Assembly Chef's Hall Epi T.O.

Caroline

A place where talent assembles

The doors flew opened and he invited all in. "Welcome to the Assembly! Is this your first time here!" And he proceeded to give us the spiel about the Hall. Located in the financial district of Toronto, in the building where Google T.O. lives, the Assembly Chef's Hall is a sprawling, multi-tiered eatery showcasing 17 local chefs, restauranteurs and baristas. Our ACH greeter took us from one venue to the next highlighting their best. From a barista champion to a Cinnamon Bomb king and finally to the gnocchi guru, Ivana Raca.

And food lovers gather

I had read about Raca in Edible Toronto: Going All-In which talks about her involvement in the movement to change "the near absence of female chefs from Toronto restaurant kitchens." Feisty lady. I thought I'd look her up if ever at the Assembly. Looked her up we did and found a modest, vibrant and friendly gal. A sign at the restobooth boasts the fact that she beat Bobby Flay in a gnocchi competition. Well, that settled that. We had to have the champion gnocchi. Gnocchi two ways please: 1. the Mushroom Truffle Cream, and 2. the Boho Gnoc in a chorizo red sauce. Raca's gnocchi is 90% ricotta. How about that! In a heart beat I would go back for the gnocchi... the question is, could my heart take it? Deliciously rich, to be enjoyed in moderation. Sharing them made it less of a guilty pleasure.

Gnocchi two ways at Chef's Table by Resto Boemo

We ran into our ACH greeter and let him talk us into trying a Cinnamon Bomb from the Short and Sweet Bakeshop: "Only one left! You gotta try it!" Take all the cinnamony goodness of a cinnamon bun and a few other decadent ingredients (sweetened crème fraîche comes to mind) and wrap it in an ever-so-light ball of dough and deep fry it. Oozy cinnamon delight washed down with a Cortado from Bulldog Coffee.

The bomb and his cortados!

I would definitely recommend the Assembly Chef's Hall for a fun time. It offers something for every taste. I cringe at the reviews that compare it to a food court but, if truth be told, ACH is a glorified food court, a very good one at that. Everyone can grab the bite that they like and enjoy it at a common table. If I had my druthers though, I'd do away with the bumping soundtrack...

Assembly Chef's Hall, 111 Richmond Street West, Toronto