Summer season is among us and I am so glad it is, after a long winter and numerous lock downs it feels like things are just getting back to normal. After an afternoon of helping clients make some tough design choices, for their new lake front property, in the Beaches area, a nice dinner on a comfortable and inviting patio was more than welcomed. A quick search found the Sauvignon Bistro among the top places in the area to eat, I was surprised and ecstatic that after a quick call they had space for two on the patio in just over an hours time (I think this may be rare, and it’s best to call ahead). We were more than ready for a chilled glass, of Sauvignon Blanc.
Atmosphere
Located along the trendy Queen Street East in the Beaches, and just north of Woodbine beach the location is perfect for those looking for a pleasurable eating experience before heading home. The building is typical of the Queen Street design, in an all brick two story building. The charm of the bistro is seen in the large shrubs as you enter, and vibrant violent flowers along the patio perimeter. The classic interior is cozy, with an exposed bar, hardwood flooring and an exposed ceiling. The patio was busy, and everyone really seemed to be enjoying themselves, I noticed a few tables having friendly interactions with each other. Overall, the atmosphere is laid back and inviting.
Service
We showed up a little before our actual reservation and were welcomed immediately to a table at the front on the front patio. The server was quick to welcome us and provide us with the menu and explain some great options for dinner, everything seemed fairly priced. What I loved most about the restaurant was that their didn’t seem to be any sort of pretentiousness, the servers were dressed nicely, but in their own style. We ordered that bottle of wine we had been craving and it was delivered without hesitation. Although, one server was assigned to our table, they had plenty of help from other staff that were quick to refill our wine, clear our plates and provide us with the feeling that we were being taken care of.
The Food
The appetizers we ordered were the Fried Calamari with Chilli Lime Aioli, and the Spicy Grilled Shrimp, Black Bean and Avocado Salad, tossed in a Citrus Papaya Dressing. The Calamari was fresh, not oily, which can sometimes happen if the oil is over used or not hot enough when it is cooked, it was seasoned with just the perfect amount of salt and the dip which accompanied it was creamy and flavourful. The Shrimp were large and juicy and the black bean avocado was fresh and light. It was a great start for a hungry guy like me.
The server was polite enough to recommend the Duck Confit, caramelized seed and mushroom risotto with spinach for myself, while my partner in indulgence enjoyed the Pan-Seared Arctic Char, linguine in a pesto cream sauce with tomato and spinach. I was definitely not disappointed by the Duck Confit, the silkiness of the meat allowed it slid off right off the bone, the risotto was well done, the rice slightly al dente, and just the right amount of creaminess. The Arctic char was cooked to medium rare, flaking easily onto the fork, the skin was crispy and savoury. We did order a the Sautéed Garlic Greens as a side but I believe it was forgotten, which was probably for the best as the amount of food we did end up consuming was more than enough. Plus we needed to leave a bit of space for the desert. We shared the Dark Chocolate Marquise, with Raspberry Coulis & Chantilly Cream, which should be a sin, as it was probably one of the best chocolate deserts I have had in a very long time. We also indulged in the Madagascar Vanilla Liqueur Creme Brûlée, with Candied Orange Peel and Ginger Snap Cookies. The flavours melded together quite well with the Creme Brûlée and I believe it would be a favourite for most, but after my experience with the Chocolate Marquise I really couldn’t handle any more stimulation.
Experience
Sauvignon Bistro was a pleasure to visit and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to have a sinful yet enjoyable experience with food. The major highlights of the experience for me were the area in which the restaurant is located, the juicy plump shrimp as an appetizer, the Duck Confit that melted off the bone, and of course the Chocolate Marquise that left me needing a cigarette (even though I don’t smoke) a tumbler of Scotch of the rocks and a nap.