Saturday, July 28, 2007

Free appetizer at Milestone's Scarborough town centre

Free appetizer at Milestone's Grill & Bar Scarborough town centre. My favorite is still the Calamari. It is not the conventional crisp Calamari. It is broiled instead of deep fried. Very tender with a little hint of spicy.

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Royal Teahouse - Great dim sum!

Royal Teahouse 君皇茶坊 has excellent Chinese dim sum. I was told that the Chef came from the famous Luk Yu restaurant of Hong Kong.

This is not the cheapest dim sum place in Toronto, but here is the hidden deal. The (S) dim sum are just $2.00 each and there are about 10 of them. The tea is $1.00 each. Suppose you are a party of 3. A 10 dish lunch for 3 is just $23 plus tax and tips.

In a constructive criticism point of view, there are things the management really needs to work on:

  1. Crowded tables. Say hi to your neighbor! Just prevent going there on the weekends.
  2. Expensive $1 per headcount for the tea. Imagine you are a group of 10. More up-scale restaurant like Grand Yatt charges you less than that.
  3. Amature waitress. The waiters are fine though. The management may want to learn from Great Tang.
  4. Poor air-conditioning. This is not a good idea to have hot tea in the summer.
  5. Cash only. I just can't go there for dinner.
  6. No VIP discount.
Royal Teahouse - DimSum Specialist 10 Applecreek Blvd., Building B, Unit 3, Markham, ON L3R 5Z1 Tel: 905-946-1898

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Boston again

I am in Boston again! It is still the same Boston. The Boston harbor is as astounding as before. The Boston lobster is still delicious. The governor suite is extravagance. (What was missing is you, LoPo...) I had a stay at the DoubleTree Guest Suite Waltham. They gave me a welcome pack for guest of the week - varieties of candy bars, snacks, a mug, and etc. The view of the corner double room suite work area was really good. Whoever working there must be much more productive. In the third day of my stay, they have decided upgrade me to a governor suite! The meeting area is absolutely professional. Going through the changing area is the jacuzzi room. The jacuzzi can accommodate 4 people, or 2 people romantically. (LoPo, without you it is a little bit too roomy.) If you are going to Boston, you gotta go to Naked Fish for dinner. The seafood is very good. I went there again and again. Be sure to check out the Travelocity.ca Good Buy Hotels - Low Rates GUARANTEED website and choose the room select at check-in option if available.

Monday, July 2, 2007

Rhine River - Dusseldorf, Germany

Love by the Rhine River 莱茵河波影

Since my gf told me how much she loved her previous trip to Europe, I had been planning for a trip to Germany. It is very difficult to find a good vacation package to Europe. Europe is well-known for packed hotels and expensive transportation.

Dusseldorf turns out to be a very good starting point. The city voted #1 in terms in quality of life is the perfect starting point to visiting other German or European destinations. It is the German centre of fashion, home to a lively restaurant and nightlife scene, and is famous for its history in art and sports - making it a place with lots of things to do and see.

Hilton Dusseldorf is one of the best Hilton hotel. The staffs were extremely professional yet friendly. I guess this is what they call European class of services. The hotel features a luxury executive lounge. There is a wide selection of top quality snacks, pastries, beverages, wines, and of course, Germany beers. There are many near-by attractions:

  • Taking a cruise at the Rhine river.
  • Sitting by the Rhine river to inhale the romantic European atmosphere.
  • Viewing the Rhine river from the Rhine tower. It is a totally different experience.
The patio at the Radisson hotel restaurant was so impressive. Does German eat any sausages? No! Just like Chinese seldom eat any spring roll or chicken ball. The food was good, but what really amazed me were the Creme Brulee and Tirmius. Can't find the same thing anywhere else. (If flight tickets were transferable, I would have given my business class ticket to my LoPo. LoPo, I will give you the best!) Yes, I got a free business class ticket. The coach ticket price from Toronto to Dusseldorf was like $1,000 CAD comparing to a business class ticket at $4,000 CAD. What does the business class ticket buy you? Access to the airport lounge, shower facilities, LCD TV and internet enabled work area, a better seat that allows you to sleep more horizontally, a decent meal, and Shiraz. Be sure to check out the Travelocity.ca Good Buy Hotels - Low Rates GUARANTEED website and choose the room select at check-in option if available.