A Sneak Peek of Lisa Marie
Queen West is ready to get all shook up with the opening of Matthew Basile’s new restaurant, Lisa Marie (sorry, had to start with an Elvis pun), opening this Friday. Anyone in the food industry already knows about Matt. Starting with one of the most successful pop-ups at TUM, Fidel Gastro’s, Matt has since launched a food truck, Priscilla, and starred in a television show, Rebel Without a Kitchen. With his restaurant set to open on Queen West this Friday, a neighbourhood that already has some of our favourite eats, Matt is adding to an already impressive portfolio and solidifying his place as one of the most dynamic people in the food revolution that is taking Toronto by storm.
Having brought on Chef Kris Topping, formerly of Fabricca, these two McEwan Group vets have a winner on their hand. The menu and restaurant are a perfect reflection of Matt, with the requisite ode to Elvis, street food influenced menu, and touches of his Italian heritage. 6 person communal tables, a long wooden bar, and super kind servers add to the cozy and friendly atmosphere in the restaurant.
Now, onto the food (cicchetti), which is meant to be ordered as several plates and shared per table….
Our favourite dish of the night came as a total surprise. The Fresh Tuna Puttanesca Roll (2 for $8) was a smashing success. Fresh, tasty, and totally outside of the box. We love to see creativity. Ahi tuna marinated in puttanesca sauce rolled with bean sprouts, red pepper, purple cabbage, carrot, basil, and cilantro in a rice paper wrap. Served with sweet and sour mango sauce. Drool!
Other favourites include the Deep Fried Pizzas (Meatball $6, Duck $7). Meatball: fried pizza dough, saucy meatball with lemon arugula and tomato braised white beans. Duck: fried pizza dough, smoked duck with duck skin chicharron, hoisin sauce and enoki asparagus slaw. Just perfect.
Love surf n’ turf? We do, and, this take on the dish was executed perfectly. Another favourite. Deli Style Surf N’ Turf ($6). House smoked pastrami and cured sardine, served on a latke with pickled veg and sour cream. Drool again!
The tasty dishes kept rolling out through the night. How about Deep Fried Cheese Burger ($6). Seasoned coarse ground beef stuffed with aged cheddar topped with a house made pickle and quail egg (no bun). Love this pic with the man himself bringing out the tasty goodness.
Mozzarella and Marrow Sangweech ($6). Buffalo mozzarella, roasted bone marrow on two slices of focaccia bread deep fried and topped with a lemon. Don’t you dare pronounce this sandwich!
The smoky scent from this smoke board, featuring tequila salmon, smoked chicken, beef tongue, lamb neck, game hen, and delicious pickled veggies was awesome. This dish is not on the menu, but, they are planning to make it available a few days a week.
Pork Belly Cheese Thang ($5). Smoked pork belly with cilantro cherry tomato salsa served on a melted Havarti cheese crisp, topped with chili basil aioli.
Alabama Tailgaters ($6). Seasoned smoked bacon wrapped beef carpaccio, cilantro, aged cheddar and kimchi.
Oh yes, for anyone that wants to take something home, you can work your way to the back of the restaurant where there are countless delicious homemade goodies to discover. From meatballs to sauces (including the legendary Sloppy Jose) to actual meat, you can take home some goodies and create a delicious meal at home yourself.
Expect line ups, as, this is one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in the city, but, word has it that they will love you tender and also provide some reservations. If you listen closely, you can already hear the chants of “Ole” as happy and stuffed people join the food revolution on Queen West. We can’t help falling in love with Lisa Marie (started and ended with an Elvis pun….bazinga)!