November 20th, 2009 by Bill Killorn
Review Series: Chinatown Challenge
Just around the corner from the Dragon City Mall in the heart of Toronto’s Chinatown is a small Vietnamese restaurant called Pho Pasteur. Despite its size the restaurant is hard to miss; the front of the business is plastered with red, white and blue signs that shout out to any passerby that Pho Pasteur exists, it is a pho restaurant and it is open 24 hours. Out of all of the Vietnamese restaurants I have visited as part of the Chinatown Challenge series I was most excited for this one. Pho Pasteur was highly recommended to me by both the founder of this blog and my Vietnamese girlfriend’s father. Needless to say I was expecting a great bowl of pho as I strolled into the restaurant.
Pho Pasteur as seen on Google
October 27th, 2009 by Bill Killorn
Review Series: Chinatown Challenge
When I started investigating the various Pho restaurants in Chinatown for this review series I was worried about how I was going to be able to keep every post unique and interesting, it seemed challenging to me to write about the same dish without repeating myself. However, now that we are at the halfway point of this series I have learned that every restaurant, no matter how similar they may appear, offers something that is uniquely their own. Whether it be the size of the noodles, the decor of the dining room or the quality of service, each restaurant shines in its own way. This week I visited Pho 88 located at 270 Spadina and had a dining experience unlike any other I have had in this series.
The windows of Pho 88 are always filled with happy customers
Tags: Chinatown Challenge, pho, pho 88, special beef noodle soup
October 13th, 2009 by Bill Killorn
Review Series: Chinatown Challenge
When looking for a place to eat in Toronto’s Chinatown it is easy to become overwhelmed by the options. There are a lot of factors at play when you are deciding on a restaurant. Sure you want delicious food at an affordable price but, you also want a nice environment to sit and enjoy that food in. Restaurant decor and ambiance are essential parts of enjoying your dining experience. Therefore, in the Chinatown Challenge Review Series attention is not only given to the quality of the pho but the atmosphere of the restaurant as well. Decor played a large part in my dining experience this week as I tried the Pho Dac Biet at Pho Ai My.
Pho Ai My - One of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Chinatown
Tags: pho ai my, pho dac biet, special beef noodle soup
October 5th, 2009 by Bill Killorn
Review Series: Chinatown Challenge
Finding pho in Chinatown is not hard, there are many places that serve the delicious combination of beef, broth and noodles. What is difficult though is finding the pho that best suits your tastes, as every restaurant adds their own little spin on the traditional Vietnamese dish to make it their own. Our Chinatown Challenge series is here to help you make sense of your pho options. This week we visit Pho Hung.
The Pho Hung logo has become synonymous with Vietnamese food in Toronto
Tags: pho, pho dac biet, pho hung, special pho noodle soup
September 29th, 2009 by Bill Killorn
Review Series: Chinatown Challenge
When walking through Toronto’s Chinatown you have to keep your wits about you. As you weave in and out of sidewalk stalls it is easy for your senses to get overwhelmed by the smells, sounds and sights. One thing you will notice is a dozen or so signs advertising pho. We all know what pho is, but what is the difference between pho at one restaurant in Chinatown and another? This series entitled the Chinatown Challenge is aimed to help you get a sense of the different styles of pho and help you find the pho that is perfect for you. Over the next few weeks I will visit 10 Vietnamese restaurants in Chinatown and sample their Pho Dac Biet (Special Beef Noodle Pho). I will then share with you my findings.
The first restaurant I visited for the Chinatown Challenge was Pho Xe Lua located at 254 Spadina Ave. Situated on the second floor of its busy Chinatown location and walled almost completely by windows on its East and North sides, Pho Xe Lua offers an interesting view of the crowded markets that lay below. The recently renovated and well kept interior provides a modern and comfortable atmosphere for the restaurant’s guests. The open format of the restaurant allows the helpful staff to accommodate larger parties as well as intimate tables for two. One of the most impressive aspects of Pho Xe Lua is the speed of the service. Within seconds of being seated you are provided tea, and within minutes of ordering, a steaming hot bowl of pho will be placed in front of you.
Pho Dac Biet at Pho Xe Lua - Packed with Beef
Tags: pho, pho dac biet, pho xe lua, special beef noodle
Casey: Thanks! Some of my fave places are in Chinatown. I’m in the area so I really get to know the restaurants...
Tomato Snob: I love Pho too. You pictures are fab! Where is you favorite place in the city? I’m addicted to the...
S Lloyd: Folks, Submitted also: http://www.xanga.com/aromes The more tools/ressources/infos we have, the better that...
Lucy: This is my favourite Vietnamese restaurant in Toronto! The have the best PHO in town.