Bánh Mì Boys - Om Nom Nom Nom

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Date visited: September 13, 2013

Time: 12:00 pm

Party Size: 2

Website: http://www.banhmiboys.com/

Food consumed:
- Five Spice Pork Belly Bánh Mì - $5.99
- Kimchi Fries - $5.99

Pictures of food consumed: (Click on images to enlarge)

Review of Restaurant:

• Why did I come to this restaurant?

Featured on You Gotta Eat Here!, so I gotta eat here.

Actually, I found this link on the Banh Mi Boys' website while writing this blog entry. My friend brought me here and I did not regret coming here.

• What did I think of the food and service?

Owned by Asians but served by Caucasians. This elevated the service level from below industry to average industry level.

Why did they mentioned "Asian bbq sauce" as an ingredient if it is just Hoisin sauce. I had no idea what jicama was. They should call it Mexican yam instead. I even had to Google what bánh mì was, why don't they call the restaurant Vietnamese Bun Boys. Asians...

The food was too yummy. This Heavy from Team Fortress 2 will demonstrate my reaction.

• How did my sensitive stomach feel?
  

Nom nom nom nom nom nom

City of Toronto Inspection Report

(Click on image to enlarge)

Source: http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/index.htm?show=detail&id=112181

Here are just the SIGNIFICANT AND CRUCIAL infractions:

June 28, 2013 - PASS

October 15, 2013 - PASS

I think by being an Asian fusion restaurant, you understand the concept of food safety.

VERDICT: Om Nom Nom Nom

Second Documented Trip

Date visited: November 28, 2013

Time: 1:30 pm

Party Size: 2

Food consumed:
- Kalbi Beef Bánh Mì - $5.99
- Pulled Pork Taco - $3.99
- Kimchi Fries - $5.99 (paid for by the boss)

Pictures of food consumed: (Click on images to enlarge)

City of Toronto Inspection Report

No updated report since my last visit

VERDICT: Om Nom Nom Nom x 2. No food poisoning experience. Pork belly is better than Kalbi beef.

Third Documented Trip

Date visited: April 11, 2014

Time: 12:00 pm

Party Size: 5

Food consumed:
- Kalbi Beef Taco - $3.99
- Pulled Pork Taco - $3.99
- Grilled Chicken Taco - $3.99
- Braised Beef - $3.99
- Squid Taco - $3.99
- Tofu Taco - $3.99

Price: $27.06 after taxes

Pictures of food consumed: (Click on images to enlarge):

The Six Amigos Challenge:

The Unexpected Journey
Life is dull sometimes and you need to add a spin to it once in a while. I decided to try all five tacos found on the website.

Challenges are fun, why else would people create a meme over this?

The surprise

The cashier greeted me. I placed my order for all five tacos as stated on the menu. She went through the list of tacos on her register and came up with six tacos. Surely, she made a mistake or created a sixth taco just to charge me more. I shrugged and got all six as I like surprises too. Braised beef was the secret taco. I placed my order under my alias, Batman. The bill came down to $27.06.

The Challenge

I chowed down the kalbi beef and pulled pork tacos and they were the best tacos ever, like ever. Soft tender pork with a bit of spice. Next up was the squid, who ever came up with this taco? It's the worst idea ever. It was very bland and didn't go well with the carrot and taco. The tofu was even worst. Tofu should never be made into a taco. At this point, my appetite was satisfied. A fifth one couldn't hurt, could it?

The grilled chicken was delicious and I took my sweet time eating this taco as I was pretty full by this time. It probably took me 20 mins to eat it. Now down to the sixth and last one. This heavy hitter, the braised beef took me 30 mins to devour. I mentally prepared for five, not six. I was about to die after the last taco. This curve ball was my death wish.

For the entire afternoon, my productivity level dipped to below zero. I took a walk to McDonald's to alleviate the pain in my stomach and for their $1 iced coffee. The uninformed cashier did not make things better for me. She charged me $1.46 for a medium iced coffee. When I grabbed it, it was a small. I asked if this was the correct price and size, she said it's small. I looked up at the screen and pointed to her that it's $1 for medium iced coffee.

The cashier turned to her manager who informed her that McDonald's was having this promotion. She seemed very surprised. The refund was processed and she charged me the correct amount. Second mistake of her day: I would offer the iced coffee for free since I screwed up the order and it doesn't cost the company much. People lack customer service and going up and beyond their call sometimes. She was young so I'll give it to her lack of experience and care for the world.

She asked if we wanted the small iced coffee since they were going to throw them out. I took them since I don't like to waste food. I was handed my medium iced coffee and went on merry way back to the office.

Throughout the evening, I couldn't talk about more food or eat more food.

Here's a lesson for you kids, if you like a challenge, try the Six Amigos (I'll take credit for coining this term) at Bánh Mì Boys.

Don Don Izakaya - Manchu Wok in Disguise

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Date visited: August 2, 2013

Time: 12:30 pm

Party Size: 2

Price: $16.00 before tax and tips

Website: http://www.dondonizakaya.com/

Food consumed:
- Sashimi Combo B (18 pcs, assorted sashimi w/ miso soup, green salad and rice)

Pictures of food consumed: (Click on images to enlarge)

Complimentary edamame

Review of Restaurant:

• Why did I come to this restaurant?

I keep walking past this restaurant and noticed the nice sign and decoration at the window. I told myself that I have to come here one day. On August 2, 2013, the day has come. My dreams came true, I can finally eat at this restaurant. I scouted the menu and picked what I wanted to eat. I almost crapped myself with excitement.

