We ate at La Cucina Thursday evening and had a wonderful meal. It poured on our way back from Niagara-on-the-lake, so it had cooled down considerably and was comfortable.

Andrew had reserved us a table near the doors to the patio and the breeze was just right. We were visiting Toronto and he had said that he would be glad to have me bring a bottle of CA PN to the restaurant. I am glad I took him up on his offer.

He decanted the 2004 Dain American Beauty Amber Ridge PN and while we were waiting for it to open we decided to order something in a white. I left it to him and he brought a 2004(?) Domaine Masson-Blondelet Pouilly-Fumé. A lovely wine, crisp and light, perfect with the Funghi pizza we split as our appetizer. (we had read about the funghi risotto and thought it looked wonderful) For our entrees, Jake had the filet mignon, perfectly cooked rare. Andrew had them bring a side of the funghi risotto with it. I had the duck two ways, a perfectly grilled breast with wild blueberry compot and a wonderful leg with a citrus sauce. Again, the funghi risotto was on the side. Karen had the linguini with scallops. It was heavenly. The Dain went perfectly with the steak and duck (Karen had to make do with it for the scallops). A huge PN, lots of spice and red fruits, absolutely wonderful.

For dessert Jake had the creme broule and I had the wild berry tarte. Karen, of course, snitched from both. Coffee for me, capiccino for Karen and espresso for Jake ended the meal, or so I thought. Then andrew brought out a wonderful dessert wine for us, a 2002 )I think) Roberto Anselmi I Capitelli Veneto IGT. What a way to end the meal.

I highly recommend that anyone who lives in or visits the Toronto area go to La Cucina for dinner, it is absolutely wonderful.

Thank you for the kind words. It was a pleasure to meet you and your family, and the Dain was a real treat to try. If your ever up this way again please look me up!
Andrew