On a cold and windy night in Paris...

...there's nothing better to do than head to a tiny little adorable restaurant tucked away in the 10th.

Last weekend we had one of the coldest weekends in Paris. It got down to -10 Celsius. I only even realized how cold it was when I was at the market in the morning, and I took my hands out of my mittens to pay for some brocolli...and by the time I put them back in my mittens, my fingers were frozen. Amazingly, the outdoor markets were still busy (admittedly with crazy people like me who stubbornly refused to believe that it could get that cold here). It even snowed! Here's the photo to prove it - snow coming down outside my apartment:


Ok, so all of that to say that after a quick walk from the metro to get to this restaurant, we were ready for some warmth and deliciousness. Le Galopin is a super small, funky restaurant. It does a phenomenal prix fixe with a menu that changes daily, all prepared for you by the two chefs in the tiny kitchen that has a big open window out onto the about 10 tables in the restaurant. So you can litterally see the chefs preparing your food as you sit and chat and enjoy the cozy atmoshpere and excellent wine.

The lamb

I love not having to chose what I'm going to eat; and the two amuses-bouches (a little potato-shrimp soup that tasted like a champagne-based clam chowder, and a little zuchini/squash salad), entrée (cod sashimi), two mains (a super-tender fish, and a lamb and brussel sprouts combination), and two deserts (yes! two! a banana  ice cream and chocolate cookie-crumble, and a marinated pear, walnut and sorbet combo) really hit the spot.

Dessert #1! Pears and walnuts.
I had to have a bite before I took the photo...

Beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, we spent a good amount of time trying to guess at all of the different flavour combinations in each dish. Accompanied with a delicious bottle of bordeaux - all I can say is that I will absolutely be back!

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

Lucien

A few months ago en route magazine names Lucien as one of the top 10 best restaurants in canada...so I naturally added it to my list. It took me a while to get there, and after a few tries (always ended up thinking it was likely too stuffy and fancy for the evening) made it out last week. It was a sweltering evening, so sitting inside was lovely (there is no patio).

• Relish: We lucked out and caught the restaurant full swing into summerlicious, so for $45 per person, you could choose from 3 options for each of 3 courses. Unfortunately, no other options were available, so I couldn't use my Groupon, but the choices were pretty good. Arguably the starters won the show - we had a chilled pea soup with snow crab, pickled radish and wasabi that was perfectly chilled with a gorgeous sweet pea flavour, and a heirloom tomato salad with house-made burrata, watermelon, basil and mint where each bite was full of fresh, sweet tomatoes. The main was atlantic cod with fingerling potato, house-made chorizo, pimento and arugula - although the taste was great, the fish was a bit overdone. The desert was incredibly creative, super sweet Ontario strawberries with tonka bean panna cotta, basil and black pepper, and a chocolate beetroot brownie with marshmallow, cherry, malted milk and black walnut. Have the strawberries, and pass on the beetroot brownie. 
• Quaff: An interesting wine list, with the standard grapes by the glass, but not from producers that I've seen a lot of. We opted for a bottle of chilled white at the recommendation of our waiter. I wish I could remember the name, but I can't...I need to write these down more judiciously! Either way, it was an excellent recommendation. 
• Feel: It is always hard to get the true feel for a restaurant during summerlicious - but Lucien did strike a nice balance between being classy yet unpretentious, in a way where you knew you would be well-taken-care-of. I love the jazz music, chandeliers and open window to the kitchen, and this would be a great place to pull up a stool at the bar. I am a little bit confused by the fact that despite its high ranking among restaurant aficionados, it never really seems to be busy when I walk by - but I will be back to try it sans-summerlicious and with my Groupon! 

I would recommend it for a quiet date night or a business dinner. Enjoy!
w: http://www.lucienrestaurant.com/


photos: http://greatlighting.com/index.cfm?DocID=14561

Chez L'Epicier

I'm most unfortunately going to be writing most of this from memory. It has been a while since I've been to Chez L'Epicier - but worthy of  a post at this point for a few reasons:

1. it was one of my first experiences with locally sourced and incredibly creative Canadian cuisine 
2. it has set my 'creme brule' bar (to this day un-met)
3. it's in an old stone building and has exposed stone and a few turquoise walls
4. a friend is heading to montreal next weekend and needed a spot for a special night - and this is it

I first discovered Chez L'Epicier when I was at school in Montreal - with a friend who's father came into the city and took us out on occasion to places we couldn't afford on our 'student' budgets. It blew me away, so any chance I could, I went back (although there weren't many chances, but I did take my parents, a family friend, and my grandparents whenever they came downtown).

