De Kas - Amsterdam

There is something special about eating dinner in a refurbished 1920's greenhouse.  At De Kas that special feeling starts when you catch your first glimpse of the restaurant through Frankendael park.  It continues inside as you walk into the dining room where light streams in through the large glass windows.

Chef Gert Jan Hageman creates wild curiosity and excitement for his visitors who discover the three course menu upon sitting (it's not posted online and costs €49.50).  By letting his crew come up with inventive dishes using the seasonal vegetables and herbs grown literally next door to the kitchen, Mr. Hageman is able to keep the menu fresh changing it week to week.    

On a chilly night in late April, after settling in, snacking on some olives and hearing the menu from our server, we quickly learn there are no cocktails at De Kas, so we say yes to wine pairings. 

Two starters arrive at the table family style - cannelloni of buffalo ricotta with chard, spinach, young garlic, creme of egg yolk, shallots and caramelized walnuts, and lamb ham with a deliciously creamy salad of new potatoes, turnip, mint and fenugreek mayonnaise.  We also individually receive a glass of smoked heirloom beet root soup with horseradish creme fraiche, crispy fried chorizo and roasted fennel. 

The most tender and fresh hake fillet comes next, marinated in olive oil with gnocchi, radish, and celeriac in a beurre blanc sauce with salted anchovies, orange and rosemary.

After the optional cheese course (we declined), dessert - an extremely decedent chocolate nemesis cake with caramelized hazelnuts and pear and thyme sorbet.  But it doesn't end there. Homemade cookies, meringue and gummies are brought out with the bill and when you leave, apples for everyone.  

Because of how popular De Kas is, it's best to book in advance and easy to arrange by email.  The staff is prompt, friendly and courteous.   

           

Sunday Brunch at Splendido

Splendido is one of Toronto's finest restaurants.  It's where people often go to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. It's highly regarded for its outstanding dishes, excellent service, and oh yeah, a hefty bill at the end of the night.
But with a major focus shifting away from high end restaurants to more casual ones Splendido is shaking things up.  This February Executive Chef Victor Barry offered a Winterlicious menu for the very first time and on Sunday served its inaugural brunch.  Barry joked that Sundays were his day off, so why not!

For $35 a person and in true Splendido style, the brunch is extremely generous and filling, making every bite worth the dough.  Trust us, you'll be full for days.

'The spread' (included in the $35) is sent out first with freshly baked croissants and pain au chocolat, scones, preserves, whipped cream cheese, manchego cheese, Westphalian ham, a potted chicken liver and foie gras mousse parfait with rhubarb jam, terrine and pickles.
After notifying the staff of a gluten allergy at the table, they brought out a separate tray of gluten free pastries - also made in house.  

(gluten free)   

The mains range from lighter dishes (granola parfait with a fruit compote, a smorgasbord with burrata, french bread, tomato jam, avocado and salad, and an open face lobster sandwich) to heavier ones (the must try decadent brioche french toast, flank steak and eggs, and a croque madame topped with pork belly).

There are a number of sides for $6 each including bone marrow, pork belly, baked beans, breakfast sausage, frites with aioli, a quinoa salad, boston bibb lettuce with poached pears and a fruit salad.      

They also have East coast oysters for 3 bucks a pop and of course some brunch cocktails (including fun non-alcoholic options).

(brioche french toast with lemon mascarpone, bananas foster and vanilla anglaise) 

(egg white omelette hidden under Boston bibb salad) 

(VB's Splendido burger with red pepper and onion relish, braised beef short rib and fontina cheese) 

(Cumbrae's flank steak and eggs) 

(eggs benedict with brown butter béarnaise, avocado and pancetta)  

(side of baked beans) 

If you even have room for dessert, be sure to get the peanut buster parfait.  The caramelized peanuts, chocolate sauce and salted caramel mousse form an intoxicating combo that's hard to stop eating until it's completely gone.  

(peanut buster parfait) 

(coconut milk parfait with dulce de leche, pineapple chutney and brown butter crumble) 

The restaurant also offers a pre-order menu.  Reserve by Thursday for your Sunday brunch.  Check out the menu by clicking here.

The Red Bench

The cafe which opened its doors earlier this year is a welcome addition to the Yonge Street strip between Bloor and Wellesley, mostly known for its seedy shops and random restaurants.

The Red Bench specializes in cookies, frozen yogurt and 25 different types of loose leaf tea, all of which are organic and said to be made with 'nothing but the good stuff this earth gives us.'
The cookies are baked on the spot and handed to you in a small bag (warm and chewy) around 5 minutes after you pick the cookie dough and toppings.  
The fro yo counter also has a wide variety of toppings including fresh fruit and candy.

And if you were wondering, yes there is a red bench outside.