New Thai Favourite: Thai Basil

I love, love, love Thai food. This is probably the reason why Bangkok remains to be one of my favourite Asian cities. I even had cravings for Pad Thai when I was pregnant with DD#1!

Anyway, we were looking for a place to eat one weekend and we chanced upon Thai Basil in Richmond Hill. I vaguely remember seeing this same restaurant downtown so we were quite happy to check it out.

The interiors were contemporary where the dining room was decorated with modern images of Buddha. 

Thai Basil @ Richmond Hill

As it was our first time in this place, and we were getting hungry, we just looked for the “thumbs up” icons throughout the menu. While there was quite a substantial amount and variety of favourite dishes, we ended up carb-loading.

We had to try their Pad Thai. It was quite authentic, not like some places where the sauce was like ketchup or was too sweet. It was sufficiently packed with chicken (which is our choice of meat) eggs, tofu, green onions and bean sprouts. Served with peanuts and fresh lime, it was very tasty. Not the best Pad Thai ever but still good.

Pad Thai @ Thai Basil

We also tried another dish that was not very spicy as a compromise to DD#2 who does not like spicy food too much. I wanted to try some Spicy Basil but ended up with Fried Vermicelli in Yellow Curry. The fried rice vermicelli had pork, eggs, green & red peppers and tossed with yellow curry. It was also a good one.

Fried Vermicelli in Yellow Curry @ Thai Basil

 To continue with the carb-loading, we ordered Pineapple Fried Rice. Now, this is a must try in this place! The fried rice was mixed with eggs, pineapple, ham, raisins, cashew nuts, beans and topped with dried shredded pork. It was beautifully presented in a pineapple cut in half. A meal in itself as it also had some chicken.

Pineapple Fried Rice @ Thai Basil

 Now, the hands-down winner for our group was the Thai Red Curry. DD#2 had a taste of it and agreed it tasted awesome (it was such a tiny drop, she was just most likely just being agreeable to the general table consensus). We chose beef this time. The red curry was sweet and spicy with bamboo shoots, eggplants, red peppers, basil, pineapple and coconut milk. Best with Jasmine rice. Super Yum! Not quite the tongue-scorching curry I’ve had in the streets of Bangkok but it was something we all truly enjoyed! So much so that my mom went back less than a week later with our aunt to have red curry again!

Red Curry @ Thai Basil

I've read reviews that the lunch special was also good and I have yet to try the Tom Yum, which I heard was delicious! I might just end up trying every item on the menu as we will definitely be coming back again and again!

Fasutofudo is really how they say Fast Food in Japanese: dining at Donburi

If you are tired of AYCE (all-you-can-eat) Japanese or Bento Boxes from the usual lunch spots, why don’t you try Japanese rice bowls. We had gone a couple of times to Donburi and we’ve always left with a full tummy. Donburi’s rice bowls (I know that sounds redundant as donburi literally means rice bowl) really hit the spot. 

Tendon @ Donburi

 Grandma and I were challenged to finish the huge serving of Tendon (tempura rice bowl)--not because it was not good but the serving was huge! As with Bento Boxes, there were more tempura veggies than the shrimp. That was my only issue with that order. While there were 3 pieces of shrimp, they seemed to have been over-pounded to make the piece look bigger with the batter. It was tasty but I would prefer fuller pieces.

And despite the girls’ sharing of the Katsudon (breaded chicken rice bowl), we still had some left over. Their other specialty is Gyudon (beef rice bowl). The sauce is just the right sweetness without making the dish taste like dessert. I love the caramelized onions.

Katsudon @ Donburi

 They also serve “Japas” (their version of Japanese tapas) with all sorts of skewers and even my favourite grilled squid! Perfect to complement your Sapporo or Asahi!



Ikayaki @ Donburi



 For about $10, each meal comes with salad and miso soup so it is a good value. Reasonably priced delicious rice bowls and fast service… Oishi!

Big Bone BBQ and Wings is always in town

So you want to eat ribs, but there is no Ribfest at the moment. Well, there is a ribber in town, year round—Big Bone BBQ.

