September is only weeks away and you know what that means! It means that the Hart House restaurant/grill is open again! Hallelujah! The HH restaurant is tucked away inside the U of T campus and only operates from September to June, Monday to Friday. The old school setting of the whole Hart House grounds is just such a pleasure to walk through especially during the beautiful fall months. It is the place that I have most frequented for my birthday celebrations and it meets my Virgo demands! The grill room is stunning with vaulted ceilings and stained glass that doesn't feel dated but rather seems to enhance the history and stateliness of the buildings.
Don't for a minute think you'll get an old school menu here, that just ain't so. I've had some really interesting and diverse foods at Hart House. One of my most favorite dishes has been a grilled Whitefish with a side salad that was comprised of apple mixed with some shredded wild boar & bacon. It had a big time bite to it and I was surprised at the balance of the tartness of the apple against the game meat. Loved it. My girlfriend had the Frittata (oh you damn vegetarians) and she told me it was delicious, layered with artichokes and Oka cheese. I must say though one of my most favorite things are the goat's cheese biscuits. I'm a sucker for them. I could just eat up a plate of those with a bowl of soup and feel just as happy.
You'd think that a restaurant in a setting such as U of T would command a solemn, library like tone to it but this doesn't happen. It is airy and really a very comfortable restaurant. No chrome, no glass, no snooty waiters and no restaurant makeovers here. They keep the menu small and seasonal and offering wine pairings for the dishes as well.
September is just a few weeks in the offing. I'm counting the days. Can't wait to see what is on the menu for my birthday this year! :)