Tag Archives: steak

Big Ass Steak? Dude, this is body by Big Ass Steak!!!!

So, we’re hanging out at Baro, this funky Latin fusion joint on King West. I’ve been here a couple times before, for some legit lomo saltado and a badass beef brisket burger, but when I heard they added a Big Ass Steak to their menu, you KNOW I gotta check it out, bro! We’re talkin’ 29 oz bone-in ribeye (22 ounces without the bone, so I’m told), dry aged for 45 days, and cooked to a perfect medium rare. Get in ma belly!!!!!

And when I said perfect medium rare, I wasn’t kidding. At some places, when the steak comes, it might be medium rare in the middle, but well done on the ends — but that was not the case here, since every piece was perfectly pink. It’s coming it hot with sides of sauteed onions, chimichurri and just a few shishito peppers (Vela, take note!) But you can’t have any meat without potatoes, right?

SIKE! These ain’t French-fried potaters, they’re cassava fries, broseph! Nice ‘n crispy with this baller cotija cheese donkey sauce that really kicks it up a notch! You could put that on a pinata, and it would still taste good!!!!

You know what they say, just another light snack in Flavourtown. I did leave some of the chimichurri behind cuz I thought the meat tasted better without it…

…and of course, we still had room for dessert. These churros come four to an order, so I only ate two of them. And while the steak was much better than I expected from a non-steakhouse, I guess I know now not to order churros at a (primarily) Peruvian place. I mean, I’d still eat these over a flip-flop, but they just seemed a little too doughy, and that caramel dipping sauce was maybe a little bit off. But hey, I still went back for seconds, so there’s that!!!

Le Petit Chef is cooking up some big flavours!!!

Now, we don’t normally go for five-course prix fixe menus on Triple B, but when I heard this one was being made tableside by a 6 cm animated chef, you KNOW I had to check it out, bro! Le Petit Chef just opened up in downtown Toronto a few months ago — they’ve already got one in Richmond Hill, Vancouver, and about 30 other places, including 12 in Germany(!), so you know it’s gotta be good, right?

So here’s the deal. Before each course, you get an animated show projected onto the table about how Le Petit Chef cooked each dish, and then they replace the animated version on the plate with the real thing. You KNOW we never eat salad on Triple B, but after I saw all the trouble this little guy went to in pulling those veggies outta the ground, I felt like it was my duty to chow down on this caprese salad, son!!!

So, what we’ve got here is some lettuce, thinly sliced radishes, two kinds of tomatoes, with a big ol’ hunka Buffalo mozzarella in the middle and these little balsamic pearls on top. I’d say this is one of my Top 5 salads of 2023 — but it’s only January and I don’t think I’ve had five salads this year, so take that for what it’s worth…

Up next, we’ve got seafood bisque with one mussel, a nice little piece of lobster and a tiny hunk of octopus that Le Petit Chef chopped off a big ol’ ock who was trying to eat him for dinner. Dude almost gave his life for this dish, so you know it’s gotta be good!!!!

At this place, you get not one, but two main courses — although they’re both pretty petite. But I gotta say, the little guy makes a mean chicken ballotine, stuffed with spinach, goat cheese and red peppers. You’ve got a couple potatoes on the side, and some demi-glace and red pepper sauce for dipping, along with a sprig of pine needles sticking out of the top. I actually saw someone eat all the pine needles — she must have really fresh breath, bro!!!!

But now it’s time for the moment de vérité — filet mignon au poivre, mec! This had to be the smaller steak we’ve ever eaten on Triple B, but it’s still a lot bigger than the guy who cooked it, so I will give him that. Nice char on the meat, with a bit of peppery taste, and the mashed parsnips really kicked it up a notch! I’m not sure I needed three spears of asparagus, though… You cuss, I cuss, we all cuss for asparagus, bro!!!!!!!!!

But even after lighting himself on fire when he was cooking the steak, the little dude really came through with dessert. Although it’s hidden under a whole buncha berries here, this creme brulee had the hardest, crunchiest shell I can ever remember breaking through… and when it comes to creme brulee, that’s a really good thing. Dude was saving the best for last, bro!!!!!

