Bar Centrale

A blustery and cold Monday night. The tail end of the last long weekend of the summer. Where do you find me? Tucked inside a bustling wine bar in Summerhill, enjoying a fantastic 'tapas style' dinner, a delicious wine and a phenomenal friend.  

Photos: the foodiefotog & iPhone...amazing

• Relish: mmmm. The amount of eye rolling as we tasted each dish was fantastic. There were even pauses in conversation as we savoured some of the bites.  The menu here is built around little sharing plates - and we shared!  We started off with some arancini balls, filled with fontina and veal, a crostini (think bruschetta but with other toppings) topped with beef tenderloin tartare, truffle shavings and zabayone - unbelievable. A second crostini stole the show... Nduja sausage combined with some sort of tapenade and topped with smokey ricotta - spice and smoke and sausage. We followed this with a plate of sliced porchetta - basically slow cooked ham filled with herbs - and a ravioli filled with lobster and mascarpone. My perfect evening - lots of small bites of very different tastes, and all was incredibly succulent. The only downside was the dessert. A combination of dark chocolate flourless, warm cake (all good so far)...combined with gorgonzola in the middle. Somehow that completely missed the mark.
• Quaff: mmmm. This was a most pleasant surprise. I actually didn't even see the wine list, but given it's a wine bar, there are many selections lining the shelves behind the bar. Our very helpful server asked me what we were looking for and my price point. My response? A fruit forward, medium bodied, but not too tanic red, for around $50. What did he deliver? An incredibly juicy and delicious red from calabria, light on the tannins, and medium body. Perfect. And the price point? 50 on the nose (as we only discovered once we got the bill). It was called Mutro' Melissa - a wine from Calabria (the bottom of the boot in Italy, more specifically, the 'toe' of the boot), made up primarily of  Gaglioppo and Greco Nero grapes, and had a picture of a boar on the label (which I figured because of my love for wild boar tasty-ness, this must be a good sign). It was. 
• Feel: Bustling and busy, a great atmosphere of friends enjoying wine and good food and good conversation. Servers were super friendly and very helpful with choices. As the night progressed there was a bit of a line with people waiting for tables - and all selected a glass of wine to better pass the time. They've nailed the atmosphere here - nice work terroni!

Scarpetta

I had heard many great things about Scarpetta - both for the food and the fun atmosphere. I finally had the opportunity to check it out last week, and despite being a little bit skeptical given its location in the uuber 'king-west hotspot' thompson hotel, it was an excellent meal, and a unique patio experience. Very worth checking out.

• Relish: the food lived up to the hype - an Italian menu, with chef Scott Conant not disappointing on the pasta (that according to the waitress is his specialty).  We shared a bison short rib on a corn and vegetable risotto, a delicious handmade pasta with wild boar sausage, rapini and summer beans (broad beans and peas) - it was gorgeously yummy, every bite packed with flavour, and a hint of mint or fennel added a bit of summer to it. That was followed by a sliced duck breast, served with greens and duck sausage, cranberries and a house made couscous. Everything was enjoyable, but the duck and wild boar pasta stole the show hands down! What I really loved was that they happily plated each dish, split into two for us - and the presentation was beautiful. Oh, and I almost forgot the bread. A basket of bread arrived that included 4 different types of bread, one of which was a house-made focaccia style with cheese and salami and spices throughout the dough - delicious when paired with the lemon infused olive oil or the tomato antipasti that accompanied it.
• Quaff: the wine menu was good - focused primarily on Italian whites and reds, with decent pricing (roughly 45 and up, but quite a few options between 45 - 50). We quaffed a bottle of the 2008 Barbera D'Alba, Rocca Giovino. Cassis, some earthy tones and healthy acidity combined to make it a fantastic pairing for the duck and wild boar. Delicious! This place also looks like it knows its cocktails.
• Feel: this is where Scarpetta both won and lost for me, so I'm a bit conflicted. We sat outside, in the most gorgeous patio - a long table that could probably could sit about 60 people at varying heights (chair height, bar stool height, mid-bar height) in groups of 4-6. The table has been enclosed in a funky metal lattice that allows you to feel as though you're in your own little candle-lit room, but also as part of the surroundings; you look across the street to a park from one side, and at a reflecting pool and park by the thompson condo on the other side.  The part I wasn't thrilled about was the feel inside....very 'see and be seen'-esque, and the washrooms were messy and bland (I know washrooms don't need to be fancy, but at a place like this, you at least expect a slight step up from hospital-style soap dispensers)! 

