Every Friday we bring you our favourite foodie sights and sounds. Everything from food packaging and food inspired art, to recipes and reviews.
2. Sweets – Rock Candy Cupcakes
3. Little Bites – Adult Lunchables
4. Elsewhere – Holybelly, Paris
Tag Archives: seafood
Cafe Boulud makes home in Toronto’s Four Seasons Hotel
For many foodies, Daniel Boulud (New York based celebrity chef) is a commanding force in the realm of french cooking. When he decided to bring his restaurants (on the second floor and the downstairs bar) to the Four Seasons hotel chain, it would be an understatement to say those in Toronto were excited.
photos by yuli scheidt
Originally posted to Ama’s weekly column on Toronto Is Awesome.
Cafe Boulud sits on the second floor overlooking the beautifully iconic neighbourhood that is Yorkville. We were seated by a window which gave us a great 180 degree view of the restaurant whilst still being able to peak outside to see fabulous men and women outside walking the streets. One of the things that I wasn’t too sure about when coming to the Cafe was how the dress-code would be since being housed in one of the cities finest hotels. Let me assure you: while dealing with fine dining at its best, the atmosphere is not stuffy at all or entitled.
The first thing that caught my eye (upon walking up the stairs into the Cafe) was the pop-art portraits of some iconic celebrities such as Madonna. It added a bit of whimsy to the space but also gave a little nod to the indulgent celebrity nature of our city. The dining room is quite large and spacious with a bit of romance in the air.
Just recently, Cafe Boulud released their winter menu which would take on tradition, classic French cuisine while exploring all things worldly. Both Yuli and myself were excited to try this but also try out their Winterlicious menu, which was also happening at the time of our visit. We decided to eat, drink and be merry.
For the three course pre-fixe Winterlicious menu ($45 per person), we decided to indulge in the Lentil Dahl (made with Garam Masala, Coriander and Yogurt) and Grilled Albacore Tuna for our apps. The Lentil was simply rich with full flavour pop. It was one of those dishes where if you could stick your face into the bowl and lick every last drop, you probably would. Alas: I don’t think that is Four Seasons behaviour. The tuna was juicy and tender with beautiful citrus undertones. I’ll have to thank Yuli for sharing with me.
Next up, we decided to order a couple of appetizers from the Main Menu to see what this new winter menu was all about. We ordered up some Sunchoke Risotto ($21) and the Crispy Duck Egg ($18). Ever since my first experience with Sunchoke I have been obsessed and this risotto did not disappoint. Keeping it simple with porcini mushroom and aged parmesan cheese, it was cooked to perfection and simply wonderful. This would be perfect as a main, as well. Now onto the Crispy Duck Egg which was serving up all kinds of brunch realness. The Duck Egg coupled with the button mushrooms and crispy bacon and all the yolk. I can’t know even handle the goodness. I would like this delivered to my bedroom each and everyday. Hopefully this could be arranged.
Back to our Winterlicious main courses, where I decided to par-take in the Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Heirloom Carrot and Potatoes. This dish was not too heavy with beautiful cuts of lamb. The natural jus added a great flavour. Perfect for the diner who loves meat & potatoes: hearty and bountiful.
On the Main Menu, we decided to check out two of their Main Courses from the winter menu: Pan Seared Digby Scallops ($38) and Ontario Venison ($41). Large Nova Scotia scallops arrive with some fingerling potatoes, in a tomato-saffron broth and left my mouth singing. The scallops were beautifully caramelized and were perfectly cooked. Yuli mentioned that her Venison dish was seasoned perfectly and had a nice rich glaze of natural jus.
The desserts here are show-stoppers and although we stuck to our dessert pairings from the Winterlicious menu, our choices were hard. I opted for the Carmel Pear Sundae and was not disappointed.
From the kitchen staff to the wait staff, the team at Cafe Boulud have worked hard at executing Chef Daniel’s vision into this exciting Toronto restaurant and the results resonate all throughout. If you are looking for a beautifully romantic evening out or simply a fancy brunch, you will find everything you are looking for and more at Cafe Boulud.
