104702 Sun Jan 01 15:55:44 -0800 2006 1 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 567367 Me and my SO had our New Years dinner last night at Far Niente, so here's my two cents. For appetizers we started out with the Charcuterie Board and the Crab Cakes. Charcuterie Board consisted of foie gras that was made into a spread along with prosciutto, Serrano Ham Toast and Melons. I thought the Melons could have been bigger instead of these tiny balls. It was just very out of proportion compared to the proscuitto. This dish was good. For the CRAB CAKES, it was all crab meat, no other fillings. The was the only good comment I could give it. The taste was a bit on the bland side, Even the greens on the side had more zest. This dish was alright, have had way better though. For Main, I had the Atlantic Salmon and my SO had the Filet of Beef. For the FILLET OF BEEF, it had potato hash, wild mushrooms, and cipollini onions. My SO requested for medium rare and found it to be more then medium done, It was really dry. We know that each rest. has their own standard of medium rare. So we asked our server whether this is their standard of medium rare. He told us that usually in FINE DINNING restaurants like theirs, this is how medium rare is cooked. So he left and came back very soon and told us that if we cut more into the meat it would be less done and left again. The meat was well done throughout, and near the end, our server came back and asked if we would like to replace it. Thanks for the offer, should of asked us that in the beginning when we showed you that the meat was to well done??? I'm sure if this dish was medium rare, It would have been the best dish we had. The ATLANTIC SALMON, well, tasted like salmon made at home. It came along with lentils, spinach, apples and this mustard Creme Fraiche. Again, nothing exciting about this dish. Not a dish that I would crave for later. There has been restaurants that I went back again and again for their salmon fish. The server offered us free desserts. Nice, but we had no more appetite. We found our server to be rude when he told us that all FINE DINNING restaurants cooked medium rare the same way. So was he trying to tell us that we know nothing about fine dinning or was he trying to argue with our tastebuds? The grand total for wine, food, tips and tax was $195. Besides the poor service, we felt that the new renovation was really nice, more upscale but the food wasn't really to yummy though. Even though it wasn't expensive but for the same price there are alot more places that offer dishes which will excite your taste pallettes. Sun Jan 01 15:55:44 -0800 2006 0 Anoko 1 1951564 I just went again last nite, hadn't been back in probably a couple years since I stopped working in the financial district. Service was top notch even though the waiter did recommend the most expensive glasses of wine on the menu. Starter: Seafood Sampler Malpeque Oysters, Jumbo White Gulf Shrimp Cocktail, Spicy Chili Tuna Poke I'm not a fan of the malpeques, they're too salty for my taste. I prefer warmer water oysters but these were fair sized and meaty. The shrimps were again, fair sized and fresh but the sauces (a red vinagrette and a thai coconut) were not appealing. I would've preferred just a homemade cocktail sauce a la Habour 60. Chili tuna poke was served w/ shrimp chips - good flavour but not even close to spicy. The shrimp chips added a nice texture. Mains: Lobster Pot Pie 1 1⁄2 Pound Atlantic Lobster, Tarragon Cream Sauce, Fingerling Potatoes, Leeks, Hierloom Carrots, Asparagus, Sweet Peas, Wild Mushrooms & Puff Pastry Crust Extremely delicious. Meaty chunks of lobster, shell still on the tail, whole claws. Rich in tarragon. Pastry was flakey. Only complaint is that the pastry didn't come off the rim of the bowl very easily - lots of pastry went flying across the table (oops!) Otherwise, perfection! Roasted Australian Lamb Rack Braised Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Anchoide Sauce, Spinach-Ricotta Gnocchi Done medium rare - cooked to perfection. Moist, flavourful, meaty chops. Gnocci had great texture. Very good dish. Dessert: Lindt Chocolate S`mores Housemade Roasted Marshmallows, Chocolate Mousse, Graham Crackers & Chocolate Sauce OH LORD! If you haven't tried it, just go and order it. So delicious! Marshmellows are homemade, more like a chewy meringue. Warm chocolate sauce served in a pot for dipping/drizzling over the mini tower of marshmellows, mousse and crackers. Excellent dish to complete the meal. Vanilla bean tea was also quite yummy. Grand total was ~ $180 for 2 ppl (incl 2 glasses of wine) w/ tip. Tue Oct 17 15:13:04 -0700 2006 567367 23312 superchick