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High Five for FOUR July 5, 2009
Finally, a beautifully-appointed restaurant where you can order anything off the menu and keep track of calories as easy as…well…pie.
At FOUR, in Toronto’s financial district, every dish weighs in at less than 650 calories. As far as we know this is the first, upscale restaurant to offer an exclusive calorie-counting menu. There are also options for vegetarians and those with other dietary restrictions including gluten-free dishes for celiacs. Bonus: the food is very good. More of Anne's Spa & Wellness Travel Blogs
Four opened in February of 2008 and PR rep Karen Krugal has been inviting me to join her for a meal for months. When I finally found the time to take her up on the offer it was a Friday lunch, and Four was packed with business type patrons, many who work in the immediate area.
The design of this lower-level eatery (for those who know Toronto, it’s just below Far Niente) is contemporary with soft lighting and rich dark woods mixed with stone, glass and stainless steel. It all works to create a warm, comfortable, romantic setting. A large, inviting bar area dominates the centre of the restaurant.
Inspired by the cuisine of destinations such as the Mediterranean, India and Japan, the menu features small plates, appetizers, main courses and desserts. I’m not fussy eater, but I’m very particular about the food I put into my body and everything sounds so tempting here it’s difficult to decide.
Chef de cuisine Matt Rosen helps out by pointing out some of the more popular appetizers: Hummus made with miso and Za’atar (a spice blend), the crab and corn cake, and calamari marinated in a black bean sauce and grilled. We order a “tasting” of the three.
A self-proclaimed label readers who admits he “eats like a peasant and likes really simple things,” Rosen says, “there’s a need to change the perception of ‘healthy.’ It’s not just about eating leafy greens.” As the menu at Four aptly proves.
The entrées are as interesting and healthy-focused as the appetizers: Spelt ricotta tossed with mushrooms, spinach and goat cheese; Steamed Halibut with Israeli Couscous; and Ratatouille Vegetables in a black olive oil – to name just a few. There’s a burger on the menu but instead of hamburger is bison served on a multigrain bun.
Rosen, who along with executive chef Gord Mackie worked with certified nutritionist Rosie McLean to assess the caloric value of each dish tells us that when Four opened, the existing kitchen was totally revamped. All deep fryers were replaced with steamers and the staff (of the previous restaurant) was retrained on the whole concept of cooking and preparing meals with attention to calorie count. All dishes are now prepared without butter, very little dairy and no artificial sweeteners. Rosen points out that while the menu is not designed for lower salt and sugar, “we do keep it in mind.”
Another bonus for those who like to watch what they eat - no bread is brought to the table to tempt patrons to snack on carbs while reviewing the menu.
To complement a meal, freshly-made fruit beverages including blueberry lemon-aid,
mango peach and strawberry guava – are all naurally sweetened. If you decide to enjoy a
glass of wine – or two - all wines on the menu are biodynamic or organic.
Another point of distinction include the use of smart cooking products such as olive and
grapeseed oil, spelt flour, ancient rains, buckwheat noodles and other complex
carbohydrates.
And, to end the meal? Dessert Shots – think petit fours – and all just 97 to 226
calories. High five for four, plus two thumbs up. Four is definitely on the
Traveltowellness.com short list of Best Place to
Eat Healthy in Toronto.
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Two other good place to eat in downtown Toronto:
Loire Restuarant, Toronto
Marquis Lounge & Bistro
And, if you're heading to New York:
Fish Tail by David Burke
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