46. Russia: Anton's

Anton's
6233 Bathurst Street
(just south of Steeles)
416 222 7727

Tucked out of the way in a strip mall, Anton's is a popular place with people from former Soviet Union states. Russian television plays on a large screen over the bar and we English speakers are in the minority. Downstairs is a banquet room for special functions, but it's unoccupied this evening. We receive friendly, efficient service even though the place is packed and they're possibly understaffed.
The menu has a wide cultural range of items including two Uzbeki traditional dishes. Our starters small combo salad (middle eastern fare including tabbouleh, babaganoush, grilled eggplant with tomatoes), $7. 99, bread and borscht $4.45 arrive promptly and I quickly realize that I have over ordered. The main courses come with garden salads: Salmon kebabs with mashed potatoes [seen here]$14.99 and Lamb kebabs $14.99 with rice. In both cases the kebabs are grilled to perfection - not over-cooked and dried out like you get some places. We drink lemon tea, coffee and ice water. Our total bill for three is $52 plus tip. Our server packs up what we can't finish and I head home with food for at least two more meals.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (4)

45. Japan: Fune Japanese Restaurant

Fune Japanese Restaurant
100 Simcoe St
(West of University, at Adelaide)
416 599 3868

This Japanese restaurant is located in a basement on a side street in downtown Toronto. It has a pleasant, welcoming authentic atmosphere - we were greeted by "Moshi Moshi." We arrived at about 17:00 on a Saturday when it was uncrowded, and we were seated beyond the novelty conveyor belt [pictured] where the food goes round in circles in wooden 'boats.'
We order drinks: plum wine, cranberry juice and green tea. We choose our entrees which come with miso soup and salad to start: chicken teriyaki dinner char-broiled tender chicken with teriyaki sauce, vegetables and steamed rice, $17.95; vegetable tempura dinner which is more than just your average variety of veggies and includes squash, oyster mushrooms, sweet potatoes and yams, with steamed rice $16.95; Deluxe Sushi Dinner -chef's choice of 8 kinds of Nigiri Sushi with California rolls [pictured here] ,$24.95. For desert we order ice cream - one scoop of ginger and one scoop of green tea servd together in a dish, $2.95.
Overall a good experience, although the food was somewhat bland. If you're in the Theatre District, it's worth a visit for the ambiance and unhurried service.
Total for four dinners including tip $120.00.

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

Sister Act

Sussex Ethnic Eats

They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and so I'm very pleased to announce the launch of a "sister" blog called Sussex Ethnic Eats.
When my sister and her family visited Toronto last spring, they enjoyed joining in our restaurant reviews and have been inspired to visit multicultural eateries in their home county of Sussex in the southeast of England (population approximately 1.4 million).
Their group kicks of this weekend as they sample Greek cuisine at the Harbourside Inn, in Newhaven [picture above].
Bon Appétit!

44. Uruguay: La Pasiva

La Pasiva
896 Wilson Avenue
(between Keele and Dufferin)
416 636 6555

It's 12:30 on a warm, sunny October afternoon and there is only one other occupied table at this local eatery. Parking was tricky in this strip mall which has limited appeal.
We are greeted quickly by a friendly waitress who brews a fresh pot of good coffee for us, $1.50 a cup including refills.
I chose the tuna stuffed tomato from the appetizer section of the menu, [photo above] $6.00. It comes attractively presented but is unexceptional in taste. The Figazza - crisp pizza crust topped with tangy tomato sauce, sauteed onions and herbs, however is very tasty, $3.50.
Hubby ordered a Chivito, which is a Uruguayan national dish. The menu described a much heartier version - with fried egg, olives and more - than what arrived. Served with fries this chicken sandwich was bland and short of fixings, $9.95.
The lived-in interior is nondescript although there's a map of Uruguay on the wall and jolly Latin music was being played. Total for two lunches, $25.37 plus tip.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (3)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (2)
Value for Money (3)

