JKWB is one of my longstanding favourite Toronto restaurants. The food is often local and seasonal, always flavourful and imaginative, and I love the small plate concept, so that I can try as many different flavours as I can stuff down in a particular night. Also, the wine list is ever-changing with interesting options, and the staff is not only knowledge-able, but always genuinely enthusiastic about food and drink. So, after another fantastic evening at JKWB, here’s the report (current menu has a lot of great options!) -

The winners:
- Crepe with Zucchini - is overflowing with various summer vegetables. Tangy sauce really punches it up (I had feared blandness, but this worry was totally unwarranted). Great way to get in some greens.
- Moroccan Chicken B’Stilla - I avoid ordering boring chicken in restaurants, but this dish of shredded chicken is spicy and really very interesting - a surprise hit for us. Also comes with interesting flatbread (I thought the server called it a “warek??”), sprinkled with chili, sugar, and crushed almonds. I found this bread too oily (Mr. Rabbit didn’t mind), but the dish is still very worthwhile.
- Toronto “Cheesesteak” - lots of sweet onions, fat, melt-y cheese curds, flavourful sweetish sauce… all falling off the edges of a flatbread crust. I liked this dish a lot.
- Scallops with Chorizo and Spanish Rice - I can’t eat bivalves (allergy), but Mr. Rabbit’s eyes kind of rolled back into his head (in a good way).

Less thrilling:
- Lamb with Prunes and Olives - lacked visual punch, and although it was tasty, it seemed unseasonal… more like fall/winter comfort food.
- Brownie with Strawberry Ice Cream was good, but thin-ish, slightly crispy variety of brownie was a disappoint for me (I like a brownie more moist, squishy-y and intense).

OK:
- we also had the octopus, which was nice, and Mr. Rabbit had poutine for dessert (always fantastic)

Wine hits (and we tried about six varieties between the two of us… we were drinking half glass pours!) were a Spanish tempranillo and an Austrian red(!)

For 8 small plates and 6/7 half glasses of wine, cheque was about $150. Service was friendly and expert, as always. Great people-watching. There is a reason why we keep recommending this place…. we’ve yet to be disappointed at JK.

PS - One minor criticism… no bread last night. We weren’t there to fill up on carbs, but many of the dishes were served with delicious sauces that really wanted for mopping up. I actually caught Mr. Rabbit scraping the bottom of a bowl with his finger (ack!)…

Posted on July 29th, 2007 by rabbit
Filed under: Toronto, Restaurant Reviews