Ryan Storm
  • Meet Me
    • In The Media
  • Hire Me
    • Public Speaking + Events
    • In-Store Demos
  • My Reviews
Ryan Storm
Connect
Ryan Storm
  • Meet Me
    • In The Media
  • Hire Me
    • Public Speaking + Events
    • In-Store Demos
  • My Reviews

Assembly Chef’s Hall

  • January 19, 2018
  • 4 minute read
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

From some of Toronto’s top chefs comes Canada’s first “chef-driven community market”. All in one building, Assembly features seventeen different small “booths”, set up in a food court-esque fashion, each showcasing a different type of cuisine. There is something here for everyone no matter how you eat or what you are craving; you’ll find plenty of organic, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, meat, seafood, and even desserts!

Upon walking into Assembly at 111 Richmond Street, I was struck by the relaxed vibe of the place. Most food courts give off an aura of rushed food and bright lights with very little care put in. Assembly’s modern decor, great music, and lots of smiling people gave off an impression that the food I was about to eat had been prepared with care by people who care.

It took a while for me to decide what to get – as per usual – so I decided to try a few dishes (also as per usual :). I started with a vegetarian mezze board from Reyna, a Lebanese-inspired cocktail and snack bar with a main location in Yorkville. The platter was beautiful, and included olives, roasted peppers, labaneh with zaatar, ricotta cheese with honey, babaghanoush, manchego cheese, and more assorted veggies, with pita, breadsticks, and bread. This reusable wood board looked like art and was shared by my family, and there were no complaints while we all sampled our favourites from the delicious spread! We also ordered the vegan Reyna Salad, which included a ton of veggies topped with a tahini dressing – they even made it with special care for my sister’s nut allergy! My mother and sister raved about the flavours, and I really enjoyed it even though a few of the vegetables would no normally be things I would like, which shows again that it’s worth trying everything at least once!

For my first main course (yes, there was more than one), I decided to get the honey kimchi chicken from Mira Mira, which is a catering company with a commitment to using good food. Now, I don’t normally like kimchi, but this organic chicken was grilled to perfection, and I LOVED the flavour combination – it is something I definitely recommend! On the side, there was a huge kale salad with nutritional yeast – always a delicious staple in my diet and I loved every forkful! Also from Mira Mira, my mom got their BBQ Okra plate, which came with shishito peppers (one of my favourite tapas dishes), a purple cabbage slaw, roasted cauliflower with their housemade queso that my mom loved – all vegan and very creative and unique! Mira Mira caters to both meat-eaters and vegetarians happily! Plus, they offer Vam’s kombucha and Elxr organic cold-pressed juices.

While my mom and I explored new menus and foods, my brother and sister and cousin explored a classic and family favourite – Hibiscus Cafe‘s crepes (see my review of their Kensington Market location here). Their buckwheat crepes are vegan, organic and gluten-free! This small plant-based cafe also has incredibly amazing homemade vegan ice cream made with organic ingredients – you won’t believe that my favourite flavour is the mocha which is mung bean based!! My dad also got a squash and ginger soup from them, which he loved and noted how it warmed him right up!

My little brother, being the bottomless pit he is, also tried a DOP margherita pizza from The Good Son (my original review of their restaurant can be found here), and although it was a little bit salty for my personal taste, he loved it and ate it all, even after having a crepe from Hibiscus!

After finishing my vegetable platter, sampling everyone else’s selections and my large plate of kimchi chicken and kale salad, I decided to try a dish at the other end of the spectrum – a ramen bowl. This bowl from Ramen Isshin contained vegan noodles, vegetable broth, tofu, miso, and green onion – I ordered chili oil on the side, but dumped it all in right away it was great! The spice from the chili oil mingled with the hot broth and noodles to create a palate sensation unlike any ramen I’ve had before!

For dessert, as mentioned before, we enjoyed Hibiscus Cafe’s vegan ice cream – my mom and I got mocha, while my brother got a double-scoop of two flavours that would not normally go together, but weird combinations run in our family!

