I love love love the empanada. Why? The dough was not gummy. It was perfectly cooked and moist. The…read morefilling was appropriate for the empanada and tasted delightful! I didn't stop there. I ordered a veggie omelette and, to my surprise, they used ricotta!! HEAVEN! Am I coming back? HECK YES!! Thank you for a wonderful breakfast experience Matias!

Celebrated my dad's 75th, dinner was authentic and delicious, and friendly service!…read more Will be back to try more pastries

This small shop offers an assortment of latin fares, including pupusas, empanadas, tamales, and…read moreceviche. On weekends, they serve up freshly-made pupusas on a hot plate from the sidewalk. I've ordered the shredded pork and cheese on a few occasions and it always satisfies the cravings. They top it off with a tomato sauce and coleslaw (very delicious pairing), as well as an optional green salsa (spicy). The dish is hearty and comforting with all the South American flavours.

We were strolling around Kensington Market and we saw these nice empanadas being displayed on the…read morecurbside of this restaurant. I got a spicy beef one and it was just ok... The dough was a bit wimpy and not baked fully enough to be firm and crusty. The filling was good but not hot enough. Overall a place for a quick bite but nothing spectacular.

Checked out the store to see if they have any product with real truffle mushroom. Store looked…read moresmall and was not able to find anything I was looking for. However once I asked for help, they showed me a bunch of related products. Besides buying real truffle in a jar, I tried their excellent empanadas as well. By looking at it, empanada looked very flat and different than other empanadas I have tried but it was filled with much more stuffings than I thought. Nice cute gourmet neighborhood store that worth checking out if you love cooking.

The owner of the shop is a sweet and lovely woman who always gives service with a smile. Upon…read morewalking in, you'll see some ready-to-eat goods such as empanadas, tamales, and different packaged homemade desserts. I've stopped by this shop on multiple occasions, but waited until I tried their paella to post a review. Their paella menu consists of seafood, meat, mixed, veggie, or squid ink options and requires a 2h notice beforehand. I had the Valenciana (meat) which is advertised to feed 2-3 people. The price is affordable for paella, but lacked some of the signature smokey flavour that comes with the dish often served fresh. The rice was on the al dente side and more salty than I would have liked. However, the cakes were superb: the dulce de leches cake was heavenly - soft and pillowy, but soaked in sweet milk, and the crema catalana cake, I was told, is a specialty in Spain which was rich and dense. In the past I've picked up frozen tamales to steam at home - quite a good size for the price, just wish the ratio of filling was higher. Their frozen churros are a favourite to heat up at home as well, paired with cinnamon sugar. Their empanadas were yummy, although I wish they were a little bigger. Nonetheless, if you wish to try some Spanish staples or feel transported to a little grocer in Spain filled with cheese, charcuterie, and canned goods, drop on by and check them out!

Stumbled across this place and had a great time for a late lunch. I got a chorizo and spinach…read moreempanada, of which the chorizo shined, and I also had an iced tea. Pros: - Very tasty empanadas, with sauces if you dine-in - Many naturally gluten free menu options! - Beautiful interior with small tables and bar seating - Friendly service - Great location across from a park - Good spot for a budget lunch

My partner and I were visiting the neighborhood and saw this place from the park. The place looked…read morefun and inviting, so we decided to come inside. The space was small yet fun- the decor was colourful and there were a few tables available (that could seat around 5-6 people). We were greeted warmly by a young man behind the counter. He passed a copy of the menu, so that we can decide what to order. After a few minutes, we went back to the counter and ordered three items: a cheese empanada, a chicken & cheese arepa, and canelazo (tea with cane sugar and spices, cold). We were informed that it will take 10-15 minutes for the food to be prepared, so he gave us the drink first. It was lightly sweet and cool, very refreshing on such a hot day. Then the food came and we picked them up at the counter. We could not wait to try them! The empanada was delicious- crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. However, we felt that there could have been more cheese, so that the ratio of cheese and the exterior (cornmeal) would balance out. The chicken & cheese arepa was good- the ingredients were prepared with care and it came out hot. However, its size was very small in comparison to the price. Inside, there were only three small pieces of chicken and two small pieces of hot dog, with some corn and cheese. Even though there was garlic sauce on it, it tasted quite bland. The most challenging part was holding onto it while eating it- it was wrapped in aluminium foil (which transfers heat), so having another layer of wrap would have been better. Overall, it was a good experience- we had a fun time talking and eating. It is a lovely addition to the neighborhood, so drop by and check it out!

