Globe Bistro - Summerlicious
Just returned from dinner at Globe. My wife had never been and was stunned by the beauty of the room, as I knew she would be...really one of the more gorgeous spots in Toronto, I think. For our $35 menus, she started with the salad, which was delicious with ultra-fresh local greens and herbs and a crouton schmeared with a sublime goat cheese. I started with the soup of the day, which was tomato with some fresh basil leaves scattered on top. Very fresh and clean, but certainly not elevated to the heights that late-August tomatoes would take a simple tomato soup. Table next to us seemed to be really enjoying their pork belly apps, and my Muslim wife gently scolded me for staring longingly.
Mains, she had the Twice-Cooked Skirt Steak, with black olive and Yukon Gold hash, pico de gallo, and chimichurri. Great flavours, and the twice-cooked technique gave the steak a crusty chewy exterior with a very tender (for a skirt cut) interior. I had the roasted Québec Rock Hen with Yukon Gold and organic goats cheese curd gratin, summer radishes, English peas, natural emulsion, which was a flavourful half bird, a nice-sized portion. The gravy that accompanied it would probably be my ideal topper for an upscale poutine, just a very rich poultry taste to it. I highly doubt the peas were fresh, but hey that's one veg where I'm cool with frozen. We were both drinking the rosé on the Summerlicious menu, something-or-other-Bench from Ontario, no complaints with that on a summer's night.
Dessert was a Dark Chocolate Tart with peanut brittle, jelly sorbet, and peanut butter powder. The sorbet was melted, which was a bit of a bummer but not surprising given the way they were churning out rows of desserts at the pass. The tart was a small slice - would have been too small at a regular price, it must be said - but made with fantastic chocolate, and the peanut butter brittle and powder were nice accents.
Service was excellent throughout, replacing cutlery and folding napkins during bathroom breaks - a very well-trained front of the house. While they were obviously trying to do at least 3 covers a night (if not 4), we never felt particularly rushed, and it was the service and atmosphere which really made it worth a Summerlicious visit. We left feeling satisfied if not full. Will go back for the regular menu when it's on the expense account or we're feeling spendy.
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KayceeK
Jul 9, 2008 09:30 AM
Well, my guests and I enjoyed our evening at Globe last night, though mostly I think due to having not seen each other in a while. The room was absolutely beautiful (this was our first time there), and I will definitely make another journey back when Summerlicious has ended. That said, the meal left us all a bit underwhelmed, as did the service surprisingly.
We ordered without having been first asked if we wanted anything to drink. Then, as an afterthought, the server asked us "aren't you going to have something to drink?" Although, her suggestion of the Riesling did suit the trout I had as a main.
The salad I had to start with the goat cheese crouton was fine, though nothing exciting. My friend's soup was soup. Yeah, it was good, but asparagus soup? Nothing new there. The trout as a main was tasty, but again, no surprises. The twice-cooked skirt steak was well prepared, but my friend was surprised at the black olive and yukon gold hash, stating she didn't think it was the best compliment to the steak itself.
The summer berries dessert was a nice refreshing end to the meal, and the dark chocolate slice with the peanut brittle powder was divine...to the pregnant lady, it tasted just like a peanut butter cup, but better. How can that be bad?
So, overall, it was good. Not Very Good, but passable, given it is summerlicious time of year.
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re: KayceeK
domesticgodess
Jul 19, 2008 08:10 PM
we went to the Globe last week for their summerlicious meal.
We tried to go in the winter but never made it due to that nasty winter storm!!
All went well....the whole evening was a "hit".
The service was outstanding, but lets talk about the food.
I had the Cumbrae farms crispy pork belly with roasted peaches and baby arugula...what a winner!! The flavors of the pork belly with the sweetness of the roasted peaches were a great match.
Then, on to the house made tagliatelle wtih roasted northern mushrooms, baby arugula and parmessan butter. Another hit...
For Dessert I selected the the dark chocolate tart wth peanut butter, jelly sorbet and peanut powder based on a chowhound review.
FANTASTIC.
We were not rushed, the portions were ample, the service was professional and the space is stunning.Once again, another great summerlicious experience.
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I've tried Globe twice in the past couple of months. First time was up on the rooftop patio for a charcuterie/cheese platter and a glass of wine on a week-end afternoon. It's a fabulous space and we really enjoyed ourselves. The second time was for brunch - menu was tempting and the interior rooms are beautiful but the food was just so-so. It sounded better than it tasted. The service was excellent both times - I recall hearing nightmare service stories from the time of its initial opening but they seemed to bend over backwards to be friendly, accommodating and welcoming. Dinner is next on my list.
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