If you've been following, you know my disdain for uninformed, colourless, hasty service. I make no bones about it; there is a lot of bad service happening in Toronto restaurants. Last week at Saving Grace I asked the server to explain what kind of sausage a debreceni was and the answer was "I don't know".
We cracked up but it really is sad.
Keriwa Cafe, 1690 Queen Street West, knows the meaning of hospitality.
Our experience went something like this:
A reservation was made and when confirmed we ask that it be changed from a deuce to a three. "We are booked but no problem, we will make it work".
The day before I was sick as a dog and tweeted, "Stayed in tonight w soup, tea and some NeoCitron. Gotta get better for tomorrow's dinner @KeriwaCafe."
The next morning I got "@Ritaboutit hope you're feeling better and we see you tonight at #keriwacafe."
We start with a few creatively crafted cocktails and as soon as we sat at our table, glasses of sparkling make an appearance. Why? Because our table wasn't ready when we walked through the door.
We had waited all of ten minutes.
The charming bartender came over to see how we liked the libations, the host was a doll and the server was attentive and knowledgeable. Executive Chef Aaron Joseph Bear Robe is also hella hot but I guess that's neither here nor there.
Keriwa's menu is Canadian. It's inspired by both the aboriginal and non-aboriginal cultures of this country. The server knew what pemmican and red fife bread was because we didn't.
They know that care and attention to their cuisine is just as important as it is to their guests' experience and it's a breath of fresh air.
The card changes monthly and if you hurry it's not too late to try October's smooth as silk butternut squash soup, the comforting bison short ribs with sunchoke Thunder Oak Gouda puree or the best chocolate tart Annette has ever had.
With the checque, a brown paper bag stapled shut with a business card. Inside, a cinnamon bun. Something so insignificant but so tasty with my morning espresso.
Post espresso I receive a "Thanks for tagging us at #keriwacafe we're glad you came in and enjoyed yourself! http://yfrog.com/oeyuvyj "
I wished my duck breast wasn't cooked to medium but more than this I wish more restaurants would get what Keriwa Cafe already knows.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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You nailed our experience. It was refreshing to go somewhere in this city where the staff actually gave a shit that you are there. The general experience at Keriwa was so wonderful that I have already recommended it to many people. And those bison short ribs were fantastic. We need to go back to taste the winter menu
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