Ada L.
Yelp
Martine's Wine Bar, located along Palmerston Ave and College St., is a farm to table restaurant from the owners of Bar Raval (which is right next door) and Bar Isabel (further down the street along College near Ossington). Martine's Wine Bar has a rotating menu where they offer a variety of shareable plates (if you desire!). The space is intimate and warm, where it is perfect for a solo date, romantic date, or a night out with friends. They have chefs bar seating, a patio, as well as a dining room upstairs. The kitchen is open concept, so if you do sit at the chefs bar you can see all the chefs/cooks in action while they prepare your food. Martine's Wine Bar also accepts reservations but also does walks in as well.
I stopped by Martine's Wine Bar for a solo date on a Monday night. I made reservations in advance for right when they opened at 6pm. There were a few tables already and the hostess sat me at the chefs bar. The vibes here are casual, charming, and unpretentious. Service was great and friendly as well. I asked for some recommendations from my server and felt comfortable dining alone. Having a seat at the chefs bar was also great. I spent most of my time just watching the kitchen prepare multiple dishes.
Food wise, I ordered the following items:
- Glass of sauvignon blanc from California
- Spicy beef tartare (with dill, mushroom, and sourdough)
- Oyster mushrooms, razor clams, and wild leeks
- Dessert - fermented coffee ice cream, sponge cake, and meringue
All the dishes were tasty! The beef tartare was unique with the spicy sauce (not too spicy though, just the perfect amount of spice and heat). The sourdough it came with was heavenly and toasted to perfection. The oyster mushrooms, razor clams, and wild leeks dish was simple but unique and the sauce it was pan fried in had hints of butter, garlic and an acidic finish to round out the dish. The dish wasn't super heavy but felt clean where the ingredients shined on their own. Lastly, the dessert was a great sweet treat to end the meal. The fermented coffee ice cream was unique and had a slightly thicker texture than regular ice creams. There was also a hint of saltiness from the extra salt added on top which added a sweet and salty element to the dessert.
Overall, Martine's Wine Bar is a great addition to the food scene in Toronto. Definitely worth visiting (I definitely will be back!). Great food, friendly service, and unpretentious vibes. There is something for everyone on the menu and if you come with a bigger party you can definitely try more dishes. Also love that the menu rotates to reflect what is in season as well!