chinese food!... I recently finished a placement as a Physiotherapy student at a private physio clinic in North York, where Dennis (the Physiotherapist there) also shared my love for going out to eat (he's even started his own food blog... check it out!). He took me out for dinner at the end of my placement, recommending a close by chinese restaurant called Congee Star, which is located near the science centre. Congee Star is your similar chinese Congee restaurant (see Congee Queen) that serves all kinds of congee (aka chinese rice porridge) and also a large selection of Chinese dishes (ie rice, noodle, meat, etc.). We went with 4 people, including one who did not eat meat, so we tried our best to order a variety of dishes for all of us to enjoy.
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The four of us shared a whole bunch of dishes and this being a congee restaurant of course we ordered their House Special Congee (regular size $5.50 + tax/tip), which mainly had different types of seafood in it including salmon, surf clam, squid, etc.. We also ordered a Yin Yang fried rice ($10.50 + tax/tip), which is a shrimp and chicken fried rice, where half of it was covered in cream sauce and the other half covered in tomato sauce (the sauce is poured on so that it looks like a Yin Yang symbol). This was pretty tasty, and I personally like to mix the ketchupy flavoured tomato sauce with the cream sauce. In order to cater for our non meat eating friend Ilinica, we ordered a Baby Bok Choi with garlic ($8.50 + tax/tip), and Stir Fried Vegetables with Seafood ($15.25 + tax/tip). Both of these dishes were a bit oily but decent for these typical congee places. To cater for the rest of our meat loving cravings, we also ordered Black Pepper stir fry Beef Ribs ($9.95 + tax/tip). Black pepper, beef, stirfy...there is no way to go wrong with this dish. lol.
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We also ordered specialty drinks called "Halo Halo" ($3.75 + tax/tip). These were quite large filled with different fruits (mostly canned fruits and some cut up bananas), grassy jelly, red bean, and coconut milk. If you like dessert, these drinks both sufficiently sweet and generously sized. At the end of the meal the waitress even came by to offer us a complimentary chinese dessert (a large bowl of chinese Taro Sago Coconut milk dessert soup to share). Make sure you ask for the free dessert if you go!
Overall, the food at Congee Star is quite tasty and affordable, but also a bit oily. The portions are pretty good as we packed up some of the leftovers to go. It was also pretty busy on the Thursday night that we went, and it's a decent option for affordable chinese food in this area of North York.
Congee Star
900 Don Mills Road, Unit 12
North York, Ontario
416-385-8822
booze!... I've been invited to check out The Drinks Show this year, which is an alcoholic beverage event where guests can try out lots of different types of mixed cocktails and alcoholic drinks (admission fee + drink prices below). It's being held on June 3 and 4th at 99 Sudbury, a venue that has 2 bars and an outdoor patio too. The party is supposed to be a club-like atmosphere with djs, will also offer contests (there is even a pole dance contest!) and even food sampling to go along with all the drinking. If you like to drink or party, this might be worth checking out. With all this alcohol, obviously a 19+ event as well. lol
Tickets are $23 ($25.99 after tax) and drinks come in sample size ($2) or full size ($7)... use promo code: "SOCIAL" for $5 off online tickets
I will report back after I attend this event! ... if i'm able to type after all the drinking lol
The Drinks Show
June 3rd and 4th (6 pm-1 am)
99 Sudbury Street
Toronto, Ontario
http://www.drinksshow.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/thedrinksshow
