The Stem "Open Kitchen" Diner: Queen Street West: Toronto

The "Stem" is a classic, authentic, city diner in downtown Toronto. The July 2008 Reader's Digest had an article about this fine old venerable institution. Alas, at the end of August or thereabouts a sign went up on the window stating that thee were to be renovations. Now, the last day of September... no sign of such renovations as of yet. Perhaps there's a Reader's Digest curse that caused this?

I took a picture through an uncovered upper window into the empty restaurant today and it looks unchanged. A light is still on.

Click on the following Flickr search for more about this gorgeous place (search).

Also:

This "before" pic is from here ... Peter Grevstad

The question in the local media is "Afternoons And Greasy Spoons: Are Toronto's Diner Days Fried?"

Green Tomatoes

Green Tomatoes, uploaded by willsong.

Fresh from the garden. Green heirloom Brandywine tomatoes. They're green but they're ripe. Taste a little different than regular red ones. Quite good in fact.

On a lightly toasted bagel.

Amuse Bouche, Toronto: Birthday Dinner,

Went to Amuse Bouche for my birthday dinner.  it's very nice, modern food, quite nicely done.

This was the Ontario Texel lamb: a chop and an open-faced merguez burger and a Niagara gamay jus.

There, you can see the little burger under the chop.

Nice little terrace for a warm evening. The restaurant is pricey. tasty; good service - I would go again.

Caplansky's, Toronto

There's a place in Toronto called Caplansky's that's making very good smoked meat sandwiches in a very unique location.

It's situated in the Monarch Tavern, on the second floor of their building, a family friendly location, where the kitchen (Caplansky's) is run separately from the tavern portion (The Monarch) but both occupy the same physical space. Very nice arrangement. Symbiotic.

When you hear "smoked meat" think "corned beef" sort of. He makes his own, on site. it's all real, house-made, artisanal and excellent quality. I recommend the "fatty" version (they offer Lean, Medium or Fatty meat). I'd prefer to call it "Full Flavored" rather than fatty though.
The fries are great too.

Assessment: I'll be back regularly.

12 Clinton St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada - cross street Henderson (near College & Clinton), Monarch Tavern (upstairs), in Little Italy. Phone: 416-500-3852

Directions: Go to College and Clinton (west of Bathhurst) [by car you go to Grace St, one block further west because of the one-way street situation]; head south past Gore St (yes, there's a corner of Clinton & Gore) - to Henderson St.

---

View Larger Map

Burgers & Views

Yet another burger. This time... on an island.
Okay - Angus beef. Nice location and...



... when returning from the restaurant the view, while waiting for the ferry, is this -