Forte Bistro & Lounge
133 Richmond St. W.
416-867-1909
www.fortebistro.ca
Rating: **
Dinner for 2: $70
The dining room is oddly shaped and modern in its decor. The waitress points out that it’s meant to mimic the nearby opera house — the curtains, the soundproofing booth…
Ohhhh.
It’s that type of corporate-y “let’s go before the opera,” (theatre menu avail) or “take our clients” kind of place that typically has good food but lacks the sexy vibe of other new restaurants.
The menu however, is interesting, extensive and it’s hard to select just one thing.
Bread arrives accompanied by a white bean tapenade — and a hair. I don’t mind except that our server is not at all apologetic.
Slow-Cooked Rabbit ($22), swathed in parpadelle, is cooked to a decadent softness. It is spectacular enough to sway a timid meat eater. My dish, the Garganelli Pasta ($18) is disappointingly soggy with an astringent sauce.
As our server clears our plates, she drops a fork a few feet away. It doesn’t bother me until she kicks it ahead of her towards the kitchen. Would she have done that if we were a corporate group in suits?
There’s great wine and fantastic rabbit, but thanks to the shoddy service, it’s not enough to entice me back again.
Dining out
Giddy up to the bar
After an eight-day makeover, the former Rice Bar in Kensingston Market has been transformed into Burger Bar. Checkered tablecloths and a western theme make it a perfect lunch spot for shoppers in the area. The menu includes Cheeseburger Spring Rolls, Waygu (Kobe) Beef Burger. www.burgerbar.ca
Blind tastngs
On Nov. 2 and 3, Dinner in the Dark, an event in support of the CNIB, is taking place. Hosted by Embrujo Flamenco Tapas Restaurant & Torres Wines, you will venture through a five-course Spanish meal blindfolded. Half of the proceeds go to the CNIB. Visit www.embrujoflamenco.com or call 416-778-0007.
