Showing posts with label tapas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tapas. Show all posts

Bar Raval (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, September 19, 2015 by


Bar Raval Toronto

Never did I think I’d knowingly pay to eat canned goods. But, that’s the Grant van Gameren magic: he makes canned food sexy, so people wait to eat it and pay top dollar. Of course, the ones served at Bar Raval are imported from Spain and said to be top quality, not the Chicken of the Sea variety.

We tried a half order of white clams ($20) and they were slightly salty with an essence of the sea – though Grant’s magic still didn’t transform College Street into Majorca for me.


Plain kettle chips accompanied the clams, which seemed like a strange combination. But after popping one on a chip and adding a splash of hot sauce, the crunch of the chip against the soft clam was quite good. Overall, the clams weren’t rubbery or mushy (as I feared) and tasted as fresh as canned could be. Nonetheless, they weren’t fantastic either, I’d still rather stick with the fresh ones.

The boquerones ($9) are deboned anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil. The acidness would pair well with a beer’s bitterness, but with my bubbly cava it didn’t have the same effect - the cava overtook the delicateness of the fish. Moreover, after experiencing the saltiness of the clams and chip, the dish ended feeling much plainer. Having ordered a side of bread ($1.90), it would have gone great with the fish as a make-your-own pinxtos, but it didn’t arrive until later.


The soft chewy bread was instead paired with the thin slices of presa iberica ($11). Being from the leaner shoulder cut of the pig, it isn’t as melt-in-your-mouth as the jamon variety. Nonetheless, it’s flavourful with a sweetness that’s mixed into the cured meat and the light film that sticks to your tongue is wonderful, so you can taste it even after the pork is gone. This dish is a great deal with plenty of slices to go around.


A cross between ceviche and carpaccio, the Galician octopus ($8) is a refreshing summery dish. Served room temperature, the octopus slices arrive with a vinegar, paprika and oil mixture with diced pickles (?) on top. There’s still a bite to the octopus that makes the dish perfect to munch and graze on.


For a more substantial dish, the whole squid ($15) done a la parilla (charcoal grilled) was a delicious choice. Unlike typical grilled squid, there isn’t the grill marks and strong charred taste, rather it’s a very light smokiness. The dish is finished with olive oil, garlic, parsley and olives but could use a bit more salt.


To keep with traditional tapa bars, Bar Raval doesn’t accept reservations, given most are quick stops for people to grab a couple of drinks and light bites. The beautiful gothic restaurant itself has limited seating, so most diners are expected to stand and share table space. Recently, a decent sized patio opened providing more seating for those who like it eat sitting. Dining on canned goods still won’t be a regular practice for me, but if I had to do it, Bar Raval would be the place for me.

 Overall mark - 7.5 out of 10


How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada
 Address: 505 College 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!

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Spice Lounge and Tapas (Mississauga)

Posted on Saturday, April 25, 2015 by

Spice lounge and tapas

Spice Lounge and Tapas was bustling on my Saturday visit. In the corner, Spanish music was strummed live on a guitar; although enjoyable the volume could be turned down a pitch to allow easier conversations. After all, according to Wikipedia, tapas are designed for chats as the focus becomes more about people and shared foods rather than devouring a main on your own.

The smoked duck flatbread ($14), highly recommended by my friend and waitress, incorporated the right balance of sweet and savoury. The sliced grilled pears and drizzles of honey added sweetness while smoked duck breast and double smoked cheddar were substantial enough to keep the dish from turning into a dessert. As a suggestion, rather than using a hazelnut spread (which is somewhat gritty), a chestnut puree may offer a smoother base and incorporate a sweet earthiness that would work well amongst the other ingredients.

Spice lounge and tapas duck flatbread

What’s not to like about deep fried balls of creamy rice? Spice’s truffle mushroom croquettes ($12) were decent, the mushroom risotto mixed with white truffle oil before being rolled in a panko coating. The inside was slightly bland for my taste; more salt and cheese mixed into the rice may augment the flavours more.

Spice lounge and tapas risotto balls

Spice’s PEI mussels ($11) were beautifully presented; as the lid was removed we were presented with meticulously arranged mussels topped with vibrant red pepper slivers. Despite the menu’s description of saffron butter sauce, the liquid was a redder (perhaps on account of paprika) than the famed golden hue. Nonetheless, it was delicious and I only wish there was only more bread to soak it up.