 

For my family, Canada day celebrations would usually include a trip to a Ribfest. Trying a different ribber every year is always fun.  Of course, lining up is a different story, but it is all part of the experience. We have tried Memphis BBQ before and loved it. Renamed “Big Bone BBQ,” its permanent, year-round store is just over in Markham. 

We checked the place out to see if it will deliver the same great flavor we found at the Ribfest. Minus the heat, the line-up and other Ribfest musts (Bloomin’ Onion and Butterfly fries), it is a great option if you cannot wait or if you just don't have the patience.

We got onion rings to start with. Crispy and not oily! Yum! DD#1 wolfed it down!

Onion Rings

 For our main, we ordered a party pack-- full rack, a pound of wings, pulled pork and sides (coleslaw, beans, cornbread and fries). 

 The ribs were perfectly seasoned, bursting with flavor right to the bone. After the slightest nudge, the meat fell off the bone. The BBQ sauce was superb, delicately balancing the sweet and tang. The pulled pork had the same tenderness and delicious sauce. 

Ribs and Wings

Pulled Pork

As for the chicken, we got fried (vs grilled) half and half--original BBQ and Montreal dry. We preferred the Montreal dry with the dry rub. The skin was oh so crispy and the spices were just perfect! Will definitely go for a 2-pounder (1lb=10wings) next time!

For under $50, the party pack fed this family of 5 (usual serving for 2-4)! They had other dishes as well—burgers, chicken sandwiches, etc. But of course, you had to go there for the ribs and wings. So, when you are craving that Ribfest taste outside of Ribfest, know there are options out there!

Fancy some Italian? Try Terroni’s

When I found out that we were having dinner at Terroni’s, an Italian restaurant, I was not thrilled. Although I love Italian food, I wasn’t too excited about having pizza and pasta. I wanted something fancier. Little did I know, I was going to be in for something extravagant that evening!

Our group ordered some appetizers--a selection of Italian and local cured meats (Tagliere del Salumiere). How can anyone go wrong with Prosciutto?   



Tagliere del Salumiere @ Terroni's



We also got some Italian cheeses with super delicious homemade jam. The jam was so delectable we asked if they sold it!

A few of us, on our end of the table, also shared some Carpaccio di Manzo. The raw beef tenderloin was cut so thinly and drizzled with lemon juice, EVOO and topped with parmigiano reggiano shavings, and arugula. Delish! 



Carpaccio di Manzo @ Terroni's



We also shared a salad (Ricchia) of pretty much the same basic ingredients minus the beef plus some mushrooms.

It was hard to decide since we wanted to try everything! So three of us shared three dishes—pizza, pasta and meats. We got the Santo Stefano pizza. Super thin crust layered with delicious tomato sauce, mozzarella di bufala, fresh arugola, and prosciutto di parma. The flavours were delicate and the toppings blended perfectly together. Divine. One of the best pizzas I have had.

Santo Stefano pizza @ Terroni's

 We had to have some meat so we shared Tris de Carne—a trio of lamb chops, AAA steak and sausage. It was served with polenta and asparagus. Nothing great really. The meats were actually on the salty side and I’ve had better steak before. Well, what did we expect, right? Stick to the pasta and pizza.

Tris de Carne @ Terroni's

 So here comes the fancy (as if the abundance of italicized Italian goodies has not been enough)—we got some Tonnarelli alla Norcina. The fresh tonnarelli (like thick spaghetti) was topped with Italian black truffle shavings, homemade spicy sausage, pecorino cheese, and garlic. Too delicious! We heard this was one of their specialties. I fully agree.

Tonnarelli alla Norcina @ Terroni's

 For dessert, we all shared some tiramisu (good enough but nothing to call home about) 

Tiramisu @ Terroni's

and espresso gelato. The gelato was served in a bowl then our server poured espresso on it. Heavenly.

Espresso Gelato @ Terroni's

  Before going home, we decided to buy some jars of Terroni’s famous Peperoncini Piccanti. 

Peperoncini Piccanti @ Terroni's

Made in Italy, these spicy peppers in oil are great to put on pasta, pizza or bread. We tried it with our meals and were convinced we had to bring some home. They came in jars of several sizes. So, when we feel like something a bit fancier at home as well, we can just open this jar and spice up our meal. Buon Appetito!