Banh Mi Boys

Banh Mi Boys

392 Queen St W
Toronto, ON
M5V 2A9
http://www.banhmiboys.com/

Kalbi beef Banh Mi ($5.99) - short ribs, kimchi, asian bbq sauce

close up of kalbi beef banh mi

Korean style beef short rib with Asian BBQ sauce, topped with cucumbers, pickled carrots, and cilantro and served on a baguette.  The baquette it was served on was particularly noteworthy as it was soft and fresh.

Five Spice Pork Belly Steamed Bao ($3.49) - braised pork belly, pickled radish

The steamed bao was topped with cucumber, pickled carrots and cilantro which contrasted the fatty, melt-in-your-mouth pork belly nicely. It came with two thick pieces of pork sandwiched between the soft and chewy bun.  My favourite item of all the things we tried.  The taste resembles peking duck flavours.

Kimchi fries ($5.99)

The fries came served in a box topped with Japanese mayo, green onions, kimchi and spicy pork. The tender pulled pork was a welcome addition and the combination of all the flavours was delicious.  It's like eating a fusion poutine with Korean/Japanese influence.  I just wish the box was bigger!

Japanese Korokke (Croquette)

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. (about 4) russet potatoes, peeled and halved
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• ½ carrots, finely diced
• 2 medium sized Chinese mushrooms, soaked and finely diced
•  1 can of corn
• 1 stalk of green onion, finely diced
• 2 tsp. oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. white pepper
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 3 eggs for the breading
• 2 cup Panko
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• Oil for deep frying
• Tonkatsu Sauce 

Procedure:

1. In a large pot, put water and potatoes and bring it to a boil. Cook potatoes until a skewer goes through the potato easily.
2. Move the pot back to the stove. On low heat shift the pot so that remaining moisture will completely evaporate (but don’t burn them). Remove the potato from the heat and drain the water completely. When you do so, use a lid to partially cover so the potatoes don’t fall off from the pot.
3. Meanwhile, chop onion, carrot, mushrooms, and green onion finely.Turn off the heat and mash the potatoes. Unlike mashed potato, you don’t have to mash completely. You can want to leave some small chunks for texture. Set aside.
4. In a large skillet, heat oil on medium high heat. Sauté onion until soft.
5. Add carrot and mushrooms and cook until they are soft.  Saute corn and green onions lightly.
6. Add salt, white pepper, and black pepper to season. Set aside.


When both mashed potato and meat mixture are ready, add the meat mixture into mashed potato in the large pot. Make sure you leave the liquid behind. We only want dry ingredients into the pot. Discard any liquid left in the pan
7. Add an egg and mix all together until everything is well combined.
8. Set aside to cool down a bit (so you can actually hold the mixture with your hands).
   
9. Dredge each ball in flour, then egg, and then Panko.


In a wok (or frying pan), heat oil over medium high heat. Deep fry Korokke until they are golden brown. Inside is already cooked, so all you need to do is to make it nice brown color.
10. Transfer Korokke to paper towels and let the oil absorbed in the paper. Serve immediately with Tonkatsu Sauce.

Recipe adapted from: http://justonecookbook.com/blog/recipes/korokke-croquette/

Thoughts:

1. A lot of work! but so worth it!!! It is very delicious, and restaurant quality too.  Love the addition of corn in it, makes it a little sweet. And having tonkatsu sauce is key to make it delicious!

Paillard

Paillard
1097 Rue Saint-Jean
Quebec City, QC G1R 1S3 
http://www.paillard.ca/

Paillard is a cafe, bakery, sandwich/soup, lunch, take-out, patisserie all-in-one.  It is conveniently located in the heart of Old Quebec, walking distance to major attractions and hotels.  The place is fairly large and packed with locals.  A great place to stop for lunch, especially we find that Quebec's restaurants tend to be on the higher end of things.

From our googling, we were going to go to Le Croquembouche for patisserie.  But Le Croquembouche is very far away from Old Quebec, and we would need to take the car out to drive there.  So while we were just walking around Old Quebec, we saw Paillard and lots of people inside, meaning it's a great place to try.  At first I was skeptical with it being a touristy location, but it turns out it is packed with locals with families and kids enjoying lunch there.  Since we already had lunch that day, we decided to get some take-outs.  We bought an almond and chocolate croissant for next day's breakfast.  And we also bought two mini cakes and macarons to share with the Campbell family when we arrive at Montreal. 

