Featured Restaurant Reviews

Location: Toronto, ON

Toronto's new hotspot located at Yonge and Wellesley-- tremendously busy and rightfully so.

Lao Lao Bar is an experience: it is cool and thoughtful yet cozy and warm. You walk through the curtain leading into the restaurant and into a chic room with beautiful Laotian touches evidenced by the fringe overhead lighting, flowers hanging over the bar, and orchids throughout the restaurant giving a pop of colour that contrasts the dark wood.

The menu is thoughtfully put together with staples such as Papaya Salad (Tum Mak Hoong and Som Tum Tod), Fresh Rolls, and Satay Chicken in their "Share Plates" category and Lao Fried Noodles (Kua Mee), Chicken Herb Stew (Om Gai) and a variety of curries in their "Larger Plates" category. I love the thoughtful and contemporary addition of "Plant Based" dishes with five appetizer options and four main dish options (however three of these are curries meaning there are fewer options for variety's sake. However, these three curries have unique flavour profiles— they are not to be overlooked).

Prices are competitive yet fair with appetizers starting at $13; entrees starting at $19.

The service was cohesive with the staff working together in a careful dynamic. This means we didn't always have the same server, however, despite the interchange of staff, they never dropped the ball and knew where we were in our dining experience.

I got the vegetarian Green Curry ($22) and shared the Jeow Bong Fried Rice ($22), both equally deserving. The dishes were put together with respect ensuring no ingredient got left out. The plates were purposeful and decisive. They know they're great but it's up to you to figure it out.

Don't miss out on Lao Lao Bar and be sure to book a reservation to guarantee your spot.

Location: Victoria, BC

Fiamo is a cozy yet chic Italian restaurant. Inside the restaurant is romantic, dark, and moody: perfect for a date night, evening cocktails, or having an intimate night to yourself. They have a closed patio as well as an open-aired one though unfortunately it wasn't open when I visited.

Leah was our server who was methodical in how she went about the steps of service. Amy also stands out to me in her role as a support staff/host. Overall, the staff were quality: laid back but also seemed to care for their work.

I came for a Sunday night dinner so regrettably, the pasta dishes weren't available reducing the choices in entree. However, their rotating specials of the day were a nice addition ensuring greater variety. This also implies they utilize seasonal ingredients and come up with new dishes in addition to the set menu-- probably more fun for the kitchen staff too!

I ordered their special of the day: Eggplant Parmesan ($26) which was delectable. I loved the addition of roasted vegetables (including potatoes, broccolini, sweet peppers, and carrots) to brighten up the otherwise heavy dish.

I would recommend this place for those in Victoria and craving a good Italian meal with a romantic atmosphere.

Location: Tampa, FL

Damn. The food here is super good (and I don’t say this lightly)! Visited this spot twice in two days on vacation and no regrets either time.

What resonated with me was their blackened seasoning. The Cajun pasta with blackened shrimp ($18.99) was like a punch in the face (in the best possible way). Never have I experienced a blackened seasoning with such a kick and it was 100% unexpected. I normally don’t expect much heat with blackened seasoning, however, Mullet’s does not disappoint. The pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauce was creamy and spicy.

The second time I got the “choose your own adventure” including blackened scallops (MP) with island citrus rice and seasonal vegetables. The scallops were cooked to perfection and beautifully tender. I didn’t find the rice flavourful but it added some acid to the dish. The vegetables had what tasted like a hoisin ginger sauce (perhaps in the Bobby Lee style) giving the broccoli much-needed flavour.

I will say there was a bit of inconsistency with the blackened scallops seasoning both of the times I came here. The seasoned scallops on the first night overpowered the delicacy of the scallop yet the second time, there was less spice thus retaining the integrity of the delicate meat. Not sure why this occurred… but appreciate the toning down of spice the second time around.

The restaurant is set in a house and backyard. The atmosphere is chill and with picnic tables and live music, it’s like you’re in a friends backyard, a fun, unique experience.

I would 100% go in with a reservation as the place gets busy quick (went at the noon opening and at least half the tables were already occupied outside).

If sun is an issue, bring sunscreen or a hat as the picnic table umbrellas aren’t 100% reliable in blocking Florida’s rays.

I recommend Mullet’s for anyone who enjoys seafood and wants to unwind in a cool environ. This place reminds me to be grateful for the simple things in life.

