Some recommendations for Winterlicious lunches --- many restaurants are not open for lunch, so do try these menus (touted by me, not-paid-for) -- arranged in random order:
...ViBo $41
--ViBo's Soup of the Moment
--Roman Style Rice Balls with a garlic cream
--Pomegranate Endive Pear Medley topped with toasted almonds and ricotta salata
--Warm Forest Mushroom rucola and green salad topped with Quebec goat cheese
Main Dish
--Herbed Pork Tenderloin with a maple pecan crunch and roasted local vegetables
--Pollo alla Parmigiana breaded chicken with tomato rags and fontina cheese
--Tagliatelle with Smoked Chicken snow peas and sun dried tomato with a light tomato cream
--Orange Roughy Fish snow peas tomato concasse with saffron cream
--Sicilian Eggplant alla Parmigiana
Dessert
--Warm Sticky Toffee warmed date cake served with caffe latte gelato
--Fresh Berries topped with a plump dollop of cold zabayone sauce
--Winter Sorbetto and Gelato
--ViBo's Soup of the Moment
--Roman Style Rice Balls with a garlic cream
--Pomegranate Endive Pear Medley topped with toasted almonds and ricotta salata
--Warm Forest Mushroom rucola and green salad topped with Quebec goat cheese
Main Dish
--Herbed Pork Tenderloin with a maple pecan crunch and roasted local vegetables
--Pollo alla Parmigiana breaded chicken with tomato rags and fontina cheese
--Tagliatelle with Smoked Chicken snow peas and sun dried tomato with a light tomato cream
--Orange Roughy Fish snow peas tomato concasse with saffron cream
--Sicilian Eggplant alla Parmigiana
Dessert
--Warm Sticky Toffee warmed date cake served with caffe latte gelato
--Fresh Berries topped with a plump dollop of cold zabayone sauce
--Winter Sorbetto and Gelato
...Adega $48
--Caldo Verde Soup with portuguese chourico
--Avocado & Tomato Salad with shaved parmesan, balsamic reduction
--Grilled Sardines with salsa verde
--Salmon Tartare with avocado mousse
Main Dish
--Mushroom Risottowith porcini-truffle butter & fresh parmesan
--Linguine with Tiger Shrimp with chipotle pepper, fresh basil tomato sauce
--Pan Seared Rockfish Fillet with mediterranean salsa
--Free Range Piri-Piri Chicken Breast with spinach, stilton, cashew, apple cider vinaigrette
Dessert
--Mixed Sorbet with fresh fruit
--Pastel de Nata with cinnamon, berry coulis
--Natas do Ceu with sweet egg yolk
--Caldo Verde Soup with portuguese chourico
--Avocado & Tomato Salad with shaved parmesan, balsamic reduction
--Grilled Sardines with salsa verde
--Salmon Tartare with avocado mousse
Main Dish
--Mushroom Risottowith porcini-truffle butter & fresh parmesan
--Linguine with Tiger Shrimp with chipotle pepper, fresh basil tomato sauce
--Pan Seared Rockfish Fillet with mediterranean salsa
--Free Range Piri-Piri Chicken Breast with spinach, stilton, cashew, apple cider vinaigrette
Dessert
--Mixed Sorbet with fresh fruit
--Pastel de Nata with cinnamon, berry coulis
--Natas do Ceu with sweet egg yolk
...Arisu $34
--Gimbap Korean-style rice rolls with beef, pickled radish, cucumber, carrot, spinach and burdock
root, wrapped in seaweed and pan-fried in a light egg coating
--Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodle Salad)
A chilled buckwheat noodle salad with vegetables in a perfectly balanced parrilla oil sauce,
light, refreshing and full of flavour
--Petite Potato Pancake Crispy mini pancakes made from finely shredded potato and a touch of
flour, served with a savoury soy dipping sauce on the side
Main Dish
--Bulgogi BBQ (Min 2 Orders Required) Thinly sliced marinated beef grilled to perfection with a
savoury-sweet Korean BBQ sauce, served with steamed rice, creamy egg custard, cheese corn butter, and
assorted Korean side dishes
--Dakgalbi Ssambap (Min 2 Orders Required)
Tender chicken stir-fried with vegetables, mozzarella cheese and sweet and spicy gochujang sauce,
served with steamed rice, fresh lettuce wraps and assorted Korean side dishes - a perfect balance of
spice, crunch and flavour
--Korean Vegetable Hot Pot
A heart-warming Korean-style hot pot filled with seasonal vegetables, assorted mushrooms, tofu,
