Bodega

Bodega 30 Baldwin St 416 977 1287

I so look forward to the festive season. One of the highlights is the annual lunch hosted by a loyal dear friend. Every year she invites around 25 stimulating women for a festive lunch. Can you imagine! I so look forward to the event. The past two years have been at Bodega and I hope I will receive many more invites in the future to attend the Christmas lunch at this same place.

Bodega is situated on a busy block of Baldwin St. Many different types of restaurants are housed on both sides of the street. It is a charming street and worth the trip to walk up and down viewing all the establishments. Bodega has been in operation in Toronto for many years and is well known for its delicious French style food. It is situated in an old house. The main floor has two rooms. I have always enjoyed the homey atmosphere. The servers are exceptional. They did a masterful job of feeding 25 guests at the same time.

On this occasion we had a three course lunch with several options.

The Chilled Calamari was prepared with a lemon, basil and pine nut dressing. Several guests at my table enjoyed that appetizer. Others opted for the Creamy Mushroom Soup. I chose the Hearts Of Romaine with croutons, Parmesan cheese and garlic anchovy dressing. Everybody was delighted with their choice.

I should mention the warm multigrain bread that was at each table. Delicious.

The main entrée offered three choices. One guest chose the Seafood Bouillabaise It had an amazing aroma and apparently the flavor was superb. The saffron fennel tomato broth contained shrimp, scallops and market fish. Emmenthal cheese and rouille completed this gourmet creation.

Grilled Chicken Breast with a rosemary walnut dressing was the popular choice at my table. It looked very tender and the roasted sweet potatoes and squash looked so appetizing. I opted for the Vegetarian Tower. It was a work of art. Grilled Portabella mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, red pepper, spinach and goat cheese were topped with sundried tomato and basil dressing. The best!

Nobody needed dessert but on such an occasion you enjoy the total package. Vanilla Crème Brulee was creamy, rich and tasty. The Warm Banana Cake was served with toffee sauce and crème anglaise. It looked so inviting. I opted for the Fresh Berries with Ice cream. It was the perfect conclusion to a superb meal.

We enjoyed this special luncheon as a guest of our very generous hostess.

The regular menu has so many choices and they all sound divine. Panko Crusted Blue Crab Cakes are served with tomato Provencal sauce and caper-cream.($12.00) Roasted Beets are prepared with blue d’avernge, walnuts and an orange-garlic ginger dressing.($9.00)

Brie Cheese Omelette is served with frites or salad ($12.00) Grilled Atlantic Salmon is prepared with French lentils, tomato, capers, olives and an Ouzo butter sauce.($15.00)

Raised Lamb shank is served with mashed potato and a prune, cranberry rosemary sauce.($16.00)

Currently a Lunch Prix Fixe Menu is being offered at $20.00. There are several choices of appetizer, entrée and desert. This is a fine deal.

The menu is very authentic French. The service is superb. The food is exquisite.