Joi B.
Yelp
More love for (yet another) LOV. I have been to their location on McGill twice now and pretty much adored the food, the vibe, the just about everything. But this LOV had me at the front door. And, more importantly, this LOV had me at that incredible vegan cheese plate.
What a stunning place, with its greenery peeking out from everywhere, blonde woods and merry lighting. Everything is a Pinterest dream and if you don't believe me, just take a look in the damn ladies room because that use of a toilet for a planter is about the coolest thing I've ever seen. This LOV will appeal to lovers and friends alike, as it lends itself well to both intimate tête-à-tête and small gatherings (there's so much space!) I think the only thing I didn't love about the location on McGill was how my friend and I were crammed in on the high top family table, but it was a couple years back when they first opened. Still, that memory makes me more likely to pick this location over that one.
Our friendly host sat us wherever we wanted as it was a cold snowy Tuesday night and we had our choice. Honestly, there's not a bad spot in the house, a rarity in restaurants! We chose to sit up front by the windows and next to the bar, a positively cozy, but pleasantly bright little spot.
I'll be the first person to turn my nose up at a Mimosa (look, I just want more damn Champagne), but I could never pass up a Mimosa made with with pear juice! Whole next level (and a bit more of a Bellini, which I also prefer). I had one, it was delicious, if a bit on the sweet side, and then switched over to the Prosecco. I think it would make a great choice for dessert.
The cheese plate deserves its own paragraph, friends. That cheese plate. Mon Dieu! It came out and I died a thousand deaths with one bite of the herbed smoky Gouda-esque cashew cheese. Then there was a tangy Bleu cheese made with Spirulina, a work of edible art. A creamier, slightly sweet & nutty goat-style cheese rounded out the plate and the bubbled crostini made the perfect pairing (if you're into a sweet chutney, you'll love this, also on the board, but not really my thing). One of the best vegan cheese plates I've ever had.
I also enjoyed the gnocchi, though I took a chance because it's a sweet potato gnocchi and I hate sweet potatoes. Luckily the sweet potato flavor was super subtle and the pesto/nutty parmesan dominated the plate, along with tons of arugula, which is my favorite. I'd probably order something else next time, but I enjoyed this dish very much.
On to the cheesecake, a dense, super creamy NY-style, encrusted with nuts and delicately placed on a tart berry coulis. Perfection. If you must know, I cried a bit at first taste. This dessert belongs in some kind of cheesecake hall of fame. It's perfect to share as it's very rich and pleasantly dense. Decadence is always best in small portions, no?
I cannot wait to return to Lov. It's truly become one of my favorite vegan restaurants.