Harbord House owner John Oakes has worked in restaurants in the Annex since his days as a University of Toronto undergraduate more than two decades ago. In fact, he launched his food industry career as a busboy at the Duke of York pub, a neighbourhood stronghold.
While there's some contention as to whether his Harbord Street gastropub, Harbord House, can be considered an official “Annex establishment” (residents of the surrounding area call it Harbord Village, though it's “South Annex” in real estate speak), the Harbord strip shares its northern neighbour's warm community appeal.
“I wanted a neighbourhood establishment that served great, homemade Canadian comfort food, great craft beers, and a focused wine list that's centred on Canadian wines, but not entirely Canadian,” says John. The extensive food menu features two-handed burgers, formidable poutine, and a lamb sausage made in house.
About 70 per cent of the menu has been consistent since the eatery first opened in 2008; the restaurant's chef has also been there since day one. Whenever new items do make it onto the Harbord House roster, they’re tested out as specials first. The eatery's fig and goat cheese salad, for instance, was added to the menu on the recommendation of one of the server's mothers.
“Now it's one of our biggest sellers,” John laughs.
French Onion Soup
trio of caramelized onions, thyme and apples, garlic crostini and sharp Cheddar
Crab Cakes
snow and rock crab meat, roasted peppers and corn, with a spicy remoulade
Crispy Buffalo Shrimp
with a lime horseradish cocktail sauce, blue cheese dip, carrots and celery
Chicken Wings
roaster wings with blue cheese dip, carrots and celery Harbord House smoky chipotle BBQ sauce, or fiery scotch bonnet sauce
Sweet Potato Fries
with a maple Dijon dip
Ale, Bacon & Cheese Dip
selection of cheeses, Muskoka Cream Ale and double smoked bacon served with baguette
Calamari
cornmeal dusted, fried till golden, with a lemon saffron aioli
Trio of Dips
fava bean and rosemary, hummus, and spicy black bean, with toasted pita points
Poutine
Yukon Gold and sweet potato fries, veal jus, fresh Canadian cheese curds, caramelized onions
Caesar
crisp romaine, parmesan and croutons
Goat Cheese and Fig Salad
fresh figs, goat cheese, candied pecans, organic greens, wild blueberry vinaigrette
Flatiron Steak Salad
Flatiron steak, greens, blue cheese, grilled portobello mushroom, maple balsamic dressing
Cobb Salad
roast turkey, double smoked bacon, avocado, Cheddar, egg, onion and tomato, Ermite cheese dressing
Jail Island Smoked Salmon Salad
smoked salmon, potato pancakes, lemon dill aioli, organic greens
Fish and Chips
beer battered Haddock, Yukon Gold fries, tartar sauce
Harbord House Burger
8 oz. house ground, certified Angus beef, Yukon Gold fries
Hoser Burger
8 oz/house ground, certified Angus beef, peameal bacon, Cheddar, Yukon Gold fries
Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Sandwich
ortobello mushrooms, sweet peppers and onions on focaccia, Yukon Gold fries
Club Sandwich
roast turkey, double smoked bacon, avocado and tomato on challah, cranberry mayonnaise, Yukon Gold fries
Berkshire Pulled Pork Sandwich
pork shoulder slow roasted in spicy barbecue sauce with coleslaw, Yukon Gold fries
Potato Crusted Salmon
pan seared Jail Island salmon fillet with lemon horseradish cream, herbed basmati rice, grilled asparagus
House Made Lamb & Rosemary Sausages
portobello mushroom gravy, mash, rapini
Mac and Cheese
Cheddar, jack, parmesan and ermite cheeses, with herb and garlic bread crumb topping, served with organic greens
Blackened Salmon Tacos
fresh salsa, chipotle mayo in soft shell tortillas, served with organic greens
Mint & Pea Falafel
with tabbouleh & spicy tahini in a pit, served with fries & coleslaw
Meatloaf
with mashed potatoes, portobello mushroom gravy and sautéed green beans
Chicken Pot Pie
served with organic greens, Waupoos cider vinaigrette
Vegetarian Chili
simmered with tomatoes and chipotle peppers, served with home made jalapeno cornbread
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Chocolate Cheesecake
Apple Crumble
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