Fidel Gastro’s is entering a new chapter and it seems to me as though their book is being written rather quickly. Just a year ago I met the FG team for the first time at the launch of the Culinary Adventure Company’s new 2012 programming at The Drake Hotel. I gorged on their famous sandwiches which I knew I wouldn’t soon forget. They have created quite a following, which was hard not to spot during my first visit to the Toronto Underground Market as huge lines featuring lip smacked hungry diners snaked through The Brickworks.
So, first came Elvis, the pop-up. Then Priscilla, the food truck. And now, FG open their first brick and mortar restaurant. Seems they are ready to rock and roll! I was invited to the soft opening of Lisa Marie to sample a few cocktails and their chicchetti street food centric menu. I arrived with my good friend Jonathan Nathaniel and couldn’t help but realize my old favourite The Prague had now been transformed into an ode to Elvis.
The dinning room is spacious featuring a garage door overlooking the street, they practically have a patio! In the centre of the space a long bar stretches toward the market out back where they sell mason jars filled with homemade preserves, soups and take home treats.
Over the course of the next two hours I sampled through practically the entire menu while sipping on three of their signature cocktails. Die hard fans of Fidel Gastros will be delighted to see the brands classic east meets west fusion inspirations with a focus on deep fried Italian street grub. Highlights included deep fried pizza (meatball and duck were both lip smackingly good) and a duo of turkey (leg and wing) featuring hoisen and classic BBQ.
The Feast:
Aperol Spritz
aperol, prosecco, sparkling water, orange wedge, olive
Malocchio Sour
sailor jerry, egg white, limonata
Testra Dura
tromba tequila, aperol, agave water, lime juice
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Deep Fried Pizza Duo
smoked duck, duck skin chicharron, hoisin sauce, enoki asparagus slaw
saucy meatball, lemon arugula, tomato braised white beans
Mozzarella and Marrow Sangweech
buffalo mozzarella, roasted bone marrow, focaccia bread, lemon
Short Rib Polenta Patty
beer braised short rib, smoked tomato and parmesan charred polenta cake, fried basil leaf
Pork Belly Cheese Thang
smoked pork belly, cilantro cherry tomato salsa, havarti cheese crisp, chili basil aioli
Deep Fried Cheese Burger
ground beef stuffed with aged cheddar, house made pickle, quail egg
Tuna Puttanesca Roll
ahi tuna, bean sprouts, red pepper, cabbage, carrot, basil, cilantro, sweet and sour mango sauce
Alabama Tailgaters
smoked bacon wrapped beef carpaccio, cilantro, aged cheddar, kimchi
Turkey Wing Duo
hoisin chili sauce, sesame seeds, green onion
buffalo style with blue cheese aioli, shaved pickled carrots and celery
Deli Style Surf n’ Turf
house smoked pastrami, cured sardine, latke, pickled veg, sour cream
Smoke Board
beef tongue, lamb neck, salmon, chicken breast, cornish hen, pickled veg
