The Citizen unveils two new big name chefs and revamped menu on King West
The Citizen is getting a refreshing food face lift and a stand-out identity in clubby King West.
Who are the new chefs?
Two new big name chefs are taking the helm:
Binh An Nguyen is a 10-year Toronto restaurant veteran of spots like The Spoke Club, Hawthorne Food and Drink, The Beverley Hotel and Maple Leaf Tavern.
Jonathan O’Callaghan, best known for his appearance on Food Network’s Chopped Canada, has studied as a chef all over Europe, from Paris to Palermo.
They describe The Citizen as the place where King West feels at home. Forget the cliquey clubs and too-loud lounges that dominate this infamous stretch of King street, Nguyen and O’Callaghan are trying to put simplicity and authenticity back on the menu. Speaking of which…
What’s on the menu?
Dishes are meant to remind diners of their childhood memories, made with local ingredients and meant for sharing.
The Citizen Cheeseburger apparently took 3 years to develop. It’s a 7oz house-ground dry-aged beef strip loin, secret sauce (of course), topped with house-made American cheese and served with fries dusted in 11—count em—11 herbs and spices.
Another standout is the Ocean Wise Yellowfin Tuna Crudo on avocado toast with yuzu gel, wasabi tobiko, rice crisps, extra virgin sunflower oil and sesame seeds.
Whatever you do, do not forget dessert. Birthday Cake lets you get what you’ve always wanted: a three-tier vanilla cake with vanilla butter cream frosting, sprinkles, and topped with a gigantic sparkler that looks like it’s powered with rocket fuel. The best part is it doesn’t even have to be your birthday. Finally, every day can be your birthday!!
Credit: Nicola Brown
What’s the vibe?
With an outdoor patio and huge wood-beam interior complete with giant leather couches, it’s a pretty homey spot year-round, which makes a nice change from the typical King West vibe.
Address: 522 King Street West
Phone: 416-703-2800
Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 5 pm to Midnight, Thursday to Saturday 5 pm to 2 am
Twitter: @thecitizen_to
And remember to tag all your foodie snaps with #dhtofood for your chance to be featured!
A photo posted by The Citizen (@thecitizen_to) on
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