This is the first time I have been to Wine Bar. Well,really the first time since my long-time favourite Toronto chef, Jamie Kennedy, sold the establishment to his sous chef when he decided to focus more fully on other culinary endeavours he had become involved in. Truth is Jamie`s Toronto food empire hit a bit of financial hard times in recent years. Some say its because he expanded his restaurant ventures downtown too quickly, but I am sure the 2008 financial downturn really was no help to him. I have had the pleasure of eating at all of his restaurants - some many times - except his current lunch spot at the Gardiner Museum. Must get there.....
Anyway, Wine Bar remains virtually unchanged from its days as JK Wine Bar, still boasting its wall of homemade preserves and pickled and canned vegetables, all locally sourced and quite likely still preserved at Jamie's farm in Prince Edward County. One time we were at JKWB and Jamie was behind the stoves at the chef's bar cooking. I asked him a question regarding the preserves on the wall, and he looked away and then seemed to start to walking off....but what he was actually doing was stopping what he was doing to come around and talk to me for about 15 minutes about his ideas, his farm, his produce and his commitment to putting local food on his menu. Truly a memorable food moment in time for me.
For those not familiar with the restaurant, the menu is all small plates and dishes are intended for sharing. They also offer suggested wine pairings for each dish, available generally in 3 oz or 6 oz sizes. Dessert wines come in 1 oz or 2 oz.
Below is a synopsis of our wonderful dinner there on Friday night which culminated a huge day of food for me (I had been to La Bettola at lunch with France also that day). And then to make it even better, we were off to see Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Princess of Wales Theatre at 8:00! Great show - go see it!!!!
Wines:
Me: 3 oz. 2009 Hidden Bench Rosé ($5)
Om: 3 oz. German Reisling, which unfortunately, I failed to note the name or price of.
Me: 6 oz. 2007 Casa de Mouraz Touriga Nacional from Portugal ($12.50) - ok twice
Om: 6 oz. 2008 Cascina delgi Ulivi, Cortese ($13.50) - twice again
Plates:
Grilled Flatbread ($7)
Roasted root vegetable & garlic spread
House Smoked Chicken Poutine ($9)
2 yr aged cheddar and onion gravy
Spinach & Blue Cheese Salad ($9)
Baby spinach, toasted pecans & pickled beets
Proscuitto Salad ($10)
Cherry tomatoes, pickled onions & frisse lettuce
Roasted Muscovy Duck Breast ($15)
Savoy cabbage, roasted carrots & parsnips
Lamb Chops ($18)
Roast pumpkin & potato salad
As we had to be at the theatre, we passed on dessert but I would always suggest their cheese tray with the recommended pairing. Friday night it was:
Selection of Artisinal Canadian Cheese ($16)
2006 Hidden Bench Bordeaux Blend ($15 for 3 oz - $30 for 6 oz)
Other dessert choices (all $7) included Dark Chocolate Mousse, Poached Bartlett Pears, Almond Creme Brulee and Vanilla Pavlova. Mmmmmmmmm.
Dinner came in around $150 after tax with wine (before tip). I had purchased a Living Social on-line coupon that entitled me to $100 worth of food at Wine Bar for $50 so that made things less expensive. I think I am becoming a Groupon and Living Social addict! Better watch that!
Restaurant website: http://www.9church.com/
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