My husband and I recently had the opportunity to have dinner at Trinity Taverna, a modern-style Greek restaurant located in the Beach(es) area of Toronto, courtesy of Faulhaber PR.  The restaurant is located in what was formerly known as  the Boardwalk Pub, and was developed by Peter Morentzos, known for Montreal-based eateries such as La Queue de Cheval and Le Pois Penché.  Though it was dark, cold and a bit snowy when we arrived, the restaurant was every bit Mediterranean-like and we felt as if we had been transported abroad, especially with the existence of the fish market/display near the open kitchen.  This is something that one rarely sees in Canadian restaurants, save for fish swimming in tanks at some Chinese eateries.  In other words, one knows that the seafood offered is definitely fresh rather than frozen.

Interior of Trinity Taverna

Village Salad (Horlatiki)

Many of the items on the menu can be shared and are often indicated so on the menu (including the only main course chicken dish).  For our appetizers, my husband and I ordered the spinach, pine nuts and feta Cretan dumplings (there are three others to choose from: grilled “Lokaniko” sausage with feta and spicy tomato confit, roasted lamb with leeks and feta as well as three cheese (feta, Kelfagravyera and Kefalotiri) and Horlatiki (“village”) salad.  The dumplings come in threes and were deliciously crispy without being greasy (unlike many panfried Chinese dumplings).  The salad, which had Savoura hydroponic tomatoes (which unlike regular tomatoes, is grown in water, hence the name, “hydroponic”), shallots, cucumber, black olive tapanade, extra virgin olive oil, sage and topped with a slice of delicious sesame dipped feta), was delicious, with just the amount of tartness and savour.  I have to admit that the feta is cheese lover’s dream!  I also have to note that it was very difficult to decide on WHAT to order as everything looked good.  Next time, I will definitely try at least one of the spreads and the Savoura tomato salad.

Dumplings

Silver Porgy

For our mains, we decided to order our own.  My husband had the lamb chops, which came with fries, while I ordered fish.  There are eight types of fish listed on the menu, though not all are available every day.  The fish is flown in daily from various parts of the world, including Greece, Portugal and various parts of Africa, grilled and served whole (de-boned and filleted) with lemon juice, EVOO and herbs.  I just HAD to have the fish (I had a fish called “Silver Porgy” which is a white fish that is from the same family as the sea bream), considering that seafood seems to be a focal point of the restaurant (note that there is no listed price for the fish – the price is based on weight (generally between 0.75 and 1 lb including head and bones)).  The fish does not come with sides, so my husband and I shared Trinity Taverna’s warm spinach and rice.  Cooked with lemon juice, the rice, which is made for two, has a slight risotto texture to it.  Other options include “Festival Rice,” (made with goat yogurt butter brulée) fries and wild greens with EVOO).  Like the appetizers, there are plenty of delicious items to pick, including ones that need to be ordered ahead of time.  Other items are noted that portion sizes are for two people, including the chicken (which comes with Festival Rice).

Spinach and Rice

Feta Cheesecake

Dessert also has great selection.  We were fairly full by that time, so we shared a piece of feta cheesecake.  Topped with caramelized figs, this is an absolute delight.  However, brace yourselves to not finish it – especially if you are going to be eating a lot of appetizers!

Upstairs Lounge

Trinity Taverna dining room during the day

Trinity Taverna is definitely a great place to enjoy a Greek meal that is atypical of what one would find in Toronto’s Danforth area.  We were told that in the summer, the restaurant’s windows are completely opened on nice days, giving it a more outdoor dining atmosphere (though still covered).  The second level of the restaurant becomes a lounge on weekends and is also available for private events, including weddings and corporate parties.

Trinity Taverna is located on 1681 Lakeshore Blvd East.  They are open for lunch Monday to Friday from 11:30 AM to 3 PM; Dinner hours are 5:30 to 10:30 Monday to Wednesday and 5:30 to Midnight on Thursdays and Fridays.  On Saturdays, they are open from 11:30 AM to midnight and 11:30 AM to 10:30 PM on Sundays.  The lounge is open Thursdays to Saturdays from 10 PM to 2 AM.  Reservations can be made online or by calling 416-698-3456.

Image Credits: All food photos by author.  Interior shots courtesy of Faulhaber PR.