yubu and glass noodles, gently simmered in a light, savoury broth
--8 Bites on Rice Crunch Eight artisanal rice crisps each topped with a unique seafood and sauce
combination, featuring salmon, tuna, butterfish, albacore, yellowtail, shrimp, botan ebi and scallop
Dessert
--Berry Bingsu A refreshing Korean shaved ice dessert topped with fresh strawberries, chewy rice
cakes and a drizzle of sweet condensed milk
--Danpatjuk (Sweet Red Bean Porridge) A traditional Korean winter dessert made from sweet red beans
and soft rice balls - warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy treat
--Yuzu Slush with Crispy Nurungji A frosty blend of Korean yuzu syrup and ice paired with crispy
fried rice crust for a light yet satisfying finish
--Gimbap Korean-style rice rolls with beef, pickled radish, cucumber, carrot, spinach and burdock
root, wrapped in seaweed and pan-fried in a light egg coating
--Makguksu (Buckwheat Noodle Salad)
A chilled buckwheat noodle salad with vegetables in a perfectly balanced parrilla oil sauce,
light, refreshing and full of flavour
--Petite Potato Pancake Crispy mini pancakes made from finely shredded potato and a touch of
flour, served with a savoury soy dipping sauce on the side
Main Dish
--Bulgogi BBQ (Min 2 Orders Required) Thinly sliced marinated beef grilled to perfection with a
savoury-sweet Korean BBQ sauce, served with steamed rice, creamy egg custard, cheese corn butter, and
assorted Korean side dishes
--Dakgalbi Ssambap (Min 2 Orders Required)
Tender chicken stir-fried with vegetables, mozzarella cheese and sweet and spicy gochujang sauce,
served with steamed rice, fresh lettuce wraps and assorted Korean side dishes - a perfect balance of
spice, crunch and flavour
--Korean Vegetable Hot Pot
A heart-warming Korean-style hot pot filled with seasonal vegetables, assorted mushrooms, tofu,
yubu and glass noodles, gently simmered in a light, savoury broth
--8 Bites on Rice Crunch Eight artisanal rice crisps each topped with a unique seafood and sauce
combination, featuring salmon, tuna, butterfish, albacore, yellowtail, shrimp, botan ebi and scallop
Dessert
--Berry Bingsu A refreshing Korean shaved ice dessert topped with fresh strawberries, chewy rice
cakes and a drizzle of sweet condensed milk
--Danpatjuk (Sweet Red Bean Porridge) A traditional Korean winter dessert made from sweet red beans
and soft rice balls - warm and comforting, perfect for a cozy treat
--Yuzu Slush with Crispy Nurungji A frosty blend of Korean yuzu syrup and ice paired with crispy
fried rice crust for a light yet satisfying finish
...Bellona $27
--Calamari Italiani Panko breaded oyster mushroom, served with a lemon dill aioli
--Whipped Ricotta and Marinated Olives Pistachio and honey whipped ricotta with house marinated
olives, served with the house baked focaccia
--Cantina Salad Mixed greens, dehydrated honey crisp apple, pickled bermuda onion, candied walnuts
and mozzarella cheese, served with a velvety prosecco vinaigrette
--Eggplant Sliders Breaded eggplant, fior di latte, basil and tomato sauce, served on the house
baked focaccia
Main Dish
--La Sagreta Ravioli Red wine infused ravioli, stuffed with tofu cream cheese and tossed with
portobello mushrooms in a signature blush sauce
--Rigatoni Truffle Alfredo Rigatoni pasta tossed in a velvety truffle cream sauce, finished with aged
pecorino romano, housemade focaccia bread crumbs and fresh cracked pepper
--Giovanni Pizza Vegan pepperoni, "crumbled sausage" made from cremini mushroom and brown rice, green
pepper, cremini mushroom, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
--Sofia Pizza Marinated roma tomatoes with goat cheese, roasted garlic, parmesan, mozzarella, extra
virgin olive oil, fresh basil and balsamic glaze
Dessert
--Tiramisu Espresso and rum soaked vanilla cake with coconut whipped cream
--Apple Fritters Honey crisp apples battered and tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with vanilla ice
cream and caramel.
--Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake Moist, fragrant and lightly drizzled with a delicate spiced maple sugar glaze
--Calamari Italiani Panko breaded oyster mushroom, served with a lemon dill aioli
--Whipped Ricotta and Marinated Olives Pistachio and honey whipped ricotta with house marinated
olives, served with the house baked focaccia
--Cantina Salad Mixed greens, dehydrated honey crisp apple, pickled bermuda onion, candied walnuts
and mozzarella cheese, served with a velvety prosecco vinaigrette
--Eggplant Sliders Breaded eggplant, fior di latte, basil and tomato sauce, served on the house
baked focaccia
Main Dish
--La Sagreta Ravioli Red wine infused ravioli, stuffed with tofu cream cheese and tossed with
portobello mushrooms in a signature blush sauce
--Rigatoni Truffle Alfredo Rigatoni pasta tossed in a velvety truffle cream sauce, finished with aged
pecorino romano, housemade focaccia bread crumbs and fresh cracked pepper
--Giovanni Pizza Vegan pepperoni, "crumbled sausage" made from cremini mushroom and brown rice, green
pepper, cremini mushroom, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
--Sofia Pizza Marinated roma tomatoes with goat cheese, roasted garlic, parmesan, mozzarella, extra
virgin olive oil, fresh basil and balsamic glaze
Dessert
--Tiramisu Espresso and rum soaked vanilla cake with coconut whipped cream
--Apple Fritters Honey crisp apples battered and tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with vanilla ice
cream and caramel.
--Pumpkin Olive Oil Cake Moist, fragrant and lightly drizzled with a delicate spiced maple sugar glaze
...Biff's Bistro $41
Appetizer
--SOUP AUX CHAMPIGNONS Biff's mushroom soup, chives, truffle crème fraîche
--CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT Biff's mustard, pickles, grilled sourdough
--PEAR SALAD poached pears, goat cheese, walnuts, mixed greens, maple vinaigrette
--SMOKED WHITEFISH BRANDADE lemon crème fraîche, baguette crostini, chives
Main Dish
--BIFF'S BISTRO BURGER charbroiled burger, caramelized onion, raclette, bibb lettuce, cornichon
aïoli, frites
--TARTINE AU POULET roast chicken, rosemary focaccia, whipped boursin,pistou, red pepper, arugula
salad
--HADDOCK toasted almonds, green beans, baby potatoes, brown butter hollandaise sauce
--ROASTED SQUASH RISOTTO butternut squash purée, fried brussels sprouts, curried pumpkin seeds,
parmigiano-reggiano
Dessert
--APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE apple sponge, salted caramel, apple butter, spiced streusel
--POT AU CHOCOLATE chocolate custard, sablé cookie, chantilly, cocoa nibs
--BASQUE CHEESECAKE dark cherries, port reduction, toasted almonds
Appetizer
--SOUP AUX CHAMPIGNONS Biff's mushroom soup, chives, truffle crème fraîche
--CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT Biff's mustard, pickles, grilled sourdough
--PEAR SALAD poached pears, goat cheese, walnuts, mixed greens, maple vinaigrette
--SMOKED WHITEFISH BRANDADE lemon crème fraîche, baguette crostini, chives
Main Dish
--BIFF'S BISTRO BURGER charbroiled burger, caramelized onion, raclette, bibb lettuce, cornichon
aïoli, frites
--TARTINE AU POULET roast chicken, rosemary focaccia, whipped boursin,pistou, red pepper, arugula
salad
--HADDOCK toasted almonds, green beans, baby potatoes, brown butter hollandaise sauce
--ROASTED SQUASH RISOTTO butternut squash purée, fried brussels sprouts, curried pumpkin seeds,
parmigiano-reggiano
Dessert
--APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE apple sponge, salted caramel, apple butter, spiced streusel
--POT AU CHOCOLATE chocolate custard, sablé cookie, chantilly, cocoa nibs
--BASQUE CHEESECAKE dark cherries, port reduction, toasted almonds
...Maison Selby $48
Appetizer
--Country Salad pear, endive, radicchio, hazelnuts, parmigiano-reggiano
--Truffle & Mushroom Tart comté, tartufata cream, vol-au-vent
--Duck Liver Mousse apple, winter radish, dijon, sourdough