Spice lounge and tapas mussels

The brick of chilli rubbed ribs ($16) was rather an ingenious way to help keep the meat warm.  Although it lacked the barque of a BBQ smoked rib, these slow braised ones were moist and well flavoured from the mix of Spanish spices and chipotle BBQ sauce.

Spice lounge and tapas ribs

To end, bunuelos ($8) or Mexican doughnuts, warm light balls of deep fried battered with a light anise flavor. The uneven bits poking out of the sphere became very crispy. Sweetened with cinnamon sugar and a diluted caramel sauce, it provided a sweet ending to the meal without being heavy.

Spice lounge and tapas bunelos


We chose to order a couple of dishes at a time to avoid the delicious but dreaded table filled with food and not knowing where to start. Spice presented them in an adequate succession, hot and fresh from the kitchen. Despite being a busy night, they never rushed us, providing ample time between reservations – there certainly was no two hour seating limit here. All in all, a delightful neighbourhood spot for some conversations and small bites.  

Overall mark - 7.5 out of 10
How To Find Them
 Location: Toronto, Canada
 Address: 52 Lakeshore Road East

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:

Patria (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2014 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 478 King Street West
Website: www.patriatoronto.com
Type of Meal: Dinner

 Patria is hidden away amongst a condo building making the environment eerily calm. Look for a wall with a decorative "478” on it and turn into the roundabout driveway to avoid missing the place. 

The surroundings is not Barcelona with its bustling streets and daintily furnished dining rooms; Patria is large and stunning with high ceilings and carefully strung cleavers. But, there’s also a warmth to the restaurant – both in terms of décor and service. Thankfully, music also plays at a reasonable level to allow conversations to flourish across the table.

Since the paella is freshly made, we started with some tapas to wait out the 45 minutes. The seleccion de embutidos ($16) was promising containing four thinly sliced meats: iberico lomo (dry cured pork loin), iberico chorizo (a spicy sausage), jamon Serrano (dry cured ham) and macron salami (a fattier sausage cut). It was a thoughtfully curated charcuterie board with pork of different flavours and fattiness. I tend to like the leaner cuts where the meat’s flavour is more pronounced so the iberico lomo and jamon Serrano were the highlights for me.

Patria meat platter

Be sure to get a side of toasted bread ($2) which is wonderfully flavoured with a liberal douse of olive oil and salt. The bread lover in me rejoices and wanted a second helping; but then memories of the paella returns so I curb my enthusiasm.

Patria bread

The croquetas de manchego ($8) appeared to be a popular dish order amongst many tables. It was creamier and lighter than expected, reminding me of well mashed potatoes mixed with hints of cheese. It was okay, but could have been hotter.

Patria croquetas

After a precise 45 minutes, the hot pan of paella del patria ($49) arrives. Mixed throughout was a liberal portion of seafood - bay scallops, shrimp, mussel, cuttlefish and monkfish. For me, with the exception of the shrimp, everything could have been cooked less as I found the seafood overdone. But, the rice was creamy and flavourful having soaked up the seafood juices, tomato and saffron. 

Patria paella

My suggestion is to be patient and wait five minutes before digging into the paella. The first bites were decent, but the later ones even better after the rice had a chance to settle down and develop a crust on the bottom.

Patria also has an enticing dessert menu. We couldn’t help but order the leche frita con helado de azafran ($7), cubes of silky fried milk encased in a crispy coating. The saffron ice cream was a highlight adding an element of savouriness to the dish, bringing back the seafood flavours of the rice we just had. The sweet drizzles of thick honey and floral petals tied everything together so nicely. This is a dessert I highly recommend ordering.

Patria fried milk

I had my doubts about Patria, worried it’d be another restaurant known more for its atmosphere than food. But, I was proven wrong. The food was delightful, the service was friendly and yes the atmosphere one to behold. All in all, a wonderful experience. 

Overall mark - 7.5 out of 10

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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CLOSED: Carmen (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Type of Meal: Dinner
Address: 922 Queen Street West

 Having visited Barcelona last year, I’ve been experiencing pangs of withdrawal for their delicious and fresh small plates.  Undeniably, there’s been a rise in Spanish restaurants in Toronto over the last year, but most are a bit “trendy” and over-priced for my liking.  What I enjoy most about Catalonian dining is the casual vibe … just walk-in, stop for a drink and a couple of small dishes then continue on your way and repeat this grazing throughout the day.  Décor tends to be simple, you don’t need reservations weeks in advance and you certainly aren’t expected to dress up for a bowl of olives. 

