I have comprised the following list of restaurants that currently have deals for take-out and/or food delivery. The pandemic is well underway worldwide and having a huge impact on the overall economy. I think one of the industries that have gotten hit the hardest is the food and restaurant industry. So please support your local businesses during this difficult time.
I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to travel a bit in my life, and I still think that Toronto has one of the greatest food offerings in the world. You don't need to go to South Korea to find good KBBQ cause there are so many options right in the city. Earlier last week, I had the opportunity to check out Piggy's Restaurant in Thornhill. It was my first time at this location, but I have eaten at their downtown location (Little Piggy's) before. Piggy's offers authentic Korean cuisine and is a popular spot for KBBQ. Please note that this is not AYCE, and they are a full-service restaurant, so they do offer a wide variety of traditional Korean dishes as well.
Walking into the restaurant, I found it to be quite spacious, but it still had a homey vibe to it. Each table is equipped with a charcoal grill with utensils. We were quickly seated for 6 pm, and dinner started promptly then. What arrived out first was a succulent tower of beef short ribs, the King Kalbi. The platter consists of non-marinated large cuts of premium beef short ribs, and highly recommended for 3-4 people. There is a smaller portion available for 2 people. While it was non-marinated, the cooked BBQ meat tasted amazing with the accompanying sweet sauce.
If you look at their extensive menu, the meats are priced for two people. The bill can add up if you get more than 2+ kinds of meats, but they do offer lettuce wraps and a wide assortment of banchan (side dishes), which are re-fillable.
The beef ribs cooked quickly on the grill, and I loved the smokey flavor that the charcoal provided. Speaking of charcoal, they are specially imported from Korea.
Next up was the Pork Belly, and they were thick! Piggy's Restaurant is one of the few restaurants in the city to serve up extra thick slices like what locals enjoy in South Korea. Excellent quality of meat and the pork belly had a good balance of meat and fat.
Garlic Beef
L.A Kalbi
The drinks menu was pretty decent with a nice variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. I got the Fresh Soju Twist in a Lightbulb - mango.
Ended the night off with Magic Flower Pot Soft Serve Ice-Cream - 100% pure milk house-made vanilla ice-cream served with a layer of cookie crumble sprinkled on top.
Overall, the staff was accommodating, great food and service. If you're looking for some really good KBBQ, then definitely check Piggy's Restaurant out. Thank you to Piggy's Restaurant and Richard (@richardjwtang) for hosting.
Address: 5 Glen Cameron Rd #27, Thornhill, ON L3T 5W2
Disclaimer: The food provided in this post was complimentary. However, all of the opinions expressed in this review are of my own.
I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed Taiwan from our first time there in 2018. We jumped at the chance to return again in early 2019 for my 32nd birthday. We spent a total of 3 weeks in Japan and then 12 days in Taiwan. Our last two nights were in Taipei, and since our return flight was going to be a long 13 hour one, we decided to splurge and booked The Regent Taipei for two nights. Taipei has a handful of high-end hotels within the vicinity, but I chose this one for us mainly for Lady M. Yes, the popular cake boutique has a location on the main floor of the hotel - so convenient.
The Regent Taipei is a 5-star luxury hotel (under the IHG umbrella) located in the commercial Zhongshan district, and very close to several key attractions. I'd even say that it was one of the best hotels that we have stayed at in Asia - in terms of space, amenities, and service.
If you're into shopping, there was a Chanel, Harry Winston, and Louis Vuitton on the ground floor across from the reception desk. More luxury shops are located in the underground high-end luxury mall at Regent Galleria.
J and I booked the Deluxe Room, which offers a city view through a full-length window. The room was 7353 TWD per night ($324.23 CAD/night). We opted out of breakfast, as there was no way we would be able to wake up before 10:30 am. Unfortunately, we are not early risers, especially while on vacation.
The room was super spacious with a King bed, sofa set, TV, working desk, and chair. It was hard to get up in the morning to start my day, as the bed was insanely comfortable. So comfortable that we actually slept in the next morning. Thank you to the desk clerk who moved us from our original room that was next to a family with kids to this one (with no one on either side) :) He was Japanese-Taiwanese, and we started talking about how much we loved both countries. Anyway, since we were early with our check-in (room wasn't ready yet), we dropped off the suitcases and went to lunch. We returned at 4 pm to find that our previous room number was scratched for one on a much higher floor with a bigger washroom. I have read enough stories on Reddit about people's rudeness with front desk employees. Be nice and don't demand stuff. Employees are generally nice if you're nice too.
