Introducing: Catch, the Rushton’s new seafood-themed sister restaurant on St. Clair
A year and a half after St. Clair fixture Filippo’s ended its more than 20-year run, the paper has finally come off the windows to reveal Catch, a new seafood restaurant. Owner Frank Pronesti had already made his mark on the St. Clair West restaurant strip as owner of The Rushton and one of the original partners at Ferro. After a year-long renovation that left nothing of the original space aside from the exposed brick, the elegant 40-seat room is a far cry from its predecessor. Pronesti has assembled a team stacked with East Coasters to execute his Mediterranean-inspired concept.
Running the front of house is P.E.I. native John Bil, a three-time Canadian oyster-shucking champion (Starfish and Rodney’s are the other two restaurants in town boasting a staff member with this title). Bil co-owned a seafood restaurant in Darnley, P.E.I., and managed an oyster farm on the east coast before recently heading west. Fellow maritimer Nigel Finley, who started out frying fish in his native Halifax, helms the kitchen following a stint as head chef at Bloor West Village’s Bloom. Finley’s menu consists of a variety of small plates that draw inspiration from the cuisines of Greece, Morocco and Spain.
Sourcing sustainable seafood daily from a variety of Oceanwise-certified suppliers, Finley will change the menu often to take advantage of seasonality. A pan-seared filet of Arctic char sauced with tarragon beurre blanc is accompanied by roasted artichokes, Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes ($16); fresh clams are oven-baked with tomato and pork belly ($16); the mandatory oyster plate (Beach Angels from Quadra Island, B.C., and P.E.I. Cascumpecs on our visit) is served with a trio of classic condiments: red wine vinegar mignonette, fresh grated horseradish and tomato-caper sauce ($18 for six, $36 for a dozen). A short drink list includes such cocktails as Bulleit bourbon with fig, amaretto and soda ($12) and a balsamic and basil Bloody Mary made with fresh tomato juice ($12). The extensive wine list comprises unusual selections from both the old and the new world. Come warmer weather, diners will be able to enjoy their oysters al fresco as they watch the streetcars go by on the street-side patio facing The Rushton.
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- Pan-seared Arctic char with tarragon beurre blanc and roasted artichokes, Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes ($16)
- Introducing: Catch
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- Oven-baked fresh clams with tomato and pork belly ($16)
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- Oyster plate ($36): Beach Angels from Quadra Island, B.C., and Cascumpecs from P.E.I., served with red wine vinegar mignonette, fresh grated horseradish and tomato-caper sauce
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- The wine cellar has an eclectic mix of old- and new-world wines
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- The bar
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- A custom-made wooden drop ceiling and art deco–inspired lighting
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- The exposed brick is about the only thing that wasn’t gutted in the renovation
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- Looking out onto St. Clair
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Catch, 744 St. Clair West, 416-658-0568, catchit.ca
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-catch/&title=Introducing: Catch, the Rushton’s new seafood-themed sister restaurant on St. Clair&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feb12Catch_intro-624x380.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_120237" align="aligncenter" width="656" caption="Inside the newly renovated Catch on St. Clair (Image: Meaghan Binstock)"][/caption]
A year and a half after St. Clair fixture Filippo’s ended its more than 20-year run, the paper has finally come off the windows to reveal Catch, a new seafood restaurant. Owner Frank Pronesti had already made his mark on the St. Clair West restaurant strip as owner of The Rushton and one of the original partners at Ferro. After a year-long renovation that left nothing of the original space aside from the exposed brick, the elegant 40-seat room is a far cry from its predecessor. Pronesti has assembled a team stacked with East Coasters to execute his Mediterranean-inspired concept.
Running the front of house is P.E.I. native John Bil, a three-time Canadian oyster-shucking champion (Starfish and Rodney’s are the other two restaurants in town boasting a staff member with this title). Bil co-owned a seafood restaurant in Darnley, P.E.I., and managed an oyster farm on the east coast before recently heading west. Fellow maritimer Nigel Finley, who started out frying fish in his native Halifax, helms the kitchen following a stint as head chef at Bloor West Village’s Bloom. Finley’s menu consists of a variety of small plates that draw inspiration from the cuisines of Greece, Morocco and Spain.
