where jess ate

One thing I love about Toronto is its incredibly diverse food scene. With a focus on local and seasonal ingredients, the menu at the Gladstone Hotel (@GladstoneHotel) is a true reflection of our diverse city.

The food is brought to us by Executive Chef Mario Paz (@ChefMarsPaz) who has previously worked at the Drake Hotel and Hôtel Le Germain. His menu here at the Gladstone Hotel is greatly inspired by his extensive travels around Asia, South and Central America.

If you’ve never been to the Gladstone before, it’s a boutique hotel located in Parkdale which features 37 unique artist-designed rooms. The restaurant is located on the main floor of the building and features gorgeous exposed brick walls, high ceilings and large windows which fill the room with sunlight.

I recently attended a media tasting at the Gladstone to get a taste of what they have to offer. Our evening started off with a refreshing Blackberry Gin & Tonic. It’s the perfect summer drink!

House Chorizo – with avocado salsa on crispy polenta

Mushroom Salad Roll – grilled king oyster mushrooms with crispy vermicelli noodles, spring onions, radish & truffled hoisin sauce

Blue Crab Salad – fennel-roasted tomatoes & coconut lime dressing on charred romaine hearts

Saucy Rib ‘Nibblers – Ontario lamb ribs, sweet hoisin BBQ sauce and celeriac slaw

The Jerk – spicy pulled jerk chicken with slaw in a soft house-made coco bread pocket with a side of rice n’ pea fritters and mango chutney dip

Texas Tempeh Burger – 48hr marinated organic tempeh, crunchy onion rings, wild mushooms, BBQ sauce & aged cheddar

Pad See Ew – traditional broad rice Thai noodles, wilted mustard greens, savoy cabbage & peanut-candied bird chili garnish (vegan)

Vindaloo Pork – local pork tenderloin, brown butter confit grapes, new potatoes, endive and vindaloo sauce

Mexican Chocolate Fudge Brownie – Guajillo chili & salted caramel sauce (vegan)

Like I said, the menu is very diverse! My personal highlights included the house chorizo, lamb ribs, tempeh burger and vindaloo pork. Our meal started out with the house chorizo which was the perfect little bite. With a slight kick and coolness from the avocado salsa, this really kick-started everyone’s appetite.

Another favourite was the incredibly tender lamb ribs. I particularly enjoyed the sweet and sticky sauce which coated the ribs. As for the tempeh burger, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I’m a carnivore at heart and this made me forget that I wasn’t eating meat! I was also impressed by the vindaloo pork tenderloin which was wonderfully moist – it just melted in my mouth.

With a menu that takes you around the world, the Gladstone is one of those restaurants where there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes!

*This was a complimentary meal. The opinions in the post, as always, are my own.*