chef feature Chef Mo Avec Panache • The Junction • by Dennis Hanagan
“We have many customers who come just for the lamb chops.”
Chef Mo putting the finishing touches on his Crêpe Suzettes. When you ask Chef Mo about his go-to cookbook, he taps his forehead. That’s where he keeps the innovative recipes he brings to the table at Avec Panache. “I follow my years of experience in France, Germany and Switzerland, and improvise to create traditional dishes with a twist,” says Mo. Educated in Europe and in the business for many years, Mo’s forté is fine quality, locally-sourced food, artistically presented. Customers always comment on the large selection of beautiful fresh vegetables that accompany his entrées. One of his most popular dishes is the succulent, grilled Frenchcut lamb chops. Fine quality lamb racks are trimmed of all fat, then brushed with olive oil and marinated for a few days in fresh herbs, including rosemary. “We have many customers who come just for the lamb chops,” Mo says. His signature soup, Fire-Roasted Sweet Potato, is equally popular. It’s a combination of sweet potatoes, squash, apple, spinach, leeks, red peppers and red lentils, seasoned with fresh ginger, coriander
and cumin. “People bring their friends and insist that they try it!” Mo purchases ingredients locally on a daily basis. “Because we buy from little businesses and select just what we need for that day, our food is always totally fresh. We even make all our own desserts – that way we ensure fresh, natural ingredients and something unique to us.” For a meal out, Mo and his wife Sue keep it local and very casual. They enjoy Thai, Indian and Mexican food – anywhere they don’t have to dress up! Mo’s favourite chef is the renowned Mark McEwan. “He’s a very talented chef and one of the people I really respect. He takes pride in what he does.” So does Mo. He recalls a story from his days at Encore, across from the former O’Keefe Centre. Eaton’s was sponsoring a ballet in the late 1980s and John Craig Eaton asked him to make something different for his V.I.P. guests, who were difficult to impress. Mo suggested a gourmet Crown of Lamb, “although a lot of people didn’t eat lamb at that time.” Just in case, he prepared Chateaubriand as backup. One lady at the gathering turned down the lamb and Mo ordered “one Chateaubriand, quick!” Before the substitution could be made however, the waiter hurried back to the kitchen. “No! No!” he cried. “The lady tasted her husband’s lamb and loves it. She wants her plate back!”
THE FOOD IS AMAZING and the prices are unbelievable. You feel you are in a 5 star hotel but not paying premum.
3108 Dundas St. W. 647-348-5992 avecpanacherestaurant.com avecpanache@ymail.com
www.neighbourhoodliving.com
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