• Relish: Creative, inventive, mixtures of awesome tastes and textures. One of the entrees is called "thermal experience of salmon and apple"...I can't wait to try it! My favourites, although it is a little silly that I can remember this, were the Creme Brule medley (three perfect little pots of creme brule, each flavoured slightly differently), the cheese plate (amazing quebec cheeses) and the poached salmon main. But honestly, I don't think you can go wrong. They also sell a bunch of seasonings, oils and jams at the counter for your home-cooking enjoyment.
• Quaff: From what I remember, they have a great wine list. I had a delicious, crisp white wine here a few times, but can't remember what it is! I might just have to go back.
• Feel: Perfectly Montreal. Old stones. High ceilings. Turquoise walls. Menu's printed on paper bags. White table cloths. Elegant stemware. House-made bread served in tins. A combination that creates an elegant, relaxed atmosphere.

I've recommended this spot to friends looking for a great, classy, interesting dinner out and colleagues looking for a good work-event or quiet but elegant work-related dinner, and have heard only rave-reviews in return. Enjoy!

please note: a few other Montreal recommendations are listed under the 'out of town' link at this time as well!

w: Chez L'Epicier

Windermere House

There is absolutely nothing more perfect than a patio overlooking a lake on a long summer weekend. The 'Wasabi' sushi spot at Windermere House in Muskoka is a random combination of sushi spot and chill veranda bar at a classy cottage style hotel. You have a sweeping view of the lake from every seat, framed by the stone pillars. The comfy couches and lounge chairs make an ideal spot for afternoon cocktail hour (and who am I kidding - I've been sitting here now for about 3 hours reading and enjoying a glass or two of Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc). I never would have guessed that sushi fits into this picture, but the light, small plates make for perfect snacking at just about any time of day/night. Apparently O&B took over the food options at Windemere House last year, and they've nailed the veranda.

• Relish: The food served on the veranda is standard sushi, with a small selection of additional pub-style appetizers. It's good sushi. The seaweed salad is delicious.  
• Quaff: This is absolutely the spot for a cocktail hour drink or a glass of wine at dusk. A good wine list with ~20 wines by the glass (typical O&B selections) is accompanied by a few signature cocktails - the servers are excellent and happy to make suggestions. 
• Feel: Very relaxed. People wander up from the lake (or the boats they drive up to the dock), enjoy a drink or two, then take off again. Guests at the hotel linger a bit longer (e.g., the multiple hours I've now spent here today), and diners heading to the Rosseau Grill for dinner have an aperitif on the patio. It creates a nice atmosphere of a busy, happening spot. The servers are excellent - very friendly and professional. 

I would absolutely recommend it - the only thing better might be if you have your own cottage-veranda overlooking lake Rosseau, and your own sushi chef...in which case...invite please?

Enjoy!
w: Windermere House

L'Unita

L'Unita is one of my all-time favourite restaurants. It has just a few redeeming factors: gorgeous northern Italian food, a phenomenal wine list that changes regularly, a great bar where you can sit and enjoy silent Italian black and white films, sexy lighting, awesome staff, and finally - it just so happens to be walking distance from my home. 

• Relish: The food here is consistently great. I've tried quite a few things, on quite a few of the menu iterations, but would highly suggest ordering a variety and sharing plates. Every once in a while I dream about their northern woods mushrooms, braised beef short ribs, pasta 'fatti in casa' with rabbit ragu....mmm. Oh, and please do try the cannoli...I didn't like canoli until I tried them here. I may now be close to addicted.
• Quaff: Amazing. Wine. List. A massive number of Italian wines, and consistently ~15 options by the glass. They're also great at letting me try a taste before selecting a glass, which is pretty awesome. I know they serve other beverages, but to enjoy your meal without a glass of one of their Italian reds would be a shame. 
• Feel: This is possibly what pulls it all together for L'Unita. Low lighting, small tables, big mirrors, exposed brick walls and space constraints makes this place feel intimate and special - which it is. Check out the postcards too. 

I'm thinking I might be due for another visit soon...

Enjoy!

w: L'unita italian restaurant