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| - I have been frequenting a place across from where I work called Eat Fresh Be Healthy. I was impressed with the sandwiches I had taken away from there, especially considering all the other choices between Yonge Street and University Avenue, along Dundas Street West. The food was fresh, flavourful, and quite delicious. They are priced about a $1 to $1.50 more than many other choices, but the quality is evident and kept me going back for more.
So when friend suggested lunch in the area I offered it up as one of the choices (others had been Somethin' 2 Talk About, The Queen and Beaver, Japango). I was able to provide a link for menu or review for the other choices, so I went looking for something on Eat Fresh Be Healthy. I came across the Yelp listing that also outlined the Chef's experience and philosophy (has trained in some of the top restaurants of the city, and believes in local fresh ingredients for his food). In words, these were the reasons I had kept going back. His experience and knowledge of food is evident in the meals I had consumed, as well as the quality of his ingredients.
We decided on that place for lunch and it was to be my first dine-in experience of the place.
As usual, engaging the chef was easy, explaining my allergy to onions provided a quick list (with a very sincere apology) of food that I could not have, as well as an offer to adjust what could be adjusted (The special Striploin and vegetables over pasta in a Rose sauce was out -as the sauce had onions-, but the port cutlet sandwich with caramelised onions was ok as her would make one fresh without the onions).The chef describing his menu choices and specials was similar to listening to a teenager espouse on about their first romance. His love of food is that transparent and fervent. His manner is gracious, almost to a fault, stopping just short of ingratiating. His delivery and speech is careful, thoughtful, empathic, full of care and love of his food. He really, really wants to feed you, and feed you well.
He had explained on a previous occasion that he could not make me a sandwich, when I popped down one late afternoon as all the fresh baked bread for the day was gone, and made me a wrap instead. To make up for the lack of bread I was given 2 cookies with the explanation that it was nearing the end of the lunch sales and they would not last the day, as they are baked fresh daily as well.
So I am convinced that everything is fresh, well sourced, well prepared and assembled with care.
I chose the Pork cutlet sandwich and my friend opted for a spinach salad.
My sandwich was delicious, the pork moist, the bread spongy, and the flavours well combined. The side salad accompanying it was a spinach salad in a simple light vinaigrette that allowed the natural flavours to come through and very abundantly dressed with grapes, red beets, pickled radish, roasted almonds, and julienned carrots.
My friend's "simple spinach salad" covered a large leaf shaped plate and was very much a dinner portion of Spinach, cherries, blueberries, grapes, star fruit, strawberries, pickled radish, roasted almonds, and julienned carrots (I may have even missed a couple of ingredients). She reported that the flavours were delightful.
This place has lunch entrees in addition to the sandwiches and salads, as well as a full dinner menu on Thursday to Saturday, and brunch on weekends. I am definitely going back for dinner and plan on a brunch soon as well.
When I go out to eat my focus is the food. If the food is good, many other things are forgivable or irrelevant. However, I feel that in the interest of full disclosure I should point out that the décor is Spartan and not the most attractive. The service consists of the Chef himself and a person that seems to be his wife. During a busy period I am sure that when they get a little slammed, service is slow. She is also clearly not trained as a server and is constantly going to the Chef for clarifications, as well as slipping up on a simple server etiquette (refreshing water, checking in, prompt bill delivery when plates are cleaned or put aside). Both of these points are irrelevant to me. Hell I'll eat standing at the counter and happily serve myself.
Note to vegetarians: I have not tried the vegetarian options (and there seems to be more than salad - a sandwich or two, couple of pastas, and couple of entrees), but I am sure they are just as good. Also, remember that this Chef is only too happy to customise and cater to special requests (at least during non peak hours, when I go).
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