Antler Kitchen & Bar — Restaurant in Toronto

This is a really nice up class business casual spot. We heard so much about the place and as hunters really wanted to get a sense of how dishes can be. We heard the owner of this location is a big hunter and tries many different takes when it comes to cooking his hunts (don't worry the food your served isn't hunted it's farmed.) The decor of this place is beautiful -classy, tasteful and dim light setting in the evening. You can really see the hunter in the decor as well if your observant. Only thing that throws of the decor is the little curtain area at the front - I gets it's to keep the cold out when opening the door but it'd super small and a bit awkward... If your going here on a date be prepared as it is more so on the expensive side (you better really like the person to be balling out like that). If your celebrating something big as long as your comfortable with a bill ranging between $275 and up this is the spot. We started our visit with a venison Tartare and hands down it stole the show (disappointment towards the end - keep reading to find out why). It was nothing below perfection. The Tartare was beautifully seasoned and served with a side of 3 crackers (I think their made in house but not sure). The odd number of crackers made it a bit disappointing as my hubby and I both enjoyed the Tartare so much it was kinda a "you have the last" "no you" "okay let's split it" moment. I would understand the odd number of crackers for a odd number of guest table but when you see a couple it's would be nice to serve even for even. I Ofcourse got Alberta Bison Rib-Eye (rare) and my hubby the pan seared duck breast. Both dishes were served with a beautiful neat presentation but here is where the disappointment began...Both dishes seemed to have a sweetness to them more then savory flavor. It's like the chef prefers to play with sweet taste buds more. We both felt a bit more savory would have made each dish so much better and I personally felt I should have just ordered another Venison Tartare as my main course. It's one thing to spend $75 on a main that perfectly hits the flavor plate with a uniqueness of its own but sucks when you feel the starter stole the show. For drinks know their on the pricer side. We got 2 drinks each (bourbon, pear pressure, smoke barrel, & something I forgot) drinks as well were more on the sweeter side but the one thing I really didn't like was the smoke barrel drink flavor- the presentation of the drink was wonderful of removing the lid and having the smoke fill your surrounding before revealing the drink but there was a bitter taste left in the drink as if the wood used to create the smokey flavor was reused over and over to the point you didn't get the flavor of it but just the burnt taste. That was a huge disappointment to me. I think there's only so many times you can use the same piece to smoke a drink without ruining the flavor and for sure the piece used on my drink outlived it's use span. The desserts were nice but nothing special or memorable. Overall it's a cute spot, super pricey, nice to try once at least but I truly feel our meals did not hold to their value. It's sad when the starter is the most memorable thing. It should be the opening statement that just creates anticipation and excitement for the main and the main should easily be the follow up stopper that you think of long after you've left the establishment - not something that leaves you wishing you got the starter instead of...

I am an unabashed connoisseur of drama. This is why ever since I heard about Antler's controversy with a number of vegan protestors, I have been itching to visit for a bite. So I finally grabbed a couple friends, and we all headed down to Dufferin and Dundas for some fine and unique dining.

Antler's claim to fame is their use of game meats and foraged Canadian ingredients, including various mushrooms and herbs. Their mission appears to be to showcase a rural Canadian feel, but elevated to fine dining. The restaurant itself is medium sized, though things are rather close quarters. There is some table seating, and room at the bar at the back. There isn't necessarily a dress code, but you might want to leave the gym attire at the gym and toss on a nice shirt.

We were in a group of three, so we took the opportunity to share three dishes. I started the party with their Bruce Country Ontario Venison. Aside from the deer, the dish is served with parsniip puree, braised neck ragu, and some vegetables on the side. Let me get straight to the point. This was God damn amazing. This was my first time trying venison, and I'm sure it doesn't always taste and feel like this, but I'd like to dream it does. The texture of the meat was nowhere near and fibrous as beef, or any other land animal meat that I've tried. Think of it almost as land shishimi. The parsnip puree was also a surprisingly enjoyable component, with a lively flavour. Then came the Bison Rib Eye. This was a much larger piece meat. Whereas the venison was more of a sample size, the bison was more like a typical meal size. They start by dry aging their bison in-house, then adding a red wine jus, foraged mushrooms & greens, and polenta. The bison was much more reminiscent of beef. That being said, I personally found that the fat distribution seemed to differ from the norm, in that there were more pockets of it rather than even distribution. Maybe it was just the cut of meat, maybe it was the dry aging, or maybe I'm crazy. Take your pick. I wasn't as wowed as with the venison, but nonetheless, the dish was great. I ended things with the Pan Roasted Ontario Duck Breast. My excitement for this one was pretty low, but I will say that my friends loved this for its smokey flavour, and non duck-like texture.

By the end of our culinary expose of Canada, I was delighted that we visited Antler. The restaurant is worth the hype. The pricing, though not cheap, is fair for the skilled work they do, and the quality of the ingredients. Stop by Antler for a fresh dining experience and just a great...

Upon entering Antler Kitchen and Bar, the rich aromas wafting through the air were a siren call to the senses, promising an epicurean journey through the wilds of Canada. Set against a backdrop that cleverly melds rustic allure with an air of sophistication, Antler offers a dining experience that tantalizes the taste buds and ignites the imagination.

The staff greeted us with the warmth of old friends and possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the menu's wild fare. Their enthusiasm for the restaurant's commitment to local and sustainable cuisine was infectious, and their recommendations became our guideposts for an unforgettable meal.

We embarked on our culinary adventure with a venison tartare that was exquisitely seasoned and texturally perfect, a bold and robust beginning. The duck heart yakitori followed, its charred edges and smoky flavor demonstrating the kitchen's deft hand with game meats. The roasted hen of the woods salad was a revelation in umami, with earthy, meaty mushrooms playing the lead role, supported by a cast of fresh greens and a delicate vinaigrette.

The scallop crudo was a dance of delicate flavors, each succulent piece adorned with thoughtful accents that elevated the dish. The seared foie gras was pure indulgence, meltingly soft and rich, a luxurious contrast to the rustic charm of the other dishes.

As we delved further into the menu, the boar chop presented itself as a hearty testament to the chef's expertise with game, its robust flavors complemented by a thoughtful array of sides. The pan-seared duck breast was a masterpiece of balance, with crispy skin and tender meat that was both earthy and elegant.

The Alberta bison ribeye was a standout, majestic in its simplicity and cooked to succulent perfection, while the game burger – an ingenious blend of wild boar, bison, and deer – was a juicy, flavor-packed homage to the great Canadian outdoors.

Each dish at Antler Kitchen and Bar was more than a meal; it was a narrative of the land, a celebration of the wild that sustains and inspires. My visit to this Toronto treasure was an experience of discovery, one that left a lasting impression not only on my palate but on my heart. Antler is not just a restaurant; it's a destination for those who yearn to dine on...