RED CROW COFFEE 

211 James Street South, Hamilton, Ontario (905) 521-2124, for hours of operation see there website provided below.

Went to Red Crow with my son Tom for their Brunch and a coffee.  He had been here before and suggested we try their brunch.  It included a selection of omelettes, so we both selected their mushroom and potato omelette.  We were going to order an americano coffee, but Bob at the counter suggested we try their Red Crow version.  It was very strong and satisfying version that was just the way Tom and I like our coffee.

 The Brunch selections were written in a blackboard, and today the omelette selection was $5!  

It was accompanied by a nice salad, watermelon, and a multigrain toast.  It was a tasty brunch that was not greasy, but very tasty and good value for $5.  There are a variety of seating choices and it was quite full on a Victoria Day holiday Monday.

We sat at a bar table at the front window overlooking James Street South.

The inside is typical of many independent coffee bars.

The menu is posted on a board:

We found Red Crow friendly, inviting and reasonably priced.  The Red was a great coffee and we will definitely return.  It has a relaxing atmosphere and a good variety of food choices.

http://www.redcrowcoffee.com/

DIMMI BAR AND TRATTORIA 

140 Cumberland St.,  Yorkville, Toronto, On. (416) 975-1100, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week

Three of us went to Dimmi late on a Sunday evening in May.  It was Mother's day and we arrived at about 8:30 to find the restaurant packed with patrons.  It was a very warm evening and the front patio was quite busy so we went inside.

side patio

There is a front and side patio.  The doors were open this evening and there was a mild breeze.  The inside was full of patrons at 9 o'clock.

We ordered a very nice, reasonably priced Chianti.

A nice selection of bread arrived that went well with the herbed olive oil at our table.

Mark (http://www.markallen.ca/) my son ordered the scallop dish on a bed of creamed chick peas and black olives drizzled with a reduced balsamic vinegar, for an appetizer and it was delicious.

He ordered gnocchi for a main and it was tender and a good portion.

My wife ordered the salmon.  It came with a wonderful salad that had a very tasty dressing.

I chose the evening's pasta special.  It was outstanding.  It included a half lobster tail, artichokes and calamari in a rose sauce that was fabulous. The fetuccine was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth.

The three of us enjoyed our meals immensely.  The food was well presented, nicely cooked and very tasty.  The service was quick and efficient and the atmosphere was busy but at the same time unhurried. The prices were reasonable for the quantity and quality. We will definitely return to try other menu items here.

Well done Dimmi.

http://www.dimmibar.com/yorkville/home

ROLLY ROCKET'S 

470 King St. West, Hamilton On. (905) 393-3555, Open for Lunch, Dinner, Late night 7 days a week.

Decided to try Rolly Rocket's for dinner. This restaurant has been around for a few years now and has a regular following in the downtown.  It is basically a bbq ribs and chicken kind of place that is very informal and kitschy.  It has picnic tables for furniture and rock music in the background. 

The menu has an extensive list of bbq items. The interior is furnished with picnic tables and is very informal.

There is a bar that extends around into the pool table area.

There are rolls of paper towel on the tables reminding you that your hands  will get messy.

For my meal I chose 2 pounds of wings one in mild sauce and one in dry rub.

My son Thomas chose the pulled pork dinner.  It came with 3 pulled pork sliders, sweet potato fries, coleslaw, a maple covered cornbread biscuit and a cup of baked beans.  It was gigantic and he had to take the leftovers home.

All in all it was a good hearty meal.  We were full and everything tasted quite good.  The coleslaw was especially tasty.  They have karaoke on Fridays!



http://www.rollyrocketsbbq.com/index.php?pg=home

SCADDABUSH KITCHEN AND BAR 

382 Yonge Street, in the Aura Condo, Toronto, (416) 597-8838, Mon-Wed and Sun. 11:00 am to 1:00 am, Thurs. - Sat. 11:00 am to 2:00 am,  

Having been by the new restaurant Scaddabush a couple of weeks ago we decided to try it on a Sunday evening.  It is a large and complex restaurant with many seating choices.  

We examined their menu - which is quite large and selected some choices.

We decided on a nice Ripasso wine to start.  It was nice and smooth.

Having reviewed the appetizers we decided on sharing a plate of fried calamari.  The coating was good but they were quite chewy.  

For his main Mark decided to try their chicken avocado BLT on freshly baked flatbread, tomato, pickled red onions, romaine, piccante aoli and house fries.  He really liked it but found it was a lot of food.

My wife had the grilled tomato caper salmon with a white wine sauce, parsley butter potatoes and green beans.  It was delicious and nicely cooked.

I decided on the pasta (which is made in house daily).  I decided to try their pasta called Zucca which was a butternut squash ravioli with grated Grana Padano cheese, hazelnut butter cream sauce, roasted squash and fried sage.  They were melt in your mouth delicious and it was quite a large helping.

The service here is efficient and friendly and the atmosphere is upbeat.  Our server was personable and efficient and when I mentioned that the calamari were very chewy he talked to the manager, who then took it off our bill.  This was a nice touch and an indication that they are concerned about their reputation and customer service.  The wine was reasonable and the prices for the food were also in line with the market.  Worth returning to to try other selections on the menu.

http://www.scaddabush.com

LE PAPILLON ON FRONT 
69 Front Street, St. Lawrence Market/Old Town (416) 367-0303 Closed Monday, Mon. to Thurs. 11:30 to 10:30 pm, Fri. 11:30 to 11:00 pm, Sat. 11:00 to 11:00 pm,  Sun. 11:00 to 10:00 pm

After trying several times to make a reservation on Saturday evening (we usually call too late) we finally were successful.
It is a beautiful space with exposed brick, aged woods and floor and blends into the St Lawrence Market area well.  

We found the wine menu and food menu very easy to follow.

Basically there are several nice appetizers, crepes and mains.  Also, there are a couple of specials on a board at the entry.
We decided to start with a Bordeaux that the waiter recommended.  It was an outstanding 2010 vintage red Bordeaux and not very expensive.

For appetizers my son Mark (http://www.markallen.ca/) chose the Crevettes, shrimp sauteed in a tarragon garlic butter broth.  They were large and perfectly cooked and the sauce was divine.  We later soaked up some of the broth with bread (that arrived late).  

My wife and I chose the Escargots smothered in garlic parsley butter.  The escargot seemed smaller than I remembered them from a previous location they occupied.  Nevertheless, they were delicious.

My wife and I also ordered a shrimp appetizer to share and they were great.
For our mains Mark ordered the pork tenderloin from the menu with a forestiere (bacon and mushroom) sauce with potatoes and vegetables. He really enjoyed it.

My wife and I chose from one of the specials it was a pan fried ocean perch with vegetables.  It was delicious. The fish was tender and sweet and perfectly cooked.  The rice was a good match for this fish.

We really enjoyed our meals here and will definitely return to try some other choices on this extensive menu.  The only criticism we had was the appetizers were not served hot enough and we received our bread after the appetizers.  Hopefully next time we will leave enough room to try their desserts.




http://www.papillononfront.com