Sourcing sustainable seafood daily from a variety of Oceanwise-certified suppliers, Finley will change the menu often to take advantage of seasonality. A pan-seared filet of Arctic char sauced with tarragon beurre blanc is accompanied by roasted artichokes, Kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes ($16); fresh clams are oven-baked with tomato and pork belly ($16); the mandatory oyster plate (Beach Angels from Quadra Island, B.C., and P.E.I. Cascumpecs on our visit) is served with a trio of classic condiments: red wine vinegar mignonette, fresh grated horseradish and tomato-caper sauce ($18 for six, $36 for a dozen). A short drink list includes such cocktails as Bulleit bourbon with fig, amaretto and soda ($12) and a balsamic and basil Bloody Mary made with fresh tomato juice ($12). The extensive wine list comprises unusual selections from both the old and the new world. Come warmer weather, diners will be able to enjoy their oysters al fresco as they watch the streetcars go by on the street-side patio facing The Rushton.
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Catch, 744 St. Clair West, 416-658-0568, catchit.ca){kind=link}
What’s this?
Something new in the wasteland of St. Clair West? How will it survive the gut-wrenching gridlock, empty streetcars, nowhere to park other than numerous Green P lots and severely depressed land values? Oh the horror!
It’ll do well. St. Clair W. is a great neighbourhood. The streetcar line is good not great. Parking can be a hassle but where isn’t it in the central core? I don’t live in the area but know it well as I visit there often. It’ll be a good addition to what is already there. Facetiousness is boring.
I think it’ll do well. St.Clair W is thriving these days and there’s more than enough room for a new restaurant. Can’t wait to try it! only thing that’s now missing on the strip is a pub or bar…
Very excited about this new spot! Filippo’s was a favourite, so it’s nice to see it being replaced with something I’m excited to try. I’ve lived in this neighbourhood for about six years now, and its food scene is really starting to take off, especially in this St. Clair & Christie area (Stockyards, Pizza e Pazzo, etc.). This is a welcome addition! Thanks, Catch!
I agree with Emily, a good pub or bar would be welcome in this thriving neighbourhood (not counting Legends at St. Clair West @ Vaughan because its a dive, the area deserves better). A book store would be nice too …
Empty streetcars? Clearly you don’t live in the hood. This restaurant will do very well. It takes reservations (unlike Rushton) and has lovely staff. The food is top quality and is another welcome neighbourhood spot. Agree with the need for a pub though – Dave’s just doesn’t cut it with their sub-par food (but great beer choices!)
Nick you’re being unnecessarily negative, while others are overstating the significance of the St-C West area. I wouldn’t call it “thriving” but it is one of the quietly up-and-coming areas for sure. I’m sure it’ll THRIVE in due course and I like that there are some better food choices up in the area as opposed to having to head over to the Mt Pleasant or Bayview areas for something half-decent that is north of Bloor. Like the Dundas West strip that houses Campagnolo, Porchetta & Co., this is one area that is going to host some decent restos.
You MUST try this place. I went and the food is crazy good. This place is going to be one of the next big restaurants in T.O in my opnion.
Empty streetcars??? I think not! This dope obviously doesn’t live in the area and is spouting an old story…streetcar construction is a thing of the past and we need to start supporting business on St. Clair….not only the rushton & catch….they don’t need the money…let’s spread the wealth…shame on Toronto Life for not taking the time to look into some of the other great restaurants in the area that need the publicity much more than catch…….prop, acquolina, just to name a few…
Unfortunately, we ate at Catch last night and it was a big disappointment. Most of the food was very good, but the service in general was awkward. We left feeling annoyed and out-of-pocket, rather than happy and full. And the bread! Stop charging $3 for bread, especially if you are going to make me wait so long.
Great decor, good desserts, otherwise greatly overpriced.The owner’s choice of his iPod music list is inflicted on diners. We had to beg the volume be reduced numerous times. The mussels were large, not many to an order. Not interested in making a return visit.
What an amazing night at catch! I highly recommend this restaurant. The food was FANTASIC and the service was amazing! So very happy to have this little Gem in our neighborhood!
The east coast oysters!! Digby scallops!! THE TUNA!! It was the best Tuna I have ever had at a restaurant.
The service was amazing the manager was so pleasant and kind to us! Really; it’s been so long since I have felt so welcome in a restaurant. I can’t wait to go back!!!
Tell your friends people! This place is it!!!
Food was good – but it was overpriced and some of the dishes were not well matched for the food (squash) The wine list was very poor and it took us a few tries before we found a satisfactory wine. All in all not a great evening.