The Annex Live

This entire summer, my friends Ben and Rob with their band mates have been hosting a Wednesday night folk night featuring bands (Small Town Treason and the United Empire Loyalists) and their guest performers. Last night was the final one of the season and wanted to give them huge props as it was a big success for them. I also wanted to say that last night's finale show featured Alison Jutzi who dazzled us all with her talented vocals and comedic songs!

The Annex Live is on Brunswick Avenue just south of the melange of sushi restaurants, pubs and music/book stores on Bloor and it's not your average watering hole- there are swanky black tables and intimate lighting inside with a big patio on the side and it is surprising nicer than a lot of the fare in the annex. Their menu coyly states that all their dishes are appetizer portions however feature things that seem like mains such as snapper, pastas, and scallops but the prices reflect otherwise. I was quite excited when the waitress told us that the prix fixed menu for $25 included a choice of 3 items and dessert! Wow- what a great deal! With choices of Watermelon/feta or Mixed Greens Salad, Yukon Gold Gnocchi or Egg Yolk Mushroom Tagliarini, Roasted Sea Scallops or Cornish Hen, plus a selection of premium ice creams, this is too much to ask for!!
We selected the watermelon salad - which was a very refreshing way to start our dinner off. Crispy, sweet and juicy were the watermelon slices mixed with salty feta and dressed with a mint and jalepeno dressing was a good combo of sweet, salty and spice and everything nice.
We then had the egg yolk tagliarini which was simliar to spaghetti pasta mixed with mushrooms and fresh peas - great flavour and the peas added a good texture to the dish. Finally we had the cornish hen- which was perfectly tender on a bed of sauteed spinach and paired with soft goat cheese. It was really delicious!
This is a place that i would label a triple threat- good food, good atmosphere and has live entertainment so a good place to go hang out with friends or on a date.

The Annex Live
296 Brunswick Avenue, Bloor and Brunswick
**** stars