Luma serves up a whole lotta Group Love on Valentine’s Day
So for many single and couples in Toronto, Valentine’s Day comes with a bit of dread. So much anxiety and pressure built up over a fabricated holiday to share your feelings for another. My life partner, Simon and I decided to keep it cool this year. We wanted to do something that we felt was relevant to both of our interests (food), relevant to both of our wallets and relevant to both of our lives (being social).
That’s where the Luma Group Love package comes into play. Luma (the Oliver and Bonacini restaurant at the TIFF Lightbox) held a pre-fixe menu for solo foodies ($25/per person) or groups of three or more ($50 per person). For those that were ‘riding solo’, you got to saddle up to the Communal Table and share your evening with a night of fabulous new friends.
We took our seat at the communal table seated amongst a diverse group of new friends. The table was set with a beautiful array of Valentine’s Day candy and the wait staff started us off with a lovely drink titled the ‘Icebreaker’ (double black cherry infused bourbon), which did just that. All of us went round-table and introduced ourselves and what we did. Finally once we were all done, we cheers to a fabulous Valentine’s Day.
Now a dinner like this may not be for the brave at heart. Having to make conversation over a great meal with strangers for at least one hour might get awkward and trust me, at times, it did. But thankfully we had our wonderful servers who had impeccable timing and always made us feel like we were the stars of the evening. Well that is, next to the food – of course.
Our Ted Allen looking waiter served up one-half dinner theatre style theatrics and one-half food guide for the evening, as he told us everything would be served: “family style, because group love and sharing is caring”.
First up, platters of Fritto Misto of squid and fanny bay oysters fried up with duck egg and radish crudités were put onto the table for all to enjoy. Each person had their own oyster and each section of the table had their own Misto platter, so we didn’t have to fight over who took the last piece. Next up, we were plated what (at first) looked like art. Beautiful and delicate pieces of smoked trout and celery root in a deep bowl which our server then ladled in a lovely herb creme fraiche base. Can I just say that I wanted to lick the bottom of the bowl. I thought it may have been a bit rude of me to do so, but the chowder wasn’t heavy or too creamy. It was rich and perfect.
We decided to keep the juices flowing by ordering a carafe of Punch Drunk Love (rose, passion fruit liqeur, juice and lemonade). It reminded me of Beyonce and for that, I thought it would be a good choice. Verdict: it made me Drunk in Love. I may or may not have sent Simon a text midway through our meal that read: “I think I’m drunk” because clearly I’m old and a lightweight now.
Our next grand dish was the Lemon & Rosemary Cornish Hen served up with a warm chicory & chicken liver salad and a yukon gold potato & kale dauphinoise. Simon had never had Cornish Hen before and he was won over immediately. Where as my favourite thing was the potato, which whilst fumbling around trying to dig into this accidentally sliced through half a lemon. Yep, I’m a class act. Note: I did not eat half the lemon, just almost ate half of it. Also: the chicken livers – so baller. I am proud to say that our side of the table may have taken the salad home with them because: waste not, want not.
By this time, we were beginning to feel sluggish with Luma Group Love feels and food. Not only that, our dinner reservations began at 9PM and it was it was nearing 11. I felt that we were at an authentic Italian style family feast. The dishes and courses would not stop coming and while I was feeling quite blessed (and well, Punch Drunk Loved) — I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it through the dessert course without at least unbuttoning my jeans. However, I took one for the team and dove into (without falling into a food coma) my Warm Chocolate Cake and Salted Caramel Chicharrones.
This evening was everything I could have asked for food-wise and budget-wise. I mean, I rolled out of Luma with a 3 course meal including 2 solid desserts for $25! This deal was better than any other Valentine’s Day evening out. I mean, let’s be real: even if we had cooked dinner and bought a bottle of vino, it probably would have cost as much as our Luma dinner date (or more)! But thanks to Luma, they guided our entire evening plus gave us some rad new friends and I didn’t have to do the dishes afterwards. This was something I am so thankful for.
Best part? They are offering this amazing special for just ONE MORE DAY! For those that live in Ontario and celebrate Family Day, you should march your butts over to Luma & partake in the Group Love menu. You can be like me and stuff yourself silly all in honour of FAMILY! Then pass out in a wonderful blissful food coma.
Pukka spices up St. Clair West
Originally posted to Ama’s weekly column on Toronto is Awesome.
