12.23.2011

The Gabardine

The Gabardine is the latest addition to the financial district adding charm and a casualness into this corporate area full of suits and pretension.  Owned by 2 women, Allison Mackenna and Katherine Rodriques, it's no surprise that they were able to infuse some delicate touches into this  50-seat self-styled gastropub.



When we walk in for dinner, it is busy, and a note to self to make a reservation the next time I come in.  We actually get lucky and get seated in the very back right next to the open kitchen where I can watch the food porn happen.  Their terrine du jour is a melange of venison, wild boar, bison and prune.  It was soo good!  We also order the hush puppies for appetizers as we are watching everything come out and they are too good to pass up.  It's a Southern treat and they are like corn meal pillows of warm goodness.
For our mains - we order the cioppino with fresh seafood - this is like a spicy bouillabaisse served with big crab claws, mussels, clams, scallops and poached fish.  It was really nice.
Finally we had the risotto of the day - it was a mushroom risotto which was delicious.
Of course we had to finish our meal with getting a dessert.  We decided on the donuts as this was the newest addition to the menu and they were out of this world.  They were sooo good!
The secret ingredient was the cardamom which made them delicate and fragrant.  They came with a white creme anglais and stout caramel sauce for dipping and they were perfection.
I would absolutely come back and try the rillettes, the mac and cheese and their selection of sandwiches.
The Gabardine
**** stars
372 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5H
The Gabardine on Urbanspoon

1 comment:

  1. The mac and cheese is so so creamy and cheesy! a must try :)

    ReplyDelete