When we were all at Western, my girlfriends and I had a lot of nights out. It’s gotten a little harder since we all started working, but yesterday was an exception: my close friends A and K were both celebrating November birthdays, so we all got together for a night out of girl talk, good food, and plenty of drinks!
Last night’s dinner was at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village, which I’d heard about many times over the years, but had never gotten to try. It turned out to be an amazing meal! The industrial loft-like space, which boasts an open-kitchen concept, has a very airy, comfortable vibe.
Our server was also very friendly and helpful, which added to the overall experience. I know this sounds obvious, but it makes a huge difference when servers and restaurant staff are knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely nice—it makes for a more memorable dining experience (which is why restaurants like Auberge du Pommier and Volos are among my faves).
What We Ate
I caught a cold earlier this week, so my tastebuds were a bit off (a stuffy nose = a lack of a sense of smell or taste) but I still thought that everything we ordered was really flavorful! A quick thank you to my friend J for supplying the food pics from last night!
To share:
- Gnocchi poutine: gnocchi, oxtail gravy, and cheese in a skillet… need I say more?
- Shrimp & crab cakes: crab cakes can be hit or miss, but these were super flavorful and perfectly cooked… so yummy!
- Mildred’s home-baked cheddar & thyme biscuits with pecan and apple butter: yum!
Our mains:
I had the bison short ribs, which were super tender. Everyone else’s choices looked amazing too!
- Bolly cauli: roasted curry cauliflower with quinoa, caramelized onion, spinach, and grapes
- Grilled flat iron steak: grilled steak with frites, cherry tomatoes, and herb-crushed peas
- MTK burger: a medium-rare burger with tomato relish and crispy onions served with kale salad
- Bison short ribs: bison short ribs braised in red wine with herbed polenta and garlic-sautéed greens
Dessert:
- Mildred’s famous profiteroles: these were soft, light, and delicious! They were also stuffed with Lindt milk chocolate ice cream and drizzled with chocolate and caramel, which definitely helped the cause. They were even nice enough to bring out 2 special ones for the birthday girls!
- Venus bar: I want to say that’s what it was called, but it’s not on the online menu, so I can’t remember exactly! This looks small but should definitely be shared… it was super rich and decadent. It had some banana marshmallow fluff, a chocolate and peanut butter center, and a taffy-like bottom.
What We Drank
As sick as I’ve been this past weekend, I was definitely ready for a drink after a long week. We had 2 bottles of wine to share, both of which were great choices!
- Belstar Prosecco: This prosecco was very light and not overly bubbly, which was a nice way to start off our meal!
- McManis Viognier 2011: I’ve never had a viognier, but this was really good! It was also very light and easy to drink. Best of all, our server informed us that it was available at LCBO, which is awesome because it always sucks when you have an amazing wine or beer at a restaurant that you can’t get at the liquor store. Will definitely try this again!
The Verdict
I would definitely go again! I now want to go back for brunch (which MTK is well-known for), so it’s now on my list of places to try. We all also had such a great time that we agreed that more get-togethers are in order, so we’ll be trying to set aside some time each month to hang out more often. More food adventures and good times to come!
Our Happy Jar 