It’s hard to believe that I haven’t been back to review The Harbord Room since October 2009. It was the 3rd restaurant I reviewed on my blog! The good news is that it’s even better than it was before, if that’s possible. The atmosphere is cool and mellow and the music setlist was created by one of the chefs, and I must say, great tunes were played. They have a little fireplace that is filled with candles and their drippings from the last 5 years, as long as they’ve been in business.
My whole family sat at the bar, which is always great because we get to chat with Dave Mitton the whole time (one of the owners and super cocktail maker). I’m sure he’s not really used to having 3 kids sitting there, and he was incredibly nice and even showed us how to make cocktails. My favourite is how he chills the glasses before putting a beer or cocktail in it. He puts the glass upside down on a fountain-type thing that chills the glass with cold water. It’s really really cool (pun intended!).
Even though I knew what I was having, I did read the whole menu and so much sounded great. (I wanted to have their burger again to validate that it was still the best burger in the city – and I’ve tried a lot of great burgers!). We ordered my brother fries to keep him calm while we took our time ordering. I am always excited when house made ketchup arrives instead of Heinz, and aioli too. My father started with a tomatillo and black bean soup with queso fresco and my sister and I both had couple spoonfuls and the flavour and texture were both amazing. My mother loved her rapini with chili and her mixed veggie salad with pumpkin seeds and kale chips. I forgot to try the risotto that my father ordered, I just realized that, oops! I guess it was because I was so focused on my “burger heaven” that arrived before me on a wooden board. It is, by far, still the best burger in the city. The flavour, the juiciness and the size are great – everything about this burger is exciting! Just let Cory make it the way he does and you’ll be very, very happy with the end result. I did finish the whole burger, but barely – it’s huge, and the only downside is that I didn’t have any room for dessert!
I hope you all go, but book in advance since it’s a really small restaurant (and always full), or show up at opening and sit at the bar like we did!
The Harbord Room website – click here
