Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore, the new nearly-24-hour restaurant in The Great Hall
Name: The Samuel J. Moore
Neighbourhood: West Queen West
Contact information: 1087 Queen St. W., 416-897-8348, Facebook page, @TheSamuelJMoore
Owners: Sean Singh, Nav Sangha (Wrongbar, Riverside Public House) and Fadi Hakim and Alex Sengupta, both of The Lakeview
Chef: Alexandra Feswick (Brockton General)
The food: Local and seasonal Canadian dishes inflected by Toronto’s various ethnic cuisines. A half chicken ($21) is breaded and roasted, served with creamed curry and coriander, and the hand-chopped sirloin and bone marrow burger ($18) comes on brioche with frites and fennel catsup. For brunch, there’s eggs Benedict ($15) with pork terrine and arugula and for the post-work crowd, there are buck-a-shuck oysters from 5 to 7 p.m. throughout the week.
The drinks: Mixologist Sean Radzio (Against the Grain) is currently working on a cocktail menu, which will work off a large tequila list.
The place: The Samuel J. Moore occupies the first floor of The Great Hall on Queen West, and is named after the 19th century businessman who built it. The restaurant has the feel of a classic tavern, with high ceilings, black-and-white tiled floors and a dark wood bar stretching along the back wall.
By the numbers:
• 143, the number of hours the restaurant is open each week (which means it’s only closed for 25)
• 92 seats
• 6 different menus: brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert, snacks and late-night (which runs until 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday)
• $5–$28, the range in price on the menu
195728 Trifle with vanilla, white chocolate, coconut, lemon and blue berries ($8) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-07.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-07/ samuel-j-moore-07 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195723 Choice of three snacks from the late-night menu ($13): warm olives, popcorn and pickled vegetables (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-02.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-02/ samuel-j-moore-02 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195724 Choice of three snacks from the late-night menu ($13): cornmeal-crusted smelts with remoulade, Scotch egg with brown sauce and devils on horseback (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-03.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-03/ samuel-j-moore-03 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195725 Hand-chopped sirloin and bone marrow burger on brioche with Stilton, fennel catsup and frites. ($18) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-04/ samuel-j-moore-04 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195730 Half roasted chicken with creamed curry and coriander ($21) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-09.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-09/ samuel-j-moore-09 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195729 Gnudi with cream, mushrooms, pea shoots, caramelized pearl onions and brown butter ($18) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-08/ samuel-j-moore-08 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195731 Side of smoked cheddar grits and custard casserole ($8) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-10/ samuel-j-moore-10 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195733 Brunch: eggs Benedict with pork terrine and arugula ($15) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-12.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-12/ samuel-j-moore-12 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195734 Brunch: pork and beans with poached eggs, chorizo, toast and sour cherry jam ($14) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-13/ samuel-j-moore-13 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195727 Fresh kale salad with prosciutto, apples, radish and toasted walnuts ($9) <br />
(Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-06.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-06/ samuel-j-moore-06 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195726 Grain salad ($9): triple-thick yogurt, feta, roasted butternut squash and pickled red onions (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-05/ samuel-j-moore-05 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195739 Breakfast burger ($15): fried egg, peameal bacon, smoked cheddar, coleslaw and hash browns (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-intro-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-intro.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-intro.jpg 656 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-intro/ samuel-j-moore-intro 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195722 The evening service at The Samuel J. Moore (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-01.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-01/ samuel-j-moore-01 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195735 The artwork pays tribute to the history of The Great Hall, which was the site of one of the first basketball tournaments ever (right) and the wedding of Damian Abraham of Fucked Up (top) (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-14.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-14/ samuel-j-moore-14 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195737 (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-16/ samuel-j-moore-16 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195738 (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-17/ samuel-j-moore-17 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)
195732 Bruno Billio, the resident artist at the Gladstone Hotel, was responsible for the decor (Image: Megan Leahy) Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore Introducing: The Samuel J. Moore https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-11-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-11.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/samuel-j-moore-11.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/samuel-j-moore/slide/samuel-j-moore-11/ samuel-j-moore-11 0 0
(Image: Megan Leahy)