The VIBE inside Est, a new contemporary DT tasting menu restaurant

Serving Up Contemporary Canadian Cuisine

Est is the new hotspot along the Riverside community on Queen St. East showcasing Canada’s finest ingredients. The restaurant prides itself on its style of having a progressive tasting menu, instead of the typical à la carte menu. There are options for both a traditional and vegan menu, each priced at $90.  Est is spearheaded by Chef Sean MacDonald – one of Canada’s youngest and rising stars in the culinary industry.

The Eats

The dishes are all very well presented, and taste just as good as they look. It’s clear from each bite that the neighbourhood is one of the primary sources of inspiration. The items like pork belly, red pepper chips, prawn hot dogs have a cute presentation with a delicious taste to match. These small-plate options can be found on the bar menu, which happens to be à la carte.

Grilled Cabbage with Squid

This is the first course on the tasting menu, which is charred cabbage accompanied with B.C. squid.

Fresh Tomato

The second course consists of heirloom tomatoes and herbs.

Potato Dumpling

The third course features potato dumplings in a cultured butter sauce that’s been emulsified in dried potato skins and bay leaf, garnished with chives.

Cod

Spiced almond based sauce with ling cod. Similar to a white mole.

Beef or duck

There are two options when it comes to the fifth course on the tasting menu: you could opt for the beef or the Dry Aged Duck Breast.

Don’t Forget Dessert…

For dessert, the traditional menu comes with the Vanilla and Mint ice cream with Hazelnut and Banana Crumble. The Ube Poppyseed Rice Pudding is the item served on the vegan tasting menu.

The Drinks

When it comes to the drinks, each set menu has the perfect wine pairing that is specifically designed to go with the dishes for either $75 or $110. Customers can also experience some of the restaurant’s original cocktails from the separate bar menu.

The Looks

The theme of the restaurant focuses on chic minimalism and a neutral color palette to align with the sensory experience. The dim lighting is a great touch that goes well with the overall design. The glassware is also quite stunning and makes for a gorgeous visual appearance. But what really amazed us were the details. From the baskets underneath each bench seat for you to store your things so they don’t take up space beside you, to the infused alcohol bottles on the shelves, to the new cutlery paired for every course. Just stunning!

The VIBE

Without a doubt, this place is the new date night hotspot on the lower east end of #The6ix. With a very reasonable price point, even with the wine pairing, this place will WOW any date, without breaking the bank. But unlike many other chef’s tastings, or fine dining restaurants, bring an appetite. “Casually-classy”, that’s what I’d call it. Stunning details, and food, without too many frills.

Location:  729 Queen St. East
Contact: 416.792.1000, Website
Community:  Riverside, Queen East
Crowd: Mixed, Date Night
Delivery: Available
Reservations: Tock

Have you been? Let us know what you think below, and tag us in your photos, use #TorontoVIBE, or slip them into our DMs @ViewtheVIBE for a chance to be featured online and on our social.

Credits:

Contributing Writer: Revathy Rajan
VIBE Critics: Francis Chang, Steven Branco