Smörgåsbord – The Ballroom, Bloom, Cardinal Rule

So, uh… we’ve been eating out a lot lately. For work… you know. In any case, I amassed a bunch of stuff throughout May, figuring that we’d do a SalivAte column over on TasteTO, but then we decided to change things around and I have all these pictures of tasty food… So I’m working through the smaller ones alphabetically and then there’s a couple more big ones – dinner with multiple dishes – and then I’ll hopefully be caught up. Maybe. In any case, please enjoy.

A good month ago we had to brave Queen West on a Saturday afternoon and so finally got around to trying the food at The Ballroom (145 John Street). The fried chicken (top) was splendid and crisp and I paired it with these sweet potato chips. Cooked like regular potato chips and sprinkled with a bit of spice, these are totally addictive.

Greg regretted opting for the burger at The Ballroom only because it was massive and hard to eat. That big fried thing on there? A ginormous onion ring.

After the opening of Earth Bloor West a few weeks back, we headed over to Bloom Restaurant (2315 Bloor Street West) for dinner. I had written a piece for Word of Mouth about their new menu and wanted to check it our first hand. I don’t remember everything on their charcuterie plate but there was duck prosciutto, a lovely pate with cranberry and pistachio and beef carpaccio.

Duck leg confit and rare duck breast with wild rice, cranberry orange sauce and a vegetable roll. I’ve never had duck quite this rare and it took some getting used to.


Greg has become a bit of a bouillabaisse connoisseur, and has tried it at a couple of places around town now. He gave Bloom’s version two thumbs up.

Chef Pedro Quintanilla brings a bit of Latin flavour to the menu at Bloom, as demonstrated by these fluffy churros with chocolate sauce and ice cream.

Our new favourite spot in Parkdale is Cardinal Rule (5 Roncesvalles Avenue). We had been for dinner soon after they opened, but it took us another month or so to get back for brunch. Above is the Hawaiian French toast – ham and cheese in the middle, with pineapple chutney  on top. So good.

Bacon! In the crust! That is all you need to know about the breakfast pie. Okay, also latkes, inside the pie. Why are you still sitting there?? Go get it!