Main Dish
--Salmon Meunière lentilles du puy, swiss chard, caper brown butter sauce, lemon
--Escalope de Veau breaded veal cutlet, broccolini, pomme purée, café au lait sauce
--Squash Pasta conchiglie, butternut squash crème, parmigiano-reggiano, crispy herbs
--Steak Frites flat iron steak, green beans, fries, béarnaise sauce
Dessert
--Café au Lait Financier mocha chantilly, shortbread crumb
--Crêpe Brûlée spiced apples, ricotta cream, nougatine
--Cantal Vieux raw cow's milk cheese, truffle honey, fruit & nut cracker
Appetizer
--Country Salad pear, endive, radicchio, hazelnuts, parmigiano-reggiano
--Truffle & Mushroom Tart comté, tartufata cream, vol-au-vent
--Duck Liver Mousse apple, winter radish, dijon, sourdough
Main Dish
--Salmon Meunière lentilles du puy, swiss chard, caper brown butter sauce, lemon
--Escalope de Veau breaded veal cutlet, broccolini, pomme purée, café au lait sauce
--Squash Pasta conchiglie, butternut squash crème, parmigiano-reggiano, crispy herbs
--Steak Frites flat iron steak, green beans, fries, béarnaise sauce
Dessert
--Café au Lait Financier mocha chantilly, shortbread crumb
--Crêpe Brûlée spiced apples, ricotta cream, nougatine
--Cantal Vieux raw cow's milk cheese, truffle honey, fruit & nut cracker
...Clandestina Mexican $34
--Guac and Chips Best avocados vs best tortilla chips
--Esquites Popular Mexican street food made from corn kernels sautéed in butter, mixed with creamy
mayonnaise and seasoned with chili powder, lime juice and crumbled cheese
--Bean Dip Refried beans served with queso fresco and tortilla chips
Main Dish
--Breakfast Burrito Loaded with scrambled eggs, beans, rice, crema and salsa
--Chilaquiles Verdes Traditional Mexican dish made with fried corn tortillas cut into small
pieces, then simmered in flavourful green sauce and served with crema and queso fresco
--Fish Tacos Corn-battered basa fish with guacamole, cucumber, cabbage slaw, jicama, carrot and
chipotle aioli
Dessert
----Flan Caramel custard
Churros The most popular Mexican pastry covered with cinnamon sugar and chocolate or caramel sauce
--Helado con Cafe Mexican vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso
--Guac and Chips Best avocados vs best tortilla chips
--Esquites Popular Mexican street food made from corn kernels sautéed in butter, mixed with creamy
mayonnaise and seasoned with chili powder, lime juice and crumbled cheese
--Bean Dip Refried beans served with queso fresco and tortilla chips
Main Dish
--Breakfast Burrito Loaded with scrambled eggs, beans, rice, crema and salsa
--Chilaquiles Verdes Traditional Mexican dish made with fried corn tortillas cut into small
pieces, then simmered in flavourful green sauce and served with crema and queso fresco
--Fish Tacos Corn-battered basa fish with guacamole, cucumber, cabbage slaw, jicama, carrot and
chipotle aioli
Dessert
----Flan Caramel custard
Churros The most popular Mexican pastry covered with cinnamon sugar and chocolate or caramel sauce
--Helado con Cafe Mexican vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso
...Soula Greek $27
--Spetsofai Orange sausage and red peppers cooked in a hearty tomato sauce with spices
--Greek Style Lentil Soup Slow cooked in tomato sauce with carrots, celery and onions, finished with
olives and spinach
--Keftedes Arni (Lamb Meatballs) Juicy and well seasoned ground lamb infused with the aromas of
fresh mint, garlic and oregano
--Kolokithokeftedes Zucchini croquettes with feta, kefalograviera cheese and fresh herbs
--Sesame Baked Feta Creamy feta wrapped in crispy phyllo, finished with a drizzle of raw honey and
a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds
Main Dish
--Vegetable Moussaka Layers of zucchini, eggplant, spinach, sweet peppers and potatoes, topped
with bechamel and tomato sauce, served with mixed greens in a balsamic vinaigrette
--Chicken Souvlaki Tender cuts of grilled chicken breast served with lemon roasted potatoes,