Seems okay. Definitely a step up from the old layout that has since been boarded up for renos…read more Note that the Starbucks is on the floor above (ground level). Sign for the bathrooms made my head sing.

So many food options at the Union Station food court. Variety of food from Asia, Jamaica, American,…read moreand fast food. We tried a couple of things here. I was pretty excited to try some Jamaican food in Toronto. Decent price for this jerk chicken plate I ordered. The flavor was there...but it was waaay too salty. If it's not salty, this would be a very good Jamaican dish. Also ordered the Shanghai noodles at another vendor. Choose your noodles, meat, and soup base. Beef noodle bowl. Flavor was okay. Cheap eats.

Loved everything about this charming restaurant. Food was…read moredelicious and the service was outstanding! Bravo Celestine ! So sweet and professional. Will most definately return. So rare to find a restuarant that geninely cares about the customer experience.

If you're looking for a cozy, tropical escape without leaving Toronto, this is your spot! Tucked…read moreaway on St. Clair West, this charming Puerto Rican is a gem. The customer service? Impeccable. The staff was genuinely kind and attentive without being overbearing. I felt welcomed from the second I walked through the door. I ordered the Avocado Salmon Toast paired with the beautifully pink and perfectly named Pink Flamingo drink. My friend went for the Sweet Berry Waffle and a classic lemonade. Let me just say--the flavors did not disappoint. The salmon was fresh, creamy avocado was piled high, and the toppings were thoughtfully layered. My only tiny critique (and I say this with love): the toast itself was a little too crispy for my liking. It made the dish a bit tricky to cut into, and the texture leaned dry. Next time, I'll definitely ask for it untoasted or lightly toasted. A softer base would really let those flavors shine without the crunch competing. Now let's talk about that Pink Flamingo--WOW. It was tropical, sweet, and honestly gave me vacation-in-a-glass vibes. I almost ordered a second, but adulting (and budgeting) called me back to reality. That said, it's worth every sip! I snuck a few bites from my friend's Sweet Berry waffles, and yep--I'm getting that next time!! Light, fruity, tasty!! I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. Who knows, maybe next time I'll get to sample a few more dishes Seriously though--support local and give this place a try. You'll leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

It's a beautiful restaurant and the staff were really kind. I got the pollo à la plancha and it was…read moregood. Very flavorful. Outdoor seating was comfortable.

Food is not fresh. The vegetables in my salad were crunchy and rubbery, like they were dehydrated…read morethen rehydrated. The fish smelled fishy and later made me sick.

The staff was very friendly and helpful, offering recommendations based on what I was looking for…read more Pho Dac Biet The broth didn't have a particularly strong aroma, and the usual sweetness and umami were quite subtle. But that actually allowed me to appreciate how rich, clean, and well-balanced the broth was. The rice noodles were surprisingly chewy and springy, with a firm bite that I rarely find in pho. You actually had to bite through them rather than having them break apart easily. The brisket was absolutely perfect! I expected it to be tough and fibrous, but it was pleasantly chewy without any stringiness. Every bite felt like eating tender, substantial beef rather than chewing through tough fibers. The rich, beefy fat flavor gradually came through with every chew. The rare beef became a little tough after sitting in the hot broth for too long. The beef balls had a nice bounce. My first small piece of tendon was nothing special, but the larger pieces turned out to be beautifully braised and tender. Spring Rolls These were recommended by the staff, but unfortunately, they were pretty ordinary. At $10, I expected something more memorable. It's hard to find spring rolls as impressive as the ones at Tre. The wrapper was a little too thick and hard, making it unpleasant to bite into. The filling was a fairly standard combination of wood ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, shredded carrots, and glass noodles. It tasted rather dry and underseasoned. Dipping them in the tangy sauce helped a little, but overall, they were nothing special.