 My foodie prayers were answered when I heard about Carmen. Finally, a place I can go to and eat, rather than to “be seen”!  Of course, Carmen still isn’t as casual as Barcelona – reservations are recommended and the seating is much more spacious and comfortable.  But, the buzzing atmosphere and approachable staff brings back a taste of the easier life.


Before going to Spain, I thought I loved paella (from the delicious Toronto experiences).  But, when I actually tried it (refer to the 7Portes experience), I was disappointed.  Perhaps, my taste buds have been “westernized”, but what’s not the like about fluffy rice and large pieces of well-cooked seafood? 

The paella del Carmen ($35) is the perfect example of why I love Toronto’s take – plump grains of flavourful rice that’s just saucy enough to resemble a drier risotto.  Unfortunately, we were too excited and dove right into the dish on its arrival that there wasn’t a chance for it to develop a crust. Otherwise, having some of those crunchy nutty bits would have made it even better.  A significant amount of shrimp, clams, mussels, chorizo, chicken and scallops were dotted on top and throughout the rice and they were done well – just cooked and absolutely no rubbery seafood here!  Large leaves of fresh basil topped everything which was unexpected but adds brightness to the flavours.   



We also ordered several tapas to share.  The fried artichokes ($7) are extremely simple – battered, tossed with some salt and drizzled with aioli.  You can’t go wrong with these hot crunchy pieces.  Carmen should consider serving the aioli on the side as I found it to be a bit overpowering and would have liked to have the option of tasting the artichokes by itself.


The layered fried green tomato ($7) arrived cutely presented in its full tomato form.  These harder and tarter pieces of crispy tomatoes were delicious and extremely flavourful with the addition of feta and roasted red pepper corn chutney.   


We didn’t only eat fried dishes; to balance the above there was the kale salad ($10). Kale by itself can be quite plain, but the salad was well flavoured with the addition of ricotta, vinaigrette and pine nuts.  A deep fried poached mini egg topped it off (okay so there was maybe more fried stuff on this), and the runny yolk was smooth mixed with everything. Overall, was enjoyable and a good healthy contrast to the rest of our dishes.


The jicama shells filled with guacamole ($6) was a nice surprise with its pleasant presentation and burst of citrusy flavour hitting the tongue.  The creamy guacamole went well with the natural crispiness of the jicama (a root vegetable that’s similar to a potato) shell.  I loved my first experience with the thinly slice root vegetable – there’s a freshness of it yet is still slightly starchy.


Carmen’s beef tartare ($12?) arrives with the quail egg still in shell, which is a playful presentation allowing you to pour it on yourself.  The dish arrives with a decent portion of the tartare, which in itself is good but lacks something.  Perhaps it was because the other dishes were so flavourful that the tartare in contrast was sort of bland, but once you add a smear of the grainy mustard onto it everything intensified. However, more bread is really required!  It’s great a good portion size, but the four pieces of small crostini is simply not enough.
Carmen’s dessert menu isn’t extensive with just three options.  We decided to get two orders of the jicama cheesecake ($9) given how delicious the jicama shells were and had an interest in seeing how it would be used in a dessert.  The outcome is a cheesecake that’s thick yet not overly dense.  We enjoyed the blueberry jelly topping on the cake, which was prettier and tastier than the typical sauce.


That night we shared wine, but one guest tried the Carmen ($12) cocktail.  It’s certainly a nice looking drink with a striking egg white foam topping.  A mixture of gin, amaro (a herbal liquer), lime and cranberry bitters, the drink has an easy-going taste without being syrupy.
Indeed, you may be able to find better versions of their dishes at competing restaurants.  But, I’m not sure you can find it at Carmen’s price points and served with such friendliness.  Regrettably, I forgot to pick up the itemized bill before leaving so don’t know the name of the waitress we had that night (a pretty blonde).  But, she was such a pleasure; always attentive, pleasant and around to answer any questions we had.  My whole experience with Carmen was great that it’s definitely worth a return visit.   

 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:


Bar Isabel (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by

Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 797 College Street
Website: www.barisabel.com
Type of Meal: Dinner 

 After earning so many “Toronto’s best restaurant” accolades, I was intrigued to visit Bar Isabel but afraid it’d be over hyped and the visit end in disillusion. Luckily, the food didn’t disappoint and the meal ended with us full and satisfied.