For many of us in Toronto, good Indian food is a hard thing to come by. We’re accustomed to buffet style or muddled flavours. Thankfully, Derek Valleau and Harsh Chawla (both formerly of Amaya The Indian Room) have taken on what they believe has not been filled in Toronto yet: a fine-dining Indian food spot that leaves you comforting for more. That spot is Pukka (778 St Clair Avenue West).
The space is fresh and modern with reclaimed wood table and pops of green, purple and orange throughout. You’ll find lots of funky paintings and soft lighting, which gives it a bit of a romantic touch. I had mentioned to Derek & Harsh when I first arrived that when I lived in the St Clair area some year back, restaurants like this were missing. Derek told me candidly that the area and its residents have been quite kind in their support, especially over the winter months. When Yuli and I attended on a Tuesday evening, the restaurant had ever seat full. This was even on one of the coldest winter nights we were having.
Pukka sticks to classical Indian cuisine. The kitchen is equipped with a clay tandoor oven and the menu is chalked full of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients while using rich spices and creams to take on their house-made curries and rubs.
The menu itself is divided into snacks & eats. The snack portion has you covered with some intoxicating dishes such as: Baby Kale Salad ($8.90), which seems simple enough but with dates, cashew nut dressing and lotus chips – it brings it to a whole other level. The Vegetable String Chaat ($8.40) is serving up ripe mango and granny smith apple with a little bit of pomegranate seed just for flavour. Mix that in with some delicious yogurt and chutney and you’ve got yourself a winning dish. Another killer starter was the Chicken 65 ($9.60) which had all the feels of good fried chicken. But should you be in the South of India. This dish was spiced with curry leaf, red chili, tamarind, cumin, garlic and other spices and was pretty much, this was off the chain. I could really seem them developing this into a main. But that’s just my personal opinion.
After inhaling all of these delicious snacks, we thought it would be wise to test some drinks off of the cocktail menu. You know to – ahem – cleanse the palette. First up was the Snapdragon ($9.20) which consisted of vodka, pear nectar, ginger beer & lime. It was sweet and fun, not too over-powering and reminded me of summer. Thankfully, it went so well with everything we were eating. Yuli decided to test out the Chai Town ($8.40) which had bourbon, chai tea, pomegranate liquors and bitters. From my sip, it was pretty delicious.
Our servers (who were incredibly lovely and so helpful) brought out our dazzling course of mains, who informed us that most of the dishes were gluten-free. So fear not gluten-free fans, you are in luck! First up, we were brought out one of my favourite dishes of the night: Mushroom & Spinach Stuffed Paneer ($17.30). This dish was rich and bold and filling. Plus: paneer cheese is heavenly. Next up, the Pan Seared Sea Bass ($22.40) which consisted of coconut milk, curry leaves and roasted spices. The fish was beautifully cooked and the aromas of the curry was hypnotizing. You know you cannot visit an Indian food restaurant without having Butter Chicken ($17.90) and while it was good, it was not Pukka’s best dish of the evening. Oddly enough, I enjoyed everything else so much more than the Butter Chicken. The tomato infused butter sauce was rich and delicious but the chicken was a bit dry. Nothing terrible but again, not my favourite out of everything that came out. Next up, we had the Madras Pepper Steak ($19.70) which was tender, juicy and served up with caramelized onion and coconut. It was beautifully rich and delicious. This was probably my second favourite main of the evening.
Don’t forget, you have your options of sides too. We opted for the Green Beans ($8.70) with caramelized onions, coconut and turmeric and Rice ($4.60) served up in a lovely little jar (resealable) with so many aromatics. These pair deliciously with all the mains.
If you’ve left room for dessert, there is that. We opted for the Eton Mess ($7.60), which was a mess of all things delicious: rosewater-soaked meringues in pomegranate syrup and sweet lassi cream. Um, so into it.
So if you’re craving authentic Indian and feel like making the trek to St. Clair West, make a date for Pukka. You will not be disappointed. Reservations can be made daily.
Greece makes its mark on the Beaches with Trinity Taverna
Originally posted to Ama’s twice-weekly column on Toronto Is Awesome.
It is not often that food has brought me out to the East End, but on this cold blustery night – Yuli and I decided to make the trek to an oasis hidden within a beachfront restaurant property with promises of authentic Greek food stylings. That place was Trinity Taverna.
