The weather wasn’t on the side of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for a general election on Thursday, July 4 and now Brits in Toronto can vote for the next government.
The rule was amended in January 2024 so ex-pats who have been living abroad for 15 years or longer are eligible to vote again. Why does this matter?
Well, even though the majority of us have made a life in Toronto and enjoy living here, it’s “never say never” and we may decide to return to the UK. So we’d like a say in what kind of country we’re heading back to.
And most of us have family and friends still living there, so would also like them to have a good life in the UK.
Whatever your political stance, ex-pats should be interested enough to vote. And if you are, here’s how to do it.
Jenny Gibbes keeps a very low profile with hardly any social media activity, media mentions or large-scale announcements. My instincts are that this British ex-pat prefers her culinary success to speak on her behalf, and on that front, she’s literally shouting from the rooftops!
Since 2014, Jenny has opened four restaurants — one on Lakeshore — and two on Bloor Street West by Royal York Road (technically, the third one she took over but more on that in a minute). They are all within walking distance of each other with excellent foot traffic and window appeal. You want to go inside and eat.
Literally weeks ago, Jenny opened her fourth location along the same stretch of Bloor, called simply Heron.
But, let’s take a step back.
In 2014 she opened Kitchen on Sixth (Lakeshore), a distinctly British-style eatery and we gave it a respectable Brits in Toronto 4/5 stars. The menu has changed many times since then, but if you went in today, some example dishes include Stuffed Yorkie, Pie & Mash, Pork & Beans and Bubble & Squeak Gnocchi and — of course — a Full English.
They also have specials including Dirty Burger Wednesdays and Roast Dinners on Sunday (huge portions, by the way).
Her next opening was Bramble Gastropub, another Brit-inspired, sleek and classy (but not snobby) cosy restaurant on Bloor. You’ll see the Queen Mum as you walk in. We gave it a top-notch Brits in Toronto 5/5 stars and it’s definitely one of our favourites in the area.
It is laid out like your grandmother’s front room (yeah, we know how that sounds!) but trust us, it’s a very nice and intimate spot for a date night, and has a lively atmosphere too. There’s a private dining room out back and a refurbished patio.
At Bramble you’ll find an upscale Fish & Chips (with wasabi slaw, pickled plum tartar, charred lemon), Scotch Egg, Oysters, Seared Scallops, Steak Tartare and Bone Marrow, Sausage & Mash, Pan Seared Duck Breast, Chicken Tikka, Steak & Ale Pie among other delights.
Similar to Kitchen on Sixth, they also do specials including Martini Mondays (all Jenny’s restaurants are licensed), Buck-A-Shuck Oysters and another Full Roast on Sunday (we HIGHLY recommend upgrading to the Prime Rib).
So far, so good, right? But Jenny didn’t stop there.
She then took over Merlot — an already excellent and now even better — French Bistro just down the street on Bloor. (No review from Brits in Toronto because it’s, um, French.)
All the regulars are here: French Onion Soup, Lobster Bisque, Spring Cassoulet, Calf’s Liver, Chicken Chasseur and Steak Frites, among others. Want more you picky thing? OK, check out the separate rooftop patio menu and thank us — or merci — later! Oh, and live jazz on Thursdays.
Now, this one is a little bit of a mystery to Brits in Toronto. It only opened a few weeks ago and details are scant. We haven’t been yet. But seeing as it’s just steps along Bloor — or what will eventually be known as Jenny Gibbes Boulevard — we will surely check it out.
Early reviews on social media are good. Here is their Instagram page with menu that includes Caviar, Poached Lobster, Octopus Carpaccio, Uni Carbonara, Rabbit and Bison. This definitely speaks to the discerning diner and we can’t wait to try it.
From personal experience, Jenny is also a VERY generous patron who supports people when needed and the local community and charitable causes.
So, four restaurants in and counting. We are extremely impressed with Jenny’s expanding culinary empire and now regret writing this as we probably won’t be able to get a table soon once the word is out.
Just joking, Jenny, you deserve it all. See you soon!
Someone could paint this in oils and hang it on a wall
The amount of times we’ve scrolled on past Leela Indian Food Bar (3180 Dundas Street West/Keele Street) in the online food-ordering apps and never once tried anything. We’re flabbergasted at that, so took the plunge and went for it.
The first thing we liked is that Leela has decent photos on the (app) menu which is REALLY helpful because we often choose a dish by the way the gravy looks, or the amount of ingredients on show. It’s something we wish more curry houses would do, so kudos to Leela for taking the time to go that extra step.
But, you can’t eat photos, so how was the food?
Very nice, actually. We went for the Chicken Kadai, a “medium spicy semi-dry Indian curry with onions, peppers, ginger and chef’s special spices” and it didn’t disappoint. The gravy was nice and thick with a good heat level. Based on this “medium spice” rating, we feel the Vindaloo will blow your socks off!
The portion was very generous and — as you can see in the photo — it had a good amount of onions and ginger, which we love in a curry. Gives the needed crunch.
There was also a good-sized bag of poppadoms that were slightly oily, but still crispy. You could tell they’d just been prepared. The Mint/Coriander Chutney and Tamarind Chutney that accompanied those weren’t what we would class as “chutney” but more like sauces. Still tasty though.
Nice Home Made Mix Pickle too: spicy and flavourful.
Slightly disappointing Cucumber/Cumin Raita as it was a little runny … but we’re Raita snobs and like it more thick and creamy. Wasn’t a dealbreaker for the meal overall.
We’re very glad we finally took a spin on Leela and give it a solid Brits in Toronto 4/5 stars.
Brits In Toronto 