Pure Spirits Oyster House and Grill

55 Mill Street
Toronto, Ontario
416-361-5859

Type of cuisine:  Bistro
Date of Review:  October, 2009

Overall Quality Ranking:  Excellent
Cost:  Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options:  Reasonable to Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Cautiously Comfortable

Description:  Toronto's Distillery District has a touristy charm that typically serves as a red flag for good food.  Comprised of several old red brick warehouses now housing various shops and eating establishments, it is an enjoyable place to linger for a few hours.  Just don't trip over the cobblestone or all the bridal parties coming for photo shoots.

I am pleased to write that Pure Spirits Oyster House broke ranks with over-priced tourist kibble.   The menu is comprised of seafood and some meat options, and was straightforward enough that several GF options were present.

To open, the table shared fresh oysters.  I am not an oyster aficionado, but these had a lovely texture, were not the faintest bit fishy, and conveyed a gentle zing with their little tufts of freshly grated horseradish.  As an appetizer, I had the seared Digby scallops, which were perfectly done and sat on a fresh corn bed nicely blended with herbs.  My table mates shared a fresh salad.  The seared great lakes whitefish served as a delightful main.  The sweet balsamic and fresh tomato accompaniment did not overwhelm the fish.  Another diner had the bouillabaisse, which was reported to be very good.  Two others at our table raved about the Dungeness crab "mac n cheese".  To drink, we shared a Lillypilly 2008 sauvignan blanc, a lovely Australian ambassador.  

The service was amiable, and although the waiter did not appear celiac savvy, he engaged the issue.  Water refills were given without request, and wine was similarly poured.  The restaurant felt large yet warm and comfortable.  Your eyes tend to wander over the magnificent old beams and the old photographs.  Note that the windows are single pane, and sitting near them might be a bit chilly in the winter.

Can we distill this down?  Pure Spirits does great seafood, and does it mid-continent in a potential tourist trap.