Butler's Pantry: Flavour of Imperialism

Out for a stroll on Queen West recently, I was drawn into the Butler's Pantry by their comfy and casual interior. While I'd only stopped for a drink, the coffee break quickly turned into a full on meal as I was curious to try out the menu.

A couple weeks later now, I've already returned several times with friends, eager to try different dishes and even different Butler's locations... the menu is just that tempting. As the title suggests, the offerings from this pantry are influenced by ingredients from all over the world, yet served up like English comfort food.

If that's got you curious, you're in luck 'cause I've taken a record number of photos for this one...

So, let's start with the good stuff:

Pictured at the top is the mouthwatering Chicken Vegetable Pie ($8.50). Seeing is believing as this is in fact a double crusted pie chock full of chunks of chicken, carrots, onions, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, etc, etc. Simply amazing, it's that black pepper kind of spicy and definitely my favourite thing on the menu.

Another pie, the Vegetable Curry Pie is also available for the lovable vegetarians.

The Beef Burgundy ($8.95) is twist on traditional shepherd's pie. Wine laced beef, carrot, pepper, onion and mushrooms make up the base and mashed potato tops it off. The serving is a little small but filling.

Tandoori Chicken Penne ($9.65) is just what it says it is. Pieces of grilled chicken breast marinated in tandoori spices then baked with penne and three cheeses. Topped with a creamy white sauce, it's nice though it could be spicier.

Butler's interpretation of Lamb Moussaka ($8.95) does the original Greek dish some justice with layers of eggplant, cinnamon seasoned lamb, onion, feta and tomato sauce hiding under a creamy layer of browned potatoes. Again, a respectable portion that leaves us satisfied but not stuffed.

You might have noticed already that these dishes come with a side salad. I should note that almost all of the entrees do and that not only is it fresh and colourful, but it's topped with Butler's special house dressing, which I plan to steal the recipe for and make millions. It's delicious.

But wait, there's more...

Next up is the Zucchini Pancake ($6.95). The large split pancake is made of shredded zucchini and onions and served with soy sauce on the side. Unfortunately, it shares a plate with a creamy American side-dish: Caesar salad. Worth asking to have the regular salad subbed in instead.

Moroccan Vegetable Tajine ($7.95) is where this menu and I disagreed. Reading, "slow cooked seasonal vegetables cooked with Moroccan spices, served with cous cous," I was excited for something flavourful... I mean, it does say "spices" in there. While it looked good enough, it was one of the worst dinners I'd had in a long while. Flavourless and overly starchy, I tried to describe it and only came up with one word: viscous. I tried to trade it to others at the table but nobody liked it. Stick with the pie, Tanja, the pie.

Onwards and upwards...

Dropping in before 4pm, the brunch menu is also available. From the list of eggs, french toast, bagels and scones, we ordered the Omelet with asparagus, fresh garlic, butter and Hollandaise sauce ($7.50). The result was fluffy, lovely and always enjoyable with a little toast and jam on the side.

In the realm of sandwiches and wraps we tried the crab salad with cheddar on toasted rye, also known as The Duchess ($4.95). Simple, yet flavourful, it was a better choice than the Butler's Vegetable Wrap ($6.95).

Grilled eggplant, zucchini, red and green pepper in a tomato garlic vinaigrette sounds nice, but this wrap just didn't hit the spot.

It did leave room for dessert though as we ordered up a Cappuccino, Mochaccino, Death by Chocolate & Nutbuster cakes ($4.50) and a martini for good measure. All were superb ways to end a good meal.

--
Butler's Pantry
Three Locations:
813 Queen St W, 416-203-0222
591 Markham St.(Mirvish Village), 416-535-9868
371 Roncesvalles Ave, 416-537-7750