http://thecarbonbar.ca/        416.947.7000      $$$      open dinner to late Mon-Sat

The front door opens into a sexy long dark hallway with a red light at the end of the tunnel.  Turning the corner, the room is gorgeous:  forty foot ceilings, grey fabric and exposed brick, large special almost planetary lighting (think solar system) yet still modern.  Trendy tunes play while a sexy bartender creates a black carbon margarita – apparently the element is really good for your health.

 

Okay so when you come you have to order the Chicken skin $6, stretched to a fine paper and baked to a wafer thin savory delight – like nothing else in the city – I’m serious.   When I took a bite of the scallops $14 I’m transported to a country fair in the middle of summer, the aromas of a field of nearby flower as I wipe the sweat off my forehead; the mustard cuts the scallops but doesn’t overwhelm, a delicate balance is made with brisket espuma, dill pickle, parsley, mustard, horseradish, caraway rye croutons. 

 

Porcini ‘n’ Grits $19 sautéed with a deep fried egg yolk crisp bay kale sprinkled with a huitlacoche (corn smut) dust is a great combo of pepper and earth combine nicely for a great comforting meal on a cold day, grits smooth like the best smash.  More of a midday thing for me,  Queso de cabeza $13 –  fried suckling pig, pork n beans, hens egg, spiced pickled beets – its filling so be prepared to eat and eat.  

The Hot Mess $11 (don’t be fooled it’s not a sweet fries poutine) halved sweet potato, cheese curds, crema, and pickled jalapenos, a little heavy but taste good.  Not a fan of the Hamachi tartare – pear, coriander, kombucha vinegar  – instead of delicately diced fish, giant cubes of butchered under seasoned fish, arrive how very sad. 

 

I do like this place, a lot.  Especially Fridays nights where one can enjoy a rarity in Toronto, juicy, tender, Ontario goat ribs $18, get there early cause they do sellout. 

Update:  I came back on a Friday, 9pm and it was rammed, drinks took forever, food even longer.  Or was it the other way around.   Anyway you get my point.  But this look is so sweet I don’t mind……that much.