Mistura is an upscale Italian restaurant with a very good reputation. Rabbit-mother needed to do some work-related research on venues-for-hosting, so the family happily tagged along to capitalize on free dinner (and good company).

The room itself is very pretty. Crowd is established - this is not the hipster crowd of King Street West. Tables are perhaps a bit close together, but not terrible.

Cocktails/wine - Interesting cocktail list. My negroni was pleasant, the Rabbit-sister had a Havana Sidecar which was very tart but tasty. Rabbit-mother’s on the rocks marg was well done (the bartender here is good!). We put back cocktails while working on a bread basket that had nice options, highlight of which were some cheese sticks (not spa food!).During dinner we had a bottle of barolo which Mr. Rab (a late airport arrival, hence joining the party without cocktail) selected from their list - mid-range and very enjoyable.

Apps - Four of us split two appetizers - the proscciutto with balsamic, pears, endive and mascarpone was just as it should be. Those who split the smoked salmon appetizer (an evening special) reported success, and I can confirm that their accompanying potato salad was lovely.

Mains - I had the sea bass, which was nicely cooked, attractively plated and came with tomatos, olives and a potato cake (which they called a “panella” - I wasn’t familiar with that term). The “panella” was slightly reminiscent of a square, baked, tater tot, but not unpleasant. Maman and sis had the duck confit, also a special that night. The duck was lovely, but the side, billed as “gnocchi” came in unusual form. It was a square, rather that the usual little, potato dumplings. Apparently this is a traditional Italian take on gnocchi, but both parties were relatively disappointed with that aspect of their meal. Mr. Rabbit had the fish mistura, which was probably the biggest success story of the night - his dish was just loaded with fat, beautiful fish and seafood in lovely sauce.

Dessert - We had one molten chocolate cake, which was very nicely done. Still, the eat-er of this dessert did pronounced her own home-version better. I think this is actually true, but her home version is excellent and she should know better than to order this item out! I had the dessert special, a hazelnut and meringue concoction with a chocolate “jus,” which I did not find remarkable, although it was a nice, light end to the meal. The others split a cookie plate which had great variety and some very nice offerings (the chocolate “brownie cookie” stood out).

Service was unrushed, but sometimes to the point of inattentive. Granted, they were quite busy.

Overall, I think Mistura delivered exactly as a restaurant of its calibre should. That said, Toronto has so many excellent restaurant offerings that this one isn’t going to make my repeat rotation list? Although it never actually faltered (maybe slightly on service), it simply didn’t produce that “fantastic!” dish, atmosphere, or whatever that would make me go back. Mistura is worth a try, but it would be low-ish on my list of recommendations and I am doubtful of a return.

PS - We did venture upstairs to Mistura’s sister resto “Sopra.” This jazz club is gorgeous… wood panels, dim lighting.. all around beautiful… it is definitely someplace I will return for cocktails and snackies, if not supper.

Posted on January 21st, 2007 by rabbit
Filed under: Toronto, Restaurant Reviews