Showing posts with label spaghetti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spaghetti. Show all posts

CLOSED: Campagnolo (Toronto)



Campagnolo has been on my restaurant bucket list for years, after various sources speak so positively about their meals. After failed attempts, a Toronto staycation was what finally made it happen - an experience I suggest every Torontonian try once in their life. Not wanting to deal with the stress of a scheduled vacation, my husband and I decided to stay in town and do day trips around and outside the city, followed by dinner and drinks at one of our city’s many establishments to end the evening.

With tons to see, do, and eat, narrowing down our choices wasn’t easy – even with all our local knowledge. Boy am I glad that Campagnolo made the list! The dinner was as delicious as touted and will definitely have me returning.

Their fresh burrata cheese ($16) is out of this world; the creamy oozing sphere perched on a thick slice of well-toasted bread sitting in a pool of olive oil. Although looking seemingly simple, there are so many tastes with each ingredient – the silky milky cheese, a peppery kick of olive oil, or the sweetness of the roasted grapes. Then when everything’s combined the magic happens... the flavours pool together and the creamy cheese against the oily crunchy bread with pops of soft grape is just an incredible combination.


Not realizing how indulgent the burrata would be, we also ordered the roasted bone marrow ($15), which was fully done throughout so the blubbery marrow simply melts onto the crusty crostini. It’s further enhanced with ox tail to give each bite a lovely meatiness and pickled plum pieces that cut through some of the fat.


Campagnolo takes the humble spaghetti ($19), a dish that’s been replicated across households for decades, to another level. Their fresh pasta is a slightly thicker chewy egg noodle, which although soft still manages to have an al dante bite. The sauce is rich in guanciale (cured pork cheek), garlic, and onion, to tame any acidity from the tomatoes. It’s rich and satisfying and with a healthy mound of cheese combines to become gooey heaven.


Despite looking overcooked, the duck breast ($29) was tender incorporating a small sliver of crispy rendered skin. Likely, the fowl was darker than normal as it’s been dry aged really deepening the duck’s flavours and augmenting the gaminess of the meat. The stronger taste is balanced with a kohlrabi slaw, grilled green onions, and a silky rhubarb sauce.


Other than the burrata, Campagnolo’s portions aren’t large, but with the rich ingredients each dish can be split and still leave you satisfied.

To end, their large slice of olive oil cake ($12) is great for sharing. The traditional white cake is infused with a golden olive oil and a hint of lemon. On its own, the dessert is rather neutral and good for those who don’t like sugary items, but it’s even better with the sweetened buttermilk sorbet and crunchy almond slivers.


Having heard friends rave about the salted caramel budino ($10), I coerced my husband into ordering it, knowing sweet and salty puddings weren’t something I’d want more than a few spoons of. By itself, the pudding was rich but plain, it really needed the crunchy pieces of chocolate meringue incorporated into the dessert. I suggest you try some on the olive oil cake - the sweet and salty caramel flavours deepen with the pastry and adds an almost espresso taste to the cake.


Campagnolo’s friendly service makes you feel warm and welcomed; they’re careful to ensure you’re not disappointed. For example, when I ordered to Vacanza fizz ($8) cocktail to start, Jeff warned us that it’s non-alcoholic, confusing since it’s at the bottom of the list. Nonetheless, to pacify my desire for a cocktail, he noted they could easily add vodka (additional $7) to it.

The first sips of the watermelon juice drink was refreshing, especially with the lime and mint infused into it. I love fizzes for the frothy egg white foam on top (it adds a creamy smoothness to the drink), which is what the first sips were like. However, after letting the Vacanza fizz settle for a few moments, the egg’s aroma starts seeping through … although still drinkable, the smell of egg is the last thing you want when sipping a refreshing drink.

Although Campagnolo’s food is fantastic, their drinks are where my experience falters. Aside from the eggy smelling foam on the cocktail, my Chianti had so much sediment in it that I couldn’t finish the last third of the glass (although my husband also ordered it and his was fine). Of course, I could have “returned” the wine, but haven’t had most of it and the meal almost over, I felt bad.

