Around Town: Absinth Cafe

Named after the anise-flavoured drink that was made popular by French artist and writers in the late 1800s, Absinthe Café has a well-deserved reputation for its die-hard loyalty to local farmers from Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, since opening its doors in 2003. It’s one of the first few restaurants that sought to partner with local farmers. Using their home grown ingredients to create sophisticated, modern organic dishes. Tantalizing their patrons with rich and bold flavours in a menu that changes every day.

So with all this in mind we headed down to the Westboro restaurant to see for ourselves what this French-inspired bistro had to offer.

A gentle speaking manager greeted and guided us into a welcoming decor. With cozy brown leather chairs, solid wood tables, dim wall lighting and candles highlighting the large mural on the back wall, the atmosphere was inviting and unpretentious.  It is actually a perfect setting to tuck into dinner.

We were first served the House Cured Arctic Char Gravlax, Potato Salad with Chipotle Mayo, which is normally a part of the cafe’s famous Seafood Trio. This appetizer was an exquisite blend that melted in our mouths. The chipotle beautifully blended with the slight zesty flavors of the salad and the seasoning of the char, rousing our taste buds. The Butternut Squash with Chives came next, continuing the intriguing dance of the palette with a rich and creamy texture topped off with sweetness of the chives. For the main course we had the Seared Tuna with Coconut Foam on a Melon Salad, which played a scrumptious carnival melody to our appetites with its presentation and taste. Topping off our dining waltz was the delicately sweet Dessert Sampler, tasty bites of Chocolate Fondant, Lemon Tart, Profiterole and Crème Brulée.

When I hear everyone singing praises and complimenting a particular restaurant, I enter with great expectations. Not always do I walk away with the same opinion, but in the case of Absinthe Café, it definitely lives up to the hype.

Absinthe Café 1208 Wellington Street West

Tel: (613) 761-1138  www.absinthecafe.ca