Hi! Remember last fall I mentioned I had a surprise? Well, I can now talk about it! I was invited to participate in the taping of this episode of Canada’s Top Chef Season 2! The premise was a baby shower and the contestants had to make food representative of a boy and of a girl. We had to dress baby showery, pretty colours, heels (you know how I would hate that ;-)) and we were able to walk around and try all of the food. I can’t say that I remember much of the tastes, but the video sure brought back some memories and the opinions of the judges. Fortunately, I ended up on the cutting room floor, so I have no idea what I would look like on TV! Was that my 15 minutes? I thought this was a perfect segue into today’s post.
Second place on Top Chef Canada 2011, chef Rob Rossi’s Bestellen did not disappoint! Only open a month or so, the kitchen did not seem to exhibit any of the growing pains new restaurants are so famous for. The wait staff are friendly, professional and courteous and seem genuinely happy to work with Chef Rossi. Our waiter spoke very highly of Chef Rossi.
The décor is warm and comfortable with a huge meat mural on the west wall; there is a windowed meat curing room off to the right as you entre through the bar area. We were seated at the back near the kitchen, usually not my flavourite place, but we were curious on the workings of the kitchen; they were serious yet smiling, seems like a good place to work. Chef Rossi ever present checking and cooking! My only complaint would be the fluorescent bulb in the kitchen (yes I know they have to see what they are doing) which poured disgustingly bright light into the dining room; had they lowered the bulkhead between the kitchen and dining room about 30-40cm, it would have completely missed shining right into my eyes. Perhaps it still can be corrected! They played a great mix of the old jazz crooners and some cool old fashioned rock. For some lovely photos and an intro article, please click here.
Now the food. A decidedly meaty menu, I started with the grilled octopus; delicious, and perfectly cooked with a touch of char. I would have complimented it with a bit more sauce, as it was scarce, the little black olives (usually my favourite) were tasteless. My husband had the salad and said it was just OK. My main was the steak tartar! I exclamation marked it because it was most likely the BEST steak tartar I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot! Nicely seasoned and did I taste a bit of chopped pickle? A very European addition. The deep fried quail egg did nothing for my particular taste. JT had the burger and thought it was incredible! They served it with sweet potato fries (YUM) with a smoked paprika ketchup that was TO DIE FOR! We will be back, particularly when I’m in the mood for a perfect tartar, but next time, we will ask to be seated more toward the front out of the fluorescent glare.
I have reviews of this restaurant, and several others on Yelp.ca, Trip Advisor, Open Table and Google. Do you review restaurants and if you do, which website(s) do you participate in reviewing.
PS. I couldn’t help but think of one of my lovely readers, Lorraine, of famed Not Quite Nigella, who has blogged about a roasted whole suckling pig a while ago; Chef Rossi also serves a whole pig as a family-style feast and you have to order it three days ahead and enjoy it with a minimum of eight people.
Overall rating of Bestellen (in my opinion): Decor 4/5, service 4/5, food 4/5, Value 4/5, Noise: 2/5 (1 being very noisy, and 5 being very quiet).
Disclaimer: We purchased our meal for full price and my opinions just that, my opinions.
[…] a recent visit to one of our favourite restaurants Bestellen, we chatted with our charming waiter Kirin who is originally from Bath, UK and has been living in […]
LikeLike
Lucky you! I adore Top Chef. I love the sound of suckling pig. It’s a dish usually reserved for weddings in Chinese culture. It’s been too long since I got to feast on one!
LikeLike
My Mother’s sister used to have a roast of one every fall, Geniel. I remember eating too much skin one year without good results! I don’t think I can do it now with the eyes looking at me!
LikeLike
Okay, now I have to get my hands on some smoked paprika ketchup. That sounds out of this world good and interesting! I’m definitely going to remember this place when we get back that direction again! 🙂
LikeLike
That smoked paprika ketchup was incredible, it was roasted red peppers instead of tomatoes…I’m making it for sure!
PS, thanks for the correct spelling of ketchup, I had a brain fart.
LikeLike
Lovely Eva, I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before you have your television moment! 😀 It sounds like so much fun and I’m sure they appreciate the lighting feedback too! And thank you for the shoutout too! 😀
LikeLike
The shout out is my pleasure. I’m hoping you get some promo to come to Toronto one day…
I am a firm believer in Feedback, particularly if it helps to improve your business.
LikeLike
I’m so disappointed you were edited out of that episode. You deserve your 15 minutes of fame. What a fun day that would have been. So glad you were able to wear heels – mine haven’t had much of an airing lately with all my events being flat-soled shoes only – disappointing! That restaurant sounds like such a treat. I would love to dine there when next in Toronto! Perhaps we could make up a party of eight and pre-order the suckling pig. Happy Easter Eva xx
LikeLike
Not to worry about my 15 minutes, I feel like I’m famous already with my wonderful blogging buddies world -wide. Thank YOU for that!
And Charlie, the pig thing wouldn’t be for me :(. I likely would be in tears eventually after staring it in the eye all night.
Next time in TO? Please DO give me a ring. I’d love to cook dinner for you! Or at the very least, enjoy a glass of vino. And we would wear heels for sure!
LikeLike
Aw! Your dreams of a career in television literally lie in pieces on some (undoubtedly jealous) editor’s floor. Perhaps the Director’s Cut of that episode will be released on Amazon with your scenes restored. Shall we start a letter write-in campaign?
I hope management realizes their lighting problem. Couldn’t the fixtures be raised a few cm? Oh, well. At least it didn’t seem to affect your enjoyment of the meal too badly. I like how JT thinks and probably would have ordered a burger, too. You can tell a lot about a place by the way they cook a burger.
LikeLike
I had to laugh, John, but thank you for your flattering words! Please DO NOT start a letter writing campaign, I am actually relieved I didn’t have to see myself on TV. Years ago a couple I knew was on one of our local morning shows and we watched it and I barely recognized them. It was very strange.
The fluorescent tubes are attached to the ceiling, so there is nothing more that they can do. In credit to them, they only had one of four tubes on that night. Talk about over lighting.
LikeLike
I think I would follow JT’s example here and get the burger and sweet potato fries.
LikeLike
The bite I had was really yummy Sharyn.
LikeLike
What a great experience. I don’t watch the show but I know of it. Sadly my trip to Canada this summer won’t include a trip to Toronto but if I did, i’d love to check it out since you’ve recommended their burgers so highly 🙂
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy your trip, it’s quite a magnificent country!
LikeLike
I’d love to catch the episode (I don’t watch the show). Perhaps you could provide a bit more info as to which one it is as the link wasn’t very informative. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Maria, it’s the Baby Shower episode. I wore a black dress with fushia diamonds all over it (like polka dots) with a fushia ribbon just under the bust. It was quite retro (mad men fashion). I should have tested the link, sorry about that.
LikeLike
You should not have been cut!
LikeLike
I’m actually relieved! Thank you Greg.
LikeLike
Let’s go sometime Eva!!! What about 4 people who eat like 8 for the suckling pig????
LikeLike
Not for me, Barb, it comes with the head and all.
LikeLike
How exciting!! Lucky you to be there and I wish you’d been the show so I could have watched you:) This restaurant is on my list… I just need to get down there for a holiday!!
LikeLike
Hi Smidge, sorry about that, I click unapprove on the comment by error, it’s back approved. Have you tried Connie’s place, we forgot all about it when we were in Calgary last June.
LikeLike
Lol, no problem, I don’t really look at those things.
Where is Connie’s?? I don’t think I’ve heard of it? Off to google it..
LikeLike