Bottled waters are complimentary with 2 in the minibar, and another 2 left on the bathroom sink. Water bottles are also replenished daily which was great cause Taipei was extremely humid outside.
There was ample room in the marbled bathroom with a deep soaking tub, separate shower stall, single vanity with a full wall mirror and a Japanese-style toilet. It was a really nice washroom!
After lunch, it was time to go up to our room. The bellhop came to the front desk to take our luggage up to our room, and we went on our merry way to check out the hotel. We spent about 30 minutes chilling on the roof of the hotel, where their swimming pool was located. Afterward, we went down to our room to find the bellhop waiting for us in front of our room. Most hotels often take the luggage into the room, but he wanted to wait for us. We felt so bad cause we didn’t know that the policy was to wait for guests, as the staff didn't tell us (so we're not rushed). Plus, Taiwan has a no-tipping policy, so he declined it. The only place that has a service charge was the bar on the main floor.
There was also a staff member on the ground floor telling guests to watch their step (as there was a slight rise) on the ground floor. Service was very guest-oriented from check-in to check-out. Additionally, great service does not just pertain to 5-star hotels in Taiwan, as we had great service everywhere we went - whether it's a cheap/casual eateries or high-end.
Swimming pool on the roof of The Regent Taipei.
There was a separate small room for coats and there was a safe as well.
The hotel is easily accessible via the Taipei Main Railway station and is near Zhong Shan MRT Station. However, Uber is readily available and affordable so we opted to use them to get around the city.
Overall, we had a great stay at The Regent Taipei and their service was impeccable. If you're looking for a luxurious stay while in Taipei, then I highly recommend this hotel. I was super glad that we chose this hotel for our stay, as I enjoyed everything about it. Plus, I was able to grab some Mille Crepe Cake from Lady M for our flight home the next morning :) Overpriced, but oh so good!
The Regent Taipei is a 5-star luxury hotel (under the IHG umbrella) located in the commercial Zhongshan district, and very close to several key attractions. I'd even say that it was one of the best hotels that we have stayed at in Asia - in terms of space, amenities, and service.
If you're into shopping, there was a Chanel, Harry Winston, and Louis Vuitton on the ground floor across from the reception desk. More luxury shops are located in the underground high-end luxury mall at Regent Galleria.
J and I booked the Deluxe Room, which offers a city view through a full-length window. The room was 7353 TWD per night ($324.23 CAD/night). We opted out of breakfast, as there was no way we would be able to wake up before 10:30 am. Unfortunately, we are not early risers, especially while on vacation.
The room was super spacious with a King bed, sofa set, TV, working desk, and chair. It was hard to get up in the morning to start my day, as the bed was insanely comfortable. So comfortable that we actually slept in the next morning. Thank you to the desk clerk who moved us from our original room that was next to a family with kids to this one (with no one on either side) :) He was Japanese-Taiwanese, and we started talking about how much we loved both countries. Anyway, since we were early with our check-in (room wasn't ready yet), we dropped off the suitcases and went to lunch. We returned at 4 pm to find that our previous room number was scratched for one on a much higher floor with a bigger washroom. I have read enough stories on Reddit about people's rudeness with front desk employees. Be nice and don't demand stuff. Employees are generally nice if you're nice too.
Bottled waters are complimentary with 2 in the minibar, and another 2 left on the bathroom sink. Water bottles are also replenished daily which was great cause Taipei was extremely humid outside.
There was ample room in the marbled bathroom with a deep soaking tub, separate shower stall, single vanity with a full wall mirror and a Japanese-style toilet. It was a really nice washroom!
Bathroom amenities are replaced daily, or if you need more items (you can call the front desk to request them to bring some up).
After lunch, it was time to go up to our room. The bellhop came to the front desk to take our luggage up to our room, and we went on our merry way to check out the hotel. We spent about 30 minutes chilling on the roof of the hotel, where their swimming pool was located. Afterward, we went down to our room to find the bellhop waiting for us in front of our room. Most hotels often take the luggage into the room, but he wanted to wait for us. We felt so bad cause we didn’t know that the policy was to wait for guests, as the staff didn't tell us (so we're not rushed). Plus, Taiwan has a no-tipping policy, so he declined it. The only place that has a service charge was the bar on the main floor.
