If you’ve got a hunger for game, Antler Kitchen & Bar is a must try. The restaurant prides itself on fresh regional ingredients and wild foods. The restaurant is run by Chef Michael Hunter, who is known for hunting his own food.
I ordered the Spice Ash Crusted Rack of Deer on top of a braised shoulder and parsnip purée. The meat was so tender and melted in my mouth. The purées had a silk texture that made me want to lick the plate.
My cousin who was with me ordered the night’s special, a duo of duck: braised and seared. There was also kale and squash I believe. I stole some bites and it was all very delicious.
To drink I sipped on the Blood Fashioned. I have a new habit of trying every place’s take on the Old Fashioned lately. This one had Blood Orange, Appleton’s Rum, Bitters and Demerara Sugar. It went down easier than most old fashioned but with a decent amount of alcohol!
We definitely couldn’t leave without trying dessert and they had some weird things like “Foraged Cedar Infused Ice”, which we didn’t order. Mostly because paying for wood-tasting ice seemed silly. Instead I went for the White Spruce Scented Ricotta Cheesecake. It was very light and heavenly and did have a hint of forest wood, but it went strangely well with the wild berrie preserve and hazelnut crust. Maybe next time I will go for that ice!
We also had the beautiful Caramel Crab Apple Tart with a smoked cheddar cheese crumble and vanilla ice cream. There was so many flavours in each bite.
A reservation is recommended if you go to the Antler (we did have one) as it filled up even on a weeknight. I’m not surprised though, we loved everything about our meal!
