Anyone who has tuned into the Food Network at least once in the past decade knows who Susur Lee is and what he’s capable of producing. He’s definitely among the great chefs of this city that have managed to put Toronto’s culinary abilities on the North American map. His restaurant is located on King St West (east of Bathurst) and seems to be attracting quite a lot of buzz and it’s definitely well deserved. It was an extraordinary dinner and the chef was humble enough to even make his rounds to all the tables during the dinner service to greet his guests.
So let’s talk decor. Obviously, just like in his food, Asian influences are really hard to avoid when creating something alongside Susur Lee. Simple, minimalistic and sleek are definitely words I’d use to describe the dining room, however, it didn’t feel bare at all. Lush red panels cover the walls; wood tables, chairs and counters all make for a very cozy experience. Also, the staff is exceptional in providing outstanding service. From the greeters to the bus boys, everyone knows all the intricate details of the menu and could definitely help with your selection which makes for a very interactive meal. Our waiter was also very keen in recommending pairings between food items and the drinks list, without upselling, which is something that you barely encounter in the city.
The food was definitely the highlight of the night (or equally as exciting as meeting Chef Lee). The menu is created for sharing plates and they do recommend around 2 or 3 different items per person. I do have to warn you though, it’s definitely not cheap but worth the money (apps are between 10-20 and mains between 20-30). I recommend the Singapore style slaw (a 2 person salad) which combines fresh and exotic flavours with deep fried taro root noodles, chilies, peppers, cilantro, cabbage, pine nuts and a ton of other ingredients I’m forgetting. My favourite main that night had to be the Slow Braised Beef served with sour cream, potato leek puree and crispy shallots. The meat was so tender and so flavourful that I wouldn’t complain if I had to eat it at every meal for the rest of my life. Be aware that these are just suggestions from what I had the chance to enjoy that night, but the menu is very seasonal and it can change on a whim.
Overall, this was probably among the top dining experiences I’ve had in Toronto. The food was excellent, the service was great and I got to meet a celebrity 😉 