Restaurant Review: Zee Gill @ Oyster Bar

Zee Grill @ Oyster Bar 641 Mt Pleasant Rd. 416..484.6428

I have just had a perfect evening. Since my grandson Brad moved back to Toronto in September I have been taking him out for dinner on Thursday evening. I thought nothing of it as we made plans for this evening. Brad told me that he had a fine recommendation for Zee and would like to try it. Sounded great to me. I had no idea that I was to be his guest. I will never forget this evening. First of all I had trouble finding the restaurant. The sign in front says Phebe. If you look closely Zee is written underneath. This is an upscale restaurant that obviously is well known and loved. It was totally filled early on a Thursday evening but never was too noisy. It is most unusual for the kitchen to be at the front of the restaurant. As you enter you can see the creations being performed by chef jaceckhardt and his well trained crew. The servers were charming and extremely attentive and well trained. This is primarily a sea food restaurant and I was a happy camper. You may choose to begin with chilled starters or warm creations. Let’s start with Mixed Greens and Herbs. Candied walnuts, pear cubes and mixed greens are infused with walnut oil vinaigrette. ($9.00)The Zee Salad combines romaine, potato crouton, poached egg and a Caesar dressing. ($11.00) The Lobster Roll is served with an Asian pear, miso mascarpone, hon shimeji and beet coulis. ($15.00) The Crab Cake is served with spicy corn salsa, cucumber and potato chips. ($13.00) Mushroom & Shrimp Vermicelli features a truffled cream sauce with shaved truffles.(14.00) The Sicillian Style Calamari is served with a tomato salsa, greens and a cape gooseberry dressing. ($12.00)
Let’s get to the magic part pf the menu. Brad knows I love tuna and he quickly pointed out the Cajun Spiced Ahi Tuna. Words cannot describe the mouth watering taste. Thin slices of this perfectly cooked tuna were artistically placed on shanghai bok choi. Some daikon was also on the plate. Two spears of asparagus were wrapped in a phyllo pastry. The wasabi soy dipping sauce was magic for an incredible dinner.($26.00) Brad opted for the Jambalaya. The large terra cotta bowl held various seafood, chicken, sausage, rice in a sweet pepper-tomato broth. ($24.00) I tasted one of the shrimp. Unbelieveable. I promised Brad a taste of my perfect tuna. Only now as I write this do I realize that I ate it all and forgot to offer him a taste. I am so sorry. Halibut is served with shaved asparagus, palm hearts, spinach-potato, and porchini in a seafood broth.($29.00) The Raw Bar selection of Oysters is extensive. Steakfrites is a 12 oz. prime angus beef NY strip loin with hand cut frites.(34.00)
We were happily satisfied but still opted for a dessert. The Chocolate Pate was a work of art. I truly have never tasted anything so delicious. It was a generous serving considering how dense and rich it all was. The chocolate melted in my mouth. I was wearing a big smile at the end of the evening.
This was a memorable meal. It most certainly was an unforgettable occasion when a grandson takes you out for such fine dining. Thank you Brad and thank you Zee Grill for being so outstanding.