While slurping noodles all winter in Asia I regularly scrolled through my social feed to keep tabs on what was buzzworthy in my home sweet home. With the addition flashy new restaurants in Toronto never in short supply I set up a note on my phone entitled “Where to eat in YYZ on the ASAP.”
It quickly became clear that Chef Anthony Walsh’s new culinary creation located inside Saks Fifth Avenue was the place to be. Walsh created Leña as an homage to his Argentinian mother-in-law, Elena, which embodies what he has experienced in her kitchen – a passionate food philosophy that brings people together.
Toronto trumpets itself as a multi-cultural mecca, and while we have plenty of spots to nosh downtown on tacos, the addition of Argentinian asado and inspired gaucho grub is long overdue. Leña’s cuisine showcases the diversity of South American cooking, with unique Spanish and Italian influences. Hop up at the restaurant’s now iconic octagonal bar and you’ll find the perfect perch to sip and nibble while people watching the hustle and bustle of Yonge Street.
Highlights from Leña’s menu include watermelon, rum and ginger beer muddled Torreon, soft as a marshmallow Smoked Jamon Croquetas, the restaurant’s signature Empanadas dipped in chiminasty sauce, octopus salad tossed in fresh mint and sherry, Pan de Miga “ham and cheese sandwich” with pickles and olives, and my new favourite comfort food Pollo Dona Aurora featuring organic chicken, laurel, lemon & saffron ragout and parmigiano-reggiano.
Torreon | vino blanco, havana club 3 year old rum, watermelon, lime, ginger beer
Smoked Jamon Croquetas | sherry aioli
Susana’s Gaucho Empanadas | beef, egg, olives, chiminasty sauce
Octopus Salad | blistered tomato, red onion, mint, sherry
Pan de Miga | ham, provolone, green olive pesto, pickled jardiniere
Pollo Dona Aurora | organic chicken, laurel, lemon & saffron ragout, parmigiano-reggiano
