Veritas, Toronto

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  • Veritas, Toronto

    John Britton | Last Updated: April 28,2009 11:59:30 am
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    Unlike West Queen West, which is hemorrhaging development and gentrification, the east end has removed itself from the radar and remained an area of play where a different breed of mover and shaker is turning to. Amidst the furniture shops and galleries comes a new resto- or at least the name is, anyways. Veritas (formerly known as Eggplant) has changed its name to a much more elegant sounding resto.

    Owners Rocco Gagliesse, Dave Conlon and Terry Tompkins decided they not only wanted to install a restaurant but a hub that will service the burgeoning King Street district - not just for the community but a destination for all things cool.

    “There’s no real restaurant around here aside from the pubs, greasy spoons or a jazz bar up the street,” says Gagliese in his calm tone but looking like he’s ready for action. “I think this neighbourhood is starting to build up around here with all the condos being built and the ad agencies and production companies. We feel there are many people like ourselves in the neighbourhood that don’t have a place. We decided that we would build it and they will come.”

    Veritas is an open-concept, two-floor restaurant with high ceilings that gives hints of what is to come in the ‘hood. This resto has an über-slick design that embraces urban flair while sticking to simplicity. Both floors are black tiled with a combination of white wall space and exposed brick. Mod wooden chairs and tables line both floors, a comfortable banquette owns the dining room and hi-back wood stools gather at the bar. There’s also a stage on the main floor that will host planned performances - don’t be surprised if an impromptu music jam breaks out with some of the cities top players.

    Executive Chef Deron Engbers is at the helm providing a modern French menu with a Caribbean and Latin twist. The lounge area features a small menu with items such as handpressed burgers in tortilla ($14), Sauteed Clams with parsley and lemon, and roasted chicken with yellow oyster mushrooms ($21). If you’re not that hungry, give one of the appetizers a try- they’re quite interesting. For example, Veritas offers lamb sausage with shiitakes and bacon on tomato lentil ragout. I’d have that for dinner and be perfectly satisfied.

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    AT A GLANCE
    Veritas
    236 King St E, Toronto, ON, Canada
    416-363-8447
    French
    King East
    Venue:
    Restaurant, Bar
    Hours:
    Mon.: 11:30am - 2:30pm
    Tue. to Thu.: 11:30am - 9:30pm
    Fri.: 11:30am - 10:00pm
    Sat.: 5:30pm - 10:00pm
    Price Range:
    $$ (Affordable)
    Payment:
    Master Card, Visa, American Express
    THE BUZZ

    IN THE AREA

    3 Reader Reviews

    Ok, but VERY over priced. Four of us went out for dinner. Every dish was "good, but". There was something wrong with every item. Not wrong enough to be returned, but definitely not worth the price tag. Lobster lasagne literally drowned in butter. (And we all like butter, but not half a cup, poured over a small portion of lasagne.) Roasted chicken overwhelmed with pepper. Peking duck that tastes like nothing but chinese five spice. Underseasoned onion bisque. Dry carrot cake. Our total for dinner for 4, with 2-3 drinks per person was $300, and not worth more than $150, in all of our opinion.

    1. KC's Review :: July 16, 2009
    KC's Rating: 2 Stars
    Funny the differences in opinion... My wife (who is french) and I just came back from France and this is french cuisine done right. All entrees were reasonable (under $25). The ostrich and the trout was amazing. The decor was not my taste and the staff were not professional waiters but they tried really hard. I will definitely be back.

    2. Anonymous's Review :: November 12, 2007
    Funny the differences in opinion... My wife (who is french) and I just came back from France and this is french cuisine done right. All entrees were reasonable (under $25). The ostrich and the trout was amazing. The decor was not my taste and the staff were not professional waiters but they tried really hard. I will definitely be back.

    3. Jorrit Wit's Review :: November 12, 2007
    Jorrit Wit's Rating: 3 Stars
    Click here to view all 25 reviews

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