With Acadia, Scott Selland and Matt Blondin aim to shake up conservative Toronto palates
Despite the ethnic diversity of cuisine in Toronto, the city’s dining scene sometimes comes under fire for its lack of innovation. Acadia, a new venture by first-time owner Scott Selland (Splendido, Colborne Lane, Susur) and chef Matt Blondin (Colborne Lane, Senses, Rain), hopes to change that by bringing the unique flavour profiles of the east coast—from Louisiana and both Carolinas all the way up to the Maritimes—to Toronto’s sometimes conservative palate. We caught up with the pair to find out just what they’re up to.
Selland, who assisted Claudio Aprile with the launch of Origin, will act as Acadia’s general manager, while Blondin will take the reins as the restaurant’s chef de cuisine. The pair came together because of a shared interest in expanding what they see as the city’s complacent culinary scene. “The last thing we wanted to do was to open up another restaurant that people are already doing,” Selland told us. “We were looking for the next wave.”
For that they looked south, namely to Lowcountry and southern cuisine. In particular, they noticed the growing interest in New Orleans places like Donald Link’s Cochon and John Besh’s Restaurant August, as well as Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme’s championing of Cajun flavours more generally. Referencing Charleston’s Sean Brock (McCrady’s, Husk) as a source of inspiration, Blondin explains, “We’re trying to make it so much larger than just fried chicken—we feel that southern influences in style and culture could transfer well into Canada, but we’ll be putting our own touches on it. I’m of French-Canadian heritage so I have some influences with the Canadian side of it.” Think andouille sausage, alongside sustainable east coast aquaculture including crawfish, New England shellfish, crab roe and meats from Snake River Farms and cereal grains from Anson Mills.
While they maintain that Acadia will be a food-focused establishment, they’ll also be serving carefully selected brews and craft cocktails similar to the 1907 Chatham Artillery Punch experienced by diners at this past weekend’s Charlie’s Burgers.
The restaurant, which is slated to open this July, will be located in the vacated Langolino space on Clinton north of College. Selland explains that the location was ideal for its ample summer foot traffic as well as the enthusiastic locals. It’s also been undergoing something of a dining revolution with businesses such as Frank’s Kitchen and Woodlot. While the building frame will remain the same, the space has been gutted, and new kitchen and bar equipment will be installed. Large windows allow for ample natural light into the 42-seat dining room, which will be opened for dinner service six days of the week (including Sundays). Despite having a patio, the pair will focus on the dining room first and launch the patio next year.
“Opening any place is a challenge,” says Blondin, “but we’re putting faith in the hands of Torontonians, hoping that they’ll have an open mind. I think the concept we have will be received very well.” Selland adds, “In no way are we trying to play up the novelty of it. This is cuisine that’s well founded; it’s not a trick or a flash in the pan. I’m sure there’s going to be a learning curve, but someone’s got to do it first.”
Acadia, 50C Clinton St., acadiarestaurant.com.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/food/with-acadia-scott-selland-and-matt-blondin-aim-to-shake-up-conservative-toronto-palates/&title=With Acadia, Scott Selland and Matt Blondin aim to shake up conservative Toronto palates&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/matt-and-scott-acadia-624x350.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_72159" align="aligncenter" width="656" caption="Blondin and Selland, fomenting revolution (Image: Will Fournier)"][/caption]
Despite the ethnic diversity of cuisine in Toronto, the city’s dining scene sometimes comes under fire for its lack of innovation. Acadia, a new venture by first-time owner Scott Selland (Splendido, Colborne Lane, Susur) and chef Matt Blondin (Colborne Lane, Senses, Rain), hopes to change that by bringing the unique flavour profiles of the east coast—from Louisiana and both Carolinas all the way up to the Maritimes—to Toronto’s sometimes conservative palate. We caught up with the pair to find out just what they’re up to.
Selland, who assisted Claudio Aprile with the launch of Origin, will act as Acadia’s general manager, while Blondin will take the reins as the restaurant’s chef de cuisine. The pair came together because of a shared interest in expanding what they see as the city’s complacent culinary scene. “The last thing we wanted to do was to open up another restaurant that people are already doing,” Selland told us. “We were looking for the next wave.”
