All Dressed Up: chopped salads with a twist
All Dressed Up: chopped salads with a twist
By Matthew Fox | December 16, 2014
By Matthew Fox | 12/16/2014
By Matthew Fox | Photographs by Vicky Lam
Clever chefs are gussying up traditional chopped salads with luscious, irresistible ingredients, like fried garlic, frog legs and creamy feta. Here, five of the best plates in the city.
302195 Stephen Gouzopoulos’ mountainous chop at <strong>Museum Tavern</strong> is a medley of comfort ingredients. Blistered corn kernels, aged cheddar, crispy lardons and a hard-boiled egg are tossed in a creamy ranch dressing and topped with micro-greens—their slight bitterness balances the luxurious whole. $19. <em>208 Bloor St. W., 2nd flr., 416-920-0110.</em> The Big Salad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-01-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-01.jpg 1200 806 [] https://torontolife.com/food/best-chopped-salad-toronto/slide/best-chopped-salad-toronto-01/ best-chopped-salad-toronto-01 0 0
302196 Fusion mastermind Tom Thai of <strong>Foxley</strong> livens sweet blue crab meat with puckery lime juice, crispy fried garlic, chili powder–spiced sesame seeds, heaps of fresh cilantro and fish sauce. He serves the salad in a buttery halved avocado with a zigzag of Sriracha. $12. <em>207 Ossington Ave., 416-534-8520.</em> Crabby Chic https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-02-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-02.jpg 1200 1200 [] https://torontolife.com/food/best-chopped-salad-toronto/slide/best-chopped-salad-toronto-02/ best-chopped-salad-toronto-02 0 0
302197 Yes, kale is everywhere, but Matt Robertson’s take at <strong>Montecito</strong> is the city’s best. He finely chops purple, green and black leaves, then tosses them with house-made garlic bread crumbs, pecorino and an anchovy-tinged dressing. $12. <em>299 Adelaide St. W., 416-599-0299.</em> Kale Caesar! https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-03-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-03.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/best-chopped-salad-toronto/slide/best-chopped-salad-toronto-03/ best-chopped-salad-toronto-03 0 0
302198 Homely napa cabbage, avocado and iceberg lettuce are primped and gilded in <strong>America’</strong>s cobb-inspired salad. Fried frog legs add meaty bites, and succulent cactus shards—with a flavour somewhere between melon and pickle—cut through the richness of smoked blue cheese. $18. <em>325 Bay St., 31st flr., 416-637-5550.</em> Cobb Snobs https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-04-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-04.jpg 1200 801 [] https://torontolife.com/food/best-chopped-salad-toronto/slide/best-chopped-salad-toronto-04/ best-chopped-salad-toronto-04 0 0
302199 At <strong>Rasa,</strong> Adrian Niman tosses together kale, cabbage, bell peppers, quinoa, and deep-fried harissa-dusted chickpeas for crunch, plus grapes and feta for a salty-sweet kick. He smears jalapeño and feta cream on the side of the bowl for DIY distribution. $13. <em>196 Robert St., 647-350-8221.</em> New Leaf https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-05-200x200.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-chopped-salad-toronto-05.jpg 1200 800 [] https://torontolife.com/food/best-chopped-salad-toronto/slide/best-chopped-salad-toronto-05/ best-chopped-salad-toronto-05 0 0
Wow, feta, in a salad. That is new and innovative.