The Life Changing Moment

Everyone has one of those life changing moments. For Noodle Cook, and any masterchef wannabe, it has to be that memorable meal. It was the first French meal, eaten at Marcel's in the King Street tourist precinct, Toronto. Prices were great after the downturn from chicken flu and mad cow disease. Besides, no-one would pass up a fine dining restaurant meal after a conference field trip that went from west to east coast of Canada. Of course with John, the expert at food criticising, on hand to pay for the meal, it was too good an opportunity.

The difference with this meal was the ambience, complete with music and rustic French decor. Up until that moment in time on 27 July, 2003, fine dining was strictly for business with clients, and savouring the beautiful flavours built into the tiny squiggle of a well made sauce wasn't a privilege to enjoy while doing business.

Moules Poulette $8.75
Mussels in Chardonnay wine, herb and cream sauce

Noisettes d'agneau grillees, reduction de romarin et baie de genievre, mousseline de pommes de terre au pesto $19.50
Roasted lamb loin, with rosemary-juniper reduction and pesto mashed potato

Mille feuilles a la meringue avec une mousse a la mangue et coulis de framboises
Meringue mille feuilles filled with a mango mousse and served with a raspberry sauce

Escargots au basilic frais, ail roti, consomme de tomates et sauvignon blanc $8.75
Snails with fresh basil, roasted garlic, tomato sauvignon blanc broth

Saumon de l'Atlantique saute au fenouil et poivre, riz sauvage et beurre blanc aux fruits de la passion $19.50
Fennel-pepper seared Atlantic salmon fillet with wild rice pilaf and passion fruit beurre-blanc