Braised Lamb Shoulder for Winterlicious at Quince.

When Toronto’s tourism industry was rocked by SARS in 2003, it needed a way to recapture the hearts of its visitors. As we all know, the quickest way to a person’s heart is through food.

Thus, Winterlicous, and its associated summer time festival Summerlicious, was born.

In 2003, there were 35 participating restaurants. This year, there are 151 places where you can sample Toronto’s finest dining.

The prices are $25, $35 or $45 for a three course meal (taxes, gratuity and drinks extra).

I had the House Cured Veal Carpaccio for an appetizer, Braised Lamb Shoulder for the main course and the Chilled Arborio Rice Pudding for desert at Quince during the Winterlicous outing organized by Michelle.

House Cured Veal Carpaccio for an appetizer.

A little on the saltish side, I thought the veal still retained its flavour. I loved its delicate soft texture.

The lamb was also great. I was a little worried that the portions might not be that great. Usually, fine dining isn’t about the quantity. However, I brought a big appetite, having skipped lunch in lieu of a quick nap after working.

It turns out the quantity was just right for my hungry stomach. The lamb fell apart easily, yet wasn’t dry. I ate each piece with a scoop of mashed potato and the taste melded will in my mouth. The carrots were also soft without being mushy.

Chilled Arborio Rice Pudding for dessert.

The rice pudding dessert was ok. I used to have a lot of this rice pudding in a tub when I was in university and it was one of my favourite desserts. This lacked the sweetness I came to expect from that pudding. Maybe it was because I didn’t mix in the jam well enough. Overall, it was still pretty good in its own right, just not what I was expecting.

Then the girls, or more specifically Jo, decided we had room for Gelato so off we went through the blowing snow for more!

The girls running towards their gelato.

* photog note: the pictures were taken with my S90 and lit by my phone.