581814 Sun Dec 21 08:15:20 -0800 2008 6 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 4263615 My husband and I wanted to go out for dinner last night, but with Christmas around the corner, we didn't want to break the bank. We like a good meal, and we don't mind heading to the pricier, more delicious spots from time to time, but last night that wasn't what we were looking for. I read a decent review of Brad's in Toronto Life, so we thought we would check it out. Apparently the chef used to work at Mildred Pierce, which we unfortunately only got to visit once before it closed. We trudged through the snow down Roncy, and were a little hesitant when we realized that the place was empty except for us. Sat down anyway. There was no wine list — our server said, "I'm the wine list!" We each ordered a glass — I usually prefer to order a bottle because I loathe that flat poured-from-a-bottle-that-has-been-open-for-two-days taste. The wine was spectacular! The server described it as "kind of like a shiraz". It was complex, had a long finish, and clearly came from a fresh bottle. Things were looking good. The menu was kind of strange. There was a dinner menu with five mains, ranging in price from $9-13, but there were no appetizers. There was also a lunch menu which consisted of (yummy-looking) sandwiches and wraps. The only mention of a salad was on this lunch menu as an alternative to fries, as a side dish. The daily soup, pasta, and pizza specials were written on a chalkboard on the wall. The soup looked like my fantasy soup — roasted tomato and chickpea — so I ordered that as my "starter". My husband asked if he could start with a salad, and the server happily obliged, even though that wasn't exactly an option on the menu. My soup was magnificent! It was a purée, and had clearly been made with actual roasted tomatoes. The chickpeas provided a tiny bit of crunch and substance. There was a sprinkling of some fresh herb on the top — perhaps fennel? Not sure. But it sure was delicious. My soup was .... wait for it .... $3.50!!! That's how much you pay for a bowl of from-the-can clam chowder at Red Lobster!! And this was one of the yummiest homemade soups that I've had a long while. My husband's salad was equally amazing. It was simple — mixed greens with perfectly-ripe yellow and red cherry tomatoes on it. The dressing was really tasty — some kind of grainy mustard vinaigrette. His salad was $4.50. I had one bite but really I wanted to eat the whole thing. The mains did not disappoint after such a strong start to the meal. I ordered "free-range roasted chicken breast" with roast potatoes and vegetables. And it was one of the best meals I've had in a restaurant for a while. The chicken was perfectly cooked, the potatoes were flavourful, and the veggies were just crunchy enough. The presentation was lovely. My only issue was quite minor — the meal was a tad salty. Next time I'd ask for a lower sodium preparation. This may be my own personal taste as I've been trying to adopt a lower sodium diet these days. My husband had the lamb burger, and while I didn't try it (am not a lamb person) he said it was wonderful. It was seasoned with fresh herbs and maybe a touch of curry? It came with feta, hummus, lettuce and tomato on sesame bun, and he chose the sweet potato fries for his side. I asked him if was as good as the lamb burger at Kensington Kitchen, and he thought about it for a good while, then said he couldn't really say. As we ate, the place started to fill up. It's a funny spot — it very much feels like a brunch spot, but with candles on the tables. The ambiance is odd, for sure. But the food was SO good, the service spot-on, the wine spectacular, that I've come to think of this odd ambiance as charming. In total, our bill came to $73 (including tax), but bear in mind that we did order two glasses of wine each. The wine made up $30 of the (pre-tax) bill. Anywhere else, for a meal of that caliber, I would expect to pay at least $120 — maybe closer to $140. We are so excited to have found this spot and I just HAD to share this news!! Sun Dec 21 08:15:20 -0800 2008 250245 Sarah Cat 1 4265377 I have to agree with you! We have been going to Brad's since he opened. My favourite is the veggie burger which appears to be homemade.... It is a great brunch place but for dinner great food and great value Mon Dec 22 03:44:54 -0800 2008 4263615 164580 bustercat628 2 4265595 I can't wait to try the veggie burger — I'm always hunting for delicious, homemade ones. (Oddly, the veggie burger at Casey's in Yorkdale was pretty darn delicious... go figure!) Mon Dec 22 06:56:58 -0800 2008 4265377 250245 Sarah Cat 3 4265634 I live around the corner and keep meaning to pop in but haven't had a chance. Does anyone have any opinions on their take-out options? Mon Dec 22 07:10:11 -0800 2008 4265595 18477 jamesm 1 4267907 I would have to disagree, I've been there twice. Once for takeout around 6ish before their expanded dinner hours (a burger) and another time for weekend brunch. Both times the food had been average at best. Not terrible, but nothing memorable either. It certainly didn't make me want to revisit. I've had better luck with food at Dizzy's down the street, their burger is far superior. Mon Dec 22 21:02:20 -0800 2008 4263615 14629 aser 2 4268183 I'm not a fan of Dizzy's anymore, I like the place and the food when the brothers first took it over but for a number of reasons it has lost its shine for me. The food is still well executed, well presented bar food. Brad's is a good addition to the hood and again it is well executed food. Neither place redefines cooking, but both are good and both are good to have on Roncesvalles. Tue Dec 23 03:41:03 -0800 2008 4267907 111770 robgm 2 4268365 I'm also rather meh about it. The food I've had has been serviceable, but was on the heavy side and could have been done with a lot more subtlety and finesse. (This was a few months ago, so the details have faded - sorry.) Also, I find the atmosphere/decor to be a bit weird - kind of like dressed-up cafeteria - and so not all that relaxing. All in all it was alright, I suppose, but it just feels awkward: awkward menu, awkward space, awkwardly executed. Tue Dec 23 06:19:48 -0800 2008 4267907 84143 chloe103