“What I love most about our food scene is that so many people are doing what they want to do without worrying about adhering to rules of style or decorum,” says head chef Renelle Joubert. While some new watering holes may have been skewing more luxe of late, the newly opened the Dirty Laundry is all about a lower price point and accessibility, serving up no-nonsense Tex-Mex treats and budget-friendly bevvies. (Joubert — previously the chef de cuisine at Sounds Good and Bar Raval — also presides over the menu at the accompanying daytime spot, Café Gigi.)
“With a style of food like Tex-Mex, we have the flexibility to cater to a really wide range of tastes while facilitating an affordable night out,” Joubert says. “We can get fun and weird and put albacore tuna, sesame mayo, ginger and pickled jalapeños on a plate of nachos or people can come in and have classic cheese nachos with beef. It’s meant to be a menu for a bunch of different folks.” (Even the dish names have a sense of fun; their dulce de leche, for instance, is titled the Only Flans.)
So where does Joubert go for a delightful dish? Here are a few of her tasty favourites.
Best date-night spot
Sakai Bar, 1576 Dundas St. W.
“It’s cosy, intimate and feels like you’re in someone’s home. Make sure to get the buckwheat cake with caramelized white chocolate. I think it’s been on the menu since day one and if you try it, you’ll know why.”
Best bakery
Bakerbots, 1242 Bloor St. W.
“They make a really amazing mayonnaise chocolate cake that absolutely slaps.”
Hidden gem
Billy’s Souvlaki Place, 748 Dovercourt Rd.
“Its checkerboard floors and royal-blue interiors make it look like it came out of the ‘80s, but you can get great food for cheap.”
Repeat reservation
Chantecler, 798 Bloor St. W.
“It’s hard to have a bad time there. I’m a bit biased because we got married there, but it’s a great room with great food. Our go-to dishes are the steak tartare, half duck and whatever seasonal vegetable is kicking around. Service is always friendly and welcoming, without missing the mark on professionalism.”
The last best thing you ate
Szechuan Noodle Bowl, various locations
“Get the dandan noodles: they’re spicy, numbing, fatty and satiating, plus hella savoury and addicting.”
Current obsession
Xiang Zi HotPot, 3989 Hwy 7
“The answer is always hot pot. I could eat it all day. Every day. Seafood, meats and vegetables in spicy and flavourful broths always hit the spot, but it’s really an excuse to get people together over delicious food that we can all share. The social aspect is what makes it the ultimate comfort food. If I’m not eating it at home with my husband or at my in-laws’ place, then I’m here. The vibes are great and the selection of items is massive. My favourite thing to eat there is the beef chest fat. Such an amazing cut of meat that can offer different flavours and textures based on how long it stays in the broth.”
Fancy dinner
Affinity Fish, 1581 Dundas St. W.
“Their omakase Valentine’s Day meal was unreal.”
Lunch spot
Donna’s, 827 Lansdowne Ave.
“It’s a great place for a few fried-mushroom sammies and a leafy salad, and a tortilla española if they have any left. I love the neighbourhood vibe: bustling in the right way on the weekends and chill on the weekdays.”
Best late-night craving spot
Canton Chili, 418 Spadina Ave.
“This place is still the champ, serving up classic Canadian-Cantonese food that is perfectly greasy and always consistent. It’s the best late-night food hands down. An entire fried lobster at 3:30 a.m.? Sign me up.”
Best takeout
Yummy Korean Food Restaurant, 710 Bloor St. W.
“I usually get the kimchi and soy bean stew with rice.”
Favourite coffee shop
Daily Grind, 426 St Clarens Ave.
“I get an oat latte, but they also make a great authentic Vietnamese coffee.”
Best cocktail bar
The Virginia, 1374 Queen St. W.
“It’s new but the folks running it aren’t. My order is a dry gin martini with olives, but not dirty. I just like the olives, not the brine.”
Place I’m dying to try
Stop Restaurant, 397 Roncesvalles Ave.
“I keep hearing fantastic things about their Eastern European cuisine.”
