Introducing: Braised, a new Leslieville bistro from the owner of Lolita’s Lust
Name: Braised
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
Contact Info: 896 Queen St. E., 416-519-6280, braised.ca
Previously: Bistro 896, which lasted less than a year in the space
Owner: Sam Scanga, who also owns the Danforth stalwart Lolita’s Lust
Chef: Candace Chase (Trinity Taverna)
The Food: As the name implies, most of the food served at Braised undergoes some form of braising (i.e. searing, followed by simmering in liquid) before being plated. The menu veers toward traditional Euro fare (bruschetta, calamari, braised lamb shoulder), but chef Chase flexes her creative muscles with some less conventional dishes, like braised pork-cheek croquettes with cranberry coulis and tartar sauce.
The Drinks: The drinks list is dominated by the kind of booze that’s generally served in stemware (i.e. wines and martinis).
The Place: A garage door rolls up to give a patio effect to the streamlined space. A rotating display of abstract canvases adds a little panache to the déjà-vu decor: polished concrete floors, Edison bulbs and heaps of vintage tin and wood rescued from a demolished barn.
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Caroline Aksich, a National Magazine Award recipient, is an ex-Montrealer who writes about Toronto’s ever-evolving food scene, real estate and culture for Toronto Life, Fodor’s, Designlines, Canadian Business, Glory Media and Post City. Her work ranges from features on octopus-hunting in the Adriatic to celebrity profiles.
