Azure Restaurant at Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel

Just days before TIFF started to razzle dazzle itself across the city I spent one evening at the Intercontinental Toronto Centre Hotel for a story I was writing for Travel + Escape. I spent the evening touring through the very best sips and nibbles at the hotels Azure Restaurant.

Azure is located under a canopy of glass which during the day accentuates the sun and offers an airy warmth for those looking to savour a cocktail by the bar. In the evening after dusk settles over the city the restaurant takes on a magical tempo. A scatter of hovering lights glow throughout the space as diners stare up into the night sky while the full moon spreads its smile across the city.

Azure’s menu showcases a unique interpretation of contemporary Canadian cuisine and boasts a 4 Diamond Award for service and quality. After swishing through the dimly lit dining room I was seated by a window overlooking the hustle and bustle of Front Street. As dessert was plopped under my nose late summer rains drenched the city and pitter pattered on the ceiling above. There really is something romantic about swirling the velvet of a Pinot Noir in your glass while watching droplets of fresh summer rain creep along windows as rooftop.

Highlights from my dinner at Azure include: watermelon salad (heirloom radish, fet and truffle essence), Lobster Cavatelli (asparagus, sweet peas, lemon and mascarpone) and a melt in your mouth Wellington County Filet Mignon (marble potato gratin, kale and red wine jus).

The Feast:

Sparkling Starlet

tanqueray, moet chandon, orange

Endive Salad

arugula, pickled shallots, blue benedictine, bartlett pear, candied walnuts, sherry vinaigrette

Watermelon Salad

heirloom radish, feta, micro leaves, truffle essence

Citrus Jumbo Prawns

grapefruit, avocado, blackberries, sunflower seeds

Lobster Cavatelli

asparagus, sweet peas, lemon mascarpone

Green Pea Risotto

black truffle butter, parmesan, basil cress

Wellington County Filet Mignon

marble potato gratin, kale, baby vegetables, red wine jus

Bradford Bay Cambozola Chicken Supreme

sweet potato mash, watercress, candied walnuts

Strawberry Cheesecake

macadamia crust, phyllo croustillant, thai lemon basil gel

Smore Bliss

chocolate pate sucree, tanzanie origins ganache, knob creek bourbon caramel, pink peppercorn dust