Bent

After mulling over the many downtown restaurants that we wanted to try, the gang took me out for an early birthday dinner this evening at Bent, which is the restaurant that Susur Lee owns with his two sons, Levi and Kai Bent-Lee. As this was the first time any of us had ever been there, our server suggested that we get the tasting menu since it's custom for one person to order two dishes off the menu, and the tasting menu would allow us to try more dishes.

Oysters with Bacon Black Pepper Balsamic Mignonette

Smoked Cod Taro Tacos with Chipotle Mayonnaise, Cilantro, Tomatillo, and Jicima

Tuna + Watermelon Ceviche with Shaved Red Onion, Cilantro, Crispy Shallots, Fresh Citrus Juice, and Rocoto Chili

Duck Salad: Marinated Sliced Duck Breast, Duck Crackling, Peanuts, Kohlrabi, Cucumber, Celery, Sweet Bean Pesto, Cilantro, Vermicelli Pickled Onion, and Apple in a Crispy Taro Shell

Lightly Seared Beef with Herbed Olive Oil, Momiji Oroshi, Diced Scallion, and Ume Spicy Ponzu

Cheese Croutons (served with the beef)

Vegetarian Roll: Braised Daikon, Avocado, Tamago, Kanpyo, Shitake Mushrooms, and Tempura Bits with Yuzu Soy Pepper Glaze

Chicken Dumplings with Mushroom and Leeks, Creamy Goat Cheese Sauce, Roasted Chorizo, and Pesto

Braised Spiced Short Ribs with Black Garlic, Parsnip Purée, Sour Cream, Chives, and Roasted Rosemary Duck Fat Potatoes 

Coffee Panna Cotta and Orange Chocolate Mousse

Everything was absolutely phenomenal. The atmosphere was casual and cozy but chic, and the service was friendly, attentive, and helpful. But the food was just magnificent. I'm a huge fan of having small portions of multiple dishes, so this was really ideal for me. My favourites of the night were the oysters (the bacon sauce that they came with was absolutely ridiculous, I basically wanted to bathe in it), smoked cod taro tacos (I could've eaten about 18 more of these) and chicken dumplings. I think the only thing I could've done without was the vegetarian roll. It wasn't bad by any means, but it just wasn't as flavourful or memorable as any of the other dishes, though I did appreciate the textural juxtaposition of the ingredients. The dessert was also a bit of a letdown, though I think it's included with the meal rather than an actual item you order from the menu. Coffee panna cotta sounds good in theory, but there was just too much alcohol in it for me to taste any of the other flavours. And it was more reminiscent of Jell-O than panna cotta. The orange chocolate mousse was better, but again overwhelmed by whatever liqueur was in it, though the Rice Krispies at the bottom was a lovely surprise. But it was okay, because what came next more than made up for the less-than-stellar house dessert:

Surprise!

"Royal" Cake from Chocolada

Birthday slice!

I was surprised by a most delightful birthday cake that Jack had brought from Chocolada. I typically hate it when people make a fuss over birthdays in public, but it was really sweet when they surprised me with the cake and sang 'Happy Birthday' (maybe because the restaurant was relatively empty at this point so I wasn't thoroughly embarrassed). And the cake itself? It's basically everything I could ask for in a cake: chocolate, coffee, almonds, whipped cream, flaky pastry, mousse. (And the staff decorated it with lovely flower petals, too!) A most perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Turning 26 really doesn't seem so bad after good food with great friends.


Bent
777 Dundas Street West
Toronto, ON M6J 1V1
(647) 352-0092