It was Friday shortly after 6pm when I met Nicola on Church Street clutching my umbrella. The city was filled with the pitter patter of April showers, a moist choir which followed us as we marched south towards the St. Lawrence Market. After traipsing over Front Street we took a quick right, skipped over the puddles that plagued the Esplanade and bolted into the Bier Market.
The Bier Markets brasserie inspired menu pairs well with its cavernous beer hall interior. Guests are greeted first by the piddle of Manneken Pis before strolling through a spacious dining room featuring flickering vintage lamps, checker tile floors and epic beer bar. The Bier Market offers a liquid list which boasts over 150 beers which hail from over 30 countries, making it one of the top spots for Toronto hop enthusiasts to sip a beloved brew.
I was first introduced to Goose Island Brewery last Spring while sip and nibbling my way through a media lunch hosted at Nota Bene. It was a total fluke (and stroke of luck) that Nicola had just spent his Easter weekend in The Windy City. That eve Nicola and I were happy to reacquaint ourselves by quenching through a trilogy of Goose Island’s finest from Chicago: Honker’s Ale, Sofie and Pepe Nero.
Over the course of the next two hours we sloshed suds as a parade of plates whisked under our noses. The feast started with bubbling raclette which brought back fond memories of my first ever indulgence during a visit to Dijon, France. Our beer-centric entree duo featured hoegaarden white ale spiked chicken breast and 72 hour short rib steeped in leffe brune abbey ale. Be sure to leave room for Chefs whimsical take on Charcuterie: a reimagined experience for the sweet tooth which includes curious desserts such as milk chocolate “country pate,” strawberry and white peach “proscuitto,” and red velvet “boudin noir.”
The Feast:
Goose Island Honker’s Ale
Goose Island Sofie
Goose Island Pepe Nero
Beet Trio
roasted crimson, cider-poached golden and shaved stripe beets, quinoa croutons, goat cheese coulis, red beet vinaigrette
Raclette
oka, saucisson sec, fingerling potatoes, cornichons
Brasserie Chicken
hoegaarden white ale spiked breast, glazed heirloom carrots, roasted cauliflower puree, fondant potato, sauteed black kale, jus
72 Hour Short Rib
leffe brune abbey ale braised, heirloom carrots, grilled asparagus, roasted cauliflower puree, caramelized turnip, demi glace
Sweet Charcuterie
milk chocolate country pate, strawberry and white peach prosciutto, red velvet boudin noir, peach and apple terrine, cherry and almond tapenade, chocolate rye bread and banana crostini, compressed melon, sweet yogurt
