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| - As you begin to read this review know that with each passing sentence I write I'm unsure as to whether or not this place deserves a FOUR or FIVE star. Perhaps as I recount my evening in the paragraphs that follow I will recall an X-factor I'm forgetting that will push them over the edge to the land of the coveted 5th star.
I found Sidecar using Yelp (obviously) when searching for spots around the city with great cocktails. A recent trip to San Francisco has elevated my liquor palate and I now simply refuse to casually drink bar rail and mix. The Toronto cocktail standards (Spirit House, Weslodge and Barchef) popped up, but I wanted to avoid the Entertainment district and find somewhere special and unique for my evening. Upon reading the reviews on Sidecar I knew there had to be something to this place as multiple reviews made mention of their Old Fashioned, Negroni, Manhattan and other cocktail standards.
Step two in my evening plans were to do a little menu research and verification. I searched online and found that their menu had great appetizer options and main courses all reasonably priced. Finally sold that this would be a winner, I used the OpenTable option on the Yelp app and made a reso (so easy). To my surprise a 6:30pm time slot was open which was perfect!
Fast forward to Saturday evening my dining companion and I arrived on time and if by some sort of magic were able to grab street parking exactly across the street from Sidecar - what luck! Entering, I was immediately impressed with the intimate setting that Sidecar provided. Dim lighting, semi private seating and an expert decor had my DC and I debating whether or not this spot had been featured on Restaurant Makeover (it wasn't) but still resembled the expertise and savvy that the RM design team brings to the table.
Staff were excellent from the moment we entered, offering to take our coats and even running to fetch my coat later that evening when I realized I needed to top up my parking (and they found it quick and without error). More about the staff later.
We decided on drinks to begin, and I had been obsessing about their spin on my fave Madmen cocktail - The Old Fashioned, since reading about it online earlier that day. Done with Orange oils this was an excellent small adjustment that made the drink smooth and easy to drink cutting down on some of the Bourbon burn that comes with some OF's. Special note: Kudos to Sidecar for using the correct ice for the beverage; single large cube which kept the drink cool without watering down the flavour.
Following two (or three) OF's we decided to order up some shareable appetizers and were immediately sold on the Bufula Mozzarella ($12) - Done with Vine tomatoes, basil and pesto (huge delicious rustic cuts of Mozzarella and Tomatoes) and a half dozen lemon point Oysters. The Oysters (@ $3 each MP) were meaty, fresh and very nice with just lemon.
With our appetites now well piqued, we moved on to ordering mains. My DC selected the Papardelle ($18) - Made with Braised short ribs, aged cheddar, king oyster mushrooms, San Marzano tomato sauce, and Spanish onion. I got a chance to try it and the Papardelle was fresh and perfectly cooked to al dente, while the short rib and aged cheddar were welcome additions to a favourite pasta dish. For my own main I ordered the Crab Risotto ($18) which was made with Atlantic snow crab, bacon, pickled jalapenos, and mascarpone cheese. Much like the Papardelle the Risotto was perfectly cooked and the mix of crab, bacon and jalapenos brought together a different flavour experience with each bite. One moment I was able to pick up the crab and the next the chunks of bacon, all the while absolutely loving the creaminess and spice of the dish!
Food and drink aside a couple items worth mentioning were our server and the bread. Our server was EXCELLENT, topping up our water glasses without us even noticing, ever present but not in our face about ordering. There wasn't one moment where I felt rushed, yet he was attentive enough to always be within earshot when we needed something.
Lastly, the bread (which was also replenished without so much of a peep) was excellent. Two types (one was french bread in taste and the other a wheat bread with rye undertones) were served with a generous cup of butter - excellent throughout the early portion of our evening when drinks were the focus.
All in all an Excellent experience, and there was not one thing I could think of that would put me off Sidecar and because of that I've moved them from a 4 to 5 star. I would highly recommend this place for drinks, appetizers, dinner, dates, or meetings of friends. This modern Canadian/Italian bar and Grill receives top marks in my book - I'll be back!
Eatcrest Out!
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