Canoe: A Winterlicious Prix Fixe Treat

One of the hottest tickets in town during Winterlicious is garnering one of the limited lunchtime tables at Canoe, critically acclaimed to be one of the best restaurants in Canada. One of the most sought after reservations, the first hurdle is getting through on their phone lines; the second is being flexible enough to accept whatever times that are proffered. After spending hours trying to get through on Canoe's Winterlicious hot-line, contact was finally made and a weekday luncheon spot at 2:00pm was agreed upon and secured.

The exterior signage outside the restaurant

The interior is clean, simple and absolutely stylish

The $25 Prix Fixe lunch menu showcases Chef Anthony Walsh and Chef John Horne’s inspired regional Canadian cuisine, and during Winterlicious, includes a selection of three appetizers, three entrées and a trio of dessert offerings. The Sheep’s Milk Quark with baby greens, beet reduction and crisps was the most artfully presented of the appetizers, yet the Roasted Squash & Parsnip Soup with birch yoghurt and spiced croutons was absolutely silky and sublime.

Sheep’s Milk Quark with baby greens, beet reduction and crisps

Roasted Squash & Parsnip Soup with birch yoghurt and spiced croutons

The entrées included Maple Braised Willowgrove Pork Orecchiette with crackling, kale and Thunder Oak Gouda; Slow Cooked Ontario Brisket served with steel cut oats, red wine cabbage and cedar pickled mustard seeds; and Smoked Pan Seared Heritage Salmon with wilted greens, horseradish slaw, wild rice and swede broth.

Smoked Pan Seared Heritage Salmon with wilted greens, horseradish slaw, 

wild rice and swede broth

Desserts included Almond Cake with niagara apple compote and salted caramel sauce; Spiced Chocolate Panna Cotta with a marshmallow graham cracker crumb crust; and Maple Gingerbread Pudding with cranberry preserve and scorched citrus crème Anglaise.

Maple Gingerbread Pudding with cranberry preserve and scorched citrus crème Anglaise

Next event on the culinary calendar: Summerlicious 2013 from July 5 - 21. No restaurants have been announced just yet, but I have my list of 'licious lovelies already earmarked for some summertime savoury sensations. 

www.oliverbonacini.com/Canoe