
INFUSION
It was a lazy summer evening and we were in a lazy summer mood for dinner.
After much pondering and a myriad of suggestions from others we decided to return to Infusion in the Glebe.
Infusion was an immediate favourite of ours when we first visited last winter but that was in our pre-blog days so we decided to see if our first impressions still held true.
Infusion is a small, simple space and in the summer they have a patio of sorts in the back. It turns out to be a small number of tables located right next to a blank, bland parking lot.
The trick would be to use a few more plants or screens to separate the tables from the asphalt to lull us somehow into thinking we were actually being transported, however briefly, to a tropical summer.
We opted for the winter space inside.
The main room is more comfortable and conducive to dining.
Infusion is a neighbourhood bistro, relaxed and comfortable. The menu is artfully designed to appeal to almost all tastes from causal noshing to near fine dining.
Seriously tempted by the specials which were Grilled Tuna with a Watermelon and Ginger Salsa (25) or the Maple Mango Shrimp Salad with Balsamic and Field Berry Dressing (17) we decided that we would do a summer nosh.
Lynn ordered the soup of the day, Broccolinni and Parmesan Cheese (8) which could have been a bit thicker but was very tasty. While thin it had all the right nusances of the broccoli and cheese with the hints of onion and garlic just peeking through. Lynn also ordered a half portion of their Caesar Salad. (6)
In a way the Caesar Salad defines the food at Infusion.
The salad wasn’t just tossed together, it wasn’t just another order filled, it was prepared. Crisp romaine lettuce with pancetta, hand made croutons, sun dried tomatoes and large shavings of parmesan cheese, a hint of anchoives, all smoothly coated with a perfect dressing.This salad had a palate crunch and coating that blended together in a perfect summer way. It was a seasonal taste with all the freshness that summer produce offers.
I was feeling summer peckish so I ordered the Antipasto Platter.(12)
Some thought had gone into this presentation. My medley of Italian cold cuts, salami, parma ham and provolone cheese were sliced into linguine thick strips and draped over a collection of red peppers, artichoke hearts and a ragout of shitake, portabello and button mushrooms.
At Infusion the art of food goes beyond presentation. Ingredients are a center piece part to their culinary concoctions. Half of my Antipasto came from Nicastros, an Italian Deli, just kitty corner from the restuarant. The produce was locally sourced.
Lynn could barely finish her half order of salad and I only managed to get through half of my antipasto. The rest is in my refrigerator awaiting a conversion into a glorious sandwich tomorrow.
The table just down from us ordered burgers. The older woman, the mom, chose the lamb burger with goat cheese and a onion merlot reduction served on foccacia bread with a choice of fries or salad.(14)
Her mildly aged daughter also ordered a burger but she chose the beef version with wild mushrooms, a wide choice of cheeses, a sun dried tomato spread, all topped with a chipotle sauce.(14)
I saw their order go by and witnessed their first bites. It was then that I wished that I had brought a bigger appetite with me.
Infusion is a real treat, an excellent example of a local eatery that understands food and presentation, and takes the care to ensure that your meal is exactly what you imagined it would be.
Another treat, the bill. Soup, half order of salad, antipasto and a glass of wine – 36 dollars.
INFUSION
825 Bank Street
613-834-7089
It was a lazy summer evening and we were in a lazy summer mood for dinner.
After much pondering and a myriad of suggestions from others we decided to return to Infusion in the Glebe.
Infusion was an immediate favourite of ours when we first visited last winter but that was in our pre-blog days so we decided to see if our first impressions still held true.
Infusion is a small, simple space and in the summer they have a patio of sorts in the back. It turns out to be a small number of tables located right next to a blank, bland parking lot.
The trick would be to use a few more plants or screens to separate the tables from the asphalt to lull us somehow into thinking we were actually being transported, however briefly, to a tropical summer.
We opted for the winter space inside.
The main room is more comfortable and conducive to dining.
Infusion is a neighbourhood bistro, relaxed and comfortable. The menu is artfully designed to appeal to almost all tastes from causal noshing to near fine dining.
Seriously tempted by the specials which were Grilled Tuna with a Watermelon and Ginger Salsa (25) or the Maple Mango Shrimp Salad with Balsamic and Field Berry Dressing (17) we decided that we would do a summer nosh.
Lynn ordered the soup of the day, Broccolinni and Parmesan Cheese (8) which could have been a bit thicker but was very tasty. While thin it had all the right nusances of the broccoli and cheese with the hints of onion and garlic just peeking through. Lynn also ordered a half portion of their Caesar Salad. (6)
In a way the Caesar Salad defines the food at Infusion.
The salad wasn’t just tossed together, it wasn’t just another order filled, it was prepared. Crisp romaine lettuce with pancetta, hand made croutons, sun dried tomatoes and large shavings of parmesan cheese, a hint of anchoives, all smoothly coated with a perfect dressing.This salad had a palate crunch and coating that blended together in a perfect summer way. It was a seasonal taste with all the freshness that summer produce offers.
I was feeling summer peckish so I ordered the Antipasto Platter.(12)
Some thought had gone into this presentation. My medley of Italian cold cuts, salami, parma ham and provolone cheese were sliced into linguine thick strips and draped over a collection of red peppers, artichoke hearts and a ragout of shitake, portabello and button mushrooms.
At Infusion the art of food goes beyond presentation. Ingredients are a center piece part to their culinary concoctions. Half of my Antipasto came from Nicastros, an Italian Deli, just kitty corner from the restuarant. The produce was locally sourced.
Lynn could barely finish her half order of salad and I only managed to get through half of my antipasto. The rest is in my refrigerator awaiting a conversion into a glorious sandwich tomorrow.
The table just down from us ordered burgers. The older woman, the mom, chose the lamb burger with goat cheese and a onion merlot reduction served on foccacia bread with a choice of fries or salad.(14)
Her mildly aged daughter also ordered a burger but she chose the beef version with wild mushrooms, a wide choice of cheeses, a sun dried tomato spread, all topped with a chipotle sauce.(14)
I saw their order go by and witnessed their first bites. It was then that I wished that I had brought a bigger appetite with me.
Infusion is a real treat, an excellent example of a local eatery that understands food and presentation, and takes the care to ensure that your meal is exactly what you imagined it would be.
Another treat, the bill. Soup, half order of salad, antipasto and a glass of wine – 36 dollars.
INFUSION
825 Bank Street
613-834-7089