Wednesday 29 May 2013

WVERST

WVERST

Location:
609 King Street West
416 703 7775

Ratings:
Service: None
Food: 2.5 /4
Ambiance: 3 / 4
Price: $



So after hearing all the hype about a sausage place we had to make our way to Wverst.  I went with my two foodie friends who always have their fingers on the pulse of whats new in T.O.  What do they serve at Wverst?? A whole lot of sausage, beer and fries, but nothing more. The concept is quite interesting with little to know service and an octoberfest table set up, with loud music and dim lighting.


We got the DIRTY FRIES with pepers, jalapeños and sautéed onions topped with a Worst special sauce. These were not good. That special sauce was quite unfortunate tasting.


The plain DUCK FAT FRIES on the other hand mmm good!


We also went with the ELK SAUSAGE which was mixed with cumin and porcini.  We toped it off with some sweet onions and sautéed peppers. Again the tastes were there, but the texture was soft and crumbly.


We really wanted to try some game meat so we went with the BISON  SAUSAGE which was mixed with blueberrys and maple. We topped it off with some sauerkraut and sautéed jalapeños. The flavours were a nice combination but the texture of the sausage was a little strange.


We got the CURRY WVRST  with the chicken artichoke and basil sausage. It was sliced and served with country bread and tomato curry. The flavours in the sausage were tasty but we all agreed we did not like the curry sauce much.

Would we go back? Most likely not
Wvrst on Urbanspoon

Sunday 26 May 2013

THE SAINT TAVERN

THE SAINT TAVERN


LOCATION:
227 Ossington Ave
Toronto, ON
M6J3A1
647 350 2100

RATINGS:
Ambiance: 3 . 5 / 4
Service: 3 / 4
Food: 3 / 4
Price:$$$

The Saint Tavern takes traditional comfort food and spins it in a fresh modern way. The menu provides many foodie favourites from foie gras and oysters to fired chicken and pot pies. The interior is sleek and clean with large stylish booths and a huge bar seating area. The staff are attentive, friendly and they really know their food.



We decided to share the CHICKEN WINGS.  The large wings were lightly battered and covered in a typical wing sauce, not too spicy but still had a nice heat to it. 


AM ordered the STRIP-LION STEAK AND FRIES. The steak was well cooked and nicely seasoned, as with all stip-lions this one was quite fatty. The fries were fresh and hot a great pair to the steak.



I choose the LOBSTER HASH. Two soft poach eggs sat on top of chunks of potato, ham and fresh hot lobster. The dish was incredibly rich, almost too much for one person. This is a dish full of flavour but definatlly should be shared.

Would we go back? we do want to try the perogies
STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:
Lobster hash
The Saint Tavern on Urbanspoon

Monday 20 May 2013

FARMHOUSE TAVERN

FARMHOUSE TAVERN


LOCATION:
1627 Dupont St
Toronto, On
(416) 561 9114


RATINGS:
Ambiance: 3 . 5 / 4
Service: 3. 5 / 4
Food: 3. 5 / 4
Price: $$


We finally made our way to Farmhouse Tavern.  If you are interested in going to this unique eatery try and make reservations as it is quite small and gets busy very quickly. The staff are warm and friendly, you would think they were all related as it felt like they were family. The farmhouse name shines through with their knick knacks and rustic farm decor. The menu changes often and is written on the large chalk boards in the dining area.


We started off with the fresh OYSTERS. How can you go wrong with that, they were delicious!


I had the BARNYARD BURGER. The waitress warned me it would be big and messy and it sure was. The burger was huge topped with a duck egg, pork belly, goats cheese and a homemade spicy mayo. It was incredibly rich but worth every bite. My only wish is that they had regular ketchup, as their house made ketchup had a ting of cinnamon which I did not love.


AM had the 16 oz SURF AND TURF. The large steak was cooked to a perfect medium rare. it was served with a huge batch of thick cut house cut fries and two oysters rockefeller (my fave). AM took down every bite with a smile on his face. 

Would we go back? YES

STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:
We are both still arguing about that one

Farmhouse Tavern on Urbanspoon

Thursday 16 May 2013

WESLODGE

 WESLODGE

LOCATION:
408 King Street W
Toronto
416 367 9000

RATINGS:
Ambience: 3 . 5 / 4
Service: 3 . 5 / 4
Food: 3 / 4
Price:$$$

We finally got around to making reservations for WESLODGE. I was a little nervous but excited to try the trendy modern saloon eatery. After hearing about it for so long I was worried that it would not live up to the cool King West hype. The menu is quite small with many meat options but this is typical for an upscale dinning experience as they must be limited in order to specialize. The ambiances is very exciting with high ceilings,  modern accessories and rustic hunting lodge decor all done with a touch of elegance.


The single iberico crumbed plump SCALLOP was paired with chanterelle mushrooms, caper vinaigrette atop a pile of du puy lentils. The scallop was cooked beautifully and the layers of flavours were interesting and wonderfully complimentary.



The SCOTCH EGG had us interested right away, I didn't know what to expect but we had to give it a try. The deep fried egg was cooked medium, and accompanied by juicy chorizo, tangy tomato jam and a hint of truffle oil which added a nice earthiness to the dish. 


The BEEF TENDER, melted like butter in you moth it was so tender and full of flavour. But the star of the plate was still the amazing thick cut house made fires.

Would we go back? Yes

STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:
Scallop

Weslodge on Urbanspoonweslodge

Sunday 5 May 2013

NERVOSA TRATTORIA

 NERVOSA TRATTORIA

LOCATION:
75 Yorkville Ave
Toronto, On
(416)961 4642
www.eatnervosa.com

RATINGS:
Ambiance: 2 . 5 / 4
Service: 3 / 4
Food 2 . 75 / 4
Price: $$

NERVOSA TRATTORIA is located in a old mansion that sits on the corner of Yorkville and Bellair.  They provide basic casual Italian dining at a reasonable price, considering the area. In the summer they have a nice little patio on the upper level, which attracts a lot of teens grabbing dinner before going to a neighbourhood club. On this visit I was meeting up with a few friends for drinks and some snacks after work. When we arrived,  it wasn't too busy, but it got quite full by the time we left. I would definitely recommend making reservations on a weekend.


The TAGLIERE MISTO arrived first.  A selection of three Artisanal Italian cured meats and aged cheeses.  It was nice to have the meat and cheese come together without having to order two different dishes. The garnish of fresh jam and tapenade was a  nice addition to the standard charcuterie platter.


The INSALATA DI POLIPO was a nice bed of  argula, red onions, olive tepenade, and a lemon vinaigrette toped with fresh and tender octopus. Even though the octopus was tender, the dish lacked flavour and seasoning.


As table full of meat lovers, we decided to also get the CARPACCIO DI MANZO:  beef tenderloin, truffled cannellini beans, percorino and arugula all topped with the nervosa organic extra virgin olive oil. The meat was cut thin and went excellently with the cannellini beans.


I was most excited for the CAPESANTE. The Pan-seared scallops piccata, were served with a medially of farro (grains), zucchini, butternut squash and fresh corn. The flavours were all great and the scallops were well cooked, but the grain was undercooked and quite chewy.


Lastly, we shared the FETTUCCINE ALLA BOLOGNESE.  A large bowl of veal and beef ragout, fresh pasta and shaved parmigiano- reggiano cheese. I always love fresh pasta and this one was no exception. The sauce was tasty and had bold rich flavours.

Would we go back?  maybe 

STANDOUT DISH OF THE NIGHT:
Fettuccine alla bolognese


Nervosa Trattoria on Urbanspoon