Restaurants
Peter Pan
After a series of positive food reviews, I was in search of somewhere that couldn't live up to my standards. My standards aren't that high, really... there are just a few key things I appreciate. For example, if you serve something on your menu, your waitstaff should be able to pronounce it - ie. Bruschetta = Broo-sket-ta. Basic stuff.
Oh, and the food should taste good.
So, what I wanted was a little restaurant with a high strung menu, even higher strung staff, and, of course, bottom rung food. They're everywhere... but alas, as I walked into Peter Pan (Queen West & Peter St), it was not in the cards.
This could possibly have been the best food I've ever had.
But first, just like any good classic story, let me set the scene for you...
Peter Pan is one of the oldest restaurants on the Queen West Soho strip, and the interior is probably one of the most authentic. Like its namesake, it would seem this place has got the secret to staying eternally young, or moreso eternally hip. As I walk in, I'm greeted by a high ornate ceiling, old-style bar (with built-in stools) and comfy looking wooden booths all the way down the Peter St wall.
The waitress, with a 1920's je-ne-sais-quoi about her, suggests the patio, but my friend and I would rather take the booth. No problem, says she, and soon we are sipping water with menus and hand-written specials in hand.
The appetizer list is long and varied... it all looks good, but the Italian staples like bruschetta and calamari catch our eye. We decide to go with the deep fried calamari as they were paired with stir fried bell peppers and a mixed green salad. The waitress warns us that it's spicy. All the better then!
When I'm 95 and toothless, I will come here and eat these calamari every day. Both batter and calamari were so tender you barely had to bite down. I wish I had the recipe - maybe it's some sprinkled pixie dust - as these are quite obviously made in house, and not the commonly jazzed up freezer-bag calamari we usually settle for. If you're a fan of el squid-o, you have got to stop in for this treat. It actually makes a fine entree on its own.
We didn't know that though, so we ordered entrees. No regrets there.
In comes one order of goat-cheese topped fusilli (whole-wheat) with grilled chicken, mushrooms and spinach in a light cream sauce for me, followed up by a goat cheese and spinach stuffed chicken breast over buttery mashed potatoes and veggies for my friend.
There were only two dishes on the menu that were practically matching outfits and we ordered them both, so I apologize for the lack of variety between us, but damn (pardon me!) were they good - and surprisingly different!
At $14 and $16 respectively, you'd expect big portions, but usually you get small and pretty looking ones... right? Peter Pan serves up both with entrees were as gorgeous as they are plentiful. We were thrilled before even sinking a fork in.
The pasta dish was hearty and filled with large pieces of chicken, mushroom, etc. I don't usually order pasta when I'm out (due to 20+ years of being fed it at home) but the cream sauce made it well worth the exception. While there was plenty of it to go around, it wasn't heavy or fatty tasting.
The stuffed chicken breast was equally great. I know, because I kept stealing bites of it (and those mashed potatoes) from the plate across. It wasn't dry in any way despite being a whole breast. Actually it was so tender and delicious, that unable to finish it, we took it home and made 2 sliced chicken and mash sandwiches to bring for lunch the next day. Bonus!
Finally, yes, I know I just said we were unable to finish the dishes, but we did (we had to!) have dessert.
We opted to share the tiramisu - which again I hardly ever order when out 'cause it never compares to mamma's, but it was made in house and everything had just been so good thus far.
Very nice but if I am going to be picky, it was a bit too cheesy. Still, an applause to the chef for making a tiramisu like the recipe intends... not as a pudding, or a puff, or with ice cream, or in a cup... in a tray and cut into generous squares. Bravo.
5 stars, 5 blogTO B's, what-have-ya... Peter Pan is absolutely wonderful.
373 Queen St. West (at Peter), 416-593-0917
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i wish the menu was bigger though and that they served brunch (which they might but i probably got there about 3pm - so if they do serve it i wish that they would serve it all day.)
I'd recommend the caesar salad with or without jerk chicken mmmmm
The service was okay, albeit very lax (maybe because it was a Sunday evening) - but definitely an overall very low-key atmosphere, which is a good thing depending on what you're looking for.
It's been so long since I've had such a satisfying dining experience. Thank you for restoring my faith.