Upon entering, the interior reminded me more of a saloon than the Mediterranean tavern I envisioned. But, the atmosphere was undeniably informal and easy going, quickly setting anyone at ease. This is not the type of place you’d be afraid to talk loudly as the music pumps and others chatter around you.

Four would be the ideal party size, as Bar Isabel has many delicious sounding large plates (octopus and rib eye) that we would have loved to try if there wasn’t only two of us. Yet, we still found some delicious smaller dishes, the first being the pan con jamón Iberico de bellota ($16). My love affair with jamón Iberico first began in Barcelona when after sharing a plate with my husband I wondered if I would ever taste cure meat so luxurious and perfect again.

Where to even start? Such an impeccable balance of lean pork marbled with fat, which simply dissolves in your mouth leaving a rich essence rather than the slick dull fat of cured ham. The meat has the right amount of bite to it but still easily pulls apart. Yet, it’s the taste which sets it apart … difficult to describe but there’s a balanced sweetness to it and a great light aroma (which experts claim comes from the pig’s acorn diet). Certainly, such a delicacy doesn’t come cheap, but with its limited supply and the rigorous breeding and slaughtering conditions that needs to be abided by, jamón Iberico is the equivalent to the beluga sturgeon caviar or truffles of the cured meat world.

At Bar Isabel, four thin slices are laid across each crostini. Personally, I liked to slowly savour each slice on its own before ending with the crusty crostini which is laced with the remnants of the ham. Such a wonderful way to start and you should try at least once.

Bar Isabel iberico ham

The Albacore tuna tiradito ($14) was a much lighter follow-up. Raw slices of cold tuna covered with a refreshing creamy orange sauce, which was ever so lightly spiked with jalapeno juice? Topped with balls of persimmon, jalapeno and celery shavings, the sweetness, tartness and heat goes quite nicely with the neutral tuna.

Bar Isabel tuna

A large fully cooked bone marrow ($11) along with plenty of grilled sourdough bread arrives next. The fatty centre spreads like butter across the soft crunchy bread, while the chimichurri sauce on the side adds a garlicky tangy herb flavour lightening the gluttonous dish. Bar Isabel’s bread deserves to be commended, crusty and soft, and thankfully not overly charred to overpower the delicate flavours of the marrow.  For $5 you can even purchase a loaf to go!

Bar Isabel bone marrow

Although the spicy pork anticuchos ($12) didn’t look impressive, these skewers ended up packing a powerful punch in terms of flavour. The meat must have been marinated for some time and was infused with a spicy and slightly tangy essence. Although, the cube of pork fat in the middle of the skewer threw me off, it did help to keep the meat tender and moist.

Bar Isabel pork anticuchos

Our last dish was the whole sea bream ceviche ($26). Digging through the slivers of fried leeks, you’re greeted with cubes of tender, tangy ceviche mixed with creamy avocado chunks. It was fantastic, some of the best ceviche I’ve ever enjoyed. Plus, being able to pick at deep fried hot meat on the bones and sprinkling some sea salt on it made it akin to two dishes in one.

Bar Isabel sea bream ceviche

Although my husband and I were quite full after the five dishes, we couldn’t help but try the salted dark chocolate ensaimada ($7). The hot ensaimada was a denser puff pastry, reminding me of the Jewish pastry rugelach, except without a filling and airier. Accompanied by a much larger portion of salted dark chocolate ganache/mousse this dessert was certainly rich and has to be shared. I only wish the drizzles of olive oil were left off from the dessert, as it didn’t add much and made the ensaimada too oily for my liking.

Bar Isabel chocolate ensaimada

Food wise, we thoroughly enjoyed all our savoury dishes, each different and presenting us with unique tastes and flavours. For this, Bar Isabel undeniably lives up to its prestige. Where it lost marks was their choice of seating for us. Despite making reservations over a month in advance and being one of the first individuals to arrive, we were seated at a small table beside the bar and stairway. Plenty of couples entering after us were seated at much larger tables in the dining room. An even bigger insult was the two, arriving well into dinner service, that was seated beside us occupying a four top to themselves.

