2154 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
416-425-4664
Type of cuisine: Tapas
Date of Review: November, 2009
Overall Quality Ranking: Good
Cost: Moderate
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: As Relaxed As It Gets
Description: Group dinners with shared dishes usually have 'No Celiacs' written all over them. But Relish is an exception. In fact, the dedicated celiac menu has enough variety to satisfy even most gluten loving types. This menu, which is on a completely different card from the standard tapas menu, contains all of the dishes that are gluten free. In some cases, necessary alterations are mentioned along with the item, such as "Ask for the balsamic glaze" or "Ask for rice crackers," so don't completely abandon vigilance. Nevertheless, Relish makes it easy.
Despite the potential sharing option, I chose to go it alone. Worrying about cross-contamination from serving spoons rather spoils my appetite. In short, for the several items I did not try, an experienced palate gave an overall ranking of good, with no food item garnering a 'yuck'. As for what I did try, it was quite enjoyable.
First, partaking of the drink menu, I landed a Yellow Bird. As long as you're fairly secure with yourself, let this fruity little fella take your tongue off to some tropical island. When you get back, warm up to the warm olives with jalapeno, a little variety pack of zesty goodness. The sauteed tiger shrimp was moist and tasty, and came in a crispy little shell. I gave the latter a bit of space as I was hesitant to question our busy waiter whether it had swum with any wheaty deep-fryer companions.
Moving on, I was happy not to share my grilled lamb special, particularly as the standard lamb empanada is not on the celiac menu. If you like mushrooms, the grilled portobello also makes nice company. Next, the roasted eggplant and almond butter dip was a comforting and filling topping for the rice cracker vehicle. And a nice Ninfa 2005 Portugese red kept everything moving down the sluice. Finally, to finish, can you say no to a flourless chocolate polenta cake? You do only live once.
As for price, it is possible to incur something of a bill if you are on a solo variety mission, but individual items are not over-priced. They recommend about 3 dishes per person, but I seemed fine with 5 and dessert....so maybe I have a problem. Regardless, the service was cheery and food delivery moved along nicely. The decor is comfortable and casual. Also, they accommodated our group of 12 with aplomb, but the restaurant is not large, so consider reservations.
In short, I hope to be back, but I also hope to bring a ravenous hoard of the gluten averse next round. At Relish, it seems sharing can again be fun and safe.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thai Memory
25 King William St.
Hamilton, Ontario
(905) 296-1077
Type of cuisine: Thai
Date of Review: November, 2009
Overall Quality Ranking: Good
Cost: Inexpensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Cautiously Comfortable
Description: Thai Memory is the kind of place you want to like. It's local, its a bit quirky, and in the heart of downtown Hamilton, it has its work cut out for it. Ultimately, you will like it, if you summon a little patience.
The menu has an abundance of Thai dishes, many looking very attractive on paper but verboten for the gluten-free eater. Most of the house specialty dishes unfortunately fall into this category. Still, there is enough to eat and enough to keep your interest. The spiciness (heat) of each item is selected by the patron.
Dinner began with fresh vegetarian spring rolls, which were tasty enough. The accompanying peanut sauce was avoided because of uncertainty over the soy sauce (and thus wheat) content, and the fish sauce substitute took care of my 2009 salt needs. We also shared the Laab Gai, a spicey ground chicken that was moist and tasty (although places second to a distant competitor, Rod Dee's of Boston). One of our diners enjoyed the Tom Kha soup with chicken and galangal, which appeared to be full of fresh ingredients.
For the main course, we shared the Pad Thai, a pineapple curry shrimp, and a red chicken curry. The Pad Thai was tasty without being syrupy. It was a fair size for one person, but really only a sampler amongst three. The chicken red curry was tasty and generous, as was the pineapple curry shrimp. Both used a coconut broth.
Service was pleasant enough, but decidedly slow. One couple that came after us sat, waited for their order to be taken, waited some more, then left. We were pleased that all the tables were full on this Saturday night, but the service could not keep up. On a previous week-night visit, only three tables were occupied, and service was smooth. Our overall visit was about two hours in length, which is fine for a relaxed visit but hazardous if you want to catch the 15 advertisements preceeding your evening movie. The knowledge of the staff regarding ingredients and gluten-free dining was unclear due to time constraints, so we stuck with safer fare.