For that they looked south, namely to Lowcountry and southern cuisine. In particular, they noticed the growing interest in New Orleans places like Donald Link’s Cochon and John Besh’s Restaurant August, as well as Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme’s championing of Cajun flavours more generally. Referencing Charleston’s Sean Brock (McCrady’s, Husk) as a source of inspiration, Blondin explains, “We’re trying to make it so much larger than just fried chicken—we feel that southern influences in style and culture could transfer well into Canada, but we’ll be putting our own touches on it. I’m of French-Canadian heritage so I have some influences with the Canadian side of it.” Think andouille sausage, alongside sustainable east coast aquaculture including crawfish, New England shellfish, crab roe and meats from Snake River Farms and cereal grains from Anson Mills.
While they maintain that Acadia will be a food-focused establishment, they’ll also be serving carefully selected brews and craft cocktails similar to the 1907 Chatham Artillery Punch experienced by diners at this past weekend’s Charlie’s Burgers.
The restaurant, which is slated to open this July, will be located in the vacated Langolino space on Clinton north of College. Selland explains that the location was ideal for its ample summer foot traffic as well as the enthusiastic locals. It’s also been undergoing something of a dining revolution with businesses such as Frank’s Kitchen and Woodlot. While the building frame will remain the same, the space has been gutted, and new kitchen and bar equipment will be installed. Large windows allow for ample natural light into the 42-seat dining room, which will be opened for dinner service six days of the week (including Sundays). Despite having a patio, the pair will focus on the dining room first and launch the patio next year.
“Opening any place is a challenge,” says Blondin, “but we’re putting faith in the hands of Torontonians, hoping that they’ll have an open mind. I think the concept we have will be received very well.” Selland adds, “In no way are we trying to play up the novelty of it. This is cuisine that’s well founded; it’s not a trick or a flash in the pan. I’m sure there’s going to be a learning curve, but someone’s got to do it first.”
Acadia, 50C Clinton St., acadiarestaurant.com. ){kind=link}
I was interested when I first heard of this restaurant, but after reading this, it seems full of condescension and pretension.
All Toronto southern food has not been fried chicken….they aren’t blazing any trails. I still wish them luck and hope they do well-they just need to take them selves a little less seriously and have some fun….
So, glad I read this article….These 2 guys sound like they know what they are doing! I Love their location, their menu, their intelligence, their up-comming plans, definetly going to check this place out with our Family! Looking forward to their opening, and to have the opportunity to savor a delightful culinary experience:)
I’m Team Rob…Marie must be a girlfriend.
Being told that Torontonians have a “conservative palate” isn’t what will make me try this restaurant.
What part this article has been condescending? The Fact that two young Toronto entrepreneurs (with serious pedigree), want
to shake up what our predisposed notion of southern food is?
Have you ever heard of Sean Brock, Donald Link, or John Besh? I mean I’m sure you being the “Foodie” you are know Emeral Lagasse very well and how can they not be serious about this venture? Well i guess it is just their livelihood at stake.
Quit trying to put people down because of an article you read.
Condescending? Pretentious? Torontonians should learn not to judge right away something new and unfamilliar. They also need to understand that although we do have a great variety of restaurants to choose from, there is still room for new and interesting foods to be tasted. I believe that you don’t always need to reinvent the wheel to create something great. I wish them both good luck, and encourage all readers to check this place out when it opens. Just based on their previous experiences, they do have a lot for us to taste and talk about. Cheers!
I work in the industry and I’ve heard a lot about chef Blondin – mainly how he talks so much sh!t about other chefs and is very unprofessional. I’m actually curious to check out the restaurant and see how much better his “touches” are.
@ Christina : Thank you for the kind words. I look forward to cooking for you and yours when Acadia opens in July. All the best.
Please please please have some real po-boys!! With real New Orleans style French bread (not use ciabatta, or baguettes).
Oh, and I suggest buying Donald Link’s ‘Real Cajun’ cookbook!
:)
Oh and maybe some crawfish/crab/shrimp boils! :)
Can’t wait to try you guys out!
@ Matt Blondin: Acadian cuisine served up with a side of passive aggressiveness… interesting.
Acadia website could use some love – pretty hard to read. I get that it’s about the food, but even the logo leaves something to be desired. Very blasé.