Owned and operated by Peter Morentzos of Morentzos Restaurant Group and Danny and George Foulidis, the team has spared no expense at making this expansive (600 seated) restaurant with stunning lakefront views pleasing to both the eyes and stomach.
Upon entry, you’re greeted by bold Mediterranean colours and a gorgeous ceiling made-up from thousands of birch branches, creating a Greek villa feel. The bench seating comes equipped with glorious pillows and a beautiful view of the open-kitchen. Beside the kitchen, you’ll notice the fresh seafood counter, whom Peter Morentzos told us shipped in fresh almost daily. They also have a very expansive wine list, including many Greek wines. If you’re uncertain of which wines to pair or have never had a Greek wine, not to fear — their sommelier is very wise and knowledgeable in all things Greece and wine. For example, he treated us to a beautiful red (Boutari Naoussa Xinomavro), which just made the top 100 of the Wine Enthusiast list.
Chef Pierre Restivo and his kitchen team turns each ingredient into journey through the roads of Greece. For our appetizers, we were delighted with the Trilogy of Spreads, which included six different tastes such as house-made tzatziki (using a goat-milk yogurt, bringing out a smoothy richness and tang), tarama (smoked salmon, caviar and garlic) and htipiti (feta and spicy red pepper). Each of the dips had their own richness and I was seriously considering asking the kitchen to send me with a vat home. Alas: I did not work up the courage to do so. If only snacking at home could be this — elegant.
Next up, we were brought out a Lamb Tartare (lean lamb loin, fresh mint, shallots, thai chilli oil and quail’s egg). I have never been much of a tartare fan but thought, when in Rome. So I took a chance on this dish and have been dreaming of it ever since. The kick of the thai chilli oil mixed in with the beautiful fresh taste of tartare. Perfect, especially for a lamb tartare. Something so very rarely seen.
To balance things out, we tried out their Iceberg and Romaine Slaw where razor-thin cucumbers and julienned iceberg are married together with a sweet, simple white-wine vinegar dressing. The results are light and refreshing.
We decided to take the seafood counter out for a spin, testing out the following hot offerings: Shrimp & Feta, Baked Scallops and their standout trophy dish, the Octopus. The tomato and feta sauce served up with the shrimp was hearty and brilliant. If I’m not mistaken, we scooped up every last bit of the sauce. Now let me tell you about those scallops in three words (and trust me you’ll thank me later): saffron béchamel sauce. If that doesn’t scream to you: get in my mouth, I don’t know what will. But that Octopus – it was glorious. Grilled and prepared with an aged balsamic, it was pretty much everything.
We also munched on some of my favourite offal meat, sweetbreads. Pan-seared in a lamb stock, white wine reduction and truffle oil, the meat was juicy and tender and packed many of the flavours in. The house-made sausage was up next, delivered with hints of citrus and delicious flavour.
But let me tell you this: the main dinner offerings is where they win everything. We were treated to a sampling of four dishes: Rabbit Stifatho, Veal Cheek Moussaka, Trinity Taverna GYRO and Pan-Seared Lamb Chops. From these four dishes, the two that stood out to me the most were Rabbit Stifatho and Veal Cheek Moussaka. First things first, the rabbit in a delicious stew of onions, tomato confit and cinnamon. The braise leaves the meat to be tender and the flavouring really comes out in this winter hearty Greek dish. With the Veal Cheek Moussaka, you’re taken into a cosmic heaven of foodie delight with layers of scalloped potatoes, braised and stewed veal cheeks, tomato-confit sauce and eggplant once again in a beautiful béchamel sauce. Decadence at its best.
A note of advice: leave room for dessert because you will want it and well, by the end of this feast you will be sluggish with so much delicious food. Treat yourself to the wondrous Feta Cheesecake (topped with caramelized figs) or Baklava.
This restaurant is a perfect escape from the everyday Winter blah’s and also to find your own road to Greece right here in Toronto.
BIVY introduces their Parisian-style dinner menu
Originally posted to Ama’s twice-weekly column on Toronto Is Awesome.
