This was the 3 time I have been to a licious even in Toronto. For those that do not live in Toronto, let me explain what the "licious" is.
It runs in winter and summer. So, it's Winterlicious and Summerlicious. There are lots of restaurants that participate this city-wide events. It is also an opportunity for non-rich people to dine at restaurant you normally cannot afford to go to (and I am not kidding). Most of these restaurtants are high-end restaurants that cost around $200/person with appetizer, main course and a dessert.
During the Licious event, you can select a 3 course pre-fix meal from $25 - $45 depending on the restaurant. It is obvious that at the high-end restaurant, it will be $45 for the course. I personally have come to a conclusion that it's not worth going to anything that's not $45.
The first licious that I went to was for a friend's birthday in Summer 2010. In a last minute effort, I randomly picked
Wildfire Steakhouse on Yonge St. We really enjoyed the meal and decided that at the next licious event, we will need to book early.
One of the perks being an American Express cardholder is their "Front of the Line" program. You get the opportunity to get first dips for events before going public. So, for Winterlicious 2010, I booked a table for 4 at
Auberge du Promier own by Oliver & Bonacini. Because this was owned by Oliver & Boancini, we knew it was good. But to experience the atmosphere, the food and service is a WHOLE different world then your typical Outback or Keg steakhouse.
Even before our meal were finished, we had decided that for the next licious event we want a table at
Canoe, own by Oliver & Bonacini as well.
This time, I got a table of 6. Unfortunately, a friend had to back out due to illness. So, down to 5. Can't let that be a downer.
The restaurant is located in the heart of the financial district at the top of the TD Bank Tower. It was unfortunate that we did not get a window view because the view looks over the shores of Lake Ontario (onto Centre Island) and into the West end of Toronto (I suppose you could see Hamilton on a clear day). But we were there for the food.
You cannot go to a restaurant like this and not order something to drink. Really, don't be cheap and just drink water (typical Asian!! lol - trust me I know, I do that). We had a discussion whether or not we should go for the wine pairing with our food; extra $15/person. The decision was that we weren't sure if it's worth to try it. And we realized some were ice wine and white wine. First, I am not an expert wine drinker. I just know whether or not I like the wine you gave me. I stopped drinking white wine. It makes me sick or something. And the wine selections were Ontario winery; nothing against my home province but we wanted something different. So red wine it is.
Having asked an expert (my high school music teacher), I gave the group 2 choices.
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Reserva 2007
Saltran Pepperjack Shiraz Barossa South Australia 2008
The Australian wine was $64 and was told it had good review. But there must be something about Italians and wines... we ended up picking the Castello di Gabbiano for $75 and it was GOOD.
Love the label.
3 Appetizers:
Purdy’s Smoked Whitefish
Chilled Cookstown Potato Purée, Holland Marsh Leeks & Double Smoked Bacon
Ontario Bufala Mozzarella
Sweet Peas, Celery, Honeyed Walnuts & King Crab
(This was my selection)
Bufala Mozzarella is cheese that comes from Buffalo milk. The mozzarella was actually unrippen and the flavour was different that cow mozzarella. I really liked it!!
Cornish Hen Terrine
Swede Slaw, Kozlik’s Mustard & Tarragon
Slightly disappointed in this one... but the sauce made up for it.
3 Main Courses:
Pan Roasted Great Lakes Pickerel
Charred Spring Onion, Crispy Russet Potatoes & Stratford Corn
This was good. The fish was light and done in a way that it tasted somewhere between steamed and baked, even though it says "pan roasted."
Roasted Alberta Lamb Sirloin
Marinated Summer Squash, Chickpeas & Caraway Yogurt
(This was my selection)
You give me an opportunity to select lamb, I will pick it over ANY OTHER MEAT! Love, love, love the lamb! It was full of flavour that was to die for! The use of Caraway Yogurt was interested. It tasted like goat cheese. It changed the flavour of the lamb when you ate with it. I would eat this every night if I could...
Slow Cooked Ontario Pork Loin
Mustard Greens, Pearl Cous Cous & Plum Marmalade
Pork is really hard to cook (in my opinion). At least, to make pork taste juicy and not so chewy. This pork loin was done perfectly. It is so different from any other pork I've tried. The Pearl Cous Cous was interesting. I have never seen cous cous THAT big. I think it's Isreali cous cous (I went to Bulk Barns on the weekend and saw something similar in size).
3 Desserts:
Bitter Sweet Chocolate Terrine
Vanilla Marshmallow, Barrie Hill Farms Strawberries, Basil Crème Anglaise
A really nice mix of the sweetness of chocolate and the sourness of strawberries. The creme anglaise just made this a perfect harmony of flavours.
Canoe Pecan Tart
Niagara Cherries & Crème Fraîche Ice Cream
(This was my selection)
For some unknown reason, I decided to pick pecan tart... probably because I like pecan nuts. From a personal stand point, I thought the pecan tart was a bit sweet but it was perfect fit with the ice cream. There was also half a fresh cherries. There were preserved cherries in the ice cream. I really liked it even with the sweetness of the tart.
Trio of Canadian Cheeses
Wild Flower Honey & Apricot Compote
Can't remember the 3 cheese but one of them had quite a strong flavour but good. Too bad the wine was polished off...
We were very happy. My friend had told me that she had been to Canoe for licious events with her friends before but found the service to be sub-par. I experience something different. I'm not saying it's 100% super awesomeness but this is the type of service you expect at a classy restaurant at Canoe. Our server was good. I can't say he did a poor job. Checked on us only when we were done.
And the bill? It came in a nice little folded holder with a fancy curly paper clip (sorry, no picture)... So what did it cost us for the night? $415 after taxes and gradutities. It's actually not that bad when you think about it. Consider that during non-licious events, it is like $200/person. The main course itself cost $45 and that's without appetizer and dessert...
So, Winterlicious 2011... Sassafraz at Yorkville where all the famous who's who go to (or so they say...)