43. Serbia:Royal Meat Barbeque

Royal Meats Barbeque
710 Kipling Ave
(at North Queen)
416 251 1144

Royal Meats has transformed this former site of a run down donut shop into a bustling hamburger restaurant. Like the Sky Ranch, it's not an ideal spot for vegetarians but there are some interesting meatless menu items.
The Shopska salad - sliced green peppers & onions with diced tomatoes, cucumbers and sirene (a white brine cheese with a milder flavour that feta), $4.99 for the large size. The kaymak (a clotted cream spread) on a lepinya bun is a steal at $1.99. At the server's suggestion, I added sliced tomatoes and pepper. The meat eaters in the group thought that their sandwiches were exceptional value for money. The Steak Sandwich [picture below] was fresh and properly cooked, $11.99 in a fries and drink combo.
Don't be fooled by the exterior, which suggests a licensed, table service restaurant. You order your food at the counter, which looks like a butcher shop with sausages, patties and other cuts of meat on display, then pay the cashier and find a table. They give you a plastic disk that flashes and buzzes when your food is ready and you go back to the counter to choose your toppings.
With the decor they've gone for a black and silver pseudo-industrial look and an open kitchen so you can watch your order being flame broiled. Food is served on china plates and with proper cutlery. This gritty neigbourhood is not "a destination" but if you're looking for an alternative to the fast food chains this is it.

Rating: Ambiance (2)
Service (2)
Food Presentation (3)
Food Quality (3)
Value for Money (4)

42. Argentina: Sky Ranch

Sky Ranch
2473 Dufferin Street
(north of Eglinton)
416 787 0491

Several staff members attempted to entice us to come/stay later in the evening to enjoy the live music provided. We were wary of taking public transit home from that neighbourhood later in the evening and so stuck to our plan for a 6:30 dinner and are safe at home by nine.
The menu is, as one would expect, heavy on the beef but we choose to order differently.
For starters: Camarones al Ajillo Shrimp in Garlic Sauce $10.90; Palmitos con Salsa Golf - tender hearts of palm, on lettuce with black olives with a tangy tomato-mayonnaise dressing, $7.90 [pictured here].
Our main courses were: Salmon a la Parilla - grilled salmon steak served with rice $14.90, which was slightly undercooked; Camarones al Ajillo - Shrimp in Garlic Sauce with rice $13.90.
I ask our server to recommend a dessert and choose the Flan con Dulce de Leche -homemade custard with caramel cream, $4.00, and I'm not disappointed.
It's nice to have a house wine that originates in the same country as the cuisine served (Argentine house red $15.00 for a half litre).
Print up a coupon from their website to save 15% on your food order. Total for three courses with drinks and tax was $71.35 for two people, after the discount.
Service was friendly and informal, if a little quirky. Latin and North American pop background music were alternately played. The band setting up were more on the Latin side. We were the only people speaking English in the place, which enhanced the authentic ambiance.


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

41. Sudan: The Empire

The Empire
1018 Bloor Street West
(east of Dufferin)
416 532 5511

It's counter service at this busy eatery which does a lot of take-out business. The cook greeted regulars warmly and quickly dished up requests for their "usual" orders .

Much of the menu is mixed plates where you choose items from the steam table. The Veggie Plate [picture above] includes salad with pickled turnip & cabbage, two hot vegetable dishes ( I picked okra and white kidney beans) roasted eggplant, falafel balls and your choice of rice (lentil or raisin) with a whole wheat pita. It makes a very filling lunch for $6.49. The lamb shank plate came with similar choices of sides. Amused by the plastic knife she was given my friend asked, "How will I cut the lamb?". The cook jokingly suggested she borrow his Donair carving knife. Then another customer quips, " The lamb is so tender it will just fall off the bone, you won't need a sharper knife". He was right. The eggplant sandwich was generous and tasty, if a little on the oily side, a bargain at $2.99.
It is a halal restaurant, so there's no liquor license. Beverages consist of self serve tea, $1.50 and the usual canned and bottled soft drinks, juices and water.
The wood panelling is quite distinctive and there's an illuminated copy of the Koran in a glass case with prayer lists taped to the outside. Nearby, a wide screen TV airs a European soccer match.
Rating: Ambiance (2)

Service (2)

Food Presentation (2)

Food Quality (3)

Value for Money (4)