Overall, I would definitely go back for a dinner on the patio, and maybe even inside for a night when I felt like getting a bit done up and making a night of the king-west scene!


web: Scarpetta Toronto

Terroni on Adelaide

As a relatively new 'suit' in the downtown core, I have been on a bit of a search for a good place to go after work for drinks that is not quite so filled with other 'suits'. South of Temperance has a great patio, but it has been slightly usurped by the Terroni on Adelaide just down the street.

Bar - Old courthouse entrance - Bar Area
pics: www.terroni.com

• Relish: A pretty good bar menu - we were there with a group and shared the calamari (piping hot and lightly breaded - standard, but well done), a few pizza's (on my pizza scale, would give it about a 7/10), fried mushrooms (very nicely done, a large plate of fried funghi of various types), and a meze y meso plate that stole the show - freshly sliced prosciutto, other cured meats, 3 cheese and some nuts, honey, bread and crackers. Excellent for sharing, and so good we ordered a second one!
• Quaff: Italian wines by the glass, and a variety of beers on tap. The bar tenders are happy to take requests, and the sparkling San Pellegrino - just delicious. A very good spot for a glass of wine or beer after work!
• Feel: The location is awesome - a converted old toronto court-house, the soaring ceilings have been broken up by funky spaces and bright colours - the bar (arguably the only place I have really hung out here) is divided in two, with tables of all heights, and an open kitchen area where chefs prepare some of the tasters on the bar menu. En route to the bathroom you peer down corridors that 'surprise!' Have little wine cellars in them. A very old school yet funky italian feel.

I would absolutely recommend for after work drinks and munchies. Although I haven't had a full meal here, I would also recommend as a dinner spot for larger groups and/or if you're looking for a good, but not super exciting italian. Likely also a good spot for groups and work events (they were very relaxed and helpful about my larger work-related reservation).
 Enjoy!
w: terroni website

Social

Social is surprising. Big windows and old stone initially give you the feel that this will be a very classy and reserved restaurant - once inside, the spaces are funky and the red and dark brown colours give this a buzzing vibe.

Our scallops! photo: www.social.ca

• Relish: the appetizers were phenomenal. Next time, I would just order starters as they were awesome, and very shareable! The white tuna seared with cucumber and wasabi was refreshing with a good kick that perfectly complemented the tuna, and the scallops with watermelon and fried chorizo were absolutely incredible, a really neat complement of the watermelon sweetness, the spicy oomph of the chorizo and the tender, perfectly juicy scallops. For mains, the focus was on meat - tenderloin, lamb and a steak. All very good, although the portions were massive.
• Quaff: I had a Butterfield Station chardonnay from California, unfortunately not the buttery-creamy chardonnay that I was expecting from a wine named 'butterfield'. I was thinking massive oak and a buttery finish, and got none of it from the weak, almost watery wine. The wine list did have around 10 reds and 10 whites by the glass - so quite a few options to choose from, although pretty standard selections.
• Feel: social. Very social. It's a place that I could see turning into a good night spot after dinner on a thu/fri night (the massive size and thickness of our table-top made me think that it would be a good table on which to get up and dance...I got some funny looks for that comment). It would also be the kind of place where I would hold a work event - cocktails and appetizers in one of the more secluded areas by the bar.

Photo: www.social.ca

A bit expensive for the quality based on the other restaurants I've tried in the Ottawa area, but the portion sizes are on par with the increase in price. Definitely would recommend it for a more 'social' night out!

w: Social Ottawa website

La Bettola di Terroni and Osteria

The corner of victoria and queen west has been graced by a medley of the Terroni restaurants - 'La Bettola di Terroni' and 'Osteria'.

As you walk in, you can choose to go to the left, and enjoy the 'favourite items from the Terroni menus at the lively bar and funky tables at La Bettola,  or to the right, and enter the slightly quieter and quainter Osteria, where they serve a 'tasting' menu and typical pugliese food from the founder of Terroni's homeland.

I've now been for after work drinks at La Bettola, and it's a great spot for good conversation, perched either at the bar or the high table that used to be some sort of work-bench/saw holder (very creative), and for lunch at Osteria.

