The Chew Review

11/04/2024

09/23/2024

Weekly Eats:

🥐 The Oakwood
🥞 Blueberry Lemon Pancakes
🫒 Just a photo of the gorgeous bar where I had a delicious espresso martini and amazing warm marinated olives
🥩 Pastrami preview party
🥤 Pre-Lagree
🥩 Cote de Boeuf
🍊 Orange Chicken
🌮 Campechano Taco
🥗 Cavolo Nero with Chicken
🍦 Grape + Hazelnut
🍄‍🟫 Magic Mushrooms
🥯 Build A Bagel
🥤 Vanilla Marble

08/12/2024

Things I learned in Wicklow, Ireland 🇮🇪:

1) It's acceptable to drink 🍺 at any time of day.
2) Cider seems almost as popular as Guinness.
3) All lattes should be served with a snack 🍪.
4) The produce is fresher and the beef is just so much juicier.
5) They drink so much Guinness that pubs actually just keep pouring them 2/3rds before letting them sit. When you order, they fill it the rest of the way. Also, apparently the double pour is actually just a marketing ploy 🤫.
6) Head hike is steep but worth the trek for the gorgeous views ⛰️.
7-8) Bray is a cute little seaside town 🎪.
9) Chicken wings that haven't been pumped with steroids are actually quite tiny but full of flavour.

08/09/2024

Swipe ➡️ for the full ranking ☕️🍸.

The legend goes that the a 'famous supermodel' asked British bartender Dick Bradsell to "Wake me up and f* me up" at a now closed brasserie in Soho ...And so the espresso martini was born.

In honour of being in the birthplace of espresso martinis for a few days, I've created a more in depth evaluation system:

Espresso Martini Criteria:
*listed in order of importance*

1. Balance of Flavours & Aroma

• Espresso: pulled fresh. Rich and smooth, with no bitterness.
• Vodka: Well-integrated, complementing the coffee. Present but not harsh.
• Sweetness: Balanced, not overpowering.

2. Mouthfeel and Texture

• Creaminess: Achieved through a proper shake, giving a smooth texture.
• Foam: Thick, with tight bubbles that create a silky foam.

3. Temperature

• Served cold, but not too icy, to preserve flavor.

4. Presentation

• Color: Ombré froth which settles to a deep, rich brown base.
• Garnish: Fresh, typically three coffee beans.
• Glassware: Well-chilled martini glass.

5. Innovation

• Creative twists that enhance the drink without overpowering the classic elements.

**PSA: these are based off of a singular, announced visit and are not a reflection of the food or service quality.

08/01/2024

NEW SPOT ALERT:

The newest addition to Toronto’s financial district is truly unique, offering beer, pizza, and pho all on one menu. Just a few weeks old, this neon-lit beer hall is already buzzing with a lively after-work crowd. With a long list of beers, handcrafted cocktails, and large TVs at the end of the room, it’s a great spot to watch sports, and gather with friends or colleagues, all while enjoying delicious food. Don’t miss the sweet and spicy brisket kimchi pizza, refreshing tuna tartare, or handmade dumplings.

Featured here:
🦑 calamari: salsa verde, citrus, paprika
🥟 handmade dumplings: pork and shrimp, daikon, cilantro, green onion, chilli crunch
🍜 pho bo: rare steak, brisket, meatballs
🥑 avo tofu slaw: Thai basil, cilantro, crispy yam, miso lime dressing
🍕 brisket & kimchi: hoisin, mozzarella, green onion, pickled onion, spicy mayo
🍔 chicken katsu burger: bulldog sauce, cabbage, kewpie, rosemary fries
🍨 black sesame sundae: coconut, milk crumble, whipped cream

📍 .fc

# HappyHourToronto

07/30/2024

Eats last week ... + really delicious un-posted things from the first half of summer ☀️

🥗 wedge salad, salmon tartare, hamachi crudo and house bread & butter
🍦 chocolate peanut butter sundae
🐣 bacon breakfast sandwich with and
🍝 tri colour pasta with pesto, marinara and burrata
🥖 kitchen bread
🍝 meatballs
🍕 vodka pizza (no chicken, + chilli flakes)
🥩 Wagyu striploin + truffle
🐚 bafun uni - Hokkaido
🍸 espresso martinis

07/22/2024

10 best bites (and sips) over the past 10 days 📸

🍳 shakshuka and falafel
🍕
🍝 gnocchi pomodoro
🍹 .1261 cherry pop
🍉 .wellness dragon bowl with almond butter
🥖 bread & burnt butter
🍅 horiatiki salad
🍩 donuts
🍕 .fc brisket & kimchi pizza
🥩 steak sandwich

07/10/2024

Reminds me of my childhood

07/02/2024

Long weekend bites:

🍝 Lobster Gnocchetti
🧀 Apps including burrata
🥩 Striploin & Bone Marrow
🍣 Norwegian Smoked Salmon Tower
🥞 Soufflé Pancakes
🥧 Buttertarts
🥐 Crookie
🦐 Jerk Shrimp
🍣 Aburi Hand Roll .toronto
🥑 Avocado Toast