Luckily, their food is so good that these minor slips can be overlooked. Campagnolo is a restaurant I’ll return to when I want an indulgent rich meal. Thanks to the Toronto staycation, I’ve finally learned where the best burrata in the city awaits.

Overall mark - 9 out of 10


How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada
 Address: 832 Dundas Street West

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!

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Scaddabush Scarborough (Toronto)


Scaddabush brings together fresh cooking with the benefits of being a chain: their ample dining rooms makes securing a reservation easy and with their huge Nonna’s table can accommodate large groups. Yet, the restaurant relies on their chefs to make most ingredients in-house and employees are considered artisans, encouraged to add their personal mark (as shown by the symbol on the platter above). 

Indeed, nothing will be fresher than the house-made mozzarella. Only served between 5pm – 11pm, each dish is hand-stretched to order using cheese secured from a local Mississauga dairy. If you’re interested in watching your dish being made, you can ask to be brought over to the mozzarella bar where the chef submerges the cheese in extremely hot water so that it’s pliable, stretches it just enough for elasticity, and forms it into a delicious sphere. 


The naked ($12.98) is for the purist, simply adorned with a splash of olive oil and San Marzano tomato jam and sea salt on the side. Unlike burrata it’s not overly soft; instead, the cheese has a springy bite. With a sprinkle of salt, it worked well to enhance the rich creamy flavour of the mozzarella.


If you prefer the cheese melted, the bomba burrata ($15.93) takes the mozzarella and adds cream to make it softer. Served in a hot cast iron pan, the cheese remains gooey in the spicy roasted tomato ragu that’s studded with plenty of double-smoked bacon, basil and chili flakes.


I found the bacon’s strong flavour took away from the milder cheese. But, the sauce is fantastic and you’ll definitely want to sop it up with the focaccia crostini. I love the spiciness of the ragu and even added it to some of the other dishes that evening.

Italians make amazing polenta – especially when it’s deep fried. Even though the sauce was delicious, it should be served on the side as it renders half of the crispy tots ($8.97) soggy. However, if you eat them quickly, the polenta with dollops of mascarpone, drizzles of parmesan aioli and shaved Grana Padano is delicious. Try some of the sauce on the naked mozzarella, they go well.


Scaddabush may be serving the ultimate hangover pizza: the smoked bacon and egg ($15.96), a thin well toasted crust smothered with toppings including mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella and huge chunks of not overly salty double smoked bacon. It arrives with a fried egg that you’re encouraged to smear onto the pizza while still hot. Just be mindful of the spice - this is a spicy pizza with the chili oil and ample chopped bird’s eye chilies.


A dish that Chef Steve Silvestro perfected is the Sunday sauce (a marinara amped with pancetta and spices) and the braised meatballs – dishes he would cook with his Nonna. All that practice is now showcased in the restaurant’s ½ lb meatballs made with ground angus chuck, ricotta, parsley, garlic, black pepper and porcini.

They’re available by itself as an appetizer ($12.98 in classic style of $13.58 stuffed with cheese) or as a family-style sharing plate with spaghetti ($17.97 for the classic of $32.35 stuffed). Despite being such a huge hunk of beef, the meatballs are surprisingly light and moist thanks to the ricotta. The house-made spaghetti is thick and chewy, almost like a thinner bigoli, and goes well with the Sunday sauce. I’d only make one change: the dish could have had less garlic chips given they’re so strong.

Trust me, their desserts should be shared. Half a dozen sweet airy zeppole ($6.50) arrive in the order, piping hot and dusted with citrus sugar. The warmed chocolate hazelnut sauce is great for pouring into the spongy fried dough after the first bite. If you’re a fan of beignets you’ll love these!


The tiramisu ($8.25) is rich with the mascarpone cream. Just swivel the jar around as you share to ensure everyone gets a taste of the espresso and marsala soaked lady fingers. I would have liked more of the cookies to help balance the sweet thick cream.


