Last name: Judalin
Contact information: 162 Danforth Avenue, 416 792-8088, judaline.ca, @judalineto
Piece: The Danforth
Previously: Combine restaurant
Owner: Joshua Mott (his father’s cider bar and kitchen)
Chief: Caesar Karanapakorn
Accessibility: Not fully accessible
Joshua Mott, the man behind the Harbord Village cider bar His father’s, has been watching the Danforth for a long time for its next place. “The neighborhood reminds me of Harbor Village in many ways,” he says. “There’s a friendly, tight-knit atmosphere, and it really comes down to the wonderful community here.” The idea came to him long before the pandemic hit, but Mott decided to wait.
Judaline is named after Mott’s mother, who created the restaurant’s warm and welcoming atmosphere. Mott isn’t aiming for Judaline to be a destination restaurant (although Chef Cesar Karanapakorn’s excellent seasonal dishes may have that effect anyway). Instead, his top priority is getting the community out there.
Rustic-chic, welcoming and sun-drenched, it’s a cheerful spot for fine seasonal fare. And, while the food is certainly the focus, the customer experience is no slouch – expect classic but unpretentious service.
The food
A rotating menu inspired by Canadian seasonality features 100% Ontario meat and local produce whenever possible. Chef Karanapakorn draws on his Thai and Mexican roots to bring punchy flavors to classic Canadian dishes. A rack of lamb, for example, comes with a tomato salsa made with epazote, a hot, pungent herb commonly used in central and southern Mexican cuisine.
The drinks
Food alcohol is the name of the game here. A balanced wine program includes Old and New World varietals, and the draft beer features local and European beers. Cocktails are mostly classics with a twist, like a rosemary gin and tonic rimmed with smoked salt. And, just like her father, Judaline has a strong cider program.
Space
Exposed brick, floor-to-ceiling windows, and lots of greenery in the form of hanging vines — which have been around since the space was Combine Eatery — lend a warm, lived-in feel. The restaurant’s color palette is inspired by the vine, hence the comfortable forest green banquettes. A spacious all-weather back patio has a retractable roof for the warmer seasons (and, thankfully, insulation and heating for what’s to come).
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