Restaurants
The Westerly
The Westerly is the newest hot spot on Roncesvalles. Since opening in December it has generated a lot of buzz so I stopped by last week eager to get a handle on all the hype.
The atmosphere at The Westerly feels relaxed, just like the neighbourhood itself. It's like I'm visiting my best friend's place for dinner. Patrons range from 20-30 something locals to elderly gems coming in to check out the new kid on the block.
I strike up a conversation with a man behind the bar who turns out to be co-owner Tom Earl. Tom is a friendly man with a generous attitude — prior to his current gig he was involved with the previous tenant (and social enterprise The River) which staffed its restaurant with at-risk youths. Tom has carried on this practice when hiring his current staff.
A dinner isn't a dinner without a wobbly pop by its side. Hitting my lips tonight: The Westerly Spritz ($9). At first it is far too bitter but like any great romance with time I couldn't get enough. Made up of aperol, cassis, cava, soda and orange squeeze the cocktail packs a punch that leaves me seeing stars.
Appetizers: smoked trout on potato latke ($12) and arancini bolognese ($9).
The trout is a smidgen dry, the latkes are the perfect balance of crispy and moist, the dill crème fraiche proves to be a polish girl's dream, and the frisee...well it's frisee. Together these individual ingredients come together for a winning game of Connect Four.
Arancini bolognese - holy rice balls, Batman! This starter screams main. Some people shy away from balls but while dining at The Westerly they aren't the ones to dodge. The Arborio rice and goats cheese pull me to a place where my taste buds had never been before. A creamy, warm, smutty place where I can gain a hundred pounds without a care in the world. Au revoir skinny jeans.
Mains: Braised Short Ribs ($22) and Pan Seared Arctic Char ($22).
Arriving in an unappealing chunk the ribs don't catch my hungry eyes. However, once I put a forkful into my mouth I discover meat so tender that I could bathe in it. Found below the delectable meat was a bed of horseradish mashed potatoes that completely blow my mind. Who ever said there's no need to reinvent the wheel obviously hadn't tried these short ribs; The Westerly manages to take Joe Schmo meat 'n' potatoes to the next level.
As a big fish fan I am like a kid on Christmas morning waiting for the pan seared arctic char to arrive (see lead photo). Unwrapping the fresh water gift I'm slightly disappointed. Like any child would I cringe at the sight of peas on my plate. By omitting these tiny green devils I would have enjoyed this dish more. The char didn't blow me out of the water but left me floating leisurely while I am able to take in the surrounding scenery.
Dessert: Banana Bread Pudding ($7)
This dessert is the work of Lucifer himself; a sinful treat that I will covet from now until the day I die. Baked to perfection with a soft chewy texture the pudding is topped with coconut créme anglais and blueberries.
Leaving The Westerly I have a full and happy stomach; this is a place that welcomes anyone with an appetite who yearns for a good meal.
Discussion
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Like to try it though.
Anyway, food looks delicious (and reasonably priced)! Will have to check it out some time.
Nice one...
My favorite review moment... "The Arborio rice and goats cheese pull me to a place where my taste buds had never been before. A creamy, warm, smutty place where I can gain a hundred pounds without a care in the world. Au revoir skinny jeans." Naturally!
As a small business owner, you do the best you can to keep a lot of things in the air - especially in your first few months. For all you know, they have called to have it repaired and the company hasn't come by. Or, it is on the list of "nice to have", not "need to have", seeing as it isn't crucial to the day to day operations. At my own shop. it was almost four months before we had our permanent sign installed. Partially due to being busy, but also waiting for the production and installation. We were still turning out excellent work and providing the best customer service possible. Whether or not our sign was up yet, was not indicative of the product or service our customers received.
If having a broken sign is enough reason for you not to go to a restaurant, and to accuse them of poor quality, I suggest you walk a mile in their shoes and see how hard it is to run your own restaurant.
In regards to The Westerly itself - the staff and owners are incredible. Good quality food, always with a smile. They easily adapt to special requests and have been nothing but the best of hosts. I am excited to see them part of the new Roncy and wish them the best of luck.
(and, there was a point when the Drake's sign was broken, took them a month to fix it - just sayin')
The writing style of this review brought up the phrase "trying way too hard"
Now for the positive. The Westerly is a great restaurant. Not only was the food delicious but the atmosphere and staff were fun and friendly! I've been there thrice, and not just because I live around the corner.. though that helps..
Ex. Bill = 100.00
House Tip out: 5 %of Sales
You Leave 15
Server Gets 10+ anything you leave on top
If you don't know, now you know. If you don't like it, feel free not to patronize restaurants, they probably won't miss you.
However, the acoustics are awful--when the place is full you cannot hear your dining partner without yelling. Each person I've taken has commented on it.
And, though the chef clearly knows what s/he's doing, the bartender does not. The drinks are terrible. Who puts egg white in a Gimlet!? Ugh. And they've got the Corpse Reviver and the Corpse Reviver #2 mixed up. I know it seems like nitpicking, but they are vastly different drinks (Brandy vs. Gin). I asked for a traditional Gimlet after trying their fiasco and the 'keep didn't know what it was--even after I provided the recipe he messed it up.
And yes, I know that every establishment tries to offer up a twist to classic martinis. However, the point is to then rename them. If I order a Martini and get a Cranberry Martini because "that's how we like to do it", I send it back. You want to ruin a Gimlet by throwing in egg white, take a few minutes to name it. May I suggest "Lime's Undoing"?
I'll definitely be back, but I'll be drinking water.
Holy rice balls.