(Image: Megan Leahy)
From the late ’60s until the ’80s, Karelia was an influential Scandinavian design store in Toronto run by Janis Kravis. Now his son, Leif Kravis, along with his wife Donna Ashley, have revived the brand with Karelia Kitchen, a Scandinavian-inspired café at Dufferin and Bloor. The 24-seat, 600-square-feet space has a clean-lined, minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic, with a ceiling panelled in locally sourced tongue-and-groove ash and naked walls painted ochre and rusty red. In fine Scandinavian style, the counter-service menu fluctuates depending on what is market-fresh, local and in-season.
The dishes at Karelia rely heavily on house-smoked fish and meats, including salmon, trout, pork and chicken, all of which appear on the smoked platter ($16), along with smoked goat cheese and house-made preserves of pickled pumpkin and fig. Hot plates ($10.95), such as beef short ribs and paprika- and tarragon-roasted chicken leg, are served with two hot or cold sides, including roasted potatoes, cauliflower, cucumber and wheat-berry salad with curried yogurt. There’s also a long list of smørrebrød ($8-$12), open-faced sandwiches served on dense, buttered rye bread, including smoked pork loin, duck egg and baby-shrimp salad. In keeping with Scandinavian custom, Karelia serves a house blend of coffee brewed by French press and espresso machine. The drinks list includes Ontario wines, local microbrews (and, of course, Denmark’s Tuborg) and aquavit and vodka, both sold in shot form. Come January, Karelia will also be launching a Sunday brunch service.
184093 Honey cardamom cake with lingonberry and raspberry butter cream (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-15/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-15 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184092 Cherry juice–poached pear and frangipane pie (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-14/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-14 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184079 Donna Ashley’s house-baked pastries include a selection of biscuits, crème caramel and flourless double-baked chocolate cake (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-01/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-01 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184091 Oka cheese sandwich with red onion chips, lingonberry jam, spiced walnuts and fresh thyme ($9) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-13/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-13 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184090 Vegetarian beet and carrot rösti sandwich with pear ginger compote, served with cauliflower, cucumber and wheat-berry salad ($9) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-12.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-12/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-12 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184089 Smoked salmon sandwich, with crème fraîche and half a quail egg, garnished with capers, chives and dill ($12) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-11/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-11 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184088 Smoked chicken salad sandwich, with red onion, celery root, thyme and mayo, garnished with diced apricots and oranges ($10) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-10.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-10/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-10 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184087 Roast beef sandwich with pickled beets, shaved horseradish, potato chips, grainy mustard mayo and a side of house greens ($9) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-09/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-09 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184086 Baby shrimp salad sandwich with duck egg, lemon dill mayo and a side cucumber and radish salad ($10) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-08/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-08 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184085 Duck egg sandwich with pickled onions, chives, smoked paprika mayo and a side of beet and potato salad ($8) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-07/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-07 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184084 Smoked pork loin sandwich with crispy shallots, rosemary, apple chips, slow-roasted apple butter and a side of pickled mushrooms ($9) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-06/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-06 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184083 Paprika- and tarragon-roasted organic chicken leg with potato salad and celery root and carrot salad ($10.95) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-05/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-05 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184082 Beef Short Ribs with buttered rutabaga and herb roasted mini potatoes ($10.95) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-04/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-04 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184081 Smoked Platter ($16) with flatbreads; house-smoked pork, chicken, cold salmon, hot trout and goat cheese; pickled red beets, red onion and pumpkin; house made fig preserve; old-fashioned grainy mustard; and candied walnuts (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-03/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-03 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184080 (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-02/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-02 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184094 (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-16/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-16 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
184095 Husband-and-wife team Leif Kravis and Donna Ashley (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: Karelia Kitchen Introducing: Karelia Kitchen https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/dec12-Karelia-Kitchen-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/karelia-kitchen/slide/dec12-karelia-kitchen-intro/ dec12-karelia-kitchen-intro 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
Karelia Kitchen, 1194 Bloor St. W., 647-748-1194, kareliakitchen.com, @KareliaKitchen
I live in the Bloor/Lansdowne area and am thrilled to see Karelia Kitchen in the ‘hood. I had the most delicious lunch there the other day — best meatballs I’ve ever had! I will be back.
Have had two meals there. Very delicious and Leif and Donna are very friendly. Highly recommend it!
good luck to them! love smorrebrod :)
An awesome addition to the neighbourhood xD
Best brunch in a long while. What a fantastic addition to the neighbourhood. Fully expect to become a regular – as should you!