• Relish: Osteria offers a set of 'tasting dishes' or appetizers that you can have as a set of 4 (ceviches, grilled octopus, spiced ricotta etc.) and choose to combine it with either a primi (selection of rustic pastas) or a secondi (some meat and seafood options) for mains. I had the spaghetti vongole - the pasta, I was assured, although not made in house, was made at the Terroni's on Adelaide daily and delivered to the premises (I had initially been told that all of the pasta's were made in-house). It was a tomato based sauce with massive clams, and although it could have used a bit of spice, was lovely, rustic, and the perfect lunch size. My dining partner had some difficulty with her order...unable to eat grains or dairy limited the options on the pasta and cheese dominated menu. It made it even more challenging that they were not amenable to making ANY substitutions or replacements in the menu options to cater to her dietary restrictions  - absolutely ridiculous! Our waiter was close to insulting in the way the conversation progressed - not a pleasant experience. In the end, she was able to have the 'mixed grill' which was a light salad with a few pieces of grilled calamari and fish (apparently ok, but underwhelming), and an artichoke, green pea and arugula salad (which apparently was delicious)!
• Quaff: The entirely Italian selection of 3 whites, 3 reds and a rose all looked good (and nicely, all were available by the 5oz, 1/4L, 1/2 L and full bottle), but given that it was lunch, we didn't partake. The sparkling water was delectable.
• Feel: The Space is cute, more intimate than other Terroni's. There is a big long wooden table down the middle of the restaurant for communal dining, and booths at the front by the windows that open out onto the street. I love the mix of 'learn to speak italian' and house music playing in the bathroom. The reservation signs are a cute addition, little tiny blackboards sitting on the tables.

I really like the feel of this spot for lunch or drinks, but was not impressed with the lack of flexibility from the kitchen/wait staff around dietary constraints. It would make me think twice about going back, but given that it's a cute spot close to the office, more lunches here in the future are likely. It's a good alternative to the busy and loud Mercatto on bay!

Photos: www.labettola.ca

Sidedoor

Asian-fusion-tapas is the main focus at Sidedoor. A recommendation from a colleague, it's tucked in the alley (or courtyard) off of York street in Byward market, just in beside the restaurant Eighteen. This makes for a very cute little spot surrounded by old stone buildings. The patio has a mix of wooden tables, trees and lounge tables with couches.

• Relish: The menu here is all about sharing plates, tapas-style. The highlights: the crispy fish tacos with trout, coriander, avocado and jalapenos, the steamed shrimp dumplings packed full of shrimp, and the 'melt in your mouth' braised beef with curry and roasted peanuts over rice. Other honourable mentions: the papaya salad, stacked with mango, papaya, mint, thai basil, and the broiled black cod with butter lettuce wraps and home-pickled pickles. Not worth a mention was the tuna sashimi - too much seasoning drowned the tuna.
• Quaff: A great wine by the glass list, with 3 oz and 5oz options. Some very unusual grape types available by the glass - a white auxerrois, cortese, ribolla gialla, chardonnay musque, and a red agiorgitiko from greece. I kind of want to go back and try all of these interesting grape-types! Decent beer choices, although the focus is definitely on wines and cocktails. The agiorgitiko was more complex than I expected, a bit of a 'cherry bomb' off the nose, but serious undertones of leather and cedar helped mellow the mouthfeel. Low tannis and average alcohol - I would definitely pick up a bottle and pair with spicy foods - it was great with the braised beef. (Agiorgitiko, 2009, Gaia, Nemea, Greece).
• Feel: Relaxed and enjoyable. The patio was cute, surrounded by old stone walls, but maintaining a modern feel due to the different table styles and leafy trees, while the inside of the restaurant felt a bit imposing, but multiple levels and exposed stone made it classy yet relaxed. Lots of groups of 6+ sitting at larger boot-like tables, while on the patio most of the tables were dates or smaller groups of friends. Made me feel comfy - and I would happily have stuck around for a second glass of wine and relaxed after dinner. 

I'll absolutely be back - both the wine and the food were delicious!

w: sidedoorrestaurant.com

DEQ at the Ritz

DEQ is a little patio hidden away behind the new Ritz-Carleton hotel downtown - a great spot for an afterwork (or pre-Munk debates) glass of bubbly. Walk through the impressive main lobby, out to the back bar, and you'll discover a little semi-oasis in the city. Oh, and one of the best parts is that you get to say 'meet me at the Ritz' - so fabulous.

• Relish: Great smaller sharing bites to accompany the bubbly / wine / cocktails, pretty standard selections (bruschetta, flatbreads, sliders, charcuterie), but executed nicely. The crab dip was warm deliciousness of crab with super-thin crispy pita crackers. 
• Quaff: This is where DEQ makes me happy. A great selection of bubbly by the glass, and some pretty interesting ones that you don't find at the LCBO. The wines by the glass are also impressive, and they have a good selection of cocktails - enjoyed lounging in the couches by the open air fireplace just makes everything taste even better!
• Feel: It reminds me of the patios at bars in Cape Town -only surrounded by tall buildings. Great staff, different sizes and shapes of tables and lounge chairs and couches, open fireplaces and greenery...all filled with people enjoying being beautiful. It has a bit of an 'i'm seriously chic' attitude, but with the right company, that blends into the background and becomes a fun people watching spot.  

Totally recommend it, although I think it has it's right time and place. I'm not sure I would want to spend the whole night there, but a drink or two before moving on to a night out or a restaurant is ideal. Great after work spot.