Michelin star steak @ Alobar

Now, Michelin finally started handing out Michelin stars in Toronto this year. A buncha fancy sushi places that we would never go to made the list, along with one place we went to that definitely deserved it, and another place that was a bit of a surprise. Now, I don’t always know what these elite food critics are thinking, but when I saw they gave a star to Alobar, the more casual cousin of Alo, which is probably the fanciest restaurant in town (I’ve never been there), well, I figured it was worth checking out…

The menu here is all over the map, with raw seafood, pasta, fish and short rib. But I figured I’d go for some steakhouse classics — I mean, Michelin star steak has gotta be good, right?

We actually started off with a wedge salad. I know what you’re thinking — what the French fry, bro??? But this might be the most manliest salad ever, with big chunks of bacon and hunks of blue cheese, along with tomatoes and purple onions. This also could be the biggest salad I’ve ever had…but you KNOW we’re just getting started, bro!!!!

Up next we’ve got a 24 ounce, bone-in ribeye, cooked to a nice medium rare, with a side of fries. Now the meat itself was very nicely done, one of the top five steaks I’ve had this year, but those portobello mushrooms they put on top really kick it up a notch. Dude, this shrooms are super-tender, nice and juicy… You could make flip-flops out of these bad boys, wear them to the beach, step in seagull shit — and they would still taste good!!!!

But after completely cleaning my plate, you KNOW I’ve still got room for dessert, right? And they definitely don’t shortchange ya on this sour cherry cheesecake!

Cake was pretty creamy, and that cherry compote kicks it up a notch. They make you spoon it on yourself, so I made sure to get every last loving spoonful, son!!!!

Now, I know what you’re thinking, is this food Michelin Star quality? Well, four outta five Triple B Maniacs disagree. The steak was good and the salad was fine, but if that place gets a Michelin star, then Prime Seafood Palace should have two stars, at least. I’m not sure they would even have been recognized if they didn’t have Alo in the name…but whether they’re justified (and ancient) or not, if you’re looking for a Michelin star place that’s not sushi or a tasting menu, this might be a good place to go.

One thing to note for beer drinkers, though — literally the only beer they have here is Asahi, and they serve it in bottles. Not quite as bad as the Greek place that only had Heineken (and they were all outta Heineken)… but honestly, it’s pretty close. You might hafta pregame in the alleyway, bro!!!!!!

SUMMERLICIOUS 2022: $75 steak dinner @ Michael’s on Simcoe

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID, Summerlicious has come back to Toronto, with funky joints all over this city serving up three-course lunch and dinner menus at a set price for a limited time. Dude, this is body by three-course lunch and dinner menus at a set price for a limited time, so you KNOW we had to check it out! And we’re starting off on the high end with a $75 steak dinner from Michael’s on Simcoe.

Now, I have walked by this place so many times, but I’ve never been inside until now. They have a reputation as one of the nicest steakhouses in town, and even the appetizers on their regular menu are almost 40 bucks, so I figured that a $75 set menu was a pretty good deal.

Speaking of appetizers, the three choices for Summerlicious were either soup or salad, and it’s a little too hot to be eating soup. So if I’m eating salad, I want it to be the least salad-y salad I can get; this burrata hits the mark with big ol’ chunks of cheese, a few baby tomatoes, sweet peppers and pickled chanterelle mushrooms — besides a couple sprigs of basil, there’s not a leafy green thing in sight!!!

Now, you could order the chicken, the trout or even a mushroom risotto… but if I’m eating at Michael’s for Summerlicious, I’m having the steak. This sliced New York striploin was a lot less meat than I’m used to, but it was still pretty flavourful, with a mustard-infused potato salad, one great big broccolini and a super-thick ‘n crunchy onion ring. Man, I could go for a basket of those onion rings any day of the week, bro!!!!!!!!

And while there was nothing wrong with the steak, the highlight of this meal was definitely dessert. We’re talking rich, moist chocolate torta, with chunks of salted caramel and a scoop of chocolate hazelnut gelato. This is right up there with one of the best desserts I’ve had all year. Can I get three of them to go???

This 24 oz porterhouse is a righteous Easter Feaster!

Now, I’m not saying we won’t be going for Easter Sunday brunch on Triple B…but the real Easter feaster already happened last night. We’re talkin’ steak night at Morton’s, with the biggest cut of meat on the menu — 24 ounces of porterhouse steak, son!!!!!