Almond croissant ($2.95) - voted the best croissant in Quebec 2010.  Loved that it has a sweet creamy filling inside, not many places do that.

Chocolatine ($2.95 ish) - super flaky and yummy

First off, I absolutely enjoyed the croissants very much.  For once I enjoyed the almond croissant more than the chocolate one!! Surprise surprise.  This is because Paillard's almond croissant has a sweet almond paste filling inside the almond croissant, which prior to this I have found it really rare to have.  It went perfectly with the Starbucks coffee from the hotel.

Don't remember the name =( ($3.95 ish) Dark chocolate mousse with blackberry flavours - delicious!

Bombe marron au caramel fondant ($3.95) chestnut mousse with a white chocolate cover - a bit too sweet for me

Box of assorted macarons ($1.55 each) - there's lemon, chocolate, salted caramel, passionfruit, strawberry, pistachio, vanilla, and coffee.

The remaining desserts were enjoyed with the Campbell family.  When Roxie first saw us unwrapping the desserts, she immediately went and hold the box of colorful macarons.  I guess this is her first time seeing such cute colourful little cookies.  I didn't try all the flavours, so I couldn't tell you how they all tasted.  I tried chocolate and vanilla.  They were very nice and crisp, and moist with chocolate ganaches.  The flavours weren't as strong as the Montreal's La Maison du Chocolate ($2 something each?), but for the price I think Paillard is mighty amazing too! I'm very happy Stepehen, Avery, and Roxie enjoyed them very well for their first time.  We liked it so much, we went to buy all the ingredients the next day to make chocolate macarons  with Stephen's new stand mixer.

Then we tried the two cakes while watching a movie.  I enjoyed the dark chocolate cake more.  The other one was bought because during the trip I learned that "marron" means "chestnut". and decided to try anything chestnut.  The chestnut one taste a bit like the Chinese chestnut angel cake but sweeter.

I enjoyed Paillard very much, found it super affordable and casual but with great quality!  Can't wait to try their made-to-order sandwich station with fresh baked breads and soups next time.

Le cochon dingue

Le cochon dingue
46, boulevard Champlain
Québec (Québec) G1K 4H5
http://www.cochondingue.com/en/home.html?lang=EN

Le cochon dingue, literally means crazy pig, is located in the Petit Champlain district also.  With the look and feel of a real French bistro, its friendly atmosphere and its ultra tasty menu with a European flair, it quickly become the go-to-place for breakfast.  We actually came to this restaurant twice.  Once for breakfast, and because we like it so much, again for lunch before we leave Quebec City.

Breakfast:

Their website claims they "serve the best coffee, old-fashion hot chocolate made with Belgian chocolate, your choice of toast, with homemade raspberry-strawberry jam or apple butter with a sincere morning smile"  And I totally agree with that line! Keep in mind, everything on their breakfast menu includes a cup of expresso, or a bowl of cafe au lait (French word for latte), or a pot of old fashioned hot chocolate. Sweet deal!

Bowl of cafe au lait and old fashioned hot chocolate

I ordered a 2 eggs benedict with ham and poached egg on toasted English muffin and Hollandaise sauce.  The meal is also served with homefries, choice of toast, I picked raspberry-strawberry jam, and comes with a mango yogurt to finish it off ($14.50).  And this price includes my old-fashioned hot chocolate.

Charles ordered a sunny side up fried egg with sauteed mushrooms, bacon, onions, and béchamel  sauce. Also served with home fries, choice of toaste, he picked apple butter, and also has the mango yogurt.  ($12.95) and this includes the giant bowl of cafe au lait (or latte). Note béchamel sauce is a classic white sauce made from butter, flour, and milk; it is a classic base for many sauces.

Lunch:

Because breakfast was so amazing, we came for lunch before leaving Quebec City.

I ordered a set lunch from the daily menu (it changes). It is a pulled duck linguine pasta, it comes with a soup or salad, and coffee or tea ($11.95).  A very good deal I think.  I chose soup, and that day's daily soup is cream of broccoli.  I enjoyed the pasta very much.  It is different than my usual Italian style of pasta.  It is more stir fry in olive oil and lots of herbs and duck.  Very interesting and delicious.

