Food & Wine Discoveries

It’s hard to say which is the bigger star at Bronte’s Twisted Fork restaurant, flamboyant chef, owner and Bronte Village cheerleader Michael Killip, or his cuisine. The creative dynamo is featured on CityTV’s Breakfast Television about once a month, hosts in-house cooking classes, has a successful catering business…and even finds time to volunteer at Wyndham Manor Long Term Care Centre in Bronte, cooking for up to 20 seniors monthly. When Michael says, “There is no squeakier wheel than me. I jump up and down and everyone knows I’m here,” I believe him.

Then there is his cuisine to consider! All the food served is freshly prepared on the premises from soups to desserts, with the TF’s home made breads a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Delights such as P.E.I mussels, lobster Benedict, home made gnocchi, calamari salad, New York 10 oz. steak, and for those with a sweet tooth – pistachio crusted white chocolate cheese cake or perhaps a slice of key lime pie, beckon the taste buds.

My companion and myself visited on a Monday night and caught Michael in action as he supervised two apprentice chefs (from the Stratford Chef School, where he attended and taught), conversed with his numerous guests, and spent quality time with one of his four children. Monday nights are slow in most establishments, but definitely not at TF. This powerhouse of a chef realizes that to bring people to his restaurant he has to offer more than his competition. As Michael explains, “if I can get you to come in once, then it’s my job to keep you coming back, the trick is to get the door to open the first time.”

A rudimentary knowledge of Michael’s career to date is enough to prompt many people to open the door to TF. With cooking in his blood (his paternal grandfather was a chef for CP Rail in the 40’s and 50’s and his maternal grandfather was a Greek restaurant owner) he was destined to become a culinary star. His career has included a stint as the sous chef at the well known Old Prune in Stratford, ON, teaching at the Ontario Culinary School of Arts in Mississauga, cooking in Florida, Jamaica, Aruba, Mexico, and working as head chef at Paradiso Restaurant, in Oakville. All of this culminated in the opening of TF in 2002, with the support and love of his wife Laura and children.

What Michael and his family have accomplished is obvious when guests enter the TF. Visitors step into a spacious, bright room flanked by an open concept kitchen and a blond wooden bar area. Vast windows provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy a view of Bronte Harbour, complete with gliding swans. Halogen lighting, and earth tones provide a restful feel, with brown ceramic floor tiles and grey and cream coloured walls. My companion and I were pampered all night by Michael and his wonderful server Caitlin.

Here are the delights we savoured during the evening.

Appetizers:

Twisted Bruschetta ($5)

Four healthy sized pieces of crusty toasted homemade bread
Topped with sliced, ripe tomatoes, herbs and cheese

A crunchy and delicious way to start the meal

Twisted Crust ($12)

A delicious fusion of dates, prunes, capicollo, herbs, and gorgonzola
Similar to a thin-crusted pizza, the base for the dish was created with whole wheat and white flours and cornmeal
A sprinkle of parmesan cheese finished the dish perfectly

Entrees:

Seafood Linguine ($23)

Delicate linguine bathed in a white wine cream sauce

Augmented with mussels, shrimp and scallops

Beautiful presentation a sure crowd pleaser for seafood lovers

Three Mustard Crusted Salmon ($24)

Easy to see why this is one of Michael’s signature dishes!

Generously sized piece of perfectly cooked salmon, drizzled with mustard

Seated on a bed of creamy, melt-in-your-mouth basmati rice

Desserts:

Double Chocolate Truffle Torte ($10)

Rich dark chocolate torte, juxtaposed nicely by white chocolate shavings
Served with sliced strawberries and powered with icing sugar
Almost looked too heavenly to eat, but I managed!

Real Key Lime Pie ($8)

Recipe from when Michael worked with Camille Hansen in Boca Raton

Sweet and tart pie, topped by an incredible dollop of meringue

Beautifully presented on a colourful glass plate

Beverages:

Pinot Grigio, Villa Sandi 2004 Trentino Italy ($8.50)

Refreshingly crisp with a rich mouth feel

Perfect with the salmon

Margarita ($7.95)

A huge, frosty, delicious concoction, handcrafted by Caitlin

Nutty Monk ($7.95)

A taste sensation of coffee, Baileys and Frangellico
Whipped cream on top and sugar around the rim added to the hedonistic delight

In keeping with offering his guest an exceptional dining experience Michael hosts three annual special events: The Big Night in January (where the entire menu from the movie is re-created), Margaritaville in March (a tribute to Jimmy Buffet where guests wear summer clothing and Michael brings out his Caribbean recipes), and a Greek night in May (complete with old family recipes and belly dancers).

Stop by soon for lunch or dinner and make sure you speak to the “Twisted Chef” who will be only too happy to tell you about his future plans, and upcoming special events.

Twisted Fork
67 Bronte Rd.
Oakville, ON
905.825.3675
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