If you haven't heard of it, Summerlicious, is a Toronto event where participating restaurants offer three course prix-fix menus from July 9 to July 25th. It's a great way to try out restaurants you normally wouldn't stumble upon.
My girlfriend sent me a BBM(Blackberry Message) and asked if I wanted to go out for a Summerlicious dinner and I couldn't resist. She booked Eight Wine Bar and Restaurant, which is situated in the Cosmopolitan Hotel at 8 Colborne Street.
is no different. Upon enteri
ng, you'll notice the quiet music and dim lighting.
We take a look at the menu and I ordered the:
Appetizer - Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onion Mousse Stuffed Vine-Ripened Tomato (vegetarian) served with Avocado and Grilled Crostini
Main - Prosciutto-Wrapped Striploin served with Roasted Yukon Potato Stuffed with Vegetable Curry Ragout, Corn Succotash and Mint Pesto
Dessert - Sorbet with Fresh Berries
My girlfriend ordered the same main and dessert but decided on the Crab and Pea Risotto with Poached Egg served with Hollandaise and Crispy Bacon as an appetizer.
When our appetizers arrived, they looked heavenly. The risotto portion was a touch big for an appetizer but the risotto was cooked to perfection. I find when risotto isn't cooked properly, it is a gluey texture, this wasn't the case. The Goat Cheese Caramel Mousse Stuffed Vine-Ripened Tomato was a good size. The tangy flavour and creamy texture of goat cheese paired perfectly with the sourness of the tomato and the sweetness of the caramel. They were both very flavourful without being overwhelming.
The main course was a Prosciutto-Wrapped Striploin served with Roasted Yukon Potato Stuffed with Vegetable Curry Ragout, Corn Succotash and Mint Pesto. We both ordered our striploin's medium rare, but when it arrived it seemed to be cooked at medium. We took note of this but continued to eat. Curry is an interesting pairing for striploin and pesto, one that both of us found a bit odd. The prosciutto was also a bit thick; it looked more like bacon than prosciutto. The main course wasn't a hit for either of us.
At this point we are both very full but decide against skipping dessert - we must finish our Summerlicous meal! We both order the Sorbet with Fresh Berries. This dessert does not disappoint. The tartness of the lemon sorbet melts in your mouth, which compliments the sweetness of the berries. This dessert was also very light - the perfect ending to a meal.
Overall, the meal was good. It seems odd that they would perfect both the appetizer and dessert yet miss on the main course - that is the most important part of the meal right?
Would I return? I would come back, the food was more than just decent - I just wouldn't order the striploin next time.
Price: $35 per person for 3 course meal.
Plus tax, tip and drinks, $100 for two people.
