Archeo

Last week when we went to the Distillery District in Toronto (see posts below) we decided to try a restaurant there that we had seen previously, but never been in. Archeo is next to the Mill Street Bakery on Trinity Street, beside the entrance off of Mill Street.

The space that it occupies is huge - apparently this was an old carpentry for the original Distillery. In order to break up the space the designer has hung huge black and white 'photographs' etched into glass to create a more intimate atmosphere. The walls are the original, unadorned industrial brick. The fixtures are also industrial, in keeping with the original use of the building. The tables and the massive bar at the far end of the restaurant are all made from wood that was recycled from the original building. The music playing was a quiet jazz which was heavy on Italian crooners.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday - Saturday. We were early for lunch on a cold Saturday in January and we were the only people in the place, by the time we were leaving more people had come in for some great food, the amazing atmosphere, and warmth.

We were promptly seated and while I was checking out the washrooms (individual, self-contained, uni-sex, sleek, modern, and very clean) the waiter brought the menu and a bottle of sparkling water for Paul and I, regular water for mom. The menu had a wide selection of appetizers, paninis, pizza, pasta and some more substantial entrees.

Because it was lunch we ordered lightly. I had the Archeo insalata and a chicken pizza, Paul the Archeo Club Panini, and mom the vegetarian pizza. The salad came first:

A mound of Arugula lightly dressed with aged balsamic and olive oil piled over lemon infused fennel with capers, and shaved pecorino romano. It was wonderful: simple, with wonderfully fresh flavours. The softened fennel infused with lemon really pulled it together. This salad reminded me again why arugula is fast becoming my 'green of choice'. Even though initially no one wanted to share my salad with me, after listening to me go on about it soon everyone had to have some. Everyone agreed that it was great.

Shortly after the waiter cleared the plates our mains arrived. The pizzas were huge! The crusts thin and crispy as they should be out of a wood-burning brick oven.

My pizza was perfectly cooked with a generous sprinkle of chicken breast, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, Gorgonzola cheese, and wilted arugula. The flavour combination was perfect. Mom's vegetarian pizza had more of a selection of vegetable son it that we are used to getting which she really appreciated. It was dressed with an arugula pesto and Tellagio cheese (which we had never tried before) that added a nice tang. Paul's Archeo Club had a huge seared chicken breast, pesto, and garlic mayonnaise. YUM Everything we tried was excellent.

We did not have dessert as we were full. The bill with wine came to $ 65. I liked the food so much that I've decided to bring my committee here when we have our meeting in February.