Did I Mention the Time (Again)?!
Did I mention the time...wait, this sounds familiar. I think I've written this before. Something about a busy job, a busy family, friends, food, and...what was is it?! Oh yeah, a hobo flipped our table! That's it. Well, this wasn't that time. That was--incredibly--six years ago! This time was almost a year ago (that busy life thing, sorry). This time was The Floating Hearts Artwork. This time was The Beef Freakin' Wellington. And this time was The Time One Reviewer Ordered Two Desserts. It may not have been a hobo-flipping good time, but I hinted earlier this year that we had the best dinner of 2017 but I never wrote about it. So, did I mention the time we went to Blackfriars Bistro? Well, let me tell you...
Blackfriars Bistro is located, as you guessed, in Blackfriars. Close to the river, close to the bridge that may or may not be open. And, unless you know the city well, one of the best little secrets of the city. So it was no surprise that after a bad week at work, my fantastic friends rallied to go out for dinner there. The restaurant itself is a small bistro, seating maybe thirty people. It is filled with eclectic artwork, knickknacks (or tchotchkes--because that's a fantastic word), and handwritten menus. There's also an ever-changing chalkboard of wines, drinks, local beers, and specials.
The specialty cocktail that night? Strawberry mojitos. These mojitos were crisp and flavourful with vibrant strawberries and mint but SheRa thought it was a little too sweet. Sir Cares-Not was pleased with the local beer selection despite friends ruining the picture (look closesly...can you tell?!). For appetizers, the group had an array of comestibles including: butternut squash soup, crab cakes, savoury cheesecake, duck spring rolls, and shrimp and mango salad. The soup earned a "meh" from Leon Jammins and SheRa, but the other appetizers were well received to get the night started.
An interlude. What do you do at a nice restaurant when you're waiting in between courses (wait times are typically longer at restaurants that prepare meals fresh to order and when there is a large group)? Blackfriars has you covered. Look at the art. All of the art is original. Most of it is by owner and front-of-house manager, Betty Heydon. I'm no art critic, so at best, I would say the art is, well, interesting. To say the least.
But that's the thing. It's a great conversation starter and if you ask Betty about the art, she will explain its meaning and the story behind it. So while the art may not be for everyone, it adds to the atmosphere and makes the restaurant feel as though you've been invited to an interesting person's house for dinner which, for me, is what I assumed grown-ups did when I was a kid.
Back to the food. For dinner, there was beef tenderloin, scallops, and catfish, but the real star was the beef Wellington--aka The Beef Freakin' Wellington. As this was one of the specials, you might not always find this one on the menu, but if you do, order it! Beef Wellington is steak coated in pâté and duxelles (a mushroom and onion mixture), wrapped in a light puff pastry and baked to golden perfection, served hot with a rich peppercorn sauce. Sounds delicious, right? In all of our dining experiences--and there's been well over twenty local restaurants--this has been the best entrée served (David's roasted chicken dinner comes second). Everyone at the table at least tried the beef Wellington from someone else's plate and the comments ranged from, "AMAZING!" to "F---, that was good!"
Skeletor noted that the "peppercorn sauce gave it a nice kick" and Long Duck Dong said it was "deliciousness wrapped in puff pastry." Chef Alicia Hartley is clearly a force to be reckoned with, and while our dinner club will continue to try other restaurants it's going to be hard to top that.
But wait, there's more! It was time for dessert. There was apple and pear strudel, pear ginger cake, tartu, and German chocolate cake. So many good choices! How to choose just one?! If you are One Reviewer, choose two. He ordered the pear ginger cake AND the German chocolate cake. The server laughed nervously, perhaps a little weary from dealing with the yahoos at table two. One Reviewer blinked stolidly. I whispered politely to the server, "he's serious." A little bit about One Reviewer: he is free from vice except in the realms of dessert as he so eloquently noted, "I'm an adult, damn it! I'll eat two cakes if I want to!" And so he did. The German chocolate cake was sweet without being too rich. The pear ginger cake, which for me was the best dessert I've had all year, was flavourful and moist. While Sir Cares-Not was suspiciously quiet about everything, Miss Licks-a-Lot said she was willing to lick her plate clean except that she was too full. (I told you we're a classy bunch.)
