Some time ago we were visiting Toronto for a friend’s wedding. Like any other trip, it becomes culinary at some stage. We arrived at Fat Pasha. This was Anthony’s Rose latest collaboration with Robert Wilder. It is located at 414 Dupont Street (between Spadina Road and Bathurst Street). This Israeli restaurant focused on vegetables, chopped liver, hummus and became this hippest thing around.
The tiny 45 seater restaurant is a tight space. Designed by Palmerston Design and artwork by Jeff Blackburn that somehow minds me of Genghis Khan destroying tribes in Northeast Asia.
It was early in the day and the restaurant was already fairly packed. Even before doors opened, crowds were forming outside on a weekday. This is crazy. I needed to settle in with a drink. All I remembered was that it was refreshing and tart tasting.
Liver and Verscht on Rye 18: Chopped liver, beef salami, hard egg, gribenes, radish, and caramelized onion with pickles. We were presented a generous portion of the chopped liver. The hostess drizzled schmaltz into the boil and began mixing over the boiled egg and hard fried bits of chicken skin. Too fast to get a decent photo. Spread it over toast and enjoy. This was a heavy dish.
Roast Cauliflower 17: One of their signature dishes and perhaps one of the main reasons we wanted to come to Fat Pasha. I mean, until Fat Pasha, vegetables was not really a thing for Rose’s ventures. Rose and Sons and Big Crow both were unapologetically heavy and meat focused.
Tahini, skhug, pine nuts, pomegranate seeds and halloumi. You literally need a steak knife to chop thru this monster. It is filling despite it being all cauliflower. It is meaty and hearty with every bite. Yet it is not heavy and very refreshing with the acidity and spice.
We also recommend sharing their Salatim platter. Choose from Tahini with everything bagel spice, garlic fried tomatoes, chopped eggplant and tahini and garlic labneh with za’atar.
Next time you are in Toronto, come with a few friends. The portions are too large just for a couple and it is hard to sample everything. There’s enough pitas and latka platter for life.
more: Trattoria Nervosa Toronto | Roselle Desserts | Momofuku Daisho
Hours:
Mon 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Tue 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Wed 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Thu 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Fri 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sun 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
414 Dupont St, Toronto, ON M5R 1V9
(647) 342-0356