06/19/2024

Week in review 📸:

1) Baby Gem Salad with Salmon @ RH Courtyard in - the salad is worth the hype and the vibes are perfect, but go for the $10 chicken on top. This $20 salmon was tasty but miniature for the price.
2) Stracciatella & Boquerones, Tomato Bread during - this was a life changing bite the first time I ever had it and it still never disappoints.
3) Italian Trio - my first time trying this popular spot, which was good but dare I say overhyped? Maybe I've just had too many NY/NJ Italian sandwiches recently... Either way, I'd like to go back to try another type of sandwich!
4) Breakfast with - literally everything on this table was perfection.
5) Burger & Fries - a really fantastic tavern style burger and fries. Excited to try the rest of the menu next time.
6) Strawberry eclairs - these were not made out of traditional stiff Choux pastry, they were flaky and fluffy and absolute perfection. I didn't get a good photo but the trout on cornbread waffles was 🔥 too.
7) The Egg Club .official - my first time trying this hyped breakfast sandwich and it did not disappoint. That Japanese milk bread just melts in your mouth.
8) Grand Opening of which was pretty in line with US.
9) Whipped Feta - the perfect sweet and salty snack.
10) Caesar Salad & Grilled Calamari - a cozy, simple neighborhood restaurant serving fresh seafood. The Chilean seabass was 👌🏼

06/17/2024

🥂 to 25k 🎉

06/10/2024

Best bites of the week:

🍌 The Banana Pie
🦐 Piatto de Pesce
🥯 Breakfast spread for
🫓 Focaccia di Recco
🥪 $15 lunch special
🥯 1/2 tuna 1/2 egg everything bagel for
🥩 PEI ny strip & baked potatoes
🍰 King's Cake
🍕 House Pizza
🧇 Churro Waffle

05/27/2024

Life this week 📸.

🍔
🥪
🥕🍰 .restaurant
🌮
🥑
🍝
🧀
🧊
🥩
🍳

05/20/2024

Toronto food and drink weekly stills roundup:

🥩 Sogogi: Austrailian wagyu flat iron, galbi sauce, sam - glutenous rice, sesame, ayu
🍸 upstairs speakeasy
🍅 Bruschette al Pomodoro: Heirloom Tomato, Stracciatella, Basil, Balsamic, Sourdough
🍌 Banana Pudding by 👨‍🍳
🍣 .restaurant scallop, tamago & tuna temaki
🍸
🥚 Fried Miso Cured Egg with by 🧑‍🍳
🥤 .co strawberry matcha & brownie batter chia from the new spring menu
🌴 karaoke rooms
🥪 Reuben

05/13/2024

This week in stills 📸

🍪🥐
🍕
☕️🍸 very frothy
🍳🌯
🫐
🦐
☕️🍸 (shockingly good for a tavern)
🫓
🥯 & 🥗
🍪

05/04/2021

There's no shortage of smash burgers in this city. Some better than others, but I haven't tasted a bad one yet. The draw to visit here: their perfectly seasoned, nostalgic crinkle cut fries dipped in secret sauce 😋.
•• Double Burger •• Ground Chuck • American Cheese • Tomato • Pickles • Lettuce • Secret Sauce • Potato Bun • Crinkle Cut Fries • @ Extra Burger

05/02/2021

🌸🧁[MOTHER'S DAY GIVEAWAY]🧁🌸
Get mom the ultimate Mother's Day surprise this year. I don't know about you, but it's like they made this menu with all my mom's favourites in mind ...and a few of mine too 😍.
•
ONE lucky winner will win an assortment of Mother's Day treats from (valued at $100)! All you have to do is:
1️⃣Like this photo.
2️⃣Follow and
3️⃣Tag your mom ...or anyone who loves sweets 🧁.
*️⃣BONUS share this post to your stories and tag both accounts for 5 additional entries.
•
Don't forget to check out my stories for the full menu review
Winner will be announced Thursday May 6th at 12:00 pm and entries are unlimited. Must be 14+. No purchase necessary. No cash value. This giveaway is in no way associated with Instagram. ⚠️We will NEVER require personal data such as credit card info to participate. Please report any impersonator accounts that DM you ⚠️

05/01/2021

Say hello to Toronto's newest square pizza that, get this: is not Detroit style. Expect a thicker version of the blistered, chewy edges we all know and love on the traditional round pies combined with a cheesy, bubbly centre and crisp golden brown bottom that resembles a focaccia. Squares 2.0 coming soon to both locations. PS: don't miss the new house dipping sauces which are 🔥🔥.
•• So Mushroom •• basil, cremini mushrooms, organic mozzarella, mascarpone, fresh garlic, grana padano, sea salt, cracked pepper, lemon zest •• Spicy Garlic Parm •• Verde Garlic Parm •• Garlic Parm •• Dill Buttermilk Ranch •• @ Maker Pizza