As we entered the restaurant, someone banged on the drum to announce that new guests have arrived. The polite waiter asked if we wanted to sit at the table beside the drum or at the counter. My manager and I opted for the counter with the recommendation of the waiter who said the drum will be annoying and loud.

We were handed a lunch menu. All of a sudden, I forgot what I had in mind and looked for some sashimi. I narrowed it down to a combo. We placed our orders and waited for our food.

• What did I think of the food and service?

The food was good, your typical Japanese food. That is all I have to say.

The service is a mouthful. Our food took forever to come. We both got a combo so it came with miso soup, salad and rice. Each dish took so long to come that we had to ask the waiter/waitress if they can follow up with our order. At one point, I had to ask the owner where my rice was and he told his lackey to deliver my food.

The owner was shouting orders in Cantonese and following up with the waiters/chefs. He was doing his job but not delegating and training his staff well enough. The service just fell apart. I'm not the only one experiencing this.

While waiting for our food, we noticed that the cooks, standing right in front of us, were all speaking Chinese. At this instant, I was so disappointed. I thought it was an authentic restaurant.

From the website:

"Contrary to popular belief, an izakaya is not simply an "authentic Japanese restaurant""

They got the details down from the outside sign, the curtains at the entrance, the drum and the Japanese waiter/waitresses, but just not the chefs.

• How did my sensitive stomach feel?
  

Raw salmon, clam, tuna all passed through my gastrointestinal tract without any incident. Earthquake averted and toilet bowl spared from misery.

City of Toronto Inspection Report

(Click on image to enlarge)

Source: http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/index.htm?show=detail&id=106692

Here are just the SIGNIFICANT AND CRUCIAL infractions:

January 4, 2012 - PASS

November 7, 2012 - PASS

1. Fail to have test reagent available at place of sanitation

March 11, 2013 - PASS

July 26, 2013 - PASS

September 27, 2013 - PASS

I'm quite surprised with the track record despite being Chinese owned. Very impressed, but not impressed with the service.

VERDICT: Survived my stomach experience but this restaurant is all smokes and mirrors. Lower your expectations and you will enjoy the experience. 

Marben - Derailed by Richmond Station

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Date visited: October 25, 2013

Time: 5:30 pm

Party Size: 2

Website: http://www.marbenrestaurant.com/

Food consumed:
- John's Burger (braised ribs, branston pickle, aged cheddar) with fries - $18

Pictures of food consumed: (Click on images to enlarge)

Review of Restaurant:

• What did I think of the food and service?

Marben is part of the burger list, #2 to be precise. Remember Carl Heinrich? He used to be the executive chef of Marben, but later opened his own restaurant, Richmond Station. That's why the burger looks so similar to Richmond Station's.

I found the ribs to be dry, very dry. The fries weren't that great. I personally do not like thin cut fries. Richmond Station's burger is a phoenix rising out of the ashes. Carl not only improved on Marben's but he created a monster out of Richmond Station's. Richmond Station is far superior and well worth the train ticket.

Since the blogger at Toronto Life wrote his entry on Marben, it was $17. A year and a half later, the price rose by $1. Save the walk, it's so far from any subway. Catch the train at Richmond.

• How did my sensitive stomach feel?
  

I wasn't a happy camper. I had two burgers on the same day, at Richmond Station and at Marben. I survived both occasions but my inner burger cravings was only satisfied at Richmond.

City of Toronto Inspection Report

(Click on image to enlarge)

Source: http://www.toronto.ca/health/dinesafe/index.htm?show=detail&id=101912

Here are just the SIGNIFICANT AND CRUCIAL infractions:

March 6, 2012 - PASS

1. Operate food premise - fail to equip facility with toilet paper

2. Operator food premise - fail to equip facility with cloth roller towel, paper towels, single service towels or dryer
3. Operate food premise - fail to equip facility with waste receptacle (first)
4. Fail to provide towels in food preparation area (first)
5. Operator fail to ensure cover will prevent contamination or adulteration
6. Operate food premise - mechanical equipment not maintained to provide sufficient chemical solution rinse
7. Fail to provide thermometer in storage compartment (first)

July 3, 2012 - PASS

1. Operate food premise - fail to equip facility with waste receptacle (second)

2. Store utensils in manner not preventing contamination (first)
3. Fail to provide thermometer in storage compartment (second)

November 6, 2012 - PASS

1. Store utensils in manner not preventing contamination (second)

2. Fail to provide thermometer in storage compartment (third)

March 12, 2013 - PASS

1. Fail to provide towels in food preparation area (second)
2. Fail to store food on racks or shelves

3. Fail to provide thermometer in storage compartment (fourth)

August 27, 2013 - CONDITIONAL PASS

1. Operator fail to properly maintain mechanical washer
2. Operator fail to provide required supplies at sinks

August 28, 2013 - PASS

What is going on at this place? This is a rather fancy place and popular place. Some of the infractions are inexcusable. They keep repeating some infractions and never learn. Based on the infractions, they are missing lots of towels, waste bins and thermometers. Someone must be stealing the thermometers. Clearly, food safety was not observed ever since Carl Heinrich moved on. Shame on the new chef and owner.

VERDICT: Don't waste your money or time here, take the Richmond Station and it will be a magical experience. We witnessed a pig being carried through the front doors at Richmond, which was interesting at a Western restaurant.