Cream of Broccoli 

Pulled duck Linguine

 Charles ordered the famous Cochon Dingue Seafood Pot Pie ($21.95), it has lobster, crab, shrimps, scallops, salmon, diced potatoes in a creamy sauce and served with a salad. We shared both dishes, and there are at least 2-3 pieces of each item listed so that we both can try each thing. Amazing good. Crispy pastry is pretty awesome too.  Wish I had room to order dessert before we head out =(

Seafood Pot Pie

Overall impression is very very good. A classic European bistro.  Great for casual dining without sacrificing food quality or price! Serving daily fresh food done well! Also has unlimited bread upon request.

P.S. a night view of the restaurant, so prettty!

Restaurant at night

Le Lapin Sauté

Le Lapin Sauté
52 Rue du Petit Champlain  
Quebec City, QC G1K 4H4
(418) 692-5325
http://www.lapinsaute.com/english/home/

With the recommendations of coworkers growing up in Quebec, we have picked Le Lapin to celebrate this year's Valentine's day and our 'first' romantic dinner during our trip to Quebec City.  Le Lapin is located in Quebec's Petit-Champlain district, a picture-perfect neighbourhood resembling a quaint riverside village with a romantic European atmosphere.  One of the most visited neighbourhood of Quebec! 

Walking in Le Lapin, we were immediately greeted.  The restaurant has a country-in-the-city feel... a warm, quaint and cozy inns from the early 20th century.  Perfect for romantic getaway!  We were seated by the fireplace on a cold winter night.  And ordered a glass of cider (alcoholic version) to warm ourselves up.  I enjoyed the glass of cider very much, it is sweet and sour like apple juice and you can barely taste the alcohol in it. 

A glass of cider in pretty pink

As the restaurant name suggests, Le Lapin's specialty is rabbit.  Then after looking at the menu, we decide to go with the Rabbit and Duck for Two (Tout lapin tout canard) to taste the menu. To my knowledge, this is probably the first time I have real French cuisine!

After ordering, the waiter gave us some in-house appetizer to start.  It is French bread baked daily served with some spread.   The spread is crumbly, dark, and tasty!  I have no idea what it is made of, but it is absolutely delicious.  I wish I remember what the name of the spread to tell you more about it.

Appetizer French bread with spread

The rabbit and duck for two menu includes rabbit leg confit, homemade rabbit "rillettes", rabbit sausage, duck leg confit, duck foie gras, and smoked duck breast served with carrots and onions confit, "La Sauvagine" cheese, nuts bread with nuts, rustic bread, beets and apples salad, mustards and pickles ($62.95).

Rabbit and Duck for Two

This is my first time eating rabbit and smoked duck breast. Let me describe each item...

Rabbit leg confit (top right) - confit describes the traditional way of preserving meat usually with goose or duck leg.  The meat is salted and seasoned with herbs, slow cooked, cooled, and stored in its fat.  Rabbit meat taste like chicken but with a hint of game meat taste (like lamb).  The leg is a bit on the dry side for my liking, but I think it is because rabbit meat itself is very lean.

Homemade rabbit "rillettes" (sphere shaped on the bottom left) - rillettes is a preparation of meat similar to pâté, where the meat is cut, salted, cooked slowly, shredded, cooled to form a paste for spread.  I really like the taste of the rillettes, it is tender and moist, and flavourful. 

Rabbit sausage (top right underneath the rabbit leg) - very delicious.  I don't have much to describe it, besides it taste like a sausage and it tasted good. 

Duck leg confit (bottom right) - similar to the preparation to the rabbit leg, but I like the duck leg confit much better.  It is juicy, tender, and flavourful.  The duck fat really helps! I have lots of BBQ duck as a Chinese, but this is my first time eating duck the French way.  Very good!

Duck foie gras (disk shaped on the left) - or duck liver. By French law, foie gras is the liver of a duck fattened by force feeding of corn and gavage.  I do enjoy the texture of liver pâté so I liked it.  It is rich, buttery, and delicate.  Although I find it pretty filling after a few bites.  The whole disk is a bit too much to eat, if you don't like liver.