Dude, this steak is cooked to perfection — medium-rare, just the way I like it. I also splurged for some bacon-wrapped scallops, which were also cooked perfectly. And because the First Rule of Flavourtown is “Always add bacon” we also went for the Smoked Gouda & Bacon Au Gratin Potatoes, which has got pretty much everything you need in a side dish, right there. Now, this feaster cost me a pretty penny, but it was soooo good to the late bite, bro!!!!

Of course, you KNOW we’ve still got room for dessert — and at Morton’s, that can only mean one thing:

Dude, Morton’s hot chocolate cake is so legendary, it’s literally right there in the name, bro! The oozy, dripping chocolate goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — I didn’t start feeling full until after I polished this bad boy right off!!!!!

Welcome to the jungle, we’ve got shrimp and steak…

So we’re hanging out at Selva, this funky new black-light, jungle-themed joint serving up South American/Thai fusion in a basement in the Entertainment District. This place used to be The Fifth Pubhouse, where I once scarfed down a tasty salmon burger…but they’ve got a completely different vibe now.

They are still serving up some seafood, though. These grilled shrimp are coming in hot, eight to an order with a slightly spicy yellow pepper sauce. These aren’t quite as good as the shrimp at Emeril’s, but still not a bad start.

Now, when I saw the 7 oz Denver steak on the menu, I thought it might be a little small — but when it got to the table, I’m not sure that’s even 7 ounces bro. Also, most pieces were well past medium rare, even with it coming pre-cut… So yeah, I’m a little disappointed right now.

Of course, after such a small steak, I definitely still had room for dessert. These banana fritters were more like deep-fried banana slices…but I think I got more pieces here than I did of the steak, so at least there’s that. And hey, the place looks pretty funky, as this toucan can confirm:

GRAND REOPENING: 24 oz cote de boeuf for one @ Jules Bistro

Unless you’re new to Triple B, then you already know that this is body by steak, bro! So when I heard that Jules Bistro, this funky French joint on Queen West, was serving up a 24 oz. AAA grade ribeye platter for two, well, I figured that I could eat it all by myself. Hey, I did just polish off a 24 oz steak, like, a week ago, bro!!!

I gotta say, I liked this steak even more than the one I had last week. Meat was cooked to perfection, a nice medium-rare, with a solid peppery seasoning. They even left the bone to gnaw on — although there wasn’t much meat on it. And the fries were on point; they basically tasted like McDonald’s, with a side of mayochup for dipping. But when it comes to the salad, they made a bit of a mistake…

Now, on the menu it says you can substitute a Caesar salad for a few dollars more, and I figured that if I had to have salad with my steak, then it had better be Caesar. But as you saw in the first picture, the board came out with a plain green salad on it…and when I mentioned I had ordered the Caesar, they brought it out separately in its own bowl. Which means I now have to eat two whole salads. Not that it was gonna stop me…

AND BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!

Now, you might think I wouldn’t have room for dessert after such a glorious feast…but you’d be wrong, son! I am kinda glad this creme brulee wasn’t more than a couple ounces, though…

PATIO LIT EATS: Steaks on the beach @ Toronto Beach Club

Now, I’ve been down to Woodbine Beach on Canada Day a couple times, and the only thing they had to eat was Pizza Pizza. So when I heard that the Toronto Beach Club, this fancy new steak ‘n seafood joint, had opened up right on the beach — inside the same building as a Tim Hortons and a Booster Juice — you KNOW I had to check it out, bro! This place is serving up classics like lamb chops, a seafood tower, and a 40 oz porterhouse…along with some more Mediterranean fare, like this fried zucchini:

Now, you don’t usually see a lotta veggies on Triple B — but when they’re battered and fried, I could eat that all night long, Bro-nel Richie! I mean, I couldn’t even taste the zucchini underneath the crispy coating…which is just fine with me!

Next up, we’ve got this Middle Eastern take on avocado toast — labneh topped with avocado, served on a fresh ‘n hot pita that’s comes to the table all puffed up, so you know it’s gotta be good. Man, even with nothing on it, I could pound that pita bread all day…but you KNOW I gotta save room for steak, bro!!!

This 24 oz t-bone is 110 dollars on its own, with sides sold separately. (I think it’s meant for two people, but you know it’s just dinner for one in Flavourtown!) Meat is very charred on top, but still nice ‘n pink in the middle. And they even cut it all up for you — although I had to bite the last piece off the bone myself. And of course, you can’t have a steak dinner without mushrooms…the mushrooms are what makes it!!!!