I can’t wait to go back to Assembly soon to try the new menu items that roll out as the space progresses, including tasting items from nutbar, which was already closed when we were there (my review of their space on Yonge Street is here)!

Assembly is a great place to bring friends, family, and colleagues for a relaxed meal prepared by great people who care in an awesome atmosphere! The tables are beautiful whether you are on your own, part of a small group or a larger one, the space is very clean and the food is varied to make everyone happy – so go and explore and enjoy new foods in this vibrant space.

My brother, my cousin Lindsay, and I enjoying our food!
My mom with her vegan dishes – BBQ Okra and Reyna salad!
Hibiscus’ ice cream is not to be missed!
The cool seating area includes a long communal table as well as a few smaller ones – there are many tables and benches scattered throughout the area as well (this was closing time, but it was full when we got there!)
Enjoying our food!
Colourful and delicious! Just because it is a food court concept, doesn’t mean the food can’t be plated beautifully!
My brother and his margherita pizza (his second entree)!
Veggie Mezze Board from Reyna – every vegetable and every fig (and everything) is very beautifully and deliberately placed!
The Assembly logo, brightly lit outside so you spot it on Richmond!
My ramen bowl with chili oil from Ramen Isshin!
Close-up of the BBQ Okra – you’ve got to try this dish whether you are vegan or not!
One of Hibiscus’ signature dishes – the 42-ingredient salad!
This way to good food in a great space!
My brother and his vegan ice cream from Hibiscus made with all organic ingredients!
Honey kimchi chicken platter!
Each small booth is uniquely designed in a cool and modern way!
Vams kombucha and Elxr juice area available at Mira Mira!
Waiting in line for ramen! Their handwritten menu is super cool! I chose the vegan version, as I always do when I cannot be sure of where they source their ingredients! 
The front area is full of tables with a live DJ!
Good to meet Amy and Jesse from Reyna! They were so kind and their food was outstanding. 
Family selfie!
Reyna Salad with tahini dressing!
My cousin Lindsay with her savoury crepe from Hibiscus!
Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
You May Also Like
View
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Uncategorized

Planta Queen

  • admin
  • June 20, 2019
View
  • In the GTA
  • Out of Town
  • Restaurant
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special

Community

  • admin
  • February 18, 2019
View
  • Restaurant
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special
  • Toronto

Away Kitchen on Queen!

  • admin
  • December 19, 2018
View
  • Product
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special
  • Toronto

Guud Hummus!

  • admin
  • December 18, 2018
View
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special
  • Toronto
  • Trade Show

CHFA 2018 – A Decade In The Making!

  • admin
  • November 28, 2018
View
  • Restaurant
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special
  • Toronto

Quetzal

  • admin
  • September 1, 2018
View
  • Farmers' Market
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special
  • Toronto

Shopping For The Best Food: Summer 2018 Edition

  • admin
  • June 21, 2018
View
  • Food Shop
  • Ry's Ratings
  • Ryan Storm Special
  • Toronto

The Big Carrot in the Beaches!

  • admin
  • June 19, 2018
ABOUT ME!
I started reviewing food on my blog at 8 years old. Now I have applied my passion for real food to public speaking, product demos, and convincing people to eat more organic hummus!
Latest Reviews
  • Planta Queen

    • June 20, 2019
    View
  • Community

    • February 18, 2019
    View
  • Away Kitchen on Queen!

    • December 19, 2018
    View
  • Guud Hummus!

    • December 18, 2018
    View
  • CHFA 2018 – A Decade In The Making!

    • November 28, 2018
    View
about

Part of Taste Is Feeling Good About What You Eat

I started reviewing food on my blog at 8 years old. Now I have applied my passion for real food to public speaking, product demos, and convincing people to eat more organic hummus!
  • About Ryan Storm
  • Public Speaking + Events
  • In-Store Demos
  • Press
  • Ry’s Ratings
  • Get In Touch

Input your search keywords and press Enter.