Prop

Prop 770 St Clair Ave. West 416 792 3313

I had such a great time. Elaine is my dear friend of long standing. We love to go out for dinner. We enjoy great food and we love to talk about it. Elaine suggested this outstanding restaurant and I am so grateful to her for this winning suggestion. Chef Gian Carlo was a master chef at Gian Carlo and Olive and Lemon restaurants in Toronto. He certainly has done all the right things at this relatively new establishment. St Clair Ave West is a street with numerous other restaurants. There is a beat on the street and there are such positive vibes in Prop.

Elaine and I spent much time trying to describe the décor. Minimalist perhaps. We loved the simplicity and yet the high design. Two large paintings hang on one wall and pictures on the other wall. The light fixtures are ‘sexy’ and creative. This place has energy. It was a winner from beginning to end. We had so much fun watching the plates coming and going and seeing what the other patrons had ordered. I even had the pleasure of bumping into some parents from the school where I had previously been Principal. How do they do it? They haven’t aged a bit in over 10 years. It was so wonderful to chat with them.

Elaine and I shared a White Salad.($8.00) I adore endive. It is crisp with a little touch of bitterness. Frisee, sliced pears and shaved parmesan cheese were drizzled with light vinaigrette. It was superb.

Asparagus is offered with a parmesan cream sauce.($9.00) I have already selected the Grilled Polenta with sautéed crimini and porcini mushrooms for my next visit.($8.00)

Our Grilled Herb Crusted Salmon dinner was perfectly cooked.($18.00) The salmon was pepper crusted and was so moist inside. I am a vegetable lover and feel that most restaurants are a little skimpy in this department. Cauliflower, brussel sprouts and green beans were plentiful and perfectly cooked. What a treat!

Elaine told our server that on her last visit she thoroughly enjoyed the Fusilli It is prepared with cauliflower, raisons and anchovies.($16.00) Many of the pasta dishes have a taste of the wonderful Sicilian cooking. Spaghetti Carnevale is a mixture of ginger, black mission figs and black peppercorn.($17.00) Sicilian Linguine Aglio e Olio blends garlic, chile flakes, capers, anchovy, olives and mint.($16.00)

I should have been ashamed but had to go for a dessert to see if the perfection continued into the next course. Rhubarb Tart passed the test.($8.00) It was tarty. The crust was flaky and the ice cream was a welcome addition.

We laughed. We talked and above all we enjoyed every bite.

The service was outstanding. This chef is a master in culinary skills. His wife works the front of the restaurant with charm and efficiency. She checked with us several times to see if we were satisfied. A new patio is scheduled to open next week. I didn’t want to leave because then it would all be over. I will just have to come back again and enjoy more of this quality gourmet food.