Smoked duck breast (pink meat in the middle) - duck breast that has been slow smoked and thinly sliced.  Taste a lot like smoked salmon but a bit chewier.  I was so surprised by this.  Never heard of smoked duck breast before.  It is very tasty if you like smoked salmon.

Carrots and onion confit (bottom left) - cold salad of carrots and onion and it is sweet.

"La Sauvagine" cheese (top left) - honestly, I still don't appreciate cheese that much.  This cheese is rich and too flavourful for me.  So I can't comment too much on it.

Nuts bread with nuts (bottom right) - love, love, love this bread!! SO MUCH! I wish I can bake my own bread to make it.  Full of walnuts, almond, and other nuts... soft and warm... yummy!

Rustic bread - also baked freshly daily. Not as special, but it is yummy.  Bread is unlimited, you can ask for more to go with your meal if you would like.

Beets and apple salad (middle) - Amazing salad! Sweet and tangy and refreshing with the rest of the meal.

Mustard and pickles - I actually didn't eat the mustard at all. So no comment.  I did eat a lot of the pickles.  I am no expert in pickles though.  I found the pickles really help with the fattiness of the meal though. Palette cleansing.

Maple syrup crème brûlée

And to finish off with a delicious meal, we ordered their INFAMOUS, world renowned, Oh-you-will-die-from-eating-this... Maple syrup crème brûlée ($7.25) with some coffee. 

I have crème brûlée from a few places before, but I was never impressed with it.  I found most places have the hard caramel too thick.  If I eat it, I would finish eating the custard part so fast, but the caramel takes a long time to melt in my mouth.  This maple syrup crème brûlée... oh-it-is-different-and-special!  The caramel layer is PAPER thin!  When you first put in your mouth, you can taste the sweet maple flavour custard... within seconds the ultra thin caramel begins to melt and adds a hint of sugary-ness.  It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! Definitely the BEST BEST BEST crème brûlée I have E-V-E-R tried.  I don't know how to emphasize this anymore!  The portion is big too.  Argh so good!

Overall impression of Le Lapin is very good. Great atmosphere, romantic, and reasonable prices.  This made me fall in love with French cuisine.  Wish I discovered it earlier =)

Casse Crêpe Breton

Casse Crêpe Breton
1136 Rue St-Jean
Quebec, QC G1R 2L3
http://cassecrepebreton.com/

A cute little bistro serving made-to-order crepes in Old Quebec (Veux Quebec).  On Rue St Jean you can find many shops, restaurants, and bars.  Everything seemed pretty pricy to us.  And we are so happy to find this place so that we can try some French crepes on a nice budget! First off is that they don't have a huge selection making decision a bit easier.  We ordered a breakfast crepe with ham, egg, mozzarella and mushrrom.  The crepe is so crisp and thin that I find it very difficult to eat with forks and knives.  The second crepe we have we customized it to include turkey, green peppers, and mozzarella.  And then we finished off with a dessert crepe with chestnut filling and ice cream.  It is difficult to find chestnut filling in many places, it is so cool they have it.  Love the dessert crepe!

Ham, egg, mozzarella, and mushroom ($7.75)

turkey, green pepper, and mozzarella ($7.25)

Chestnut Crepe with ice cream ($4.75 + $1.25)

Another angle of the chestnut crepe with ice cream

Sukhothai

52 Wellington St E
Toronto, ON M5E 1C9

Gaeng Panag: Panang curry with kaffir lime leaves, basil leaves, red and green pepers and coconut milk. Choice of chicken, beef or tofu and served with rice.  Richer than the others and more about the meat.

Gaeng Panag: Panang curry with kaffir lime leaves, basil leaves, red and green pepers and coconut milk. Choice of chicken, beef or tofu and served with rice.  Richer than the others and more about the meat.

Sukothai Pad Thai: Our “Sukh’ed up”, Northern Thai version of the Pad Thai is a must to try.  You will find a slightly different take on Pad Thai depending on where you are in Thailand.  This is a taste of our Chef’s hometown goodness.  Extras:  made with peanuts, more herbs and a small-town, northern-style, authentic-Thai twist.

Nua Gra Teaum: Stir Fried, garlic beef served with fried egg, cucumbers and rice.  A taste of Thailand street food.