Fri Feb 3, 2012
Food and Drink

Hopgood’s Foodliner opens on Roncesvalles

Fans of the old Hoof Café will be glad to hear that its chef, Geoff Hopgood, has branched out on his own with the just-opened Hopgood’s Foodliner at 325 Roncesvalles, the former location of Brad’s Takeout and Eatery.

Dishes at the 50-seat restaurant include a Halifax-inspired donair; hot crab dip; a tuna crudo brined in Marmite and served with daikon, apple and house-made mustard; spot prawn salad; lamb-heart tartar, sweetbread stew; scallops; and crispy pork shoulder. On the dessert side, Hopgood has created his version of a chocolate bar in which white chocolate is blended with Rice Krispies and topped with caramel and chocolate.

“It’s fun, east-coast comfort food with a few different influences,” says Hopgood, who moved into the space on Dec. 2 and hosted a soft-launch opening last night. “We do our own butchery. We’ve got the style that I honed at the Hoof Café but done in a way that’s reflective of my childhood in Halifax.”

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Maritime Gypsy

I had the Donair. Being from the east coast I’ve been dying for a good one for years.

It was tasty. But the staff made it very clear we weren’t the kind of clientele that they were hoping to serve. We didn’t know about the reservation requirement so we walked in. Hostess was iffy if we could get in before 15 mins; despite there being 3 perfectly open tables by the door. So I gave her my number (watched her write it down) and went to get coffee at Roncy Bean (great place) and she’d call when the table settled up and we’d have a seat.

Didn’t get called after 20 mins so we went back down. She came over with some sob story that she had the wrong number but covered the paper when she read my number back to me. And then changed the last digit by one number 2 instead of a 3. Yeah. Sure I’ll believe that. So she proceeded to hum and haw over the tables and decided we could choose from one of the three (still empty) tables from when we were first there. Awesome. That is not Maritime hospitality. If you are booked, or only take reservations, tell me. Honestly is a bit more of a Maritime tradition.

The Server swore he’d be ‘around so just grab my attention’ when we were ready to order. But he floated away in the back for 10 mins.

The staff may be ‘polite and hospitable’ but they need to work on their condescending tone.

While we were seated I saw 2 more walk in w/out reservations and were seated at the 2 remaining open tables. Without a second glance back or any of the production we got.

And as for those that actually had reservations. I saw a group of ladies sitting there when we arrived and they were still there after we left. Clearly they don’t hustle out the diners to keep people on time.

And we weren’t poorly dressed. I came from work. The wait staff are all snobby hipsters wearing cuffed jeans and kicks. So I feel that I was at least not the most under dressed person there by far. A guy walked in and was cheerfully greeted in his lumber jack style coat.

I was unimpressed. The donair being the real deal is the only saving grace for me. Not one Nova Scotia wine on the menu. So much for that ‘down home’ feel. I’ve never felt so out of place in my life.

We proceeded to go to our local pub Bar With No Name, up on Bloor between Dundas West and Keele. Got the regular super warm greeting. That guy knows hospitality. Hands down.
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9:57 am on March 30, 2012

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Laurel

Very glad we made reservations for dinner last evening, Hopgood’s was full from the moment the doors opened to closing. Chef is brilliant…. unexpected combinations encompassing the sensory experience of eating. Perfectly prepared from a culinary laboratory. Our waiter took a hands on and knowledgeable interest in explaining the menu; superbly backed by excellent service. The dining experience was rounded out with texture, sound, and more. Left with spirits lifted. Highly recommended.
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12:00 pm on March 23, 2012

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jaydee

Looking forward to your “hard opening”. When?
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5:27 pm on February 3, 2012

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