Located on Adelaide and John Street, Montecito is the lovechild of film icon Ivan Reitman and chef Jonathon Waxman, bringing California flair to Toronto. The space is large, elegant, and comfortable. Many of the tables have sofa-like benches to add to that comfort. One wall projects moving images of the California country side, and another displays photos from behind the scenes at Reitman's films. In the bar lurks a miniature Stay Puft Marshmallow Man of Ghostbusters fame.
Among the wonderful, ever changing daily menu, Montescito has a section dedicated to meals for two (or more), and the last time we dined here with friends, David looked down at their Tomahawk steak for two and said, "That's what we're having for my birthday." So it was with this mission in mind that we booked our reservations.
Although dinning out is one of our great pleasures and an activity we seem to do a lot, Resident Tourist Toronto is not a restaurant review blog. But we couldn't resist sharing this special meal.
One of the things that makes this restaurant one of our top picks and one we keep coming back to is the way the staff never fails to make you feel special. After we settled into the luxurious sofa benches, we noticed that the chat with the hostess concerning the special occasion we were celebrating had resulted in personalized menus being printed up. Although a small touch, it helped set the tone for evening ahead and assure us we were in good hands.
Another way they make the experience special is by frequently featuring rare and hard to find culinary items that are sure to delight foodies. That night percebes (or gooseneck barnacles), a Spanish delicacy, was featured as an appetizer. Jen ordered these and declared them to look "prehistoric" when the landed in front of her. Not put off be appearances, she polished them off, comparing them to a milder, sweeter razor clam.
David feeling the chill of the fall air and a little less adventurous (that night) ordered the onion soup. As someone who frequently makes onion soup from the Thomas Keller recipe, he is not easily satisfied by restaurant versions. But this one was perfection, showing the time and care the kitchen had put into it developing the deep, rich flavors of the caramelized onions.
With anticipation and awe, our main course arrived. When they say for two or more they aren't joking. It wouldn't have been hard to imagine this massive platter serving four. Not that we minded having it all to ourselves. The forty-eight day aged rib steak was cooked to an ideal state of rareness. The meat was tender and earthy. The flavors heightened by the aging process to a carnivore's delight.
The meal came with two sides. We ordered the brussel sprouts and the must-have JW Potatoes. These have become something of a legend in our house and here's why: first, the potatoes are baked, then they're broken up into small chunks, then they're deep fried and coated in pecorino cheese. The process delivers what might be the absolute best roasted potato, even though they aren't actually roasted.
This meal also came with an option to get the house labeled Cabernet Sauvignon at a discount and we did just that. It was well worth it! It not only paired beautifully with the steak but was a smooth and mellow sipper after the steak was done. Or at least, after we could it no more of it.
Although dinning out is one of our great pleasures and an activity we seem to do a lot, Resident Tourist Toronto is not a restaurant review blog. But we couldn't resist sharing this special meal.
A special touch
One of the things that makes this restaurant one of our top picks and one we keep coming back to is the way the staff never fails to make you feel special. After we settled into the luxurious sofa benches, we noticed that the chat with the hostess concerning the special occasion we were celebrating had resulted in personalized menus being printed up. Although a small touch, it helped set the tone for evening ahead and assure us we were in good hands.
Another way they make the experience special is by frequently featuring rare and hard to find culinary items that are sure to delight foodies. That night percebes (or gooseneck barnacles), a Spanish delicacy, was featured as an appetizer. Jen ordered these and declared them to look "prehistoric" when the landed in front of her. Not put off be appearances, she polished them off, comparing them to a milder, sweeter razor clam.
David feeling the chill of the fall air and a little less adventurous (that night) ordered the onion soup. As someone who frequently makes onion soup from the Thomas Keller recipe, he is not easily satisfied by restaurant versions. But this one was perfection, showing the time and care the kitchen had put into it developing the deep, rich flavors of the caramelized onions.
The Main feast
With anticipation and awe, our main course arrived. When they say for two or more they aren't joking. It wouldn't have been hard to imagine this massive platter serving four. Not that we minded having it all to ourselves. The forty-eight day aged rib steak was cooked to an ideal state of rareness. The meat was tender and earthy. The flavors heightened by the aging process to a carnivore's delight.
The meal came with two sides. We ordered the brussel sprouts and the must-have JW Potatoes. These have become something of a legend in our house and here's why: first, the potatoes are baked, then they're broken up into small chunks, then they're deep fried and coated in pecorino cheese. The process delivers what might be the absolute best roasted potato, even though they aren't actually roasted.
This meal also came with an option to get the house labeled Cabernet Sauvignon at a discount and we did just that. It was well worth it! It not only paired beautifully with the steak but was a smooth and mellow sipper after the steak was done. Or at least, after we could it no more of it.
Finale
While sipping on our wine, we waved away the dessert menus, tempted but too stuffed to contemplate more food. Determined to end the meal in a classic celebratory way, our waiter brought out a complimentary plate of ice-cream and sorbet with a birthday candle (did I mention they make you feel special?).
It is the attention to detail in both service and the food that make Montecito one of our favorites in the city. It's where we bring our friends when they're in town. And where we go to celebrate. The memory of this meal is still fresh in our minds, but it will be slow to fade and we'll be telling people about it for years to come.
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