Kultura

It’s the fifth restaurant that MR and I have tried together (fourth for JK – excl. the JKWB visit). I think it’s been a couple of years since we first started this dining “event” (unintentionally). Everytime, we picked a place at the end of the dinner and tried to schedule the next visit within 3 months. However, we always ended up having the next event in about 6 months :p

Saturday night, JK and I were on King Street, trying to look for a street parking, but with no luck. Therefore we parked at a parking lot two block west – $7 flat rate. It was a relatively warm night with a bit of breeze, which was good for a short walk.

Outside the restaurant, there was no logo/sign, but the pink-purple neon light coming from the back of the restaurant hinted that was the place. It was a historical building where the Wagner Rosenbaum Gallery used to be. The ground level was a lounge setting. Then, we went up to the second level, where the main dining place was. Another exmaple of the modern meeting the historic. I’m not sure how the original building looked like, but this place had definitely made good use of the building backbone. We were seated at the back dining area, where there was a high ceiling. Yet, with the touch of drop-down lights and the “lace” patterns on one side of the wall, it did not seem empty at all. I always like that kind of spaciousness.

Once seated, we were presented with 3 main menu, 2 cocktail menu and 1 wine menu. Since we were too excited catching up, the server politely came over twice but we were still not ready to order. Great… when we were finally ready, and starving, the server did not come until a bit later. (I was hungry :S)

The menu items were not very expensive – ranging from $5 to about $18. However, the dishes were for sharing and all of them were smaller portion (unlike the one main entree that you would typically get in a restaurant). However, it was just right for sharing and tasting, and that was why we were there for. Here are what we ordered:

Tuna Tartare – Three Citrus, White Miso

10oz Cured Pork Chop – Szechuan Cider, Red Pepper Harissa

Crispy Thai Tofu – Hoisin, Nam Prik

Lemon Chicken Schnitzel – Chipotle, Yogurt

Toasted Lobster Ravioli – Lobster Saffron Bisque

8oz. AAA Ribeye – Port Demi, Figs, Cured Onion

Vegetarian Terrine – Chevre

Black Cod – Red Vinegar

Caribbean Shrimp – Banana, Sambal Oelek

For the cocktail, we had:
Granny’s Mojito – St. Remy Brandy, Bacardi Big Apple Rum, Fresh Granny Smith, Fuji Apple Juices, Lime, Muddled Mint, Soda

Cherry and Chocolate – Barcardi Vanilla Rum, Navan Vanilla Cognac, Creme de Cacao, Fresh Sour and Black Cherry Juices, Cream Float

Citrus Smash – Grey Goose L’Orange Vodka, Grand Marnier, Fresh Blood Orange Juice, Muddled Kumquat, Pineapple Pulp, Fresh Lime Juice

The Rocket – Bacardi “Razz” Rum, Limoncello, Blue Curacao, Fresh Lime Juice

And also, Tanqueray Gin Tonic (no picture)

Overall, the atmosphere was causal, chic. The food could reveal the “Kultura” (fusion) of it. Among all the dishes, I liked the Lobster Ravioli and Ribeye the best, but all the other dishes were very good as well. On the top level, there was a private dining room (see below – you can check that out on their website). When I went in that room that night, it was much darker with candles everywhere, giving me a gothic feeling. The washroom was located at the back of the room. The music in there was EXTREMELY loud – you would think you were in a club. Nevertheless, I liked it. The server was polite and helpful. Overall price was about $220 after tax, before gratuity.

FYI: Kultura
169 King Street East, Toronto, ON. M5A 1J4
Tel: 416-363-9000