Cheap Eats Toronto restaurant guide blog

Canzine Rocked.

We spent yesterday at Canzine and it was a blast.  We met lots of great people (of course we did), chatted CheapEats (as usual), saw piles of cool 'zines and indie publications, and as usual, we were blown away by the creativity that filled the place.

In addition to selling books, promoting the blogs and handing out buttons, we held a draw for a couple of copies of CheapEats Toronto.

Winners of the Canzine draw:

• Tara-Michelle aka Lydia Lane - who won with her recommendation for Buddha's Vegetarian Foods (pg. 46 -- CheapEats Toronto 2006)
• Natalia - who won with her recommendation for Salad King (pg. 128 -- CheapEats Toronto 2006)

 Congratulations and thanks to everyone who dropped by, made recommendations and made the day so much fun.

Technorati tags: canzine, toronto

You Might Still Be A Winner

Hi guys,

We are giving away 15 more copies of the book to randomly selected comments and recommendations received between October 4-January 31st.

"Why?" you might ask.

Well, due to getting completely side-railed and distracted by making sure all the details were fact-checked and the book got finished, I screwed up and didn't get the announcement of the weekly draw contest off the cheapeats toronto site in a timely fashion.  So I figured, if I told you you could win, you should be able to win! Decision made.

Keep an eye on your inbox - you will be notified via email TODAY if you won.

Past Winners - you should receive and email from me today too. If you didn't, please drop a comment below with your updated email address (you can hide it from the public view by entering an URL too, say your blog - or some other interesting site you like.)

Winner - Teresa D for Thai Kingdom

Teresa D just won a copy of cheapeats toronto 2006 for recommending Thai Kingdom:

"The food is great, portion size is extremely generous and the price is amazing. The atmosphere is so-so, but it's decent, clean and the service is great."

Thai Kingdom
200 Marycroft Ave (Highway 7 & Weston - in Woodbridge)
905.264.1688 -- http://www.thaikingdom.ca/

CETO Note: They have some excellent takeout and delivery combos - Combo for 2 $14.95 to Combo for 5 - $39.95, which includes drinks if you pick it up yourself.

Congratulations Teresa!

The Fine Print

Winner - Kynan Cheng for Umi Sushi

Kynan Cheng won a copy of cheapeats toronto 2006 for recommending a Mississauga restaurant - Umi Sushi:

"Good quality sushi, authentic Japanese proprietors, $7-$11 for lunches, $13 all-you-can-eat lunch"

Umi Sushi
3960 Grand Park (Burnhamthorpe & Mavis)
905.615.9650

Congratulations Kynan!

The Fine Print

Winner - Marina Dranitsaris for Gonzo's

Marina Dranitsaris' winning recommendation for Gonzo's included a note about their:

"great guacamole made to order! And you can order your food as hot or as mild as you like it.

Gonzo's
977 O'Connor Dr. (just "north" of St. Clair)
416.750.9424

CETO Note:  Gonzo's was originally founded by the sister/brother pair that run El Sol (1448 Danforth - pg 48 cheapeats toronto 2003/4) but they sold it 1996.

Congratulations Marina!

The Fine Print

Winner - Sue Beres for Rashnaa Restaurant.

This week's winner is Sue Beres for her recommendation of the ever-popular, recently-renovated, and always-flavourful Rashnaa Restaurant.

"Great flavours, even better prices!  Have been going there for years..."
307 Wellesley St. E (just east of Parliament)
416.929.2099 - www.rashnaa.com

Rashnaa Restaurant

CETO Note: It's no surprise to us that everyone wants to tell us about Rashnaa, their favourite dish, the renovations and why they love it.  We love it too!  In fact, it's one of our contributor favourites. 

On pg 95 of cheapeats toronto 2003/4, JP notes "The stringhoppers are excellent and the devil chicken will make you sweat and cry at the same time (and this is a good thing!)"

If you haven't had a chance to try Sri Lankan food follow Sue's advice and head over to Rashnaa immediately!

Congratulations Sue!

The Fine Print

Winner - Loretta Chang for Chinese Traditional Buns

When Loretta Chang recommended Chinese Traditional Buns she suggested we all try their

"Pork and chive dumplings -- the texture of the wrap is chewy-yet-comforting perfection."

Chinese Traditional Buns - 536 Dundas St.W. (just west of Spadina, down stairs)
416.299.9011

CETO Note: The only Chinatown restaurant West of Spadina which is downstairs from street level, Chinese Traditional Buns seems to always find a unique location.  Check out Chinese Traditional Buns on pg 38 of cheapeats toronto 2003/4 where GT says he is "always greeted by smiling faces and steaming baskets."

Congratulations Loretta!

The Fine Print

Winner - Melissa Navia for Azure Restaurant

If you're wondering what kind of recommendations are valid as entries for our "Win a Copy of cheapeats toronto 2006 Contest", Melissa's entry is a prime example of winning for recommending a non-cheapeat.  As long as you make a recommendation of more than a couple of words and include a valid email you are entered.  (So enter once, enter often... because cheapeats is always cheaper to win than to buy.)

Melissa recommended of Azure doesn't even approach the cheapeats price range. But that doesn't mean it wasn't... 

Worth every penny spent.

"The food was wonderful.  The service was friendly.  The restaurant was gorgeous.  Worth every penny spent.  Highly recommend if looking for something luxurious, yet comfortable."

Azure - 225 Front St. in the InterContinental Toronto Centre
416.597.8142 -- www.azurerestaurant.ca

CETO Note: With breakfast plates priced $15-22, Lunch $10-34, Dinner $24-36, and Tasting Menus for $65 alone and $100 with matching wines, Azure is not a cheapeat.  But hey, we've all got to splurge sometimes.

Congratulations Melissa!

The Fine Print

Winner - Satish Patel for Ritz Caribbean

Satish's recommendation of Ritz Caribbean won Satish a copy of the upcoming cheapeats toronto 2006.

"Great food at great value! The rotis are great!"

Ritz Caribbean Restaurant - 10 Roy Square (Yonge & Bloor), 450 Yonge St and 45 Overlea Blvd.
416.972.7480 -- www.ritzcaribbeanfood.com/

CETO Note: Ritz Caribbean offers an "every day special" $3.99 Jerk, but it's their Chicken Roti ($5.75) that gets recommended over and over again by our readers.

Congratulations Satish!

The Fine Print

Winner - Seth for Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant

Seth's recommendation of Bright Pearl is this week's winning comment.

"Good, authentic Dim Sum in China town."

Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant - 346 Spadina Ave., 2nd Flr. (@ St. Andrew, just N of Dundas)
416.979.3988 -- www.brightpearlseafood.com

CETO Note: Bright Pearl offers a 20% discount on Saturday & Sunday between 9am-11am.  Check out Bright Pearl on pg 34 of cheapeats toronto 2003/4 where Olivia Chow, City councillor for Trinity-Spadina, says Bright Pearl is also a "wonderful place to have banquets and affordable dinner with familes and friends..."

Congratulations Seth!

The Fine Print