Tag Archives: kitchen on sixth

British restaurateur expands her food empire with the opening of Heron in Toronto’s west end

The logo speaks of upscale cuisine

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.

So, where were we again? Oh yeah — Heron.

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!

Totally biased product review by me — Kitchen On Sixth

Kitchen On Sixth 1

Here we are … and there’s a graffiti Twitter bird too

Dreaded tackling the last-minute (like me!) Christmas shoppers today so just had to have a British-style brunch to set me up for the parking battles ahead. And what better place than the New Toronto location of Kitchen On Sixth?

I normally wait a few days before posting my totally biased product reviews, but this one has to go up NOW and you’ll find out why at the end*.

Kitchen On Sixth 2

Half or full, Canadian or lighter?

Here’s a snippet of the menu above. Usually I’m all over the full English breakfast, but because I can buy British-style beans quite easily now, it’s not quite the hook it used to be on menus. But I was dying for some black pudding and thus formed another plan …

Kitchen On Sixth 3

Like mushrooms, red wine, garlic, cheese, runny egg and black pudding? There may just be a dish for you

After starting off with a nice strong cup of English tea — with a little saucer for the tea bag, nice touch — I opted for the Posh Mushrooms: Sautéed mushrooms in red wine and garlic, toasted rosemary focaccia, topped with aged and welsh cheddar, a sunny egg and a side of mixed greens … and extra black pudding. Sorted.

I’d had a similar dish at Spitfire Kitchen in the past, but thought it could have been improved upon slightly. This version at Kitchen On Sixth demonstrated that the mushrooms should be a little smaller and a little crispier, and went really well with the cheese and runny egg.

The black pudding was one of the best I’ve had and also available for purchase frozen. They are also in the process of ramping up their general store.

My Canadian brunch companions both went for the French Toast, and said it was delicious. It was huge though, literally bricks of toast, and one portion could definitely be shared between two. A side of chips rounded off the meal and they were good too.

So, all things considered, we give this place a Brits in Toronto 4/5 stars.

*Bonus points. They just got their booze licence about a week ago so are open TONIGHT for a Christmas Eve bash “until late” and, as you know, it’s hard to find Brit place open late in this hood on Christmas Eve with draft Guinness on tap. Say Brits in Toronto sent you.

Cheers … and a Merry Christmas to all our readers and thanks for your feedback and social media love this year.