I finally got a chance to try this restaurant and I am kicking my own a$$ so hard for waiting so…read morelong. I've dined in one time and ordered delivery a few days later - try it and you'll see why. TLDR Try them out, you won't regret it. Dine in at least once to try some of their amazing drinks which don't seem to be available on UberEats. Enjoy attentive service and gorgeous décor. All food we have tried had us oohing and ahhing with each bite. You get your money's worth and your tastebuds will thank you. Food and Drink So far, we've tried the following: Pandan Breeze Cold Foam Vietnamese Coffee Cánh Gà Chiên Nước Mắm Guava paloma Grilled shrimp mango salad Bún chả Hà Nội Bún bò Huế VBOW Marrow Royale pho Phở đặc biệt VBOW Street noodles with beef (2 times to date, many more to come) One of our fellow diners let the rest of the table try their pandan foam coffee and it was so good that we each ordered one for takeout after our meal. Vietnamese coffee is bold and intense in flavor which also gives you the highly favored caffeine hit due to their beans (robusta instead of the usual arabica). The pandan foam was delectable. Typical Asian desserts have a hint of saltiness to add balance. This foam hit the spot so well, we licked our straws and lids to ensure we got it all. Every dish we have tried was as delicious as a homemade version should be. We used to order Bún chả Hà Nội from a popular northern Vietnamese restaurant known for this dish. VBOW's execution far exceeded expectations set by other restaurants. The portion of grilled pork and sausages was double that of other places. The sausage was juicy and their use of pork shoulder instead of pork belly made the dish much more enjoyable. Don't get me wrong, pork belly is tasty but lately, it seems to be way more fat than meat. The pho tasted like mom's pho, if your mom made killer pho. It was rich in flavor with copious amounts of meat. Most restaurants give you 1 beef ball cut in half per order. We ordered 3 bowls for delivery and each of them had 4 full beef balls. The portions were generous and we found that each bowl was easily 2 meals which is amazing value. House special often gets skimpy for meat due to the variety offered, but we found healthy consistent amounts of each cut of meat inn each bowl. The street noodles are like the Thai dish, pad see ewe. Perfectly cooked, thick rice noodles with a little bite to them. The sauce has the desired salty slightly sweet umami goodness. The ratio of meat to noodles had us wondering how they are even making money off their dishes. Service This is a family-run business and they know the definition of customer service like it's their family motto. Given their vast experience in the service industry, it is not surprising at all. The owner is a sweet, attentive lady who makes magic happen behind their bar/counter. We dropped a communal chopstick at one point and before we even thought to ask for a replacement, the server had brought us extra chopsticks and napkins. Ambiance and Décor The place is beautifully decorated and photo ready. They have pretty light fixtures all over and a section where the ceiling has a bunch of traditional Vietnamese hats (nón lá) hanging from the ceiling. Gorgeous pink flowers throughout the spacious restaurant. They seat patrons far enough apart to allow private convos which is preferable to being seated closely together despite having lots of empty tables around. Value Let me start off by saying I do not understand why it's ok to pay $32 for pasta but $20-$24 pho is atrocious. Pho broth is a painstaking work of art requiring hours of effort. Rant done. We order Vietnamese food at least twice a month and have tried many different places. VBOW offers the greatest value. There's nothing more disappointing than waiting an hour for delivery when you're hungry and finding portions that don't match the price point. VBOW's prices are on par with majority of other pho restaurants, but they don't skimp on the meat nor try to hide that with ridiculous amounts of noodles. Instead, they serve the portions and ratios that match how your food would likely turn out if you were assembling it yourself.