The Springwood — Restaurant in Whitby

This is a proper resto that knows what they’re doing, clearly passionate about creating delectable dishes with in-season and local ingredients. This is an ‘out-of-town’ spot for me but the drive from Toronto is easy, and well worth it; I would have zero qualms recommending this Durham gem to any discerning diner. Walked in to receive warm greetings in an unfussy dining room (with delightfully quiet nods to quirk & kitsch - we love that!), with an exciting open kitchen. Our server was effervescent and made our experience special (though each person that spoke to us at the table was really lovely); thoughtful recommendations, knowledgeable with our questions, and entertaining with a few quips and anecdotes. Our group of 4 enjoyed the seafood platter (the oysters were so plump and flavourful and the scallops were so bright with a punch of lime without overwhelming acidity - their homemade mignonette was excellent with apples, too!) - a wonderful start! The homemade bread is a must and they know to pair it with a butter that comes correct; it was necessary to sop up the delicious lamb ragout from the pasta (though our only failing might have been not ordering it for each course because you definitely want to lick the plates here… but don’t, haha!). The short rib dish was excellent and needed only a spoon to share the ample piece of protein we were provided. The halibut was offensively delicious (while EVERYTHING was excellent this was probably the group favourite) and the veggies we picked - sunchokes, and beets - were freaking incredible with much attention paid to the accoutrements that made the produce shine. For those that had cocktails, they were very well crafted and balanced, delivered with appropriately pretty garnish in lovely glassware. I personally dug their spicy mag, which delivered a tart and spicy punch. Dessert menu offered ample selection and the two we tried were good. One dessert resonated as a bit (unintentionally) savoury but we enjoyed it just the same, sparking a curious and fun discussion. On the next visit we may opt to skip dessert and double down on a few more savoury items (which is simply a preference of our group and not a slight to the sweeties!). When people bask in the afterglow of the holidays, and tend to lay low during the period between Christmas and NYE, this cozy joint was full and bustling, and no doubt their NYE menu will dazzle guests. Reservations are always recommended and it’s probably a good idea to visit often to check out the latest dishes in the rotation. Cannot...

I went last night with a girlfriend for the first time. Upon arrival, our noses were greeted with a warm smell, aromatic with rich spices, I was immediately excited about the decision to try Springwood. Seconds later we were greeted with a big smile from the server, as she apologized for not having our table ready (we were very early) and she offered seats at the bar while we waited for our table. The atmosphere was intimate with an art deco feel. We sat and looked over the drink menu which did not disappoint. The lovely thing is Chef Matthew is behind the bar finalizing the dishes and he could see my friend and I struggling to choose a cocktail. He asked if he could clarify for us and explained the details of our drink in question. I found it interesting that among the many other things he must have his eye on, he noticed a customer’s indecision and addressed it immediately. I felt seen and heard. We chose the Springwood Sour and it did not disappoint! We were then ushered to our table and Jasmine was a wealth of information, her attention and knowledge (she is also the general manager) provided a personalized experience. It was clear, we were appreciated and she was happy to have us. She explained everything is made in house and sourced locally, with a changing menu. We ordered the Oysters, Grass-fed steak tartare, smoked trout dip, and duck liver mousse to share. Everything was delicious, had depth of flavour, was beautifully presented exceeding my expectations. Chef Matthew is an artist. I finished off the meal with the Springwood Carajillo as recommended by Chef Matthew and it was perfect. We were allowed to stay behind after they closed while they cleaned up because Jasmine knew we were catching up after not seeing each other for a while and again, as with our entire experience from the moment we stepped inside, it was clear our experience matters to them. Hospitality is clearly what they aim for. Every employee who we spoke to gave the impression they actually wanted to be there. Imagine having a vision about providing a superior dining experience and then actually delivering just that. It’s not easy. I will come back time...

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE TORONTO AREA AND BEYOND, BY FAR! What an amazing hidden gem so close to home! On a whim, my husband suggested this restaurant for my birthday dinner, having no knowledge of just how incredible the food and overall dining experience would be. He saw it while driving by, researched the awesome reviews and immediately made a reservation (make them early as they are usually fully booked). We were excited for our evening out and we can honestly say that every item we chose was incredibly fresh and tasty, unexpected little treasures in every bite and such a different variety of choices than one usually finds on a menu. VERY PLEASANTLY SURPRISED to find how awesome the service and quality of food were. In our opinion, the best we’ve encountered not just close to home, but including our travels around the world… The burrata salad, freshly baked bread and Affogato desert transported us back to a piazza on Italy’s Amalfi coast. The spiced pork chop was melt in your mouth, cooked to perfection and tasted like pork used to taste when we were growing up… the wild salmon was exquisite. The bread, baked fresh in the restaurant daily, was so good we asked to buy a loaf to take home with us. The selection of vegetable options was second to none, all of the aforementioned products sourced locally and seasonal, as much as possible. The owners as chef and front of house ensured a very high standard of service, all servers were very knowledgeable and friendly, all the while maintaining that fine line of excellent attention to detail and proper formal service, appearing to read and consider the different needs for attention or distance of each individual patron. This is a restaurant of Michelin star quality and I hope they achieve that star. We splurged that evening so we would have leftovers to continue to enjoy the next day, when it was thoroughly enjoyed once again. We will be going back very soon and often! Just excellent all around. Thank you for such a wonderful evening of superb dining....