The Burger's Priest.... has me praying for more.

Just like the website suggests, this is 'a classic American cheeseburger joint'.  Parked between Lesliville and the Beach, this mini grill house, produces some of the best burgers in the city. With a small area to chow down, expect to take your order to go - slightly unfortunate if you don't have a nearby home to run back to, but there is a great park just south of Queen, so its easy to have a picnic.

Choices are simple - A burger, Cheeseburger or Bacon Cheeseburger; along with a status-quo assortment of toppings - ketchup, mustard, tomato, lettuce.  Beef is tender (almost Kobe beef-esq) and while the patty is smaller than one you would make for yourself at home, its much more rewarding than most restaurants, pubs or fast food out there.  The veggie option is in fact just that - 'the option': a portobello mushroom cap, stuffed with gooey cheese and deep fried; yup deep fried. Finally - a chef that recognizes a vegetarian meal doesn't not have to equal a healthy meal!

For those who don't know about the Priest, there is a secret menu out there.  To this day, I have not located a formal secret menu; however I can make two yummy recommendations that are a 'secret': 1) The Vatican - a double cheeseburger, with all the fixing, slammed between two grill-cheese buns; and 2) The High Priest - the home-grown version of a Big Mac. I definitely recommend the High Priest, it's a fan favourite.

All in all - the Priest is here to stay.  The french fries need improvement, but the chili fries are right on par. Not the healthiest meal out there but worth trying at least once - I guarantee you go back again.

Web: http://www.theburgerspriest.com/index.html

Hours: Mon - Wed: 11:30/9:30 - Thurs 11:30/10:30 - Fri/Sun 12:00/10:30

New Wine Bar......... Eno-Teca Sociale

The folks over at Pizzeria Libretto have opened up a second joint. Serving up authentic Italian cuisine, paired with an extensive wine list and superb service, this new resto is worth checking out. While the vibe may seem a little too trendy at times, there is no question Eno-Teca is great for a date or a get-together with friends. 

The name is a combination of - Enoteca, meaning Wine Library, and Cantina Sociale, which is a wine making facility in Italy.  Serving up elements of both these concepts, creates a social neighborhood wine bar, where patrons can taste wines from all over Italy and Ontario while enjoying a meal inspired by Nonna and classic Roman cuisine.

Chef Rocco Agostino’s menu features a great assortment of appetizers, daily house made pastas and a variety of carnivore choices, in a, according to the website, la cucina della nonna style (Grandma’s cooking). Its worth noting the 80 wines under $80 a bottle and the unique cheese list, which includes tastes like balsamic washed ricotta salata and house pulled mozzarella.

Our party enjoyed our meal, the ambiance and the wine.  I would certainly recommend this new resto to any of my friends, but bring your cash - the wine is not cheap and your tab runs high... quickly. Worth noting that Eno-Teca has a tasting menu, that pairs a half-glass of wine with your five tasting plates.  Unfortunately, my party and I didn't try it, but it appeared that many tables were going with the tasting option - looked nice.

In the end, we all agreed that we were willing to look past the plain (overpriced) salad and dry (perhaps old?) cheeses, and that overall, the food was fresh, tasty and the amazing wait-staff made our experience that much better.

Ps - THANKFULLY, half the restaurant is held for reservations and half is for walk-in only.  Worth making a reservation to avoid the 1.5hr to 2.5hr wait for a table...

Location: 1288 Dundas Street West
Tel: 416-534-1200

Swan Restaurant - grrrrrrreat brunch!

It isn't that often that I venture west of Portland, but last Sunday, I found myself rather hungover and seeking some much needed brunch.  Little did I know, I was a few blocks away from what is apparently, a Toronto landmark, located on Queen West..... the Swan Restaurant.  So I've been told.....this hot-spot, has been serving-up fresh eats for over ten years. Who knew?

Cute? Retro? Nostalgic? Antique heaven? However you want to describe it, Swan not only has an old-school trendy environment, but also has quality food (or at least brunch) that will keep me coming back for more.  Sit at the bar or wait for a table, the Cesar's are big and strong! I should also mention that each cup of coffee is made solo - hello euro style - and extremely tasty. So really, forget about the eats, who doesn't like waking up to some vodka, coffee and a paper?
 
 

 
All that said, Swan serves up excellent food with a rather odd (or perhaps not), combination of plates.  From your standard French Toast or Poached Eggs, to a yummy Huevos Rancheros or Eggs w/ Smoked Oysters and Pancetta. Can't say I've tried them all, but certainly recommend them all.
 
 

 
Advanced warning - you and your crew will inevitably have to wait for a table.... I can't comment on dinner options.... and the hash browns are mediocre at best.... but all that said, if you live in the area, check this place out, its worth it....
 
Location: 892 Queen St W

Open: Weekdays 12pm-10pm; Weekends 10am-10pm

Queen Margherita Pizza

Perched in Toronto's east-end, between Lesliville and The Beach, you can find this authentic pizzeria across the street from the Connaught streetcar bone yard. The atmosphere is comfy, in a lofty type space, with big windows for sun light and a hipster buzz on busy nights. The owners are a little intense, but let's be honest - Italians take their pizza making very seriously.

So what can be so unique about pizza you ask? Well, The Queen not only has a new menu everyday, but all ingredients are brought in-house fresh, on a daily basis. Combine fresh ingredients, a beautiful Italian gravy (tomato sauce) with a wood-oven crisp - perfection!

There is a set-menu offering, which I recommend. For $25, you have your choice of starter, pizza and small salad. Alternatively, there is a list of set-topping pizza choices that range between $14 and $18.

All I have to say, is that Pizza Libretto and Terroni's now have some serious competition in the mix.  The Queen brings a true Italian za to T.O., ensuring quality with its 6,000 pound Neapolitan oven, made of mortar and stone.

Location: 1402 Queen St. East
Tel: 416-466-6555
Website: http://www.queenmargheritapizza.ca/

Duff's watch out - Introducing... The Crown & Dragon

Don't be mislead by the location or the appearance, the Crown & Dragon wings give some of Toronto's best a run for their money.  With over 30 flavours, I guarantee there is a taste for everyone.

I highly suggest a batch of the award winning Dragon's Breadth.  A big spicy wing, nicely cooked, juicy and the perfect amount of sauce.  Other favourites I've tried include: Do The Jerk (a Caribbean spice); Key West BBQ (sweet, smokey and hickory); and Honeycomb Heaven (sweet honey garlic). There is a 'baked' wing option for those on a health kick, but let's be honest, I've obviously never tried them. Because I've only ever ate wings, I can't comment on any of the other food offerings; however the sweet potato fries I saw, did look pretty yummy.

My only real complaint and the one thing that the Crown & Dragon needs to improve on, is service.  Unfortunately the wait staff is limited in terms of numbers and very inattentive.  In fact, our waitress was socializing with a table of her friends for the better part of our dinner; not to mention, we caught her eating a few wings off their table - umm, not so sanitary.....

Make sure to check out half-price night on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Website: http://www.incommonproductions.com/dragonwings/