Today, our Summerlicious 2019 food trail took us to Canoe, a fine Canadian cuisine restaurant at level 54 of TD (Toronto Dominion) Bank tower. The annual Summerlicious (and Winterlicious) is a good time to be in Toronto, as we get to experience participating fine restaurants at budget friendly prices. Our 3 course lunch at Canoe costs CDN33++ per pax.
Besides the fine food, one of the main draws of Canoe is the grand panoramic views of Toronto city from the well appointed 54th floor restaurant.
From the window seats, we can see the iconic CN Tower, Rogers Centre (home of Blue Jays), Scotia Bank Arena (home of Maple Leafs and Raptors), parts of the Financial District, Lake Ontario, Toronto waterfront, Billy Bishop Airport, Toronto Island, etc. On clear days, we can even see Missisauga city on the distant horizon.
As window seats are limited, it is best to call ahead to arrange for it ☎ 416-364-0054.
There are also bar seats with the famous view. I am sure it is another level of spectacular at sunset and at night.
The pace was frenetic - the 100 seat Canoe was full house when we arrived at 2pm and it was still full when we left more than an hour later. Despite all the buzz and bustle outside, the open kitchen had an air of calm, quiet, organised efficiency.
We were served bread and butter as soon as our orders were taken. We like the spongy airy moist bread which had bits of gritty seeds. It had a gentle sweetish savoury sourish taste.
Our appetisers arrived before we finished our bread.
Atlantic Salmon Tartare.
Cubed fresh salmon set on sea buckthorn mayo, topped with crispy nori, salmon roe emulsion, kelp, and vinaigrette.
100km Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup with fresh basil custard and wild garlic oil. Sourish savoury thick soup punctuated with nice aromatics from the basil custard and wild garlic oil. The quite robust tomato sourish flavours make it great for eating together with bread.
Our entrees followed.
Albacore Tuna.
Two thick chunks of tuna torched and dressed with charcoal miso glaze served with barbecued asparagus, spring onion, shaved fennel, olive oil cracker and aubergine (brinjal).
We liked the tuna, even though it was firm outside, it was tender and moist inside with a nice briny sweet taste.
Braised Beef Cheeks. It wasn't love at first sight as it looked like a big black lump with don't know what brown bits on top.
The braised beef cheeks were served with roasted baby gem (lettuce), beef fat aïoli, lettuce purée, caramelized onion jus, crispy shallot and wild rice crumble (the gritty brown bits).
The slow braised beef cheek with visceral soft tissue and fat was tender firm moist, leaning on the firm side (but not chewy).
It wasn't love on first bite as the reduced braising stock on the cheek was intensely savoury salty, more than I expected. But, my tastebuds got accustomed to it by the second bite and I enjoyed the layers of savoury saltiness with assertive beefiness making its presence felt.
The desserts.
Citrus Tart with sea buckthorn compote, candied lemon and elderflower jelly.
Devil's Food Cake with chocolate crémeux, roasted cocoa tuile and mint chocolate sauce. The food cake was rather dry.
👌 The food is good here but the best thing is the view 👁
What is Johor Kaki doing in Toronto? 👈 click
Restaurant name: Canoe
Address: 66 Wellington St W, Toronto, ON M5K 1H6, Canada
Nearest TTC (subway): Between King and St. Andrew stations
Tel: 416-364-0054
Hours: Lunch 11:45am - 2:30pm | Dinner 5:00am - 10:30pm
Non Halal
Date visited: 10 Jul 2019
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