Reds Midtown Tavern is a great place for gin and tonics:
with 29 types of the spirit and three different tonic waters, you can customize
whole heartily. If you’re like me and the selection stumps you, they also have
a selection of G&T cocktails (all $9 on Fridays). The foxy lady (normally
$13.25) is ultra-refreshing made with my favourite Hendrick’s gin and Fevertree
Mediterranean tonic. For a drink that looks rather plain, every sip brings an
array of flavours given its also incorporates rose water, mint bitters, and an infusion
of strawberry and cucumber.
Their food on the other hand, is average at best. Even for a
person who loves salty foods, I found the truffle fries ($8.75) over seasoned.
The freshly made fries were good but with so much salt and parmesan the truffle
essence became lost.
And it’s likely my own fault for the passable main – why
would I visit a restaurant in downtown Toronto specializing in fancy cocktails
and order low country fried chicken ($18.95)? Never order to what you’re
craving and rather to the restaurant (despite their fault for offering
something on the menu). I would have been better off with a steak sandwich.
The restaurant’s first mistake was using boneless chicken –
sure it’s much easier to eat but the juiciness and wonderful Southern specialty
is non-existent. Truthfully, the chicken was tender, but aside from the salty
breading the dish lacked flavour. If it’s renamed “boneless fried chicken” or “fried
chicken tenders”, at least there would have been a warning and I’d stay away.
Unlike the truffle fries, the ones that accompanied the
chicken weren’t as salty so you could actually enjoy the potato flavour. The
coleslaw, dressed in a sweet and spicy vinaigrette, is an interesting choice
and goes rather well with the fried chicken helping to cut the grease. But,
with a light sweet side, I would have preferred the dipping sauce to be more savoury
instead of the honey Dijon, which reminded me of the slaw itself.
Despite the run-of-the-mill food, Reds’ service was great
and being a large restaurant, you don’t feel bad sitting at the table longer
and starting with a round of drinks before moving into dinner. And if you’re
not particularly hungry, trying their gin and tonics is a good enough excuse
for a visit.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 382 Yonge Street
Address: 382 Yonge Street
Follow me on twitter to chat, be notified about new posts and more - https://twitter.com/GastroWorldBlog
____________________________
Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
Other Gastro World posts similar to this:
