If you've ever visited the Mediterranean, the atmosphere at Abrielle will feel familiar and welcoming. Located in Toronto's historic Westinghouse building, this restaurant is dedicated to recreating Mediterranean culinary styles. Inspired by the diverse culinary cultures of southern France, Italy, Greece and Spain, the restaurant presents classic and surprising dishes in a pure and creative way.
Abrielle is described as "a gracious and charming woman who loves traveling, delicious food, and spending time with good friends." This is exactly the feeling the restaurant hopes to bring to every guest – warm, elegant, and full of curiosity and exploration of the world. Abrielle has 120 seats, and the restaurant space is divided into three parts: the main bar and dining area, the open space at the front, and the more private dining space at the back. Abrielle was carefully designed by DesignAgency, a well-known local design company. The interior design is dominated by a soft and feminine style. The interior is inspired by the natural colors of the Mediterranean. In order to avoid the overly mediocre blue and white combination, the design team deliberately used dried Miscanthus and other elegant flowers to decorate the space, spreading a gentle atmosphere to every corner of the restaurant. This delicate design is not only a visual enjoyment, but also allows diners to embark on a full-sensory journey of Mediterranean style.
The restaurant uses a charcoal stove to add a grilled aroma to the dishes
Mediterranean food culture
The food culture along the Mediterranean coast is filled with sunshine, sea breeze and pastoral atmosphere. The Mediterranean, a beautiful region covering southern France, Italy, Spain, Greece and parts of North Africa, each country has shaped the region's unique culinary culture with its rich and diverse ingredients and long-standing culinary traditions. Olive oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, seafood and grains are the soul of the Mediterranean diet. Their use not only preserves the purity of the ingredients, but also gives the dishes distinct flavors.
Charcoal grilled pork ribs
The Mediterranean diet is known for its freshness and healthiness. Its cooking style is simple and emphasizes the authenticity of the ingredients. For example, charcoal-grilled fish and vegetables can be restored to their natural sweetness by dipping them in a spoonful of fragrant olive oil or adding lemon juice. With the refreshing garnish of herbs such as rosemary, thyme and oregano, every bite is filled with the breath of nature. In addition, Spanish tapas, Italian handmade pasta, French seafood stew and Greek feta cheese salad all demonstrate the cultural diversity and rich charm of this coastline.
Restaurant's signature charcoal grilled octopus tentacles
Roasted Broccoli
The aroma of charcoal and the flavor of the Mediterranean
At Abrielle, the processing of ingredients is full of the ultimate pursuit of heat and flavor, and the charcoal stove has become one of the soul tools of this restaurant. The warm flames from the charcoal fire not only add a unique grilled aroma to the meal, but also symbolize a cooking philosophy of returning to nature. For example, the restaurant’s signature charcoal-grilled octopus tentacles are a perfect example of charcoal-fire cooking. The octopus tentacles are first brushed with oil mixed with red pepper powder, then grilled over charcoal until the outside is charred and fragrant while the inside remains tender and smooth. Finally, they are served with low-temperature cooked potatoes and rich Romanesco sauce. This dish is inspired by the Spanish octopus "Pulpo a la Gallega", but Abrielle's version adds modern ingenuity and fun to the tradition through innovative interpretation of sauce and potatoes.
Roasted broccoli replaces the traditional garlic sauce with lemon zest and preserved lemon jam for a refreshing, sour taste. After being grilled over charcoal fire, the vegetables become slightly crispy on the surface while still retaining a fresh and tender texture on the inside. Paired with sour and fragrant seasonings, they give new vitality to the classic dish. Not only vegetables, Abrielle's meat dishes also achieve a perfect balance against the charcoal fire. Take the Berkshire bone-in pork chop provided by Mennonite Farms in Ontario as an example. The 12-ounce pork chop is first seasoned with a mixture of chili spices and then grilled over charcoal to bring out the sweetness and rich fat of the pork. Finally, it is decorated with smooth Jerusalem artichoke puree and edible flowers, which not only perfectly combines vision and taste, but also reflects Abrielle's exquisite interpretation of ingredients.
The restaurant's creativity is not only reflected in the charcoal grilling technology, but also in the inspirational design of each dish. Take the yellowfin tuna tartare as an example. This appetizer perfectly interprets the freshness of Mediterranean flavors. Fresh tuna is marinated with a special sauce and cut into paper-thin slices. It is paired with the natural sweetness of marshmallow grapes, the crispy texture of chopped almonds, and a sauce made from mint oil and horseradish. The whole dish is full of delicious flavor and refreshing layers.
