My House

A great Bar is like a good house, home to many and welcoming to most. It's a comfortable place, where familiarity meets innovation. Service is a top priority and cuisine although not crucial, is diligently curated. The need for the next best thing is coveted in Toronto where great Bars range from luxe to servile. The Weekend and after 5 crowds are often spotted scurrying to the latest haunt that offers custom Cocktails and tantalizing themes. Patrons dictate popularity and those lacking creativity get lost in the shuffle.

The Junction, a hub that's steadily developing is one of the City's most unique locales. Amidst young professionals and growing families, it's home to some of the most exclusive Bars. My House, an establishment in its infancy is offering up an exclusory menu in an eclectic setting. Intrigued and hungry, it's where I found myself for this Month's Culinary Adventure.

It was a rainy Afternoon in the City and although I was due for a Culinary Adventure I was feeling kind of lazy. I consulted my list of Restaurants but nothing captured my attention. Bewildered and a little bored I turned to social media for distraction. After a few minutes of scrolling, I had my spot. There was a new place in the Junction that had my attention. A former coworker was the Owner and I've been meaning to check it out. I was planning on going with a few friends but I selfishly decided to chronicle the Adventure solo so that I would have words for this Blog. I was ravenous and despite my lack of planning, it wasn't too long before I hopped a ride share and headed to the Junction. After a 35-minute ride from Midtown, I arrived and settled in with Prosecco in hand.

Step through My House's doors and you're transported into a luxe, classic, timeless space. A red carpet runs the length of the room that's anchored by a large Bar. It's a grand territory, highlighted by a series of Lounges that break up traditional tables. There's romanticism in the lighting that includes classic chandeliers and exposed candles. Fabrics are lush, and prints are bold.

I've never encountered a Cucumber Salad that took me places. It's my go-to salad at home. This take was sublime. There were layers of flavour in every bite. The texture was incredible and a hint of chilli created the perfect finish. It was dressed perfectly and every element shone individually and as a unit. Incredibly delicious! I ate every bite.

Contrasts defined this dish. The rich, savoury flavour of the pork belly was perfectly paired with the sauteed greens. Slightly sweet and salty notes added a succulent, rich essence. The fat melted in my mouth and the meat was tender. A well-composed and palatable dish.

This was the perfect partner for my pork belly. Slightly sweet, refreshing and light on the palate.

If you come along on these Adventures, you know by now that Desserts are not my favourite. These creme brulee bites changed my life. Crunchy caramelization married with creamy custard in a perfect bite. This was the best dessert I've had in a very long time. Mouthful of heaven.

The perfect after-dinner treat, this Cocktail was light and flavourful. Easy to sip or guzzle.

The My House experience is warm, professional and friendly. From entry to exit, every person I encountered was lovely. It's a team effort where every member caters to your many needs. The service was well-timed and the staff was refreshingly knowledgeable. No complaints.

This was by far the best value for the quality of Adventure, I've had to date. There are reasons. I arrived early, a little after 5:30 and found out that My House has Happy Hour from 5 to 7pm. That meant discounted prices for my Prosecco, Cocktail and Appetizer. My bill also didn't include a glass of wine, compliments of the Owner. Portion sizes are generous because the Menu was designed to share and the setting is visually stunning. For all those reasons, this is a place I'll be frequenting. Incredible value!

If you find yourself in the Junction, My House is worth a visit.

Enjoy!