Restaurants who place their first customers in the “worst spots” is a pet peeve for my husband and I (also occurs at Nota Bene and the now defunct Fat Belgian). After all, why shouldn’t those who arrive on time be rewarded for their efforts? And for that, we felt a bit slighted, causing my dining experience to move from a 9 (a.k.a. “Top Pick”) to an 8.5.

Don’t get me wrong, their service was attentive and flawless with dishes arriving in a well-timed succession. It was the host/seating system that fell flat. The feeling of fairness is important and that one false start can really leave a lasting impression on diners. In the end, we’d want to return (with another couple) and try some of their other dishes, but won’t be rushing to make reservations. Who knows, maybe next time we’ll show up 15 minutes late for our seating and actually end up being treated better.

Overall mark - 8.5 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!

Is That It? I Want More!

Other Gastro World posts similar to this:



Tapas at Embrujo (Toronto)

Posted on Sunday, November 16, 2014 by

Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 97 Danforth Avenue
Website: www.tapasatembrujo.com
Type of Meal: Dinner

 Tapas At Embrujo has replaced the previous Embrujo Flamenco and with it arrives a new menu with additional small plates and lower price points. Everything is meant to be shared, especially the large paellas, suggested for two but could easily feed more. 

Amongst the four paellas, we ordered the seafood ($42) which was topped with shrimp, squid, mussels and a scallop. The rice was saucy and flavourful but would have been even better if there was less liquid so that a crust could develop on the sides and bottom of the pan. The seafood was overcooked and despite the abundance of shrimp, squid and mussels it was a bizarre that there was only a single scallop. All in all, although not the best in the city (I’d suggest Carmen for paella), it was nonetheless a satisfactory dish.


With tapas in their name, they certainly offer a large selection. Varying in sizes, some like the duck confit with pear ($11) could even act as a main with the addition of a salad. A fairly large duck leg is prepared confit style arriving tender and flavourful. Served piping hot with a sprig of rosemary, it was an enjoyable dish, much tastier than the other meat tapas we tried that night.


Having tried both of black angus sirloin tapas, the steak with three sauces ($10) was the better of the two. Four strips of beef were accompanied with sweet parsley, Romesco and sweet mustard sauces for dipping. The end piece I tasted was fairly tough, but my friend noted the middle portion was nice and tender. The dipping sauces were also an acquired taste - the sweetness in the parsley and mustard sauces were not for me, I would have much preferred something tangy or spicy instead.


The second sirloin dish was the steak with salsa de mostaza ($10); Embrujo’s take on steak frites. The sirloin, served in chunks, was overdone. The fries were decent arriving hot and crispy; however, was likely the frozen variety and a fairly oily.


If something fried is what you’re craving, the eggplant fries ($7) is the better choice. Although not extremely crispy, there is a nice light crust around each piece and a soft tender centre. Topped with a liberal sprinkling of sea salt and served with aioli these are great for munching on. If you can save some of the salmorejo, the garlicky Spanish tomato sauce that accompanies the bread, try it with the eggplant as it pairs quite nicely. Just be careful on the first fry as they are hot!


In fact, just save the bread period. Especially, if you’re ordering the clams with chorizo ($9). A bowl of clams cooked in white wine and flavoured with spicy chorizo, the clams are decent but the flavourful broth is the highlight. It would go so nicely with the crusty bread – too bad we had already ran out of it.

tapas at Embrujo clams

The shrimp with chocolate ($10) was a surprisingly good dish. Normally, fruit flavoured chocolate is a detested combination but with the non-sweet cocoa Embrujo used in combination with the orange juice actually was quite nice. The addition of chilies into the dish really helped to keep everything savoury. If only the shrimp wasn’t floured it would have been better as the crust sort of crumbled off and became mushy.


One of our table’s favourite dishes of the night was the quail egg crostini ($9). More of the delicious tart and garlicky salmorejo sauce is spread on a grilled crostini, then layer with Serrano ham and topped with a fried quail egg. The dish not only presented well but the combination of flavours, crunch and runny egg yolk proved to work well together.

tapas at Embrujo

After enjoying a half an hour live performance (Thursday – Saturdays only), of entertaining Spanish songs and Flamenco dancing we finally digested enough for dessert. Sharing the flan ($6), the Spanish version of crème caramel, it’s a decent dessert. Much denser than the other custards there's a cake-like consistency to it. But, it was well flavoured and the watery caramel nicely sweetened.

tapas at Embrujo

Wondering what “Embrujo” meant but not finding it on the internet (imagine that), I finally wrote into the restaurant; turns out it translates to “bewitched”. The name sums up our experience quite well – although not every dish was a hit we nonetheless had an enjoyable night at Tapas at Embrujo. In the end, it’s the captivating experience is what matters - our waiter was delightful, the food plentiful & affordable and the cava/sangria/wine even more so. With the right company and atmosphere, this adds up to a great night.  

