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  • TORONTO

First Look: Estia

  • Amanda Phuong
  • May 18, 2017
  • 3 minute read
Estia Toronto
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Just north of Avenue and Bloor, you’ll find a restaurant and patio tucked away near a row of residential homes. What was once the Asian-inspired steak house NAO, is now a Mediterranean escape named Estia.

The restaurant, located at 90 Avenue Rd., is the latest launch from hospitality group ICONINK, with Executive Chef Ben Heaton leading the kitchen. A small neon sign spells out Estia in the window and inside, dark booths and Asian prints are swapped out for jewel-toned upholstery and female-centric art. Lights are dim and along the left hand side, visitors are greeted by an impressive bar. At the back, an open window gives a peek at the kitchen’s charcoal grill and wood burning oven.

estia toronto
Executive Chef Ben Heaton (Image: Sarah May)

The Menu at Estia

The mantra at Estia is to serve well thought out, yet simple dishes, using only the freshest of ingredients to ensure quality plates that family and friends can linger over. The menu boasts a variety of shareable dishes such as halloumi ($16) made with cow’s milk, drizzled with Greek truffle-infused honey and balsamic, and served with oven roasted grapes; carefully thought out salads like the shaved fennel and radicchio ($9/$17); and sides like wood oven potatoes ($12) and grilled broccolini ($14).

Estia Toronto
Pan seared halloumi (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
Oven roasted potatoes and broccolini (Image: Sarah May)

Downstairs lies the prep kitchen where much of Estia’s magic happens. The restaurant makes almost everything in house, from the cured meats and cheeses, to breads and spreads, and even yogurt. 

estia toronto
Estia’s meat fridge (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
The antipasti (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
House made breads and spreads (Image: Sarah May)

The lower kitchen is also where staff prepare the meat and fish, the latter of which is shipped in daily. Priced by the pound and served by the half or whole, visitors can choose from four different seasonings. Here a Madai snapper is seasoned with olive oil, sea salt and caper leaves imported from Santorini. Perfectly grilled for just four minutes over a fire, the dish is simple and rustic, each bite flaking away perfectly and packing a flavourful punch.

estia toronto
Madai Snapper (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
Inside Estia (Image: Sarah May)

As with many Mediterranean menus, Estia’s is one that fits a pescatarian diet. While dishes like the juicy wood oven chicken ($28/$55), steak ($65), lamb cutlets ($45/$90) and a fresh beef tartar ($19) appease meat eaters, their stand-out dishes come from the sea. Take, for instance, my favourite dish on the menu: the charcoal grilled octopus ($19) with n’duja. Brined for 24-hours before hitting the plate, each bite is tender and married harmoniously with a bright romesco sauce. 

estia toronto
Beef tartar (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
Charcoal grilled octopus (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
Inside Estia (Image: Sarah May)

Pastas also take up a small portion of the menu. With noodles made fresh in-house daily, the quality is something diners will taste with each forkful. Here the seafood linguini ($16/$29) is served in a broth made out of shellfish and served with calamari shipped in from the Mediterranean and BC-imported mussels, clams and shrimp. 

estia toronto
Seafood linguini (Image: Sarah May)

And last but not least are the desserts. Offerings include house made ice creams and sorbets ($5 per scoop), a dense chocolate torta ($10) and yogurt cake ($10), none of which are overly sweet, and like the rest of the menu, are kept simple. The nest-like Kataifi Tart ($10) is one of the top picks, made with semolina custard, pistachio, almonds, walnuts and cardamom.

estia toronto
Yogurt cake (Image: Sarah May)
estia toronto
Kataifi Tart (Image: Sarah May)

Estia is open daily for dinner service Monday to Saturday starting at 5pm and Sundays from 3pm. 

Have you tried Estia yet? What was your favourite dish? DM us on Instagram and let us know @ViewtheVIBE.

 

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Related Topics
  • estia
  • First Look
  • inconink
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Amanda Phuong
Amanda Phuong

Amanda Phuong is the former digital content creator and Editor-in-Chief of Vv Magazine and StyleDemocracy.com. When she's not furiously typing away, you'll find her trying on shoes, hanging with friends or slurping back oysters.

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