*Guest Post by Natalie Taylor*
Last summer, Lavelle was one of the “new kids on the block” — a welcome addition to the swanky King Street West scene. And while there’s been lots of talk about its rooftop bar, 155-foot-long pool (one of the largest in North America) and floor-to-ceiling city views (an impressive backdrop for dinner), no one is really talking about the food. That’s a shame because Chef Romain Avril (ex-La Société) is putting out some stunning dishes. His food is exotic, fun, and tasty. So let’s push past its rooftop bar appeal and discuss what to eat at Lavelle…
THAI CONSOMMÉ ($16)
A perfect warm up to the main course, the Thai Consommé is an experience. The broth is poured over duck confit, napa cabbage, chilis and soy. The smell is incredibly rich — the kind of dish you wish you ordered if your dining partner did and you didn’t.
TUNA TARTARE ($24)
I love ordering things I can’t make at home and Chef Romain’s team delivers with this Tuna Tartare. The sesame cracker is made with congee and dehydrated for 12 hours so you can imagine the work that goes into the dish. The cracker lends the tartare a good crunch, mixed in with daikon (winter radish), pickled ginger, soy dressing, cilantro and shiso. Light and fresh, this is a nice dish to whet your appetite and clean your palate. It also happens to be one of the most popular appetizers at Lavelle.
FOGO ISLAND COD ($29)
I’m still thinking about this dish weeks after my meal. What I first noticed was the sizeable portion of the cod. The next thing I noticed was the dramatic presentation: the contrast between the whiteness of the fish and the jet black risotto. It’s listed as barley noir risotto, but the ingredient being used is squid ink (so no teeth stains, fellow diners!). With the addition of champagne velouté, it’s nice to see Chef Romain’s French roots alongside this Canadian fish. What results is an overall silky dish that melts in your mouth. At $29, this is good value for a main at a fine-dining establishment.
Another note for those not familiar: Fogo Island is a community in Newfoundland — a province known for quality fishing. It’s nice to see Toronto chefs sourcing nationally and giving back to smaller communities in Canada.
CHOCOLATE CRÈME ($12)
I’m a fan of chocolate (and indulgence), so this dessert didn’t disappoint and with the $12 price tag, it delivered in its size. Maple, buttermilk, buckwheat and pear were accompanied in the dish and topped with melon balls. Like the Fogo Island Cod, the Chocolate Crème had a silky, creamy texture to it. On the dessert menu, it would be my number one pick — best enjoyed in the corner booth looking out at the CN Tower. File under: restaurants with a view!
Overall, I wanted to end by saying that Chef Romain is certainly one of the most underrated chefs in the city. I think it’s important to overcome our own prejudices in supper clubs or rooftop bars because the food can be really great! In my opinion, Lavelle is the hidden gem in a sea of new restaurants revitalizing the King West area.
A huge thanks to Lavelle for hosting us for this media dinner. As always, reviews and opinions are our own. Hope our recap gives you guys a sense of what to eat at Lavelle! You can click here to make a reso.
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