I tried to email for a reservation. I typed in what I thought was the address, got the error message that, and when I checked the fb page, realized i had typoed. Frantically forwarded earlier note to correct address, then began to wait anxiously for confirmation, presuming that the Toronto rules were in play: if we don't acknowledge, you don't get in/ be cool or be cast out.
Very wrong on my part. The cutting edge does not require cutting wit, constant reinvention, or twitterfeed. The fact that the reviews that make it this far do not have reams of photos, intertable chat groups or the occasional grumblings of the 'not what it used to wannabes' seems to suggest that Haisai eschews the modern media experience in favour of feeding people food they will like. Three wary travellers of different vintages (and off-vintages, depending on your perception of the particular regions from which we hail) arrived for our non-confirmed (my bad probably, didn't ask for a reply, and we were welcomed without question) and were shown to the entry from which we were invited to select where we wanted to sit. We received and ordered the menu to share. I think there were around 12 dishes, which all utilized the flora and fauna from Eigensinn, and collectively were a good feed for three hungry gents.
I may expand upon this and talk about ingredients, presentation, etc, but at this point let me say presentation and flavours were rich, ingredients had that combination of fresh, local and not only sustainable but encouraged. The staff, who on the day consisted of Stadtlander family, treated the guests as if they were enthusiastically sharing family secrets to friends, really, in my mind, have the perfect understated way of letting people into their world.
For the reality cheque, the full menu costs somewhere around 100$, give or take and you should tip to reflect the intimacy of the experience. The wine list is good and well chosen, mostly Ontario, and the Sommelier's ability to explain the subtleties of the choices in terms of the dishes is pretty damned impressive (he also has the title of waiter, bus, bakery counter guy, and Tamworth herder). 2xmarkup on top of list or something like that.
For the area, the only comparable is Eigensinn, where the per person charge is multiply higher with the same ingredients. Or you can pay slightly more for bad chain food, or you drive through.
This is, of course, without mentioning the pizzas. Someone should talk about those.
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