The premise of the column is simple; work with restaurants of all kinds in this amazing city to explore what they have to offer and what makes them unique. In a city like Toronto, the choices are sometimes daunting and the food reviews and critics can be snotty and too complicated for their own good. So why not keep this easy?
Drinks. Appetizer. Main Course. Dessert. All along with a bit of information about what makes them my choice for Daniel’s Dish and why you should try them right away!
This episode takes us back to Milestone’s Grill + Bar for a recent media tasting where Julio & I had the opportunity to try each and every dish off the brand new Homestyle Chef’s Menu at Milestone’s Dundas Square. I recently wrote about the latest edition to the Milestone’s family, Milestone’s Grill + Bar Richmond Hill. This chain of restaurants across the country is near and dear to my heart. The new menu is meant to show you that “There’s a Chef in every restaurant, and it’s time you knew.” Milestone’s is bringing their A-game in this menu with homemade recipes and dedication to a personalized experienced. With something for everyone, let me tell you which dishes were MY favourites!
Drink:
The evening was accompanied by the most beautiful wine pairings. From locally grown Ontario whites to wines from New Zealand and beyond, each dish has a recommended wine pairing and I can assure you they are all lovely matches. Although not the route I would have gone, they help to compliment the flavours of each dish and every ingredient. From a look at the Milestone’s Grill + Bar Wine list, head here.
Appetizer:
Of the appetizer and salad options, I always love starting my evening with a leafy green. The Miniature Wedge Salad is a play on a classic and offers everything you could want in a salad. Crisp iceberg lettuce, double-smoked bacon, tart tomatoes and a Gorgonzola buttermilk dressing with maple bacon & fresh mint. I literally just listed every ingredient (which I traditionally don’t do) because each and every one of them is present and important to this dish. The mint may sound strange, but offers a beautiful herbacious and refreshing finish. Aesthetically pleasing and playful on the palate, this is a great way to start off a great menu in my mind.
Main Course:
Had you asked me which main course I would have chosen at a Milestone’s Grill + Bar, chances are a homemade Butter Chicken Risotto wouldn’t have been my first choice. But low and behold, after just one bite, my taste buds were dancing. By pairing a buttery risotto with an authentic East Indian flare, Milestone’s shows their talent for fusion and fun. Butter chicken is one of the most iconic East Indian dishes you will ever have the pleasure of eating, and this was shockingly the favourite of the night for most of the guests around the table. Of the three options, it is the most daring and in my opinion the most delicious!
Dessert:
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, traditional English Bannofee Pie might just be the perfect dessert. Combining flavours of caramel and bananas, imagine perfection on a plate. The Crispy Banana Cream Pie reminded me of the Milestone’s Grill + Bar inspired version of my favourite dessert. Layers of crispy phyllo pastry are filled with caramelized bananas and banana cream. For some the warm nutella might complete this dish, but for myself I would like to see it evolve with caramal instead to stay true to its inspiration. Absolutely a must though. Just the right amount of sweet!
Secret You Should Know:
It isn’t all that secret, but one thing that most people don’t know is that Julio & I hold Milestone’s Grill + Bar close to our hearts. We have personally and professionally celebrated major milestones in our lives at Milestone’s Dundas Square. The most important of them all alongside our photographer Amanda Hayden, my Health & Nutrition Contributor Catherine Sugrue and my nephew Lyric when I proposed to Julio this year. So yes, personal milestones at celebrated at their restaurants each and every day.
For more online fun make sure to tweet @MilestonesCA with the hashtag #foodiesunite and tell them what you thought about your personal favourites! Chances are they WILL answer you too, which is saying a lot for a company of this size.
Check out Milestones’ Executive Chef @JasonRosso doing what he does best in their latest video featuring the Valencia Style Paella.
Photos: Daniel Desforges & Milestone’s Grill + Bar
Cheers!