My Bday @ Canoe

Canoe has been somewhat immortalized on the Toronto restaurant scene over the last number of years. Its reputation precedes itself, high expectations abound and rave reviews to set the bar continually higher. Yes, it can be said that there is a price to pay for this reputation, the view from the 54th floor of the TD Centre and a history of consistently standing out in the crowd.

Let there be no doubt, this place is a well oiled machine with a menu that is not only creative, but masterfully executed and delivered. True to its "Canadiana" roots, locally sourced ingredients take centre stage and flavour combinations and presentation are of extremely high standards. Service can be a little rushed and somewhat robotic, but LA always has a way of slowing things down subtly and allowing an experience like this to be enjoyed.

The tasting menu is artful in itself and the culinary team led by Anthony Welsh and John Horne certainly have no issues drawing inspiration from what this country has to offer. The Amuse Bouse tonight was a buttery delicious corn custard, dusted with black salt and accompanied by popcorn. What a delightful and playful way to get the tastebuds opened and the juices flowing!

The Raviolo was certainly one of the stars of this menu, extremely delicate and flawlessly executed. The organic egg yolk surrounded with bechamel and sealed and perfectly cooked pasta along with a taste of Spring Creek beef cheek was to die for. The tea smoked duck breast was also very nicely put together with wheatberries, foie gras and morels. The strawberry consomme that held the ginger panna cotta was exceptional. One of the most delightful things I have sipped on in some time. The complete tasting menu with wines is listed below.

Tonight was a very special night for me, a birthday dinner suggested and celebrated with LA, who would rather be on a patio somewhere, but sucks it up and goes along with my epicurean desires. It's amazing to be in a great space in your life as I am now, to be able to enjoy what your are passionate about and appreciate the moment. That is what I am so appreciative of.

TASTE CANOE
Amuse Bouche
Huf f Es ta t e s Blanc de Bl anc s
Pr inc e Edwa rd Count y Onta r i o VQA 2006

Iced Gre en Tomato Soup
Yarmouth Lobs t er , Ingersoll Ricotta & Bas i l .
Fi elding Es ta t e Wine r y Roc k Pi l e Pinot Gr i s
Lincoln Lake shore Onta r io VQA 2009

Schul tz Farm Organic Yolk Raviolo
Simmer ed Spr ing Creek Be ef
Spr ing Fava Beans & Aspa ragus
St r a tus Ma lbe c
Ni aga r a -On-The -La k e Onta r i o VQA 2007
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Int erme z zo
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Tea Smoked La Ferme Duc k Br eas t
Foie Gr as , Toas t ed Wheatber r i es
Rapini & More l s
Twent y Twent y Se v en Ce l l a r s Que ens ton Road Vine y a rd Pinot No i r

or

Organic Ocean Pa ci f ic Hal ibut
Spr ing Squash, Brus sel s Sprout s
. Norman Ha rdi e Count y Cha rd onna y
Pr inc e Edwa rd Count y Onta r i o VQA 2008

Wi ld Ginger Panna Cot ta
Bar r i e Hi l l Farms Strawbe r r ies
Pi stachio Cooki e
Ma l i voi r e Gewur z t r amine r I c ewine
Be ams v i l l e Bench Onta r io VQA 2008