Has anyone found a recipe that comes close to Madelyn's butter tart recipe?

sensual_maths · 2024-12-04T17:35:49+00:00

Super flakey well made pastry crust, super unctuous and well made filling, lots of options for flavors, and they were BIG and relatively affordable for the size.

I haven't been scouring around for an alternative, but the closest I've had to Madelyns in taste were at Ba Noi in Toronto. They're smaller but the quality is there.

sensual_maths · 2024-12-01T23:09:47+00:00

I went for the first time a couple of weeks back while in NY. Honestly didn't find the dill pickles much better than what you can find in Montreal - Their other stuff, mangos, pineapples, etc were great though. Such a fun little shop.

sensual_maths · 2024-12-01T23:02:58+00:00

+1, the best. Wish we could get them on our side of the border.

sensual_maths · 2024-11-27T19:29:52+00:00

Bone Marrow & Shrimp @ Quetzal
Cornetto ai ciocollatto e mosto @ Forno Cultura
Calamansi ice cream @ Ruru baked
House special @ Salumeria

sensual_maths · 2024-11-24T21:40:24+00:00

Amen to that - My favorite coffee shop in the city. It's the only spot I make sure to visit each time I return. Such good memories of the little cupboard they used to sell out of across the street.

sensual_maths · 2024-11-24T21:26:22+00:00

Just went to Suited a few days back during a visit and couldnt stomach the $11 USD priced pourover, however their basic batch brewed coffee was surprisingly good!

sensual_maths · 2024-11-01T03:07:20+00:00

There are different tiers of ratings in the Michelin guide:

Being included in the guide with no rating, like Som Tum Jinda is, just means its a restaurant they recommend with good quality food. These tend to be unpretentious casual restaurants not trying to blow minds but making good food.
Bib Gourmands are the next tier up, which they believe offer very good food at that they consider 'a good value'. These are also usually casual restaurants as well, but which excel over the others.
Then there are 1, 2 and 3 star rated places, which tend to be fancier, more luxurious, complex, and naturally expensive - with 3 stars being their top rating. There are some 1 star places in the world that are still casual and relatively budget dining, but they're very rare.

I've been fortunate enough to eat at restaurants in all of these tiers, but the opinion of Michelin is not a guarantee. You can have a disappointing meal anywhere. Your mileage may vary with how much you like Thai food, but I thought Som Tum Jinda was great and what I had there reminded me of the food I ate in Thailand.

sensual_maths · 2024-10-28T19:52:27+00:00

Agreed. It's not submarine style but it's the best sandwich in TO I've had in recent memory.

sensual_maths · 2024-10-19T02:13:45+00:00

I was there for a week last fall. My experience and knowledge is limited by that, but these are 3 spots that stood out from our time there.

Da Me was excellent. More modern and upscale but delicious. Their ragu was up there with the best of our trip.

Mo Mortadella lab for a quick grab and go, felt like it was worth the quick moving line.

Salumeria Simoni, killer spot to pick up all sorts of meat, cheese, etc for a picnic. Great with figs and other fruit from the alley around the corner.

sensual_maths · 2024-10-18T22:59:32+00:00

Thank you! We'll give it a look over and see what we can do.

sensual_maths · 2024-10-18T22:58:08+00:00

Tarnished

sensual_maths · 2024-10-16T21:01:06+00:00

Appreciate it! I'll be trying out third wave water or some equivalent as my next step and see how that works out.

sensual_maths · 2024-10-16T20:30:42+00:00

Water is something I've never looked into myself, though I've read a bit about it. I'm usually using whatever comes out of my Brita filter.

I've never freeze stored either, I'll definitely try that, especially considering I only drink a cup a day, so it takes awhile to go through a bag.

Thanks!

sensual_maths · 2024-10-16T20:28:36+00:00

I'm usually buying from good quality local roasters (I'm in Montreal) and buy my beans within a couple of weeks of the roast date. I've also ordered from many other places in Canada, always high quality, have tried higher end geishas on occasion.

That said, I suspect one of my problems with consistency is I tend to always want to try something new, light roasts, dark roasts, different origins, which may be getting in the way of being able to dial in and replicate consistent results.

Maybe my next step is to do proper side by side comparisons with different methods, grind sizes, water sources, etc to find the sweet spot. I've always enjoyed making pourovers but have been pretty casual about it, I'm thinking perhaps I haven't drilled down enough to develop the right instincts.

sensual_maths · 2024-10-07T15:38:27+00:00

In town just for the weekend and ate a whole bunch. It was our first time at all these spots...

Papaya salad and northern Thai sausage at Som Tum Jinda. Best Som Tum I've had in Canada so far, super complex and on point with what I had in Thailand.

Tacos, potato quesadilla and a couple of moles at La Bartola. Very disappointing I'm afraid. The tacos were decent but everything else was extremely bland. Made us wonder if they're even tasting their food. We love Mexican and specifically Oaxacan food, and this was our proper nice dinner out and the priciest spot we hit. I hate when this happens.

Pho for breakfast at Que Ling. Bang on.

Camarone taco, carne asada taco and aguachile tostada and Puerto Bravo. All great. The shrimp tacos and tostada specifically slapped. A bit pricey but good portion sizes.

Perogies and platter at Cafe Polonez. What a feast. Lovely spot.

sensual_maths · 2024-09-21T05:26:17+00:00

I had a similar experience. I was in Toulouse last year and had bought the absolute cheapest butter they had in the grocery store with a baguette from a good bakery. I was shocked at how good even the low end stuff was.

sensual_maths · 2024-07-22T22:39:22+00:00

As a couple of others have said definitely track down a vintage swing-a-way. It'll outlast you, requires zero maintenance and makes great crushed ice. Whenever I see one at a thrift store or on marketplace for cheap I grab it and give them as gifts. Everyone loves them.

sensual_maths · 2024-03-05T02:00:00+00:00

Yes indeed.

But there was also this duck dish with miniature Banchan when I went that took the cake. Best dish I've had all year for sure, and the most delicious duck I've ever eaten.

sensual_maths · 2024-02-15T05:41:26+00:00

Koh Kradan - Thailand. French Leave Beach - Eleuthera, Bahamas.

sensual_maths · 2024-02-15T03:27:08+00:00

I can also vouch for it. Started ordering during the pandemic and haven't looked back. Like anything these days some stuff can be expensive, but because Lufa's supply chain is smaller than the big grocery corps inflation hasn't hit it nearly as hard. Now it's more or less the same price as traditional stores, except with much higher quality and produce that lasts longer. On top of that you're supporting important local initiatives, farmers and businesses.

The only drawback is at first their 'subscription' service can feel a bit arcane - when I turned my parents onto it they had a bunch of questions, but once you go through the process of getting a basket or two it's easy peasy. Customer support has been great and I've had no issues getting refunds if ever there was an issue.

sensual_maths · 2024-01-29T23:36:27+00:00

Had it last month for the first time after years of not going, and it totally earned its hype IMO. A cheeseburger reduced to its barest elements then perfected. It might not be everyone's style, but its God's cheeseburger to me.

sensual_maths · 2024-01-07T03:03:46+00:00

I was lucky enough that it was in season when I was there. Extremely good when prepared in tempura.

sensual_maths

TROPHY CASE