Roast’s Mouth-Watering Meats
Choice cuts of meat for the hungry and hurried
When did butcher shops get so beautiful? Roast Fine Foods is the latest spot making us salivate, not only for its naturally raised, locally farmed fare but also for its stunning design. At the entrance, framed by wallpaper of a child receiving a roast dinner, stands an old-school icebox stocked with frozen treats from Fressy Bessie and Greg’s Ice Cream. The space, designed by Jeremy Gladstone, boasts marble counters, a tin ceiling, and award-winning typography, all contributing to its old-time charm that invites you to linger just a little longer while selecting the perfect cut.
At the back of the shop behind a glass partition, owner Ben Latchford and his staff prepare everything. The fridges along the wall are full of vacuum-packed meats, such as ready-for-the-grill bison steak and an assortment of burgers and sausages. A freezer holds heat-and-serve dishes, classics like short-rib lasagna and lamb stew. There are also stacked containers of broths and stocks, and a fridge full of dry aged beef. One of the store’s standouts is the roast chicken, dressed in any one of a flavour junkie’s paradise of bastes, like honey-chipotle, Cajun, piri piri, fresh herb, jerk and bbq dry rub – at least half a dozen uniquely flavoured birds are always on hand (from $7/lb). Roast Fine Foods is a great choice for bigger occasions, or when you need to impress guests on short notice, order the rack of lamb (from $26/lb), a fully trussed turkey (from $5.30/lb) or venison (usually served as racks, from $40/lb), all seasoned to perfection for easy at-home cooking. ROASTFINEFOODS.COM
786 St. Clair Ave W 416 657 6278 Mon-Tue 10-7, Wed-Fri 9-7, Sat 9-6, Sun 10-6
Originally published in our Winter 2015 issue. Check out our other featured gourmet-to-go joints: Honest Weight, Roselle Desserts and Left Field Brewery.