Scaddabush is inspired by Italian passion and generosity. So, they believe in giving back and patrons help by purchasing their charity bread (ranging from $4.25 - $5.25 depending of flavour). Each restaurant selects a local charity to donate the proceeds of the bread to - for the Scarborough location it’s the Bluffs Food Bank, an organization that helps provide 350 families with groceries weekly.

I like the fact that each restaurant’s anniversary is celebrated by giving donating the charity bread proceeds. Since the first restaurant launched in 2013, Scaddabush has donated $60,000 to Sick Kids and Mississauga Food Bank collectively. This fall, Starlight Children’s Foundation will receive their cheque when the Richmond Hill location turns one. What a great initiative and the perfect way for me to consume more carbs, guilt free. 

Overall mark - 7 out of 10
Disclaimer: The above meal was complimentary. Rest assured, as noted in my mission statement, I will always provide an honest opinion.


How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada
 Address: 572 Progress Avenue

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:


Scaddabush Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


CLOSED: Spuntini (Toronto)

Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 116 Avenue Road
Type of Meal: Dinner

Spuntini’s atmosphere is pretty stereotypical of a posh Italian restaurant – dim lighting supplemented with candles, a dark wood motif and walls upon walls of wine bottles.  It’s cozy and comforting, much like the food, and date night friendly if you can score a spot along the walls away from the other tightly packed tables.

Despite the romantic environment, coming here with 2+ people is recommended due to large portion and sharing appetizers are a must if you want a chance at eating your main.  On our visit, we went with five people and chose two dishes to share as starters:
  • Burrata with prosciutto ($14.95) a big hunk of soft and creamy burrata arrives on top of a toasted crostini with a pile of tissue thin prosciutto and peppery arugula salad.  Without a doubt, the one slice of bread is not enough, but Spuntini does provide a bread basket so everyone could easily grab a piece from there.  The fresh burrata was fairly neutral so did require some cured prosciutto to give it flavour.  For someone who does not eat meat and is sharing this with others it would be nice to have more of the condensed balsamic vinegar on the plate to complement the cheese.


  • Although the gnocchi quattro formaggio ($15.95) is actually a main, we all wanted to try it without having an entire portion as it sounds so rich. So, we asked for it to be brought out as an appetizer instead and shared amongst the table. The gnocchi were plump and soft (believe due to adding ricotta to it); I favor the regular potato mix resulting in a harder pasta but this really is a matter of preference as the rest of the table loved it.  The four-cheese sauce made with asiago, gorgonzola, parmigiano and bocconcini was absolutely delicious and a good combination of strong, creamy and mild cheeses so it wasn’t overpowering.  Added cream made this even more decadent and certainly made us glad we decided to share this.

The ravioli di soraia ($18.95) contained five squares of ravioli filled with a delicious seafood mousse (tasting more of crab than lobster).  Perhaps I've been spoiled with my recent UK ravioli experiences but found the dough too thick and filling too sparse; I’d much rather the dish be shrunk down to four smaller raviolis and have more of the crab/lobster mixture in each one.  The sauce of sage, butter and white wine was nice and the slivers of fennel and peppers on top were also good.


My friend's osso bucco, a daily special, was amazing!  Although it was soft from being braised in red wine, the veal shank still held its shape and looked appealing.  Served with the bone, the marrow was left intact and could be easily pushed out and smeared across a piece of bread.  Having only started eating it over the last three years, bone marrow is still a hit or miss (with most experiences not that great).  

This may sound gross, but if you’ve never tried it, it’s the consistency of fat but doesn’t actually taste like it.  The flavour is pretty mild and normally takes on whatever it’s seasoned with, but the jelly like texture can sometimes be off putting. Generally, I like it when it’s been braised for a long time so that all traces of blood are gone and the marrow is able to absorb some of the braising liquid’s flavour. Overall, Spuntini’s was one of my better experiences with bone marrow and the lamb itself also delicious.


Some other dishes I had a bite to try included the rigatoni portobello ($15.95), which had intense mushroom flavours; something other than Portobello mushrooms had to be added to this to make it so earthy.  The pasta was done well and the addition of a bit of pesto and cream balanced everything quite nicely.  Another rich dish made for sharing.