Quirky is where the decor comes in. The restuarant is chock-a-block with Thai periphernalia, some of it great for provoking conversation. Several of the tables and chairs are also eye-catching, seemingly being made of large pieces of driftwood.
In short, Thai Memory left a positive impression, but won us by virtue of being a tasty local restaurant, not by virtue of service.
Hamilton, Ontario
(905) 296-1077
Type of cuisine: Thai
Date of Review: November, 2009
Overall Quality Ranking: Good
Cost: Inexpensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: Cautiously Comfortable
Description: Thai Memory is the kind of place you want to like. It's local, its a bit quirky, and in the heart of downtown Hamilton, it has its work cut out for it. Ultimately, you will like it, if you summon a little patience.
The menu has an abundance of Thai dishes, many looking very attractive on paper but verboten for the gluten-free eater. Most of the house specialty dishes unfortunately fall into this category. Still, there is enough to eat and enough to keep your interest. The spiciness (heat) of each item is selected by the patron.
Dinner began with fresh vegetarian spring rolls, which were tasty enough. The accompanying peanut sauce was avoided because of uncertainty over the soy sauce (and thus wheat) content, and the fish sauce substitute took care of my 2009 salt needs. We also shared the Laab Gai, a spicey ground chicken that was moist and tasty (although places second to a distant competitor, Rod Dee's of Boston). One of our diners enjoyed the Tom Kha soup with chicken and galangal, which appeared to be full of fresh ingredients.
For the main course, we shared the Pad Thai, a pineapple curry shrimp, and a red chicken curry. The Pad Thai was tasty without being syrupy. It was a fair size for one person, but really only a sampler amongst three. The chicken red curry was tasty and generous, as was the pineapple curry shrimp. Both used a coconut broth.
Service was pleasant enough, but decidedly slow. One couple that came after us sat, waited for their order to be taken, waited some more, then left. We were pleased that all the tables were full on this Saturday night, but the service could not keep up. On a previous week-night visit, only three tables were occupied, and service was smooth. Our overall visit was about two hours in length, which is fine for a relaxed visit but hazardous if you want to catch the 15 advertisements preceeding your evening movie. The knowledge of the staff regarding ingredients and gluten-free dining was unclear due to time constraints, so we stuck with safer fare.
Quirky is where the decor comes in. The restuarant is chock-a-block with Thai periphernalia, some of it great for provoking conversation. Several of the tables and chairs are also eye-catching, seemingly being made of large pieces of driftwood.
In short, Thai Memory left a positive impression, but won us by virtue of being a tasty local restaurant, not by virtue of service.
Le Club Chasse et Peche
423, St-Claude street
Montreal, Quebec
(514) 861-1112
Type of cuisine: Bistro
Date of Review: November, 2009
Overall Quality Ranking: Excellent
Cost: Expensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: As Relaxed As It Gets
Description: You want to belong to this kind of Le Club. At the same time, however, you might join a gym. They are serious about food, and they don't skip the tasty lipids. The menu is moderate in length, and there is enough to entice any protein seeking diner, but this probably is not the place to bring your vegetarian friends. The staff appeared informed about gluten, and dinner was pleasantly relaxed.
For round one, we choose the smoked lamb, the scallops, and the fois gras. If you were eating completely in the dark, you might have mistaken the lamb for lox. Sitting on tender beets, subtle bits of goat cheese, and a wondrous creme fraiche, this lamb was as mild as they come. The scallops were tender and crisp in all the right places, although according to one of our diners, the oil involved in production could have floated a container ship. No complaints from the eater. The fois gras also impressed, being given an 8.5/10 from one experienced fois gourmet. It was a touch large, but had an interesting and tasty companion in a little spice cake. To wash all this down, we tried a Jean-Michel Gerin 2007 Voignier. With a straw nose and a touch of oak, it held its own.
All the main plates shone. The braised boor had spent the previous evening cooking gently, and it was as tender as it was profoundly rich. Accompanied by perfectly roasted nuts, a light cheese, and roasted figs, it demanded to be eaten in its entirety. Two of our members tackled the sizable paprika-spiced octopus, and it may have been the most tender little fellow any of us had ever set teeth upon. It came with a heavenly smoked potato puree, roasted tomato, and roasted eggplant. The halibut also won accolades. We went with a wine recommendation for the table for this culinary mix. The hazard of this is that many of us are disinclined to refuse once the bottle is opened. A Francois Ecot organic Gamay, this rosé-like number was too light and punch-like. Unfiltered, it also seemed to effervesce ever so slightly.
