Auberge feels terribly misplaced in the in the parking lots
of Yonge Corporate Centre. The restaurant resembles an idyllic cottage untainted
by the commercial outgrowth that surrounds it. And it isolates itself tastefully
using trees (whether they are of the genus “Pommier,” I cannot say). Stone
walls and elegantly light décor contribute to the ‘wedding-room’ look. Again,
the multicultural spin of Summerlicious takes over, but waitresses are more
than happy to indulge these aspirational patrons. And unfortunately some diners
did stage a bit of revolt in front of mislabelled washroom doors - their confusion
showing through otherwise austere faces, perturbed only by the urgency of their
needs. “Mesdames” and “messieurs”: what alien tongue is that? The lunchtime
selection is a little dull; the clear favourites were the sea bass and the
cheese. With that said, the table all ordered different appetizers and they
were all very good. My salad was very lightly dressed and almost bitter until
the sweet pine nuts were introduced. The Sea Bass was perfectly cooked, as were
the zucchinis. The saffron sauce (however little there was) offered a
distinctively acidic punch to the unctuous fish. My complaint would be the watery
cherry tomatoes and the chewy PEI mussels added nothing to the dish. The cheese
was beautifully presented and rested on a cheery fruit spread. The added effort
beyond a simple cheese & cracker dish (see Sassafraz) was duly noted. Auberge
reminds me of many of ST Coleridge’s poems of the peaceful countryside, in the
distant past. “How exquisite the scents / Snatch'd from yon bean-field!”
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