Dundas West is changing and owner Pascal Vernhes saw that when he opened up his casual dining restaurant and cafe, BIVY. As I chatted with him briefly one cold November evening, he told me that living in the area, he noticed the lack of serious eateries in the area and felt it was time to introduce something relaxed and comfortable while presenting them good tasting food.
The interior of the restaurant has a bit of a kitschy cottage touch mixed in with a bit of Canadiana. Adorned on the walls are maps and painted murals of mountains, alongside reclaimed wood shelving (housing different products they sell within the cafe). The restaurant itself feels rustic and small, almost as if you’ve been invited to your friends cottage kitchen. The kitchen is fairly open, so you are able to watch your food being prepared.
The dinner menu takes more of a Parisian style approach to food, with prices ranging between $4.50-$12.00, for appetizers and mains. Our server started us off with BIVY’s own take on a charcuterie boards loaded with cured meats and country paté. All of the meats are locally sourced (some suppliers even within the Dundas West area) and all the pickling is done in-house. The board comes in at the price point of $9.00 and adds an element of social eating over a glass of wine. We were treated to several different types of meats and cheeses and loved every moment of it.
Next up, our server suggested one of BIVY’s top menu items: 2LB of P.E.I Mussels ($12), which come in several different flavours including Bombay (curry & cream), jerk (white wine, onion, tomato & jerk seasoning) among many others. Tonight, we decided to partake in the Catalane, which consisted of chorizo, paprika, cream and peppers. The perfect cook of the the mussels and the delicious sauce was magical. I was literally spooning up the sauce (with its rich, bold flavours) with the Mussels shells and we didn’t leave one single drop in the bowl.
For our mains, we were treated to bistro standards such as duck confit ($12) and slow-roasted ribs ($9), each which you could pair with sides (extra $4) such as mixed greens, potato salad, fries or coleslaw. The duck confit was juicy and tender and served up directly on the bone, adding in additional flavouring. The slow-roasted ribs used, what looked to be a dry rub and had a small kick. It was not overcooked, just perfect.
For those with a sweet tooth, BIVY has been known for their Crème Brûlée and the verdict: its great. They do have other offerings for dessert as well, which seem to be seasonal. But the Crème Brûlée is top-notch in our books.
If you’re looking for a romantic evening out with fabulous well cooked food (I know I have been dreaming of those Mussels since we went), then make the trip to BIVY. You will not be disappointed.
Morton’s Steakhouse is for (Meat) Lovers
Photos by Yuli Scheidt
Originally posted to Ama’s twice-weekly column on Toronto Is Awesome.
Let’s be honest: who here doesn’t love steak? I mean: if you’re a vegetarian, that makes sense. But if you’re a tried and true meat eater much like myself, then steak is like the holy trinity of meats. So when I had the opportunity to check out Chicago transplant chain, Morton’s Steakhouse (located in the Park Hyatt Hotel, found in Yorkville) – I was not only excited by the opportunity but a little nervous by all the meaty options. Let me tell you this much: Morton’s has you covered.
Upon entry into the restaurant, you are greeted by the hostess who takes your jackets. She is friendly, warm and inviting. You’ll note the bustling bar behind the hostess and then to the right, the grand dining room and an upper level (with private rooms, which we accidentally got lost in, attempting to find the bathrooms). The main dining room is dimly light and romantic, with just enough light from the kitchen glowing out. The kitchen also is entirely open, so for your entire meal you can watch how things are prepared. The banquet style table has a pull-out table, for your comfort. This was a huge plus for me. Just for the after meal (ahem) food coma.
Our server came to our table and was extraordinarily knowledgeable. Going through the entire menu, I was feeling a bit – overwhelmed with options. But she was great in letting us know some of the Morton’s Steakhouse classics while giving us a rundown of the daily specials. All throughout the entire dining experience, she felt us made comforted and made our dining experienced relaxed.
We started off our meal with Ahi Tuna Tower and the Shrimp Alexander (which the server told us was a Morton’s classic dish). First of all, for a steakhouse – man, do they pull off an incredible seafood dish. The Ahi Tuna tartare dish loaded with guacamole was fresh and vibrant and literally lick the plate worthy. I think Yuli and I fought over who could have the last bite. Whereas, the Shrimp Alexander had the great flavours but could not compete with the Ahi Tuna Tower. I can see why it is one of the Morton’s classic dishes with its rich flavoring and juicy shrimp but I think we got spoiled with our first Ahi Tuna bites.
