Lobster Tower at Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

Lobster Tower @Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

We always try to have a lobster lunch for Grandma’s birthday. This year we tried Fishman Lobster Clubhouse in Scarborough. After seeing a video review with Chef Susur Lee, I figured it was quite unlikely for this to go wrong. Actually, it turned out to be one of the best lobster meals we’ve had.

As with many other Chinese restaurants, this was a cash only place. Despite this, the place was packed—not only with diners but with tanks on all walls, filled with king crabs and lobsters. There can be no doubt what the specialties were!

King Crab tank @Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

We were just originally going to go with a 5-6lb lobster and some noodles but we saw one of their lunch combo meals. So, we ordered the Lobster Lunch Hong Kong Style combo.

The order did not take long, our Lobster Tower arrived about 10 or so minutes after we okayed the 5.75lb lobster.

Lobster @Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

We got the Hong Kong style and it was the best we’ve had! The fried lobster chunks came arranged in a tower and heaping with crunchy garlic flakes. The lobster was sweet, juicy, and tender. The fried garlic was taken to a higher level. It was so good that hubby ate a couple of bowls of just crunchy garlic. No vampires can come near us now! They provided disposable gloves as this made for a pretty messy meal. Plate changes came often enough, though.

Hong Kong Style Lobster @Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

With our combo lunch, we had lobster roe fried rice with vegetable and poached snow pea tips with Goji berry. Rice was okay. 

Lobster Roe Fried Rice with Veggie @Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

The snow pea tips were a bit bland, but in a good way! It did not compete at all with the strong flavours of the lobster so it was a perfect veggie accompaniment. Dessert was a red bean soup.

Poached Snow Pea tips with Goji berry @Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

Price ranges about $16-18/lb and king crab about $45/lb. Service is typical Chinese—no nonsense, efficient.  They have many combos to choose from and a different dinner menu. Hoping to get a chance to splurge on some king crabs next time. We will definitely be back.

Pre-show dining at Joey’s

Joey restaurant, Eaton Centre

There is always some hesitation whenever we dine at a chain. On one hand, it connotes some sense of mass production. On the other hand, if food and service weren’t good, it won’t have been a chain, right?  Anyway, for our pre-show dining, we decided to try Joey at Eaton Centre as it was close to the Ed Mirvish theatre. This Vancouver-based chain did not disappoint. The fam liked the food so much, the girls were already asking when we can come back even before they took last bite.

A cool, trendy vibe greeted us as we entered this lounge/restaurant where there was exposed brick, funky chandeliers, and ultra-comfy seating. In the middle of the dining hall was the bar with TVs all around showing sports channels. Our server was there soon after we were seated. While service was not lightning fast, it did not take too long and was friendly. We had about a couple of hours before the show so it turned out ok. If you don’t have much time before a show, this may not be the place for you. Our total dining time was about an hour and a half.

Of course, I have to thank the fam for letting me try all their meals. DD#2 and Grandma shared a Hand-pressed burger, upgraded with cheddar-bacon and Caesar salad.  The patty was thick, juicy and flavourful. 

Hand-pressed burger @Joey restaurant

Hubby got Baja Fish Tacos with breaded shrimp and fish on white soft tortillas. The breading was light and well-seasoned. 

Baja fish tacos @Joey restaurant

It was quite good but the family’s clear winners, however, were the Ahi Tuna Club which I ordered and the Pan-roasted mushroom pasta which DD#1 got.

The buttery Ahi Tuna was grilled rare and as I bit into it, the crunch from the bacon and the breaded onion rings burst in my mouth along with the sweet pepper relish. Sooo delish.

Ahi Tuna Club @Joey restaurant

The Pan-roasted Mushroom Pasta was also a great choice made by DD#1. The pasta was nicely done, and hand-made if I am not mistaken. There was a hefty serving of mushrooms and smoked bacon tossed in a beautiful garlic cream sauce. It was something I would not have picked myself as I always have to have some considerable, heavier protein in my pasta. However, having tasted this, I will order this dish in a heartbeat. It was a definite winner in our books.

Pan-roasted mushroom pasta @Joey restaurant

It was a good thing we had some space left for dessert. It would have been an absolute horror if we hadn’t tried the Molten Chocolate Cake. Lightly dusted with icing sugar, it was actually more soufflé than cake, served with fresh raspberries and an oh-so-creamy vanilla ice cream. Hot, dark chocolate flowed through as we pierced the soufflé. DD#1 was the first to try it and her reaction was priceless—a slight sigh and flutter in her eyes. It was indeed to die for.

Molten Chocolate Cake @Joey restaurant

A washroom trip before we left turned out to be fun as well even if it was quite far.

@Joey restaurant

We will surely check out the other branches in the ‘burbs. Hopefully, they turn out to be wonderful, too.

Chef Rob Feenie meals at Cactus Club Cafe

As always, I welcome a trip downtown to check out a new place. This time, I was meeting up with a friend (and we had tons to catch up on), so I was extra excited!

We went to Cactus Club at First Canadian Place. Cactus Club Cafe is a chain out of Vancouver that's been in business almost 30 years and has only recently landed in Toronto. We were looking forward to trying some of the creations of Chef Rob Feenie (Canada’s first Iron Chef America Champion!). The menu indicates the dishes he was responsible for, marked RF, which were a tad more expensive than the rest of the items.

To start, we got Ravioli + Prawn Trio (RF, of course), which were stuffed with mascarpone and butternut squash, and made with truffle butter sauce. It was topped with a perfectly-cooked jumbo prawn and sprinkled with pine nuts. The pasta had a good bite and the stuffing was silky smooth. Super delish. I will get this for main course next time!

Ravioli and Prawn Trio @Cactus Club Cafe

My friend and I got another RF-designated dish for our main: steak frites. I got cajoled into ordering a 9oz (as hubby was joining us as well and he can definitely help finish the extra 2oz from the regular serving). My medium Angus beef sirloin was cooked perfectly with a beautiful sear outside and pink and juicy as we sliced it. The kale salad on the side was just ok.

Steak Frites @ Cactus Club Cafe

When hubby arrived, he ordered the Feenie burger--certified Angus beef, sautéed mushrooms, aged cheddar, smoked bacon and relish. I had a bite and it was moist and well-seasoned.

Feenie burger @Cactus Club Cafe

We were all stuffed at the end of the meal. Food was pricey, but superb, and the service was good. Suggest you make reservations.