GALLERY: Chantecler launches its new tasting menu
GALLERY: Chantecler launches its new tasting menu
By Renée Suen | February 6, 2013
By Renée Suen | 02/06/2013
(Images: Renée Suen)
Chantecler announced in December that it was dropping its à-la-carte menu and expanding its popular lettuce wrap Sundays to rest of the week. Although the move helped attract diners, it also meant that chef and co-owner Jonathan Poon was no longer able to cook the sort of inventive Asian-Canadian fusion dishes that had started to attract attention—which is why, like Yours Truly and Actinolite, he followed through on plans for a new tasting menu last Friday. “I love cooking things like crispy, soggy calamari,” Poon told us, “but I also have a desire to cook food that’s more refined.” The $40, four-course menu alternates between small bites and larger composed plates (which means that about 10 dishes come out in total), and is limited to two seatings a night on Fridays and Saturdays, which must be booked at least four days in advance. For an extra $45, co-owner Jacob Wharton-Shukster will pour a series of natural wines paired with each course. Here’s what Poon served for the menu’s first run.
189638 Chantecler chef Jonathan Poon: “I’m having a lot of fun with this menu. It allows me to be creative in a different way and allows my staff to join in as well. For Jacob, it’s an opportunity to serve some ballin’ wines that normally we couldn’t carry because they’re harder to sell on their own.” (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-19.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-19/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-19 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189637 Last bite: deep-fried, candy-coated pear. Poon tells us he and Basilio Pesce at nearby Porzia have a friendly rivalry over the two restaurants’ <a href="http://www.torontolife.com/daily/daily-dish/opening-daily-dish/2013/01/25/porzia/attachment/jan13-porzia-14/">use of antique plates</a> (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-18.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-18/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-18 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189636 Dessert: house-made vanilla ice cream with hazelnut praline, feuilletine flakes and cocoa nibs, served on a pool of hazelnut oil (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-17.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-17/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-17 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189635 2008 Keint-He Pineauz Sauvage from Prince Edward County (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-16.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-16/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-16 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189634 Intermezzo: “faux tea,” a clear beef consommé perfumed with charred onion, ginger, anise and lemon balm, a play on Vietnamese pho (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-15.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-15/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-15 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189633 Third course: Szechwan peppercorn–crusted, rice-smoked duck breast with polenta, roasted beets, beet-balsamic reduction and duck fat–roasted kale (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-14.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-14/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-14 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189632 A resting rice-smoked duck breast was presented to the table before being sliced for the main course (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-13.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-13/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-13 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189631 2010 Edmunds St. John Wylie-Fenaughty Syrah from El Dorado, California (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-12.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-12/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-12 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189629 Second course: buttermilk-poached sidestripe shrimp covered with potato espuma, toasted spirulina and chives, served with four day–aged semolina bread and a disk of spirulina butter (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-10.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-10/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-10 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189628 2006 Pierre Frick Blanc de Noir Pinot Noir from Alsace, France (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-09-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-09.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-09.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-09/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-09 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189627 Intermezzo: a “noodle” salad composed of julienned celery, cucumber and East Coast baby calamari which was marinated in sesame oil and torched. The whole dish was topped with a slightly spicy soy gelée (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-08.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-08/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-08 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189626 First course: chilled homemade silken tofu topped with house chili sauce, sweet soy sauce and sesame oil (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-07.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-07/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-07 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189625 2011 Dr. Bürklin-Wolf Riesling from Germany (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-06.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-06/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-06 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189624 Second small bite: hand-chopped beef tartare served with cornichons and mustard on lightly toasted bread (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-05.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-05/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-05 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189623 First small bite: warm oysters with a hint of spice and umami from Poon’s house-made XO sauce (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-04.jpg 624 416 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-04/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-04 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189622 NV Agnès & René Mosse Moussamoussettes, a sparkling rose from the Loire Valley (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-03.jpg 416 624 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-03/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-03 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
189620 Guests are given menus signed by Poon and Wharton-Shukster (Image: Renée Suen) Chantecler Tasting Menu Chantecler Tasting Menu https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-01.jpg 624 485 [] https://torontolife.com/food/chantecler-tasting-menu-gallery/slide/feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-01/ feb13-chantecler-tasting-menu-01 0 0
(Image: Renée Suen)
Chantecler , 1320 Queen Street W., 416-628-3586, restaurantchantecler.ca, @ChanteclerTO