This past winter I showcased the opening of Church Aperitivo Bar in Queen West. Seasons change and so do menus it seems. I was contacted this summer by the team at Butter PR advising me that the chef had tweaked a few of the menu items, added some new favorites and were currently promoting a unique Italian Sashimi offering they wanted me to sample.
I was joined at the table by Shawn from Butter PR as well as Sean Beckingham and Marian Staresinic lovers of good food, beer and cheer. We started off with piping hot risotto balls and a tasting of crostini. I was a bit skeptical about “Italian sashimi” but discovered a new favorite pairing: arctic char, roasted pistachio, hazelnuts and sea salt. Any Toronto based sushi fantastic should make a point of sampling Church’s sashimi which are paired with Italian flavours. Other highlights from the meal included creamy and crisp Caprese Salad, do it yourself Gnocco Fritto and piping hot Polenta Fries. We were dining on the first weekend of TIFF and was pleased to revel in my first celebrity siting while sipping on a mojito. A quick turn of the camera, and there you have it: Michael Pitt.
We sampled (* notes my favorites)
Arancini
Crostini
marinated tomatoes, cured salmon, roasted red peppers, sauteed wild mushrooms
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Italian Style Sashimi
spigola with chives, sea salt, evoo
albacore tuna with marinated red beets, lemon, olive oil
arctic char with roasted pistachio, hazelnuts, sea salt *
yellowfin tuna with olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar
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Stuffed Olives
Caprese Salad *
mozzarella di bufala, basil
Gnocco Fritto *
prosciutto di parma, stracchino cheese, truffle oil
Polenta Fries *
spicy tomato and fontina, gorgonzola and truffle sauces
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Sesame Seed Crusted Yellowfin Tuna
caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, aged balsamic vinegar
Rib Eye Sliders
caramelized onions, gorgonzola, fontina cheese, tomato, fries
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Millefoglie *
