Monday, April 23, 2012

So...

The Miller Tavern has recently opened at 31 Bay Street and although I haven't eaten there yet, we did pop in one night for some champagne.  If you're in the mood for some bubbly, this is where to go; they are popping bottles of Veuve Clicqout for $60.  No, that is not a typo.  Yes, it is even cheaper than the $67 you'll pay at the LCBO!

Another newbie in Toronto is The Midfield Wine Bar and Tavern, 1434 Dundas Street West.  This laid back, unpretentious bar is a real little gem that reminds me of sipping wine in bars in Portugal and Spain.  The other night we shared a $50 bottle of Tempranillo, a duck and foie gras rillette ($6) and a cheese board (3 choices for $16).  Besides charcuterie and cheese, you can indulge in oysters and they promise a bigger kitchen is coming soon.

A few months ago, we went to Yours Truly, 229 Ossington Avenue, for a few snacks and libations.  Both are reasonably priced with glasses and cocktails hovering at the $11 mark and snacks ranging from $5 to $13.  The salt cod unari ($6) nearly blew my mind with its' delicate pieces of fish and sushi rice tucked into sweet pockets of soft, juicy tofu. A smear of kewpie mayo finishes it off.  A brown paper bag of Thuet bread with a side of whipped duck fat and a pair of devilled eggs with sriracha, sesame and furikake doesn't hurt either.  We recently went back for dinner to give the $45 set menu a go.  Each of the four courses were the right combination of pretty presentation and wonderful flavours but sadly, the delicate presentations are way too teeny.  We started to panic after course two was a two, ok maybe three, ounce piece of trout and after course three's one slice of duck breast (this is the main?) we told our server to hold dessert so we could order another unari.  I had to make a sandwich when I got home.  Yours Truly is definitely where you want to go for dinner when you don't want to go for dinner.


Grand Electric, 1330 Queen Street West, is all about tacos and bourbon.  It's only thirtyish seats and I arrive when they open at 6:00 to put my name on the list.  An hour and half later, we are called to sit.  To start, chips and salsa with guacomole ($8) fail to excite me as much as my grand electric bourbon sour so we jump on the taco train.  Each is only $3.50 and they are not big but each soft shell is jammed packed with fillings such as tender beef cheek, tangy pineapple and pork belly and fried baja fish.  There are other characters as well and our favourite is the beef crudo tostada.  Skip the tuna ceviche tostada ($7.50) as is it just too wet and overcome with citrus.  This place is jumping with hip hop and quick turning tables.  Don't expect to linger.  Get your taco on then move on.