basmati rice, greek salad and tzatziki
--Atlantic Salmon Finished with white wine, lemon, dill and garlic butter sauce, served over
garlic mashed potatoes, roasted garlic carrots and asparagus
--Exohiko (Rosemary Lamb Pie) Slowly stewed with onions and mushrooms in a feta and rosemary
sauce, wrapped in phyllo pastry and served with mixed greens, lemon roasted potatoes and tzatziki
--Bifteki Olymbou Lean ground beef with traditional spices served with fries and mixed greens in a
balsamic vinaigrette
Dessert
--Ravani A traditional greek cake with honey syrup and sprinkled almonds
--Baklava Layers of house made phyllo, nuts and distilled greek honey
--Karidopita Moist and flavourful honey walnut cake with hints of cinnamon
--Spetsofai Orange sausage and red peppers cooked in a hearty tomato sauce with spices
--Greek Style Lentil Soup Slow cooked in tomato sauce with carrots, celery and onions, finished with
olives and spinach
--Keftedes Arni (Lamb Meatballs) Juicy and well seasoned ground lamb infused with the aromas of
fresh mint, garlic and oregano
--Kolokithokeftedes Zucchini croquettes with feta, kefalograviera cheese and fresh herbs
--Sesame Baked Feta Creamy feta wrapped in crispy phyllo, finished with a drizzle of raw honey and
a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds
Main Dish
--Vegetable Moussaka Layers of zucchini, eggplant, spinach, sweet peppers and potatoes, topped
with bechamel and tomato sauce, served with mixed greens in a balsamic vinaigrette
--Chicken Souvlaki Tender cuts of grilled chicken breast served with lemon roasted potatoes,
basmati rice, greek salad and tzatziki
--Atlantic Salmon Finished with white wine, lemon, dill and garlic butter sauce, served over
garlic mashed potatoes, roasted garlic carrots and asparagus
--Exohiko (Rosemary Lamb Pie) Slowly stewed with onions and mushrooms in a feta and rosemary
sauce, wrapped in phyllo pastry and served with mixed greens, lemon roasted potatoes and tzatziki
--Bifteki Olymbou Lean ground beef with traditional spices served with fries and mixed greens in a
balsamic vinaigrette
Dessert
--Ravani A traditional greek cake with honey syrup and sprinkled almonds
--Baklava Layers of house made phyllo, nuts and distilled greek honey
--Karidopita Moist and flavourful honey walnut cake with hints of cinnamon
...Cucina Buca $41
--CARPACCIO DI MANZO thinly sliced marinated beef tenderloin, arugula, cured egg yolk, parmigiano
reggiano
--INSALATA DI RUCOLA arugula, bagna cauda, sicilian anchovies, pine nuts
--INSALATA DI RADICCHIO radicchio, gremolata, ontario grape, pistachio
Main Dish
--RIGATONI ALL' ANATRA bronze die-extruded duck egg pasta, duck offal ragù, venetian spices,
mascarpone, basil
--POLLO ARROSTO grilled & smoked gianone half chicken, roasted ontario potato, lemon
--MELANZANE ARROSTO roasted eggplant, confit garlic-peperoncino, herbs
Dessert
--PANNA COTTA goat milk panna cotta, almond crumble, amarena cherry
--GELATO choice of house-made gelato
--SORBETTO choice of house-made sorbetto...
--CARPACCIO DI MANZO thinly sliced marinated beef tenderloin, arugula, cured egg yolk, parmigiano
reggiano
--INSALATA DI RUCOLA arugula, bagna cauda, sicilian anchovies, pine nuts
--INSALATA DI RADICCHIO radicchio, gremolata, ontario grape, pistachio
Main Dish
--RIGATONI ALL' ANATRA bronze die-extruded duck egg pasta, duck offal ragù, venetian spices,
mascarpone, basil
--POLLO ARROSTO grilled & smoked gianone half chicken, roasted ontario potato, lemon
--MELANZANE ARROSTO roasted eggplant, confit garlic-peperoncino, herbs
Dessert
--PANNA COTTA goat milk panna cotta, almond crumble, amarena cherry
--GELATO choice of house-made gelato
--SORBETTO choice of house-made sorbetto...
...and a tenth recommendation for an early dinner (5PM) at Scaramouche's annual Lobsterlicious feast, usually Mondays through Thursdays...until the run out of lobsters [now available!]
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