The angonoltti alla California ($16.95) was another filled pasta except using a ricotta & spinach mixture and the pasta being half-moon shaped.  My comment on the filling to pasta ratio remains the same with this dish but I did enjoy the flavourful rose sauce.



If you’re looking for a lighter choice, the spaghetti alla chitara ($14.95) would be perfect.  It’s simply dressed with a garlic, lemon and olive oil mixture but still packs a lot of flavour.  The pasta has more bite and taste to it, on account of being made with whole wheat, and went well with the wilted rapini and roasted cherry tomatoes.



By the end of the meal we were STUFFED, with some having to take their mains to go.  But, we did order a scoop of the hazelnut gelato ($9?) to share. It was deliciously home-made tasting with small pieces of hazelnuts adding a great nutty texture against the smoothness of the ice cream.  Also, it was sweet enough to satisfy without being overpowering.


Spuntini was certainly busy during our Friday visit with all the tables filled and a constant stream of turnover.  I can see why they are so popular – good flavours, huge portions and an unhurried environment that allows for wine and conversation.

Overall mark - 8 out of 10



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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!

Other Gastro World posts similar to this:




CLOSED: Alleycatz Live Jazz Bar (Toronto)

Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 2409 Yonge Street
Type of Meal: Dinner


Alleycatz has been an uptown locale known for its live music – a variety of jazz, R&B & funk and top 40 in between sets.  Having visited twice, both times I can’t help joining everyone on the dance floor after a bottle of wine. The crowd is always an eclectic mix, but everyone seems be there for a good time making it easy for us to let loose. It’s a bonus that the restaurant is a comfortable fullness so I don’t feel like I’m packed like a sardine and still enjoy my personal space while dancing.


During my first visit, some friends and I stumbled upon Alleycatz after dinner and stayed for drinks and live music.  After my friend heard about a Groupon promotion ($25 for $50), we decided it was a great opportunity to return and try their food as well.

Admittedly, I had low expectations after reading Urbanspoon reviews and seeing its dismal score.  But, we were both pleasantly surprised with their efficient & friendly service, respectable food and a good band that night that had us staying for longer than expected.

We decided to play it safe and stick with simple dishes; with only the mussels ($10) being a bit risky given non-fresh seafood could have dire consequences.  Indeed, the mussels were frozen and a smaller size but were a passable quality.  The spicy white wine sauce was flavourful (albeit more buttery than spicy) and was great for sopping up with bread; I just wished there was more of the cooking liquid and everything arrived hotter.  Perhaps they should consider serving it in a mini pot and lifting the lid at the table so that the mussels stay hot en route.

The bruschetta ($9) was also good with a well toasted baguette base, tons of tomatoes, garlic & red onions, a decent shaving of parmesan and a liberal drizzling of sweet balsamic glaze.  I would have liked to taste more of the basil, but then I do love fresh herb flavours.  The serving size was a little disappointing with only four slices, a tad expensive for $9.  

Having looked around, we found their mains to be quite large so decided to split the sexy spaghettini ($17).  Our waitress asked if we were planning to share the dish, then took the liberty to get the kitchen to divide the portion for us which is always appreciated (note, the photo shown is only a half portion).  Alleycatz makes the pasta in house so it’s softer and chewier (almost like a ramen noodle). 


The spaghettini thankfully arrived piping hot. So, perhaps Alleycatz has a problem with serving dishes in a timely manner, causing them to sit around (our mussels would have tasted much better if the temperature was the same as the pasta).  The spicy cilantro olive oil had a well-balanced heat to it, but if there were more pieces of roasted tomatoes chopped into the sauce to give the dish colour it would look “sexier”.  My friend and I each had a large tiger shrimp that was cooked well.  There could have been more grilled chicken as it was sort of lost it everything – I think I only had two small slices of it.

All in all, although the food is acceptable, Alleycatz won’t become a go to place for dinner.  I appreciate their attentive service, so would consider it a good option if you want to enjoy some live music, drinks and light bites.   
 

Overall mark - 6.5 out of 10


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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!