Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

A few months ago, I bought one of those deal coupons, $14 for $40 worth of food at Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant.  Before this, I have never tried Ethiopian food, and have heard very mixed reviews about it.  For $14, it's worth a try.

This review will be very short because we couldn't really identify what we were eating, partly because the dishes are so new, partly because the lighting was very dark.  All I know was, it was pretty good.  The injera that you are to use to pick up the food, reminded me of a cross between sour dough bread and a soggy crepe.  I usually hate sour dough, but this was good with the veggies and such.  I need to come back and try more on the menu next time.

Meat Platter with Beef 

Vegetarian Platter

Popcorn 

Ethiopian Coffee

Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant
869 Bloor St. W
Toronto, ON
M6G 1M4
416-645-0486
http://www.lalibelaethiopianrestaurant.com

Hours: 10am-2am

Glory Hole Donuts

I wanted to Glory Hole Donuts, months and months and months ago.  I first read about them in the Toronto Star.  At the time, there were only 2 places that sold these donuts, Glory Hole did not have their own retail location at the time.  I stopped by that coffee shop on a Saturday afternoon, and walked out with no donuts.  Because of the Toronto Star, these donuts have been selling out early in the mornings.

After my exams, I finally had the time to make a trip to Glory Hole's Queen West shop.  The location isn't exactly convenient.  The surrounding area is kind of dumpish like.  But I guess thats what they could afford since they kind of 'begged' for donations to open up a retail store.  When we walked in, they only had 2 flavours available.  We waited for upwards of 30 minutes for them to bring out some additional flavours.  We picked up a dozen donuts to try and share with friends.  I think they charged us wrong, because a dozen donuts ended up costing us only $31.  If I remember correctly, one dozen of their donuts (pre-retail location) was closer to $50.

The flavours we picked up include:  Banana Cream, Maple Bacon, Chocolate Pretzel, Black Forest, Pistachio and some Lemon Ricotta Balls.  My fave was the Lemon Ricotta Balls.  The texture was more cake like whereas the other donuts had a fluffier bread like texture.  Hubby did not like the Maple Bacon.  I didn't get to taste all of the donuts as they were given to friends.  I would definitely recommend calling in before hand for donuts so you don't have to waste time waiting...and waiting for these donuts. 

Box O' Donuts

Banana Cream Donut

Glory Hole Donuts

1596 Queen St W

Toronto, ON

647-352-4848

http://www.gloryholedoughnuts.com

Tacos El Asador

My coworker loves breakfast foods, so do I.  One morning she had this crazy craving for beans and eggs.  To me, this sounded like the oddest combination ever.  But then again, the English have baked beans in their traditional English breakfasts, so I guess it might not be so strange after all?

So on the last day of my fall school term, we met up at one of her favourite Latin places for this Latin breakfast.  She says it's still not as good as her moms, but satisfies the craving.  Tacos El Asador is VERY small, and not a place to have a long chat.  The food must be good, it was completely PACKED!

The breakfast consists of eggs, which I was told to get them scrambled because they put in onions and peppers in for flavour, avocado, beans, fried plantains, queso fresco, and sour cream.  This whole fried bananas/plantains thing was kind of strange.  I'm used to eating bananas by themselves.  But these fried plantains were super yummy.  Just a little sweet with a tiny hint of tang (like green bananas which I love) and firm.  The combination of the eggs, beans, queso fresco, sour cream, and avocado was so good!

Breakfast

The hubby also ordered a chicken taco and a burrito.  After eating these corn tortillas, I can't go back to eating the flour ones from the supermarket.  They don't stick to the roof of your mouth!  And they actually taste like something!  The chicken in the taco was very tender, we felt like it was just missing some seasoning.  The chicken burrito in the back was very yummy!  Just the right amount of flavour.

Chicken Tacos

I need to come back and try some of the other things on the menu.  Now only if there was a way for me to figure out what the words on the menu mean.....

Tacos El Asador
690 Bloor St W.
Toronto, ON
M6G 1L2
416-538-9747

Hours:  Mon - Tues, Thurs - Sat 12pm - 9pm
             Wed 1pm - 9pm
             Sun 2pm - 9pm