Braise Food & Wine, London, Ontario

Earlier today, I received the good news that I passed my Royal College examinations. To celebrate, the missus and I went out for dinner together without child for the first time since becoming parents.

Braise is a modern restaurant and lounge that opened recently in 2010. It joins a collection of new restaurants in downtown London such as Cello Supper Club and King West that instill the big-city vibe of downtown Toronto, in contrast to the old money feel of London.

The 6-course tasting menu is pricey at $95, especially relative for London and considering the tasting menu at the much celebrated The Only on King is only $50, albeit only 4 courses.

We opted for a la carte and started the night with an order of fresh oysters (six for $18). I believe they were from Prince Edward Island and were refreshing consider the hot and humid weather outside.

The wifey ordered the pan roasted striped bass primarily for the accompanying braised oxtail that was mixed in with the toasted quinoa.

I ordered the 'pork duo' of milk poached tenderloin and crispy pork belly that was a bargain at $25. The accompanying sweet braised collard greens and smoked wheat berries in sage jus stole the show!

Overall, a pleasant experience...







SEASONAL OYSTERS, traditional garnishes, kettle chips




Garnishes: lemon, horseradish, mignonette


Kettle chips



PAN ROASTED STRIPED BASS, braised oxtail, toasted quinoa, forest mushrooms, mustard greens & seeds, cabernet vinaigrette au jus





PORK DUO, milk poached tenderloin, crispy belly, sweet braised collard greens, smoked wheat berries, sage jus


This was the highlight of the night... collard greens so sweet and wheat berries so smokey.


Pork belly


Tenderloin medium-rare...