It was an excellent idea to start off the evening in Evangeline, the Ace Hotel’s rooftop patio, as it created a casual beginning. A tray of cava awaited as I exited the elevator and while mingling in a room of strangers, it felt like I was there for a dinner party.
Trays of canapés flowed throughout including a
delicious rabbit croquette wrapped in a green goddess salad leaf. The pea and
strawberry tart was sweet, tangy, and savoury but a bit too floral so the jamon
Iberico became lost. Many dashed for the oysters topped with caviar
and crème fraiche, alas once I got one mine was gritty. Yet, I was so chill and
relaxed that I didn’t care nor wanted to take photos… at last, I ate first.
Drinks were flowing with more cava and two Herradura tequila
cocktails available around the hour. The strawberry and shisho Cointreau
mix sounded refreshing but was too sweet for my taste. As was the “cabana
cocktail”, a concoction of tequila, cacao bitters, vanilla, coconut oil,
toasted coconut, and wildflower honey.
But at least it got everyone buzzing. By the time the
Herradura rep explain their logo, an inverted horseshoe, represented pouring
out the last drop of luck for their customers, I felt like Don Draper was in
the room.
Dinner was served downstairs in Alder and soon generous
pours of Pearl Morissette wines came by. It made my evening hearing they were supplying
the drinks as the limited bottles rarely circulate outside their winery aside
from some Toronto restaurants.
Alder’s first dish was a hit. The Hokkaido sea scallop
and sea urchin featured two barely cooked through poached scallops, shaved
in half and served with smoked buttermilk that had a tartness that’s like
adding lemon to seafood but finishes with a rich creamy touch. The uni was
flown out the day before for the dinner, balancing the dish with sweetness.
Fat Rabbit’s beef tartare included honey and golden
raisins, which gave it a sugary taste. The addition of pickled vegetables
helped bring out some acidity, but it was the mint and cilantro blossoms that
added a brightness that impressed.
I can see why they left the tartare less salted as the
breaded and deep-fried Guernsey Girl cheese it sat on top was savoury. It was
just a waste as it wasn’t hot, so the dairy felt hard and rubbery. A great idea
to feature local ingredients from the Upper Canada Cheese Company, just not
showcasing it at its best.
Alder’s lobster raviolo was so good. The bisque-like
sauce was bit salty, but the pasta was cooked to perfection and stuffed with
large chunks of lobster, each bite bursting with flavour.
While the roasted pork collar was meaty and almost
like a pork loin, it was a tad tough and likely would be better cooked as
slices rather than a huge steak. Perhaps Fat Rabbit wanted something that would
hold up against the spicy aji amarillo sauce? We all agreed the pancetta
wrapped shrimp stole the show and would have been happy with two of these served
with more vegetables.
A generous slice of coconut cream pie finished the meal;
its crust made from toasted coconut meringue so it’s crumbly and a bit nutty. Despite
not being able to finish my pork, I happily consumed the entire slice.
Since hearing about the Fat Rabbit, I’ve always wanted to
try the restaurant. This Visa Infinite dinner was a nice compromise before heading
out to St. Catherines. Chef Zach Smith also announced a second restaurant
opening sometime in the late summer or fall. The fat rabbit becomes a warren.
Address: 51 Camden Street
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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!
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