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| - I was graciously invited to the soft opening of Bestellen Friday night and walked away thoroughly impressed. Situated on a derelict strip of retail on College just east of Dufferin it's definitely got that "out there" and "first" kind of vibe that the restaurants on Dundas and Ronces have--if that makes sense. Anyway, its cool. Let's leave it at that.
I walked in at 6:30 to a full house, they had two cameramen shooting promotional footage and I thought that was pretty swag. The restaurant is pretty big and deep in comparison to the site of the storefront. I'd say its about 60 seats. The decor is what you'd expect from a new restaurant in this decade: lots of found wood. We got reclaimed wood ceilings, reclaimed wood tables; it's all reclaimed. I dig the look, I always do. The menus, which are mounted on wooden boards reminiscent of a gussied up cutting board, tie the whole meat+wood aesthetic together.
We were told the menu was limited because it was the soft opening and the reviewer below me has done a pretty good job at describing the standouts. I personally split the 30 day aged striploin with a friend ($40) and ordered a side of duck fat fingerling potatoes with it. If the meat locker in the restaurant is any indication, this place is going to be a serious spot if you like beef. The striploin was easily one of the best pieces of meat I've tasted...I'll go ahead and put it above BONES in Atlanta (best steakhouse I've eaten at personally). Other standouts were the fried cheese curds with smoked ketchup ($7, and be sure to save the ketchup for your frites!), the brussel sprouts and pork belly ($6), and even though I didn't have it I saw a lot of burgers ($18, dry aged beef, carmelized onions, raclette cheese, brioche bun) on tables.
Wines are divided into three price levels (nice and easy) $45, $65, and $85. Beau's on tap (swag).
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my meal wish Rob and Ryan nothing but the best--they've got a real winner.
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