Ten Ren's Tea

Ten Ren's Tea (5095 Yonge Street)

(416) 229-1688

Pu-Erh Tea Beef Noodle

It was kind of salty, even for me. Many of the beef pieces were those weird parts I don't enjoy eating, like hard tendon, or lump of chewy fat. And maybe my memory is messing with me, but I thought that the noodles used to be green?

Chocolate Hokkaido Milk tea

Came with bubbles, which I never voluntarily order, so that's cool, I guess. Tasted like chocolate milk with tapioca bubbles.

Would I return? Uhmm... not sure. The beef pieces were definitely not enjoyable. Gone are the daily specials, and in their stead is a menu that I could not understand (not due to translation issues). There was a rice/noodle combo for $8.99 + two sides, and I still don't know what the two sides are, even after asking. The menu items in that section are awkwardly numbered, and it didn't really make any sense. The prices of the drinks range from about $6-9, which is a bit much. They're cheaper if you combine them with a meal, but still. This used to be the cheap Ten Ren location, but I guess everything has changed since my last visit. Maybe, I'll just have to stick to the highway 7 location, or you know, find a better place to go to.

Total damage: approximately $15.

Mei Nung Beef Noodle House

Mei Nung Beef Noodle House (3229 Highway 7 East, Markham)

905-477-8388

Small beef noodles

Renée and I call this restaurant the beef noodle place, but it should really be called the stinky tofu place. The stench of that trademark dish is the first thing you'll notice when you walk in. If you can stomach the smell, the noodles are worth it. It's the only thing I ever order there. The broth is flavourful, the beef is tender, and the noodles are bouncy and plentiful. A small is enough to fill me up. The noodles are garnished with some pickled vegetables which add some sourness. Wholly satisfying. 

Would I return? Yes. The beef noodles have been consistent every time I visit, and they're delicious and reasonably priced. It is my go to place for beef noodles.

Total damage: under $10 for a bowl of small beef noodles.

Pretty sure I typed "beef noodles" way too many times here.

Banana Rum Soufflé

Banana rum soufflé by Jo and Jude.

The top was pouffy and exciting! The flavour was banana and rum! Delicious! 

This looked so epic from her oven pictures that I had to drive over and eat some. I may or may not have had three of them... 

Cheers to Jo and Jude for the yummy dessert that was actually more like dinner!

Pearl Diver

Pearl Diver (100 Adelaide Street East, Toronto)

416-366-7827

Hours:

Mon to Wed - Noon to Midnight

Thurs & Fri - Noon to 1 am

Sat - 4 pm to 1 am

Sun - 11 am to 12 am

Calamari ($9)

Crispy, well-seasoned, and included flecks of black and white sesame seeds. Sauce? I didn't really use it because well, I didn't really need it.

Oysters, plate three of three. 

We got the Thursday special which was 100 oysters for $100. Half were Fanny Bay and half were Malpeque. Because of the deal, they shuck them pretty much non-stop at the bar. Also appreciate the mini mound of freshly grated horseradish. 

Cured fish plate ($16)

As the plate was set down and explained, the octopus was presented as sturgeon, to which I raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He was unsure if he introduced the items correctly, and admitted as much, but the appearance of octopus is kind of distinctive. My friends didn't hear any of that anyway, as the restaurant is super loud. The mackerel was the most tasty for me, displaying a nice, smoky taste. The octopus was sort of whatever to me. The bread was warm, but in small supply. 

Fish & Chips ($18)

Yummy tartar sauce! Fish was crispy. Fries were shoestring, and very salty, even for me. I must have sodium deficiency, because somehow I couldn't stop eating them. Overall decent, but a little pricey for what it is. 

Mel also ordered the pearly chowder, which was quite hearty and chock full of chunks - in a good way. 

Would I return? Yes. The seafood bits are exciting. The service is good and friendly. Nothing tasted bland. The daily specials seem fun: mussel Mondays, Tuesday seafood circus, Thursday $100 for 100 oysters, and Sunday brunch. The only thing that was off for me was the volume of the noise, and the tall chairs we sat at. Two of the four of us wished/looked for purse hooks under the tables, but those two also happened to be the bag ladies of the day. 

Calamari photo by Andrea. Oyster photo by Mel.