CANTINE 

138 Avenue Road, Yorkville, Toronto On., (416) 923-4822, Brunch 10 am - 3 pm Sat. & Sun. Lunch Mon. - Fri. 11:30 - 2:30 pm, Dinner 5 pm to close 7 nights

On a bitterly cold and windy February Saturday evening, my son Mark (http://www.markallen.ca/) and I decided to try Cantine.  We arrived at about 6:30 and were quickly seated (luckily) at a casual table in comfortable leather armchairs. They were a little awkward to eat from, but very comfortable to sit in. The interior of this restaurant is very comfortable and invites relaxation.  Most patrons were drinking vodka martinis during the evening.  We began by ordering a nice bottle of Refosco wine.

A nice bread platter quickly arrived with spicy olives and olive oil for dipping.

I ordered a fried calamari appetizer.  It was tender and nice and hot.  They were accompanied by a lemon and a chipotle mayo that was rather bland.

Mark ordered the crab cakes.  He really enjoyed them.  They were also accompanied by a chipotle mayo.

I ordered one of this evening's specials.  It was a house made ravioli dish filled with portabello and crimini mushrooms, onions and garlic.  They were tender and outstanding.  The ravioli were covered in a white wine cream sauce, that was light and very tasty.  Between the ravioli were short spears of very tender asparagus.  A sprinkling of parmigiano reggiano completed the flavouring of this plate.  This was a wonderful light dish that I would order again.

Mark ordered from the regular menu and had the grain fed boneless half chicken, with veal jus reduction and seasonal vegetables, that included bok choy and broccoli and mashed potatoes.  Unfortunately, the picture did not do this dish justice since it was to dark.  Mark really liked it.

We both complete our meals with a wonderful tiramisu that was light and delicious.  It was accompanied by sliced strawberries and chocolate sauce.

Our meals were very good and well presented.  The food was not heavy and the sauces were light and tasty.  The service was timely and efficient.  A number of patrons seemed to know each other and probably were regular patrons.  The restaurant was filled by 7:30, so reservations would be a good idea. We found the restaurant very comfortable and will definitely return to try other dishes.

http://www.cantine.ca/

THE OXLEY PUBLIC HOUSE 

121 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, On. (647) 348-1300 Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week

My two sons and I decided to try the Oxley, after searching out a new place to eat in Yorkville, on a very cold Saturday evening in February.  The Oxley doesn't look like much, until you step inside and experience its charm. 

The bar is well stocked and has a variety of draft beers.

The inside is very dark and extremely homey.  Once you sit down you just want to stay.

After selecting our pints, which included Innis and Gunn and Fullers London Pride, we decided to order from the bar menu.  The bar menu was typical of a pub with a new flair.  We reviewed the dinner menu and found it a little pricey and had items we were not familiar with.  We suggest you view their menu online before coming here.  

Mark (http://www.markallen.ca/) ordered the BLT with maple braised pork belly.  It was accompanied by a nice salad.  He really enjoyed it.

Thomas and I decided on the hand chopped burger and chips.  The burger looked small (like a slider), but it was far more satisfying than it looked.  It was very tasty and filling and accompanied by chips that were very good.  The chips came with an unusual tomato like dip that was unique and tasted like licorice. 

The atmosphere was comfortable, the service was efficient and friendly.  We noticed a variety of patrons here including families with children, couples and groups.  It is definitely an inviting and warm atmosphere.

http://theoxley.com/

QUEEN'S HEAD 

400 Brant Street, Burlington, On., (905) 632-1300, Lunch and Dinner, 7 days a week,  Late night, kid friendly, Private Parties

My son Thomas and I decided to go for dinner on Thursday evening.  We thought we would go back to Queen's Head, a place we used to frequent quite often.  It is a typical British Pub, on Brant Street in downtown Burlington, that serves comfort food (perfect for a cold evening in winter).

It has a number of different rooms inside and a large patio overlooking the street.  The patio is very lively on warm summer nights.  

