73. North Poké: Hawaiian

North Poké
179 Baldwin St
(in Kenssington Market)
M5T 1L9
416 599 7653

On a grey January Saturday we head to North Poké for a taste of the Hawaiian food trend that's taking Toronto by storm. The tiny shop has limited seating on tall stools by the windows and a couple of benches where you can wait for take out. We order the Shack Special (Salmon, gochuchang dressing, kimchi crema, radish, fried shallot, scallion and microgreens) regular size with 4 oz of fish, $9.95; large with 6 oz of fish $13.95 and The Big Wave (Albacore tuna, charred jalepeno citrus dressing, black garlic, mayo, pickled shallots, tenkasu & rice large) with 6 oz of fish $14.95. Everything tastes fresh, clean and is surprisingly filling. Three lunches including bottled drinks, tax and tip $56.81.

 Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (4)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

52. Canada: Café du Lac - a taste of Québec

Café du Lac
2350 Lake Shore Blvd West
(West of Park Lawn)
416 848 7381

For the final restaurant in our weekly ethnic eats challenge we unearth a real gem in an unlikely setting. The Café du Lac has little in the way of local competition and it's clear that well-heeled boomers from nearby condos have been flocking here since it opened five months ago. There's free parking out front after six and it's easily accessible by street car. They host live music on alternate Fridays, and reservations highly recommended. We were greeted and seated promptly and our server offered to take our coats and hang them up.
We order drinks and a basket of gourmet bread, baked fresh daily by the chef, and herb butter arrives with them. The prix fixe menu option is a great deal at $30: Soup or Salad, Duck Trio (duck tourtière, stuffed duck and foie gras), and apple crumble. We choose starters from the list of varied and interesting options: French onion soup, $5; Tarte au tomate cerise [seen here] the garlic herb cream cheese is a perfect foil for the tangy cherry tomatoes, $8; Organic Greens Salad tossed with house vinaigrette, $7; Yukon Gold frites are surprisingly tasty, $5 . Our main courses are : Grilled salmon in virgin sauce with rustic potatoes (Peruvian Blue) and mixed vegetables, $22; the Chef's vegetarian pasta plate, $16 (certainly not your average plate of pasta). The house red, La Vielle Ferme, Cotes du Ventoux, is good value at $18 for a half litre. Tea, decaf & coffee are $2 a cup. Total cost $178.17 for five $205 with tip.
Marketing whiz and manager, Kathryn greeted regulars and newcomers with equal enthusiasm. Her husband Pierre, the chef, was introduced to us at the table and wondered what we thought of his new dish the duck trio.
Café du Lac has a clean, elegant interior with hardwood floors and tables. Tonight, arguably to make room for the musicians, tables are a bit too crowded in and temperature too warm for complete comfort. Over all a top notch restaurant - great food, good value.

Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (4)
Food Presentation (4)
Food Quality (4)
Value for Money (4)

40. USA: Southern Accent

Southern Accent
595 Markham Street
( Bloor & Bathurst, in Mirvish Village)
416 536 3211


To Southern Accent on a pouring wet Sunday night, when they offer a $19.95 prix fixe menu. We opt for al fresco New Orleans-style eating undercover to the sound of the delta blues. The place is busy but not crowded with a pleasant atmosphere. We start with a butternut squash soup, from the set menu, and crab cakes [pictured] with a ginger remoulade sauce, $8. This is an excellent start and we are willing them on - can they keep it up?
The first foot fault is they don't have my choice of wine, hardly a major ricket, so I settle for a half-litre of Portuguese red at $16. We also order southern-style brewed ice tea. I opt for Bourbon Street Chicken: blackened, boneless chicken breast, napped with fresh lemon beurre, served with fingerling potatoes and grilled baby bokchoy with chili brown sugar sauce. The Mrs goes for St Peter’s Street Ricotta Gnudi, with Enoki, Oyster & Cremini mushrooms in sherry sauce, served with sautéed green beans. They bring the wrong main course - and there is a short delay. Why don't waiters write things down? The dessert is a bread and butter pudding with bourbon - judged to be 'heavenly' - and home-made vanilla bean ice cream.
I am in good mood and apply the port test - yes, they do have a port to finish. The meal is $105 incl tip. Well worth the trip y'all.

Rating: Ambiance (4)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (4)
Value for Money (4)

38. Nicaragua: La Bella Managua

La Bella Managua Restaurant
872 Bloor St W
(At Ossington Ave)
416 913 4227

After a summer hiatus, the Ethnic Eats Challenge is back. Arriving from various points on bicycle, by subway and car we gathered at this friendly spot for lunch on the Labour Day weekend. The room is decorated with Nicaraguan handicrafts, colourful landscape paintings and other cultural displays, including the Nicaraguan flag and a map of the country.
Some folks opt for a quesadilla starter. These corn flour tortillas stuffed with Monterrey Jack cheese and green onions accompanied by a side of salsa al pimento, bear little resemblance to Taco Bell fare, $5.95. The main courses, all served with generous portions of Gallo Pinto (fried rice with beans), fried plantain and salad included: Pollo a la Parrilla seasoned grilled chicken breast, $11.95; Carne Asada grilled boneless beef steak, $10.99; Bandeja Tipica [seen here] a vegetarian plate with cabbage salad and slices of avocado and Spanish cheese, $9.99.
Fusion style entrees were also well received: Stir Fry - a mixture of vegetables with ginger and soy sauce, $9.50; Linguine Portobella noodles with field mushrooms, scallions and chicken in a tomato basil sauce.
The dessert special, a square of traditional cake, topped with dulce de leche or creamy rice pudding (served warm with plenty of cinnamon), $4.00, rounded out the meal. Our beverages, house red wine, $6.00 a glass, coffee, fruit juice and soft drinks were what you'd expect most places.
Our server told us about the daily specials, explained the menu and helped with food selection. Latin music at a good volume. Menu is in Spanish first with English translations underneath which would lead you to believe that much of their clientele hail from Central and South America.
Rating: Ambiance (3)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (3)

3. Mexico: Mexitaco Restaurant

Mexitaco Restaurant
828 Bloor St West (east of Ossington, at Shaw)
416 537 6693

Mexitaco is a small corner cafe on a very ethnic strip of Bloor Street West. First impression: It looked more like a U.K.- type cafe in a downbeat neighbourhood. It was entirely lacking in "Mexican" ambiance, save for some Mariachi music piped from a TV digital audio channel and a colourful mosaic tile sink in a clean but cramped washroom tucked into the corner of the kitchen. The one server in the room greeted us as strangers in a room that seemed full of "locals" though she warmed up a bit as the meal progressed. Our mains were unimaginative in presentation and varied in quality: Chorizo Tacos - topped with spicy sausage made fresh on the premises topped with cilantro and onion; Enchilada pollo - four tortillas filled with chicken baked in a zesty sauce served with rice and salad; Chile Relleno - poblano pepper stuffed with cheese then battered and fried, served with rice, beans and tortillas.
Desserts were a highlight: Cajeta Burrito - mini burrito stuffed with cheese, deep fried then covered with cajeta (caramel); Flan - homemade sugar custard pie. Unfortunately they were not yummy enough to save a disappointing eating experience.

Rating:
Ambiance (1)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (1)
Food Quality(2)
Value for Money (2)