Our AGM held at LaVinia last Thursday was an absolute pleasure. This was cooking from the heart.
It’s not often one finds a restaurant with a chef from the old school but Fernando Garcia of Lavinia is such a one. This Spanish haven is a gem in Etobicoke… a quick Uber or a reasonable stroll (in the summer time) from the Mimico Go station. Each course was unique and yet traditional at the same time! Each perfect in its own way. Manchego cheesecake? Really? I had my doubts but was proved wrong. Our evening was planned by Pablo, Sonia and Christian with each course accompanied by wonderful wines from Sean Rowlands of Gradwell wines.
You can click through to find the menu with the wines at the bottom of this post. Many of us made purchases that evening and I can well imagine Jim sneaking another case or two from the shipment that’s on the water now.
As I was returning from dinner I was really reflecting on how long it has been that I have had a dinner experience in that kind of atmosphere. It feels like, even in the restaurant industry, the Tiffany’s – Walmart phenomenon has taken hold. Along with the ubiquitous chains and fast-food there is also over-designed, over-hyped venues. Where are the gems? The ones we see in the movies with passionate owner/chefs, committed to their vision and taking such pride day in, day out? Fernando and LaVinia is still all about the craft.
At the end of the evening, Pablo stood to tell us of how discovering this restaurant helped cure his home sick blues. I can well imagine.