Overall, what's there to say?! Hands down, Blackfriars Bistro is the best restaurant in the city right now (or at least based on our experience from a year ago) for a classic fine-dining bistro. The atmosphere is charming if not a bit quirky. The service was fantastic. And, seeing as we closed out the restaurant, the chef came to see us and tell us a bit about her background and the food--I'm a sucker for that kind of service. Be sure to go hungry, and since the precedent has been set, don't be ashamed to order two desserts. And while the prices are reflective of the quality, no one is going to flip a table at you. Sorry.
Blackfriars Bistro is located, as you guessed, in Blackfriars. Close to the river, close to the bridge that may or may not be open. And, unless you know the city well, one of the best little secrets of the city. So it was no surprise that after a bad week at work, my fantastic friends rallied to go out for dinner there. The restaurant itself is a small bistro, seating maybe thirty people. It is filled with eclectic artwork, knickknacks (or tchotchkes--because that's a fantastic word), and handwritten menus. There's also an ever-changing chalkboard of wines, drinks, local beers, and specials.
 |
| Sir Cares-Not enjoyed the local beer selection. |
An interlude. What do you do at a nice restaurant when you're waiting in between courses (wait times are typically longer at restaurants that prepare meals fresh to order and when there is a large group)? Blackfriars has you covered. Look at the art. All of the art is original. Most of it is by owner and front-of-house manager, Betty Heydon. I'm no art critic, so at best, I would say the art is, well, interesting. To say the least.
 |
| We dubbed this one "Floating Hearts"--ask Betty Heydon about the real title. |
Back to the food. For dinner, there was beef tenderloin, scallops, and catfish, but the real star was the beef Wellington--aka The Beef Freakin' Wellington. As this was one of the specials, you might not always find this one on the menu, but if you do, order it! Beef Wellington is steak coated in pâté and duxelles (a mushroom and onion mixture), wrapped in a light puff pastry and baked to golden perfection, served hot with a rich peppercorn sauce. Sounds delicious, right? In all of our dining experiences--and there's been well over twenty local restaurants--this has been the best entrée served (David's roasted chicken dinner comes second). Everyone at the table at least tried the beef Wellington from someone else's plate and the comments ranged from, "AMAZING!" to "F---, that was good!"
 |
| The Beef (enter expression of immense joy)Wellington |
But wait, there's more! It was time for dessert. There was apple and pear strudel, pear ginger cake, tartu, and German chocolate cake. So many good choices! How to choose just one?! If you are One Reviewer, choose two. He ordered the pear ginger cake AND the German chocolate cake. The server laughed nervously, perhaps a little weary from dealing with the yahoos at table two. One Reviewer blinked stolidly. I whispered politely to the server, "he's serious." A little bit about One Reviewer: he is free from vice except in the realms of dessert as he so eloquently noted, "I'm an adult, damn it! I'll eat two cakes if I want to!" And so he did. The German chocolate cake was sweet without being too rich. The pear ginger cake, which for me was the best dessert I've had all year, was flavourful and moist. While Sir Cares-Not was suspiciously quiet about everything, Miss Licks-a-Lot said she was willing to lick her plate clean except that she was too full. (I told you we're a classy bunch.)
Overall, what's there to say?! Hands down, Blackfriars Bistro is the best restaurant in the city right now (or at least based on our experience from a year ago) for a classic fine-dining bistro. The atmosphere is charming if not a bit quirky. The service was fantastic. And, seeing as we closed out the restaurant, the chef came to see us and tell us a bit about her background and the food--I'm a sucker for that kind of service. Be sure to go hungry, and since the precedent has been set, don't be ashamed to order two desserts. And while the prices are reflective of the quality, no one is going to flip a table at you. Sorry.
Location: Blackfriars Bistro (46 Blackfriars London,ON)
Entree Cost: $23-$37
Number of Reviewers: 9
Value: $ $ $ 1/2
Overall: * * * *
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