Weekly Lunch Pick
Osgoode Hall Restaurant
We have no objections to chef Adam Foley’s prix fixe menu at the lawyerly lunchtime hangout By Andrew Brudz
Legal, regal: the restaurant at the Law Society of Upper Canada serves
lunch in its hallowed Convocation Hall
Image credit: The Law Society of Upper Canada
The place: Osgoode Hall is home to heritage courtrooms, the stunning Great Library, and (many may be surprised to find out) an impressive restaurant. Inside, bookcases filled with law texts and stately portraits—including the first Chief Justice of Ontario, William Osgoode, of course—add neo-Gothic glamour to the room. Run by the Law Society of Upper Canada, it’s only open from September until June, Monday to Friday, noon to 2 p.m.—reservations are a must.
The crowd: The bustling room is full of Law Society staff and boisterous lawyers doffing their robes and loosening their neck tabs.
The deal: With a focus on local, seasonal ingredients, the ever-changing Chef’s Menu ($21)—a three-course prix fixe lunch—is a sweet deal; the à la carte menu includes fresh takes on pasta, steak frites and quiche.
The meal: We move (pun intended) for the Chef’s Menu. Exhibit A: we can’t resist ordering the iced tea infused with fresh lemon juice and raspberries—the fruity tonic helps us forget that summer’s days are numbered. Exhibit B: a light salad of marinated and minced mushrooms, crisp romaine, and watercress with a splash of balsamic. Exhibit C: house-made pappardelle egg noodles with tender braised lamb shoulder in a light tomato and garlic sauce. Closing arguments: a dessert that nearly overshadows the entire meal—the peach tart with caramel ice cream and bittersweet red currant coulis elicits oohs and aahs from our table. The verdict: the mix of warm and refreshing flavours provides a comforting transition from summer to fall.
The time: We linger over coffee and take a detour to the Great Library—our lunch hour soon stretches to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
The cost: $37, including tax, tip, iced tea, and a coffee.
Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St. W., 416-947-3361, official Web site.
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