Pickle Barrel
OVER THE PAST 12 months, we’ve travelled across the GTA, to the city’s top kitchens, on a mission to bring you some of the very best takeout foods that our neighbourhood restaurants and gourmet shops have to offer. To help us determine the best of the best, we solicited the help of some of Toronto’s most celebrated and accomplished chefs and restaurateurs. These local food lovers taste-tested seven different hot apple pies, perfect Italian veal sandwiches, chicken souvlaki pitas plus many more of their favourite dishes. They carefully critiqued these foods, judging them on how good they looked, smelled and, most importantly, tasted. This month, we give you the cream of the crop — the first place winners from 12 months of Post City food-tasting adventures. The new year is the perfect time to try new things, so we ask that you join us on a culinary adventure that is sure to please the most discerning palate. Bon appétit!
THE GOODS: Cheesecake
CELEBRITY TESTER: Keith Froggett
THE WINNER: Dufflet, 2638 Yonge Street
This toffee-apple cheesecake wooed us and wowed us with its smooth texture, clean look and delicious combination of flavours. Toffee is swirled over apples on the top of the cake. The filling is nice and light, which makes it easier to find room for an extra slice. Crust is pastrylike and very tasty.
Price: $22 (eight inches).
THE GOODS: Sausage
CELEBRITY TESTER: Jamie Kennedy
THE WINNER: Cumbrae's 1636 Bayview Avenue
Bravo! This is the sausage that won Jamie Kennedy over. A hearty piece of meat, this hot Italian sausage has a great kick to it, and an excellent balance of fat and lean is evident. We all agree that this sausage can stand alone as a meal, and no condiments are necessary. Excellent lasting flavour.
Price: $6.99/lb.
THE GOODS: Quiche
CELEBRITY TESTER: Didier Leroy
THE WINNER: Pain Perdu, 736 St. Clai Avenue West
Not only does this quiche look delicious, it is. Pastry is cooked well, in that we can feel its texture. The quiche is baked perfectly: Top is nicely browned, filling isn’t watery, and crust isn’t soggy. The mix of tomato and zucchini provides for a delightful balance of flavours. Goat cheese is a nice touch.
Price: $18.95.
THE GOODS: Souvlaki
CELEBRITY TESTER: Johnny K
THE WINNER: Windfield's, 801 York Mills Road
Overflowing with tomatoes, lettuce and onions, this pita looks good and tastes even better. Katsuras is impressed by the quality of meat (pork in this case), which he says is higher than what you’d usually get. Thumbs up on the condiments — delicious flavour all around.
Price: $7.41.
THE GOODS: Chocolates
CELEBRITY TESTER: Marc Thuet
THE WINNER: Soma Chocolate, 55 Mill Street
We tasted chocolate caramel and coneshaped Douglas fir truffles. The unique pine needle flavouring and superb ganache of the Douglas fir wowed us. The chocolate caramel treat impressed Chef Thuet with its very European look. Very well done. Truffles are made on-site.
Price: $20 for 10 chocolates.
THE GOODS: Ribs
CELEBRITY TESTER: Chris McDonald
THE WINNER: Phil's BBQ, 838 College Street
Phil’s stands alone in this competition as the only spareribs in the running. Though the meat is tougher on these ribs, McDonald says he prefers them. We are impressed by the taste — smoky and delicious — and the meat falls off the bone. McDonald also loves the dry rubbed quality of the sauce.
Price: $28.50.
THE GOODS: Italian Sandwich
CELEBRITY TESTER: Ida Pusateri
THE WINNER: Bocone, 1378 Yonge Street
Though this midtown food shop wasn’t our first choice for veal sandwiches, it certainly impressed and delighted us. The sandwich has a nice bite (hot banana pepper), the bread is fresh, and the veal and tomato sauce are very tasty. Also, the quality of the meat is superb. Overall: Delicious!
Price: $6.25.
THE GOODS: Sushi
CELEBRITY TESTER: Susur Lee
THE WINNER: Kabuki, Bayview Village
Kabuki’s signature hand roll — named the Kabuki — features tempura, chopped white fish and green onion. The rice is nicely flavoured with soy, and the wasabi has been discreetly and perfectly added to the mix. The fish is fresh, the tempura crispy and seaweed nicely toasted.
Price: $5.95.
THE GOODS: Apple Pie
CELEBRITY TESTER: Michael Stadtländer
THE WINNER: Phipps, 1875 Leslie Street
Nothing says harvest like a freshly baked apple pie, and this one takes the crown! Not only does it look and smell amazing, but it tastes great, too. The crust is flaky and light, which is Michael Stadtlander’s preference, and the apples are covered in cinnamon but maintain their apple flavour. Delicious!
Price: $10.00.
THE GOODS: Chicken Soup
CELEBRITY TESTER: Lynn Crawford
THE WINNER: Summerhill Market, 446 Summerhill Avenue
This bottled chicken soup is the closest we could find to mom’s homemade recipe. Beautiful chunks of carrot, celery and chicken fill the broth along with cute pasta shells and fresh herbs. The broth is made with a real chicken base, contributing to the overall flavour of the soup. Good for the soul!
Price: $7.99.
THE GOODS: Pad Thai
CELEBRITY TESTER: Dinah Koo
THE WINNER: Xaphire, 530 Eglinton Avenue West
This pad Thai wins in all categories. It looks good and tastes even better. The reddish coloured sauce has the right balance of spice and tastes great with a bit of lime squeezed on it. There are generous portions of chicken, tofu and hand-peeled shrimp mixed in with the noodles.
Price: $10.00.
THE GOODS: Hamburgers
CELEBRITY TESTER: Mark McEwan
THE WINNER: Lick's, 49 Eglinton Avenue East
Reliable, predictable and still great after all these years. At two inches high, this burger is manageable and of classic design. The sesame seed bun is great — not crusty and not so soft that it loses itself in the toppings. Toppings appear and taste fresh. Excellent all-around flavour.
Price: $3.99.
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