Kensington Market is home to some of Toronto’s most unique, quirky spots, chock full of culture and one-of-a-kind outposts. Now, an upscale, creative vegan restaurant called Hawker is added to the mix.
Inspired by naturalism and food in its purest form, Hawker is helmed by chefs Jeff Merkel and Leah Steduto. Merkel also co-owns the space with Darshan Dorka.
The reasonably-priced food menu is populated with dishes named to pay homage to nature, like the Creek Bed, a unique dish comprised of sage-infused oat milk that’s surrounded by a moat of butternut squash purรฉed with spruce tips and topped with marigold petals. There’s also an eggplant curry dish that’s set ablaze tableside and appropriately called a Bushfire. And, for an earthier dish, opt for the Spring, a plate shaved fennel in a coconut sauce dotted with mace, pasilla chilies and sweet, nutty fenugreek and finished with the bold flavours of beet reduction, marigold and perilla leaf. It’s served with blue tortilla chips on the side.
After receiving its liquor license last week, Hawker added a selection of vegan wines and cocktails to the menu. Offerings include the Atonement, a concoction made of iced coffee, rose, black cardamom, vodka and Grand Marnier, as well as the Resonance (which can also be made a mocktail), a mixture of strawberry, lavender, earl grey and tequila blanco.
Hawker, in all its nature-inspired glory, officially opened to the public on May 18, and is located at 291 Augusta Ave.
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