Bday Dinner/Wild Game or Exotic Meat?

[missnomer]

I am trying to plan a birthday dinner for my SO this weekend. He really enjoys eating wild game or exotic meat.

I looked back at the old posts and realize that there are limitations on wild game, but if you happen to know of any restaurants serving exotic meat, I'd love to know.

Downtown Toronto preferred, but willing to travel for something spectacular. Not looking to spend more than $100pp.

[missnomer]

We went to La Palette last night, and it was fantastic.

Had to forgo Beast because it's not open on Tuesdays. Didn't opt for Earth because when I asked a bunch of questions to whoever answered the phone, the person wasn't that helpful.

I had moules frites, and the chocolate/almond torte. Better half had venison tartare, musk ox, and creme brulee.

Service was good, ambience was great. I am curious about how they will fair in the winter though with the open kitchen. The front of the restaurant was open last night, and it got a bit smokey at one point. La Palette has always served us well though.

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La Palette
492 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[Rabbit]

Cowbell specializes in nose-to-tail butchery. They typically have some interesting meats on the menu and a menu that changes almost daily as they work their way through the animal as the week progresses. Also, they will totally geek out talking charcuterie and butchery with your BF if that is his thing.

It's a great neighbourhood-y spot.

[jmarcroyal]

how about not places that cook meat, not the stuff that would make an ordinary, less brave person sick to the stomach. What about places that serve Ostritch, Gator, Snake, game birds, or other less common wild game. Id love to find those places!

[Rabbit]

I am honestly not understanding this sentence: "how about not places that cook meat, not the stuff that would make an ordinary, less brave person sick to the stomach." Especially in light of your subsequent request for snake, ostrich, etc. Sounds like you're suggesting that these foods are "not meat" and somehow perhaps more palatable to the ordinary palate??

[maplesugar]

Based on the reference to "nose to tail" butchery... I think jmarcroyal is asking for places to try steaks or breasts of the animals he mentioned, and avoid furry snouts or offal and the like. I have friends who are interested in trying wild game but wouldn't consider eating either nose or tail :)

[Rabbit]

It's nose to tail and not just nose and tail... you get the stuff in between! Cowbell does gorgeous chops, loins, etc. It's not all offal (hehehe!).

[maplesugar]

Oh I know... I just wondered if jmarc realizes it's "to" not "and" heh

"Cowbell" is an interesting choice for a name... evokes images of the pet cow my sis had when we were little...tied a bow & bell on the poor thing and everything. Next time we visited Gran's farm sis asked where Mae was and Gran pointed at the hamburgers.

[haggisdragon]

It also evokes the image of Christopher Walken.

[jamesm]

I've had one very good meal at Cowbell and one very ordinary meal there as well. Agreed though that it is a good suggestion for those in search of meat. I'm wondering if you called ahead you could arrange something special?

[missnomer]

Hi all, I'm back again this year to seek recommendations to a place that does wild game/exotic meat.

Last year I took my better half to Cowbell. He was underwhelmed, and I enjoyed dessert. Service was borderline.

Last I heard La Palette took horse meat off their menu. Though both of us enjoy La Palette so we might end up there.

I think Black Hoof could be interesting, but he is gluten free, and I'm not sure that we would want to wait around for a table.

Any one have any suggestions?

TIA!

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

La Palette
492 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[TorontoJo]

Why don't you call Beast and arrange a "whole beast" dinner? You pick the animal you want, and they will build a multi-course dinner around that. And since it's custom, they can certainly work around the gluten issue.

[Truenorthdman]

Beast is closed till next week sometime.

[Dimbulb]

Beast has elk and sweetbreads, both highly recommended. Black Hoof and Hoof Cafe have lots of "weird" meat.

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The Black Hoof
928 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J, CA

[millygirl]

Maybe Earth or Batifole might suit, check their menus.

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Batifole
744 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4M1Y3, CA

[TorontoJo]

How about the horse meat at La Palette?

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La Palette
492 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[missnomer]

La Palette is definitely in the running as we were there for my bday last month.

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La Palette
492 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[NoraRebecca]

La Palette is no longer serving horse...see this link: http://www.torontolife.com/daily/dail...

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La Palette
492 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V, CA

[jlunar]

I can back this up. I asked about it a few weeks ago and they said they couldn't guarantee the provenance of the horses they bought.