Overall mark - 7 out of 10
Like the blog? You can now follow me on twitter for notifications - 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:



CLOSED: Four Restaurant (Toronto)

Posted on Saturday, January 19, 2013 by
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 187 Bay Street (Commerce Court, Concourse level)
Type of Meal: Dinner
Despite Four's convenient location to work, it's been a year since my last meal, so my coworkers and I decided to head there after work. After we got over the disappointment of the end to $4.44 weeknight martinis, we decided to stay for some wine and dinner.

Four's atmosphere is like many Financial District restaurants - dim lighting, high top tables, leather chairs and open concept so you can see who you know there.  Also like many establishments, Four's new cocktail menu has also moved away from the fruity martini cocktails and has done a throwback to the old fashioned cocktails filled with bitters and non-vodka based spirits.




If you haven't heard of Four before, their claim to fame is each dish is 650 calories or less. Sounds great at first, but after eating an appetizer, main and dessert - 650 calories can really start adding up!
Their new menu consists of 50% tried and true favourites and 50% new items. We decided to order a mix of tapas to start:
  • Soft shell baja fish taco ($10) - a sizeable portion of fish accompanies each taco but the flavour itself is bland. The fish, appears to be baked, would have benefited from being cooked on the grill to add a smokier taste. The tacos were in need of more pico de gallo and jalapeno crema to flavour the plain fish and tortillas. Even some chopped fresh cilantro would have been a good low calorie alternative to adding a bit of texture and flavour to the dish.




  • Salt cod fritters ($8.50) - thankfully, this dish was more flavourful after having the fish taco, but perhaps too salty given the combination of salt cod and chorizo. Mixed predominantly with potato (rather than in dough mixture) and baked (rather than fried) made the fritters resemble salty tater tots to hot crisp fritters. This was my least favourite of the tapas.





  • Prosciutto flatbread ($10?) - Although the dough was a bit thick compared to most flatbreads, I liked it. Similar to a crispy thick pizza dough, it was warm, had a nice airy texture and well-seasoned. The toppings, however, was an interesting combination - prosciutto with blue cheese. The flavours didn't compliment well given the blue cheese sauce pretty much overpowered everything. I seem to recall a few arugula leaves sprinkled on the flatbread. Perhaps, the dish would have benefited with a bigger handful of arugula to cut through the heaviness of the cheese.



As my main, I opted for the halibut ($22.50), which sadly was another disappointment. The fish was overcooked so that the flakiness of your typical halibut was ruined. It sat on a roasted humitas which resembled a thin baked cornmeal pancake - also bland and could have benefited from some chopped fresh herbs or jalapeno mixed into the batter. Perhaps, the worse combination with the dish was the tomato tortilla slaw - literally strips of baked tortilla strips sprinkled over the fish. Given the fish and roasted humitas was so dry already, the dish needed something fresh, juicy and flavourful; tortilla strips did not achieve this.





My coworkers seemed to have chosen the better dishes, based on the piece of protein I tried from each:
  • Thai roasted chicken breast ($18), was the best of the bunch. The chicken was flavourful and tender from the coconut lime broth accompanying the dish. It the restaurant wasn't so health conscious some crusty bread to soak up the broth would have been amazing.




  • Jail island salmon ($20), a dish from their old menu which is like any typical salmon. Unlike my halibut it wasn't quite as overcooked.


  • Grilled beef tenderloin ($25) was cooked well, tender and the beet sauce paired well with the beef.

To cap off the meal we each picked a shooter sized dessert ($2.50) - chocolate mint, tiramisu, cherry cheesecake and one other flavour. The tiramisu was drier compared to my previous experiences, but overall the desserts were good enough to satisfy our sweet tooth without being heavy.

 The service was average, everyone was very attentive for the key moments (drink order, food order and bringing the bill), but, when it came to refilling wine and water glasses this is where improvements could be achieved.

Overall mark - 6 out of 10

 ____________________________
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!



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