(Image: Renée Suen)
Last year, Jonathan Poon and Jacob Wharton-Shukster, along with Woodlot’ s Jeff Connell, ran a series of popular, mainly industry-attended dinners held at The Bellevue in Kensington Market, which afforded the (then) unknown restaurateurs the opportunity to exercise their creativity without having their own place. Now that Poon and Wharton-Shukster have launched Chantecler (to some acclaim ), the trio has thrown the series open to the public (the Bellevue, meanwhile, is running its own Monday-night series, focusing on chefs currently without a kitchen). We dropped by to check out the first dinner of 2012 on Monday, a 14-course collaboration between Poon and Jeff Claudio of Yours Truly, complete with beer, wine and cocktail pairings.
“When we started Monday’s Dinner [at The Bellevue], it was a fun thing to showcase some chefs without a kitchen,” Wharton-Shukster tells us. “Now we have the resources to do it at our own facility and can bring other chefs in. Everyone gets to swap new techniques, do things they don’t normally do and have the chance to work with each other.” Upcoming guest chefs, who’ll be working with Poon, include Basilio Pesce (of soon to open Porzia ), Dustin Gallagher (consulting at Riverside Public House ), Guy Rawlings (consulting at Bellwoods Brewery ) and Jason Carter (ex-Centro ). The dinners will be held on the last Monday of each month, with Wharton-Shukster managing the front of house and Connell pouring from a unique repertoire full of non-LCBO natural wines from the Loire Valley and Niagara. The whole thing costs $80 a head—not a bad deal, considering that includes beverage pairings and tax (but not gratuities).
Although each bite, snack and course of the summer-focused Claudio-Poon dinner was a collaborative effort between the chefs, both Wharton-Shukster and Shane Harper (pastry chef of One and Fabbrica ) noted it was still possible to discern each chef’s individual touches on a given plate. “It’s exciting, fresh and gives everyone energy,” Wharton-Shukster says. “It energizes the restaurant especially, in this market where you can end up doing the same thing every day.”
156449 Dessert, cantaloupe, fennel, honey and cream: a mild meal-closer that played on various textures (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze39-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze39.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze39.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze39/ aug12mondaze39 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156448 Digestif, Femme Vert: gin, absinthe, Lillet, elderflower and vermouth (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze38-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze38.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze38.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze38/ aug12mondaze38 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156446 Claudio plating the cucumber sorbet palate cleaner. The liquid nitrogen–prepared sorbet was served with vinegar and olive oil (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze36-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze36.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze36.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze36/ aug12mondaze36 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156445 Wharton-Shukster preparing the digestif: Femme Vert (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze35-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze35.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze35.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze35/ aug12mondaze35 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156444 Course 4, goat, black olive, beans and artichoke: Mediterranean flavours dominate this substantial course with al dente peas, beans and tender artichoke hearts hiding among gnocchi nubs and briny chunks of roasted goat<br />Paired with 2010 Domaine Causse Marines Zacmau, Gaillac, France (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze34-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze34.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze34.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze34/ aug12mondaze34 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156443 Snack, beef tongue in lettuce: a nod to the restaurant’s Lettuce Sundays, this course features braised tongue and picked corn with blue cheese and spicy barbeque sauce (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze32-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze32.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze32.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze32/ aug12mondaze32 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156442 Palate cleanser: beet juice (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze30-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze30.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze30.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze30/ aug12mondaze30 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156441 Course 3, zucchini, pig’s head and dried seafood: a soupy warm course featuring a chubby zucchini round that had been stewed in a sweet dried seafood stock, then capped with a slice of braised pig’s head<br />Paired with the 2010 Sebastien Riffault Les Quarterons, Sancerre, Loire, France (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze28-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze28.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze28.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze28/ aug12mondaze28 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156440 A little behind-the-scenes plating action of course 3 (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze26-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze26.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze26.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze26/ aug12mondaze26 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156439 Snack, salt-baked carrot and yogurt: a sweet, soft-baked carrot that had been infused with the briny umami essence of its kelp wrapping, which diners were instructed to dip into a tangy pepper-studded yogurt dip (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze23-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze23.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze23.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze23/ aug12mondaze23 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156438 Course 2, calamari, king oyster mushroom and oyster emulsion: squid-ink stained calamari and oyster emulsion, cut by meaty king oyster mushroom, tender zucchini ribbons and tart currants<br />Paired with 2011 Chateau Cambon Rose, Beaujolais, France (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze21.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze21/ aug12mondaze21 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156437 Snack, shrimp cracker: a carb-on-carb affair in which chewy glutinous rice, aïoli, chive and cod roe are paired with a puffy shrimp chip base (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze19/ aug12mondaze19 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156436 Snack, gougère and smoked potato: warm and crusty choux puffs accompanied by a frothy, smoked-laced bowl of tangy whipped potato (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze18/ aug12mondaze18 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156435 Course 1, tomato gelée, Dungeness crab and pickled tomatillo: a refreshing course, with hits of birds-eye chili and jalapeño, that was finished with a table-side pour of crab consommé and a little sublimation visual effect <br />Paired with the N.V. Agnès et René Mosse Moussamoussettes, Anjou, Loire, France (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze14/ aug12mondaze14 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156434 Amuse 3, brandade puff: a nail-sized bite loose brandade (puréed salt cod with olive oil emulsion) in a tiny pita puff with lentils (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze13/ aug12mondaze13 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156432 Amuse 2, radish pod and horseradish: a bright appetite-whetter featuring a crunchy radish pod, tomatillos and whipped horseradish (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze11/ aug12mondaze11 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156433 Amuse 1, watermelon tartare: a savoury and mustard-kicked vegetarian-friendly mix of slightly dehydrated watermelon, pickles and egg yolk, on an airy pappadum chip (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze12/ aug12mondaze12 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156429 The flight of amuses was paired with Great Lakes Brewery’s No Chance with Miranda, a one-off cask-conditioned ale that’s part of their <a href="http://www.greatlakesbeer.com/index.php/project-x/">Project X</a> (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze6-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze6.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze6.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze6/ aug12mondaze6 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156431 The restaurant’s signature marquee backsplash (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze9-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze9.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze9.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze9/ aug12mondaze9 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156430 Claudio and Poon at the pass (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze7-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze7.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze7.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze7/ aug12mondaze7 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156427 The evening’s 14-item collaborative menu between Chantecler’s Jonathan Poon and Yours Truly’s Jeff Claudio (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze4-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze4.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze4.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze4/ aug12mondaze4 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156426 The evening’s 14-item collaborative menu between Chantecler’s Jonathan Poon and Yours Truly’s Jeff Claudio (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze3-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze3.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze3.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze3/ aug12mondaze3 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
156424 The sold-out event was open to the public, although this particular evening found the room filled with 75 per cent industry folk (Image: Renée Suen) Introducing: Monday’s Dinner Introducing: Monday’s Dinner https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze_intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze_intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/aug12mondaze_intro.jpg 656 480 [] https://torontolife.com/food/introducing-mondays-dinner/slide/aug12mondaze_intro/ aug12mondaze_intro 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
Chantecler, 1320 Queen St. W., 416-628-3586, restaurantchantecler.ca, @ChanteclerTO