There was also a staff member on the ground floor telling guests to watch their step (as there was a slight rise) on the ground floor. Service was very guest-oriented from check-in to check-out. Additionally, great service does not just pertain to 5-star hotels in Taiwan, as we had great service everywhere we went - whether it's a cheap/casual eateries or high-end.
Swimming pool on the roof of The Regent Taipei.
There was a separate small room for coats and there was a safe as well.
The hotel is easily accessible via the Taipei Main Railway station and is near Zhong Shan MRT Station. However, Uber is readily available and affordable so we opted to use them to get around the city.
Overall, we had a great stay at The Regent Taipei and their service was impeccable. If you're looking for a luxurious stay while in Taipei, then I highly recommend this hotel. I was super glad that we chose this hotel for our stay, as I enjoyed everything about it. Plus, I was able to grab some Mille Crepe Cake from Lady M for our flight home the next morning :) Overpriced, but oh so good!
I can't wait to return to Taiwan!!
Since December 2018, J and I have made it a mission to visit JaBistro at least once a month, as we love their food. It's probably one of my favorite restaurants in Toronto, and the quality is consistent. JaBistro is a modern Japanese restaurant known for its beautifully presented sashimi platters and blowtorched sushi. Established in November 2012, JaBistro has remained a popular choice for many when it comes to choosing a premier sushi restaurant to dine at. Additionally, the restaurant is part of the Kinka Family, which also owns other establishments in the city, including Kinton Ramen, Yakitori Kintori, and Kinka Izakaya.
The restaurant is easily recognizable for its logo of the fish with the luminescence in front of its face. Walking into the establishment, you'd be greeted by a hostess, and most likely be asked to sit at the bar while you wait for your table. The interior was tastefully designed with its sleek use of wood, and it's also windowless. Due to the nature of having no windows; there is no natural lighting (even during lunchtime). Please note that this blog post is a combination of multiple visits throughout the 2019 year.
JaBistro offers a more elevated dining experience by offering both classic and contemporary dishes that are sourced using the finest, and freshest fish from coastal waters around the world. We always start our meal off with two bowls of hot Miso Soup ($5). The soup here is made out of lobster broth and comes with a small piece of lobster claw.
The salad ($9) - cucumber, greens, is another regular order that we often get. A light start to a pretty filling meal.
Besides fresh sushi and sashimi, JaBistro also offers a bistro menu consisting of a variety of cooked items. My favorite bistro item is the Ika ($11) - calamari, tosazu vinegar. I order this dish every single visit, as I love it that much! Perfectly deep-fried, and the calamari isn't super chewy.
Ebi Nanban ($15) - battered tiger shrimp, tartar sauce
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the Agedashi ($13) - deep-fried b.c. oysters, seasonal veggies, kombu dashi. I found the oyster too soggy and a little too battered.
Another popular bistro item is the Tori Nanban ($17). It's basically chicken marinated in rice vinegar, soy sauce, and chili and then deep fried in batter. It comes with tartar sauce on the sauce.
If you want sushi, then definitely get the Kyukyoku ($55). It's 12 pieces of market-fresh sushi and it's all comes down to the Chef's choice. So the pieces do vary depending on what's available that day. Each piece of sushi is already brushed with soy sauce and includes a small dab of wasabi.
Most of the time, service has been consistently great. The servers would explain each piece for the Kyukyoku platter. However, on our recent visits (November 14, 2019), one of the female servers just dropped the platter down and ran off quickly. I thought it was weird! Luckily, that lady wasn't our main server for the night, as ours was friendlier.
At times, they don't have enough fish for the Kyukyoku, so it's replaced by the Chef's Choice ($45). Instead of up to 12 pieces, you get a platter consisted of nine pieces of nigiri.
If you want to try a variety of their aburi, then I highly recommend getting the Aburicious ($22). The platter comes with 2 ebi, 2 saba, 2 salmon, and 2 JaBistroll. JaBistro's specialty lies in their aburi sushi. It is made by pressing sushi rice and fish into a mold to get that rectangular shape and then blowtorched. Blow-torching the top of the aburi creates a wonderful smoky flavor.
I don't get the Wagyu Oshizushi ($25) as often as I do salmon or ebi. It's pricier than the other oshizushi options, and the rice to wagyu ratio is sometimes not consistent.
Ebi Oshizushi ($15) - pressed tiger shrimp sushi. Another popular option for pressed sushi. Love this one too!
