Grant van Gameren at the Black Hoof, the Dundas West charcuterie bar he co-founded (Image: Renée Suen from the Torontolife.com Flickr pool)
Six weeks or so after leaving the Black Hoof behind him, Grant van Gameren has found a new home. Alongside Brockton General’s Guy Rawlings, the charcuterie pioneer has moved on to Lucien, replacing chef Scot Woods, who left recently. “During his tenure here, Scot proved to be an extremely talented and creative chef and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” owner Simon Bower told us. “But I have decided the restaurant is going in a new direction.”
Bower told us the food is going to be more approachable, with larger portions and “softer” prices. While the pair have been in the kitchen since last week, the new menu is on hold for a couple weeks while the chefs find their footing (and the restaurant works through its old inventory). Before opening the ever-mobbed Black Hoof along with his business partner, Jen Agg, van Gameren was actually Lucien’s sous chef under Woods. For his part, Rawlings was reportedly planning to open a new restaurant after he left Brockton General and was spotted working both the front and back of house at Bloordale’s Ortolan. It’s unclear how long van Gameren and Rawlings will remain at Lucien, but Bower says he’s excited about the changes they’ll bring. So are we.
Lucien, 36 Wellington St. E., 416-504-9990, lucienrestaurant.com.
Great news!
Called Lucien yesterday, just a quick add-on to the menu topic: looks like the menu will be phased in rather than coming in a single release. I was told 10-14 days until you start seeing changes. They’ll be letting TL know when details are confirmed.
Cheers,
October 19, 2011 at 7:57 am | by Restos in TORestosinTO.com
Where Has Chef Scot Woods gone? I was lucky to stage under him for a month. I am excited to see where Lucien goes with the new menu might have to stop by for dinner there.
October 19, 2011 at 10:16 am | by CulinerdSo disappointed with the food. Bordering on inedible and this was our favourite restaurant before. Bad call with the new direction, menu and chefs. Chef Scot will be missed.
November 29, 2011 at 4:25 pm | by EmilyHuge disappointment that Scot has left. He made incredible food at Lucien. Cheap cuts and small portions are not the way to go. Last two visits the food was awful. I’ll never return.
January 18, 2012 at 9:25 am | by Melissa