As we were ordering mains and sides, our server recommended the Chicago Style Prime Bone-In Ribeye for myself, for its juicy and tender preparation. She told me that the bone would add in more flavour and the cooking would have more of a red centre. All of these things sounded like quality meat to me. Yuli tested out the Porterhouse Steak. For our side, she recommended we test out the Bacon & Onion Macaroni & Cheese as well as the Sweet Potato Casserole, part of their new fall/winter menu.
As promised, each bite into my steak (Chicago Bone-In Ribeye) was juicy and tender – cooked just to perfection – weighing in at 24 oz of pure love. The bone clearly did add in an extra smokiness and flavour that couldn’t have been achieved otherwise. Our server also let us know that Morton’s uses USDA Prime beef, aged from 23 – 28 days, which I think may have added to the profile of the steaks.
As for the sides: heaven, pure heaven. Because nothing says fall/winter like hearty macaroni & cheese (with bacon) and then sweet potato in a crunchy browned crust of cinnamon spiced pecans. I wanted to eat all of them for days. The perfect compliment to two well cooked steaks, if I do say so myself.
Should you be feeling adventurous, Morton’s has an amazing selection of desserts (hot and cold), some of which are presented to you on a silver platter – super fancy! We went with the Raspberry Souffle, because you know: raspberries!
If you’re in the mood to treat yourself or your loved one or you just love eating a fine piece of meat, then don’t walk… run to Morton’s Steakhouse. Trust me, I have been dreaming of several thing from that menu since we went and I have been having absolutely no regrets.
Chow Down on Oceanwise’s Chowder Showdown
Photos by Yui Scheidt
Originally posted to Ama’s twice-weekly column on Toronto is Awesome.
You know what would warm you hop on a nice soggy day like today? A nice hot bowl of chowder. Thankfully, Oceanwise, which is a conservation program put together by the Vancouver Aquarium (who knew?!), organized a wonderfully delicious Chowder Chowdown just the other week to bring awareness to the issues surrounding sustainable seafood.
The annual showdown in Toronto meant some serious competition including Executive Chef from the Royal York Joshua Dyer’s Classic Seafood Chowder, which clocked in at 82 years old. When we caught up with Chef Charlotte Langley of Catch, she presented a take on her grandmother’s recipe: creamy halibut stock with clams and muscles still in their shells, topped off with a fried biscuit. A homage to her grandmother’s recipe. But there were many many more.
Toronto area chefs were each given a prep area to serve up their own “chow” made from ocean-friendly seafood alongside a beer pairing that was chosen to perfectly suit the chowder’s flavour. Guests were presented with a wooden spoon, a ballot and a checklist describing each of the 12 stations, in which they were given the power to vote for best chowder.
But that’s not all. All the chefs faced a stiff panel of judges (Martin Kouprie from Pangaea Restaurant, Jamie Drummond from Good Food Revolution, Brad Long from Café Belong at Evergreen Brick Works and Agatha Podgorski from Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance), whom would determine along with the crowd who had the best chowder.
Toronto’s top chefs served up their tantalizing renditions on chowders and filled the bellies of all the attendees. You had your traditional to quirky (Patrick McMurray from Starfish has an almost chilli like chowder), and delicious choices were all around Yuli and I. But as we carefully zigged and zagged our way around the spaces, it became clear who the winner was. The judges revealed the winner. Trattoria Mercatto chef Doug Neigel’s Zuppa Di Vongole chowder won over the judges with a recipe featuring Ontario parsnip brood, Ontario chili squash butter and crispy polenta-crusted littleneck clams.
Definitely do not miss this event next year! Good chowder and beer sampling all-in at an amazing price with all proceeds directly supporting the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program
Eyal Liebman delivers Chocolate for dinner
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Chocolate is one of the world’s most luxurious food items. So when I was invited to this Chocolate inspired dinner by Abbey Sharp (of Abbey’s Kitchen), I could not resist the chance to say no. The other selling point? Chef Eyal Liebman (Boehmer) & Sommelier Rebecca Meïr (Luma) would be curating the event and taking us on a culinary journey like no other.
