It was an early Thursday eve and while I was still just getting over my Maui induced jet lag I enjoyed an energized skip in my step. I only had a few days in Toronto to write and ready myself for my next adventure which would have me jetting off to Vancouver and Hong Kong. Dreams of Kitsilano Beach strolls and HK’s famous BBQ pork and duck had me swooning on the solo.
With limited time to spare between trips I try my best to organize dinner dates to connect and catch up. And so it was that Dale and I whisked our way down Yonge Street in search of a sip and nibble. Off the beaten path of tourist town, hidden away from the calamity of Dundas Square we found refuge at the Eaton Chelsea Hotel. Plopping ourselves down on a comfy booth at T Bar we immediately slipped our fingers through a simple and sweet pre-dinner cocktail and bar bites menu.
Dale spent the evening conquering the mighty Canadian Caesar served in dainty mason chalice. T Bar playfully showcases several of these classic Canadian cocktails which are prepared with house made clamato. Dale’s duo included a classic tip of the hat to the original recipe and The Checkout prepared with bacon infused vodka and adorned with hard boiled egg, crispy bacon and pickle spear.
From the kitchen we worked our way through plump potstickers, smoky pulled pork sliders, new york steak with crispy frites and chicken + waffles covered in onion gravy. Our sweet finish included apple walnut cheesecake and thick slice of raspberry chocolate cake. We parted ways once returning to the hustle and bustle of Yonge, with cold hands shoved into my pockets I marched back home as a cool Autumnal breeze slipped through my hair forcing a whisper, “until next time.”
The Feast:
The Classic Caesar
polar ice vodka, house made clamato, freshly grated horseradish, tabasco, worcestershire, celery salt rim, celery and lime
The Checkout Caesar
bacon infused alberta purk vodka, house made clamato, freshly grated horseradish, frank’s red hot sauce, worcestershire, barberian’s steak spice rim, cherry tomato, hard boiled egg, crispy bacon, pickle spear
Potsticker Dumplings
asian slaw, pristine farms soy sauce
Pulled Pork Slider Trio
onion strings, corn relish
New York Steak
garlic herb butter, frites
Chicken and Waffles
onion gravy
Apple Walnut Cheesecake
Raspberry Chocolate Cake