We hadn't been here for a while and found some interesting changes on their menu.  The special tonight was a ground jerk chicken burger.  It was very tasty and was accompanied by sweet potatoes, which were quite good.

I chose the steak and mushroom pie covered with puff pastry and filled with tender beef chunks and mushrooms, with a rich brown gravy and yukon potatoes.  It was accompanied with some seasonal vegetables, that were perfectly cooked.

We accompanied our meals with pints of Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale.  A very satisfying meal, typical of most pubs.  The service was timely and our waiter was friendly. They seem to be trying to expand their menu and get more creative and that's a good thing. 

    

MURRAY'S SANDWICH EMPORIUM 

671 Queen Street West, Toronto, On., (647) 345-7644 Lunch and Dinner Mon.- Sat. and late night Thurs. Fri. and Sat.

Mark and I decided to have something quick to eat before visiting a couple of pubs.  He had tried Murray's before and liked it, but it was very hectic here during the week - this being a Saturday we were able to enjoy it without a crowd.

The menu is displayed on a chalkboard and includes an interesting and unique list of sandwiches. That range from $7 to $9.  

We both decided on the BL-TIZZY which consisted of double smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, murray mayo and avocado. ($8).

The bun surrounding the bacon lettuce and tomato was outstanding and although large, was very light and tasty.  The sandwich contents blended well with the mayo and avocado.  The yukon gold fries were very crispy and light - although there were not enough of them.  The prices are very reasonable, the sandwich we tried was very good.  We will be back to try more of them on the menu.

http://www.ilovemurrays.com/

DUKE OF YORK 

39 Prince Arthur Avenue, The Annex, Toronto, On. (416) 964-2441, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night 7 days a week

Went to Duke of York for nachos and beer on Saturday evening with my son Mark.  The Duke of York is located on Prince Arthur Avenue near Yorkville.  In a group of restaurants that include Bedford Academy, Fieramosca and Opus.  It is a very lively bar with a welcoming feel and easy going attitude.

The inside is warm, homey and is composed of a variety of different rooms and a nice bar.  There is an outdoor patio at the back that is open in the summer.  The downstairs was hopping with a birthday party and there were large groups coming and going throughout the evening.  There were many U of T students here, since it is located on the edge of the Annex and the University.

They have a good selection of beers, including the regular choices, as well as some craft brews and some UK choices.

Mark decided on a Moosehead.

I chose a beer I hadn't had in a while, Boddingtons Pub Ale.  It was cool, creamy and delicious.

We ordered  a small order of nachos, which although large were lacking in flavour, salt and cheese.  Despite a variety of toppings it was bland and dry.

We saw an large pretzel being ordered at the bar and decided to try one.  It was very good and filling and the cheese sauce was a good accompaniment.

All in all it was a typical pub experience, with a typical pub atmosphere and food selections.  The service was okay, the nachos needed serious improvement to have any taste.  The curried wraps that were passed around as hoers d'oeuvres were very tasty though.

http://york.thedukepubs.ca/index-home.php

PRAVDA VODKA BAR 

44 Wellington Street E. Toronto, On., (416) 366-0303 Dinner and Late Night Mon. to Sat.

We came upon Pravda Vodka Bar after dinner at a nearby restaurant called Bravi.  The exterior looked interesting.

The inside was quite spectacular and we had a chance to get a good look around the place before the evening crowd started to arrive.

On our way to the upstairs bar we came across a trumpet player playing a jazz tune.

The upstairs is as dramatic as the downstairs.

A wall of vodka bottles from around the world.

The menu of vodkas and martinis is extensive!

We decided to choose from their extensive martini list and selected a wonderful tasty martini called a Trotsky Lemon Berry Martini.  It was outstanding, so we had a couple of them.

It was accompanied by an amuse bouche that was light and very tasty.

There is a grand piano used some evenings with entertainment.

The surroundings here are unusual and quite dramatic.  The martinis are awesome and we enjoyed our time here.  Although we did not eat here, we will be back to try more of their martinis and soak in the sights of this space.

http://pravdavodkabar.com/