rev:text
| - Tucked away just off Yonge and fashioned to give a Toronto-worthy salute to the subway, Richmond Station feels like a sexy, secret clubhouse. Thankfully, the only thing it has in common with an actual TTC station is that it gets crowded during peak hours.
We kicked off our Thursday night with a cool bottle of white from Prince Edward County's Huff Estates. It paired wonderfully with our savory supper, which we enjoyed in clear view of the bustling open kitchen.
APPS:
With creamy celery remoulade, chewy kale, crunchy croutons and soft 'shrooms, the Crispy Egg Caesar Salad ($12/18) demonstrated the most artful combination of contrasting qualities since the Spice Girls. We wiped the plate clean with the house-made bread. The Butternut Squash Soup ($7) was met with hearty approval from our lactose-intolerant dining partners.
ENTREES:
Seared Digby Scallops ($29) came four to a plate surrounded by spaetzle, with each bite alternating between lemony tang and hazelnut earthiness. I reluctantly turned in half the plate to my date in exchange for one of the chalkboard menu specials, Butter Poached Halibut ($29). Plated beautifully on a bed of radish, carrot, zucchini and mashed potato, the fish was incredibly light and tender. Didn't beat the scallops, though I'm not sure what could.
DESSERT:
I rarely rave the most about sweets, but pastry chef Farzam Fallah's offerings are an easy exception. One order was a special - black sesame pound cake ($9) with lemon ice cream and goat cheese. The other, unassumingly called "Movie Snacks", was the highlight of the whole meal: chocolate torte, popcorn ice cream, almond brittle, cola meringue (!!!) and "Twizzlers" puree ($9). If you want a big chunk of cheesecake, go to the Pickle Barrel - both of these desserts came totally deconstructed in cubes, foams, shards and dollops.
The bill came flanked by pieces of chocolate ginger fudge, which is probably the best way for bills to arrive. A lovely finish to an altogether great, inventive and flavourful meal. I'll mind the gap between visits.
|