I guess I picked the right place to go for my one dinner in Toronto!!! Oh la la - it did not disappoint - thanks fellow Yelpers.
I arrived around 10 and there was a half hour wait. The hostess told me I would be sitting with another single who was waiting across the street in the cocktail bar. I, too, went to wait and enjoy a wonderful rye Manhattan (opened my eyes as I am a bourbon kinda gal).
About 20 minutes later Justin (my new friend) and I were seated. A huge shout out to Justin who was willing to share dishes with a perfect stranger. Eureka! My menu horizons increased dramatically!!! We started with the horse tartare per everyone's recommendations. It did not disappoint. After I got over the novelty of eating horse meat I truly enjoyed it and the sauce that accompanied it - although I did not fine it particularly spicy as billed. The meat was sweet and the sauce balanced it perfectly. Onto the bone marrow. I just made bone marrow a week or so ago (the bones I purchased were labeled "dog bones") but this was perfectly done and the chimmichurra pesto was a nice foil to the rich marrow. Tongue sandwich next. I was worried that might put me over the top (and there was more to come). The meat was sliced perfectly thin and it was superb. I don't remember any sauce on it but there didn't need to be as the meat was so good. It was not a heavy sandwich (thanks to the brioche roll) so I had room to continue. Next up: smoked sweetbreads. Delectable. Served under a salad. I did not taste much smokiness but since I am not a big fan of smoked meat, which was fine by me! Justin made a decision to order one more thing and thank goodness he did. The foie gras with banana pan perdu sitting on top of Nutella (yep - that's right, Nutella!) with puddles of a sherry gastrique. I had one bite and nearly swooned. Desert-o-licious!!!!!!!!!!!!
The food outshone the atmosphere which was cozy. There was a small kitchen area at the end of the bar (where I was seated) and I was amazed watching the cooking that was going on in front of me on an non comercial (electric) stove. Impressive.
Left about 12:30 with nary a regret (except that there was not a Black Hoof in Boston)!