CNE

Canadian National Exhibition

End of August means end of summer and two weeks of the Ex. For me, that means trying out whatever disgusting concoction of food combination they've come up with this year. The big craze this time was bacon, but I wasn't sold. The Bacon Nation offerings didn't seem that exciting to me, or maybe I just couldn't see the full menu. I decided for pulled pork business from Pull'd instead.

 The Jack'd ($13.56 after tax)

Pulled pork in between layers of red velvet pancakes... with a square of salted butter on top. It looked like something I'd make out of leftovers in rez. The pancakes were more orange than red, but surprisingly went okay with the meat. The meat wasn't all pulled apart, and could've used more sauce - Jack Daniel's sauce. The butter was good at moistening things up. It was kind of pricey and alright. 

 This is what it looked like after hacking.

We saw this sign that me and Renée found hilarious, but Jo didn't get it. 

Red Lobster

"There is no one of-woman-born who does not like Red Lobster cheddar biscuits." -Tina Fey

I think that pretty much says it all.

Renée was kind enough to share her take-out half dozen of biscuits (~$3) with me. They were warm, salty, and delicious. She insisted on eating one in the car before leaving the parking lot to make sure she got to enjoy a fresh one.

Milagro

Milagro (5 Mercer Street, Toronto)
416-850-2855
Hours:
Mon - Wed: 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Thurs, Fri: 11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat: 3 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sun: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Pitcher of sangria de pepino

This was very nice. I think we all enjoyed it. It's got citrus flavour with cucumber mellowness.

Chips and dip. Guacamole!

Jo with seafood ceviche and the pitcher.

Jo and the cantina platter of pork, lamb, and chicken, with refried beans and rice with plantains.

Soon after we sat down, we were offered samples of Dos Equis that they have on tap. Nice! We got the sangria and ceviche that came recommended by Jo. I was a fan of both. The cantina platter was more than enough for the three of us. I liked the lamb the best. I liked that the sauces tasted different, and the meats each had distinctive flavours. Renée wasn't too much a fan of the corn tortillas. They're slightly sweet and a bit chewy, but they did come out quite hot. Jo enjoyed herself and was content with sangria and ceviche happiness. Renée excused herself in the middle of the meal to upchuck, and we're not sure if that was from alcohol or the food. I was fine and Jo seemed fine, so maybe it was the alcohol for her. Jo also got the natilla cajeta (crème brûlée with goat's milk). It was quite sweet, and had a nice crispy top.

Would I return? Sure. The service was very friendly, the food was decent, but a little on the pricey side.   Jo likened it to paying for a fancy meal, but not exactly getting super elegant food.

Total damage: $57 for a cappuccino and my share of the platter, ceviche, and sangria.

Most

Most (5449 Yonge Street, Toronto)

Peach something something green tea.

Saw this place as I was walking by Yonge Street. It looked clean enough. There are wooden benches and tables, and a wide strip of chalk board around going around the room. My drink tasted decent enough. There was peach taste. And tea taste. And yet, I wasn't impressed overall. For one, my butt started hurting a few minutes after sitting down on those hard benches with no backing. The dessert selection seemed a little meagre and pricey. When Jo asked if the gelato on the menu was actually gelato (as opposed to ice cream), she was told that it was ice cream. 

Would I return? Well... my drink was a bit too pricey, my butt and back weren't comfortable, and there was nothing on the menu that looked super exciting. I'd say that my return would be most unlikely.

Total damage: something like $8 for my drink!