The Salmon Oshizushi ($17) - pressed Atlantic salmon sushi, was the perfect balance between sauce and fish. By torching the top of the sushi, it provided a nice smokey flavor as mentioned above. My second favorite after their signature roll, the Jabistroll.
Out of their entire menu, my favorite item is their signature roll called the JaBistroll ($22) - salmon, snow crab, uni, cucumber, tobiko. So creamy and melts in your mouth.
Fatty Bluefin Tuna Hand Roll ($10)
JaBistro is a great mix of traditional sushi with modern approaches. One of its downsides is definitely the price as it's not wallet-friendly for everyday occasions. However, it's a nice place for business dinners, special occasions, and social gatherings. I highly recommend this place if you love sushi.
The restaurant is easily recognizable for its logo of the fish with the luminescence in front of its face. Walking into the establishment, you'd be greeted by a hostess, and most likely be asked to sit at the bar while you wait for your table. The interior was tastefully designed with its sleek use of wood, and it's also windowless. Due to the nature of having no windows; there is no natural lighting (even during lunchtime). Please note that this blog post is a combination of multiple visits throughout the 2019 year.
JaBistro offers a more elevated dining experience by offering both classic and contemporary dishes that are sourced using the finest, and freshest fish from coastal waters around the world. We always start our meal off with two bowls of hot Miso Soup ($5). The soup here is made out of lobster broth and comes with a small piece of lobster claw.
The salad ($9) - cucumber, greens, is another regular order that we often get. A light start to a pretty filling meal.
Besides fresh sushi and sashimi, JaBistro also offers a bistro menu consisting of a variety of cooked items. My favorite bistro item is the Ika ($11) - calamari, tosazu vinegar. I order this dish every single visit, as I love it that much! Perfectly deep-fried, and the calamari isn't super chewy.
Ebi Nanban ($15) - battered tiger shrimp, tartar sauce
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the Agedashi ($13) - deep-fried b.c. oysters, seasonal veggies, kombu dashi. I found the oyster too soggy and a little too battered.
Another popular bistro item is the Tori Nanban ($17). It's basically chicken marinated in rice vinegar, soy sauce, and chili and then deep fried in batter. It comes with tartar sauce on the sauce.
If you want sushi, then definitely get the Kyukyoku ($55). It's 12 pieces of market-fresh sushi and it's all comes down to the Chef's choice. So the pieces do vary depending on what's available that day. Each piece of sushi is already brushed with soy sauce and includes a small dab of wasabi.
Most of the time, service has been consistently great. The servers would explain each piece for the Kyukyoku platter. However, on our recent visits (November 14, 2019), one of the female servers just dropped the platter down and ran off quickly. I thought it was weird! Luckily, that lady wasn't our main server for the night, as ours was friendlier.
At times, they don't have enough fish for the Kyukyoku, so it's replaced by the Chef's Choice ($45). Instead of up to 12 pieces, you get a platter consisted of nine pieces of nigiri.
If you want to try a variety of their aburi, then I highly recommend getting the Aburicious ($22). The platter comes with 2 ebi, 2 saba, 2 salmon, and 2 JaBistroll. JaBistro's specialty lies in their aburi sushi. It is made by pressing sushi rice and fish into a mold to get that rectangular shape and then blowtorched. Blow-torching the top of the aburi creates a wonderful smoky flavor.
I don't get the Wagyu Oshizushi ($25) as often as I do salmon or ebi. It's pricier than the other oshizushi options, and the rice to wagyu ratio is sometimes not consistent.
Ebi Oshizushi ($15) - pressed tiger shrimp sushi. Another popular option for pressed sushi. Love this one too!
The Salmon Oshizushi ($17) - pressed Atlantic salmon sushi, was the perfect balance between sauce and fish. By torching the top of the sushi, it provided a nice smokey flavor as mentioned above. My second favorite after their signature roll, the Jabistroll.
Out of their entire menu, my favorite item is their signature roll called the JaBistroll ($22) - salmon, snow crab, uni, cucumber, tobiko. So creamy and melts in your mouth.
Fatty Bluefin Tuna Hand Roll ($10)
JaBistro is a great mix of traditional sushi with modern approaches. One of its downsides is definitely the price as it's not wallet-friendly for everyday occasions. However, it's a nice place for business dinners, special occasions, and social gatherings. I highly recommend this place if you love sushi.
Address: 222 Richmond St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1V6