just a salad... how good could it be? After trying it I completely understood, this was the BEST salad of my life! All 26 ingredients worked together perfectly to make a delicious, tangy, crunchy salad unlike anything i've had before. I also highly recommend the wine paring they suggest having with the salad :) Everything else on the menu was done really well. The cheeseburger spring roll was quite unique, Indo think there could've been more texturally inside the actual spring roll, it was all mush in there. Very nice ambiance, service were very attentive, I had a great time and will be back to try more items :)