Location: Orlando, FL

Morimoto Asia, a two-story high marvel with beautiful drop chandeliers, a glass, open-view kitchen, and upscale Pan-Asian dishes. Video features Morimoto’s Japanese-Korean fusion dish “Buri Bop” that put him on the map on the original Iron Chef and served table side. My family and I love this restaurant and always go here when we’re at Disney Springs. The atmosphere rivals the food. It’s chic, spacious, and cosmopolitan but also connected with people and food evidenced by the photo wall in the back of the restaurant.

I 100% recommend Morimoto’s Buri Bop as it’s consistently delectable ($36)(how can you not try the dish named after the chef?). Since it’s served table side, the cook who serves the dish tells Morimoto’s history with the dish which is fun. The special fish from the Toyosu Fish Market ($10-23) are also super fresh and light; a special treat, a perfect bite.

Service can get quite busy during peak times so you may need to wait a while for your food. Always book a reservation!

Morimoto Asia transports you to another glamorous world where fantasy becomes reality in a beautiful setting with gratifying food.

Location: Los Angeles, California

Dockside serves quintessential Californian food: it’s fresh with simple ingredients. The seafood is succulent and so tasty and the plating is artistic and colourful.

Ordered: Yellowfin tuna and tiger shrimp ceviche $19, Peruvian scallop $5.5, Fried crab claw pop $9, Connecticut style seafood roll $26, Shishito pepper $14.

The ambiance gives California coast mixed with cabin on the lake— super beautiful with great vibes.

I 100% recommend Dockside for anyone in LA or passing through!!!

Location: Toronto, ON

There is literally no signage which could be interpreted as a cool hole in the wall resto or unclear marketing. The surrounding area was under construction too so the energy is not great if you come here on a weekday during construction hours.

I appreciate the bursts of colour in the restaurant, especially the tiled wall and floors when you first walk in. The bar area unfortunately doesn’t have the same colourful tiling as the main section. I also like how they have different glassware for each patron and table, an artistic and eclectic decision.

The Pad See Ew ($21.75) was syrupy sweet but not cloyingly so. It was definitely a unique flavor which I haven’t tasted before for this dish. For the protein, I ordered “tofu and vegetables” but the only vegetable is the Chinese broccoli. Other Thai restaurants normally include additional mixed vegetables as the “protein”. I didn’t dislike the fact it was only the Chinese broccoli. However, I felt it’s a bit misleading to say “vegetables” as the broccoli already comes with the noodles.

The prices are on the higher end when comparing it to other Thai restaurants downtown. One dish costs a couple more dollars than its equivalent at other places. I don’t believe the higher price necessitates better quality of food or service. I think it costs more since they market themselves/self-proclaim as an “authentic” Thai restaurant.

Additional notes: They don’t have a reservation system in place so it’s first come first serve. The seating is quite limited. I would recommend coming early if you have a large party. Be prepared to wait, even for a small party, as it was packed by 6pm.

This is a great restaurant for gluten free/ intolerant eaters as you don’t have to pay a lot more for the gf option. Rather than having a couple gf options, they offer a separate gf menu for $1 more than the regular menu.

Location: St. Catharines, ON

Very pleasant experience here!

While the patio is gorgeous, I wouldn’t consider it upscale as the table settings and overall vibe are not as elegant, i.e. paper not cloth napkins, no tablecloth, candles, or flowers as featured in the dining room (which is understandable as it’s outside dining). To me, it doesn’t make sense to pay $30-50 for an entree and sit on a patio but that is personal preference.

I appreciate the vegetarian options and the ability to have a dish prepared vegetarian which I don’t see often with fine dining restaurants.

Pictured includes the Cod ($41) and Tiger Shrimp Fettuccine ($36). I also tried the Red Sangria ($40 for 1L) which was very refreshing and light and Brie Skillet ($18).

The main negative was that there were fruit flies in the upstairs dining room which is obviously unappetizing…

I’d definitely visit again if in the area and make sure to book a reservation!

Location: Toronto, ON

For someone new to Thai food, I’d say the food here is really great. The first couple of times you have Thai food are really wonderful because it’s such a unique and craveable flavour. However, after trying most of the Thai hot spots in the city, I’d say the food here is average. It is more expensive than other Thai places downtown but doesn’t make up for it in flavour. I thus do not believe the quality matches the pricier menu.

While the food is just ok, the ambiance here is cool especially with the DJ on Saturday nights, decor, wall art and high ceilings. Service was mediocre.

Accessibility notes: (1) Pai is located on the second floor so you have to walk up a flight of stairs to get there. (2) The DJ on Saturday is quite loud so you have to yell at your table counterparts like you’re in the club.

Definitely recommend going once to experience the vibe but there are better tasting Thai food offerings elsewhere.