543512 Tue Jul 29 08:17:21 -0700 2008 9 33 Food Media and News 0 3910925 I had been asking for feedback on Scaramouche on this board a short while back, having never been. Overwhelmingly, your opinions were positive. Then, this past weekend I read a ho-hum review in the National Post. Did anyone else catch it? Thoughts? http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=681405 Tue Jul 29 08:17:23 -0700 2008 157039 KayceeK 1 3911108 I guess no restaurant is perfect. Too bad about the reviewer's experiences, her gripes seem legit and fair enough. All I know is every single time I've been it's been excellent. Tue Jul 29 09:01:55 -0700 2008 3910925 25243 magic 2 3911424 The National Post reviewer wasn't entirely negative. She seemed to find more value in The Pasta Bar, the somewhat less expensive adjunct to the main restaurant. And The Pasta Bar is quite good. At least, it was good when I was there last week with a group of eight others. We all enjoyed our dishes, perhaps because a well-to-do cousin was footing the bill. Given the prices, only slightly above most fine dining joints, it was well worth it. Imaginative menu (only a couple of actual pasta dishes are listed), well executed, superb service, lively atmosphere, understandably well-heeled clientele. Expect a cheque of about $100 for two, tax included, but not counting any wine you may choose - the well-selected list is rather steep. With wine, you'll be lucky to get out for $150 a couple. It has been years since I've been in the main restaurant, but those who've been lately say it's still very, very good. I expect the reviewer caught it on an off-night - and at the main resto's prices, off-nights are not allowed. Tue Jul 29 10:28:53 -0700 2008 3911108 25418 juno 1 3911309 This revue in the national post is yet another example of poor and irresponsible journalism by the Toronto print media. For the record I have no ties to Scaramouche at all save for a measure of respect I have accumulated for them based on very few visits over the years and the countless positive revues by otherwise discerning members of the general public who seem to collectively love the place. What truly galls me is that Ms. Mallet has the audacity to make such disparaging remarks about a Toronto institution and one of the city's top chefs for over 2 decades (remember the 80s Gina?) based on what certainly seems like 1 visit to each restaurant! By contrast Frank Bruni at the New York Times has been known to make up to 19 visits to a restaurant before he passes judgement. Surely Gina and the Post could find some kind or responsible journalistic middle ground between 1 and 19. As to the specifics of the revue, well I have no doubt that Gina got that wrong too. If she didn't like the foie gras terrine it's probably because her tongue was left in the freezer. If she wants to complain about the lack of availability of her cherished North Sea fishes (whatever happened to Journalistic impartiality) perhaps she should just pick up a phone and call any Toronto Fishmonger to find out that FROZEN dover sole is a prohibitively expensive $18 per pound and fresh Dover Sole is simply unavailable, and she or her editor should realize that this is not chef Frogget's fault, nor the fault of the restaurant and has no business being mentioned in her otherwise equally inept and clueless revue. Finally I need to wonder wether or not Gina Mallet ever bothered to ask anybody at the restaurant about the provenance of the scallops or the prosciutto. Is it fair to bring up dry cleaning solution just because it doesn't say "dry" on the menu? Does a restaurant really need to attach footnotes to a menu and provide complete forensic disclosure or can they rely on their guests to make an attempt at "participating" in the dinning experience by asking questions about things they care about. I would suggest that Gina should spend more time working and perhaps researching and fact checking and less time drowning her vindictive sorrows in too much red wine. p.s. (note to CH moderators)- this IS relevant to food in Toronto. Even poor reviewers can affect the financial stability of a business and thus the food service business in Toronto. Tue Jul 29 09:56:47 -0700 2008 3910925 211245 Guapo 2 3927945 She didn't even eat the scallops! They passed her by on their way to another table. I just assume at any high-end place that the scallops are dry. Why assume otherwise? You're right, she had no business even mentioning the scallops. Mon Aug 04 06:17:50 -0700 2008 3911309 12120 julesrules 1 3911326 I was there a couple months ago, and the review is in complete contrast to what I experienced. The only thing that may be accurate are the inuendos suggesting the dishes and preparation are a bit dated. Possibly, but I'd tilt more towards "classic" and "unfussy". I found the foie gras appetizer to be excellent. But what do I know? Tue Jul 29 10:02:06 -0700 2008 3910925 157056 grandgourmand 1 3911335 Since this post is more about the article than the restaurant, we're moving it over to our Food Media & News board, where even local reviewers are discussed. If people want to discuss the food at Scaramouche, a new thread on the Ontario board would be appropriate. Tue Jul 29 10:05:25 -0700 2008 3910925 2 The Chowhound Team 2 3916015 Had I known it would be moved, I would have changed the slant of my post, since now very few are likely to respond. Wed Jul 30 13:41:37 -0700 2008 3911335 157039 KayceeK 1 3917504 When I had a subscription to Gourmet Magazine a decade ago, they gave Scaramouche a great review. My father was heading to Toronto shortly thereafter, and I recommended it. He and my sister ate at the pasta bar, and they still rave about it. I acknowledge that a restaurant can change a lot in ten years, but I know if I'm ever out east, I'll probably make a stop at Scaramouche. Wed Jul 30 23:25:39 -0700 2008 3910925 161585 miss_bennet 2 3917787 Don’t pay attention to the review. Scaramouche is still outstanding. The reviewer is certainly entitled to her opinions based on her experience there, but it should be noted that hers is likely the only unfavorable review I’ve ever read of Scaramouche (not that it even gets reviewed….what would be the point; it’s an institution, not a new restaurant). Everyone still acknowledges it is one of Toronto’s best restaurants. There is no debate on that. But if you want to visit Scaramouche I’d do it soon. Not sure about the details but I think they are unable to lease their space and will be moving to another location sometime over the next year or so. Not sure exactly when. So if you’d like to experience Scaramouche in its current lovely space I’d do it soon if you can! Before it moves… Thu Jul 31 05:48:25 -0700 2008 3917504 25243 magic