1000 Tastes of Toronto: 5 reviews on a $25 budget

We love food. We know that on Queens Quay, well, the selection is pretty dismal. So today (until 9 p.m.) and tomorrow, 1000 Tastes of Toronto presented by President's Choice has taken over much of Queens Quay from Lower Simcoe all the way past Rees.

We just came back from a blissful few hours of noshing and taking in some Cirque de Soleil at the Natrel Rink. But this is a food review.

There's a dizzying amount of choice and the lines are long so we took this very targeted approach. Go for quality. In the span of three hours, we sampled five dishes. You buy tickets for $5 each at either ends of the cooking areas.

Back to our rationale. You can spend a good $30+ at many a restaurant in Toronto, so we decided to take our five 'tastes' and hit the well-known restaurants that are represented here. We've been to three of them so we knew we were in for a treat. $25, we think, is a good bang for the buck, especially since we're not adding tax and tip on top of that.

First tasting: Pulled Pork sandwich at Amuse Bouche (they're at King and Bathurst at Tecumseh)

Review: They really didn't have signs advertising what they were selling, but we were looking for Amuse Bouche. We asked what it was and before they could finished "pulled pork..." we immedately said "YES!"

Think of the perfect slider. Pulled pork when cooked properly is tender and the sauce was so flavourful. Probably one of the most flavourful sandwiches we've had in a while. Two thumbs up.

Hunger level: Still famished

Second tasting: Dim sum on a stick at Lai Wah Heen (Chestnut Street, just west of City Hall)

Review: Okay, it's well known that the most expensive dim sum can be had at Lai Wah Heen at the Metropolitan Hotel. We've never been, but have heard reviews so we immedately snapped it up.

It was actually nothing that special. It was a Sui Mai which was flavourful, a shrimp dumpling wrapped and seaweed and another dumpling we now forget what it was made of. All accompanyed with a sauce. We were glad to have this dish as it was yet another 'appetizer'

Hunger level: Still famished (we skipped breakfast and went for a long run)

Third tasting: Singaporean Slaw at Lee (by Susur). King West, east of Bathurst

Review: We're unabashed fans of Lee, been there at least four times, and every time we get our favourite salad, made with something like 17 ingredients. It costs more than $10 at the resto and, well, we don't go that often. We've always silently wished for this salad to be available for takeout. It's the perfect blend of tastes (salty, sweet, sour) and textures (crunchy, crispy, supple, etc).

We tucked into it and although it was great, it wasn't amazing as you have it in the restaurant. Anyways, for those who've never been to Lee or Madeline or Susar, worth tasting what people rave about.
Hunger level: Okay, we had basically three appetizers but still waiting for main course.

Fourth tasting: Indian platter at Dharba (King West Theatre district)

Review: We wanted to avoid lines and, well, we wanted a little quantity. We went for this platter of two tandoori chicken (they apologized for no Samosas that were on the way but we were happy to avoid fried food), some chana (chick pea) curry and rice. We didn't take the salad.

Rice and chana were awesome, the chicken tender and tasty. Lovely.

We took a huge break to watch Cirque.

Hunger level: Um, we're satisfied.


Fifth tasting: Pork belly on a pita from Globe Bistro (Danforth and Broadview)

Review: We were happy to get the last pita since the chef was back at the restaurant sourcing more pork belly. This one wins for best named taste "slow roast Cumbrae's pork belly with wild leek sheep's yogurt on flatbread." It was accompanied by some pickled onions and peppery arugula.

This wins best bang for buck, a hearty sandwich with tonnes of flavour. We're full just thinking of it.

Hunger level: No more food! But that was so much fun.

So, neighbours, what you waiting for. Go eat. There are plenty of great concessions but you'd be remiss not to try one of these fabulous restaurants.