For those that know, Eyal is no stranger to the delicate art of chocolate, and is on a mission to prove to Toronto foodies that it’s not just for dessert. He is a successfully trained pastry chef and promised guests that evening a sophisticated tasting menu that will seamlessly blend the worlds of sweet and savory.
This ambitious and delightful 7-course meal started off on the fresh side with an amuse bouche of Oysters with an infused cocoa nibs mignonette. Perfect start with subtle hints of chocolate. Next up, we were treated to probably one of my favourite dishes of the evening: shrimp with a Madagascar chocolate molé sauce. The presentation was well done and the mole sauce was rich and just the right amounts of spice. Mole is a laborious thing to make; fortunately, it paid off here.
Skillfully matching the different chocolates to the varied flavors and textures. we were treated next to an ambitious but incredible Rabbit terrine paired with a Chocolate Brioche crisp. Terrines can be a difficult thing to perfect, but Eyal did a great job keeping all the flavours staying together and being cohesive. One diner at the table proclaimed this was one of the best terrines they had have.
Our fish dish was a Mediterranean style white fish cake, parsnip & pure Venezuelan chocolate purée, which was perfectly cooked, soft and lovely. The remarkable thing about this fish dish was the chocolate purée almost added an enhancement to the flavour profiles of the dish. It was present but did not overpower. Eyal is so aware
of the balance in his dishes and this showed in the fish course.
Our next course was the visually stunning Beef & Valrhona Caraïbe with pure Caribbean chocolate, maple glazed baby carrots & asparagus. The medium-cooked beef was juicy and had loads of juicy flavour. The cocoa flavours of the Caribbean chocolate enhanced the meat’s natural sweetness.
I finished off the evening on a high-note which left me wanting more, an avant-garde approach to dessert: tomato gelée, olive oil & white chocolate mousse, strawberry & lemon confit salade. Everything about this dish was delicate and soft and drool worthy. You might not think that tomato and white chocolate go well together, but trust me: they do! Plus, this dish looked like a piece of art.
Chef Eyal Liebman set out to showcase chocolate in all its forms and he did just that. I left the dinner on such a chocolate high that I was clearly feeling inspired by Eyal’s chocolate dreams. Each dish was successfully pulled off and I can’t wait for another Chocolate Dinner in the future.
Chef Alexandra Feswick Hosts 2nd Annual “The Dinner Party”
Photos by Yuli Scheidt
Originally posted to Ama’s twice-weekly column on Toronto is Awesome.
On December 3, Chef Alexandra Feswick will play host to her second annual edition of the beautifully executed collaborative dinner party inspired by Judy Chicago’s Dinner Party, helped by Kristina Chau of Not Your Average Party. The night is a celebration of all the female culinary talent in the city of Toronto.
Taking place at The Great Hall, the dinner asks its female chefs to prepare a dish dedicated to an important female who had encouraged them in their lives or perhaps dedicate their plating designs to take on the shape or structure of a female body part.
This year, several noted chefs are taking part including: Tara Lee (Skin & Bones), Trish Gill (The Dock Ellis), Tiffany Wong (Pizzeria Libretto), Charlotte Langley (Catch) and Leonie Lilla (The Libertine). 2013’s Toronto’s Hottest Chef Leah Wildman (Fit Squad) will be heading up dinner pairings while the lovely Miriam Strieman (Mad Maple) will MC for the evening.
Similar to the first Dinner Party, serving duties will be taken on by the lovely male chefs of our fine city who will be supporting their female comrades in all aspects. Hijinks can ensue such as an entire tray of spilled wine or perhaps someone partaking in dessert with you. It makes the Dinner Party much more, ahem, entertaining. Reporting for serving duties that night will be: Dustin Gallagher (Acadia), Alex Molitz (The Farmhouse Tavern), Jeff Crump (Earth To Table), Rocco Agoistino (Pizzeria Libretto), Scott Bailey (Compass Restaurant) and Basilio Pesce (Porzia).
The dinner will be held at 7pm at The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St. West at Dovercourt on Tuesday December 3rd, 2013. Prices are $120 and include alcohol pairings and tax. All proceeds will be donated to I Walk for Water. To purchase tickets, click here.
Fat Girl Food Squad 