For dessert, two orders of the chocolate and salted caramel tart were happily demolished. Although all of the usual desserts were gluten containing, an off-the-record pavlova was procured. Marzipan played Atlas to a coconut ice cream even while swimming in a little pool of delectable creme fraiche. All this white was offset by a few bright cherries. What a save!
Service was largely good. Our waiter had the menu memorized to the point that you might have suspected an implant. His presentation was also charming. But he didn't write down our order, and he did forget both the oysters (quite an error at $24 for 6) and the shared vegetables. While far from laudable, we had enough food that we did not point out the omission. Otherwise, the flow of food was timely and well coordinated, liquid refills were automatic, and our waiter kindly did a short marathon to hail a cab.
The physical space appears as a cross between a retro basement rec-room and that fictional jazz bar on Tatooine. It is dark, cozy, and divided nicely so as to minimize noise.
Le Club makes good food. We've had the fortune to come here before, and you won't have to drag us to get us back again.
Montreal, Quebec
(514) 861-1112
Type of cuisine: Bistro
Date of Review: November, 2009
Overall Quality Ranking: Excellent
Cost: Expensive
Gluten-Free Menu Options: Good
Gluten Free Diner Comfort ranking: As Relaxed As It Gets
Description: You want to belong to this kind of Le Club. At the same time, however, you might join a gym. They are serious about food, and they don't skip the tasty lipids. The menu is moderate in length, and there is enough to entice any protein seeking diner, but this probably is not the place to bring your vegetarian friends. The staff appeared informed about gluten, and dinner was pleasantly relaxed.
For round one, we choose the smoked lamb, the scallops, and the fois gras. If you were eating completely in the dark, you might have mistaken the lamb for lox. Sitting on tender beets, subtle bits of goat cheese, and a wondrous creme fraiche, this lamb was as mild as they come. The scallops were tender and crisp in all the right places, although according to one of our diners, the oil involved in production could have floated a container ship. No complaints from the eater. The fois gras also impressed, being given an 8.5/10 from one experienced fois gourmet. It was a touch large, but had an interesting and tasty companion in a little spice cake. To wash all this down, we tried a Jean-Michel Gerin 2007 Voignier. With a straw nose and a touch of oak, it held its own.
All the main plates shone. The braised boor had spent the previous evening cooking gently, and it was as tender as it was profoundly rich. Accompanied by perfectly roasted nuts, a light cheese, and roasted figs, it demanded to be eaten in its entirety. Two of our members tackled the sizable paprika-spiced octopus, and it may have been the most tender little fellow any of us had ever set teeth upon. It came with a heavenly smoked potato puree, roasted tomato, and roasted eggplant. The halibut also won accolades. We went with a wine recommendation for the table for this culinary mix. The hazard of this is that many of us are disinclined to refuse once the bottle is opened. A Francois Ecot organic Gamay, this rosé-like number was too light and punch-like. Unfiltered, it also seemed to effervesce ever so slightly.
For dessert, two orders of the chocolate and salted caramel tart were happily demolished. Although all of the usual desserts were gluten containing, an off-the-record pavlova was procured. Marzipan played Atlas to a coconut ice cream even while swimming in a little pool of delectable creme fraiche. All this white was offset by a few bright cherries. What a save!
Service was largely good. Our waiter had the menu memorized to the point that you might have suspected an implant. His presentation was also charming. But he didn't write down our order, and he did forget both the oysters (quite an error at $24 for 6) and the shared vegetables. While far from laudable, we had enough food that we did not point out the omission. Otherwise, the flow of food was timely and well coordinated, liquid refills were automatic, and our waiter kindly did a short marathon to hail a cab.
The physical space appears as a cross between a retro basement rec-room and that fictional jazz bar on Tatooine. It is dark, cozy, and divided nicely so as to minimize noise.
Le Club makes good food. We've had the fortune to come here before, and you won't have to drag us to get us back again.
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