This restaurant catches your attention from the moment you come across it at 1220 Queen St. E. in Leslieville. This old bank branch has been transformed into a casual to fine dining restaurant. This front entrance hasn't been changed other then the massive nose at the front. It's very hard to describe the interior design in one word because the the art work was beautiful, the chandeliers where a great touch but cluttered. They did however have a bunch of burnt out light bulbs, the paint on the walls was unfinished, still the original old ceiling tiles, and a bunch or wires that looked like a spider web the lead to all the light fixtures.
The service here was spot on. There was a very minimal wait for absolutely everything. The drinks came at a very respectable rate, food came out all at the same time, and nothing was forgotten. There isn't much more to say about the service other then it was great.
The menu here is very traditionally Italian. The courses are designed and sized for guests to have at least three courses. Because I attended Nose with a group of people, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to try multiple dishes. They are as follows;
Antipasti:
Scotty's meatball in ragu sauce - a must have if you are a meat eater. This light in weight but full in flavour meatball makes your taste buds swirl throughout your mouth. (Yes,just one large meatball)
Classic beef carpaccio with Grana Padano, arugula and olive oil - prepared very traditionally and fanned out on the plate. It is raw meat so you have to be aware of what you are getting here.
Italian Mozzarella di buffala with roasted tomatoes, balsamic and pesto - This dish was tasty but small in size and should have been served with a piece of bread because other then the cheese you have no way to enjoy the rest of the roasted tomato puree on your plate.
Italian prosciutto with Gorgonzola stuffed fig and honey - sounded very appealing but the only problem here was that it is served with only half of a fig and a lot of prosciutto.
Primi:
I had the pasta special which was a homemade pasta in a tomato sauce with veal sausage. The dish was surprisingly bland and disappointing for a special. Stick with the menu.
Potato gnocchi with Bolognese - this was fantastic. Large gnocchi pieces absorbed the sauce and allowed for great flavour and pure satisfaction.
Secondi:
Pesce:
Black Cod "cartoccio" with spicy tomato, fennel and herbs - perfectly prepared, light in taste but strong with flavour. It had a strong onion and fennel taste so if you have a hard time with those tastes then stay clear from this dish.
Carne:
Braised ossobucco finished with mushrooms and asiago - sounds amazing and was fall off the bone but was very bland. I unfortunately would not recommend this dish.
Slow cooked beef ribs with fried gnocchi - this was a good dish. Full of flavour and fall off the bone meat. The fried gnocchi was an interesting touch but didn't absorb any of the great flavour because it was fried. Make sure you request regular gnocchi with this dish.
Involtini - pulled pork wrapped in ribeye with goat cheese and jus. This is the most amazing dish on the menu. This was so packed with flavour and very well appointed. If you go to this restaurant and you or someone from your group doesn't order this dish you have all missed out.
Desserts:
Tiramisu - was very good. Well prepared and perfectly moist just the way it should be.
Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Lemon Curd - this full of lemon flavour cheesecake was a great but the lemon sauce was a little too bitter. The goat cheese was an interesting avenue but worked well so not to worry.
The atmosphere which kept you guessing, the great service, and the hit or miss on certain dishes results in me giving this restaurant an 8 out of 10.
Let your senses take over.
- The Hungry Ginger
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