Dude, these roasted mushrooms were so outta bounds, the lifeguard had to tell ’em to start swimming back to shore! Each shroom was as big as a head of broccoli, so you had to cut ’em up a couple times, but these were so tender and juicy that I could eat $110 worth of mushrooms alone! (That’s about 6 platefuls, in case you’re counting at home…)

But you KNOW we’ve still got room for dessert, and we’re going with a steakhouse classic — Baked Alaska, son! They even set it on fire in front of you…but it didn’t burn baby burn as much as the one at BlueBlood. The flavour profile was also a bit different, with lemon ice cream instead of your regularly scheduled chocolate/strawberry programming. But to say dessert was the least favourite part of the meal would be like saying Axl Rose is my least favourite singer of AC/DC — they’ve still got me ringing Hell’s Bells, bro!!!!!!!!!

TORONTO’S TOP TAKEOUT: $30 steak dinner, delivered!!!

Over a year ago, when the pandemic was still young, I ordered a $200 steak dinner for delivery from the now-closed Jacobs & Co. This was the very first time that Uber Eats was giving out codes for 25% off, so I got them to take 50 bucks off my bill — which is probably why their promotions are more like like “30% off orders over $50, but save no more than $20” now.

Speaking of promotions, we’re now in the last days of DoorDash’s Toronto Premium Restaurants, so when I saw that Hy’s Steakhouse was one of the places taking 7 bucks off orders of $30 or more, I figured their $32 steak sandwich would fit the bill:

Now, for 32 bucks, you’re not expecting filet mignon — but this was still a pretty decent piece of meat. Cooked to an even medium rare, with a light sear, and a bit of peppercorn atop a toasted baguette. Would have been nice if they had taken off the gristly bit at the end, but otherwise, I’m not complaining.

Fries had a good thickness, and were nicely seasoned. The mini glass bottle of Heinz ketchup was a nice touch, even if I had to scrape out every last little bit — and still needed some more ketchup after that.

Now, when I ordered from Jacobs, I paired my steak dinner with a nice, fancy stout. Well, this beer is also a stout — although you wouldn’t know from looking at it. Big Rock Brewery’s Mindbender white stout might not be as rich as a Guinness, but it has enough of that cocoa-y, coffee taste to make you do a double take. Also, at 4.4%, it’s not much stronger than a Guinness — which means you could probably drink it for breakfast?

GRAND REOPENING: Green eggs & steak @ STK

June 14, 2021
greedocatucci
0 comments
brunch, caesar, steak, steak and eggs, steakhouse, stk, Toronto patios

Man, I don’t even know how long it’s been since I’ve been to brunch, bro! I mean, I ordered it for delivery a couple times during the pandemic — including a massive Mother’s Day smorgasbord-board — but actually eating brunch in person, at a restaurant??? Sheeeeet, I think I gotta go all the way back to September on that one! So obviously, once I heard that restaurants would be reopening last weekend, you KNOW I had to break outta this brunch slump, son!!!

We’ve been to STK a couple times before, and it’s on the second floor, so where do they even put a patio? Turns out, they’ve taken over the courtyard in front of Yorkville Plaza, which is pretty much right across the street. And it’s a pretty nice spot, out of the sun and the rain, with enough seating for probably about 50 people — not all of them got up early to crush some brunch as soon as they opened on Sunday, though…

Now, their $17 Caesar was a little spicy, a little pricey, and just plain little. But I’m so happy to have brunch back that I even ordered more than one!!!

I dunno if it’s because of grand reopening weekend, or if maybe they just scaled down their menu due to the pandemic, but some of their previous brunch classics, like chicken ‘n waffles or a big stack of flapjacks, were nowhere to be found. I didn’t even see steak ‘n eggs on the menu…but I did get them to whip me up a little sumthin’ sumthin’.

Since they were serving eggs in a couple of dishes, I ordered a 6 oz. filet with two eggs on the side — only catch was I could only get them poached. Also, all their steaks come with a sauce, which is probably against one of the rules of Flavourtown, but I used this opportunity to get some chimichurri, and create this beefed up benny in Flavourtown… Green eggs ‘n steak, son!!!!

Technically, it’s still not on the menu, but you know what they say — if you build it, they will come. Check out this messy field of dreams in Flavourtown:

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